I Guess Tumbleweed Was The Only Other Option

Pardon me while I ramble on like some incoherent idiot for a minute. I have no idea what I hope to accomplish with the following, but oh well.

I think I am a bushel. Never thought I’d actually be one, but I have a feeling I’ve become one—one of a few human bushels in my church.

I remember walking into the church to which I belong before I was ever officially in the church. It happened to be a Christmas musical. The entire cadre of soloists was impressive to me, especially for a church body that was comparatively smaller than either of the two charismatic tank-top churches we have in our town (you know, the ones where people sort of migrate between them, and never really get to know each other?)

Anyway, I also remember that a whole host of people that sit next to me now in the pews and never sing specials now were also the ones carrying sometimes-demanding parts in this Christmas special—then.

Now, some thirteen years later, I occupy many bases on the musical field. I play guitar, and also sing, primarily, but I also play drums, bass, and whatever else I may need to play. Sometimes I move between these instruments, depending on the needs of the service and song.

Now, admittedly, I have a strong voice—the kind that has that gritty, bluesy, whiskey-soaked edge that is perfectly suited for the choir’s “barn-burner” songs. And I’m the easy guy to get for this, because I demure from very little musically, and I’m not really flummoxed by the last-minute need to learn new material, and deliver it.

But I get a little overwhelmed with hearing me all the time. Quite frankly, I’d love to hear the people I first heard singing give it a go again. But when I ask them about the possibility, they recoil like I’ve just asked them to blaspheme the faith.

“No, I’d be too nervous,” is the usual, boilerplate answer.

“Hey, I don’t see why, it’s only been thirteen years since you stood with a microphone in front of people,” I’ll retort with the sort of soft sarcasm that let’s them know I’m mainly teasing them. They then reply that I “do things so much better” than they could “ever hope to.”

Those statements sadden me.

It occurred to me. Somehow, my Jonny-on-the-spot approaches to music ministry in the church provides a very comfortable cleft in the rock of timidity for others. Sure, God gave me a whole bunch of talents, and I’m guilty of using them all—constantly. But I’d like to see some of these other brothers and sisters use what they were given as well. And I’d like to see it often.

Who knows what blessings are waiting to be delivered on the wings of their obedience?

I guess God does.

If You Can’t Worship To It, You Shouldn’t Listen To It!

Have you ever uttered some words, phrases, sayings, etc., and then wondered where they came from? I’m talking about utterances like “okey dokey,” and such like, that until someone else asks the meaning, it passes through the cognizance filter. Somehow, ingrained in our psyche are words and phrases we pick up over the course of our lives that rise to the top and become a part of our more refined thinking. UNTIL…we are called to think about what we are saying. I’m convinced that the lead off title falls into this category.

I have not personally used these words, but I have heard them uttered. The key hinge to the said phraseology is… what is worship? If you mean that there are some songs that are not a good dynamic fit for a church service, then I would agree. I think we have all seen the song that is good while you’re exercising on the bike, yet will not pull people to a worshipful state in a service. However, this “delineation” understanding is based on the notion that there are in fact some good songs that help me out while I’m on the stationary bike! “Delineation” means that there is a time and place for different types of music. Since it is the time for seasonal music, I enjoy the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but I’m not privy to trying out one of their songs in an evangelistic service.

The alternate to “delineation” is “isolation,” meaning that one should not listen to music that does not create and emote a church service feel. Theologically, this is like seeing truth as a bull’s eye clearly demarked from the rest of the target. What falls inside is truth, and what falls outside is not. And this is where the phrase falls completely apart, because I am convinced a person who utters such words is not really suggesting that the only music appropriate is what you hear in a church service! What of instrumental, easy listening, jazz, classical, and a gazillion other genres and multi-mixed genres. Music, as well as culture, has reached a state of fluidity that appears to me as having a bull’s eye, but it is not a clear target. On the contrary, it is very blurred and indistinctive, progressing its way to the true core.

Are you saying truth can be found in a rock song? ABSOLUTELY. I know…there are those “taken aback by your liberal thinking while being the administrator for an ultra- conservative congregation” (please no personal attacks and stick to addressing the particular content). Are you saying the door of the musical library should be thrown open with no restraints? ABSOLUTELY NOT. The Spirit must guide our course and delineation should be made as to what works in our worship services, as well as what works when we are worshipping God in the celebration of this thing called life. Worship is all-encompassing in the totality of our existence, and requires a balance and moderation both inside and outside the church.

“If you can’t worship to it, you shouldn’t listen to it” is the literature equivalent of “don’t read anything other than the Bible.” That is neither tenable nor forthright…unless, of course, you’re not reading the Bible at all.

Ode to JOYce - "Music Matters"

I’ve been thinking about the purpose of this blog. The subject is obviously important otherwise seven people would run out of things to say after six months. Everything from the new song/hymn debate to musician etiquette to our most recent romp through the good and bad of Christmas music has been discussed, and all with more varying perspectives than you can shake a stick at. (Okay, that’s how they say it in the Ozarks where I grew up…) As a result of being a part of this experiment, my world, which I didn’t realize was so narrow, has been broadened. I’ve been forced to rethink some viewpoints and have changed some opinions I previously held.

So, music does matter. I borrow the following from my mentor and now colleague, Joyce Scott, who wrote this amazing document a few years ago, and which I’m proud to share with you.

Does music matter?
Ask Moses – why did the Lord tell him to SING his final sermon? (Duet 31:19)
Ask Saul – how did he get rid of the evil spirit that troubled him? (I Sam. 16:23)

Does music matter?
Ask Elisha – what happened to him when the minstrel played? (II Kings 3:15)
Ask David – why did four thousand praise the Lord with the instruments he made? (I Chron 23:5)

Does music matter?
Ask the priests at the dedication of the temple- what caused the glory of the Lord to fill the house of God so that they could not stand to minister? (II Chron 5:13-14)
Ask Jehoshaphat – how did he win the battle against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir? (II Chron 20:21-22)

Does music matter?
Ask Paul and Silas – how did they evangelize the Phillipian jail? (Acts 16:25)
Ask the dead in Christ – when shall they be raised incorruptible? (I Cor. 15:52)

Ask the Author of the Bible – why is music mentioned over 500 times in 44 of its 66 books – and why is the largest book and the central book the songbook – and why did he COMMAND His prophets to use music in His house?

Music DOES matter IF-
The musicians are sanctified (II Chron 5:11-14), and skillful (Ps. 33:3)
It matters IF –
The music is based on the Word of God (Col 3:16) motivated by the Spirit and directed to the Lord. (Eph. 5:18-19)

Music matters BECAUSE –
We FEEL what we sing. Music expresses our spirits in a way that words cannot do. It involves our heads, hands and hearts simultaneously. It allows all of us to actively participate at the same time. It promotes unity. It helps us to reach up and out. It imprints truth in our minds.

Does music matter? Do we ever have a church service without it?

It matters IF HE is our music! (Ex. 15:2, Ps 118:14, Is. 12:2)

Thanks, Sister Scott, for the hard work of putting this together. And thanks to all my fellow musicians who live these words – I know HE is pleased!

Merry Christmas.

It's Christmas Y'all!!!

I use music as mood therapy. When I pick up the kids from school and they are hyper from the long day of learning I slip a little classical music on car stero to calm them down. Or if we are on the way to school and they are sleepy we crank up the Silly Songs with Larry from Veggie Tales. If we're on our way to church and have had a less than spiritual experience getting ready for the day (who wrote "Easy Like Sunday Morning"? Obvious heathens, because I've NEVER had an easy Sunday morning) I'm likely to be blasting the gospel choir music to get us in tune.

I found myself needing some music therapy of my own as I tried to prepare for Christmas this year. Normally I'm the one skipping Halloween altogether and putting my tree up instead. Yes, we have actually had Thanksgiving dinner next to the twinkling lights of a completely decorated tree. My husband's family rents a chalet every year at Christmas in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and General Conference can tend to be a summit for holiday planning. We even have a website dedicated to gift exchanges, recipe's and who's on what team for dinner preparation. I have a drawer dedicated to obnoxious Christmas sweaters. I have a kid tree and a mommy tree and my daughter may just twist my arm into getting her a hot pink one just for her room. We are SERIOUS about this holiday y'all.

But this year, I just wasn't into it.

December 1st was dawning and I didn't want to see one red table cloth, one bow, or hear a jingle bell. Since closing our business this year our game room is crammed full of office furniture and files so there's no room for a kid tree this year. The rest of the house is overflowing with leftover furniture, below the wreath on the door handle is a lock box for realtor's who want to show our house which we reluctantly put on the market. So what! I'm having a stinky year and it's a little harder to sing those plucky Christmas carols.

So...back to the therapy. I dug out Celine Dion's Christmas album, "These Are the Special Times". Oh, I know she's not Spirit filled or baptized. I wish she were. But there is something in the reverance of "Oh Holy Night" that stirred my spirit.

A Thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks

A new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices

Oh night divine

Oh night when Christ was

Oh night, Oh Holy Night

Oh night divine

I felt something melt a little. I think I even got a little misty. There were no lights decorated in preparation for his arrival so God lit the heavens with angels. The nations were in turmoil. The faithful were weary. The inns were full. But at the appointed time the miraculous was accomplished in an insignificant barn in Bethlehem. An event that has inspired songwriters throughout the ages. Maybe I'm not back to my jolly old self quite yet, but there is a quiet hope, a subtle thrill at least, at the mere remembrance of the gift of redemption. The words, the music, the celebration of Christ's remarkable arrival in such an unremarkable way gives lift to my soul.

So I light the candles. I hang the shiny bulbs. I even smile and hum along with Celine. And if the temperature ever gets below 80, I may just put on one of those sweaters.

A (Short) List of Christmas Favorites:

Christmas Song: "Oh Holy Night" the Mariah and Celine Dion versions...interchangeably

Christmas Snack: It's called "white trash" and it's white chocolate mixed with Chex cereal, peanuts, pretzels and m&m's and I'm so embarrassed to eat the unfortunately named mixture I only eat it at Christmas.

Fave Christmas Feast side dish: My mom-in-law's oyster dressing is SERIOUS y'all.

Fave Album: Lee Greenwood's Christmas album is the best hands down.

Movie: "ELF" LOVE IT!!!!

Best gift ever: One year my husband took one of my friends with him Christmas shopping so that he would have a better idea what to give me and I got the full Aveda skin care line that year.....sigh...good times.

Ultimate Venue: Every year the Ballestero's take over Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It'll be another tender Tennessee Christmas again this year.

Fave After-Christmas Diet: THE SOUTH BEACH DIET!!!

Christmas Carols?

I don't really like Christmas music all that much. Correction. I don't like singing much Christmas music. Chalk it up to just a few too many Christmas concerts over the years singing a few too many Christmas carols.

There are two, however, that I never tire of singing or listening to. O Holy Night and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. I think I like O Holy Night because it's a "singer's song." One that really rewards breath control, and is, in short, simply pleasurable to sing. My affinity for O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a longer and more fluid history. In short, I love the tune. I love the way it flows like chant yet has forward motion that presses on.

The first time I discovered how much I liked O Come, O Come, I think I was in college, shortly after a trip to Estonia. I heard the most beautiful arrangement of it set for choir. It has such a haunting melody. And it is very well suited to a variety of arrangements.

As I think longer and harder about it there are other songs I like such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, The Christmas Song, Little Drummer Boy, and, especially in Minnesota where we are all but assured of a White Christmas this year, I always break out into song when I see those flakes a falling -- Let It Snow or maybe Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

Then there are those songs that I could go twenty years without hearing -- 12 Days of Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Three Kings, Joy to the World . . . (no offense, SSD... it's the tune, the tune). I'm sure there are others in this vein. I'm not particularly fond of the Carol of the Bells but I don't really mind it. It doesn't grate on my nerves like some songs.

There are two other songs that I just thought of, whose tunes I enjoy -- The Holly and the Ivy and Good King Wenceslaus.

Oh, one more thing.

I love the Grinch.

What are your favorites? Are there Christmas songs that you can't stand?