Just in case you have ever wondered, "What is love?". Well, it is very nicely answered here, though I doubt most would understand the answer..... Give it a listen and see if you can spot the definition of love:
Ooh, 18 and I'm outta here
She had reached her independence day
Never saw her mother's private tears
Or the times her daddy prayed to
God to see her through
Love comes true
Love comes true
Love comes true
Love comes true
21 and I'm so confused
Getting up her nerve to call collect
I do not need help from anyone
But there's a few little words
I did neglect to say to you
Love comes true
(No turning back the clock)
Love comes true
(Just waiting for a knock)
Love comes true
(Lord, if she only knew)
Love comes true
(What - Is - Love?)
Love comes with patience
Love lost is found
32, married, and kids for her own,
She's come around
She needs them (both) to help her through
Love comes true
(Love is sending out a light)
Love comes true
(Love is gonna make it right)
Love comes true
(Love is finally getting through)
Love comes true
Love comes true
(Love is sending a light)
Love comes true
(Love is making it right)
Love comes true
(Love is gonna get you through)
Love comes true
Love comes true
(Love is sending a light)
Love comes true
(Love is making it right)
Love comes true
(Love is gonna get you through)
Love comes true
Love comes true
(Love is sending a light)
Love comes true
(Love is making it right)
Love comes true
(Love is gonna get you through)
Love comes true
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
In Memory Of
It is with sadness I write of the death of the man whom would have been my father-in-law, had he and his wife not so venomously reacted to this skinny German guy their daughter was hanging with and eventually agreed to marry.
The family was Swedish and as such, very tight knit - as in no outsiders allowed. Not only was I an outsider, I was a foreigner, a German with an interest in their daughter, a fashion model (as her mother had been). They were torn between anger and terrified of me all at the same time.
From my viewpoint, this was the very first Christian family I had seen the interior of. I wanted to learn, I wanted to know what a Christian man was, I was a brand new Christian myself.
Yeah, it did not go well. Twin cultures slamming head first into one another. So, their rejection of me was understandable. And, I was quite accustomed to rejection. So, not an immediate problem. But, he was to be the one to terminate my pending marriage.
So, you might come to think that our relationship was horrible, that we bore dislike through the years for one another. Nope.
God had me take on the entire church during one business meeting. The church was to vote to discredit a man's testimony, a man whom had troubles, a man whom looked to our church for help and was rebuffed. He was not "cool". So, I stood up and let both barrels fly. By the time God was done with them (I was just a mouth piece, and to this day I have no idea what I said!), many were in tears and a mini-revival broke out.
As I sat down, quite shaken because this is completely not like me, I saw this man. He had been quietly standing behind me. He stood and never said a word. His presence is what had shut up the critics. The man I had hoped would be my future father, whom bore such a strong dislike for me that he personally killed my marriage, had stood in support of what was being said. And the church understood exactly what was going on, God was talking through the silly German boy and this Swede was willing to lend a voice to shut them up - in spite of what he thought of me. Wow!
Yes, through the years I have thought of him often. About a decade later, I was able to see him a few times a year, when ever our paths would cross. He embarrassed, me just happy to see the first Christian man I had come to know - whom may not have liked me but had supported in a confrontation. He never could understand that joy I had in seeing him.
Decades later he had Dutchman pass his apology on to me, with a long explanation for the choices he had made. It haunted him what he and his wife had done to me, and ultimately their daughter. No she never did marry, spent years in therapy, with numerous attempts to kill herself. Very sad because I am not so sure any of it had to happen. Of course, it made a mess of me for a few years too. But, his wife had crossed my path and met my children just after I had adopted them. She was horrified/stunned to learn that their names were the ones they had picked out for their grandchildren, they never had. I still am a little torn between, this is a sickness to not let parents name their children, and thought of what part of God's determinative and permissive will exactly had occurred in my life. (Twilight Zone music please!)
I debated what to do now. Do I send a sympathy card to the family? Or do I quietly allow the past to lay? I would send a card but really do not want their daughter to think of contacting me, as Dutchman has said, she is not exactly normal mentally anymore. And, I think I have enough problems of my own for now.....
The family was Swedish and as such, very tight knit - as in no outsiders allowed. Not only was I an outsider, I was a foreigner, a German with an interest in their daughter, a fashion model (as her mother had been). They were torn between anger and terrified of me all at the same time.
From my viewpoint, this was the very first Christian family I had seen the interior of. I wanted to learn, I wanted to know what a Christian man was, I was a brand new Christian myself.
Yeah, it did not go well. Twin cultures slamming head first into one another. So, their rejection of me was understandable. And, I was quite accustomed to rejection. So, not an immediate problem. But, he was to be the one to terminate my pending marriage.
So, you might come to think that our relationship was horrible, that we bore dislike through the years for one another. Nope.
God had me take on the entire church during one business meeting. The church was to vote to discredit a man's testimony, a man whom had troubles, a man whom looked to our church for help and was rebuffed. He was not "cool". So, I stood up and let both barrels fly. By the time God was done with them (I was just a mouth piece, and to this day I have no idea what I said!), many were in tears and a mini-revival broke out.
As I sat down, quite shaken because this is completely not like me, I saw this man. He had been quietly standing behind me. He stood and never said a word. His presence is what had shut up the critics. The man I had hoped would be my future father, whom bore such a strong dislike for me that he personally killed my marriage, had stood in support of what was being said. And the church understood exactly what was going on, God was talking through the silly German boy and this Swede was willing to lend a voice to shut them up - in spite of what he thought of me. Wow!
Yes, through the years I have thought of him often. About a decade later, I was able to see him a few times a year, when ever our paths would cross. He embarrassed, me just happy to see the first Christian man I had come to know - whom may not have liked me but had supported in a confrontation. He never could understand that joy I had in seeing him.
Decades later he had Dutchman pass his apology on to me, with a long explanation for the choices he had made. It haunted him what he and his wife had done to me, and ultimately their daughter. No she never did marry, spent years in therapy, with numerous attempts to kill herself. Very sad because I am not so sure any of it had to happen. Of course, it made a mess of me for a few years too. But, his wife had crossed my path and met my children just after I had adopted them. She was horrified/stunned to learn that their names were the ones they had picked out for their grandchildren, they never had. I still am a little torn between, this is a sickness to not let parents name their children, and thought of what part of God's determinative and permissive will exactly had occurred in my life. (Twilight Zone music please!)
I debated what to do now. Do I send a sympathy card to the family? Or do I quietly allow the past to lay? I would send a card but really do not want their daughter to think of contacting me, as Dutchman has said, she is not exactly normal mentally anymore. And, I think I have enough problems of my own for now.....
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Found It
So playing around on the web and I finally found the song. Yeah so much these days on the web is directly related to how you present your search items, not what you are looking for! How I wish I had my CRAY back! I could have found this in about 6 seconds on that, instead of the hours it took!
So with this cool embeded link you might be able to listen to the song too and join just about nobody else having ever heard of them. Oh yeah, they broke up, hence why so hard to find! Pick "Red Letter Box" as your choice.
I have reached the point in my heart/mind/soul/faith where I can say, "No matter the cost, I will do what is right and serve my God - no matter whom agrees or disagrees with me....." Oh yeah, always a popular choice - not. Thinking on this, I was struck yesterday at how God has done something like as has been happening in my life, these past five months, only in a different context and manner. It is an old testament example complete with what must have made those in Hosea's life write him off as a fool. And God was using him, he was being faithful and completely discounted. Very interesting.
Have a blest day. As for me, I am going to chill through the day and see if I can calm my blood pressure down.....
So with this cool embeded link you might be able to listen to the song too and join just about nobody else having ever heard of them. Oh yeah, they broke up, hence why so hard to find! Pick "Red Letter Box" as your choice.
I have reached the point in my heart/mind/soul/faith where I can say, "No matter the cost, I will do what is right and serve my God - no matter whom agrees or disagrees with me....." Oh yeah, always a popular choice - not. Thinking on this, I was struck yesterday at how God has done something like as has been happening in my life, these past five months, only in a different context and manner. It is an old testament example complete with what must have made those in Hosea's life write him off as a fool. And God was using him, he was being faithful and completely discounted. Very interesting.
Have a blest day. As for me, I am going to chill through the day and see if I can calm my blood pressure down.....
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Wiener Blut
I was sniffing around YouTube for what would be my musical pick for the first Saturday of August and of course I got sidetracked. What else is new, eh? So, in reviewing 1980's videos I fell into my love for Falco trap - again. And, in watching his videos I got to thinking. Actually, quite a few things on Sunday made me think, as you will be learning from postings this week.....
The video which got me to think was Wiener Blut, no don't rush off and view this - it is almost utter nonsense. The idea is old, think of the waltz and operetta by Johann Strauss II, the song by Falco and also done by Rammstein.
Viennese Blood - what drives the glitter, fame and draw of Vienna (which is nonsense to me, as I find the city to have NOTHING to attract me). But, what if that question is used as a condemnation? And in a way, this was sort of in Falco's video..... Think of some of Vienna's not so glamorous history.
In my lifetime there has been the Soviet occupation and of course Vienna being the doorway into the Eastern Bloc countries during the Cool War. In my father's lifetime has been its cosiness with the Nazi Party and providing the world with the likes of Adolf Hitler, Arnold Schwarzenegger and less we forget - Kurt Waldheim. Yeah, I hold a real grudge against all things fascist.
But carry the idea further: the responsibility of a nation for its actions. Austria certainly has not been outstanding in the past century, Germany even worse. But, lets take a view of this century so far, not a whole to write home about, very few bright points to see and say, "Wow, that was a great decision or action they took!" But, then again, this century has had a bit on the dark side - so far!
It is as though, were nations accountable for the blood they shed, everyone wants to bathe in it!
This culture has gone insane..... Human life appears to hold no value any longer or at least its value is no longer understood! And so when I think of Wiener Blut, the thought of a nation being responsible for the blood they shed, then Revelation 18 suddenly becomes very understandable!
Only where to where will you run ...... ?
The video which got me to think was Wiener Blut, no don't rush off and view this - it is almost utter nonsense. The idea is old, think of the waltz and operetta by Johann Strauss II, the song by Falco and also done by Rammstein.
Viennese Blood - what drives the glitter, fame and draw of Vienna (which is nonsense to me, as I find the city to have NOTHING to attract me). But, what if that question is used as a condemnation? And in a way, this was sort of in Falco's video..... Think of some of Vienna's not so glamorous history.
In my lifetime there has been the Soviet occupation and of course Vienna being the doorway into the Eastern Bloc countries during the Cool War. In my father's lifetime has been its cosiness with the Nazi Party and providing the world with the likes of Adolf Hitler, Arnold Schwarzenegger and less we forget - Kurt Waldheim. Yeah, I hold a real grudge against all things fascist.
But carry the idea further: the responsibility of a nation for its actions. Austria certainly has not been outstanding in the past century, Germany even worse. But, lets take a view of this century so far, not a whole to write home about, very few bright points to see and say, "Wow, that was a great decision or action they took!" But, then again, this century has had a bit on the dark side - so far!
It is as though, were nations accountable for the blood they shed, everyone wants to bathe in it!
This culture has gone insane..... Human life appears to hold no value any longer or at least its value is no longer understood! And so when I think of Wiener Blut, the thought of a nation being responsible for the blood they shed, then Revelation 18 suddenly becomes very understandable!
Only where to where will you run ...... ?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Sin of Pride
The first time I heard the song, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, as done by Tears For Fears, was at the end the movie, Real Genius. The tune was catchy and I have to admit I thought about the words.
Shortly after first seeing this movie, I was to see an interview with the songwriter and his discussing how he had written this following the birth of his first child. Yeah, made sense in some odd way. Because a baby has little choice of right or wrong, much less willingly conforming their environment or behavior to fit with their desires. He was describing the struggle of the little guy against nature.
Of course, the concept is far more true of us as adults. We willingly make choices and often fight to force the environment or others to fit within our desires. Kids do this all of the time, just think of a group of them wanting to play a game and the long fights they get into over what the rules will be!
And, it does not seem to matter the state of man, position in Christ nor much any other factor – man – each of us – all of us – want to control our environment and those around us. We seem by nature to be proud and boastful…..
And yet, this is exactly the condition which is condemned in our Bible. Consider Proverbs and the list of the problems of Pride or being Proud:
- Is hated.
- It brings disgrace.
- Causes fights.
- Brings destruction.
- Brings you low.
- They will be mocked.
- God detests them.
- Our downfall.
None of these outcomes is much to be desired, which is to say when you wake up in the morning: “Gee, this is a great day to be hated/disgraced/get into fights/be destroyed/ be brought down/ mocked/ be detested/have a downfall/etc.” Yeah, not a positive attribute at all!
And Paul writes to Timothy (3:1-5), describing the type of person I never want to be:
“… lovers of money, boastful, proud …”
the state of man during the last days – lovers of self and not God…..
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
When Is A Song Christian?
When the group, DC Talk does, ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’, is it a Christian song?
Was it a Christian song when the Doobie Brothers recorded it over 30 years ago?
Was it a Christian song when the Byrds recorded it a year earlier?
Of course, DC Talk reworked the original text some and the Byrds can be thanked for the arrangement which put the Doobie Brothers on the music map.
Is a Christian song one which carries a Christian message? Is done by a Christian Artist? Or, does it have to be written by a Christian?
What does make a song, a ‘Christian’ song, Christian? (For this discussion, just consider ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’! We can do more examples later…..)
The basic words of ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ are at best innocuous, at the worse a meaningless repetition. I will get into words and their meanings another time. For this discussion we can say they are not anti-Christian.
If someone tried to convince me the Doobie Brothers held to a Christian ideal, I guess I would have to wonder what planet they came from. Any group wishing to name themselves after a ‘joint’ probably has more than just a few issues to deal with in life.
From exposure to the Byrd’s, before success found them, I would group them with the Doobie’s in the non-Christian camp at the time they did the song.
Does it matter neither group had a clue as to whom Jesus is? Is the song bad because they are? I am still trying to envision the Hell’s Angels sitting around guzzling beer to this song! Or maybe the Doobie’s held off on the song out of respect for their audience? Nah, probably out of fear.
Of course, Ann Reid Reynolds, the writer of the song, appears to have done quite a few other songs, such as, ‘5 O’clock World’. Not knowing her, I would toss her in the Christian camp for lack of negative press and her gospel songs she is known for.
Ok, decision time!
1. Is ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’, a Christian song because it was written by a Christian or because the words convey some understanding of Jesus - no matter whom records it?
2. Is the song only Christian because it was written by a Christian and DC Talk did a rendition of it?
3. If you believe Mark 9:38-41 has some relevance here, does it change your opinion?
Inquiring minds want you to comment!
Was it a Christian song when the Doobie Brothers recorded it over 30 years ago?
Was it a Christian song when the Byrds recorded it a year earlier?
Of course, DC Talk reworked the original text some and the Byrds can be thanked for the arrangement which put the Doobie Brothers on the music map.
Is a Christian song one which carries a Christian message? Is done by a Christian Artist? Or, does it have to be written by a Christian?
What does make a song, a ‘Christian’ song, Christian? (For this discussion, just consider ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’! We can do more examples later…..)
The basic words of ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ are at best innocuous, at the worse a meaningless repetition. I will get into words and their meanings another time. For this discussion we can say they are not anti-Christian.
If someone tried to convince me the Doobie Brothers held to a Christian ideal, I guess I would have to wonder what planet they came from. Any group wishing to name themselves after a ‘joint’ probably has more than just a few issues to deal with in life.
From exposure to the Byrd’s, before success found them, I would group them with the Doobie’s in the non-Christian camp at the time they did the song.
Does it matter neither group had a clue as to whom Jesus is? Is the song bad because they are? I am still trying to envision the Hell’s Angels sitting around guzzling beer to this song! Or maybe the Doobie’s held off on the song out of respect for their audience? Nah, probably out of fear.
Of course, Ann Reid Reynolds, the writer of the song, appears to have done quite a few other songs, such as, ‘5 O’clock World’. Not knowing her, I would toss her in the Christian camp for lack of negative press and her gospel songs she is known for.
Ok, decision time!
1. Is ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’, a Christian song because it was written by a Christian or because the words convey some understanding of Jesus - no matter whom records it?
2. Is the song only Christian because it was written by a Christian and DC Talk did a rendition of it?
3. If you believe Mark 9:38-41 has some relevance here, does it change your opinion?
Inquiring minds want you to comment!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Fellowship
Since I have had so much free time lately, I have been studying in 1 John. 1 John is my most favorite writing in the Bible. In particular, one passage:
“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”
My first exposure to this passage was about 1971, at my mother’s church in Colorado. Since I was forced to go, I joined the youth choir – not because I could sing but because it got her off my back. Besides, I was sweet on one of the girls. The choir director decided to sign us up in a contest with other local youth groups.
The song had a good tempo, the words were easy enough to remember and we did go on to take first place in Colorado. However, the words were rather meaningless to me - I was still an atheist.
“If we walk in the light” Heck I lived in Colorado, you went out of your way to get to shade – unless you liked hot sidewalks and burning! Dutchman visited me one year and in three hours was covered in blisters! That high altitude sun can be very unforgiving.
But I missed the point of the passage, I was thinking literally rather than figuratively. In the first century Hebrew culture, light and truth were equated with one another.
So, if I walk in the light (Truth), as He (Jesus) is in the light (Truth) we have fellowship with one another. We have fellowship because we have commonality in the Spirit and we have commonality in the Truth of Jesus as the Christ.
I have marveled in this day and age of virtual friendships and fellowships at this commonality. I have met many whom I interact with on a regular basis, probably more than I do with those in my local church!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Shades of Maranatha
Saturday, I got a call from Dutchman asking if I wanted to come by for a visit that evening at his church. I debated this for several hours with myself – six hours each way by car and I had to teach Sunday School – it would be inconvenient at best… But, he does not ask something often, nor without reason.
No child wanted to go with me, so I fired up GG’s car – you can not just let a car sit around, it needs to be driven occasionally. Right? And headed north. It was a pleasant drive and as evening approached the sunset was gorgeous! And even with virtual race car, I was still late.
The church was dark but open, so I followed the sounds of music down into the basement. About eighty people sat listening to a wonderfully female voice, backed up by 8 others. She was great! And the mini concert took a break at that point.
I visited with Dutchman, his wife, youngest son, his mother was there (always good to see her!), and many people I had met at Dutchman’s New Year’s party last year. His banker you might remember was one of my girls back when I was a youth pastor and so it was fun to see her and meet her 10 year old daughter. So very fun time.
Then they started singing again. And I was transported back in time…..
I had almost all but forgotten that back in 1973-1975 Dutchman and I had been part of a musical group that went around coffee houses and played at schools on Friday nights. You have to remember that back then everyone was paranoid over the disappearances of young women and so we had come up with the idea of safe entertainment for kids on Fridays. We provided the music, we did some witnessing, youth could come and spend a safe evening.
We had one guitar, a guy would could play a piano (if there was one around) and the Maranatha song book. We had a really great time and I think youth that came did as well. But, things change and by the end of 1975 attendance had fallen off, so it was time to try other ideas to get youth engaged…
Saturday, as I sat listening the songs came flooding back to my mind from this musical past. Dutchman had started up the same ministry we had over 30 years ago, and not a bad turn out either! I found myself singing along with the band – one of the extremely few times I have sung since 1975. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Though utterly exhausted I made it back in time to get my kids to church.
So, I have thought on this for many hours, is it time to dust off the Maranatha song book and see what happens at my church and in my area? Something to be praying over.
Maranatha!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Passive
I was listening to Christian radio this morning and all day long have found myself thinking through the words to, Testify To Love. Not familiar to you? Perhaps you will best remember it as the theme flowing through the Touch By An Angel episode, 151st Psalm aka Petie. As much as a tear jerker as that episode is, the song became one of my very few favorites. The refrain is:
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silence
Says the words are not enough
With every breath I take
We'll give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silence
Says the words are not enough
With every breath I take
We'll give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
So as I have hummed and thought on this for hours, I realized how true this song really is. It is our passive witness in life which is the most important. We always want to be at the right place, at the right time, with just the right words to reach out to the lost and hurting around us. Yet, it is by living our lives day by day that yields the biggest testimony.
And, thinking back to something Martin Luther said, for which history has soundly criticized him for – you should be living each and every day as though it will be the last one. And no, he did not mean you grab your soap box and head out, he meant in everything you do, you witness with your life, in word and deed.
I do not know where the creator of this song is in their walk with the Lord, but I hope she is walking close…
Monday, July 21, 2008
Musical Answers
Ok, to answer those questions:
What other Christian songs do I like? Off the top of my head:
A Mighty Fortress
Amazing Grace
Color Song – Michael W Smith
Easter Song – 2nd Chapter of Acts
Hollow Eyes - Petra
Old Rugged Cross
Shame - Newsboys
Testify To Love-Wynona Judd
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Newsboys
Why is Kris anti-music?
It is not that I am anti-music, I am just not pro-music, especially in the Church. Music is great for youth gatherings, campouts and the such. But, it is NOT worship, as it is continually portrayed in today’s Church. If you want to have WORSHIP then the Church would need to have testimonies, prayer and praise – then yes an extremely small amount of singing might add to worship but certainly is not to be the emphasis. Sorry, the Bible will not support any other interpretation…
For those whom say that music “sets” a mood, then you have a real problem because real Christianity does not need “a mood” to be set. The Holy Spirit is supposed to be leading and setting any “mood” – not a music director attempting to toy with human emotion.
For those whom say that music is their “way” of worshipping God, I am happy for you. But how do you then challenge the 21st century believer whom thinks they can commune with God more fully in the woods by themselves? Paganism is paganism, not matter where it occurs or under what label. Sorry, you are pagan if you believe either of these ways.
More fully, the minority of any congregation will believe this musical way, so when will the Church start to support those of us for whom worship is the heavy study of Scripture? Will we ever get a Sunday where we can spend 40 minutes parsing a critical verse – as opposed to 40 minutes of blithely mouthing words so the music director and their ilk can “worship”?
Music has not been a historical part of the Christian Church, mid-18th century saw the first real acceptance of this and that would be without instruments and only in a minority of churches. There is a ton of bad historians out there that would have you incorrectly think otherwise on this subject. If you believe music is historical – find the PRIMARY documents to prove this. They do not exist. If you want to argue that David wrote music and sang, ok – go be like David and dance naked through your town. No difference, he was worshipping God after all. In any event, the songs were Scripture not mood setting me-isms!
Sorry you asked? Yeah, I am just not politically correct – ever.
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