Giving value to survival

This evening I was chatting with some friends over dinner about art experience type projects that we had heard of and found particularly cool (see below). In light of recent government budget cuts, we also got onto of the subject of the arts being cut from schools. Something that, while none at the table was an artist by trade, we were all firmly against. We were involved in music or art or drama at some point during school, and I, for one, would not be who I am without it. Believe it or not, I was not a science geek in high school. I liked it and all, but I was really more into music, theater, and dance. I was in every band we had, 3 school plays, and went swing dancing on the weekends with my friends. It was where I grew out of the shy teenager into the woman who now loves to interact with people, is confident in her own skin, and gets a weird thrill out of public speaking. Playing music was and still is one of the most effective ways for me to calm an anxious mind, soothe a hurting heart, or work out frustration. My English, math, and science classes (while important and well-liked) didn't do those things; the arts did.

So I began thinking: what are we really trying to accomplish? The "core" subjects are important to have for everyday functioning, communication and future careers, but the arts are just as important for character development. C.S. Lewis said, " Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself (for God did not need to create). It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which gives value to survival." What exactly are we trying to accomplish with standardized tests and only catering to the left-brain? It seems we're limiting ourselves by shutting down creative thinking--and not just creative thinking to solve problems, but creative thinking just for the sake of creating. Like Lewis said, these things give value to survival. What is the point if we're simply manipulated (by ourselves or others) into trying to get to "the top," make the most money, get the fanciest job, but never really have a life that's filled with the satisfaction that God intended? It's not worth it to work so hard at "surviving the best" if there's no value in the survival. Obviously music and art are only a part of this, but there are so many things that the world counts unnecessary or frivolous, but God very clearly values. Sacrifice/offering (Matt 26:6-13), rest (Matt 11:28, Psa 46:10), and music as expression and praise (Psalm 33... and lots of others), just to name a few. Why is it so hard for us to understand this when we can clearly see the good that comes out of them? Just look at the examples below:

Music brings joy, community, fellowship, and happiness.

Hey Jude Times Square Subway Station from 39forks on Vimeo.

It's just plain fun. And encourages other healthy habits.


And last, but definitely not least:
Art helps communication.

Never too early to start 'em on Dylan

Every song's a comeback

The Wilco concert last night was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. We had great seats: front row of the balcony--you can see everything, no one in front of you, stand up/sit down whatever you want. Every song was great, even the ones I didn't know. Jeff Tweedy had the perfect amount of audience interaction; talking to the audience and making an occasional joke, but keeping it short (I mean, we're all there for the music right? :) ) And to top it all off, they did two encores. TWO. And not just one song each, the first encore was three songs including my all-time fave, and the second encore was five songs. An eight song encore... almost as long as the actual show. Who does that?! There was only one part of the concert that actually disturbed me and that was how much you could actually feel the auditorium balcony move... I was slightly concerned that at some point the whole thing was going to plummet to the floor smashing all of the Wilco fans underneath...

Anyway, here are a few of my faves from last night. Enjoy.






And my all-time fave:

Saturday: day two

I'm guessing that Saturday wasn't much better than Friday for Jesus' disciples and other followers. They were mourning and grieving Jesus' death for sure, but what else was going through their minds? Their leader and Savior had just died a gruesome death on a cross. Did they feel that hope was lost? Were they anxious for what the next few days would bring? The 11 didn't believe Mary Magdalene when she came to tell them that Christ was risen. Given that, I'm assuming that they weren't anticipating his resurrection. They didn't recall his words or maybe didn't grasp their meaning. Tell us again, how was this a part of the plan?

When Jesus has risen, he appears to two of his followers on the road to Emmaus. They don't recognize him at first.

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)

Don't you remember? Don't you see? Let me tell you the story again.

Good Friday

King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Musical time travel

Today Erica posted 10 songs that made an impact on her. And since I have extra time on my hands after having gotten up early (thanks to the YH phone chain :) ), I thought I'd do the same. So here are 7 songs that mean something to me, in chronological order. (I could probably come up with 10, but I only have 15 minutes left in this experiment incubation time.)

Except for Monday:: Lorrie Morgan
This song came out when I was 5 or 6 and I'm pretty sure I had no idea that it was about a break-up and the grieving process. But I really liked that it listed through the days of the week--there's just something about lists that really appeals to me. I have vivid memories of singing this song with my mom around the house. We would be listening to the radio while working in the kitchen, this song would come on and we would rush to the drawer to get wooden spoons to use as microphones. That's what this song makes me think of, and my mom and I still sing into wooden spoon microphones when I'm home.

Deeper than the Holler:: Randy Travis
Basically all my parents listened to as I was growing up was country. (Now they've branched out more and also gone back to their classic rock roots.) It's what was familiar and comfortable to me; although, it was completely uncool to listen to country in elementary school and I was pretty insecure and defensive about it. Now, I own it. I like country music. It's real, honest, and speaks about people and the way of life that I know. My first cassette tape was Randy Travis and I've loved him ever since. This song is one of my favorites, about a country guy describing love in his own terms. "My love is purer than a snowflake that falls in late December, and honest as a robin on a springtime windowsill, and longer than the call of the whippoorwill."

Scenes from a Coffeehouse (You'll always be mine):: Blessid Union of Souls
Self-titled album
My grade school-high school best friend, Nicole, (aka music supplier) gave me this album in junior high and I fell in love with it. I remember Nicole and I going on vacation with her family in Nashville, TN. We left at night and I listened to this album the whole way; it was the only one I could fall asleep to. This is my favorite song on the album. It's about a couple that decided that they were better off as friends rather than being romantically involved. Fitting-- story of my life thus far, and it's actually resulted in some great friendships.

Stompin' at the Savoy:: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
About 10 years ago, my friend Stacy and I started swing dancing. Ok, I admit it, we began dancing because a boy we had a crush on danced. What can I say? 13 yr old girls are fickle. Luckily, the love of jazz and swing dancing stuck, the boy didn't. Ella is one of my favorites, especially with this song. The Savoy was a ballroom in Harlem, popular during the 20s-40s. "Savoy, the home of sweet romance. Savoy, it wins you at a glance. Savoy, gives happy feet a chance to dance."

Stay:: Dave Matthews Band
DMB is probably the most frequent artist in my iTunes. I listened to them constantly during high school. And despite the fact that Ben (the self-proclaimed music snob) would probably unfriend me simply for having them on my list, I still love DMB. Rock and jazz combined, a saxophone in the band, Dave dancing around on stage with his guitar--what's not to like? In HS, I went to a couple DMB concerts with Nicole and a couple other friends, had a blast, and was thrilled when they played this song in the oncore. "Stay" is my all time fave DMB song, with "Ants Marching" as a close 2nd. It makes me think of summer and carefree days, as well as the flashbacks to high school. "Just wastin' time. Let the hours roll by, doin' nothing for the fun."

How He Loves:: John Mcmillan*
Beautiful lyrics, spiritual truth. I listened to this one on repeat for quite awhile at the end of last summer and through the fall semester. It provided some consistentcy and strength during a somewhat tumultuous time. It was just nice to have that reminder of God's love and grace. Still is. :)
*I like the Eddie Kirkland version better, but it's not on grooveshark

Smashing my music habits in one fell swoop

I just downloaded the Who You Are (Live) album by the Desperation band, and in doing so broke almost every music listening/buying habit I have.

1. I don't usually buy full albums unless I'm sure that I will enjoy at least 30% of the tracks (ie either I've heard the songs or love the artist.) I only knew 2 songs (14% of the album) on WYA.

2. I don't usually buy/listen to live albums. There's always some annoying person in the crowd screaming at inappropriate times during the song. Or the band stops singing and lets the audience sing a verse, which let's face it, is awesome during the concert, but just not as cool on the album. The one exception to my no-live-album habit is DMB. Odds are every song on a Dave live album is going to sound different than the original--change up the jam in the middle, a little extra Carter or Boyd. You also get the bonus of hearing Dave live without a headache from all the fumes at the concert, but you'll miss seeing him dance around with his guitar--and that's 34% of the charm of Dave Matthews. The two songs I love on WYA (Who You Are and Endlessly) were only available on the live album.

3. I'm really bad at finding new music on my own. I just don't do it; I end up listening to the same stuff until someone says "Here, you have to listen to this." One of my best friends from HS, Nicole, was always my music supplier. It would come in the form of a mix every 6 mths or so. Probably half of the songs on my iTunes could be attributed to her influence. Now, Kendal and Ben typically play the part of music dealer. I didn't technically find Who You Are and Endlessly on my own, but I did download a band I'd never heard of--progress.

So the verdict: After the first listen-through, I'm pretty happy with the album overall. Probably worth overcoming my strange habits. I was a little disappointed with the first three tracks. They're a little too upbeat-pop-y for my current worship music taste. I'm in more of a laid-back, rock kinda mood--which is what the rest of the album is more like, post track 3. If John Mayer made a worship album, that would be awesome... But I should probably be concerned for his salvation for the sake of his soul, not just in hopes of a worship album. :)

Today's praise

ECC's Christmas Cantata. Adorable kids, extremely talented musicians, and the vocal stylings of Chelsea and Christina--all praising God. Enough Said.

I Got the Feelin' (Baby Baby Baby)

Oh, Cosby Show reruns. This one's a classic; makes me smile. Check it out. (Sorry, embedding disabled on this one)

The Huxtables lip sync to James Brown
AKA Theo is awesome

Jenny: "I wish my family did that..."

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Pieces of songs I have been humming/singing around the house this evening. Such beauty in the words and melodies.

Father, let me dedicate all this life to Thee
In whatever worldly state Thou would have me be
Not from sorrow, pain, or care, freedom dare I claim
This alone will be my prayer: Glorify Thy Name


In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, My all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand


He brings peace into our madness
And comfort in our sadness
This is our God
This is our God
This is the One we have waited for
This is the One we have waited for
This is the One we have waited for
This is our God