The Johnny Cash Project

You are all invited. Regardless of your ability or stature, you are all invited. It is a fundamental component of the Gospel and now, those who steward Johnny Cash's legacy have brought this Gospel idea to create his last music video: "Ain't No Grave." At thejohnnycashproject.com everyone is invited to bring their creative expression to a frame of this video. The concept is brilliant and the result is a rich expression of the effect of a life that put Christ on display- not in its perfection but in its redemption. 

2 Corinthians 4:7:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

It is hard to imagine anyone but Cash having the ability to draw thousands of people together to consider his hope in Christ and to, together, create to express it. Thank God that he still does and thank God there ain't no grave.

The Four Holy Gospels: A Beautiful Collision Of Contemporary Art and Ancient Texts

Makoto Fujimura's magnum opus is ready for pre-order at Amazon. His illustrations will adorn a 400th anniversary edition of the four Gospels in the King James. As well as being stunningly beautiful, this effort may rekindle the dialogue regarding art and biblical Christianity.

Coffee tables were made for this edition.

The people at Crossway put together this piece to give you a preview of the work:

Pre-order it at Amazon:

Finally, to enhance our series on Genesis, Mako's "Soliloquies-Genesis"

Andy McKee's "Drifting": See why it has been viewed 27 million times

You may have seen it before but it is so worth your 3 minutes:

"Downtown Church" - New Patty Griffin

A great little article from NPR on Patty's new album.

"She got to work with Buddy Miller (among other friends, including Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale and a couple members of the royal family of gospel, Regina and Ann McCrary), producing an album that's so mesmerizing, it's difficult to believe Griffin isn't a card-carrying member of The Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville. (That's where she recorded the album last January.)

But what makes Downtown Church even more relevant — and, frankly, more touching — is that Griffin says she's working through complicated feelings about religion and her own sense of faith. Downtown Church is her way of exploring those feelings. For the rest of us, the music is just plain good. And, for some of us, it's a feel-good re-introduction to ideas and feelings that might be uncomfortably familiar.

Downtown Church will be available in stores on Jan. 26, but you can hear it here, in its entirety, between now and then."

Gospel music from a seeking Patty Griffin? I'm in.

"By what standard do you condemn any action?" Wilson v Hitchens

With 5 days to the release of "Collision" (on 10/27), here are some upcoming events to put on your radar (along with the latest trailer):

• Friday 10/23 10am ET live on Laura Ingraham show
• Saturday 10/24 NPR "All Things Considered" Weekend Edition
• Monday 10/26 7am hour on Fox News' "Fox And Friends"

"Show the Way" and more musical medicine by David Wilcox

This song from "Live Songs and Stories" was an encouraging reminder of God's Sovereign purpose to reveal the supremacy of His love and grace over evil (Eph. 1:6). Thanks Dave.

You say you see no hope, you say you see no reason
We should dream that the world would ever change
You're saying love is foolish to believe
'Cause there'll always be some crazy with an Army or a Knife
To wake you from your day dream, put the fear back in your life...

Look, if someone wrote a play just to glorify
What's stronger than hate, would they not arrange the stage
To look as if the hero came too late he's almost in defeat
It's looking like the Evil side will win, so on the Edge
Of every seat, from the moment that the whole thing begins
It is...

Chorus:
Love who makes the mortar
And it's love who stacked these stones
And it's love who made the stage here
Although it looks like we're alone
In this scene set in shadows
Like the night is here to stay
There is evil cast around us
But it's love that wrote the play...
For in this darkness love can show the way

So now the stage is set. Feel you own heart beating
In your chest. This life's not over yet.
so we get up on our feet and do our best. We play against the
Fear. We play against the reasons not to try
We're playing for the tears burning in the happy angel's eyes
For it's...

If you like that, check out this collection of 112 of Dave's songs organized by what ails you (Musical Medicine).

MTV killed the video, but not completely...

Another great article from Curator Magazine!

Friday, July 3rd, 2009
by Jenni Simmons:

I haven’t watched MTV in years; the last time I tuned in, the programming schedule didn’t include many music videos. Inane game shows and morbidly fascinating reality shows were about it. Any actual videos jarred my psyche like a fingernail dragged down a chalkboard. It wasn’t the various forms of gratuitous vulgarity that disturbed me – it was bad art. The lyrics were ridiculous. The music wasn’t what I would call “creative.” The choreography was repetitive and boring. Were they singing anywhere near on pitch, or was it all Auto-Tune matched to a pretty face? With very few exceptions, I was convinced that the music video as art was doomed.

But one evening three years ago, as I wrote and listened to the music streaming from my husband’s computer in the study, I heard a melody so haunting and beautiful that I stopped typing, my fingers frozen above the keyboard mid-sentence. I just sat there, all ears.

“Sweets,” I yelled, “Who is that?”

“A band from Iceland a friend told me about: Sigur Rós. It’s the video for their song ‘Glósóli’ – you gotta see it,” he said.

more...

I concur. Here it is:

Sigur Rós - Glósóli from sigur-ros.co.uk on Vimeo.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (Colossians 1.13)

"Departures"

After reading Makoto Fujimura's review (which, in itself, is beautiful), I'm looking for ways to take Shelli to see "Departures." I'm reminded that film and story telling (and thoughtful, biblical commentary) have their place in pointing us to truth.

Fujimura:

"The term “funeral parlor” does not quite do justice to the scene. The Japanese word “nokanshi” is closest to “encoffineer,” but the word only describes the task of preparing the dead body for cremation. The nokanshi in the Academy Award-winning movie Departures does the task, yes - but does so carefully, lovingly, and artfully.

Such an “art” of preparing the dead body seems unnecessary in today’s modern Japan: by law, the body will soon to be cremated, so pragmatism dictates only the minimum preparation. In Departures, even the grief-numbed family of the deceased cannot fully comprehend why this art is taking place. Other funeral directors do not really acknowledge that the occupation of nokanshi even exists in modern Japan.

Isn’t our task to get rid of the body as soon as possible? Apparently, we have all forgotten, in our pre-packaged, convenience-driven culture, how to bury our dead. And yet someone passes away every day somewhere in our provinces. Death is ubiquitous and immediate to our lives, but we do as little as possible to prepare to face that reality. Thus this “art” of preparing the dead body infringes upon the most sacred, and the most neglected, part of our lives. Departures chooses to dwells there, deep beneath the tradition and conventions of our days, and at the same time dares to plumb the depth of Japanese aesthetic and culture."
...

"...how many of those who see death as a gate, rather than an end, would dare do the unwanted task? Would we volunteer our artistry to consider those who may be neglected by society, or who do not see death as a preparation, our final destiny? Should we not be the first to engage with the sick (swine flu included) or the dead? Would we be honored to be called a misfit in order to fulfill a sacred call to serve the “least of these?”

Extravagantly and gently, Departures moves us to such emotional and spiritual quests. In Japan, beauty has always been associated with death; it is only now in Departures that we have a re-definition of Japanese beauty as a conversation for persevering, enduring life. It is a rare feast - even among the dead, the accursed ghosts haunting our convenience culture - to taste such lovingly crafted delicacy, a re-humanized vision for death and life.

"Change" -Lecrae

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3.3-7)

Apart from this news, we are hopeless - every one of us. It is a message that is radically pragmatic to everyone everywhere. We need to be reminded of it every day. So artists who can take the Gospel and skillfully place it over the circumstances of our lives are worth our attention.

I've been encouraged again this week by Lecrae's latest album "Rebel." It has made me a fan of hip hop and, more importantly, a greater fan of the Gospel. Take a listen and read the lyrics to "Change" below and remember Romans 1:16,17.

Change - Lecrae

You done had it with this, if broke is a habit I guess you back at it again
You need a change
Man you need some answers cause you just lost your moms to cancer
You really need a change
You done tried almost all the drugs
And from Vegas to NY you been to all the clubs. You wanna change
You tried new shoes and clothes
But after while you still low so you know you gotta change

Maybe if you could get a new you or new crew, a new do, that would suit your change.

A new somebody to lay with
Cause the last 5 just ain't make it they all betta change
A brand new car on sixes the one you got now needs fixing and plus an oil change
You tried a new place
New clothes, new tastes
New ways, new face but you still need a change

CHORUS
You don't really know what you were put here for but before you go
You looking for a change
You trying find a home you can call your own cause you way too grown to making that chump change
Life's too short you been down to long

Now you got oprah on thinking maybe she can help you out your hopeless zone
She gone change you
You even tried the church the pastor gave you bunch of rules they ain't seem to work
You don't change
You tried another one tho that gotcha feeling good inside and gotcha runnin fa mo and mo change
But all about you not God not truth
Just because you wear the suit don't mean you been changed

Christ is just a means to money, plus health
Your like the master and He's the dummy
No change
Well if not that... then maybe it's better to be confused and forget all facts and all change
Still been chasing change, and look where it gotchu depressed ain't a thang not u ain't making no...
You tried to find God
The horoscopes and stars
Ain't get very far
So far no change

(CHORUS)

What if life ain't supposed to be gravy, fulla hurt pain, death, rape, murder and craziness
If God made everything Good then you still gotta live in the hood what's really good
It goes back to Adam in Eden when he ate that fruit believin somehow that he could change
Man disobeys God now both are at odds
And life is just hard cause our hearts need change

You can't find hope in cars
Hope in money, or people
Only hope in God he can change you
Jesus felt the pain, he was hated, hurt, slandered and slain his death brought change
So be a slave to your sin, hate God love money, love lies, Christ died so you can be changed
It's kinda fun for a while but you'll lose that smile
When your lights go out
And the pain won't change

(CHORUS)

St. Crispian's Day Speech, Henry V: William Shakespeare

I ran across this again today and was inspired.

Enter the KING
WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!

KING. What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

-William Shakespeare, 1599

Don't Waste Your Life - Lecrae

I'm not known as a hip-hop aficionado, but this video is worth your time.  It's the result of a partnership between Desiring God's media team and Reach Records.  

Don't let any lesser pursuits dominate your higher calling. Don't waste your life.

Your Money, Your Singleness, Marriage, Talents, Your Time,
They belong to you to show the world that Christ is divine.
That's why its Christ in my rhyme, That's why its Christ all the time,
See my whole world is built around Him, He's the life in my line. - from the song

Cultivating a Healthy Poverty and Simplicity

This passage from Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek has always checked my life speed, cautioning me not to miss general revelation or to miss pointing it out to my kids.

“When I was six or seven years old, growing up in Pittsburg, I used to take a precious penny of my own and hide it for someone else to find. It was a curious compulsion; sadly, I've never been seized by it since. For some reason I always "hid" the penny along the same stretch of sidewalk up the street. I would cradle it at the roots of a sycamore, say, or in a hole left by a chipped-off piece of sidewalk. Then I would take a piece of chalk, and, starting at either end of the block, draw huge arrows leading up to the penny from both directions. After I learned to write I labeled the arrows: SURPRISE AHEAD or MONEY THIS WAY. I was greatly excited, during all this arrow-drawing, at the thought of the first lucky passer-by who would receive in this way, regardless of merit, a free gift from the universe. But I never lurked about. I would go straight home and not give the matter another thought, until, some months later, I would be gripped again by the impulse to hide another penny.

It is still the first week in January, and I've got great plans. I've been thinking about seeing. There are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat kit paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get.”

The Welcome Wagon

The Reverend Thomas Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique have been spinning in my iTunes (almost exclusively) for a long time now.  I realize The Welcome Wagon may not be for everyone but the kitschy instrumental layers, honest vocal layers and layers upon layers of glorious truth and humility have me captivated. 

Noticeably produced by Sufjan Stevens (I agree with Paste, you could pick out his influence in about 2 measures - but that's not a bad thing), this very personal recording ventures into the weighty territory of sin, the Christian's alien sojourn, Christ's atoning sacrifice and Christ as the prophesied anointed of David (Ps. 132:11-12).  All this comes with some pretty decent music making.  I'm tapping my feet right now to "Unless the Lord the House Shall Build" (Ps. 127:1-2).  There is something special and satisfying about that combination.  I mean when is the last time you bobbed your head to Malachi 4:2 or heard the indie rock world stroke out lyrics like this?

 

Deep were his wounds and red

On cruel Calvary

As on the cross he bled

In bitter agony

But they whom sin has wounded so 

find healing in the wound he bore

He saw for shame scorn

and wretched our disgrace

Forsaken and forlorn 

He hung there in our place

But all who would from whom sin be free 

Look to his cross for victory

His life is all he gave

When he was crucified

Our burdened souls to save

What fearful death he died

But each of us though dead in sin

Through Christ eternal death may win

"Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" will be a source of Christ-exalting joy to listeners as varied as those scouring the recesses of the internet for that novel indie recording to the old country gospel fans who just need a little banjo with their truth.  Thanks Asthmatic Kitty Records!

"True to its name, the album is the sound of two faithful people opening their home, and singing songs to encourage themselves and others. It's not much more complicated than that." - Paste Magazine

Jack White: "...there's no way God looks at things from 14 different angles."

In preparation for the message today on Acts 15, I was reminded of this quote:

“...I’m not looking for so-and-so’s opinion, not even my own opinion. I just want to know what the truth is. I mean that’s what I’m looking for. In my opinion, there’s no way God looks at things from 14 different angles. I see God as knowing only one truth, and that’s it. There’s no other opinion about it. And I want to know what that one truth is. Everyone can sit around and have their manly and earthly opinions about things, but I doubt there’s much debate going on in heaven. I’m trying to find whatever that singular truth is in any particular topic.” 

- Jack White, Rock star (with the makings of a pretty solid worldview)

Sandra McCracken's New Album - Red Balloon

Mix equal parts truth, tenderness, grace and music and you have Red Balloon and a fine gift for Christmas.  Thank you Mrs. Webb.