As some of you may know, during Jesus’ ministry there was not a single monolithic “Judaism.” Rather, different groups were interpreting and expressing their faith in unique ways. Broadly speaking… … in an attempt to achieve and maintain purity and distinctiveness from the surrounding corrupt culture, the Essenes had chosen to retreat away from society. … Continue reading
I’ve been enjoying Jonah Lehrer’s book on creativity, and something jumped out at me. In the chapter called, “Letting Go,” Lehrer describes the approach to improvisation at Second City, the premier comedy/improv school in America (with alumni that includes John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Chris Farley, Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and many … Continue reading
Our Father, who lives in the heavens, May Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come, May Your will be done, On earth just like it’s done in Your presence. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive our sins As we forgive those who sin against us. Don’t bring us to the … Continue reading
Two weeks ago, I wrote chord sheets out for about 20 songs in one night. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t all that difficult either. I’ve been making music in one form or another since I was 18 years old (8 or 9 if you count piano lessons and choir). This is just something I do. … Continue reading
I got my first electric guitar, a Fender Musicmaster (with a silverfaced Fender Champ) around 1981 or 82, I think. For the next three or four years, spent 2 to 3 hours a day trying to learn songs off of a few key records that I had, including: Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy … Continue reading
Just a brief thought on the resurrection (because it’s a season, after all). …Not long after his death hi associates started to claim that he was now in charge, for real. And they started to act as if it was true. This isn’t about ‘religion’ in the sense the Western world has imagined for over two hundred … Continue reading
St. John Chrysostom’s Easter Homily, circa 400AD Easter Homily by St. John Chrysostom Let all pious men and all lovers of God rejoice in the splendor of this feast; let the wise servants blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord; let those who have borne the burden of Lent now receive their pay, and … Continue reading
I used to know you for a long, long time I felt your heart beat inside mine We were together for three good years Now all I have is a blanket of tears Stuck inside a Saturday rain Scared things won’t ever be the same So I’m waiting on love Waiting on love Waiting on … Continue reading
According to iTunes, I have a lot of music. Over 22 days’ worth, to be exact. I intentionally chose probably 95% of it; the rest were gifts, and songs that I needed to learn for gigs. I also have probably 100 podcasts—again, ones that I have chosen. I really don’t have to listen to the … Continue reading
In 1963 a friend gave me an expensive crucifix. A French artist had carved in wood, carved very delicately, the hands of Jesus on the cross. On Good Friday the Roman artists carved—O God, how they carved!—our brother Jesus with no trouble at all. No art was needed to bang in the nails with hammers, … Continue reading
