partsofspeaking

Interesting blog about cliches. http://jasonjohnsonblog.com/blog/5-things-christians-should-stop-saying#.UsH90fs_jYQ I often post things here I find of interest.  I hope others do, too.  

I have always enjoyed the TCM Remembers Tributes at the end of the year.  This website lets you look back at some of them.  The music is always so interesting.  Kudos to this blogger.  The song being sung this year is "In the Embers" by Sleeping At Last.  (I am amazed by all the indie bands and their creative music, and then we are bombarded by the Lady Gagas and Katy Perrys and Kanye Wests, who seem more about celebrity hood and outrage than interesitng music.)  Here they are.  I found them touching. We live and we die Like fireworks Our legacies hide In the embers May our stories catch fire And burn bright enough To catch God's eye We live and we die Like fireworks We pull apart the dark Compete against the stars With all of our hearts Till our temporary brilliance turns to ash We pull apart the darkness while we can May we live and we die A valorous life May we write it all down In cursive light So we pray we were made ...

 The church I attend (not MY church) holds, like many, a contemporary and a traditional service.  I always attend the traditional (because I'm already in that building, for one reason), but today I attended the contemporary because I had heard some interesting things about it and was, honestly, curious.  There were no dancing girls or outbursts of religious ecstasy; we sat in the dark, I didn't know the songs, the girl who sang with the band was wearing jeans with unnecessary rips in them, there were colored lights, and the pastor was on a screen.  Nothing that surprised me that much though.  We did sing the song below, which touched me so I include it here. We are not what we should be We haven’t sought what we should seek We’ve seen Your glory, Lord, but looked away Our hearts are bent, our eyes are dim Our finest works are stained with sin And emptiness has shadowed all our ways Chorus Jesus Christ, shine into our night Drive our dark away ...

In reflecting on my life, I think I need more poetry. I read two poems today,  both on themes of death, and both referenced on an NPR show today. The Mole by Christian Wiman.  This poem, which is posted elsewhere and I will not infringe on copyright by posted to my blog, is about death from cancer.  It has some startling images and figures but since the poet himself is living with cancer, it is real and human and not an experiment in word play. Sunday Morning by Wallace Stevens.  Again, posted elsewhere and well known , I read it for the first time this afternoon.  Despite having a M.A. in English, I have huge gaps in my literary knowledge and poetry is one of them.  I am a novelist and tend toward that genre, regretfully or no.  This poem fascinates me because it clearly is saying that the pull of Christ, and the cross, and the church is strong despite the poet's own advocacy of some sort of neo-paganism or earth/nature worship.  That grav...

Maybe it’s because of the radio programs I was listening to on the way home from church this early afternoon ( To The Best of Our Knowledge on NPR).   Maybe it’s because I recently had a birthday that brings me closer to the big 60, and the big 70, and the big no more “0’s.”   Maybe it’s because the year is coming to an end; maybe it’s because of the quotation in my Franklin planner this morning, “A man is not old until his regrets take the place of dreams.”   Maybe it’s because of some of the wisdom my colleagues are sharing through the interviews I am conducting with them for my doctoral dissertation.   Maybe it’s because of the odd skin blemish that has appeared on my forearm, an area of my fair body that has gotten way too much sun over the years. But I am thinking about old age and death. One of my students asked me the other day when I would be done with my “education.”   I made some comment that your education is not over until you are in yo...

I was pleased to find this film on NetFlix last night and watched it, finishing up at 1:00 a.m. It was worth it.  I had wanted to see it for years.  It was worth the wait.  It was very much like Babette's Feast in its "foodiness" but the enjoyment of food is not the center of the film.  It is about lost dreams, longing, and the power of sibling relationships.  It is about paying for one's mistakes as well, and it is a feast to look at with all the '50s props and clothing.  The actors, except for Ian Holm (who could have calmed down) were perfect and understated.  And I was impressed with Monk's ability to speak Italian.  (Sorry, I know his name is Tony Shalhoub, and he's Lebanese).  The last scene is priceless.  In one long tracking shot (meaning that the camera doesn't move and the actors move in front of it, restrained in the space) the brother with the dreams (Secondo) comes in and finds the waiter, the only employee, asleep aft...

For the last week all I have heard is Duck Dynasty this, Phil Robertson that.  Oppression this, hypocrisy that.  Cracker Barrel this, A&E that.  Free speech this, bigotry that. I've written about this already and haven't changed my view, except to say that there is more of opinion than oppression in this whole matter.  It is probably safe to say that almost every evangelical in the country has heard about this matter and has expressed an opinion, probably on Facebook.  I can see why Bobby Jindal weighed in, since the show takes place in the state of which he is governor (and the state probably makes a lot from the tax money).  Why every other conservative did, I am not sure. In the last post I quoted the lyrics to "O Holy Night," " Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease."  We Americans have two views of oppression.  There is the oppression we consider inappropriate for us to endure...

I have skipped a day on these reflections, and will share a hymn below.  As this is the day before Christmas, I feel as if I am deeply in the Christmas season.  It is too late too shop, too late to send cards (I have not sent any but will send a letter on Thursday, too late to do much but eat and watch movies and visit.  Fortunately, we can attend Christmas Eve service, which I will do at 6:00 at my church.   Deep Christmas reminds of the two songs about "night."  "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night."  I love to hear a good soprano sing the first.  However, I doubt most churches where it is sung really listen to the words.  They are political.  The night wasn't really divine; at best it was sanctified.  And we have no reason to think Jesus was actually born at night.  The lines " Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother./And in his name all oppression shall cease."  Do we really believe that? Are we obliged, comm...

As mentioned earlier, sometimes lyrics come to my mind that work against the spirit.  The main one I think of is a song we used to hear when I was a kid, "We three kings of orient are, smoking on a rubber cigar."  Therefore, I have never been a fan of that song! The identity and actions of the "three kings" has been one of the myths that moderns like to bust about Christmas.  There weren't necessarily three (they just brought three gifts), where were they from (the East, so were they Persian, African, East Asian, etc.), where they pagan astrologers, etc.  I like to think of them as a down payment on the ultimately nonJewish nature of Jesus' extension of salvation.  He's for everybody, and from his birth that was true. But, clearly, they weren't at the manger a day after his birth, as Matthew clearly says, but in a house, and it must have been within two years of his birth.  So, since I like Rembrandt so much, I'll post a link to his paint...

I missed yesterday because we were traveling. My favorite artist is Rembrandt, so I will share one of his paintings, the Adoration of the Shepherds, below. http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/rembrandt/adoration-of-the-shepherds-1646 It has occurred to me that there may not be any Christmas songs about the shepherds.  Perhaps it is time to write one? "While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night" 1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. 2. "To you, in David's town, this day, Is born of David's line A Savior, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swaddling-clothes And in a manger laid." 3. Thus spake the...

Why do I feel compelled to weigh in on this manufactured controversy over Duck Dynasty?  I guess I feel like this blog is my own little free speech zone, my little turf in Cyberspace, so I'll say my piece. A Christian can simply say, "The Bible (and give verses) says that some kinds of sexual behavior are wrong."  And leave it at that.  No comparisons, no gradations of right and wrong. No need to defend it; the Bible is a lion and defends itself.  He stepped in it.  An experienced hunter should have watched where he was walking.  Anyone who knows about conservative Christians knows their views on this. If A&E wants to censure (as opposed to censor, a governmental action) him, I have no problem with that because they are a company giving them a platform.  Of course, A&E will also suffer because of all the show's fans.  A & E is no friend to wholesome programming.  If they have made a stupid business decision, they'll pay for it...

These are the words of the Polish carol, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly   Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you.   This an early depiction of the nativity.  I got this from http://revbickers.blogspot.com/2010/12/nativity.html

I posted the Spanish title of this one because for some reason, lodged in my brain, those are the words that come to me when I hear the tune, just like "Noche de paz, noche de amor, todos duermen endoredor" is what comes to me when I hear "Silent Night."  I took Spanish for years and regret that I have not kept up with my conversational skills in it.  The original title was Adeste Fideles as it was first written in Latin and translated two centuries ago. O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. O Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word. Give to our Father glory in the Highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus...

These songs are typically called carols, which has its origins in Britain and before that, the word "choros" from which we get choreography; the original meaning was a song to dance to. Many times we think of the term Christmas carol as referring Dickens' wonderful novella.  I have a student from China who did not know that work, and I told her she had to read it to understand Christmas in America.  I would have given her my copy but couldn't find it. I tried to write a similar Christmas novel, which is available on Amazon .   Here is my song for the day.  As with the others, we only sing some of the verses and the most interesting ones are left out in our public worship.  I have noticed that more traditional and liturgical churches sing all of the verses, and Baptists leave them out.  HUMMMMMM. Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth; Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Refrain Come and wo...

The following is not totally a Christmas hymn: I've heard it sung at other times of the year, but it mentions Bethlehem.  It is a good old one, dating from the 1800s.  Singing about the first coming with the second seems to be a theme of these old hymns.  Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. Refrain O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee. Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth, And in great humility. Refrain The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee. Refrain Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary. ...

Wexford Carol Good people all, this Christmas time, Consider well and bear in mind What our good God for us has done, In sending His belovèd Son. With Mary holy we should pray To God with love this Christmas Day; In Bethlehem upon the morn There was a blest Messiah born. The night before that happy tide The noble virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town. But mark how all things came to pass: From every door repelled, alas! As long foretold, their refuge all Was but a humble oxen stall. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep; To whom God’s angels did appear Which put the shepherds in great fear. “Prepare and go”, the angels said, “To Bethlehem, be not afraid; For there you’ll find, this happy morn, A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.” With thankful heart and joyful mind, The shepherds went the babe to find, And as God’s angel has foretold, They did our Savior Christ behold. Within a manger He was laid, And ...

One of my favorites.  We usually only sing verses 1 and 3, but the others are meaningful.   Day-Spring is a reference to the dawn, Luke 1:78, the Dayspring on high has visited us. O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to ...

A break from the norm here.  Yesterday I finally got my tree up.  Two weeks of a tree is usually enough for me.  It looks good.  I have two kinds of ornaments:  "secular" and "religious," broadly speaking.  This year I went with the secular ones, snowflakes, bows, balls, etc, rather than angels and manger scenes. However, I have far too many Christmas decorations. I have far too many of everything.  Two closets of clothes.  Not enough places to put my kitchen utensils.  A basement full of everything imaginable. I want for nothing, and therefore I want nothing for Christmas.  Not really.  I want the CD player in my car fixed.  I want a DVD of the noir classic Laura .   Mostly, I want time to tackle the pile of work I have to do. Academics seem to think that once they get the grades done, they can disappear for three weeks until class starts again.  Or that is the party line.  I will be working 8-10 hours a...

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth." This is of course from the first chapter of John, but it is also a Christmas verse. However, "he came into his own, and his own received him not. . . " I like the image below, a modern equivalent of the standard nativity.  

Today is the birthday of my son.  I won't mention the year because of privacy issues.  He is out of town on a business trip.  But my theme for the day in terms of Advent reflections is "new beginnings," because birth is just that.  Surely his birth was a new beginning for us.  I was going to text him happy birthday with "Happy birthday from the people who made it possible," but his father said no.  I was an obedient wife for once on that score.  Actually, God and God alone made it possible.  I have posted below a depiction of the nativity that I believe is from Chartres Cathedral or looks as if it is.  Perhaps not. I like it because it is more historically accurate than depicting the visiting kings at the manger, since the Bible says the family was in a house at the time and Jesus was older.  Birth is a new beginning.  That might be the point of being "born again," that we begin anew.  We are to believe, as the angels pr...

I don’t think we think of truth as a theme of Advent.   I haven’t, until now, and it’s not because I’m just going through a random list of Christian themes.   It’s because I’m teaching Sunday School (I get to teach the words of Jesus Christ!   What is cooler than that!) this week to my small class and the passage is John 14.   Unequivocally Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”   Can’t get much more absolute than that, folks.   Truth claims are exclusivistic, and today we want Advent and Christmas to be inclusive.   Any truth claims are divisive, and we want unity at this time of year, because unity brings peace and good will, right?   And truth as a theme of Advent means we have to take seriously all that stuff about a virgin having a baby and angels and a birth in a stall/cave (which isn’t that far-fetched at that time in history, or even today; most women in this world have pretty low-tech, primitive conditions for their...

The theme of peace at Christmas brings to mind the old hymn, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! The two middle stanzas of that song are so profound, the core of our existence, I think.   This was w...