Music in Review – Thrice – Major/Minor

Piggy backing on my last post, I’ll begin with trying to ‘renovate’ my reasons for writing.

This particular blurb is meant to share one of my passions with you. I have never really found an outlet to express my love of music besides a dopey smile and my pointing to the blood running in rivulets out of my ears.

Music is an amazing gift. It is the archetype of expression. For me it is the denouement of the artistic world, the climax of creativity.   It could even be argued that music has caused most of the shifts in the visible culture of our world. Hip-Hop boasts its strong bass tones, intersecting polyrhythm’s and is synonymous with D0-rags, thick bling, and baggy jeans.

Rock N Roll on the other hand is the Darwin of music. Constantly changing and evolving. From the tight pants and big guitar (and bigger hair) of the 80′s to the grungy, dirty ripped jeans of the 90′s to the ‘THE’ name craze of the early 2000′s

One particular band that has kept my attention through the years (and for those of you that know me understand this is no small feat) has been the Post Hardcore quartet known as Thrice. They, similar to Darwin, have symbolized change. Their beginnings and journey as musicians brought them from high speed California punk to one of the faces and alleged creators of the hardcore sub-genre Screamo (and yes it is different than emo. Don’t judge me.) Eventually they have settled into the less explored regions of a more experimental post hardcore. But they have also elements reminiscent of folk, blues, and alternative.

Their new album, Major/Minor (hit stores 9/20) is a similar blend musically to what I’ve described above.  Earthy tones, bluesy crooning and emotional lyrical climaxes.

Dustin Kensrue, the lead vocalist and main songwriter for the band expresses his faith in Christ very articulately. Dustin’s ability to combine scripture with his own poetry to tell the story of the human condition and our relationship with Jesus is phenomenal. Capturing the essence of the Gospel, our innate need of something more, and the likes of our frailties. This is no easy feat when you consider what else has flooded to music market today, especially in the mainstream.

For those of you looking for shredding and dueling guitar, those days for Thrice have passed, according to Dustin. But for anyone looking for thoughtful and inspiring music that is true to the gospel, this album is most definitely worth the grab. Especially for only $10.

 ★★★★★

A Reckoning of Self

For those of you reading this post and those of you who had been following my blog fervently, I offer a sincerely appreciative thank you. I haven’t posted in quite some time. And while I suppose I could come up with a myriad of excuses, i’ll simply offer two.

1. One of my sin struggles has always been sloth. (which is different from just being lazy, hopefully that will turn into a post soon)

2. Frustration with my finding topics and being (sorry WordPress) “Just another WordPress blog”

The former struggle is something I must fight against, but something I cannot control apart from the aid of the Holy Spirit.

The latter however, is something I have ability to change, destroy, and to remake. Finding something to be passionate about while struggling with sloth ( quickly defined -  Within Christianity sloth means finding no value in things which in turn leads to inaction or an active nihilism. As opposed to laziness wherein one sees value and chooses to do nothing, more likely out of pleasurable selfishness) seems counter productive at times.

Adding to that frustration that my blog is essentially doing what so many other neo-reformed, cereal eating, 20 somethings are already doing. I could (and will) simply point you to other blogs whose voice is much stronger than mine in a pastoraly theological sense (Joshcousineau.com, Death Nor Life, Among the Sheep,)  And those are just the guys I know.

So whats the solution? I know you’re probably expecting some epic crescendo, or the heroic denouement. Unfortunately it’s not coming. I haven’t reached the tales climax. And I suppose, in this life I never will. And perhaps that is a partial point, a sort of starting line, or the Bag End of my blog if you will.

So this is a reckoning of myself, an attempt to make a course change to better proclaim the Gospel in a new, fresh, reverent and truthful light.

Why the World Needs a Thesaurus

Before I begin this particular tirade I need first to credit Josh Cousineau for giving me today’s thought. (You can read his inspiring post here) He has a strange habit of usurping all my ideas before I think of them. I’m sure you can imagine how frustrating that is for me, so thank you in advance for your sympathies. But I digress.

Even before Josh’s blurb though, C.S. Lewis pointed out that our hackneyed use of language could distort the value of what we love

“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say “infinitely” when you mean “very”; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” 

It’s easy for us to snicker at this thought, as I did initially after reading Josh’s post.  But beyond this apparent absurdity lies truth.  Even Jesus alludes to the importance of our vernacular. Here’s Mark 10.18

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”   

Now admittedly, Jesus is primarily drawing out the truth that he is God. But that fact doesn’t lessen the meaning of the word used. No one but God is good.  We throw words around like a monkey flinging poo. But it isn’t just that we use overly expressive words like ‘awesome’ or ‘epic’ to describe the mundane.  Sometimes we choose the wrong ones altogether.

I’ve heard it said many times, from guys to or about their significant others, that they’re  ’smokin’ or ‘hot’ and for more than a given situation, they mean it perpetually.  While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with those statements (other than they’re oftentimes influenced by lust) why would we use words that we would eventually want to retract? Honestly, does any man really think that their wife or girlfriend is going to embody those traits at ninety? We have a language so equipped as to give us more affluent and endearing adjectives to describe what and who we love. Like ‘beautiful’ or ‘elegant’ or ‘resplendent’.

Tim Keller identifies with this point while answering a question about Rob Bells new book Love Wins. (In case you are unfamiliar with the controversy, I highly suggest you read this very articulate review) Keller asserts this about Bells book, that by removing wrath from God’s person we devalue what Christ has accomplished. He explains it like this

“when we lessen the penalty for a wrong you make the wrong less serious and make the wronged less serious.” 

   In this instance Keller is saying  if the weight of sin was only that of a paper-clip, than that is all Christ died and atoned for.  But the opposite is also true.  If we give undue esteem to items of less importance then we are devaluing things of a greater kind.

Some people may say that it would then assume increased status or caliber. But this isn’t that case. Especially in light of Christ and his gospel.  I refer back to Mark 10.18, only God is good.  The word ‘good’ is pretty nondescript. It doesn’t display a picture quite like ‘grand’ or ‘amazing’ but it neatly places everything else beneath it.

We know God is described by those words and described so into infinity. So we should be aware of how close our verbal associations become.  Our words are important, so while we can use greater words to describe other things, we should take care to note what they should first describe. Christ.

Anything less would be an epic fail.

Everything is Going to be Alright.

(photo courtesy of Dave King via flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/djking/147355443/)

It’s funny how often we use Facebook as a megaphone for our emotions. Though we sometimes receive critical comments it’s also a chance for encouragement.  One particular Facebook status that caught my attention recently simply read,

“Whoever invented the phrase, “It will be okay” should be shot.”

Statements like these pull my heartstrings in all sorts of directions and I almost feel like I should smell the angst dripping from their fingertips as they typed.  Despite the myriads of emotions or rationale behind this sentence it’s easy for us ignore proper gospel lifting in these situations. So often our sympathy turns into ill-gotten agreement.

So as the comments began to pile on I started to feel more frustration with the lack of real encouragement for this individual.  I don’t mean to downplay what love and sympathy was laden in those replies, I simply wish to point out that agreement with angry statements is not real compassion.  True compassion would have us seeking not reasons or justification for our misfortunes, but would have us crying out in earnest to our God and savior.

I know I’ve stated prior that sadness and frustration are apart of our walk as Christians and that they should be viewed as opportunities to cling to Jesus. And as fallen humans we won’t always be able to understand or freely end our emotional droughts.

Now admittedly, this statement in and of itself is detestable. It  is void of encouragement and holds no value on it’s own.  The life we draw from it must rest solely on the truth of the gospel. Even though we don’t always feel the love of the gospel amidst struggle.

But despite whatever anguish we may feel in the moment of a trial, or whatever rage there is building inside because of circumstances. The truth remains that everything will be ok, God has promised it to us so many times. He said so the day we first rebelled (gen. 3.15) Promising that Christ would stand with Satan and sin under foot.  He promised us that upon his return that he would put an end to all crying, and suffering, and pain.(Rev. 21.4)

So in fact it was God who first said “It will be okay”

Thats why we can trust that everything will be okay, but not on our terms, never on our terms. Because our hearts are fickle and would have us reject his joy for our own.  But if we’re honest with ourselves we should already know that our vision of life or joy is dirt compared to the worth of Christ. If you don’t believe me, just think of one decision you have ever regretted.

So as brothers and sisters in Christ, please, let us not forget this. That discouragement can only be conquered if we rely on Jesus and help each other see that our affections mustn’t be estranged from him.

So when we encourage, let’s do so with a heart focused not on our own suppositions of what life should be like, but instead let us focus on what he has done on the cross. And in confidence remember that God has made a covenant with us and promised to never leave us. That is why everything will be alright.

We the Slanderers

If  I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. I absolutely love Calvin and Hobbes. I would even go as far as saying they are a form of catharsis for me. Not unlike painting for some or coffee for others (and yes coffee is an art). Bill Waterson, whatever he believes about the gospel, has a profound understanding of human nature and our haunting condition. In fact, if you didn’t know Calvin and Hobbes are actually named after two highly influential and respected minds, John Calvin, a French theologian and Thomas Hobbes, a British Philosopher.

This particular post will mark the beginning of a new series of articles in which I combine two of my favorite things: Theology and Calvin and Hobbes.

I think I’m going to call it, Theology and Calvin and Hobbes.

For those interested, this strip does have a precursor, in which Calvin slanders a little girl with a particularly nasty name.  In the comic above Calvin confesses to Hobbes some level of remorse. But the interesting point here comes not from the talking tiger, but from Calvin’s mishandling of his own emotions. His struggle is not unlike some of our own, especially when the solution is staring us in the face.  Though admittedly, even if that is the case it doesn’t always mean we are willing or able to act.

Despite his selfishness Calvin is on the right track. He is seeking counsel from his most trusted friend, which is something I know I find myself failing to do often times. I realize for myself, it seems easier to not seek counsel because I already know the answer and it makes me uncomfortable, or I think I can simply slide the situation under the nearest rug.

The foremost issue with these methods of problem solving come from their source. Which is undoubtedly ‘me‘ centered. (Something I’ve been learning a lot about lately) The me centered approach is blatantly in contradiction with the selflessness of Christ, which as Christians is what we should be striving for. It would be easy for me to just state plainly that we need to man up, and while that is true, if it were that easy we wouldn’t need to have these conversations.

The two main points I wish to make concerning human selfishness, and the one ones I’m still learning to work through (knowing I’ll never perfect them until Jesus comes back to make me) are simple in concept but are lifelong endeavors.

The first of which has us rely more heavily on community. For us to have the Hobbes to confide in so we may be corrected when our hearts don’t find joy in what the gospel would have us do. This is a tough one for me because for all my jovial bravado, I’m actually a hermit in disguise, or better yet a lone wolf with a diva complex. But one particular place where scripture has been encouraging for me is acts 4.32. Here we see the benefits of true community, through which I can be thankful for the community I’ve grown into.

Second, if our hearts are perpetually like this, then we should really look at where our affections are, because they can’t be focused too strongly on Jesus and what he has accomplished.  If they were then Calvin would be in tears over causing little Susie to cry. It’s in these situations that we must look at every person as if they were Christ, like how God looks at us through the lens of Christ’s righteousness. The reminder here should be simple, Christ died for his enemies, we follow Christ, so our love should reflect his, meaning no name calling at six year olds (or anyone) for what we do to them we do to the one who died for us. (Matthew 25.45)

So the end encouragement here is  to man up, but not simply to it’s own end, but for the sake of Christ.

The Greener Grass Conspiracy: A Review

“Greener Grass Conspiracy” Trailer – Stephen Altrogge from Crossway on Vimeo.

In today’s world there never seems to be a shortage of  material vying for complete control of our hearts.  As Christians we are able, however ostensibly, to make assent to this. Thankfully, Stephen Altrogge, through his clever comedy and honest wit, sheds light upon an issue so cloaked and clouded that it’s affirmed as normal. Unmasking our discontentment is no easy feat, but it’s one that Altrogge is sufficiently equipped to handle in his book The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding Contentment on Your Side of The Fence

Disclaimer: Before I get started I want to promise that despite being given this book for free to review (From Crossway Publishing), my opinions come honestly and without bias.  As much as I enjoy Stephen as a Twitter compatriot, proper presentation of the gospel is far more important to me than a free book (as proof, you couldn’t pay me to take possession of a Twilight novel) O.K. now that we have that covered let’s get started.

Altrogge claims to have the poop (oh yeah, that totally works here) on one of the greatest conspiracies this side of Roswell, discontentment. The conspiracy of mass discontentment seems, as Altrogge put’s it as “the stuff of Harrison Ford movies and Tom Clancy novels.”(pg. 11) But he’s right. And we can see so just by looking through magazine racks and flipping through our TV’s.

But the problem, he contends, isn’t inherently around the things we desire, but begins with ourselves. Discontentment sprouts from “Always dreaming of a brighter tomorrow without ever enjoying where God has me today.” (pg 14) We may be convinced that our contentment is a product of our circumstances, and experience seems to corroborate this statement.  Recently I’ve felt my own frustration regarding a broken car. My vehicle is now on the road again, but I still find myself wanting a better vehicle then my Toyota Solara sports coupe. Instead I should be thankful that it’s paid for and working (and that I have a nice, yet somewhat dilapidated dual overhead cam monster).

The point he draws here is that no matter our circumstances we are always craving what is beyond our grasp. When we achieve we will inevitably be drawn to the next level of desire because of the factory of idols in our own hearts. (pg. 16)  Discontentment is caught masquerading as ambition.

The most pleasant surprise for me came early and followed the flow throughout the rest of the book.  Well placed in the second chapter was a great reminder that Copernicus was right. Earth is not at the center of the universe, and thusly, neither am I. I found it refreshing and necessary that focus on God’s glory was addressed so early on. It seems often times authors feel they are being clever by putting God as the denouement to their discourse. But God is more than a simple climax, He’s also the beginning and the end.

But he doesn’t stop there,  Altrogge drives the dagger of conviction deeper when he lays bare that not only do we basically ignore God’s glory, discontentment also causes us to ignore God’s will.  One of the ways he communicates this is by teaching that discontentment “Starts when we believe sinful lies — lies about God, lies about ourselves, lies about the world, and lies about others.” (pg 51.) In fact, chapter five is dedicated to the insanity of the lies that we believe.

I think though, that my biggest complaint comes from the inability of the length to cover certain topics, like is there a proper time for ambition? Due to the books brevity a few aspects of contentment are seemingly left out like the concept of people who claim to be content (there’s only, I think one paragraph regarding those who rely on worldly happiness)  and no mention at all of anything regarding a holy discontentment. They aren’t a main concern of the theme, but they would be helpful nonetheless. Perhaps it’s simply a call for a follow up.

Overall Stephen Altrogge graciously alerts us to the maliciously creeping idea of discontentment, even through things such as, prosperity and complaining (which he asserts is throwing God’s blessings back into his face). He brings the point of biblical contentment back vividly to center our affections on Christ. Noting that true affection begets true contentment.

Personally this book has been a great blessing to me recently, convicting me of where my affections have leaned away from Christ and as such my contentment has waned. It has helped strengthen my resolve  to cling to the promises that have been granted me through Christ.

I sincerely would recommend this book to anyone , but especially those struggling with happiness, it’s biblically grounded, endearingly and honestly written and Stephen Altrogge approaches his topics as one who has yet to arrive, knowingly still working through being just another sinner like the rest of us. It’s strategically set up for the person who dislikes reading and also for group study (with discussion questions at the end of each chapter)

Seriously, If I could read through this in less than a month anyone can. Just get the book.

[rez-uh-rek-shuhn]

First off I must admit, I was struggling on how to present Christ’s resurrection here because, as Christians, we seem to secularize a lot of things.

I take that back, we secularize everything.

For most of us, this means that Christ’s resurrection is one of those concepts we accede to, but it doesn’t really mean anything to us. The idea is just sitting like that quiet goofy kid in the corner, everyone see’s him but no one really knows what to say to him. We don’t seem to understand the true gravity of what it actually means. Let me put it into perspective. Jesus died. There really is no simpler way to put it.  But, because of his death, it was made possible for us to be reconciled to our Creator. I stress the word, possible, because his vicarious sufferings mean absolutely nothing without the resurrection. In fact, if Christ had not risen, it would make him a liar worthy of his punishment. We would be wasting our time on a worthless Word, and we all would be screwed, doomed, star-crossed, or whichever other adjective you prefer. There is no way to communicate how bad it would be for us. (unless of course you Google image search epic fail, well probably not, but it’s fun).

In all seriousness, Just imagine what it would be like if Jesus was still in the tomb. There would be quite a few empty seats in heaven. But he did rise from the dead, despite what some people believe, and what we fail to completely comprehend. And it is only because of Christ being alive, that we are reconciled. There would be no forgiveness otherwise.  Again I stress, Jesus is alive, no other religious figure can boast in this. Not Buddha, not Muhammad, not one. This video of Matt Chandler preaching through Luke 24, does a lot to help solidify how real and true it is that Jesus is alive. So instead of a day of nice clothes, free candy, and egg laying bunnies (seriously, what the heck is up with that?) In place of that lets focus on the risen Christ, the lover, the conquerer, the King.

On Cloudy Days

(courtesy of Gabriela Camerotti via flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/face_it/4360741172/)

 

 

I find it very frustrating, the idea of sadness.  As a Christian, I have been granted ultimate provision through Christ, so one should think it should disappear.  As a man, I see that our culture mostly reverberates the pale identity of feigned bravado.  So we should just cowboy up.  And everything else seems to laugh pointedly at the evil that runs rampant through all of creation.

At first glance, sometimes, it seems as though God hasn’t come through after all.  If he had no one would know the bleakness of heartbreak, right?

But then why is the Bible filled with it? Considering that scripture is supposed to espouse all that God has promised why is there so much depression in the Bible?

What needs to be first noted is what the Bible says about our condition, or more accurately, why we’re heavy-hearted. In essence it’s because we’ve rejected God’s design and relationship in favor of our own plans. (Genesis 3) Despite the blatant Epic Fail on our part, God wishes to restore this relationship and has promised to do so through the death and resurrection of Christ. But until Jesus returns to reclaim creation we’re stuck in a state of limbo. We may have the power overcome sin, but still being sinful we don’t always believe this, meaning we won’t always do it.

Since the Bible shows us that dejection is alive and well (we need not go further than guys like David or Isaiah to see depression roaring like a lion)

What do we do about it? Do we ignore it? Do we revel in it?  How do we deal with anguish?

My proposition is simple.

1.  Constantly preach the gospel to ourselves everyday – By doing this we are reminded that it is in fact ourselves who willingly separated from relationship with God causing despondency in the first place. And that Christ has paid our cosmic bounty in order that our relationship be restored.
2. Use our sorrow to lean upon the creator and sustainer- If the disconnected relationship is part of the problem then wouldn’t it make sense to focus on that relationship as the basis of contentment? Jesus went out on a limb, in fact he was laid bare upon it.

Christ’s love for us is more than we could imagine.  It’s brighter than any sunrise, more beautiful than any sunset, deeper than any ocean, and greater than the endless expanse of the universe.

And it’s through his heroic promise’s that we are able to experience anything other than sadness and depression. He promised to come back for us (John 4:1-4) He promised that he would never let us go (John 10:27-29) And he promised to wipe every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4)

Why Do We Eat Mud?

Since I’ve been reading through Stephen Altrogge’s book The Greener Grass Conspiracy (video trailer) I’ve been burdened by the idea of contentment. I’m probably taking pieces from my growing review on the book, but I think it’s premise is one that is ignored by the culture at large. This video ,stolen from a post by Josh Cousineau here, (thanks bud) does a little to explain what I mean.

The guy in the video is more than likely only making these observations just to get a laugh, and who can blame him? He’s right and his points are funny. But are our flaws deserving of comedic reprieve?  Have we ever stopped to think what our discontentment means? Of who it affects? I know that the world cares not for the downtrodden or starving.  But are the fates of others worth so little compared to contentment we find in material things? Or furthermore the happiness we find in the finite?

In his book The Weight of Glory C.S. Lewis said:

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

 It’s disheartening to me that we walk most of our lives oblivious, wide-eyed and gaping mawed, into nothing. With real identity just beyond our grasp.

If life is as beautiful as most people would contend, then why don’t we act like it? 

Video Preview of The Greener Grass Conspiracy

Recently I’ve been given the opportunity to read and review a book by Stephen Altrogge, a fellow blogger and twitter compatriot (@StephenAltrogge). In anticipation for beginning the process (I am still waiting for the book to arrive in the mail) I figured I’d at least share the trailer with you.

“Greener Grass Conspiracy” Trailer – Stephen Altrogge from Crossway on Vimeo.