Talking with my 2 kids about the election today led me to go back and consider just how blessed my life has been and how many people have contributed to helping me get to this place where I realize the extent of my blessings. In this post, I would like to explore the people who have contributed to my understanding and appreciation for music.
I have to start back in 4th grade when Mr. Hays, my elementary music teacher at school (it was a new school for me that year), told me I had a good voice and invited me to sing in a 4th grade choir. It was in his class that I discovered that I did enjoy singing. That participation led to an invite to be part of a select group called the Christmas Club Singers, where I remember being able to sing on the Cowboy Bob show! It also led to my first musical, called the Secret Garden. I can not express my appreciation enough to that wonderful music teacher who discovered a spark that fanned to a life of passion for music that is still with me today.
This love took root as I moved into Junior High. The high school that year was doing a production of the Music Man and needed a younger student to play Winthrop. I do not remember how I got to this point, but was actually able to audition and was cast in this show. I will never forget the overwhelming sense of accomplishment I felt as the curtain closed on opening night. It was an amazing sense of elation as I realized I had given everything I had that evening and found the joy in that night! It also led to a relationship with my high school choir director, Peter. I never had a good relationship with this man, finding that his arrogance might only be outstripped by his ability as a teacher/motivator, but I did learn a lot about the basic foundations of singing and singing well. Peter also exposed me to something I would grow to admire and endure- the artistic temperament. Later in life I would meet others who shared this quirky passion for music and I believe my ability to appreciate these gifted people came from my exposure to Peter. There was very little that I could say that was normal about Peter and his leadership of the choir, but there was much that was extraordinary and my lack of affection for him as a person (which I think was a mutual lack on both our parts) in no way diminished that through this time my love for music only grew.
In college I had a chance to sing in an all male chorus under the direction of Dr. Gilbert while at Wabash College. Never before had I chance to sing with such a group and I found an appreciation for the many different styles of music to which we were exposed. It also led to one of the highlight trips of my life as the Glee Club was able to tour through Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. I am of a small company of people who can say I sang at the Sydney Opera House (although I will point out that when I say at, I mean on the front steps outside...we did not actually sing inside the building). It is also the source of one of my biggest regrets in that I did not return for my senior year in college to sing with the Glee Club.
My life as an American Baptist minister has also involved music- from singing in cantatas and musicals to this present day where I am one of the guitarists in our worship team. I believe that in one case I was called to a church in southern Indiana to work with a great friend of mine who was the music minister at this church. Our friendship endures to this day, only slightly changed by the distance between us now that we live and work in different communities.
I also would have to mention the numerous people with whom I have shared the stage with in musical theater in Indianapolis. My wife and I try to fit shows into our hectic family lives and our work with people such as Bryan, Susie, Buzz, Robyne and with such wonderful directors/leaders as Brian, William, and Kathleen. These folks have furthered our journey down this road and we are blessed to know them and have them in our life.
Finally I would like to thank the people who are currently a part of our worship team at Crooked Creek Baptist. Their gifts, and their willingness to use and share them constantly inspire and amaze me. It is a loving and constant challenge to work with them and I value those times when we can get together and just play for ourselves. It is with you that God provides some of the best nourishment for my own soul.
Some of the names I mentioned we have lost touch with. Others we see on an almost daily basis. But what this does for me is remind me of how God has blessed me with such fantastic people in my life. I recognize that not everyone responds to music in the same manner that I do. The fact that I do feel so nurtured in my spirit is a great testimony to the love of God, the Great Artist, and the impact of so many talented and beautiful people in my life.
Today as I walk down through my history with music, I praise God for these influences and hope that some day to pass along the great gift you, and countless other unnamed people, have shared with me.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sandy Relief
The response to the death and destruction caused on the eastern coast following Sandy has been strong and public. Federal and local responders have rushed to aid the survivors of this catastrophe and have made great progress helping to restore order and care for families affected by this storm.
American Baptists are responding to this tragedy as well. Funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing have already been committed to helping relieve some of the worst of this storm. Other organizations such as the Red Cross are also hard at work responding. Individuals interested in helping with relief can now make donations to a number of agencies involved with relief efforts.
Yet it is important for us to to be good stewards even with these donations. Before contributing to such an organization, it would be helpful to check into the organizations background to see how much of what you donate actually makes it to the people you are trying to assist. There are agencies out there that use funds you donate to cover costs of running an office, advertising and publicity, and sometimes even executive salaries. This means that sometimes less than 75% of what you give is actually used for the intended purpose.
Be informed. Ask questions. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering provides an opportunity for 100% of your donations to go toward relief of those affected by the storm. Additionally, American Baptists will not just care for those affected in the northeast, but all of those people affected in Haiti, Cuba, and the Caribbean. These areas feature many living below poverty and the savage nature of this storm can mean the difference between life and death.
Crooked Creek Baptist will be accepting gifts for the One Great Hour of Sharing: Sandy Relief throughout the month of November. Gifts can be marked in this manner and will be forwarded to help with both the short term and long term care and recovery of the regions affected by this terrible disaster. Thanks to you for your prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in their time of need.
American Baptists are responding to this tragedy as well. Funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing have already been committed to helping relieve some of the worst of this storm. Other organizations such as the Red Cross are also hard at work responding. Individuals interested in helping with relief can now make donations to a number of agencies involved with relief efforts.
Yet it is important for us to to be good stewards even with these donations. Before contributing to such an organization, it would be helpful to check into the organizations background to see how much of what you donate actually makes it to the people you are trying to assist. There are agencies out there that use funds you donate to cover costs of running an office, advertising and publicity, and sometimes even executive salaries. This means that sometimes less than 75% of what you give is actually used for the intended purpose.
Be informed. Ask questions. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering provides an opportunity for 100% of your donations to go toward relief of those affected by the storm. Additionally, American Baptists will not just care for those affected in the northeast, but all of those people affected in Haiti, Cuba, and the Caribbean. These areas feature many living below poverty and the savage nature of this storm can mean the difference between life and death.
Crooked Creek Baptist will be accepting gifts for the One Great Hour of Sharing: Sandy Relief throughout the month of November. Gifts can be marked in this manner and will be forwarded to help with both the short term and long term care and recovery of the regions affected by this terrible disaster. Thanks to you for your prayers and support of our brothers and sisters in their time of need.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Ubuntu
Now that our trip to South Africa is completed I have been trying to organize some overall thoughts about the trip and the experience of leadership that has affected the political, economical, and social lives of so many South Africans. Even with the fall of apartheid, a racial system based on discrimination, there are strong lines between too many groups of people.
Apartheid had drawn strong lines between white, colored, and black people. Even after the fall of apartheid, there still seems to be a strong line between these groups that is now drawn by economic status rather than race. Poverty in this nation is extreme with the poor living in conditions where even such staples as clean water and sanitation are limited. Employment opportunities are limited as are access to education, job training, and other vehicles to help improve the lives of these groups. Corruption in the democratically elected government stifles many attempts to raise the standard of living. To build a stronger South Africa, the untapped potential living in informal housing will need to be engaged.
In South Africa we heard a word from several of the different leaders with whom we visited. This word is Ubuntu. Ubuntu was defined to us as, "I am because we are" and stressed that no one person exists as an individual but always as part of a community. If I demean someone, I also demean myself. As one person's welfare rises or falls, my welfare is directly impacted. I believe that this concept is one which has helped control the potential for violence in this nation.
As apartheid fell, a great deal of tension arose in the nation as a regime of racism, hatred, and fear drew to a close. The challenge arose as these groups that had been target of the regime rose up to speak against the injustice they faced. There is always danger when an oppressed people rise up and discover their strength. The threat of reprisal, of vengeance, of inflamed righteous indignation was everywhere. Its why a great a deal of credit needs to be given to the leadership that were able to help channel and control these emotions preventing a terrible backlash from plunging the nation into an even more violent and bloody time (It is important to note that there has been, and continues to be violence in South Africa. Our group missed an opportunity to worship in a region where violence was a very real threat during a lorry strike that was taking place in the country). As difficult as the transition has been in South Africa, it could have been much worse.
The concept of Ubuntu could be a mitigating factor in helping to control the violence in the nation. The realization that the oppressor is also a slave to the system of fear has helped the people reach out to the ruling powers that have have denied justice for others. There is a connection between oppressed and oppressor and a desire to liberate both groups from a system that would promote hate and intolerance. I believe this may be the single greatest resource for the transition of South Africa.
And I believe it is also an important lesson that we living in the USA can take with us. Our nation is still reeling from a strong economic recession. The Occupy movement while quieted has revealed the disparity between the "haves" and the "have-nots" (By the way, by South African standards we are all pretty much haves in America). One of my biggest concerns is with the increased sense of polarization in our society. It is not enough to be a conservative or liberal now. Our society has become fragmented to the point where it is difficult for us to discover or even talk about our shared community. We even disagree over what the community is, the lines that create it, or our inter-connectedness in our communities. We have very little understanding or appreciation for Ubuntu. Republicans blast Democrats. Liberals blame conservatives. Paranoia and extremism clouds our views and understanding of so many issues. In many ways, we have abandoned common sense for party loyalty. We vilify the opposition because they are different from us. When we do this, we abandon our sense of community and bring harm to our own self and to others.
Americans could use Ubuntu in their personal lives, in their communal lives, and in our financial world. Honestly, I could not help seeing a strong parallel between this and the story line of "A Bug's Life" What will we grasshoppers do when the ants wake up and realize that we need them as much as they need us?
Apartheid had drawn strong lines between white, colored, and black people. Even after the fall of apartheid, there still seems to be a strong line between these groups that is now drawn by economic status rather than race. Poverty in this nation is extreme with the poor living in conditions where even such staples as clean water and sanitation are limited. Employment opportunities are limited as are access to education, job training, and other vehicles to help improve the lives of these groups. Corruption in the democratically elected government stifles many attempts to raise the standard of living. To build a stronger South Africa, the untapped potential living in informal housing will need to be engaged.
In South Africa we heard a word from several of the different leaders with whom we visited. This word is Ubuntu. Ubuntu was defined to us as, "I am because we are" and stressed that no one person exists as an individual but always as part of a community. If I demean someone, I also demean myself. As one person's welfare rises or falls, my welfare is directly impacted. I believe that this concept is one which has helped control the potential for violence in this nation.
As apartheid fell, a great deal of tension arose in the nation as a regime of racism, hatred, and fear drew to a close. The challenge arose as these groups that had been target of the regime rose up to speak against the injustice they faced. There is always danger when an oppressed people rise up and discover their strength. The threat of reprisal, of vengeance, of inflamed righteous indignation was everywhere. Its why a great a deal of credit needs to be given to the leadership that were able to help channel and control these emotions preventing a terrible backlash from plunging the nation into an even more violent and bloody time (It is important to note that there has been, and continues to be violence in South Africa. Our group missed an opportunity to worship in a region where violence was a very real threat during a lorry strike that was taking place in the country). As difficult as the transition has been in South Africa, it could have been much worse.
The concept of Ubuntu could be a mitigating factor in helping to control the violence in the nation. The realization that the oppressor is also a slave to the system of fear has helped the people reach out to the ruling powers that have have denied justice for others. There is a connection between oppressed and oppressor and a desire to liberate both groups from a system that would promote hate and intolerance. I believe this may be the single greatest resource for the transition of South Africa.
And I believe it is also an important lesson that we living in the USA can take with us. Our nation is still reeling from a strong economic recession. The Occupy movement while quieted has revealed the disparity between the "haves" and the "have-nots" (By the way, by South African standards we are all pretty much haves in America). One of my biggest concerns is with the increased sense of polarization in our society. It is not enough to be a conservative or liberal now. Our society has become fragmented to the point where it is difficult for us to discover or even talk about our shared community. We even disagree over what the community is, the lines that create it, or our inter-connectedness in our communities. We have very little understanding or appreciation for Ubuntu. Republicans blast Democrats. Liberals blame conservatives. Paranoia and extremism clouds our views and understanding of so many issues. In many ways, we have abandoned common sense for party loyalty. We vilify the opposition because they are different from us. When we do this, we abandon our sense of community and bring harm to our own self and to others.
Americans could use Ubuntu in their personal lives, in their communal lives, and in our financial world. Honestly, I could not help seeing a strong parallel between this and the story line of "A Bug's Life" What will we grasshoppers do when the ants wake up and realize that we need them as much as they need us?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Safari
Ok, on the fun side we had a great evening! We had about 3 hours out on safari and in that time saw elephants, zebra, white rhinos, impala, wildebeest, wart hogs, and red wildebeest. We are headed out tomorrow to look for the other 2 of the big 5- lions and jaguars!
The elephants we saw went right by our car! One walked up very close to me, as you can see. One other elephant walked to the front of the car, raised her trunk and waved it at us before walking off. It was an amazing experience!
The elephants we saw went right by our car! One walked up very close to me, as you can see. One other elephant walked to the front of the car, raised her trunk and waved it at us before walking off. It was an amazing experience!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Regina Mundi Church
This Sunday we visited this church where the service was conducted entirely in Zulu. The choir and congregation that sang was incredible! There was so much joy evident in this service! A huge building and a great attendance. We could use something else like this in the states...
Condoms for Catholics
Today we will be meeting with Bishop Kevin Dowling, a controversial bishop working near Johannesburg, South Africa. He happens to oversee a diocese with a large percentage of people with Aids (roughly 40%). To combat the spread of this disease Dowling has been urging the community that is sexually active to use condoms- not as birth control- but to save lives.
This should be an interesting meeting. And I should also add this should be my last post, at least from South Africa on South Africa. I do believe more will follow as we have time to process this amazing journey.
This should be an interesting meeting. And I should also add this should be my last post, at least from South Africa on South Africa. I do believe more will follow as we have time to process this amazing journey.
Stellenbosch University
One of the places we visited this week was the Stellenbosch University- where students are trained in the tradition of Dutch Reformed church. For the record, this is where the theological framework for supporting apartheid emerged as part of this tradition. Following the Second World War, the ideology of the National Socialist party from Germany moved south and found roots in the Afrikaner people, white Dutch settlers in South Africa. With the teaching coming out of the seminary, a justification for white superiority over people of color and of the indigenous people of Africa.
In other words, the Dutch Reformed church, and the University, were part of the architecture that led to apartheid.
That any form of the Church would be responsible for engendering this form of hate stains the entirety of our Christian faith and serves as a reminder of how easily our faith traditions can be subverted.
In the course of apartheid almost every Christian denomination outside of the Dutch Reformed church were told to abandon fellowship with this group, isolating the seminary and pastors from fellowship.
After the fall of Apartheid, the Christian denominations gathered in South Africa met to begin the theological groundwork for the recovery of the nation. As a gesture of goodwill they invited members of the Dutch reformed church to this gathering.
It was a tense moment at the meeting until a representative from this tradition rose and addressed the assembly. In this address they admitted the errors of apartheid and confessed that they had been wrong in its instigation. They confessed the evil of apartheid and renounced it as an ideology.
The gathered leaders were amazed. Desmond Tutu then came to the podium and said, "I don't know about you... But in my tradition if someone confesses their sin, I have to forgive them."
Stellenbosch University continues to train and educate students and pastors for work in South Africa. It is my hope that they might continue to help set right what was such a great wrong in this nation.
In other words, the Dutch Reformed church, and the University, were part of the architecture that led to apartheid.
That any form of the Church would be responsible for engendering this form of hate stains the entirety of our Christian faith and serves as a reminder of how easily our faith traditions can be subverted.
In the course of apartheid almost every Christian denomination outside of the Dutch Reformed church were told to abandon fellowship with this group, isolating the seminary and pastors from fellowship.
After the fall of Apartheid, the Christian denominations gathered in South Africa met to begin the theological groundwork for the recovery of the nation. As a gesture of goodwill they invited members of the Dutch reformed church to this gathering.
It was a tense moment at the meeting until a representative from this tradition rose and addressed the assembly. In this address they admitted the errors of apartheid and confessed that they had been wrong in its instigation. They confessed the evil of apartheid and renounced it as an ideology.
The gathered leaders were amazed. Desmond Tutu then came to the podium and said, "I don't know about you... But in my tradition if someone confesses their sin, I have to forgive them."
Stellenbosch University continues to train and educate students and pastors for work in South Africa. It is my hope that they might continue to help set right what was such a great wrong in this nation.
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