Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Here's a bit of an article I was emailed a while back...
The worship and mission discussion often surfaces amid vexing questions andcontentious debates. Can a cappella churches effectively reach thepostmodern generations? Can churches that severely restrict the freedom ofwomen to contribute in public worship be taken seriously in contemporaryculture? Can our worship open doors for a broader, ecumenical fellowshipwith other believers? How can we make our worship assemblies morecontemporary, relevant, and appealing to unbelievers? And when our worshipis contemporary, relevant, and appealing, will it still be worship? Will ourworship have a biblical foundation and impetus? Will it reflect andcelebrate our intergenerational and cross-cultural diversity? Will ourworship maintain continuity with our heritage and traditions? Will ourworship unite us or divide us? These questions illustrate that the way weframe the worship/mission discussion is crucial. My purpose in this articleis not to attempt to answer these questions, but rather to suggest aframework for beginning the larger discussion of worship and mission.
There are several questions in this that are worth some thought... so I'll take them one at a time for a while.
First question, Can a cappella churches effectively reach the postmodern generations? My question in return is "why not?" Our elder who teaches our children's worship has a great and simple way he explains music to the children. He tells them there are two parts to a song: the words, and the notes. That's pretty much it. Thank you and good night. Okay, so I do have some further comments... If that's what it boils down to, the doesn't it seem to follow that whatever you want to have in terms of music can follow. No one can say that a cappella music can't be "modern" (or should I say "postmodern"?). The notes, the rythm, the style, the beat can all be whatever you write or however you interpret it. Pretty much the same with the words. While I like the new songs we're learning at church, I still have my old favorites. I guess my point is that no matter the style or lyrics or whatever, it can have the same impact on different people and a different one on different people. It's an individual thing. A good teacher knows that all her students don't learn the same way... people in leadership roles in churches would do well to follow their example in this matter. You adapt to your learner so that you communicate the information. Notice: you don't change the information so that they learn it... no lieing, no distorting, etc. Yes, Abraham Lincoln was something of a good man and a good leader, but his assasination or people's opposition to him don't change the fact that he was president, that he said what he said in the Gettysburg address, and that he was assassinated, essentially, for what he stood for. Am I making sense? Are you still with me? Are you getting something from this? I hope so...
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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The worship and mission discussion often surfaces amid vexing questions andcontentious debates. Can a cappella churches effectively reach thepostmodern generations? Can churches that severely restrict the freedom ofwomen to contribute in public worship be taken seriously in contemporaryculture? Can our worship open doors for a broader, ecumenical fellowshipwith other believers? How can we make our worship assemblies morecontemporary, relevant, and appealing to unbelievers? And when our worshipis contemporary, relevant, and appealing, will it still be worship? Will ourworship have a biblical foundation and impetus? Will it reflect andcelebrate our intergenerational and cross-cultural diversity? Will ourworship maintain continuity with our heritage and traditions? Will ourworship unite us or divide us? These questions illustrate that the way weframe the worship/mission discussion is crucial. My purpose in this articleis not to attempt to answer these questions, but rather to suggest aframework for beginning the larger discussion of worship and mission.
There are several questions in this that are worth some thought... so I'll take them one at a time for a while.
First question, Can a cappella churches effectively reach the postmodern generations? My question in return is "why not?" Our elder who teaches our children's worship has a great and simple way he explains music to the children. He tells them there are two parts to a song: the words, and the notes. That's pretty much it. Thank you and good night. Okay, so I do have some further comments... If that's what it boils down to, the doesn't it seem to follow that whatever you want to have in terms of music can follow. No one can say that a cappella music can't be "modern" (or should I say "postmodern"?). The notes, the rythm, the style, the beat can all be whatever you write or however you interpret it. Pretty much the same with the words. While I like the new songs we're learning at church, I still have my old favorites. I guess my point is that no matter the style or lyrics or whatever, it can have the same impact on different people and a different one on different people. It's an individual thing. A good teacher knows that all her students don't learn the same way... people in leadership roles in churches would do well to follow their example in this matter. You adapt to your learner so that you communicate the information. Notice: you don't change the information so that they learn it... no lieing, no distorting, etc. Yes, Abraham Lincoln was something of a good man and a good leader, but his assasination or people's opposition to him don't change the fact that he was president, that he said what he said in the Gettysburg address, and that he was assassinated, essentially, for what he stood for. Am I making sense? Are you still with me? Are you getting something from this? I hope so...
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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Thursday, March 24, 2005
I received some very bad news yesterday evening. My brother Mark's girlfriend Lindsay lost her father to a heart attack yesterday afternoon. They are all "okay"... as okay as you can be in this situation... but all understandably upset. My brother's having a rough time seeing them, especially Lindsay, so hurt but not being able to do much to ease the pain. So, say a prayer for the Edward's family and keep them in your prayers for a while, too.
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Monday, March 14, 2005
Things you did not know about me...
1. my birthday... June 11th, 1976...
2. I've lived here all my life.
3. I have a sister, Laura.
4. She's 24... 25 on Cinco de Mayo...
5. She's married to Baron Goins now.
6. I have a brother, Mark.
7. He's 22... 23 on June 29th...
8. He's dating Lindsay.
9. I have a neice, Kate.
10. I have 2 cousins on my dad's side.
11. Russ is going to be in school here next year most likely.
12. Grace is not VERY far behind him.
13. My first car was an 80 Olds Omega... junk.
14. My best car was the Crown Victoria I had my Sophomore year here.
15. My latest car is a 2001 Toyota Camry.
16. I've been in or worked on over 40 productions... maybe over 45.
17. I'm a member of Alpha Psi Omega - Omega Iota Cast.
18. I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta.
19. I was a member of Alpha Delta Psi.
20. I was a Pied Piper while in school here.
21. My parents went to school here.
22. My mother used to work in the Registrar's Office.
23. My dad has taught some adjunct classes here.
24. My sister is alumni, too.
25. So's my uncle.
26. So's my aunt.
27. So's my great uncle.
28. I'm killing time until my workstudy gets here.
29. I have directed 3 shows.
30. I have been to NYC... twice.
31. I have been to DC... twice.
32. I have been to LA... once... and got my hair cut there...
33. I don't care to drive in Atlanta.
34. I know better than to drive in NYC... plus you just don't have to.
35. The only show I've seen on Broadway was The Secret Garden.
36. I had SUPER talented classmates in junior high/ high school!!
37. I would really like to teach college.
38. I'm not COMPLETELY sure if I want to teach theatre or speech communications though.
39. My undergrad degree is a BS in Secondary Education - Language Arts.
40. I've always wanted to teach... and did for one school year.
41. I worked for 2 attorney's in downtown Montgomery for about 6 months.
42. I worked for Carmike Cinemas - Eastdale 8... my longest employment, 3 years.
43. I worked for Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
44. My animal I have played on stage is a horse.
45. My youngest character on stage was about 10.
46. My oldest character on stage was about 50?
47. I collect Disney books in Spanish... I have three.
48. I have librettos from several shows because I forget to turn them in or lose them and end up paying for them and then finding them!!
49. I actually took dance in high school... not that I'm good at it, but I'm better!
50. I took stage combat in high school... LOVED IT!!
51. I remember more Spanish from my one year of high school than some people who took three years.
52. Yo comprendo solamente Ingles y un poquito Espanol!
53. I have only really had crushes on three guys... and all of them are tenors?!
54. My high school GPA was a 3.000 exactly when they were ranking us.
55. I was 91 in a class of 600-and-something.
56. I rode the bus in junior high and high school.
57. My junior high started at 7:15... but we got out at 2:15... so why wasn't I home until 3:30 or 4??
58. I have glasses... only for when I read...
59. I have been on several mission trips with my church youth group.
60. I have an uncle who works at the Pentagon... not FOR exactly but at.
61. I have allergies.
62. I'm 4'8".
63. One of my nicknames is Lungs.
64. One of them is Hel... short for Helen...
65. BabyJ20 comes from Baby June from Gypsy and when I was 20.
66. Don't bother trying any of that for passwords... just logins...
67. I'm a bicentennial baby!!
68. One of my cousins is a drill instructor with the Army.
69. His brother used to be a medic with the Army.
70. They got back state-side from Germany August 2001... just before 9-11.
71. I did my first intership placement at Stanhope Elmore High School and the other at Millbrook Jr. High.
72. I have lots of friends from theatre and high school that I miss... not that they miss me...
73. There is no one right now that I find attractive and want to date seriously.
74. I don't like math.
75. I REALLY don't like math... I failed my Alg. III mid-term in 11th grade.
76. I love pineapple.
77. I love fresh cut peaches... especially with milk.
76. I adore cheddar cheese.
77. Rice is really good stuff!
78. Potatoes in any form HAVE to be good for you.
79. I have at least 4, maybe 5, friends who have had gastric by-pass surgery.
80. Only one had complications... and they were his fault (dietary).
81. I'm sort of amazed I got this far.
82. I used to be PAINFULLY shy... and am still a little shy a lot of the time, just not as bad.
83. I blame Stephen for that!! ;)
84. I blame Dallva for the nickname Lungs even if Jason gave it to me.
85. I'm REALLY liking both my Bible classes at church!
86. I want a Yorkie!
87. A trip to the mountains of North Georgia is my birthday present from my Grandmama!!!
88. Both my grandmothers work for GA Public Libraries.
89. I've had the Hepatitis B Series vaccination.
90. I have O+ blood.
91. I'm named after both grandmothers.
92. Frappacinos are addictive.
93. The only sport I like to participate in is swimming!!
94. I recently joined the YMCA.
95. I had curly EXTREMELY blonde hair when I was a toddler, but Momma cut the curls out.
96. I dye my hair every so often because it's good for it.
97. "Little people do not like big noises!"
98. I'd love to visit Savannah over the summer on vacation.
99. Aunt Vicki's not really my aunt... I just call her that 'cause Laura does 'cause Jan does...
100. I can't believe I actually got this many??!
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1. my birthday... June 11th, 1976...
2. I've lived here all my life.
3. I have a sister, Laura.
4. She's 24... 25 on Cinco de Mayo...
5. She's married to Baron Goins now.
6. I have a brother, Mark.
7. He's 22... 23 on June 29th...
8. He's dating Lindsay.
9. I have a neice, Kate.
10. I have 2 cousins on my dad's side.
11. Russ is going to be in school here next year most likely.
12. Grace is not VERY far behind him.
13. My first car was an 80 Olds Omega... junk.
14. My best car was the Crown Victoria I had my Sophomore year here.
15. My latest car is a 2001 Toyota Camry.
16. I've been in or worked on over 40 productions... maybe over 45.
17. I'm a member of Alpha Psi Omega - Omega Iota Cast.
18. I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta.
19. I was a member of Alpha Delta Psi.
20. I was a Pied Piper while in school here.
21. My parents went to school here.
22. My mother used to work in the Registrar's Office.
23. My dad has taught some adjunct classes here.
24. My sister is alumni, too.
25. So's my uncle.
26. So's my aunt.
27. So's my great uncle.
28. I'm killing time until my workstudy gets here.
29. I have directed 3 shows.
30. I have been to NYC... twice.
31. I have been to DC... twice.
32. I have been to LA... once... and got my hair cut there...
33. I don't care to drive in Atlanta.
34. I know better than to drive in NYC... plus you just don't have to.
35. The only show I've seen on Broadway was The Secret Garden.
36. I had SUPER talented classmates in junior high/ high school!!
37. I would really like to teach college.
38. I'm not COMPLETELY sure if I want to teach theatre or speech communications though.
39. My undergrad degree is a BS in Secondary Education - Language Arts.
40. I've always wanted to teach... and did for one school year.
41. I worked for 2 attorney's in downtown Montgomery for about 6 months.
42. I worked for Carmike Cinemas - Eastdale 8... my longest employment, 3 years.
43. I worked for Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
44. My animal I have played on stage is a horse.
45. My youngest character on stage was about 10.
46. My oldest character on stage was about 50?
47. I collect Disney books in Spanish... I have three.
48. I have librettos from several shows because I forget to turn them in or lose them and end up paying for them and then finding them!!
49. I actually took dance in high school... not that I'm good at it, but I'm better!
50. I took stage combat in high school... LOVED IT!!
51. I remember more Spanish from my one year of high school than some people who took three years.
52. Yo comprendo solamente Ingles y un poquito Espanol!
53. I have only really had crushes on three guys... and all of them are tenors?!
54. My high school GPA was a 3.000 exactly when they were ranking us.
55. I was 91 in a class of 600-and-something.
56. I rode the bus in junior high and high school.
57. My junior high started at 7:15... but we got out at 2:15... so why wasn't I home until 3:30 or 4??
58. I have glasses... only for when I read...
59. I have been on several mission trips with my church youth group.
60. I have an uncle who works at the Pentagon... not FOR exactly but at.
61. I have allergies.
62. I'm 4'8".
63. One of my nicknames is Lungs.
64. One of them is Hel... short for Helen...
65. BabyJ20 comes from Baby June from Gypsy and when I was 20.
66. Don't bother trying any of that for passwords... just logins...
67. I'm a bicentennial baby!!
68. One of my cousins is a drill instructor with the Army.
69. His brother used to be a medic with the Army.
70. They got back state-side from Germany August 2001... just before 9-11.
71. I did my first intership placement at Stanhope Elmore High School and the other at Millbrook Jr. High.
72. I have lots of friends from theatre and high school that I miss... not that they miss me...
73. There is no one right now that I find attractive and want to date seriously.
74. I don't like math.
75. I REALLY don't like math... I failed my Alg. III mid-term in 11th grade.
76. I love pineapple.
77. I love fresh cut peaches... especially with milk.
76. I adore cheddar cheese.
77. Rice is really good stuff!
78. Potatoes in any form HAVE to be good for you.
79. I have at least 4, maybe 5, friends who have had gastric by-pass surgery.
80. Only one had complications... and they were his fault (dietary).
81. I'm sort of amazed I got this far.
82. I used to be PAINFULLY shy... and am still a little shy a lot of the time, just not as bad.
83. I blame Stephen for that!! ;)
84. I blame Dallva for the nickname Lungs even if Jason gave it to me.
85. I'm REALLY liking both my Bible classes at church!
86. I want a Yorkie!
87. A trip to the mountains of North Georgia is my birthday present from my Grandmama!!!
88. Both my grandmothers work for GA Public Libraries.
89. I've had the Hepatitis B Series vaccination.
90. I have O+ blood.
91. I'm named after both grandmothers.
92. Frappacinos are addictive.
93. The only sport I like to participate in is swimming!!
94. I recently joined the YMCA.
95. I had curly EXTREMELY blonde hair when I was a toddler, but Momma cut the curls out.
96. I dye my hair every so often because it's good for it.
97. "Little people do not like big noises!"
98. I'd love to visit Savannah over the summer on vacation.
99. Aunt Vicki's not really my aunt... I just call her that 'cause Laura does 'cause Jan does...
100. I can't believe I actually got this many??!
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Saturday, March 12, 2005
Hmm... I wonder if the neophytes will find this useful info!!!
My mother has seen Phantom of the Opera and I have not.
My fave flower is a rose.
My fave musical I've been in is Annie Get Your Gun (Sam Wallace).
My fave play I've been in is Kentucky Cycle (Jason South).
My fave part I've played is Thelma Greenwood (Jason Lee).
My fave theatre teacher is Stephen Elrod.
My fave show I've seen is The Secret Garden on Broadway.
My fave parts I want to play are Mary Lennox (TSG) and Little Red (Into the Woods).
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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My mother has seen Phantom of the Opera and I have not.
My fave flower is a rose.
My fave musical I've been in is Annie Get Your Gun (Sam Wallace).
My fave play I've been in is Kentucky Cycle (Jason South).
My fave part I've played is Thelma Greenwood (Jason Lee).
My fave theatre teacher is Stephen Elrod.
My fave show I've seen is The Secret Garden on Broadway.
My fave parts I want to play are Mary Lennox (TSG) and Little Red (Into the Woods).
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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Wednesday, March 09, 2005
heehee... heeheehee.... Alpha Psi Omega pledging starts soon. This means that there are people who will need my autograph... don't get all impressed, it's only 'cause I'm a member. We all have them do something or find something out in order to get it.
I have a new question this year for them to answer... and I'll take your guesses if you'd like... just know that I may or may not acknowledge right/wrong answers. Hmm... I may... if they're smart enough to find it this way, good for them!! Here goes...
What major musical has my mother seen that I have not?
Here's what I usually ask...
What is my favorite "something"? (you pick... flower, song, musical, play, etc.)
The polls are open now...
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I have a new question this year for them to answer... and I'll take your guesses if you'd like... just know that I may or may not acknowledge right/wrong answers. Hmm... I may... if they're smart enough to find it this way, good for them!! Here goes...
What major musical has my mother seen that I have not?
Here's what I usually ask...
What is my favorite "something"? (you pick... flower, song, musical, play, etc.)
The polls are open now...
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Yeah Baron!! Two posts in two days!! Now can you, oh Master of the Computer, get my email fixed so it doesn't get harrassed by the spam police when you, my uncle, or my grandmother email me? No? Just checking...
Yeah Eric!! Horrah... you're class may make it yet!! I'm enjoying it so far... Keep up the posting!!
And that's my kudos for the day!!
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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Yeah Eric!! Horrah... you're class may make it yet!! I'm enjoying it so far... Keep up the posting!!
And that's my kudos for the day!!
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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Disappointment... heartache... grief... and pain...
That's all some people "see in life". Don't take that too far... some people do have a hard life or go through hard times. I have my share... believe me... email me and we can swap stories, I'm sure you have them, too. Like the song says, God "never promised you a rose garden"... but he did promise he'd "never leave you or foresake you." (Remember: it's us who try to run from him and turn our backs on him... not vice versa.)
But there are some things I've learned over the past several years...
#1. Don't bottle crap up. It doesn't help anything to keep things bottled up inside you. Trust me... you end up with hives and "blowing up" at people you don't really want to. Sometimes all you need to to vent... just to get it out... to muddle through it one last time for finality's sake.
#2. Don't push. Just like we teach our kindergarteners. Don't push somebody to tell you stuff they don't want to. Sometimes it hurts more to "relive" the story again.
#3. Don't "have to say something." If someone's upset/hurt/grieving, don't feel like you have to find something to say. What you say may be the perfect thing, but just at the wrong time. And sometimes you just need someone to be there... nothing more... nothing less. Check out Matt Elliott's blog for more discussion on this...
#4. Don't "blow up" if someone happens to say the wrong thing. This is a converse to #3... sort of? Know that maybe what they say is something they need validated or said because it's what is giving them comfort. What got me through my granddaddy's death was the premise behind the cliche "he's better off where he is" and "he's in heaven and we'll see him one day." I COMPLETELY understand how that's also maddening... I want my Granddaddy here. There are things that would be different if he were... then again, things would be different if he were. (Did you catch that??) Take the comforting offered as a chance to minister back to the people offering it when you're hurting.
#5. Be careful telling someone "you can't possibly understand." They might just surprise you.
#6. Don't put people on a pedestal... no matter what. Leave it for God!! I've been reminded of this a few times in classes that Jon Owen and Matthew Morrow have taught. Remember that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." I've recently found out very disappointing things about "friends." That doesn't mean I love them any less or think any less of them... simply they disappointed me by their actions.
Just remember... no matter what... "He Still Loves You"... hmm, Eric, if you read this... you should post some of your lyrics. And that goes for you, too, Jon. Just a simple cut and paste would suffice... they're great lessons in and of themselves!!
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That's all some people "see in life". Don't take that too far... some people do have a hard life or go through hard times. I have my share... believe me... email me and we can swap stories, I'm sure you have them, too. Like the song says, God "never promised you a rose garden"... but he did promise he'd "never leave you or foresake you." (Remember: it's us who try to run from him and turn our backs on him... not vice versa.)
But there are some things I've learned over the past several years...
#1. Don't bottle crap up. It doesn't help anything to keep things bottled up inside you. Trust me... you end up with hives and "blowing up" at people you don't really want to. Sometimes all you need to to vent... just to get it out... to muddle through it one last time for finality's sake.
#2. Don't push. Just like we teach our kindergarteners. Don't push somebody to tell you stuff they don't want to. Sometimes it hurts more to "relive" the story again.
#3. Don't "have to say something." If someone's upset/hurt/grieving, don't feel like you have to find something to say. What you say may be the perfect thing, but just at the wrong time. And sometimes you just need someone to be there... nothing more... nothing less. Check out Matt Elliott's blog for more discussion on this...
#4. Don't "blow up" if someone happens to say the wrong thing. This is a converse to #3... sort of? Know that maybe what they say is something they need validated or said because it's what is giving them comfort. What got me through my granddaddy's death was the premise behind the cliche "he's better off where he is" and "he's in heaven and we'll see him one day." I COMPLETELY understand how that's also maddening... I want my Granddaddy here. There are things that would be different if he were... then again, things would be different if he were. (Did you catch that??) Take the comforting offered as a chance to minister back to the people offering it when you're hurting.
#5. Be careful telling someone "you can't possibly understand." They might just surprise you.
#6. Don't put people on a pedestal... no matter what. Leave it for God!! I've been reminded of this a few times in classes that Jon Owen and Matthew Morrow have taught. Remember that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." I've recently found out very disappointing things about "friends." That doesn't mean I love them any less or think any less of them... simply they disappointed me by their actions.
Just remember... no matter what... "He Still Loves You"... hmm, Eric, if you read this... you should post some of your lyrics. And that goes for you, too, Jon. Just a simple cut and paste would suffice... they're great lessons in and of themselves!!
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Friday, March 04, 2005
Happy birthday to... my Daddy...
Happy birthday to... my Daddy...
Okay, that's enough... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!
Yep, my Dad's birthday is on the 8th... so we're going out to eat tonight!! Ruby Tuesday's... stop in a say hi?!! You're on your own for dinner though... sorry, just bought a new car and don't need to spend the money.
Yep, I now have a 2001 Toyota Camry... dark blue-green. I like it... it drives SOO nicely. Now to clean out and get rid of my other one...
Can I just say how excited I am about a couple of things?
1. I really think our worship services have been being really good for a while now. We've had some really good services since Brad's been at VP and since we started the worship team ministry.
2. Blithe Spirit... I think this has the potential to be a really good show!! There is only one cast member who's not a student and he's the male lead. All the students are either theatre majors or have a great interest in it and may major in theatre.
3. I'm going to Birmingham on Sunday!! I'm going with some friends from church to an organ concert at the Alabama Theatre. Jim has been trying to talk me into going with he and his wife since way back before his wife passed away and it's just now really working out for me to go. His two grandkids are going too. Oh, this is Ed's dad and children... the one with the link on my list to the right of here... I'm looking forward to it!! Just say a prayer that it's only good memories and good feelings for Jim and that he doesn't feel hurt... it may be hard on him but I hope it won't be. Hopefully Dexter, Sandy, and I can make it lots of fun!!
That's 'bout all I got to say... y'all have a good weekend...
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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Happy birthday to... my Daddy...
Okay, that's enough... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!
Yep, my Dad's birthday is on the 8th... so we're going out to eat tonight!! Ruby Tuesday's... stop in a say hi?!! You're on your own for dinner though... sorry, just bought a new car and don't need to spend the money.
Yep, I now have a 2001 Toyota Camry... dark blue-green. I like it... it drives SOO nicely. Now to clean out and get rid of my other one...
Can I just say how excited I am about a couple of things?
1. I really think our worship services have been being really good for a while now. We've had some really good services since Brad's been at VP and since we started the worship team ministry.
2. Blithe Spirit... I think this has the potential to be a really good show!! There is only one cast member who's not a student and he's the male lead. All the students are either theatre majors or have a great interest in it and may major in theatre.
3. I'm going to Birmingham on Sunday!! I'm going with some friends from church to an organ concert at the Alabama Theatre. Jim has been trying to talk me into going with he and his wife since way back before his wife passed away and it's just now really working out for me to go. His two grandkids are going too. Oh, this is Ed's dad and children... the one with the link on my list to the right of here... I'm looking forward to it!! Just say a prayer that it's only good memories and good feelings for Jim and that he doesn't feel hurt... it may be hard on him but I hope it won't be. Hopefully Dexter, Sandy, and I can make it lots of fun!!
That's 'bout all I got to say... y'all have a good weekend...
el Dios le bendice siempre...
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