Roger Miller

One of my intentions for this site has been to recommend music that I enjoy… and think some of you might enjoy as well. Oddly enough, my first recommendation is Roger Miller’s All Time Greatest Hits. This cd has been monopolizing our van’s cd player for a while now. I’ve owned the cd for some time, although I never really listened to it (I bought it because I liked a song or two). I rescued it from the bottom of my “cd’s I don’t listen to, but can’t get any money for at the local used cd store” box because I thought there would be a few songs the girls might enjoy during road trips. It only took one full listen for us all to be hooked. At first it was just the humor and wittiness of his music, but the more we listened, the more Denise and I were astounded by his brilliant songwriting and the way he uses his vocals as an actual instrument (The girls love it just because it’s fun and catchy). I later went on the internet to find out more about him and was pleasantly surprised that many of his contemporaries (60’s – 90’s) considered him a genius. I think that one of the things that makes his music great is his ability to blend darker subjects with happy/fun melodies. Even though he is normally classified as a country artist, he easily traversed multiple genres, including swing, blues, rock, and jazz – it’s probably best just to classify him as a folk/americana artist. He’s perhaps best known for the silly vocal gymnastics he employs in his songs, and probably his most recognizable song is “King of the Road.” The album contains 20 songs, and there are probably only 2 that we skip through. The only thing I don’t like about the album is that it doesn’t contain any of the songs from Disney’s Robin Hood - which he wrote the songs for. I know this album may not be everyone’s musical cup of tea, but we have thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. Give it a try and tell us what you think!

Maundy Thursday

Today was Maundy Thursday. This is when the church remembers Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper, as well as the betrayal by Judas. My church had a special service tonight that was centered around a feast. We still had a traditional service, except that it took place in the dining hall and there was a special time right before the sermon when the men served the meal to the rest of the congregation. Everyone ate (lasagna!) while the pastor preached. The mood was festive but reflective. On the one hand we were celebrating the fact that Christ bestows grace upon His church through His body and blood, while on the other hand we were remembering that our Savior was betrayed on this same night – a preview of the grief that exemplifies tomorrow’s (Good Friday) service.

Even though the Lord’s Supper and the betrayal of Jesus don’t seem to have much in common – other than occurring on the same night – there is something that links the two……service. Service is what Jesus did when He washed the disciples feet after eating with them. Service is what the church is called to do after being fed by her Savior. Jesus washed His disciples clean and then sent them out to make disciples. He does the same to us. Usually, at this point, the discussion would turn to the mode of service – just what does it mean to serve? This is a legitimate question, and there are many answers, but I think even more importantly, the context of the story tells us who we should serve.

I think it is important that the story of Judas’ betrayal occurs after the Passover Feast and after the foot washing. Jesus knew He would be betrayed, but He did not allow Judas to leave until after he had fed him and served him. Jesus fed and washed His enemy. He calls us to do the same. This is why He has saved us. This is why He cleanses us. This is why He feeds us His body and feeds us with the Word. He makes us clean, strengthens our bodies, then arms us to go and make disciples. Sometimes this means having and raising godly children, and sometimes this means becoming a missionary in an Arab country. If there’s ever any question to the limits of our service, we look to the limits of Jesus’ service.

Love

 

 

 

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

If I lack’d anything.

 

‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’

Love said, ‘You shall be he.’

‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,

I cannot look on Thee.’

Love took my hand and smiling did reply,

‘Who made the eyes but I?’

 

‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.’

‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’

‘My dear, then I will serve.’

‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’

So I did sit and eat.

 

George Herbert

Holy Week

Today (Sunday) began Holy Week. Holy Week is the last week of Lent. The first day of Holy Week is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday – or Passion Sunday – celebrates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The other important days this week is Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Many churches have special worship services on these days. Lord willing, I will post a little more info on these days as they get closer.

My church celebrated Palm Sunday by having the children bring in palm fronds during the processional hymn. The hymn was called “All Glory, Laud, and Honor,” which is one of my favorite hymns. It’s very majestic and celebratory, and was especially moving with the children marching in with their palm fronds. Here’s the hymn:

Denise took some pics of the children this morning, so be on the lookout!