Jesus Music

My first memory of contemporary Christian music was Amy Grant singing My Father's Eyes when I was in high school in the late 70's.  My church was still using the hymnbook and the pipe organ (which I loved, and still love).  It wasn't until I was married with young kids in the 1980's that our church offered a contemporary service "with electric guitars".  I remember the older members questioning how a person could worship Jesus with guitars.   I like contemporary Christian music, too.   I watched the Hulu special, The Jesus Music, this week.  I found it fascinating that the Jesus music movement was started by a bunch of hippies in California that were underwhelmed by a life that was centered on sex, drugs and rock and roll.    One hippie, Larry Norman, got introduced to Jesus and is credited with releasing "Upon This Rock", the first full Christian music album, in 1969.  (Listen here)  Many high-profile televangelists labeled the music "of the devil"  at that time.  I wonder what they would say today if they visited almost any of the most successful urban churches.

Futbol Fan

I have never played soccer.  There was only one type of football in Columbus, GA where I grew up, and it wasn't the soccer one.    But my interest is piqued now that all my grandchildren that are old enough (5 so far) are playing.  At first, attending games was all about moral support, as we watched 10 kids hover around a ball like dust hovers around Pig-Pen.  But now, things are different.  The older grandchildren are excelling, and their talent and endurance is literally amazing.  The older boys, as well as my son and son-in-law, are also avid professional soccer fans.  I can't keep up with all the different professional leagues and players, but I, along with other non-ballers, got introduced to Sadio Mane (then playing for Liverpool) when one of his social media posts went viral.   A photo of him included his iphone with a cracked screen, and many commented: "this guy earns $10M euros/year.  Can't he afford a new iphone."  His response was inspiring: "Why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches and two jet planes? What would that do for the world? I starved, I worked in the fields, I played barefoot, and I didn't go to school. Now I can help people. I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing. I have built schools [and] a stadium; we provide clothes, shoes, and food for people in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people from a very poor Senegalese region in order to contribute to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips, and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me".  

Sadio's father died when he was young because there was no medical facility nearby.  After making a name for himself in professional soccer, Sadio knew his town still needed a hospital, so he built one there.  Sadio is a role model for professional athletes and for each one of us.  For more on his story, click here.  And to see his brand of poetry in motion, click here.

(Thanks to my good friend, Janet Jeanes, for reminding me about this great story.)

Worth Developing

 

What would a developer do with 10.5 acres in Brooklyn, NY?  I guess that depends on what they are developing.  If they are developing wealth, it would likely be luxury apartments or a commercial office building.  If they are developing God's kingdom on earth, it might be something different.  A.R. Bernard is the pastor of the largest church in New York City.  He started the church in a grocery store, and the church has acquired some of the property around it.  For the past 10 years, Bernard has been planning a $1.2 billion urban center that includes affordable housing, a trade school, a performing arts center, a supermarket, and of course, a place for his 32,000 members to worship.  Bernard is hoping to have final approval this year with the ground breaking in 2023.  Praise God for a leader with the vision to build God's kingdom on Earth.  To learn more about this inspirational project, click here.

Pop Pronouns

I have done everything in my power to avoid this one, but I just can't anymore.  I like Demi Lovato.  I think she is a good singer, and I liked her as a judge on X-factor.   But she has been front and center this week because of her decision to use new pronouns which are now "they" and "she".  Last year, she identified as non-binary, which I assumes means that she can be both male and female, not one or the other.  But now, she is feminine, so she likes "she", but I have no idea how she gets to "they".  "They" is plural, and she is one person.  That is followed by her statement that her sexuality is fluid.   I recently heard that at an annual conference for a Fortune 500 company, attendees were required to list their pronouns on  their name badge.  I wish I could change the conversation from "this is what I want you to call me" to "this is how I am feeling today".  I feel more masculine when I am barefooting behind a ski boat, and I feel more feminine when I bust out crying when I hear a beautiful piece of music.  I don't need to dictate how you address me each time I feel different.  Besides, it is all too confusing.  Just call me Tom.  Which sex organs I have, and which sex I am attracted to doesn't need to be broadcast to anyone, but I am happy to tell a friend if they want to know.  I get that I may be adding fuel to the fire by posting this, but I am admittedly dazed and confused.