music meltdown

I was reflecting this evening on the effect music has on me. I love music of all kinds, and I find it hard to pin down any particular type of music as a favourite.

I've discovered that for me, music serves as a kind of emotional and mental warm up, like stretching for physical exercise. Some of that warm up comes from the lyrics of a song, rehearsing situations and emotions, but not all. The music itself, the chords, the melody, the rhythm, has an effect beyond the lyrical content.

I started thinking about this because of the way that music makes me want to pray. I play cds in the car and for a few weeks I've been playing a worship cd which has been really good for me. But recently I've started playing some other, more secular, cds and I've noticed that as soon as the music comes on I immediately relax, my mood improves and I want to pray. Have I just been conditioned?

It's as if it has an almost physical effect on me, a washing over. I can feel it happening! My brain runs more smoothly, my emotions come closer to the surface, I feel happier. I was listening to Rhythm of the Saints on the way home today and the rhythm woke me right up, made me smile..tapping on the steering wheel and bopping away!
All kinds of music have this effect. I've been listening to old cheese, Jars of Clay, Paul Simon...
When i used to go to Planet of Sound weekly, a few years back now, I had some of my best prayer times of the week on the trance floor - strange I know! Dancing has a similar effect on me. Actually, someone lent me an old trance cd recently and I've found it excellent for working to.

Does anyone else have this happen to them?

East of Eden

I've just finished reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck, a present from Tom. I wasn't sure what to expect, as at least two people said to me that it was the best book they'd read.
Even now, it's hard to work out exactly what I feel about it. It was surprisingly readable and the characters unexpected. The world and characters he draws are both familiar and at the same time unfamiliar as only real people can be.

The novel revolves around and reflects upon the events in Genesis 4 - the story of Cain and Abel. There are two sets of brothers in this story and part of the anticipation of the novel lies in the extent to which their lives reflect their Genesis counterparts. I won't spoil the story for those who haven't read it, but it doesn't spoil much to say that the novel is about, for me at least, the importance of choice - tied up in the word timshel, 'thou mayest'. Among its themes are the good and evil in every person, revenge and redemption, jealousy and love, guilt and forgiveness. I loved the last section of the book, and especially the interactions between the characters in the Trask household, Lee and Cal particularly. The pain of rejection and its consequences in the different characters provides the most memorable scenes and the novel hinges on the helpless inevitability-or not- of the result.

Towards the end the novel I was uncomfortable with its appearing to condone 'evil' thoughts and actions in a person, even preferring them to morality and innocence. But I have come to realise that the novel is ultimately not about good or evil people, but about the reality of sin in everyone and the choice that we have - whether to fan it into flames or to master it. The 'innocent' and 'evil' characters in this story serve mainly as foils to their more complicated counterparts, giving context to their actions.

Munchen Hochzeit

I just got back today from Germany and a fab weekend at my cousin Lisa's wedding. I will recount my adventures and observations in the style of my friend Mr Shervington, although i fear it will not be quite as diverting...

Friday I was in a state of nervous excitement all day, you'd think I'd never been on a plane before! My first experience of flying away for the weekend at any rate, and my first trip into Europe (that is, further than Brussels!) Hard to believe isn't it? After some confusion about flight times, I boarded at Durham Teeside (which is the smallest funniest airport ever) and took off to Amsterdam. With all the flights this weekend I was reflecting on how much I love takeoff. I find it so exhilarating, especially in the small 'cityhopper' planes. The acceleration down the runway and the anticipation just before you lift into the sky, being pushed back into your seat as it rises - what a rush! Don't mind me...

I finally arrived in Munich at 10pm, after too long spent admiring the workings of Amsterdam airport. My first view of Germany..and that was only the autobahn and in the dark. Sadly I was not to see much more, and of Munich pretty much nothing! We stayed in a rural hotel, which was perhaps the oddest place I have ever stayed. We had an ensuite with a bath, a sink and a large fridge, but no toilet. The room had two lamps and a TV, none of which worked! And the curtains when pulled closed left a gap of 15cm or more. Added to this, despite being pretty large, the hotel appeared to be completely empty apart from those of us there for the wedding!

The wedding was held in a small church in a nearby town. It was mostly in English but there were a few moments of confusion as someone explained something in German and we looked around for someone to translate. Despite the different country and language I was struck by how similar it all was. And not just that the church service was similar. It was more the realisation that wherever we go in the world there is something that’s ‘at home and among family’ when we’re worshipping with other Christians. I was so glad to be there and to celebrate the wedding. Bride and groom were radiant and excited…exactly as they should be! After much setting up and preparation the evening’s festivities began. A feast of pork belly and ribs with dumplings and gravy, potato salad, bread and cheese – yummy! And entertainment to follow…not all of which was completely intelligible!

I was supposed to leave Munich at 10am on Sunday but it wasn’t to be. My flight was overbooked and I was bumped onto a flight leaving at 8pm in the evening, requiring an overnight stay in Amsterdam. I wandered around, read lots, spent some time with dad and Leo (who caught a later flight), and generally kicked my heels for 8 hours! I spent a delightful hour in conversation with a older German lady off to visit her sister in Felixstowe. Her English was limited so we exchanged language snippets about home and family until her check-in time. I eventually escaped Munich airport with generous compensation, meal voucher and hotel ticket. I spent the night in an unexciting Travelodge-style hotel and finally arrived home at lunch time today.

I very much enjoyed my small glimpse of Germany. Everyone I met was charming and helpful. Complete strangers would step in, smiling, to assist with things lost in translation. Airport and airline staff were friendlier and more helpful than I expected…and certainly more so than in Amsterdam or home in England. Despite not previously being a fan of the German language, I found it surprisingly fun to speak – or at least attempt to! All in all, I think I’m up for a return visit!

Christians in Antioch

I was reading Acts 11 this morning and noticed for the first time Luke's statement that "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch". The notes in my Bible point out that they were called Christians because, being a mixture of Jews (speaking Greek or Aramaic) and Gentiles, Christ was all they had in common - not race, culture or language.

I was inspired by two things:
- unity IS possible in Christ, across all cultural boundaries and in the most impossible situations
- diversity is a reality, homogeneity unnecessary. Sometimes Christ is ALL we have in common. We don't have to 'click' with everybody, nor mold them in our own image, but we are called to love everyone.

Jumbled joy

Here's a little something I put together today while work-avoiding.

It's made up of lines from the songs on my current worship cd-mix. I'll be impressed if anyone guesses all 14...

Lift up your eyes,
Early in the morning.
The harvest is here,
The kingdom is near!
Though there’s pain in the offering,
I will celebrate the light.

I’ve tasted and I’ve seen,
I know with all my heart.
No one else will do:
Heaven’s perfect Lamb,
I’ll lay it all down again,
It’s You I live for, everyday!

Bigger than the heavens and the highest of heights,
The universe declares your majesty.
You are far above,
Strong to deliver, mighty to save.
I’ll learn to stand upon Your word.

My heart will choose to say:
I’m gonna stand,
I’m gonna run,
I’ll follow after You.
To find You in the place Your glory dwells,
That’s the cry of my heart.

When I’m found in the desert place,
Help me know You are near.
I’m lost without you!
I’ll fear no evil for You are with me,
With wisdom, power and love.
Who’s your equal?

Your Spirit’s water to my soul,
Healing comes from your hands,
The fire of God,
Stirring up my passion.
My heart is satisfied within your presence,
the warmth of Your embrace.

Your glory will fill the earth,
Like water the sea.
Peeling back the darkness,
Rising up in me.
You’re all I ever needed,
My daily bread, the air I breathe.

It’s true and I believe it!
Our God turns the bitter into sweet,
Mercy and grace he gave us at the cross.
He will watch over your coming and your going
And calm the storm with His hand.