tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post7281751836687633805..comments2024-03-25T21:10:45.516-06:00Comments on hikerrev: Music and the Sacredhikerrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13386543205127710143noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-62457722707159907202010-05-05T00:24:29.171-06:002010-05-05T00:24:29.171-06:00Thanks for getting me to think more about music. ...Thanks for getting me to think more about music. I don't think there's a right or wrong kind of "Christian" music to listen to for building faith. It's all so subjective, personal and often just a matter of taste. Your post has me thinking back on the "Christian" music I've listened to over the years. As a teen back in the 70s I listened to the "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" records over and over. Then in the 80s I listened to a lot of Phil Keaggy, Michael Card and John Michael Talbot. Now in middle age, I don't listen to any Christian or sacred music outside of church. Maybe I've lost something. But at least tonight I've listened to some of my old favorites on Youtube.Librarian Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06132386811089072747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-2428712429141317322010-05-04T22:26:41.816-06:002010-05-04T22:26:41.816-06:00I think this is really important. My son is 11 yea...I think this is really important. My son is 11 years old, and one of the things he finds most alienating about Christian worship is the traditional church music. This seems to distract him from finding the sacred in church. The separateness of church worship from the elements he cherishes in his everyday life seems to increase his skepticism of rather than impart a sacred aura to worship. Perhaps there is some wisdom in his 11 year old intransigence. Or he could just be playing his old mom so he can go biking instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-75646408252428905432010-05-04T12:23:13.028-06:002010-05-04T12:23:13.028-06:00There's absolutely something to the idea of re...There's absolutely something to the idea of recognizing the sacred in the midst of the ordinary, which Carrie Newcomer (among others) gets to in very surprising ways. But in our society, I don't think we do that very well, either. Further, I find that the people who are best able to recognize the sacred in the ordinary are those who also spend time and energy in and among the set-aside sacred. For many others, it seems like just an excuse to not make a commitment to a community of faith ... but that's a little far afield from the topic. <br /><br />But maybe that's the key ~ to be rooted in a faith community that recognizes the sacred in what they do is to have the freedom to then also see the sacred in everyday life more easily. Or maybe I'm way off base.hikerrevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13386543205127710143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-67511967398254737622010-05-04T10:15:19.961-06:002010-05-04T10:15:19.961-06:00I'm a snob with music in church and really onl...I'm a snob with music in church and really only feel the connection if it's the traditional classical stuff, even to the level of preferring acapella. But then at home, the connection is the same - it's classical - soemtimes it doesn't even have to have religion behind the title/piece - it's a feeling. But that could be my upbringing too - classical. When I go outside that, I can't feel the religion. I think other people are really moved by the praise stuff, and that's them - I just can't do it.ms'er faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14750127973286035852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1353391130557632723.post-69758402241574689312010-05-04T08:33:46.544-06:002010-05-04T08:33:46.544-06:00Thanks for your thoughts.
I can identify with muc...Thanks for your thoughts.<br /><br />I can identify with much of what you say about "Christian" music (with quotes included). For me, I think that there might be something of a disconnect: in a worship setting, I don't always mind shallow lyrics if they allow the space to be present with God. (Sometimes, lyrics or tune are so compelling and complex that I spend my time with the song, instead of with God.) On the other hand, I wouldn't choose to listen to these songs any other time - they just don't do anything to build my faith.<br /><br />------------------<br /><br />Changing directions slightly...<br /><br />One of my favorite musicians is singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer. She doesn't make the distinction between the routine/everyday stuff and the sacred. If you like acoustic/folk sounds, her music might appeal to you.<br /><br />Two examples:<br /><br />1) Her song "Geodes" talks about the hidden wonder inside some of those funny, hollow rocks and draws the obvious connection to the people around us.<br /><br />"You'll see if you try / in the next stranger's eye / that God walks 'round in muddy boots / sometimes rags, and that's the truth / You can't always tell, but sometimes you just know."<br /><br />2) My favorite line from "Holy as a Day Is Spent":<br /><br />"Holy is a familiar room / and the quiet moments in the afternoon / and folding sheets like folding hands / to pray as only laundry can"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com