The Earth, The Sky and Everything In Between

I feel so refreshed when a singer is honest, and remains honest over a sustained period of time. Maybe 'refreshed' is not so much my feeling as it is 'suprise'. I am surprised by a voice I've heard for over ten years on various records, and I'm surprised most in knowing that voice has not changed, but has remained remarkably consistent in conveying the simple and humble message of the love of Christ.

I know you already guessed it, but I'm referring to Chris Rice, who in his pursuit to become evermore irrelevant on the Christian music charts, has actually made some of his best music in recent years. I understand that the industry of Christian music needs exciting product to keep the revenues high. I don't blame them for this reality, and I have no problem with them producing music they determine can market well to mass audiences. Within the industry of music entertainment, this is necessary. Fortunately for believers, our music doesn't require the approval of ever-shifting popular culture, and the yoke is thus quite easy in comparison.

When I listen, for example, to Chris Rice's 'Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project', I am reminded that the music of the church has sustained itself for thousands of years not on the backbone of mass-industry, but in the hearts and mouths of Christ-followers who, in humility, confessed His love with their songs. Chris seems to capture this truth, and his renditions humble me in knowing I am a participant in the same songs my ancestors sang through times of joy and times of great oppression. Chris is singing, and the saints are at my side, and we are singing with him.

I hope I never underestimate the power of the church's liturgy - that is, the practices of the church that have withstood all cultural pressures, be they of popular culture or persecution. I think I enjoy Chris's voice because the honesty and brokenness I sense makes me believe I am listening to the voice of the Christian church. He sings as one who knows both the cost and joy of a life confessed fully to the purgative power of Christ. In short, I hear humility in his voice, and it's humility that I want. I want to be nothing before Christ. I don't want to sound exciting or marketable; I don't even want to sound good. I just want to be honest, and in humility offer my very small gift of praise to Christ, whose love will forever frustrate my flesh and nurture my soul.

I don't write this to lift anyone up where they should not go. My cap tips, however, to Chris Rice for faithfully pursuing the message of Christ, and, in passing that message on to us, reminding us that the old, boring, unmarketable hymns carry the weight of the fathers and the legacy of faith we carry today. This approach does not sell a lot of records, and many people will end up forgetting you exist. But, the message of the cross has been passed down on such backs, and I carry a debt of gratitude to Chris for using his immense talent to remind us that Christ is the picture of humility, and He remembers our faithfulness long after we are forgotten. I can rest in that.

There's 1:44 left in Boston's sick beating of the LA Lakers to win their 17th championship. They're up by 43 points and just pouring it on. They are beating the Lakers like a rented mule. And Kevin Garnett, now at the pinnacle of his great career, can't help but celebrate this moment by dropping a string of celebratory profanities bad enough for ABC to cut audio for three five-second intervals...all within about 30 seconds. I don't know why that amazes me. Kevin Garnett was knows for his mouth before becoming a Celtic, and Bostonians drop f-bombs like clocks tick. I guess I want to believe athletes are more than just athletes, but role models as well. I do think that some are, but at the moment, Kevin Garnett is an amazing athlete who entertains with his skill. That's it.

..........

The game is over now. The Celtics won. Kevin Gartnett was interviewed right after the game. Again, he lets his tongue fly, and ABC, being the wise editors they are, put him on a 6-second delay and cut the audio. This is now the sixth audio cut I've counted in the last five minutes, all due to KG's mouth. At some point this became laughable. I don't remember when; all the bleeps must have distracted me.

I must be crazy to write what I'm about to write. Feel free to hunt me down and hang me, but I'm afraid I agree with something Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.

In this article, Ahmadinejad states his case on oil prices and the U.S. dollar. I hate, hate, hate to say it, but he may have a point. AT THE LEAST, he has a case and claim worth considering. Before I really drop off a cliff and suggest Iran might actually be pursuing nuclear power for economic development only, someone send me something that suggests otherwise.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dance at the idea of Iran being a thriving nation or Ahmadinejad being right on anything, but could he be right on this?