Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Folk, Rock n Roll, and Crossing the Line

The dawning of music that spoke a message. Music that had a justice thought behind it, or even if it seemed silly, hinted at a quiet protest. We might think that music is from the late 50s through the 60s, as the dawn of a genre, but it actually is eternal... music has always been a way to pour out a song of protest or a message of justice. The psalms ring true of such messages over and over again. Words of protest and justice.
"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help."
 "Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob...who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free"

Folk music and rock and roll have their roots in young rebellion.  Folk music is the music of the working class, told in oral histories, stories about the struggles of everyday people trying to make it in the world. Woody Guthrie's music is indicative of this genre's message... bluegrass music also fits into the same mold... the message of the struggle of the working class.
Rock-n-roll music is a complicated genre with a complicated history. The combination of many kinds of music, mostly rhythm and blues and country; the blend of music that appealed to both African-Americans and Caucasians created the tension and sway that led to at least a part of the Civil Rights movement. The appeal to the younger generation had a way of creating music that had a touch of rebellion in the early years of 'rockabilly' and 'doowop' that became blatantly obvious in the Vietnam era of the late 60s to early 70s.
How do we look at both of these genres and see how they gave generations of young people a sort of permission to cross the line and challenge the established order?  What parallels do they share with the music of the psalms?
Thoughts?  Memories of your favorite folk or rock-n-roll songs and how they impacted your life? Email me or comment below.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Lost in the '50s

Luke 15:1-10

We are remembering in nostalgic ways the era of the 1950s this month as a part of our Feast of Beginnings.  But it is also important to remember the struggle of the 1950s.

Here at home:

1951:  On November 1, 1951, fire completely destroys the Evangelical United Brethren church building. While the building is a complete loss, the new organ, a piano, the pews, and some chancel furniture are spared. Damaged but not destroyed, these items will be renewed and reused in the new church building. Once again, the Left Hand Grange makes its hall available for worship services while the church is rebuilding.
And on a national level

When Rosa Parks refused on the afternoon of Dec. 1, 1955, to give up her bus seat so that a white man could sit, it is unlikely that she fully realized the forces she had set into motion and the controversy that would soon swirl around her. Other black women had similarly refused to give up their seats on public buses and had even been arrested, including two young women earlier that same year in Montgomery, Ala. But this time the outcome was different. 
(from Montgomeryboycott.com)

We sometimes idolize the eras of bygone years.  We see them through a lens that has faded into more myth than reality.  Have you ever seen the movie "Midnight in Paris" by Woody Allen? The lead character, played by Owen Wison, does that. He is infatuated with the era of the 1920s in Paris and he falls in love with someone that is infatuated with the 1890s.  They don't see any charm at all in their present era and also fail to see the dark and difficult times in the era they idealize.

The 1950s are not "Grease." They are not "Happy Days" although many of us had some happy days back then. They are just like now... some really great things happening and some really somber things happening.  Let us not get so idealized about an era gone by that we miss the beauty of this present moment.

The scripture this week reminds us of the joy in finding what was lost.  The lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost soul.  We are in the midst of searching for what we might have lost along the way in the faith journey. But we might also remember to be joyous with what we have found... or kept... the church alive and well here  and now.

You won't want to miss church this week. We will be looking at a glorious slide show with many images of the 1950s... if you were around then, you might be in a couple.

If you have any thoughts on the 1950s, please email me or comment below.

   



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Finding Your Inner Elvis

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.



Take a look and listen at Elvis in the 1950s.
Elvis had talent that was obviously God-given. He never took formal music lessons, could not even read music, but his unique, velvety voice was one that even the strongest Elvis critic cannot deny made a big impact in music history.

Elvis did not have a privileged upbringing. He did not have many of the opportunities many of us have been sure we gave our children.  He struggled with lots of problems, personal and public. His drug addiction likely was the result of some of his inner struggles and eventually led to his premature death.

So, what do I mean by "find your inner Elvis?" Find your inner struggle and attack it with pills? Of course not.  What I mean is, find the complex, talented, blow-it-off-the charts rock star that is lurking around in your everyday life and project it forward in an amazing way.

In September, we celebrate our annual "Feast of Beginnings" fall kickoff all month long with a look back at the 1950s, in song, in word, in theatrics, in pictures. Elvis begins that for us this week. Our choir is focusing on the gospel music that Elvis recorded in the 1950s.  Elvis loved gospel music and the music of the faith was very close to his heart.

How is it that someone who obviously felt close to the church ended up with such isolating personal struggles?  Happens every day. Right?  Among us right now is any number of persons who struggle with all of the complexities of life, some in debilitating and harmful ways. Others in more productive ways.  Why is it that Elvis, or others like him, probably knew well the words to psalms like Psalm 139 above and heard the power of God always being a part of their created being, and yet fail to feel God's love in so many times of struggle.

You see, here in the body of Christ, we all have a little inner Elvis. The magical and explosive talent that is either nurtured and fed in positive ways throughout life, or the magical and explosive talent that lets the worries of the world overtake the gospel message. We are all Elvis on any given day. The talented superstar Elvis. And the lonely, desperate Elvis.

What is your inner strength or talent?  What is your personal struggle?  How do you keep them both in balance.  Email me or comment below.