It shall not return empty - 06 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 331

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 55:10-13
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

This past Wednesday's post on reading aloud reminded me of a great reading experience I had nearly 21 years ago.

I heard about it on the radio - a program from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, in fact - Proclamation, a project of the Canadian Bible Society that helped churches to organise public oral readings of the entire Bible. "What a great idea," I thought. "After all, we have a new sanctuary and a new Bible for the lectern - why not read that whole Bible into that new worship space?" and so GPUMC's Proclamation 2000 was born.

Over the course of ten days, scores of members came to the Sanctuary to read parts of the Bible aloud into that room. We each read from both the Old and New Testaments, with each session including an Old Testament reading, a reading from the Psalms, a Gospel reading, and another reading from the New Testament.
Here's a quick remembrance of it from a Lenten devotion I wrote in 2001 after that experience (which was awesome in the literal sense):

Great Was The Company Of The Preachers

“So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the manner for which I sent it.” - Isaiah 55:11

The first thing I remember is the smell of the wood early in the morning. What a serene space I was in ... yet I was so keyed up.

Turn the lights on, turn the sound system on, open the Book and read - to no one, to myself, to God, to everyone - "In the beginning, when God created ...."

That's how Proclamation started at 7 AM on Wednesday, May 24, 2000 AD. Aldersgate Day, the anniversary of John Wesley's conversion experience, when he had his "heart strangely warmed," and I was finding my whole life "strangely warmed."

I've heard the same kind of thing from countless participants in our congregation's ten-day journey through the whole Bible. We found the experience of reading the Scripture to be even more moving than we had expected. It didn't matter if we were reading the account of Creation, or a list of the sons of Esau; about Jesus walking on water, or the list of who begat whom from Adam to Jesus. It really didn't matter, because we were part of something special, something grand and important; we were reading God's Word from start to finish, from that first "In the beginning" of Genesis to the final "Amen" of Revelation.

Thinking back on my reading, it seems a bit odd that I was surprised by the Joy of it. After all, one very good way of looking at the Bible is as sixty-six love letters from God to me: why would I be surprised at the delight of reading that?!

Bible study has been an important part of my life for quite a few years now, but the experience of Proclamation, reading the whole Bible in such a short time, was something I'll never forget: it was a wonderful reminder that God's Word will always speak to us, if we will only listen.

Today, why not read a chapter from one of the books of the Bible which you've never read? If you want some suggestions, how about 1 John, 2 Peter, Ezra, Amos, Malachi, …. I know God will speak to you through His word, and it will not return to Him empty. Praise God! Amen.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Do We Fon? We Fondue! - 05 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 330

Micah 6:8
1 Samuel 17:17-18
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Chocolate Fondue Day. Yes, a day to celebrate those wonderful fountains of cascading molten chocolate into which we can dip our fruit or marshmallows (or birds, disturbingly) to our hearts' delight. While I don't want to rain on anyone's chocolate fondue parade, if you're going to do something as sweet as that, why not up your game a bit? Today is also World Nutella Day, so why not drop that plain chocolate and pump that sucker full of that hazelnutty goodness? You'll thank me for it if it works.

Of course, even better - by far! - would be filling your chocolate fountain with Cheez Whiz or salsa con queso. Now that would be a fountain worth using!

You're welcome.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Music and Composition - 04 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 329

Micah 6:8
Psalm 150
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I just listened to a recording of a live performance of the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, and it took me back to my University of Michigan days.

I was majoring in pure mathematics, but I've always been a musician as well, so I took a music composition course - one that was open only to non-music majors.
One of the coolest parts of the course was that it met in a classroom in the Bell Tower - until that class, I had had no idea that there were classrooms in that building.

Unfortunately, perhaps, the class was taught by a visiting professor. (Non-music majors don't deserve regular faculty? Visiting faculty don't deserve real music students? I'm not clear on who was being disrespected more - maybe it was equal.) At any rate, the assignments were interesting, and I actually still have (and have used) the score for my final composition in the class. 

What made me think of this after hearing the Bartok? Well, our first assignment was to compose a one-tone piece. Those of us in the class had heard of 12-tone composition, and perhaps you have as well, but none of us had heard of one-tone compositions. A bunch of us stood on the landing outside the classroom after class and talked about it. We decided / realized that is was basically just a rhythm exercise. (Don't you love that rhythm is a two syllable word with no vowels?) "How can I come up with sixteen bars of just rhythm?" worried one student. Another one answered helpfully, "Just go listen to some Bartok. You'll get a bunch of great ideas." And he was right. He also suggested, as I recall, that she listen to some Django Reinhardt for more ideas. And he was right again.

Those were some good times, and I've even given you a link to listen to my 12-tone piece here. (Note that this is the version I used in my novel, "A Rune With a View" as having been composed by the protagonist under the pseudonym, Antonin Lavoris.) The tone row was based on the Fibonacci sequence, but then it goes through all the standard transformations. The piece was originally a trio for trumpet, 'cello, and flute (largely because those were instruments played by my fellow students who were willing to play in class), but I've recast it for strings here. (I also apologize for the less-than-beautiful synthesized string sounds in the video. I may look to upgrade that recording with better sound fonts one of these days.) Each instrument plays exactly the same number of notes, but they enter at different points in the flow - again based on the Fibonacci sequence.Who says mathematics and music don't mix? Certainly not I, nor Harald Ness, Jr. who is quoted here.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Painting and Reading and Singing - 03 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 328

Micah 6:8
Nehemiah 8:1-8
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
  
Today is American Painters Day. I'm assuming they want us to celebrate folks like Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses, rather than the College Painters who go around painting homes in the Summer, and based on that assumption, my mind went to fine art painters in general. As I mentioned last week, I attended a conversation about Art and Faith. One of the perks was a free download of a sampling of letters from Vincent Van Gogh. I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is totally fascinating. His concepts of the use of colors and why they're important and how they can impart information are amazing. Granted, he wasn't American, but I thought of him today because of that celebration. Here's a nice musical collage of his paintings for your viewing and listening pleasure.

Johannes Gutenberg died 03 January 1468, maybe that's why it's World Read Aloud Day?
Whatever the reason, why not read about an American painter to someone (or even to yourself)

I recall reading or hearing (!) the story that Ambrose was the first person recorded as reading silently. It apparently spooked Augustine to see him reading something, but not to hear what he was reading. My, how far we've come - now we're criticized for even moving our lips when we read. Of course the whole concept that the ancients only read aloud and we've progressed beyond their primitive methods appears to be a myth. Still, I miss reading aloud to Christian. I guess parents just don't do that as much once their children graduate from university.

Speaking of missing things and of Don McLean, I still miss Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, especially today, the anniversary of the day the music died.
Check it out here.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

An Odd Couple - 02 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 327

Micah 6:8
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
 
We have a great pair of celebrations today!
Not only is it Groundhog Day, but it's also World Ukulele Day!

A rousing rendition of "I Got You, Babe" on ukulele seems like the perfect celebration.

Maybe you could even top off the day with a nice plate of tater tots for dinner since it's Tater Tot Day!

For our occasional historical note, we pass on the information that on 02 February 1922, Ulysses, by James Joyce, was published. A pretty nice present for his 40th birthday! (Yes, he was born on 02 February 1882.)

 
We have a great pair of celebrations today!
Not only is it Groundhog Day, but it's also World Ukulele Day!

A rousing rendition of "I Got You, Babe" on ukulele seems like the perfect celebration.

 
We have a great pair of celebrations today!
Not only is it Groundhog Day, but it's also World Ukulele Day!

A rousing rendition of "I Got You, Babe" on ukulele seems like the perfect celebration.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow.
I only bought this book because I've written a grail novel as well, and I'm always interested in how other authors approach the subject.
I don't think I've spent my money better on a book in a long time.
Lovett is not only a skilled writer, language-wise, but also in his characters and settings.
Oh - and the history he brings in is great as well.

I don't think I can recommend this book highly enough.
Read it!
Note - he doesn't even agree with my take on the history of the Grail, but I'm still enthusiastically recommending the book. Go buy it now and read it.

View all my reviews

Missing Captain Carl - 01 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 326

Micah 6:8
Ecclesiastes 1:1-8
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today we again enter Black History Month. One assumes it's February because 01 February 1865 was when President Abraham Lincoln signed the resolution proposing the 13th Amendment - to ban slavery in these United States. It certainly can't be because it's the shortest month of the year, can it? Sorry, I've wondered that for a long time.

   
Today is also a celebration of two distantly related things: Hula and dark chocolate. Yes, it's Hula In The Coola Day as well as National Dark Chocolate Day. I imagine having a luau in the snow would be a great way to combine these celebrations. Imagine a raucous hula dance - complete with spinning, flaming torches - and a plate of dark-chocolate poi. Ohana!

(I also note that in an attempt to "stick it to the kahuna," today is also National Baked Alaska Day - those Alaskans can't let the Hawaiians have all the fun today, it would seem!)

Today's sad commemoration is of the death of Buster Keaton on 01 February 1966. I really would not suggest reenacting any of his movie stunts in memoriam, unless it's running on a treadmill to echo his part in the fabulous "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 31 January 2021 - Plague Journal Day 325

Micah 6:8

Mark 1:21-28
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

 

 

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday after Epiphany.

With the current spike in COVID cases in Grosse Pointe, we've paused our in-person worship, probably for the rest of the year. We will only be streaming our services on YouTube for the time being, so please join us online.

Speaking of joining us online, we're back to having a small worship team in the Sanctuary to stream a live worship service again. In addition to a solo at the offertory time, Doug will be back at the organ for opening and closing voluntaries based on familiar hymns - AND - we'll have another sing-along hymn for all of you watching online.

As usual, today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.