A Visual World

I've been thinking how we live in such a visual world. Youtube, vimeo, bluefish and the list goes on. I have to admit that I love it. Since the introduction of the television at the 1939 worlds fair, we can watch what with delight our favorite programs and  surf through hundreds of channels to find virtually what we want to watch.
But what about audio? If we are baby boomers or younger, many of us don't know what its like without TV. We don't have any idea what its like to sit around a radio to The Shadow, Little Orphan Annie etc. I can't help but think how our imagination works differently with only audio. There are times when I really like just listening. Your imagination goes from what the people look like, to where they are sitting, to whom are they talking, what they are wearing, and what the setting is. When we listen to  radio, we all have an image of what the DJ, news person or traffic guy may look like. We imagine!
I also wonder if a debate would turn out differently if we only used audio. We would only listen to substance, articulation etc. How they "look" would be inconsequential.
So give it a chance. I'm posting a link to Old Time Radio. Feel free to give it a try and see what kind of images you come up with.
Gotta go. I'm in the middle of listen to a 1950 broadcast of "Father Knows Best."

http://www.radiolovers.com/

What Friday Really Means

Most of us have seen the youtube “sensation” of Rebecca Black's “Friday” video. Most poke fun, numerous parodies have been made and (as of this writing) 167 million hits later, she sings “Friday” all the way to the bank. She is now ready to release a new single called “My Moment.” Now while she is not making millions off youtube (probably thousands) good or bad, she has drawn enough attention to her video to make Justin Bieber re-think his marketing strategy.

So what is it about “Friday” that makes people either sing to it or laugh at it? For most, Friday has been a weekday favorite. If you are part of the average work force, this means you have completed your weekly 40 hours and are ready to venture into the weekend. If you are in school, it means you can put the books down for a bit and think about other things. Friday is the diving board that launches us into the evening of “bliss” and promises those few extra hours of sleep time Saturday morning. Friday gives us a glimpse to Sunday where we worship in our churches, do extras around the house, plan fishing trips, golf and just about everything under the sun.

So what does Friday really mean? Does it mean we can't enjoy life during those “dreadful” work hours or is it possible to enjoy life every day? I think it means we need to enjoy life a little more during the week. Maybe if we all started living for others, we could be a little more joyful. Albert Einstein once said “A life lived for others is the life worthwhile.” Well said. That is a challenge for each and every one of us. So many times, we are so self focused that we forget the joy of giving our time to others. Now I will be the first to admit, that I LOVE my days off every week. I look forward to them as much as anyone! Spending time with my family, doing work around the house, doing my favorite hobbies are things I look forward to. I will also admit, that I get a little protective of my time and often do not want to be bothered. But maybe we could all think a little more about our neighbor and what their needs are. There is an old acronym that I love:

Jesus Others Yourself. Good pattern to follow. Hmmm. Its Monday today. I better start working on that.

Durable Music

Last year (February 2010) Michael Gungor had a concert here in Grand Rapids promoting his “Beautiful Things” album. I had heard the concert was “epic” as a friend here at church stated. Needless to say, I was bummed I couldn’t be there to witness it.

One night, I decided to go the the local coffee shop and lo and behold, Michael pulls up in his car to use the wi-fi. I just had to say “hi” as I hadn’t talked with him in awhile. I gently knocked on his window, and his startled look quickly turned to a wide smile on his face. “Hey Bruce, how ya doin!” I told him things were fine, but I was more interested in what God was doing through his music. I had already heard “Beautiful Things” and fell in love with it. I simply told him one thing that I felt was from God. I said: “Michael, I believe your music is ‘durable.’”  He seemed to receive it and we parted with blessings.

Then the light went on. I need to buy that domain name and call it durablemusic.com. I quickly went back to my desk, searched for it on godaddy.com and sure enough, it was available!

When I say “durable,” I mean music that lasts. When you think of the hymns that were produced hundreds of years ago, they are still standing the test of time. I think “could I write something that would last that long?” Maybe. You just never know.

Some of the music written today is for the moment. For “our times” so to speak. But could it be that we are called to write more durable songs -songs that last? In pop culture, that is not so easy. I look at some of Bob Dylan’s music that was created in the early 60’s and guess what – many kids today are in love with his stuff! Many things can point to his success, such as his masterful lyrics. But Dylan did what he wanted to do, not what the culture dictated.

Is the music you listen to durable?

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's simple and beautiful!

The first time I heard Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, was from the movie "Finding Forester" with Sean Connery. When I heard his version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," I was blown away by the simplicity of a uke and a single vocal - yes a beautiful uke and vocal! In our era of over produced music, I find it refreshing and inspiring that when it all comes down to it, we can be that simple. We just need to reach down in our inmost being and let God take over. This is my version of "How Great Thou Art." taken from my new CD "Eleven.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOYX1MxyyAg

Just A Kid

The last year has been fun. Hard work, but fun. I accomplished one of my goals this year by completing my first official CD. Sure, I have published tunes on the internet for the last seven or so years, but had not put the completed package together in CD format.
Some have been inspired by it since I am now 52. But really.....52? Come on, I'm just a kid! One of my latest heros is George Beverly Shea who traveled and sung at the Billy Graham crusades and who still sings from time to time on special occasions. This guy is 103! Yup, twice my age!  Art Linkletter who died last year was 97 and still traveling 200,000 miles a year to speak, inspire and encourage others. So come on folks, you are wayyyyyyyy too young too even think about retiring from something you absolutely love. As a matter of fact, do what you love your whole life and it won't be work!

Shrapnel

As I sit here staring at my Dad's purple heart pinned to a picture frame of him standing in front of a cannon, I'm thinking of Shrapnel. It was 1944. My Dad was in Germany. He was in a fox hole when "Boom" it hit, yes the bomb hit. Shrapnel entered the left side of his body and his buddy was killed.

Doctor's could not remove all of it, as it was too close to his heart. Too close! My Father lived until he was 74 years old with shrapnel in his side. I remember as a kid looking at the scar with typical  things going through a kids mind. "How did that happen?" "Where did you get that scar Dad?" He had a close call. The fact is, I would not be here if he had died on that battlefield.

Have you ever thought about that? Thought about how God has watched over not only you, but over your parents so you could be born? Yes God has a plan for you. He has watched over you and is continuing to do so. Be obedient to His will. God saved my Dad's life. Now I'm here. I guess I better get busy......I guess you better get busy too.

        “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

         before you were born I set you apart."  Jer.1:5

What's Your Story?

Has there been a time in your life when you realize: I should have been dead!
I can think of one time when I went camping with two friends of mine. The unwise young man that I was, I thought it would be funny to put a glass faygo soda bottle in the campfire WITH THE CAP ON! After it was simmering for awhile, I got a little impatient and grabbed a stick to poke it. Just then, a BOOM sounded and glass exploded everywhere. You could even hear it rain down in the trees! But guess what? Not one piece of glass hit me. Heck, it should have blinded me!
Thank God, he was watching over me.

What's your story?