CPR (AKA - Petra) in Branson, MO

Somewhere in my middle school years a cousin introduced me to Petra, a christian rock band he had been listening to. Over the following decade of my life Petra was on my frequent play list. I picked up their new releases and dug up their first works; their first release came out the year before I was born. 

 Petra was part of the soundtrack of my early days and they contributed to my faith formation. Listening to the lyrics one is drawn into the framework of the psalmist; these are songs that speak to God and of God from within the frame of who God is and the work that God is doing. The songs pick up and use the language and imagery of the scriptures, while carrying the sound sensibilities of the moment. Take a listen to their early 1970's work and there are overtones of the Eagles. Take a listen to late 1980's and you the sounds is more arena rock. A vast array of sound, with lyrics deeply rooted in scripture and speaking to the challenges of the moment. 

 Fast forward to living in Springfield, MO in 2021. One of my daughters has begun working on some film projects with the daughter of Petra's first lead singer, Greg X. Vols. In September word came that a rendition of Petra, CPR - Classic Petra Resurrection, was going to play in Branson, MO - just down the highway from Springfield. It was with great delight that Anna and I were able to take 3 of our 4 kids and introduce them to the faith-forming sounds of our youth! Our youngest daughter who says, "70's and 80's music is my jam," rocked the night away. Several days later I'm still hearing and singing, "let everything that has breath, praise the Lord." 

 I am deeply appreciative of the work Petra has done in the world of music and art to convey the good news of Jesus Christ. I am delighted that the rendition, CPR, came to Branson in 2021, for I needed to sing some songs that reminded me of God's goodness and faithfulness across the many pages of my life. Keep rocking Petra, and keep pointing to the Rock!

Caroling and the Trinity

Here's part of a letter that I shared with the church I pastor reflecting on our recent Caroling activity.  
___
From Luke 2 (NLT)

²¹ Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

 ²² Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³ The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”^{[a] 24} So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”^[b]

³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.^[c] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. . . . And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Greetings Church,

I’ve been thinking about this scene from Luke’s gospel after the events from Sunday.  In the morning we heard about the angels and how they worshipped and ministered to Jesus, and then announced His presence among the people of the world.  We picked up their songs of joy in worship and many from our midst offered gifts of song, music and art to the Lord.  Since then many have given voice to the presence of the Holy Spirit in a palatable way.

In the evening about 18 of us went caroling, we went to take the song of the angels to people in our community.  Those we went to were like Anna, widows who were well along in years.  As we sang, those we sang to joined in singing, their faces were bright and in at least one instant, tears came forth.  The tears reflected joy in being remembered, joy in having visitors, joy in Emmanuel – God with us. 

As the night unfolded we singers were beginning to catch a glimpse of the significance of our task.  We were doing something more than fulfilling an age old tradition, like Joseph and Mary when they kept the law by going to the temple on the 8^th day.  We were bearing witness to the Love of God for the world and for people in particular, people who are often overlooked and bypassed. 

As we took joy we received it in return.  Our hearts burned like Mary’s, as we considered how a little singing and a little visit could be appreciated so much.  Our hearts pondered the mystery of grace; of giving, of receiving, of the power of singing Christmas carols.  The teaching of the church about the trinity would tell us that we were taking part of the great dance of holy love that exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, where each gives freely and receives with much rejoicing.  It’s hard for many of us to comprehend the Holy Trinity in our minds, or explain it with words, but experiencing it we can say there it is.  As we sang, we knew we were giving; as our listeners clapped and sang and cried, we were receiving, and in our hearts we have much to ponder and rejoice over.  We were singing in houses and apartments – but with the Love and Joy of the Lord – these places had the air of being some of the world’s greatest cathedrals.   

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus with your family, friends and neighbors, be encouraged to reach out to someone close to you who may feel bypassed and share the joy of the Christ child.  May your gift bring joy and love.  May your homes and gathering places become some of the greatest cathedrals of the world.  And above all, may you find that in giving and receiving Emmanuel – God with us – is with you, and your very life is taken into the Holy mystery of the Holy Trinity.  This is the reason for the season, God with us, and us with God.   

Melancholy Music?

Last evening Serge had a football banquet at Mt. Pleasant High School.  It was a nice event with recognition of the players and good food.  One of the coaches put together a highlight DVD that played during the meal time.  Accompanying the film footage was a music track. The first song of the music track - AC/DC's -"T-N-T." Not necessarily "dinner" music, but good stuff to go along with game footage.

After a couple more songs I noticed a profound trend.  The music was all 25 to 35 years old.  "Eye of the Tiger" made an appearance along with "Jump" by Van Halen.  I began wondering, where's the music from the last 20 years?  The closing song was something I didn't notice, a little wrap, it was the only song made while these 15-17 year old boys were alive.

So what's up with the music?  What does this almost complete avoidance of 25 years of music history tell us?  Was this just an old guy making the music selections?  I doubt it, these are the songs the guys use in the locker room.

Maybe the songs of the last 20 years are far too melancholy. They are self-reflective and as such they lack personal or group motivational grit that compels a person to overcome an obstacle.  They stew in the personal dilemma, hoping somewhere to find a "pocket full of sunshine." (A song I personally like).
The older songs emerged as the world was engaged in a pan-global cold war which provided a titanic backdrop which elicited big guns, big ships, big airplanes, big hair, big music.

I certainly don't mind a trip down memory lane - that's what much of the music provided - but how long will the future generations have to rely on the tunes from their parents and grandparents adolescence.  Where are the new songs, the new artists, the new inspiring class?