Jason has been engaged in ministry at Cochrane Alliance Church for over 12 years and currently serves as lead pastor. He likes spending time in the mountains with his wife and four daughters, eating delicious food, preaching and riding his bike(s).
What does it take to write a catchy pop song these days? "Not much," according to two Canadian guys named Dave Wallace and Dan Bennett (well at least "not much" if you're talented musicians to begin with).
At the end of December Dave and Dan challenged themselves to write a song, start to finish, in 8 hours. The basic formula was:
1) Start with a heavy beat and some synthesizer.
2) Write lyrics that include the three essential top-40 topics: the clubs, "lovely ladies" and money.
3) Anchor the song with a catchy course (heavy on the voice modulation of course) but bring in a "guest artist" to fill in the verse with rap.
The result (and the process) can be seen in this video. Oh...and they even had time for a 2 hour break in the middle of the 8 hours.
This past Sunday I started on a 3-month preaching series through John 13-17. This section of the gospel records the Upper Room Discourse--Jesus' final sermon to his disciples given the night before his death. Chapter 13 starts out with the inspiring and humbling scene of Jesus washing feet. Lots to mine there for a good sermon.
This week it's a different feel altogether. Jesus emotional mood has darkened as he wrestles with Judas and Peter's impending betrayal and denial. What do I say about this?
Although I'm not yet sure about the preaching part, I do find myself identifying with both of these disciples. I despise their lack of integrity and courage (how could you know Jesus that well then turn on him at the worst possible moment?). At the same time their stories remind me of my own disappointing betrayals. Of the moments in high school when I reenacted the denial. I too have abandoned and distanced myself from Jesus. If he will treat me like I have treated him, then my future looks bleak.
That's probably why I like this poem called "Judas, Peter" by Luci Shaw.
This video is decidedly commercial (and I suspect that Google and Facebook must be behind it somehow). But it has a creative flair to it that rings true for our web-obsessed cultue. Thanks to Jan for passing this one on to me!
We bought a minivan this week. I held out as long as I possible could. Thirteen years of marriage, three children...I thought I might make it to middle-age without dual, rear-sliding doors and removable seats. But it was not to be. With number 4 on his/her way in March, we could no longer fight the power. Resistance was futile. When Cindy's brother offered us his old van at a price we couldn't refuse, we caved in.
It's sitting there in my garage. Right now. Mocking me.
There is just no way you can be cool in a minivan. Especially a 2003 Ford Windstar in forest green. With an Odyssey or a Sienna, maybe you can still pretend as though you have your mojo. But with a Windstar, there is just no way. A Windstar is Ford before Ford became the New Ford.
Speaking of the aforementioned Sienna, I chanced upon this video last week. All I can say about the marketing people who came up with this one--brilliant. So to all you fellow minivan families out there, this one's for you.
I haven't had too much time to watch TV lately, so I am not up on what's been hot in on the small screen. What did catch my eye (and ear!) was this clip from America's Got Talent. Man, this girl can sing! And you've got to appreciate it even if you don't like classical music.
Turns out Jackie did not win the competition, but she did eventually get to sing with Sarah Brightman (for whom former-hubby Andrew Lloyd Webber composed this particular version of Pie Jesu).
In case, like me, you don't speak Latin, here's a translation.
Pie Jesu, Qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona eis requiem.
Merciful Jesus,Who takes away the sins of the world,Grant them rest.
Agnus Dei, Qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona eis requiem, Sempiternam.
Lamb of God,Who takes away the sins of the world,Grant them rest, Everlasting.
