CD Review: Michael W Smith - Wonder

Hee hee – Michael W Smith still uses the words ‘momma’, ‘holdin’ and ‘wanna’ after all these years! But then again, who doesn’t like a little country talk from time to time?

What I have always loved about Michael W Smith is his simple, honest way of expressing deep truths. On his latest studio album, Wonder, the first track ‘Save Me From Myself’ is such a telling example of this. The depth of the lyrics continues throughout the album, making it as extremely personal and honest as any album could be.

There is a lot about ‘dying to self’ and ‘surrendering’, which sets a tone of worship and accentuates his assurance of true grace – something he mentioned on his SA tour.

Michael W Smith has, yet again, taken vocals and musicality to a new level, and deserves every accolade he receives – many of which I’m predicting will come for Wonder.

Personally, I really like the first two songs but find the rest of the album a bit slow. I’m not sure if it is just a matter of learning to like the others, but I do think it’s missing a bit of his rock edge.

I will still listen to it now and again – for inspiring lyrics mainly, and it will go down really well on Christmas day. If you enjoy Michael’s slower music, this is an album for you.

CD Review: Jars of Clay presents The Shelter

Jars of Clay decided to borrowed a few friends and bands and have brought us as album called The Shelter.

It has to be noted that these ‘friends’ all happen to be some of the greatest artists Contemporary Christian music has seen in recent years, such as Toby Mac, Thad Cockrell, Brandon Heath and Amy Grant to name a few. Bands include Tenth Avenue North (Mike Donehey), Fireflight (Dawn Michele), Third Day (Mac Powell), Gungor and Burlap to Cashmere.

The message throughout the album is one of community. The band makes mention of an old Irish saying, which translates: “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live”. It’s the concept of ubuntu – but this time in the western world. Nice.

The Shelter is varied enough to keep your attention throughout without moving away from the distinctive Jars of Clay sound. This album is a perfect reflection as to why the band has been around for as long as they have. It’s really great and the more I hear it, the more I love it.

I love collaborations, and I love to sing along – so this is definitely my year-end album for 2010. If you are a Jars of Clay fan, this album is a definite must!

CD Review: John Mark McMillan - The Medicine

This is the first John Mark McMillan album I have ever listened to. As you open the cover, you see the words “I’m wide awake, and there’s blood on the promenade”. Wow – I really wasn’t all that sure what to expect. Straight away I thought he was going to take this the emo, angst driven route (sigh), but fortunately he decided to keep it more introspective.

He has a unique, amazingly deep voice, which is almost enchanting. The closest I could compare him to is ‘Staind’, the deeper register on ‘Snow Patrol’ and ‘Live’, or a mature sounding ‘The Calling’. You get the idea.

The lyrics on The Medicine are poetic, deep and profound – each song is it’s own story. The tempo varies throughout, so there is a great balance between the beat assigned to each track.

An album this good is rare – go get your hands on a copy.

Keep an ear out for his single “How He Loves” – a song Jesus Culture got a hold of. It is choral and (very) catchy. I don’t know anyone who I wouldn’t buy this album for.

CD Review: Third Day - Move

There was some big talk about the latest Third Day album, which made me very keen to check it out. They are a band I like to listen to with an open mind, because there are times I love them and times I don’t love them so much.

During my first listen, I had pretty much the same reaction as I do when listening to any of their albums for the first time…I got bored. After such an incredible performance on their tour earlier this year, I really expected something a little more creative and mind-blowing to make it’s way onto the album.

Now I’m not saying it’s totally rubbish – I am a critic after all! I think that the hard-core Third Day fans will find that Move has a powerful sound and some faultless production to its advantage.
And now I feel bad – like I should say something else good. Umm – the album art is great – a real eye-catcher.

Okay, seriously – their lyrics are prayerful, which really attracts you to the album, and it really does grow on you. I was checking out a sale in a bookshop recently and could hear Mac Powell’s distinctive voice…to find myself actually enjoying what Move has to offer.

The Good and the Bad of Joburg

Today I had to deal with two realities...those guys who attempt to clean my car's windscreen at the robot regardless of my protests, and the Outsurance Pointsmen who lessen traffic and ensure afternoon the drive is as stress free as possible.

There is never a right time

It is super late.

I promised myself today (again) that I would get to bed at a decent time. I am an info addict, and can usually blame my late nights on being in search of some historical fact, scientific phenomenon, religious controversy, Twitter or Facebook.

But tonight my dilemma differs. *Searches lyrics for songs titled Dilemma*
Tonight I have a snoring cat fast asleep on my lap, and not really all that sure of how to diffuse the situation.

Cats shouldn't be disturbed. I've learned this the hard way. I know if I wake him now, he'll keep me awake all night - which means a super grumpy morning; but if I dont go to bed soon, it's also going to mean a super grumpy morning. Only, the former has a memory. And sharp claws.

Cats are cool in an awkward way. My cat would SO do this:

Gareth Cliff's Letter to the Government

I have always had a mixed opinion about Gareth Cliff. There are times that I think his social commentary has been so spot on that he should be an advisor of some sort to 'some one' who's job is, has been, and will always be too big for them. Uh-hem.

I think, if given more opportunity, he could really make a difference. I dont know him personally, but I really do believe that he has our country, it's running, and it's people close to his heart. As far as social outcry is concerned, I would place him pretty high. As do a lot of other South Africans.

On the other hand - as with any other "big mouth" who has some type of authority over said social commentary - there are times when there are words that come out of his mouth that should bar him for appearing in public at all.

Fortunately though, most the time Gareth Cliff has something to say about the state of the country, he says it really well...and here is a fine example:

Dear Government

12th October, 2010

Dear Government

OK, I get it, the President isn't the only one in charge. The ANC believes in "collective responsibility" (So that nobody has to get blamed when things get screwed up), so I address this to everyone in government - the whole lot of you - good, bad and ugly (That's you, Blade).

We were all so pleased with your renewed promises to deliver services (we'll forgive the fact that in some places people are worse off than in 1994); to root out corruption (so far your record is worse than under Mbeki, Mandela or the Apartheid regime - what with family members becoming overnight millionaires); and build infrastructure (State tenders going disgustingly awry and pretty stadia standing empty notwithstanding) - and with the good job you did when FIFA were telling you what to do for a few months this year. Give yourselves half a pat on the back. Since President Sepp went off with his billions I'm afraid we have less to be proud of - Public Servants Strikes, more Presidential bastard children, increasing unemployment and a lack of leadership that allowed the Unions to make the elected government it's bitch. You should be more than a little worried - but you're not. Hence my letter. Here are some things that might have passed you by:

1. You have to stop corruption. Don't stop it because rich people moan about it and because it makes poor people feel that you are self-enriching parasites of state resources, but because it is a disease that will kill us all. It's simple - there is only so much money left to be plundered. When that money runs out, the plunderers will raise taxes, chase and drain all the remaining cash out of the country and be left with nothing but the rotting remains of what could have been the greatest success story of post-colonial Africa. It's called corruption because it decomposes the fabric of society. When someone is found guilty of corruption, don't go near them - it's catchy. Making yourself rich at the country's expense is what colonialists do.

2. Stop complaining about the media. You're only complaining about them because they show you up for how little you really do or care. If you were trying really hard, and you didn't drive the most expensive car in the land, or have a nephew who suddenly went from modesty to ostentatious opulence, we'd have only positive things to report. Think of Jay Naidoo, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Zwelinzima Vavi - they come under a lot of fire, but it's never embarrassing - always about their ideas, their positions, and is perfectly acceptable criticism for people in power to put up with. When the media go after Blade Nzimande, Siphiwe Nyanda and the President, they say we need a new piece of legislation to "make the media responsible". That's because they're being humiliated by the facts we uncover about them daily, not because there is an agenda in some newsroom. If there had been a free press during the reigns of Henry VIII, Idi Amin or Hitler, their regimes might just have been kept a little less destructive, and certainly would have been less brazen and unchecked.

3. Education is a disaster. We're the least literate and numerate country in Africa. Zimbabwe produces better school results and turns out smarter kids than we do. Our youth aren't usemployed, they're unemployable. Outcomes-based-education, Teachers' Unions and an attitude of mediocrity that discourages excellence have reduced us to a laughing stock. Our learners can't spell, read, add or subtract. What are all these people going to do? Become President? There's only one job like that. We need clever people, not average or stupid ones. the failure of the Education Department happened under your watch. Someone who writes Matric now hadn't even started school under the Apartheid regime, so you cannot blame anyone but yourselves for this colossal cock-up. Fix it before three-quarters of our matrics end up begging on Oxford Road. Reward schools and teachers who deliver great pass rates and clever students into the system. Fire the teachers who march and neglect their classrooms.

4. Give up on BEE. It isn't working. Free shares for new black partnerships in old white companies has made everyone poorer except for Tokyo Sexwale. Giving people control of existing business won't make more jobs either. In fact, big companies aren't growing, they're reducing staff and costs. The key is entrepreneurship. People with initiative, creative ideas and small companies must be given tax breaks and assistance. Young black professionals must be encouraged to start their own businesses rather than join a big corporation's board as their token black shareholder or director. Government must also stop thinking that state employment is a way to decrease unemployment - it isn't - it's a tax burden. India and China are churning out new, brilliant, qualified people at a rate that makes us look like losers. South Africa has a proud history of innovation, pioneering and genius. This is the only way we can advance our society and economy beyond merely coping.

5. Stop squabbling over power. Offices are not there for you to occupy (or be deployed to) and aggrandize yourself. Offices in government are there to provide a service. If you think outrageous salaries, big German cars, first-class travel and state housing are the reasons to aspire to leadership, you're in the wrong business - you should be working for a dysfunctional, tumbledown parastatal (or Glenn Agliotti). We don't care who the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces is if we don't have running water, electricity, schools and clean streets. You work for us. Do your job, don't imagine you ARE your job.

6. Stop renaming things. Build new things to name. If I live in a street down which the sewage runs, I don't care if it's called Hans Strijdom or Malibongwe. Calling it something nice and new won't make it smell nice and new. Re-branding is something Cell C do with Trevor Noah, not something you can whitewash your lack of delivery with.

7. Don't think you'll be in power forever. People aren't as stupid as you think we are. We know you sit around laughing about how much you get away with. We'll take you down, either at the polls - or if it comes down to the wire - by revolution (Yes, Julius, the real kind, not the one you imagine happened in 2008). Careless, wasteful and wanton government is a thing of the past. The days of thin propaganda and idealized struggle are over. The people put you in power - they will take you out of it. Africa is tired of tin-pot dictators, one-party states and banana republics. We know who we are now, we care about our future - and so should you.

G

This article can be found at:
http://www.garethcliff.com/chronicles.php?articleid=791

Highlight

Honesty - By Vicky Beeching

One of my favourite articles by one of my favourite bloggers...

I was thinking today about honesty, and how it relates to our Christian spirituality. We know that God “desires truth in the inwards places of our hearts”, as the Bible says. We know we are called to live genuine, open lives, telling the truth about how we feel and who we are.

But do we?

Sometimes I visit churches, and a lot of what I experience, feels fake. A kind of spiritual cheerleading, with painted grins and music to pep you up, without having to address the more difficult elements of life and faith. Sometimes I feel like we’ve created a somewhat polished and glossy version of it all, to try and attract people.

The truth is, Jesus never tried to make following Him look attractive. He never dressed it up with cultural relevance. He didn’t bring a light show or the best coffee, and set all of that up, before he spoke to a crowd. He was honest and raw, saying that to follow Him was “laying down your life” and “taking up your cross”. Basically, He let people know that following Him would bring them deep joy, but that it would be very difficult too, and might cost them their life.

I read the slogan of a church the other day that said their mission is “to make Jesus attractive”. I don’t think that’s our calling. Jesus didn’t dress up what it meant to follow Him. He died, naked and bloody, which doesn’t sound to me like trying to be attractive to people.

I think the thing that will attract our generation to join the Church, to accept Christ, is HONESTY. Honesty about the struggles in our own lives. Honesty about OUR own doubts about God. About the parts of the Bible we find very hard to come to terms with. When we throw away our “clever Bible answerbook” replies to our atheist, agnostic or ‘not sure I’m a Christian anymore’ friends, and we let them see authenticity in our eyes, I think we’ll see a revolution in the Church.

(Let me be clear – there are many churches that I love! I’m not wanting to sound cynical. I just feel like there are some things that need to be said).

Worship leaders – how does that affect us? Do you show up at Church, put your own struggles and doubts aside, slap on your ‘stage face’ and start smiling and cranking out an upbeat song? Let’s give ourselves permission to tell the people if we’re having a hard day - it’ll help them know it’s ok if they are too.

Church leaders – let’s choose to make Jesus real, rather than making Him ‘attractive’ and trying to get people into our community by presenting a life of victory and permanent ‘spiritual high’. Let the people see your struggles and your raw authenticity about your doubts and fears.

Again, let me clarify that I’m not writing from a place of cynicism or anger. I just love Jesus, love the Church and love the lost. I want us to portray Jesus accurately, and not create a veneer that will crack, and leave a post-modern generation walking away in search of something more authentic.

Honesty isn’t just the best policy, it’s the only policy if we want to build Churches and record music that will stand the test of time, and not leave people months or years later feeling like they’ve been sold a shady second hand car that broke down on their way home.

Anyone with me?

Follow Vicky at: http://vickybeeching.com/blog/

Kidnapped

A day I stole Adam. He's the easiest kid to love!!

Ha ha ha ha...

Oh, how I love Africa...

The world today is filled with boys who can shave.

I am asked over and over again as to why I am 31 and still single. I'm asked in such a way that I should have a logical answer that would assure anyone questioning that it is a 'problem' I can 'solve' as I chose.

Occasionally, my 30+ year old girl-friends get together in an understanding that we have all been asked that question 'yet again' and still, despite our successful lives (well theirs), we are all women alone...

The general answer (mine included) is that there are no 'real men' out there. An answer that was sniggered at 10 years ago - when we were already looking, and our mothers were less panicked about our 'dire' situation.

I then came across the article below that could have some great truths...if it fell into the right hands. So send it out to all the 'guys' you know - on behalf of all the single ladies you like to interrogate.

I pray for all single women out there - often - that they may not settle for less than they deserve, and am truly comforted, yet disturbed,that we are so many.

“We are left with indefinite adolescence and a Peter Pan Syndrome epidemic where men want to remain boys forever.”


Historically, a guy would go through two life phases: boy, then man. The transition from boy to man was comprised of five sociological variables that happened almost simultaneously or in very close succession: Leave your parents’ home (Gen. 2:24); finish your education or vocational training; start a career-track job, not a dead-end-Joe one; meet a woman, love her, honor her, court her, and marry her; have children with her.

But here’s what’s happened. Rather than moving from boy to man by this succession of sociological transitions, we’ve created something called adolescence. It’s a third life stage in the middle between boy and man. We don’t know what to call them so we just call them “guys.” These are boys who can shave.

Today, adolescence starts somewhere in the teen years and continues indefinitely. There is no foreseeable end. The problem with adolescence is guys don’t know when they’re ever going to grow up and be men, and no pressure is exerted on them to do so.

Is it when you’re 16 and you can drive? Or 18, when you can vote and join the military? Or 21, when you can drink? Is it when you graduate from college after you’ve worked on your undergrad degree for seven or eight years? Is it when you get married? Is it when you have kids? Is it when you buy a house? No one knows. So, we are left with indefinite adolescence and a Peter Pan Syndrome epidemic where men want to remain boys forever.

“You men are the glory of God, and God wants his glory to shine through you.”
So where do you go? Go to Scripture. Go to Scripture. First Corinthians 11:7, Paul says a man is “the image and glory of God.” He is to reflect the truth and the goodness and the love and the mercy of Jesus, his God and Savior. He is the glory of God. And I still have hope for the guys. When I see a guy, I don’t see a porn addict, an Internet junkie, a World of Warcraft freak, one of those guys who gets, you know, an apartment with 27 other guys and they all share a studio and pay five dollars a month and split a pizza and call that their bar mitzvah.

I have hope for those guys because they are the glory of God. They are the glory of God. Now, it needs some work, to be sure. But you men are the glory of God. And God wants his glory to shine through you. God wants his kingdom to be made visible through you. God wants you to be his sons. God wants you to follow, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the example of Jesus and in the example of John.

I don’t care if you buy a truck, and you can play some video games and rock out on your guitar. I don’t really care. But the issue is when those are prevalent, predominant, and preeminent in your life. Some of you guys would argue with me on this and say, “It’s not a sin.” No, but sometimes it’s just stupid. It’s just dumb. You got fired because you were up trying to get to the next level and become a guild leader. That’s dumb. That’s totally dumb. You work one part-time job so you could play more guitar. That’s dumb. That’s really, really dumb. You spend all your money on a new car or truck, or toys, or gear, or gambling, or fantasy football. Dumb. Some of you say, “Well, it’s not a sin.” Neither is eating your lawnmower. It’s just dumb. Just doesn’t do anything. There are a lot of things that guys that are Christians do that aren’t evil, they’re just dumb.

“You’re not looking for the path of least resistance. You’re looking for the path of greatest glory to God. You take that path like John did.”

You’re the glory of God. What does it mean to be a man? John is a great example. He doesn’t waste his teens and his 20s downloading free porn, racking up his credit card debt, spending seven years to knock out his undergrad degree, trying to be the king of the fantasy football or baseball league, determined to pound more beers at happy hour and conquer more women than all the other guys to show he’s a real man. That’s no man at all. It’s a boy who could shave.

John shows us what a real man is: He’s filled with the Spirit. He humbly prepares the way for Jesus. He’s an evangelist who makes it his life work to introduce others to Jesus. He’s a man who ultimately is a giver and not a taker. He’s a producer, not a consumer.

Men, you are to be creators and cultivators. If you want to image God, your God is a creator and a cultivator. You create a marriage and you cultivate that woman. You create a child with her and you cultivate that child. You create a new family legacy for generations and you cultivate it. You create a business and you cultivate it. You create a ministry and you cultivate it. You want to be a man? You’re a creator and a cultivator. You’re a producer, not a consumer. You’re a giver, not a taker. You bring life, not death.

You’re not looking for the path of least resistance. You’re looking for the path of greatest glory to God. You take that path like John did.

(Reference: Mars Hill Blog)

Just in case you were worried that this was another idea conjured up by the church to lay guilt on anyone it deems fit, here is a very similar article found in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22Adulthood-t.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

My bear hands...

My friend Amy is obsessed with puns...and is really good at utilising them at the best (or worst) moments. This is from a site that was made just for her:

God’s Word in Physical Form

John’s Gospel opens with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:1–2,14).

Jesus is God’s Word, off the page and in the flesh.

Sally Lloyd-Jones puts it this way in The Jesus Storybook Bible (emphasis added):

This messenger [Jesus] would be called God’s own Son. He would be called ‘The Word’ because he himself would be God’s Message. God’s Message translated into our own language. Everything God wanted to say to the whole world—in a person.

(From the Mars Hill blog)

Soccer and Metamorphosis

Things went back to normal pretty quickly after the World Cup...almost too quickly. Before the Spanish team touched down in Madrid, our street vendors were back to selling coat hangers, socks and DVDs - and not the flags and mirror socks we has gotten so used to - as if the last month hadn't really happened.

I am not going to give my opinion on the actual sport, as other than now understanding the "off-sides" rule, knowing a little more about which flag belongs to which country, and who has the best looking team (Spain) - I still dont have nearly enough knowledge to make any comment or judgement on players skills.

Being the adamantly patriotic gal I am, I stuck to supporting only African teams for as long as I could, and then traded my allegiance daily as the rest of South Africa tended to do. I hear that this team swapping phenomenon amazed the British. But then again, we're into loving our neighbours. (Ouch!)

There were so many reasons for South Africa to hold her head as high as she possibly could when it came to the planning and running of this super large scale event. Especially when you think about all the doubts many locals (sis on you) and foreigners had of our capabilities, infrastructure, and processes.

As for me - my absolutely, totally most proud moment of the entire experience was the day every host citizen became Ghanaian to support our fellow Africans into their Round 16 game. The dedication, love and support that Team Ghana received...THAT's Ubuntu baby! Everyone felt it, and it is something that should be practiced and celebrated daily!

Here is Zapiro's portrayal of how the game (sadly) panned out:


Despite all the goals, the "stop, drop and roll"s, the vuvuzelas, and every detail that made the World Cup the spectacular event that it was, my favorite moment actually had very little to do with soccer.

There was more honesty and more charisma in what one man had to say than in any other report during all 64 matches. I dont think anyone was more blown away by the magnificence of everything Soccer City is, and represents, than our very own Archbishop!


The speech that Desmond Tutu made on the night of the Celebration concert was my highlight of the entire month! I am sorry to say that I dont think Madiba himself could have made it more entertaining. Tutu dressed up, he might (or might not) have had too many Red Bulls during the day, but regardless, he and his rainbow nation were in Dreamland...and you couldn't hold this dreamer down!

He had some classic statements that were so unexpected/random that they have even been incorporated into a song! Here are my two favorite comments:
"I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming. It's so beautiful - wake me up!"
"We want to say to the world: 'Thank you for helping this ugly, ugly worm, or caterpillar which we were, to become a beautiful, beautiful butterfly"

Sadly, our religious leader has decided to call it quits to public appearances. Just as he was getting entertaining, 'someone' suggests that it's time to hang up his mauve outfits and sip Rooibos at home while watching the soaps. Oh well, at least he got to experience the Africa he had always dreamed of, and fought so hard for.

Thanks for the laughs, Des!



"Africa is the cradle of humanity so we welcome you all, every single one of you. We are all Africans" Desmond Tutu

Amen, indeed.

Our world

Remember these...

Rock 'n Roll Confidential

Rock 'n Roll Confidential have a section on their website for worst band photos...and then they comment on them...(please excuse some of the language)
There's not a thing in this picture that makes a lick of sense

The honesty's too much for the guy on the right

Take away the guitars and you've got a typical Saturday night for these guys

So very close

Passengers, we may experience some slight turbulence due to some Emo-geek accumulation on the right wing