Churchill once said of a cabinet member, “He is a modest man and he has a lot to be modest about.” I can relate to that sentiment. While at Regent College it felt like I jumped into the deep end of the intellectual pool and in need of some water wings.
David Gill and Bill Edgar were generous in spirit and creative instructors. At this point of my processing, I think my biggest takeaway from the week was how our spiritual journey can be enhanced by approaching it as one would playing jazz. There are some essentials to this mature type of music that relate to a mature spiritual life.
-Know the standards We need to know what the essential songs are to be able to make music with others.
What would be my Ten Top Faith Standards?
Biblical stories/themes, creeds, hymns/songs, etc?
-Know music theory We need to know what musically works and what doesn’t.
Do I know how life works based on God’s truth?
-Know your instrument We need to know the attributes, limitations, and special features of our instrument.
What am I able to do? What are my temptations and giftings?
-Trust We need to know we can count on the other musicians and they need to know they can count on us.
Am I willing to serve the bigger cause of Christ?
-Improvise We need to be secure in the previous four areas to have the freedom to bring our expression to the music.
Am I living out my spiritual journey in joyful freedom or am I in bondage to rules.
If you are interested, the two books we read before class started:
Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life by Wynton Marsalis
Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith by Robert Gelinas
My sabbatical continues. I am into my interviews with creative people, some famous, some not. This week I am reading Dick Staub’s book, The Culturally Savvy Christian. I cannot recommend this book enough. In a few weeks I will be with Dick on Orcas Island for the international Kindlings Fest. The theme this year is Turning Mourning into Dancing.
Some of those who will be there are:
Jerry Root - C.S. Lewis scholar
Störling Dance Theater
Karin Stevens Dance troupe
Larry McAdams - artist
Susan Osborn - singer, songwriter
Lucy Shaw - poet
Marty O’Donnell – Halo Game audio/composer
Michael Card - singer, songwriter, author, teacher
Jeff Johnson – Windham Hill recording artist
Nigel Goodwin – British actor & arts advocate
12 minute Kindlings Fest moments 2009 & 2010
Although lengthy, I want to leave you with one of the many wonderful stories of creative people I have run across in the last three weeks. I think it speaks to my search of God in the Creative Process: In search of the Story
From Finding the Groove: In 1957 John Coltrane went into his room and began praying and seeking God’s help to withstand the pain of withdrawals. For four days it was just water and God. When he emerged he said God met him in a most unusual way. It was a sound, a droning resonance, a reverberation, unlike anything he had ever heard. “It was so beautiful.”
For years he would try to find that sound while playing before audiences. He would solo for thirty minutes, slowly searching, listening for the sound of God as he performed. He never found that sound again.
Seven years after hearing the sound of God he recorded A Love Supreme. Although he never claimed to become a Follower of Jesus, his liner notes for this album tell of a man who was touched by God through his music.
DEAR LISTENER: ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE. Let us pursue Him in the righteous path. Yes it is true; "seek and ye shall find." Only through Him can we know the most wondrous bequeathal.
During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through His grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.
As time and events moved on, a period of irresolution did prevail. I entered into a phase which was contradictory to the pledge and away from the esteemed path; but thankfully, now and again through the unerring and merciful hand of God, I do perceive and have been duly re-informed of His OMNIPOTENCE, and of our need for, and dependence on Him. At this time I would like to tell you that NO MATTER WHAT ... IT IS WITH GOD. HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS WAY IS IN LOVE, THROUGH WHICH WE ALL ARE. IT IS TRULY – A LOVE SUPREME – .
This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say "THANK YOU GOD" through our work, even as we do in our hearts and with our tongues. May He help and strengthen all men in every good endeavor.
The music herein is presented in four parts. The first is entitled "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT", the second, "RESOLUTION", the third, "PURSUANCE", and the fourth and last part is a musical narration of the theme, "A LOVE SUPREME" which is written in the context; it is entitled "PSALM".
In closing, I would like to thank the musicians who have contributed their much appreciated talents to the making of this album and all previous engagements.
To Elvin, James and McCoy, I would like to thank you for that which you give each time you perform on your instruments. Also, to Archie Shepp (tenor saxist) and to Art Davis (bassist) who both recorded on a track that regrettably will not be released at this time; my deepest appreciation for your work in music past and present. In the near future,
I hope that we will be able to further the work that was started here.
Thanks to producer Bob Thiele; to recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder; and the staff of ABC-Paramount records. Our appreciation and thanks to all people of good will and good works the world over, for in the bank of life is not good that investment which surely pays the highest and most cherished dividends.
May we never forget that in the sunshine of our lives, through the storm and after the rain – it is all with God – in all ways and forever.
ALL PRAISE TO GOD.
With love to all, I thank you.
