7 quick takes: weekend of so many good things

or Saturday night/almost Sunday morning

--- 1 ---

One thing Brian and I have learned to love about Austin is the optimistic energy that permeates pretty much the entire city.  People come to Austin not just to be here but to do things.  Fun things, exciting things, Big Things.  Our first year meeting the people of our new church kind of blew our minds.  We began to joke privately that if we met one more person pursuing a Ph.D. or starting a non-profit to save the world or working in some sort of President (as in the U.S.) - appointed position, we were gonna turn around and run back "home". We felt pretty small in the middle of so much achievement. 

After living our entire lives in a rust-belt, depressed city, our little jaded hearts weren't sure they could handle all the Can-Do spirit of this place.  Also, spending time with people who Do Things can become quite exhausting. Left unchecked, Doing becomes frenetic -- rather than intentional -- motion. We began to think maybe the best gift we could offer our new community is a little bit of calm, a listening ear and a good beverage.  

This is all fine and good until weekends like this very one.  Weekends when so many people we love and respect are Doing Good Things and inviting us to join.  How does one decide?  I'm not sure.  

For now, I take my day of rest and blog about them.

--- 2 ---

Allies Against Slavery 

Slave-Free City Summit

I'd originally planned to attend at least part of this event.  I respect deeply the work that John Nehme and others have done to fight slavery in Austin.   

4 ways to stand against sexual violence this April

May God get glory for His name and accomplish His purposes for life through all the hard work that went into this annual event and into the daily work of Allies Against Slavery.

--- 3 ---

 Our Bodies Proclaim the Gospel - Christopher West

Across town in the property our Christ Church has just purchased, a day-long seminar in the Faith & Culture series:

"Christopher West - Best Selling Author, Speaker, Teacher and World-Renowned Expert in John Paul II’s  Theology of the Body - will present a bold, biblical vision of love and sexuality that takes us to the “cor” of what it means to be human.  His global lecturing, best selling books and multiple audio and video programs have also made him the world’s most recognized teacher of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body."

I'd also intended to attend at least part of this event.  Instead, I added two books to my reading pile.  Nothing too serious - ha!

--- 4 ---

Buzz Stops Here, opening reception
Art.Science.Gallery.

One of my favorite artists -- and lovely friends - Phaedra Taylor  created work for this exhibition of encaustic artwork.  I am totally intrigued to learn more about the history and mystery of the humble bee which Phaedra's work explores.  I will get to the exhibition -- just not today.

THE BUZZ STOPS HERE | APRIL 18 – MAY 30, 2015

--- 5 ---

Speaking of Phaedra Taylor:  Christ Church commissioned her to create a triptych for our Pentecost celebration this year.  A group of artists and other helpful collaborators met this weekend to prepare interactive pieces for the commissioned work.  I'd intended to attempt one of the evenings for this work.  (I certainly appreciate the value of behind-the-scenes collaboration for art in church, after all!)

But I did not make it either Friday or Saturday evening to help out.

--- 6 ---

An Acoustic Evening with Jason Harrod

Our favorite troubadour hit Austin on his Texas tour.  This was the things I managed to do this weekend.  It's not every day, of course, that we get to see a friend from "home".  And it was worth it even though we drove through Austin's Friday evening rush hour AND rain which means (and this literal) it took us an hour and a half to get the 20 miles from our appointment to pick up our friend Krista and get to the concert.  Absolutely maddening, I tell you.  Thankfully we were rewarded with beautiful music and conversation with good friends.

Somehow we never thought about taking a photo together.  Here's a couple from a little over a year ago when we hosted Jason for a house show (which we hope to do again as soon as we're able).

[2014]

Our friend Krista joined Jason for 2 shows last year.
In my future life, I'm going to become their manager.  We're gonna be great...

--- 7 ---

This week four of our friends in four different states gave birth to four sweet babies.  On Friday we got to visit baby Henri here in Austin.  It was a quiet affair with his momma and daddy and 1 sister, quietly tucked away in a hospital room.  In fact, Henri slept through the whole thing. He's lucky to be born into a family who live with hope in a resurrected Christ who brings life to the ground of grief.  I wouldn't have traded this event for any other on the calendar. 

Tomorrow we celebrate the baptism of our friends' dear son, Emmett.  We've been deeply honored by the invitation to be his Godparents.  We'll celebrate with our church family and then, later in his yard with doughnuts and tea.  It will be lovely and we'll soak up more sweet time with people we've grown to love. 

And that's all I be able to include in my social calendar this weekend.  Partly because I'm trying to learn how to discipline myself to the time and space I have -- even, and maybe especially, for beauty.  I took a nap, bought special coffee for my daughter and me, read a book, chatted with a niece, nephew, Mom and a couple of sisters, did some laundry.  Not Big Things, but good things, nonetheless.  

Oh, it made me afraid to not experience each one of these good things.  Afraid I would miss out, yes, but to be the most honest, afraid to not be seen.  To not count as one who is also going to Do Things here in Austin.  Well, from my lips to God's ears, may I do all that He has for me to do -- no more and no less.  May this somehow count in his upside-down economy as Enough.  

In the meantime, I will keep looking for the Risen Christ every place I find myself.  I'd love to hear how you are practicing resurrection during Eastertide.  Check out the #practiceresurrection2015 series and send us a photo story or two in these coming weeks, won't you?

--- Other good words online this week ---

• A New Wrinkle in Time by Jennifer Maloney at WSJ:  A never-seen-before passage from an early draft of one of my favorite stories and I think it makes the story even better.

• The Ebola Detectives at BBC News:  This article is a few weeks old, but one I've been hanging on to for the stunning graph marking God's answer to our prayers for the end of the Ebola outbreak in Africa.  

• Practice Resurrection 2015 (and a round up of resources on the same theme) at Lent & Beyond:  What a fun surprise to see the #practiceresurrection2015 and Easter daybook posts featured in this blog post from a resource I follow all throughout the Church year!  "It is truly MUST READING for anyone wanting encouragement to celebrate the full 50 days of the Easter Season."  Probably the best "blurb" my blog ever got!

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Hoping for a good and content weekend for us all, friends.

Peace....

*Linking up with other 7 Quick Takers.*

Christmas daybook, 3: we saw it happen!

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see all of the Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

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look

Shepherd

Alexander Shilov

source

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read 

Exodus 33:18-23: Moses said "Please. Let me see your glory" God said "No one can see me and live."

1 John 1:1-9: The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen!

{all readings for the day: Psalm 148; Exodus 33:18-23; 1 John 1:1-9 }

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pray 

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (source)

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your Name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness. Amen.

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listen

Out in the Fields

Jason Harrod
name your price to download the new Christmas EP here

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do

Send a Christmastide letter or thank you card

let John's words inspire yours: 

 "We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!" 

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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Advent daybook, 16: after many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

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look

Spirit of Elijah

Diane Fairfield

source

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read

I Kings 18:1-8: after many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah

{all readings for the day: Psalm 125; 1 Kings 18:1-18; Ephesians 6:10-17}

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pray

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (source)

Let us praise the Lord, whom the angels are praising, whom the Cherubim and Seraphim proclaim: Holy, holy, holy! Amen. 

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listen

O come, O come Emmanuel

Jason Harrod

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do

read a Christmas story with friends

[my new favorite Christmas story!]

A Child's Christmas in Wales

 by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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I haven't been blogging for over a month, but I've got lots to talk about.

While I take a break from blogging, 
may I recommend TEN GREAT [online] READS?

In January, I discovered a Great Mystery: 
the lowly sweet potato can be transformed into this

I've set aside a few of my favorite things this month (blogging and writing) in order to make space to get a few other important parts of my life in order.  My job, my health, my hair.  For real.  These 3 parts of my life have been out of whack for a while now and needed some TLC.  Plus, I'm starting to work full time and, friends, how DO you do that?!? 

I'll be back in a week or two because I miss you!  In the meantime, may I suggest the following reads as worthy of your time and attention?

--- 1 ---

The Gospel According to Philip Seymour Hoffman by Fr James Martin, SJ:  I am so sad about this man's death. Through various articles written in the wake of the actor's overdose,  I stumbled on this hopeful note written about PSH in 2009 by the priest who served as a consultant during the production of the stage version of Doubt.  

--- 2 ---

The Second-Coming of Flannery O'Connor by Gregory Wolfe at Good Letters:  I've been following this conversation from a distance but last week got to hear Dana Gioia speak at a writer's conference at Houston Baptist University.  I find the dialogue interesting, but also a bit frustrating, circular.  I do believe these sorts of conversations about the themes of faith and religious belief continuing from a rich history (like O'Connor) into a rich future do bear fruit over a long time.  And so I read and watch from a distance, hoping to learn and grow.

--- 3 ---

In Praise of Mediocrity at Front Porch Republic: I think someone directly involved in the Catholic novels dialogue should read James Matthew Wilson -- as well as the  personal essay by Karen Ullo (Why We Need Mediocre Artists) he excerpts.  The whole idea of being part of a tradition -- of using my weak contribution to keep that tradition alive -- is quite encouraging.  

--- 4 ---

All Things Vile and Vicious by Jeffrey Alan Mays: Speaking of keeping a tradition alive, my friend Jeffrey has written a novel.  In this blog post (which I love!) he provides a justification (for his mother and any of the rest of us scratching our heads) for writing words that might seem out of character coming from a writer who also is a Christian. 

Also, when the first sentence of a blog post is this, how can you NOT love the rest:  "An interesting thing happens to many writers the first time they write a story with foul language, erotic scenes, butcher knives dripping with blood, or characters with twisted psychologies: they have to show their story their mothers."

If you'd like to read something Jeffrey has already published check out Jeffrey's short story in this anthology of eco-horror stories: Growing Concerns.  I told Jeffrey it's good to know him because before now the only eco-horror story I knew was Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed.  

--- 5 ---

A Speck in the Sea by Paul Tough in the NY Times Magazine:  I don't know if a man fighting death in the Long Island Sound counts as eco-horror but this true story is one of the few online reads I could not put down.  Tough takes an already-compelling story about life and death and draws the reader in further -- into the larger story of the Long Island roughneck fishing industry, the heroic work of the United States Coast Guard and the surprising alternate use of a pair of boots.  

I just read that the Weinstein Company has picked up the screen writes for this story.  May I suggest you read the story in the NY Times first?

--- 6 ---

A New Normal by Catherine Woodiwiss at catapult* magazine: Every other week, catapult* publishes a new issue surrounding a pre-selected theme.  The first issue of 2014 invited contributing writers to make a "List of Ten Things" -- about any subject.  Ms. Woodiwiss wrote one of the best lists I've ever read about caring well for those who are recovering from trauma.  This is a list I want to read again and again as I endeavor to walk alongside pain in this world. 

(here's a list of some of my own contributions to catapult* in the past few years)

--- 7 ---

It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God from Square Halo Books:  I do not make music but I am nourished by it and hope to support the people who -- through blood, sweat and tears -- make the music that nourishes me.  Brian Moss is one of many contributing authors whose music has been part of my landscape. I'm especially looking forward to his (counter-intuitive) essay, Silence.

--- 8 ---

Syria crisis: Evacuation operation in Horn begins at BBC News: My intention has been to pray for Syria often during the crisis that is ravaging their nation.  I am poor at keeping my intention but have been helped by the frequent Scripture prayers posted on Lent & Beyond: An Anglican Prayer blog.  While I celebrate the evacuation of 83 civilians my heart breaks for the ongoing, uncounted sufferings of this ancient nation. 

--- 9 ---

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song on American Masters, PBS video: Last week one of my favorite troubadours spent a few days with us in Austin.  We invited as many people as we could squeeze into our little house to hear Jason Harrod's music.  It was no small irony that one of those days we also learned about the death of Pete Seeger.  Listening to Jason skillfully sing us stories with the guitar Mr. Seeger himself had signed during a mentoring meal on his upstate New York farm made the house shows even more meaningful.  Since I'm about 35 years behind the learning curve of most cultural icons, I found this documentary fascinating and inspiring.  I think you will, too.

Our little Austin house crammed with music patrons.

--- 10 ---

Help finish our sex trafficking film at GoFundMe: Trade In Hope is making a film about sex trafficking in America and what communities can do to end it. It's a film that moves beyond sensationalized images to explore the power of the human spirit to rise up and the ability we have to overcome together. This film is important to me not only because of the cause or the focus on our city of Austin, but because we are in the same community at Christ Church as Michelle Nehme and her brother John -- the champions and makers for this project. We are proud of them and hoping for the remaining approximately $6,000 they need to complete this important project.

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A beauty and grace-filled weekend for us all, dear ones.

I hope to be back here writing soon.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear if you read anything from my list.  Tell me your thoughts in a comment, won't you?

Buy More Art [this Christmas]: Jason Harrod, Highliner & Christmas Hymns

December is the perfect time to re-introduce the Buy More Art blog series -- each post featuring an artist I know and love creating work worth your time, attention, and dollars.  For today's post, I'm inviting you to listen in on my conversation with Jason Harrod about his third full-length solo album, Highliner. 

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I've learned that Jason is a natural-born storyteller --  no matter the venue.  It was hard to cut out some of the clips so maybe I'll post a 'b roll' some other time.

In the meantime I felt pretty lucky to get a private concert in my living room. Brian and I are working out arrangements to get Jason to Austin for a couple of shows in early 2014.  I'll keep you posted!  

(p.s., don't miss the special bonus links for Jason's Christmas Hymns EP)

 - Click play to hear our conversation -

part 1: in which we learn how Max Fleischer inspired Highliner, Jason's first 

band break-up, an excerpt of "Trains", and why Jason quit smoking

part 2: in which we hear the themes in the album and an excerpt of "Moon Mission" (my favorite song on the album!) + me saying the word "yep" 32 times.

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Buy More Art [for Christmas]

Jason Harrod.com  

Buy Highliner here at Jason's site, on iTunes, on Amazon

Buy Christmas Hymns EP here at Jason's site, on iTunes, on  Amazon

Jason Harrod on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube

..... Bonus Features .....   

The High Line in NYC
Max Fleischer's Superman, "Billion Dollar Limited" episode.  

Jason Harrod: Singing Between Doubt and Belief for 20 years at  Christianity Today

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What art are you buying this Christmas? 

This post is meant to be shared; love your neighbor artist and pass it on!  

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