The Last Book I Read (#ReadingList2012)
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time—exploring the essence of a healthy marriage, and the hurdles we put in the way of building a healthy relationship. For a couple of years, I’ve felt the need for a book that helped us see the relational wreckage of our times, to expose the root of the issues, and give us alternative ways of thinking about and approaching “love”. I started writing that book many a time, and eventually stopped, saying “I don’t have the authority to write these things.” After reading The Meaning of Marriage, I don’t have to write that book anymore, because it has now been published! Whether you are single, dating, engaged, or married, you must read this book!
#BestDayEver: Bucket List 2012
I said this year, I was going to do new things. Here are some “firsts” I got experience this week, so far.
1) Flying in a prop plane over the Rocky Mountains
2) Visiting Utah for the first time—taken from the Salt Lake City Airport
3) Eating at California Pizza Kitchen
I’m in Colorado (also a first time) right now at a songwriting retreat (my first time attending one), where we basically write as many songs as we can for 6 hours a day. I’m meeting a ton of people, and having a lot of fun. Hope you’re living it up this year. It could be your last.
#MusicMonday: We Can Thank Stevie Wonder for MLK Day
I was tempted to just let MLK come and go, like any other day. But, a video interview of George Lucas changed my mind. Lucas was struggling to explain why it was so difficult to get support for his most recent film Red Tails, which features an all black cast. It was obvious that the lack of a prominent white actor was a major hindrance to the advancement of what looks like a very promising film. “Really?” I thought to myself, “In 2012?” Yeah. I know that all people groups have their struggles and privileges—today is the day I’m challenged to not take Dr. King’s dream for granted. America is still divided by lines of color. It’s only appropriate to celebrate the progress we’ve made, and to remember that we still have a long way to go. I think sometimes people mistake the song above as just the “Black People Version” of Happy Birthday; but it was actually a part of Stevie Wonder’s campaign to make Martin Luther King’s Birthday a national holiday—a testimony that even artists can use their gifts to effect real change in the world. Thank you, Dr. King. Thank you, Stevie Wonder.
Has “The Dream” been realized?
Stuff Christians Like [to Fight About]…
I know this post is long; but, I promise it’s worth the read.
So, about a week ago I noticed a ton of people posting a video entitled I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus via Facebook and Twitter. “Oh no!” I thought to myself, “another viral Christian thing.” I’m not really into trends, so I just tried to stay clear of the thing altogether. But then someone—knowing I’m a minister—decided to post it on my Facebook wall. Grrr…it’s not that I don’t like well produced videos. It’s that I hate the pressure of feeling like I need to co-sign on something just because it has the words “I love Jesus” in the title—the same way I hate feeling pressured to see Tyler Perry movies (in case you missed it, that was a black joke). At any rate, I’ve noticed tons of responses to this poem. It’s turned into a huge online poetry slam, with everyone from popular Christian artists to prominent atheist vloggers weighing in at the margins. Since I’m due for a blog, I thought I’d comment.
First, it’s important to remember that this is a poem. It shouldn’t be taken as a formal dissertation on the distinction between religion and Christianity (or Jesus—it seems as though the two are used interchangeably in this piece). Sometimes, we just have to try to hear things for what the listener is trying to communicate instead of picking apart their actual words. This is his personal statement on why he hates the hypocrisy and dead ritual that can so easily seize the life of our churches. Is he right? Yes and no. But it doesn’t matter if he’s right, because it’s a poem. Poems don’t have to be “right”. His poem did what art does: it caused a disruption, offended someone, stirred up conversation and controversy—that is one of my favorite things about being an artist. He did his job. He expressed a personal opinion in a way that resonated with a much larger audience. Well done.
But, many of the critics of this piece have done well also. As beautiful and moving as the piece is, it presents us with a false choice between Jesus and religion.
#MusicMonday: My cover of INDESTRUCIBLE by Robyn
This year, my goal is to be consistent with releasing content. So, each Monday I will be sharing a song—possibly one of mine, but most likely from an artist that inspires me. I chose Robyn’s INDESTRUCTIBLE because I love the lyrics. Many of us have had painful romantic experiences that make us fearful to open our hearts to new opportunities for love. Yet, the only way to fully experience the bliss of true love is by making ourselves vulnerable to the possibility of heartbreak. Robyn somehow elevates the cliche to “love like you’re never been hurt before” to an anthemic resolution. Hear the original song on her album “Body Talk”.
Miguel Covers Brittney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me”…I’m not sure how I feel about this. I think band makes it really sexy and soulful, but perhaps he should’ve changed the key so he could sing the melody and do more with it vocally.
My Blog is Moving…
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen!
As much as I have enjoyed blogging on Tumblr this year, I’m planning on leaving this blog in order to blog on my own website http://andrehenrymusic.com. I hope you will follow me there. If you follow me on Twitter (@andrehenry) or friend me on Facebook, it should be fairly easy to know when I post. I’ll also probably make a way to subscribe to my blog on the site. I plan on getting serious about blogging in the coming year. Thanks for all of the “likes” and “reblogs” and posts and what not.
See ya’ there.
