A Commentary on Contemporary Church Music

God Grew Tired of Us

Have you seen this film?



Due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, several thousand orphan boys, known as The Lost Boys journeyed across Africa where they lived in refugee camps for over 15 years. Then, one day, the UN provided them an opportunity to go to America.

America - Land of unimaginable freedom.

America - Land of unimaginable wealth.

God Grew Tired of Us tells the story of The Lost Boys struggling to learn to live in our culture. They deal with feelings of guilt for leaving other Boys behind, and they learn to cope with the frenetic pace of American life and our endless pursuit of the dollar.

This film is really mind boggling. It's amazing to watch these guys learn to harness the magic of light switches and flushing toilets, and then be unable to cope with the lack of community in America. The juxtaposition of our wealth against the poverty of the rest of the world really gives perspective to life.

I'd encourage anyone to watch this film. It has much to say about justice, wealth, community, and faithfulness.

I Wonder...

I often wonder what society would look like if we cared more about the progress of the society as a whole than we did about the increasing wealth of a few individuals.

I often wonder if, in fact, the byproduct of rugged individualism necessarily produced by capitalism is the best way to live.

I often wonder what caring for all people equally, regardless of their ability to produce wealth would look like.

Would it look like this?

Eric is amazed by the shallowing effect of Facebook.

I often think of things I need to blog about, but then my mind immediately waters them down to a status update on Facebook.


I could share with you how much I enjoyed the MS Chorus performance this evening. I could talk about the MS Chorus, the Delta State Chorus, or the orchestra's wonderful effort and preparation.

I could write about Mozart's amazing gifts in composing powerful sacred pieces like the Coronation Mass in C Major.

Or, I could describe what really highlighted the evening for me: the beauty and architecture of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison. It is a sanctuary set in the round. The pews are only about 8 or 10 deep in an octagonal setting, so that the priests administer the service in the middle of the nave, and the congregation encircles them. Aside: why did the participatory style of worship in Churches of Christ not invite this type of architecture? In fact, I'm surprised we didn't demand it as a way to practice the (direct and/or inferred) command "sing to one another...".

I could even just talk about how great it was to have dinner and a night out with Dixie. It's amazing what a whole conversation feels like. I love our kids but I have no idea where they got their talking gene. (Actually I do know where they got it, and let's just say it wasn't from me). Since my personality is such that I generally wait for an opening in the conversation before I speak, I sometimes feel like I just don't speak much.

Anyway, the dinner and night out with Dixie was great fun and good refreshment.

So, I have much to say about tonight. But I think I'll just update my FB status to "Eric N Livingston enjoyed the MS Chorus tonight." It's much easier that way.