lifeasmission

NT Wright, Angels & Airwaves and The Gospel

March 7, 2008 // 4895 Comments »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fnt-wright-angels-amp-airwaves-and-the-gospel%2FNT+Wright%2C+Angels+%26+Airwaves+and+The+Gospel2008-03-07+14%3A32%3A09JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2F07%2Fnt-wright-angels-airwaves-and-the-gospel%2F

In his most recent book, Surprised by hope: Rethinking Heaven the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, N.T. Wright says this about the gospel,

…the gospel, in the New Testament, is the good news that God (the world’s creator) is at last becoming king and that Jesus, whom this God raised from the dead, is the world’s true lord…The power of the gospel lies not in the offer of a new spirituality or religious experience, not in the threat of hellfire (certainly not in the threat of being “left behind”), which can be removed if only the hearer checks this box, says this prayer, raises a hand, or whatever, but in the powerful announcement that God is God, that Jesus is Lord, that the powers of evil have been defeated, that God’s new world has begun. This announcement, stated as a fact about the way the world is rather than as an appeal about the way you might like your life, your emotions, or your bank balance to be, is the foundation of everything else.” (226-227). 

And interestingly, Angels and Airwaves, my new musical obsession (thanks Mick), in their song, “Secret Crowds,” sing this… (listen here)If I had my own worldI’d fill it with wealth and desireA glorious past to admireAnd voices of kids out walking dogsBirds, planes, trees and carsIf I had my own worldI’d love it for all that’s inside itThere’d be no more wars, death or riotsThere’d be no more police, packed parking lotsGuns, bombs sounding offIf I had my own worldI’d build you an empireFrom here to the far landsTo spread love like violenceIf I had my own worldI’d build you an empireFrom here to the far landsTo spread love like violenceLet me feel you, carry you higherWatch your words spread hope like fireSecret crowds rise up and gatherHear your voices sing back louderIf I had my own worldI’d show you the life that’s inside itThe way that it glows when you find itThe way it survives with it’s familiesFriends or it’s enemiesLet’s make this a new worldI swear you can go if you want toI know that you have that within youInventing the first clean and usableGod’s greatest miracleIf I had my own worldI’d build you an empireFrom here to the far landsTo spread love like violenceSo, I don’t necessarily have some sort of amazing thing to say about this – just that I think Wright does a great job of articulating a much more encompassing gospel than many of us are used to and I found it rather striking to find a similar sort of longing and desire for this sort of gospel in the words to this song.

Posted in books, gospel, kingdom, music

Derek Webb – Ten Thousand Angels

January 12, 2008 // 4752 Comments »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2Fderek-webb-ten-thousand-angels%2FDerek+Webb+-+Ten+Thousand+Angels2008-01-12+18%3A48%3A35JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F01%2F12%2Fderek-webb-ten-thousand-angels%2F

I have long been admirer of Derek Webb and his music. I had some stuff to say here, and even made a presentation to go with one of his songs.

One of his most recent songs, with Caedmon’s Call, was featured the other night on Grey’s Anatomy (not originally their song). I didn’t see the show, but was able to check out the song and I have probably listened to it 30 times since then. I think it’s amazing and thought I’d share it with you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here are the lyrics.

how long you have traveled in darkness weeping
no rest in language, no words to speak
but there in the wreckage beneath bricks and bindings
love has come, love has come for you

against the night sky of your waiting
your face is like starlight when he walks in
everything worth keeping comes through dying
love has come, love has come for you

so lift up your heart now, to this unfolding
all that has been broken will be restored
here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty
love has come, love has come for you

ten thousand angels will light your pathway
until the day breaks fully in the East
they will surround you and make your way straight
love has come, love has come for you
love has come, love has come for you

Posted in love, media, music, politics

Sons & Daughters

October 9, 2007 // 431No Comments »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F10%2Fsons-daughters%2FSons+%26+Daughters2007-10-10+04%3A28%3A09JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F431

When we arrive

Sons and daughters

We’ll make our home

On the waters

We’ll build our walls aluminum

We’ll fill our mouths with cinnamon

Here all the bombs fade away

Here all the bombs fade away

Posted in music

Tag an Artist

August 4, 2007 // 3952 Comments »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F08%2Ftag-an-artist%2FTag+an+Artist2007-08-05+01%3A40%3A19JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F395

I don’t consider myself particularly artistic. I do enjoy writing and I have tried my hand at songs and poetry on occasion, but the vast majority of my writing comes in prose form. I can’t draw, paint, sculpt, or sketch worth a darn, and the depth my insight into the work of those who can is lacking. At the same time, between the impact a few of my friends have had on me and my ever-growing appreciation for they way art can express and embody the Kingdom of God in a way mere words never could, I find myself longing for more and more artists to emerge who can do and be for the church what only they can do and be.

So, my aim here is not so much to spawn a discussion as it is to start a trend. I have offered a few of my reflections on art, I will offer something “artistic” that I have done, and I am going to tag 5 people who I think have tremendous artistic abilities and ask them to do the same. If you were tagged (or even if you weren’t and you still want to play, honestly I’d love to circulate this as broadly as possible), here’s what you do…

1. Briefly mention how you think of art.

2. Offer something artistic that you have done – a picture, a song, a poem, photography, a presentation of some sort, something which you believe conveys truth and beauty, something which you believe can serve as an inspiration to others.

3. Tag 5 other people whom you believe posses artistic ability, link to this post, and pass along these same instructions.

Here’s a short video of a PowerPoint Presentation I put together for a class I was helping with a couple weeks ago. It’s a series of images, quotes, Scripture verses, and some statistics set to Derek Webb‘s song, “This Too Shall Be Made Right.” You can download the video here and if you want the PowerPoint presentation itself, here ya go, but be forewarned, the likelihood of this presentation displaying the same way I put it together is slim and none. You’ll be better off if you’re using a mac I think, but even then you might have some trouble.

Here’s my 5…

Sean Savage

Alex Rozko

Josh Elek

Leanne Snavely

Jenelle D’Alessandro

Posted in art, beauty, blogging, kingdom, music

Derek Webb: The Ringing Bell

April 10, 2007 // 3454 Comments »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2007%2F04%2F345%2FDerek+Webb%3A+The+Ringing+Bell2007-04-10+01%3A59%3A55JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F345

When I first came across the album Mockingbird, Derek Webb instantly became one of my favorite musicians. At the beginning of May he will be releasing a new album, The Ringing Bell. You can pre-order it now and receive an instand download of the cd, which I would highly reccommend. I wanted to offer a sample in hopes that you’ll be inclined to support him as an artist as well as to give you a glimpse into the sort of things which are gripping my heart currently. Here ya go, have a listen, no stealing!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted in justice, music

Where Do You See Beauty?

September 9, 2006 // 2391 Comment »http%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2F2006%2F09%2Fwhere-do-you-see-beauty%2FWhere+Do+You+See+Beauty%3F2006-09-09+23%3A34%3A26JR+Rozkohttp%3A%2F%2Flifeasmission.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F239

My friend Morten was sharing this with me today.  This is an Icelandic band called, “Sigur Ros.”  Their video reminded me of the beauty of simplicity and the sacredness of all things unique.

Posted in beauty, music