Revelations
I did not know until today that it would take 7 hours to drive from Ottawa to Boston. That is so doable! It is approximately the same time to drive to London, Ontario.
People do not enjoy being corrected for simple things like grammar and spelling. When I was in Grade 4, I was Mrs. Wronski’s spell-checker. She enjoyed it. But unless someone specifically asks to be corrected, I do not bring the issue up. Even if it bothers me a lot. I had a post drafted about spelling and grammar errors that are common, but I’m going to wait until it gets longer before I post it. And for the record, I really don’t mind if you ever correct me on these kinds of errors. I want to improve in my abilities…. but not at the expense of getting my message across, if the errors are intentional for the idea to be understood (eg. making up words).
Produce was scarce at Loblaws today. I have this cookbook that I borrowed from Robyn and near the end there is a recipe for Ratatouille. I decided I would try it. However, when I arrived at Loblaws to pick up some groceries for the recipe, I found out they have no zucchinis or eggplants at all right now. Normally I wouldn’t even eat these vegetables, but right when I actually decide to try it out, they aren’t there. This looming price-rise for groceries and foods is hitting closer to home!
Instead of ratatouille I decided to make an alfredo cream sauce chicken penne. I observed this evaporated milk/flour technique when I was at the Strongitharm’s place once so I tried it out myself…. it worked, although it was a bit dry. Maybe more milk next time.
Gas prices are starting to soar. I haven’t seen anything less than a dollar per liter for the past couple weeks. I’m going to try to avoid filling up in Quebec as much as I can, since it’s usually around ten cents more expensive there!
Does the proliferation of original worship music from Hillsong affect church music negatively or positively? The Hillsong music quality is typically off the charts. The musicianship is unparalleled (sample some drum techniques here and some guitar techniques here) and most normal people in worship bands cannot pull their stuff off without tons of practice. The quality of the live sound mixing on their CD’s and DVD’s as well as the live music videos really have no equal in the Christian worship music world. And yet the accessibility of the music to the general church populace means the taste of the average worshipper has risen. This means they come to expect better quality music from their own churches (or at least their ears are more accustomed to such quality).
Now I’m all for quality music. However, when worshippers have unrealistic expectations (I struggle with this sometimes) they can be distracted and the focus on God is lost. For example, whenever I hear the song “Mighty to Save” played out by a full band, I actually listen and watch to see if the guitar technique and the drum technique is as sickeningly amazing as the original Hillsong bunch. But of course, this is me and I’m pretty obsessive-compulsive at times. With the average worshipper, is this happening to them? Do they worship as “whole-heartedly” in church as they do at a live-concert worship performance by Hillsong United when they come to town?
This is where I see a need for an increase in the quality of music (to enhance the experience and also to glorify God more, simply), and yet an ironic need for a decrease in the necessity of quality music by the worshipper so that even in unpolished circumstances they are able to enter an attitude of praise.
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:47 am
Interesting question about Hillsong. Are their musicianship and production values so strong that they decrease the effectiveness of less skilled worship using their songs… and if so, should they “turn up the suck”, so to speak?
Heh heh. Well, my opinion is that if you make things simpler, it might not sound as good, but as long as you pull it off with quality, then you can still lead people in a positive experience of worshipping God through pleasing and God-glorifying music. And it shouldn’t be too distracting. Sometimes I get distracted because ppl are playing a Hillsong song very differently from the original, but maybe it’s because in those cases they should try and follow the original more closely because it works better, musically.
Anyways, the real thing I wanted to talk about was Hillsong music, content wise. That, and the Hillsong Church. Cause I looked into their theological bent more, and heard a sermon or two, and from what I’ve learned they’re basically a health & prosperity “gospel” Church, except they do make the point that they believe the intent of being materially blessed is to bless others from that. Which mitigates their false theology, but doesn’t excuse it.
And in terms of their music, I feel that they have some wonderful songs and I personally love singing some of them, but I feel that on the whole, their music is a little dangerous for our 21st Century Church culture. Because sometimes the lyrics are a little too idealistic, or designed to create a superficial, emotional experience, or sometimes just too superficial and lack some of the humility, contriteness, growth in the Word, etc., aspects that deeper lyrics can bring you. There is a danger when a song basically saying, “I’m forgiven” x 4, or “We’re living for you!” x 8, and “We’ll never be ashamed of you - oh OH oh”.
And I think the musical composition actually does the same thing as the lyrics, often times. It can seem a little superficial/repetitive and overpowering, sometimes. Sometimes it feels like it’s designed to get you into a certain experience and brainwash you (don’t mean to be overly harsh or critical).
The reason I felt what I wrote might be interesting is because I’ve actually talked to Sarah about what she thinks about Hillsong music, and she has some interesting thoughts about the subject, too
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
re: spelling - i really dislike it when people spell it “definately” - for the record, “it’s a ‘I’ in there instead of the ‘A.’”
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
re: spelling
please add “weird” (”w-i-e-r-d”) and the conjunctive “you’re” (”your”) onto that list as things that everyone should be more careful about.
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Ratatouille! Cool!!! =) when you’ve tried making it, let me know how it tastes.
What’s in it anyways? All I remember in the movie was them slicing some potato looking ingredient as if it was scalloped potatoes.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:18 am
My best times of worship have been when on person is leading with an acoustic guitar or acappella with friends or a bunch of other people or just sitting around a piano with someone who can back up whatever is going on vocally. I think flashy musicianship is a form of worship but probably not suited for gatherings of people. I was part of a rock band because I wanted to show off and shred my instrument but it was a strange road finding out how that glorified God.