Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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B Minor
Although I took exception to last week’s characterization of D major, this week’s short-hand hits the mark: B minor is The Dark Romantic. Moody, heart-wrenching, technically intense, the selections highlighted this week demonstrate the beauty and complexity that composers can capitalize on in the minor keys. Tchaikovsky’s 6th and final symphony comprises the foundation of the B minor Signature Series personality; its Russian passion perfectly illustrating the key. This work is worthy of a complete listen, if you have not heard it before (the playlist includes only the final movement.) Puccini and Chopin provide the Italian B minor flavor, with Bach and Mendelssohn showing how the Germans interpret it. Each of this week’s works are giants of classical music; I encourage you to explore and listen to them all. read more…
Bend the Knee
Bend the Knee Lectionary 1 October 2017 17th Sunday After Pentecost World Communion Sunday Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32 Text to Life It is soccer season. Okay, yes, it is also football season again. Finally. But for parents with younger children this is the season of…
World Communion Sunday –Preaching Tip for 1 October 2017
Holy Communion is an event sometimes rushed, sometimes made rote. Remember that your sermon can introduce holy communion in creative ways, and that you can make communion a participatory and personal event, even as it is also communal and sacred. Change up your liturgy. Make it cultural specific, time specific,…
Pastor’s Prayer for 1 October 2017
Lord, Father all-powerful
and ever-living God, I thank You, for
even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not
because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy,
You have fed me with the Precious Body & Blood of Your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me
condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation.
May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will.
May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions.
May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience,
and growth in the power to do good.
May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible,
and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses,
bodily and spiritual.
May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me
safely through death to everlasting happiness with You.
And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you,
with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total
fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect
happiness to your saints. grant this through Christ our Lord,
AMEN.
–Prayer of Thanksgiving by Thomas Aquinas
The Art of Non-Conformity
The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
By Chris Guillebeau
ISBN: 978-1-101-44308-8
Published 2010
–Review by Douglas Balzer
A pattern is emerging concerning the books I find myself resonating with. The unusual, offbeat books that challenge the status quo are becoming a significant presence in my library. My perspective, it is a good thing. So, this review brings to our attention the book, The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World, the title promises some significant results. I couldn’t resist as the non-conformist aspect sucked me in for a closer look. Here are my thoughts on this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Even though this book was published in 2010, it couldn’t be more relevant today. Chris Guillebeau’s motivation for writing this book came out a sense of an unfulfilling lifestyle that is ubiquitous within the general population. The desire and drive to escape to a fulfilling life away from the industrial complex of set hours, and offices, as well as overlord management personalities, have a cheerleader in Guillebeau. If you have the courage to follow Guillebeau’s advice, it will be revolutionary in your life. read more…
Elisha’s Bones
Elisha’s Bones (or Holy to the Bone) Story Lectionary 24 September 2017 The In-Breathing of Adam by the Holy Spirit and God’s Calling Out of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3) The Story of Noah and the Raising Up of New Life / God’s Salvific Power (Genesis 5-7) The Story of…
Pastor’s Prayer for 24 September 2017
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
–Guardian Angel Prayer (Catholic)
Creativity and Retreats
Forget about work and keep a dream diary: how to think creatively
Summary: Ditch the brainstorming sessions and make time for knitting, cycling or just plain idling if you want to be more creative read more…
D Major
Week two of our tour through the CBC’s Signature Series of musical personalities takes us to the jovial key of D major. Pietropaolo has dubbed this key “Miss Congeniality.” His selection of D major pieces features a number of well-known works, including Pachabel’s Canon, Handel’s Messiah, and Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. I love the creativity and imagination of this series, and enjoy the humor that Pietropaolo uses in describing the personalities that he creates. But, I don’t agree with all of his ideas; in D major, I think he’s just skimmed the surface of its possibilities. For example, Haydn found many sides of D major, and explored them by writing 22 of his 104 symphonies in this key. Brahms wrote two of his most complex works in D major: the Violin Concerto and the Second Symphony. Mozart was also a fan, writing String Quartets, Symphonies, Piano Sonatas and Concertos, Serenades, and Violin Concertos in the key. D major is definitely worth exploring! read more…
Belief Brands or Life Story?
Belief Brands or Life Story? Story Lectionary 24 September 2017 16th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 Text to Life What a month! Harvey and Irma. Say no more. What a couple. Worse than Bonnie and Clyde. The images are inescapable and stalking.…