Anticipation…

Here in NY schools are finally winding down and kids are chomping at the bit to get out for the summer. Anticipating all of the adventures awaiting them in the hot months ahead…

Puts me in mind to consider all the places I anticipate, all the adventures I look forward to… some come around every year – Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations… while others are more ‘once in a lifetime’ sort of events -weddings, births, the release of a new CD… When I am anticipating, I run through different scenarios of the event, I try on different versions and outcomes, I read articles about the subject, I research (my wife would say I obsess) and try to understand all I can, I immerse myself…

I remember a time in college when I read the following verses: They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10,11) It really struck me and I recall spending several days walking around town and sort of looking intently into the sky… wondering what it will be like when Christ returns, and feeling that seed of anticipation start to grow… to not just know that He was coming back as an intellectual thing, but as a coming event, that yearning for seeing a long gone loved one who is coming… makes me want to go back to Scripture and immerse myself in it and revel in the anticipation…

The ‘Old Man’ Character and Daniel

I love fantasy novels… if it has a sword or a dragon or a quest in it then I am there. I have read a wide variety from the classics to some lesser known books recommended to me by friends. Within all the variety of different fantasy writers and their ideas, I find several things that are similar within the genre.

One of these similarities is the character of the ‘old man’… Think about it, you have Gandalf, Merlin, Zeddicus, Obi Wan, the Old Professor, and Dumbledore just to name a few. What is it about this character? They seem to exist to provide stability and direction in many stories; they often are the paragon of whatever virtue is being espoused in the plot line; they are trustworthy and even though they are not always understandable, they come through in the end. They aren’t necessarily the flashiest or the strongest, but they are comfortingly consistent. I think that this character is often times my favorite.

This past week I have been reading the book of Daniel and it occurred to me that in many respects, Daniel is a lot like the ‘old man’ character of many fantasy novels. Throughout the whole account of his life, Daniel is consistent, he is trustworthy, he is stable and most importantly, he is faithful. Through the conquering of his homeland and the enslaving of himself and his people, through many regimes that come and go, he is the same Daniel throughout.

Think about the stories… Daniel being called upon several times to interpret dreams and visions, the Lions Den, the Writing on the Wall, his interaction with his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and even his response to the unnerving visions of the end times… he continues to walk in faith, to act according to his faith, to pray three times daily, and to trust God. The anger and helplessness of being enslaved does not deter him from it… the fear of angering the King does not deter him from it… the bitter betrayal of rivals does not deter him from it… even the confusing visions of the future do not deter him from it…

And when it all comes down to it, I think that this is the kind of Christian I want to be – consistent, unwavering, and dependable. Maybe not the flashiest or the strongest, but one whose faith is tested and true. One who quietly goes about living faithfully to Christ regardless of who is in power, regardless of what the prevailing philosophies are, regardless of fear and confusion and doubt, regardless of everything but Christ Himself.

New Blog is the Old Blog

For several months now, this blog has been for chronicling the creation of my CD, EVERYDAY WITH YOU. However, now that the thing is done and out, the blog needs a new purpose… so welcome to the new CA Blah Blah Blog, version 1.0! Purpose? Containing the blah blah blahs that come out of my brain… a pensieve, if you will. Enjoy, comment and come along for the ride!

cd release party #2!

Well, it happened again! Another release party for Everyday With You… this time the locale was Liverpool, NY. Another great time, great food, and a somewhat disturbing theme of cakes with my face on them… Apparently they are being made in bulk somewhere.

We saw so many good friends, people who contributed directly or indirectly to the album; some Indieheaven folks made it out; some neighbors; Bob Halligan and his wife made it out, it was an honor to perform ‘Champion’ (the song we co-wrote) in front of them! The band for this event consisted of Danny Clausen on drums and Paul Stevenson on bass (my regular touring band) and the response to our set was overwhelming!

For me, personally, it was a fitting end to the ‘creating’ process of this CD…