"I've Got Something On My Mind"

He May Call You Up Tonight

RIP Michael Brown (April 25, 1949 - March 19, 2015)

Today, I learned that “Left Banke” founding member and “Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina” composer Michael Brown (Michael David Lookofsky) died on March 19, 2015. His music deepened my adolescent angst and inflamed my youthful anxiety and fear of the girls I dreamed of being in a relationship with, not unlike the young and captivating Renee, the subject of his song.

He popularized, and in every sense, created “baroque rock”, with memorable piano and harpsichord introductions and refrains. Upon hearing of his death, I revisited a sermon I had written for the 20th week of Pentecost, 2014, which used Buddy Holly as an example.

Jesus 2.0

Matthew 22: 34-40 (Unplugged)

It was the last week of Jesus’ life; Holy Week, but Jesus and his followers knew it as the Festival of Passover. Just one day ago Jesus had been well received, so much so, the temple officials were concerned. The Aristocrats, politicians and lawyers associated with the temple began to follow Jesus and question his Jewish faith, by asking him misleading questions. In this case, they asked him which was the greatest commandment found in the Torah, the Law. He answered them with three responses. ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind [Luke writes, strength also]. He said this is the first and greatest. Secondly, ‘you must love your neighbor, as you love yourself.’ And then finally, asserting his authority, he stated, ‘All the Law [the Torah] and the Prophets [Moses and all the others] depend on these two commands.’

True Love Ways

On February 3, 2015 we celebrated the 56th anniversary of ‘the day the music died.’ It was the day Buddy Holly met his demise in an airplane crash along with the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and the pilot, Roger Peterson. The great “outlaw” country western singer, Waylon Jennings was spared death when he gave up his seat to the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson).

Buddy Holly is known for simple rhythms and simple lyrics. One of my favorites, ‘True Love Ways’ or the ways of true love, is an example. Buddy Holly sings and implies a great deal in just a few words. It was written as a wedding gift to his new bride, Elena. Here are the lyrics to the song:

“Just you know why, Why you and I, Will by and by Know true love ways. Sometimes we'll sigh,  Sometimes we'll cry, And we'll know why, Just you and I know true love ways. Throughout the days, Our true love ways, Will bring us joys to share, With those who really care. Sometimes we'll sigh, Sometimes we'll cry, And we'll know why, Just you and I know true love ways. Throughout the days, Our true love ways, Will bring us joys to share, With those who really care. Sometimes we'll sigh, Sometimes we'll cry, And we'll know why, Just you and I know true love ways.”

Buddy Holly knew the principle of tune-filled brevity and getting to the point. Three key words or phrases (‘sigh’, ‘cry’ and ‘bring us joys to share’) summarize his understanding of a love relationship; not unlike Jesus who knew well of keeping things simple. In archaeological discoveries and the interpretation of new texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas, we discover a Jesus who speaks with short, powerful, and ‘to the point’ messages.

Today’s scripture lesson is an example. Perhaps all of the New Testament could be summarized in these 6 verses. And yes, perhaps all of one’s lifetime could be spent living up to its message. At once, it is the greatest lesson of Jesus and at the same time, the greatest challenge.

What do you have to gain from a relationship with God, with coming to church, with being a Christian, or for that matter, making your faith a central part of your life? Why do we do this? I believe the answer lies within today’s text.  Remember, Jesus was speaking to a people, not unlike us, in respect to our yearning for answers to this life and the next. He was also speaking to a people who could not read, who in many instances were of ill health. No more in crisis than we, who have so many distractions in life to keep us from worshiping and practicing our faith.

I believe the simplicity of Jesus’ faith was informed by Hillel the Elder  who wrote “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.”
Jesus grew as a child when the teachings of Hillel were still being taught in and near Jerusalem. He learned the teachings of the Torah and then reiterated the four principles of godly love: in using His Mind   (by applying knowledge), in opening His heart (by showing compassion), in examining His soul (by exhibiting wisdom and thoughtfulness),  in showing His strength (by displaying courage and endurance). In the end, Jesus spoke of simple peace, surpassing all human understanding, yet enabling us to love our neighbor, because we have learned to love ourselves by His example.

The Word Psychedelic

The Word Psychedelic

     It was the Spring, Summer of '65, something like that (it feels like it was 50 years ago, which it was.) Anyway, it was before my thyroidectomy in August, 1965. Bill Zapf and I had been selected by Mr. Farley (the W.H.S. History teacher who had coincidentally given me a copy of "None Dare Call It Treason") to attend a Foreign Relations Conference in Washington, DC sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee. I think you can sense the irony here. However, I am not going to dwell on the conference aside from the fact, it was interesting and very engaging, though the truth be told I was more interested in searching out record stores for the latest Beatles release, "Beatles VI". Oh, and Bill and I really thought it was a gas flying in a Caravelle jet (engines in the rear!)

   We had the opportunity to visit the French Embassy, I think the Russian Embassy (or that may have come from an episode of "The Americans"), the State Department, a visit to the House of Representatives. We met in study groups to revisit the events of the day. One of the most engaging conversations was at the State Department regarding Soviet-Sino-American relations. The point of the conversation (1965), and the premise of presentation was the Soviet Union posed no great threat to the United States (3 years after the Cuban missile crisis). The Soviet Union was trending toward United States values and the United States was trending toward Soviet values, hence no real threat, which was reassuring. The point of the presentation was the real threat was emerging in China. The leaders of China, it was said, were very patient in birthing power and engaging strategies with the West, which would ultimately wrest power from America, in several ways; primarily economic, though. You can be the judge of that; (Made In China).

   So what does all this have to do with the word "psychedelic". Well, one day during the Foreign Relations conference, on a side trip to Georgetown (more on that below), I visited a head shop, something new to me. I bought three (3) albums and a button. The button was an amalgamation of colors. In bold was the word "Psychedelicized". I thought it was so cool. My friends back in Ohio will have no clue what it means, and I would have ample time to figure it out myself. Much later,I gained a greater appreciation when I listened to the Chambers Brothers "Time Has Come Today," and discovered the lyrics: "I've been loved and pushed aside, I've been crushed by the tumbling tide, and my soul has been psychedelicized." Wow, my soul, my inner being, my personhood had been psychedelicized, and I didn't even know what it meant or how it happened! 

  Fast forward to the Summer of 1967, Danny Wells and I were listening to music in his living room. One album was the Association "Insight", the other was the Grateful Dead (Self-Titled). As we listened to "The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)," I carefully studied the album cover (above). Many images, lots of eye candy, varied expressions, colors, different themes, all-over-the-place, loosely coordinated; you think about it, it mirrors the personality of a person living with ADHD. Why, there you go! My "psychedelicized" button accounts for all my disorganized behavior these many years, and why I lost my American Express travelers checks spending an entire day in Georgetown getting them replaced, and why I was late to most of my meetings. All because my soul was getting psychedelicized.

DJ & Bill Viewing our Airline Tickets to D.C.

A Favorite Place

A FAVORITE PLACE

One Favorite Place

A favorite place, where I can spend some time.

Can you think of such a place?

Where the noise of the world will not interfere.

Do you have a quiet place?

A favorite place, without interference, where I can

do whatever I want, without incrimination.

Is there a place you can call your own?

A place where I can:

Close my eyes.

Hum a tune.

Remember a face.

Smile.

Read a book.

Imagine.

Write words.

Reminisce

Cherish the moment.

Pray.

Sip a drink.

Laugh.

If you have such a place, what do you do?

I remember a friend saying, "all you have

may be taken from you; all, but one thing,

the sanctity of your personhood." The 

specialness of who you are. The DNA of 

your soul.

This is not narcissism; this is a private thing.

No selfies allowed. Do you understand?

When I am in my favorite place, calm 

approaches and I escape all the craziness 

I have created, and I find a certain peace.

Have you experienced this?

I hope you have a favorite place, whether indoors or outdoors. A place you define as your space, where you can retreat and regather yourself in the solitude of your own thoughts.

The Sinless Baby

Note: This is the sermon I prepared for March 1, 2015, however I am only now 

delivering it on March 8, 2015 [due to a Snow Sunday]. The occasion is the 

baptism of our 3rd infant over three consecutive worship services. I 

have removed the names of the participants to protect their privacy. DJ

Acts 16: 31-34

Recently I examined our church records and found the events of today to be historic! In the last 100 year period of our church history, never have we conducted three church baptismal services on consecutive Sunday’s. How this will be viewed through the long lens of history is yet to be known, but for this brief moment in time, it is good our small, rural church celebrate these youth-filled moments, and give thanks for the little blessings our faith community has received and welcomed.

The many traditions of baptism have changed over the 2,000 year history of our faith. From baptizing adults as a recruiting tool of the earliest followers of the way [following the teachings of Cousin John and the example of Jesus], to baptizing whole families in the tradition of the apostle Paul [“and everyone in his household were immediately baptized”], to waging violence against those whose practices differed from the early established church [the Anabaptists for example, whose leaders were executed for their belief in adult baptism]. The history of baptism has changed many times. Even the notion of original sin; washing away the sin of Adam, has been found to be suspect [given the well-established notion sin is not transferable from one generation to the next or for that matter, from a mother and father to their baby child.] Even the Catholic church has recognized the misconstruction of the argument for original sin and has softened their position through a papal encyclical. Only some Lutheran denominations still believe, without baptism you are doomed to the blazing fires of hell.

Today, this infant child cares little about the history of baptism. She only knows she is loved by her parents, through the manner in which she is embraced and cared for; in our service of Baptism we have declared our love, as a church, for this child. Truly she received God’s inward grace today through the symbolic sprinkling of water and the blessing she received, and that is all that matters.

I find talk about sin and eternal damnation provocative, especially as it relates to infant baptism. I believe it is both irresponsible and counter productive in building fruitful relationships for those of us who are on a journey with Jesus to find meaning in our lives and to be examples of all which is beautiful, kind and loving. Regardless of her humanity, and this world she was delivered into, to debate whether this little infant is sinful from birth, is counter intuitive to the precepts of our faith and false in the eyes of God, who I believe extends grace to all creatures on this earth. Yes, even from the moment God's creatures breath life into their lungs.

In the context of our faith, the parents of this baby, and indirectly the sponsors or godparents, and even grandparents become a surety for this child; defined as such, they take responsibility for this child’s upbringing and faith development. A guarantor of sorts, in the eyes of God. This is why infant baptism is so important as we declare our faith and promise a future for this child which is guided by the precepts of our faith. It is important we not clutter our faith with the trappings of intimidation and false teaching. God’s love for us and for this baby reach far beyond the worrisome insecurity of church leaders who wish only to feather their own nests by subscribing to worn-out and out-dated notions. My faith informs me that baptism is about 1) the holy and sacred blessing a child receives from the God of our faith, 2) the promise or surety claim of the parents and 3) the pledge of this church to maintain a ministry to its youngest members; to help them along life’s jagged path. To that end, on March 29th of this year, Palm Sunday, 2015; thousands of young people (including two of our own) will kneel before the altars in their many churches, and will make witness to these words: “O God, in the grace of Jesus Christ you have accepted these your servants through the water of baptism. Nourish them that they may serve you.” (UCC Book of Worship)

When it gets right down to it, this is what baptism is and means, as these young people, including our two confirmands, will affirm their baptism through confirmation into the faith and into their many churches.

This faith journey we are all on, and the membership you hold in this church, is not about membership to some exclusive, gated heavenly club of gold card after life privilege; no, it is rather all about the sacrifices you are asked to make in the name of the one who loves you. And for the infant we baptized, it begins today and for our two confirmands, it will be affirmed in two weeks. And for us, well, we are living examples and loving stewards, and that is all that matters.

How can you describe the grace of God we receive through baptism?

I provide this as a postscript to my sermon thoughts. I came across this quote during my reading this week, and thought it appropriate in light of the event we are celebrating, the baptism of an infant. 

“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." F. Buechner Indeed, this party we call life would be incomplete without the little baby we baptized today!

Imagine Love.

                                                                                                       Photo: Richard Avedon

     You can only love.

In love, we find our way.

You cannot hate.

Hate is senseless.

You can only love.

In love, you show mercy.

You cannot hate.

Hate destroys.

You can only love.

In love, you seek justice.

You cannot hate.

Hate leads to violence.

You can only love.

In love, you seek understanding

You cannot hate.

Hate breeds mistrust.

Find your way to love.

Find mercy & justice.

Build up. Live fully.

Vanilla Fudge: This is Not Food for Your Body; This is Music for Your Mind!

    

     I never thought my first "In The Mix With DJ" music entry would be of this psych-prog-funk-rock group of the late 60's and early 70's. But why not? Vanilla Fudge were headliners when Led Zeppelin first toured the US, as a support act to the Fudge. They broadened the definition of heavy metal, after Steppenwolf popularized the term in their song, "Born To Be Wild". And they made metal stick; consider "Rock and Roll", an eclectic mix of high speed energy and pastoral splendor. They experimented with sound and stretched the concept of reinterpreting musical compositions into something magically and entertainingly different.

     With the affects of tinnitus ringing in my ears, barely able to hear what my fraternity brothers were saying, Vanilla Fudge rocked the Student Union at Wooster College on May 1, 1969, and we enjoyed an awesome musical experience. Carmine Appice, Mark Stein, Tim Bogert and Vinnie Martel made us believers that night. And then we and they quietly faded into the night.

     So it was with shock, surprise and apprehension I learned a new album was available on March 3, 2015. What, after a decade of silence, Vanilla Fudge  re-emerged with a new album, "Spirit of 67", which critics are raving about and saying it is their best and most consistent work to date. I could not believe what I was hearing. But last night I became a believer again. 10 consistently good reinterpretations of hits from the 1967, and one track penned by Mark Stein "Let's Pray for Peace." Each song a surprise: 1) I Heard It Through the Grapevine (with chatter introducing who Vanilla Fudge was and is...) 2) The Letter 3) I Can See For Miles 4) Break On Through (To the Other Side), [was this song about heavenly spirits or what?] 5) The Tracks of My Tears (the surprise track of all) 6) I'm A Believer (Neil Diamond would be proud of this one) 7) Gimme Some Lovin' (Steve Winwood would approve of this one) 8) For What It's Worth (Stephen Stills would love this reinterpretation) 9) Ruby Tuesday 10) Whiter Shade of Pale (with the Leslie swirling). How could I really say one was my favorite. They are all excellent interpretations of original material by some of the great songwriters of the 60's. But you know what? If you were hearing this music for the first time, you would think the songs as fresh and new as anything you hear today. And did I say, Carmine Appice is still one of the outstanding drummers of his and any generation! Rock and Roll