Easter Aftermath

Easter Aftermath

"Gone But Not Forgotten" (thank you Peter Frampton)

Now that the Easter event is past, 

what is your #1 take-away from that day?

I think the example of Jesus' life is primarily about him

standing up for humanity, with the appropriate response 

of humankind to stand up with him. I encourage every

Christian to consider this welcomed response:

One must be willing to open one's heart and 

allow God to enter. Yet, it is God who will seek

you, through calling, ontological shock

(encountering non-existence or end-of-life experience),

or an unselfish act of love. Once your heart is open;

You will see your environment differently. You will value

relationships differently. You will rearrange your 

priorities. You will look for opportunities to make 

a difference.

 Serve the needs of the less

fortunate and reach out to others. Perform 

"random acts of kindness!"

You will need to revitalize your faith, or re-fuel your faith by 

reading your Bible, praying in private and attending church.

The Sacrament As Music!

From the Association to the Ventures...

Music Impacts the World and Religious Belief!   

From Telstar to Tommy James...

Music Impacts The Way We Think!

Explore What Music Says To You.

     Rod Stewart celebrates you're "Every Rock 'n Roll Song to Me" on his most recent album 'Another Country.'(2015) Can the same apply to contemporary music as an expression of your faith? Let's go back...to The Sacrament As Music.

"Hear the sweet chord, how it touches my soul, 

Hold on to it, don't let it go.

Feel the hard guitar strokes, 

they shake me so, Grab for them, don't let them go.

The voice, its message clear; it calls me..."

     And so begins the opening notes of the "The Sacrament As Music." It is hard to say why music has had such a hold on me; perhaps the influence of my father, Glen or oldest brother, Bob. Perhaps, the trumpet and cornet, which I still play today. It may have been the power of Top 40 radio in the early 60's. It could very well have been the Beatles!
     Regardless, music is part of my DNA. So much so, in 1973, while still in seminary, I began to explore music as a fundamental expression of our culture. My theological foundation is in the teachings of Paul Tillich and his school of thought which summarizes our ultimate belief (concern); the ground of our being, to be in Jesus and love for Christ as summarized in the Bible, remembered in Church History and given expression in Culture. Throughout the summer of 1973 while I was performing a ministry in the town where I grew up (Wooster, OH); a night ministry in local bars & taverns, a youth art project and an industrial chaplaincy (Rubbermaid), I spent my free time developing a series of essays called "The Sacrament as Music". Basically, it was a blending of music with scripture and literature. Influenced by the early performers of "Jesus Rock", and mainstream rock artists, I discovered the groundbreaking work of Larry Norman, Barry McGuire, Russ Ballard, Mark Farner and Phil Keaggy. I further explored what other mainstream artists and groups were contributing to a greater understanding of music and religious expression, for example; The Call. This work led to a more expressive written curricular work used in youth ministry and Christian Education.

The Never Published Book

Why Are You Here, You Little Booger?

Why did you come into our lives, you little booger?

To share my things, and to make me mad when you did?

To get the best, when I got what was left?

I'm glad you did; you make me laugh,

you listen to me and hear my stories.

You are in my life and we need each other;

brother to brother, sister to sister

and we can never let go.

d.dougjones

Hey You Little Booger! 

MY BLUE HEAVEN

For Alice from Glen

Heaven is a network of integrated

electrical circuits with contiguous

passive layers where souls

magically and mysteriously

interdigitate upon one another

creating immeasurable energy

for the benefit of their loved ones.

d.dougjones

Experimental photography (1934) - Alice &

Glen Jones  Dundee, OH

Greenback Dollar Epitaph

Say what you will, think what you might.

It was my life to live until the very end.

In the event I offended you in what I said or did,

please rest assured it is now laid to rest.

Having plead my case, you may now offer your rebuttal.

All recompense be yours, 

I am most content to rest In Peace.

d.dougjones

When you get to be a certain age, your thoughts often drift to the afterlife, or whatever happens when you cease to breathe. You also think about the legacy you will leave behind; whether or not you even care or concern yourself with what people may say about you, you do leave behind a memory bit for others to play back. As a minister who celebrates life in the service of baptism and praises a life in the service of thanksgiving, this conversation is even more meaningful to me.

On the advent of the birth of my first granddaughter (March 22, 2016), I remember the well known wish of my two older brothers for a baby sister. Obviously, they did not get their wish, and I sure did make them pay!

(Note from Dad on back of picture: "Note left by 'Santa Claus' 

Christmas Eve 1948 at our home at 118 W. 13th Street, Dover, OH. 

The p.s. is in reference to Tom's letter to Santa Claus that appeared 

in the 12-6-1948 Dover Daily Reporter, wishing for a sister.

I will get my wish for a granddaughter who I will unashamedly spoil and share stories embellished from beyond. A granddaughter who may even seek my advice time and again. One of my first pieces of advice will be from my father (her great-grand father): "Life Is Like a Fast Train; Enjoy The Ride, You Will Arrive at Your Final Destination Before You Know It!" And this a mother's lament: "

A Simple Birth

A Simple Birth

The Greatest Gift is Often 

The One We Least Expect.

A simple birth, aided by another; one who Mary knew quite well;

In the lower room of their common peasant home,

A room where animals came to lay.

Surrounded by a donkey, the family cow

and perhaps a sheep or two,

Mary gave birth to the first of her children;

Yeshua by birth, we know him as Jesus.

Mary’s relative, Elizabeth cradled baby Yeshua. 

And heard the cry of his first breath.

She cleansed him, then nestled Him

in the warmth of a blanket,

and laid him upon his mother’s breast,

where she first suckled him;

In the room where animals came to lay, 

simplicity was the manner of His birth;

Poverty, his condition—yet neither did it matter;

Simple, or poor. More than enough,

For it was  Joy which burst forth

And taught us the meaning of this wonderful night;

Simplicity, poverty and joy, borne out of God’s love for us.