As a songwriter who is a believer in The Gospel, it is easy to fall into a certain language when speaking lyrically that really only exists in evangelical circles. Even more, the language or “code” spoken does not edify or express the reality of the Gospel as it relates to total reality. After reading Schaeffer, Guiness and Pearcy — I realized that in order for me to truly communicate like a believer that I need not use the “code” language of evangelicalism any longer. So I sought to destroy my vocabulary and rebuild it like a human being instead of a sub-cultural robot.
It’s taken me months and months to do this but after a while, communicating has started to become liberating (imagine that!) as I’ve moved deeper and deeper into “the spacious freedom in which God is working the world’s salvation”. (Eugene Peterson)
Lauren Winner is an author I’ve been following recently. She had this to say about unlearning christian-speak:
“How to avoid “Christian-ese” in one’s prose? A super important question–because it is the unthinking use of insider-speak that drains the life out of so much Christian writing. What struck me at lunch was that there are two levels at which this question can be addressed: on the simplest level, don’t worry so much about avoiding Christian-ese that you get paralyzed–just write! And at draft 3, or draft 33, you and your red pen can go back to your text, reading ruthlessly for, and excising, Christian-speak. This is what I usually tell my writing students.
But isn’t there another problem with Christian-speak, not just one of form, but also content? If we find ourselves lapsing into clichés when we write about matters of faith, ought we be concerned that our faith itself, and not just the words we use to describe it, has become too pat? This is a problem that the search-and-replace feature of your word processing program can’t address…”
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A wise man once said that it’s the “little things” that make life more enjoyable. I heartily agree and thought I would share some of those little things that make my day go that much better in hopes that we can all make the world a better place.
Therefore, I give you part one of a three part series I like to call:
Improve Your Life….
Part One: Coffee and Tea.
Earth. Wind. Fire. Water. Beer. COFFEE. These are the basic building blocks of life and it should come as no surprise that part of a vital pursuit in the improvement of your life involves seeking out the best coffee. And when I say the best, I mean the best. Not some cheap, Kroger-brand substitute. No sir.
In my humble opinion, Peets Coffee is hands down the best coffee money can buy. It’s hand roasted in small batches so there’s no compromising the quality or the taste. My favorite blend is Arabian Mocha Java. Drink it and be changed. Seriously…I look forward to bed at night knowing that I will wake up the next morning and drink a huge mug of Peets. Just be sure to buy WHOLE BEAN and grind it up in one of THESE.
Next we move onto TEA.
I started drinking tea when I was around 10 years old. My mom used to buy Lipton which was good for an american tea but as I got older (and traveled overseas in the UK and Europe) I discovered what a true cup of english tea tasted like. Rich in flavor, slightly acidic but tempered with a splash of milk…my eyes were opened and voila!
My personal favorite is Yorkshire Tea. I think it’s better than PG Tipps which is the most popular tea in Britain from what I have read. Yorkshire Gold is my favorite tea blend and the perfect thing to get you through the bitter cold and snowy weather we’ve all been having lately.
Be sure to warm the mug with boiling water before you put the tea bag in. This will ensure the proper infusion.
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After nine months of writing, re-writing, dreaming and recording it feels great to announce that my new project will be released on May 8th.
It is currently untitled…still wrestling with a few names.
The album has 12 songs, a string section, woodwinds, brass and orchestral percussion. What started off last August as a fairly mid-tempo to slower collection of songs has morphed into a full-fledged folk-classical-electronica/experimental album with songs that move as fast as 145 beats per minute. (that’s very fast for an acoustic folkie like me.)
Folk music you can dance to. Or if you don’t dance…you can groove to it. Either way, there is energy on this project unlike any of my previous albums. I’m VERY EXCITED with what we’ve got and CAN’T WAIT for you to have it.
We’ve got some other cool things coming up too….
We’re filming a mini-documentary about the making of this album, where the idea came from, why it took so long to make, interviews with the other musicians who played on the sessions, etc…the Portland Studios guys are working with us and we’re looking forward to the results.
The website (and most likely this blog) will get an updated look and then the touring begins. More details to follow.
Thanks and talk to you soon.
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Almost an hour after midnight tonight my son will be a week old. He entered this world at 12:56 am last Monday after his Momma labored for over 14 hours. Kierstin and I were both elated and exhausted that he was finally here and we could begin our lives together as parents. And then there were three….we’ve multiplied and are now one step closer to world domination.
Eli Henry Casella is a sweet natured little man who likes to eat, sleep and soil his diapers all day and night. He cries, but mostly just to tell us he needs a clean diaper or he has to nurse or wants to be held. He’s got beautiful blue eyes and at this point looks mostly like his Momma. He has my nose and ears though. He also has a full head of thick black hair over an inch long in some places…simply awesome!
He loves music and the sound of his Daddy’s voice (I sang to him a lot while he was in the womb) so I’ve been singing him songs and humming tunes with him on my chest so he can hear the music and feel the vibration of my voice. Sometimes it’s the only thing that will calm him when we’ve tried everything else. It is truly an amazing experience to bond with Eli like this…he enjoys guitar and piano music too. So we’ve been jammin’ during the day…making up songs about sleeping and pooping and growing up big and strong.
Everything is still so new and I don’t want to miss anything. Kierstin is in the recovery process and has been feeling better every day. She’s an amazing Momma and Eli is appropriately head over heels in love with her like I am.
Thank you Lord for my wife and son. I am blessed beyond measure…
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As a songwriter who is a believer in The Gospel, it is easy to fall into a certain language when speaking lyrically that really only exists in evangelical circles. Even more, the language or “code” spoken does not edify or express the reality of the Gospel as it relates to total reality. After reading Schaeffer, Guiness and Pearcy — I realized that in order for me to truly communicate like a believer that I need not use the “code” language of evangelicalism any longer. So I sought to destroy my vocabulary and rebuild it like a human being instead of a sub-cultural robot. 
