A New Dimension

When in our music God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried
Alleluia!

How often, making music, we have found
a new dimension in the world of sound,
as worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia!

So has the Church, in liturgy and song,
in faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
borne witness to the truth in every tongue,
Alleluia!

And did not Jesus sing a psalm that night
when utmost evil strove against the Light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight,
Alleluia!

Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always
Alleluia!

(Fred Green)

All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands

If I am alive this time next year,
Will I have arrived in time to share?
Mine is about as good this far,
I'm still applied to what You are

And I am joining all my thoughts to You
And I'm preparing every part for You.

I heard from the trees a great parade
And I heard from the hills a band was made.
Will I be invited to the sound?
Will I be a part of what You've made?

And I am throwing all my thoughts away,
And I'm destroying every bet I've made.
And I am joining all my thoughts to You,
And I'm preparing every part for You.

(Sufjan Stevens)

Ich habe genug

It is enough.
My only comfort is that Jesus is mine, and that I shall be His.
I hold him in faith, and already see with Simeon the bliss of the life beyond.
Let us go with him.
Ah! if only my departure were at hand, I would joyfully say to the world:
It is enough.

Slumber now, weary eyes, gently close in blessed peace.
World, I will tarry here no more, for thou impartest to me nothing of benefit to my soul.
Here I find only misery, but there, there I shall behold sweet peace, quiet rest.

(From J.S. Bach's Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen)

Not enough words

There are quiet moments in which the clarity of reality becomes so blindingly clear that I find myself wordless to express the truths which I feel I know. The pieces fall perfectly into place, and my mind bubbles with realizations, connections, and revelations.

I am alone in the universe, and the sky is open! There is nothing separating our bodies from the yawning cosmos!

But despite the fact that there aren't enough words to say any of these things, there is never enough time. Maybe this is enlightenment, or maybe I'm completely and hopelessly insane.

Shhh!

Those of you who have been in choir (or other classes) with me probably know that I despise "shushing," by fellow students in classroom settings especially (but not exclusively) when it is directed at me. I would like to put forth my primary reasons for this opinion in writing. Any opposing opinions are welcome.

#1. Acoustics:

Shushing is actually more audible than talking. This is why it is used as a means of grabbing the attention of surrounding people. I believe that many people misconceive that "shushing" is somehow more benign or less abrasive than talking, rendering it acceptable. In reality, it is louder, and more obnoxious than talking, and only makes the professor's words (which the shusher believes he or she is defending) less audible. Shushing is actually anarchistic, in that it attempts to solve a disordered problem with a more disordered one.

#2. Authority:

Students do not bear the responsibility to keep classroom order. The teacher is responsible for keeping order in the classroom. If the classroom is out of control to the point of handicapping the learning process, the teacher can and will take action to restore order. This is not a democracy—it is a monarchy, and as such, students who "shush" their peers are in effect attempting to assert an authority equal to that of the professor. This type of assertion is offensive, inappropriate, and in theory, more disrespectful than talking covertly during a lecture.

#3. Adequacy:

I have never seen shushing to be effective at silencing a classroom. People simply do not respond to this practice. It is generally reserved for small children, and as such is seen (perhaps subconsciously) as belittling. Furthermore, I have never seen a professor use the expletive "shhhh!" to silence a classroom. There are many more effective ways of accomplishing this goal (when employed by a professor).

In conclusion, we know that shushing is acoustically flawed, socially inappropriate, and pragmatically ineffective. Therefore it is utterly useless in three dimensions. If you are a "shusher," despite the fact that you have almost certainly have noble intentions, please remember that you are only exacerbating the problem of extraneous noise, and potentially offending your colleges. If your ability to hear in a class is inhibited by talking, please politely verbally ask those sitting near you to stop talking.

Controversy

Apparently, this evening, a congressman yelled "Lies!" at Mr. Obama during his address. Everyone seems outraged. Check out this video.

Now, I ask, what is so wrong about this? Perhaps the individual had good reason to believe that the president's words were untrue. Should he be silenced in the name of courtesy? It seems to me that courtesy has no place in a political system operating under principles of republicanism and democracy. Should not every last word of the president be questioned without mercy? I see no reason why his office should elevate him to immunity from a bit of rude criticism. If the people have a disagreement with the president, let them speak!

Such controversy fosters transparency, and positive change. One only has to observe the British Parliament to find that the people of a country long since peacefully freed from the bonds of monarchy know how to remain comfortable with open defiance.

Alleluia

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness.

Alleluia!