Tuned to chords

I made another brief but wonderful trip to Chicago this past weekend. The trip was spurred by the appearance of one David Bazan at the Beat Kitchen on Friday night and I just figured that I would stay the rest of the weekend as well. My accomplice was Brandon Mick, former and, with great hope, future Des Moinesian. The show was tremendous, though it ran a bit late for my liking. I wasn't in bed until two-thirty or so, some four hours after my normal bedtime. I did run into an old friend from Trinity, which was completely unexpected, but quite enjoyable.

Aside from the show the majority of our weekend was spent not doing our schoolwork, but watching the Discovery Channel, some golf, some football, a few movies on TBS and most of the second season of Arrested Development. So you could probably tell that it was a grand platter of viewing material. Aside from numbing our brains, we also walked a bit, ate a bit, drank a bit and discussed theology and the Church and Des Moines. I realized on the drive home how much I miss discussing theology with the likes of Brandon, Lynette, and Andy [also professor Metzger]. There were some keys issues that I worked out with these folks that made me fall in love with theology over the past few years.

We went up to Life on the Vine on Sunday morning and I again realized how much I love that gathering. The sermon was comparing our culture's idea of salvation by information with the idea that salvation via Christ is not about knowing, but by experiencing and participating [though there is, of course, some knowledge that is an integral part of that experiencing]. Anyway, it was fabulous, and so was sushi with the Britchers. And then another long drive westward [an hour and a half of which was spent talking to the tallest of Pants, Andrew], and I was back in Ames. If I could somehow make Portland, Chicago, and Grand Rapids suburbs of wherever I am living at the time, I would. Okay, I have to go to class, but I thought I would leave you with the words of Bill Fay, which were sung by Wilco some six years ago in order to fight against this culture of fear. you have my love.


Be Not So Fearful

Be not so nervous
Be not so frail
Someone watches you
You won't fail

Be not so nervous
Be not so frail
Be not so nervous
Be not so frail

Be not so sorry
For what you have done
You must forget them now
It's done

And when you wake up
You will find that you can run
Be not so sorry
For what you have done

Be not so fearful
Be not so pale
Someone watches you
You won't leave the rails

Be not so fearful
Be not so pale
Be not so fearful
Be not so pale

You must forget them now
It's done

And when you wake up
You will find that you can run
Be not so sorry
For what you have done

Be not so sorry
For what you have done