Song Memories: B - D

 

"B" is for beautiful sunsets at our home in Pittsboro

There are many modern adaptations of old hymns on my ipod like

Blessed Assurance 

Be Thou My Vision 

Be Still My Soul

I love them they carry profound spiritual memories of worship

but I’m blogging about ipod secular songs

bringing back memories of ministry.

 

Under “B” is pair of songs by Simon and Garfunkle

lots of spiritual references in their music

in particular “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

also “The Boxer” spoke to me during difficult years

my favorite verse of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is last

always filled me with hope

Sail on silvergirl sail on by

your time has come to shine

all your dreams are on their way

see how they shine

If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind

like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind

like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind.

 

I also identified with tougher verse 5 from “The Boxer”

with changed gender language:

In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by her trade

she carries the reminders of every glove that laid her down

or cut her til she cried out in her anger and her shame

“I am leaving I am leaving”

but the fighter still remains.

Best Christmas Eve sermon I preached

was “Candle in the Window”

using lyrics of “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon

I was pastor of Union Grove UMC in Bahama

known for having electric candles in its windows all night

some people said they visited the church because of the candles

I talked about what candles in church window might represent

do represent.

Even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight

you're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night.

 

First heard in Divinity School the idea that God invites us to dance

resonated with me especially early in pastoral ministry

God led me in dances that were way over my head

learning the steps was difficult

“Dance with Me” by the Doobie Brothers

captures the joy playfulness God uses in invitations to dance.

Dance with me I want to be your partner can't you see?

the music is just starting

night is falling and I am calling

dance with me.

Still dancing Lord. 

Song Memories: A

 

2005 Graduation from Duke Divinity School

My ipod has become antique won’t play in new car

son-in-law Jonathan transferred songs to my phone

now they play in the car and everywhere else

haven’t listened to them in such a long time

many lyrics have meanings memories for me

as I drew closer to God

through divinity school

difficulties of ordination

early challenges of ministry

I’ll start in alphabetic order with “A”

maybe eventually I'll get farther than A.

 

“Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson was a frequent prayer for me

as a pastor

in my mind I substituted “God” for “girl.”

Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have

maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have

if I made you feel second best

God I'm sorry I was blind

you were always on my mind you were always on my mind.

 

“Amie” by Pure Prairie League seemed to play a lot

during difficulties of getting reinstated as candidate for ministry

I debated a lot:

do I stay with this horrible process or give it up?

Jim R (gift from God) kept me hanging in there

God seemed playfully to speak to me

through refrain of this song.

Amie (Cheryl), what you wanna do?

I think I could stay with you

for a while, maybe longer if I do.

 

“And That’s All I Know” by Art Garfunkle expressed well

what I often felt in Divinity School.

All my plans have fallen through

all my plans depend on you

depend on you to help them grow

I love you and that's all I know.

 

“Angel” by Sarah McLauchlan reminds me

of meanness lack of hospitality 

of ordination boards

seemed like God was speaking to me

it’s important to realize what are lies.

You spend all your time waiting for that second chance

for a break that would make it okay

there's always some reason to feel not good enough

and it's hard at the end of the day….

So tired of the straight lines and everywhere you turn

there's vultures and thieves at your back

the storm keeps on twisting

keeps on building the lies 

that you make up for all that you lack.

 

“Annie’s Song” by John Denver kept coming up

when I was enrolled in spiritual direction school

I read somewhere his wife said

it became like a prayer to him

yes I can see that.

You fill up my senses like a night in a forest

like the mountains in springtime like a walk in the rain

like a storm in the desert like a sleepy blue ocean

you fill up my senses

come fill me again.