August 2008 - Posts

• Music Strips You

  Every once in a while it happens to me.  There I am, driving down the road, listening to a song I've never heard before.  I wasn't planning on this moment, this shock to my senses, this melting of my heart and soul.  But it happens... the song playing makes its way through me like bullets through a paper barrier, and I'm turned inside-out right there.  My heart spills out onto the surrounding spiritual space and God meets with me, all at once, all of the sudden.  Here are the words to the song that stole my soul today: Oh God of Mine, by Rita Springer Oh God of mine, I'll have no idols Oh God of mine, come lead the way Oh God of mine, I'm greatly humbled This sinner's heart You came to save Oh God of mine through storm and trial Oh God of mine through death and grave Oh God of mine in resurrection Your scars display my soul's refrain Oh God of mine Who holds all nations Oh God of mine Who saves the day Oh God of mine, Your grace sufficient And tender mercies new by morn Oh God of mine, forever faithful Oh God of mine, forever stay Oh God of mine, forever after These eyes upon Your face will gaze Posted Aug 08 2008, 07:18 AM by Chad Voller with 2 comment(s) Filed under: music philosophy, Song lyrics, other people's art, life in general

• Music is Everywhere

  Have you noticed?  So much can be said about music, but for sure these days it is everywhere.  Back when I was a youth pastor, I remember the days when kids first started showing up with all of their burned CD's they had gathered from their friends' collections.  The early days of file sharing were scandalous, Napster making the news and all... but I'm not just talking about file sharing... it's everywhere.  During commercials, walking into stores, on our favorite radio stations, on the web, on the TV, in our iPod Shuffles... all around. Could the ubiquitous nature of music be a bad thing?  I mean, isn't there something to be said for having some time in your day when there is no outside source of influence clouding your thoughts?  I think we've become addicted to background noise.  It may be a great thing to have music available, but should we be playing it all the time?  I tend to think music these days is primarily for entertainment.  If it is primarily entertainment, then I think just like any other form of entertainment, it should be used with wisdom.  Why do parents want their kids to "unplug?"  Isn't it because a life lived with constant input leads to relational separation from the people around you?  With music and other entertainment being everywhere, maybe we should just stop for a minute, be alone with ourselves and God, and think about life.  If we chose to unplug more often, we'd probably find ourselves less afraid of it. Posted Aug 06 2008, 07:57 AM by Chad Voller with 2 comment(s) Filed under: music philosophy

• The Switch

  You know, maybe working for a company called Energy Focus has had a good effect on me.  Maybe I'm actually beginning to focus on something, and that to me is important.  It's important to me because I get more done when I focus, and I get better at what I'm doing.  So, for now, I've discontinued AsForMeAndMyBlog.  I'm going to write here as much as I can, with a focus on life in general and music in particular.  Nothing profound to say today, just a hi-how-are-ya-how-ya-doin. - Chad Posted Aug 05 2008, 04:14 PM by Chad Voller with no comments Filed under: life in general