you know you’ve arrived when …
... you're on a trading card inserted in a cereal box like this one!
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Can-fusion …
Here's a great Canadian fusion ... Steve Bell and Fresh I.E.
I'm in Halifax, NS, at the moment (speaking at Atlantic School of Theology - a tremendous group of people), and as a fan of great Canadian musicians - like Steve, Bruce Cockburn, and others ... it's a good day to appreciate Canadian talent, eh?
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power of sacred
I posted a few new songs in recent days and several folks have asked for lyrics and chords. After the jump I'll include them, along with a note about the songs I post here.
The Power of Sacred
Clenching Fist, Open Hand
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Ramadan 2009: Day 26 (or 27? Lost count …)
Several people have asked me what one thing I have gained from this experience so far. There have been so many that it's impossible to single out one. Perhaps in retrospect in a few weeks, one will rise above the others. Today, though, let me mention two.
First, respect. I have gained new respect for the hundreds of millions of Muslim men and women and even children who observe Ramadan year after year. Many of my Christian friends see everything in other religions as efforts to "earn one's way to heaven" (a misguided venture, we know), without realizing that this kind of earning isn't everyone else's preoccupation. For many people, this observance is an expression of love ... a tangible way to express love for God and for one's faith community. And it's also a time-tested spiritual practice, which I'll return to in a minute.
I'm sure that anyone who has trained for a marathon gains new respect for the millions of other people who have been through that experience. When they see a marathon on TV or when they meet someone who is a marathon runner, they have a greater respect than the rest of us for the sacrifice and dedication behind every step of every runner because they've run many miles in those same shoes (metaphorically speaking). In my own very small way, that's what I feel now - much more than I expected. For the rest of my life, every time I meet a Muslim who has observed the fast even once, I will have a new and sincere respect.
Second ... (after the jump)
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Attention, Australians!
I'll be in your beautiful country the first half of October - in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. (I'll also be in Aukland, NZ, October 12-14. Details TBA) Information here ... and after the jump:
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