A few years ago I attempted to write a piece of music for each of Lent. Here they are with short reflections.
Lent 1 : Driven
Lent has started. So I thought that instead of giving up something I would actually do something. I’m going to try and put up a new piece of music every day of Lent and write a short reflection on the wilderness experience. The music will be mostly incomplete pieces and ideas which are yet to … Continue reading Lent 1 : Driven
Lent 2 : Now we’re here, now what?
Jesus experiences the amazing affirmation that he is the beloved of God. Then he’s driven into the wilderness. It seems so strange. Elijah experiences an astonishing victory where one prophet essentially defeats hundreds. Then he flees to the wilderness in fear.. Luiza and I had a brilliant final year in college. We got married. We … Continue reading Lent 2 : Now we’re here, now what?
Lent 3 : Hagar
As I look through the wilderness stories in the bible I thought I would start with Hagar. Her story is an important one when looking at the wilderness. Her name means stranger. She was an Egyptian, yet God speaks with her and comforts her in the wilderness. Once she runs away unable to bear Sarah’s … Continue reading Lent 3 : Hagar
Lent 4 : Moses stares into the Promised Land
Although you may view the land from a distance, you shall not enter it – the land that I am giving to the Israelites. God does seem a bit cruel here. Moses can view the land that he slavishly guides his people to, but can’t enter it. But he can see it. Then he is … Continue reading Lent 4 : Moses stares into the Promised Land
Lent 5 : Elijah at the cave
Elijah is tired. He is part of an amazing act of God; fire from heaven, rain after drought and the slaughtering of his enemies, the false prophets. But, with one threat from Queen Jezebel he flees. It is quite a turn around. He is fed by an angel and then he walks and comes to … Continue reading Lent 5 : Elijah at the cave
Lent 6 : Prayer
In the desert all structures are stripped away. The habits that make you human wither away. Prayer is one of those structures. As they are thought they disappear to the bottom of the pile. As they are said, they are dead as the noise dies. Prayers are sent with no seeming destination. Even the Amen … Continue reading Lent 6 : Prayer
Lent 7 : I can groove this, I know not how
Press play on the music and try and clap along to it. Or try and keep a count to the music. Ideally let me know what time signature it is :). Do you find your clapping moving out of time? Do you find yourself adjusting your clap to keep in time? In the desert with … Continue reading Lent 7 : I can groove this, I know not how