Everything I own

Since I am on a lyrics kick, here is another song that shows up at various important stages of my life. Unfortunately, the band (Pegtop) no longer exists, but I heard this song performed at Everyone's Music Fest several years ago, and I have never forgotten it. So honest, so sincere. It is one of the many songs that I wish I had the heart to write.

"What would I give to be pure in heart
To be pure in flesh and bone
What would I give to be pure in heart
I’d give everything I own
I’d rid my whole house of its demons of lust
And open the windows of trust
And out of those windows all fear will have flown
I’d give everything I own

What would I give for the words of God
To come tumbling from the throne
What would I give for the words of God
I’d give everything I own
I’d open my head and they’d roll right in
When I opened my mouth they’d roll out again
And uproot the weeds of the deeds I have sown
I’d give everything I own

Now what would I give for my children’s strength
On the day that they stand alone
I mean what would I give for their strength to stand firm
I’d give everything I own
I’ve wasted my life in accomplishing things
Ignoring the giver of wings
So Lord teach them to fly to the foot of your throne
I’ll give everything I own

All I’ve accomplished, the titles I hold
My passions, position, possessions and gold
To God they must look like a thimble of foam
And it’s everything I own
Dirty rags are all I own

So I stand before God with my truckload of hay
He just laughs, but says there is still a way
Because “Father, Forgive” are the words Jesus moaned

When He gave everything that He owned
When He gave everything He owned

What would I give to be pure in heart
For the known to be made unknown
What would I give to be born again?"--David Peightal

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the song anywhere on the web. Trust me, it's beautiful. Take the lyrics however you may.

shanti,
mjh

Jesus Christ

Over the past few months, I have become more and more obsessed with the song "Jesus Christ" by Brand New. Anyone who knows me (these days or from before) might understand the love affair. The lyrics:

"Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone that could save
If they don't put me away
It’ll be a miracle

Do you believe you're missing out?
That everything good is happening somewhere else
With nobody in your bed
The night is hard to get through

And I will die all alone
And when I arrive I won’t know anyone

Jesus Christ, I’m alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Because this problem is gonna last
More than the weekend

Jesus Christ I’m not scared to die
But I’m a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot
Or do I float through the ceiling

Or do I divide and pull apart
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
This ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?

I know you're coming in the night like a thief
But I’ve had some time, O Lord, to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I’m someone you can trust
But I’m scared I’ll get scared and I swear I’ll try to nail you back up
So do you think that we could work out a sign
So I’ll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try
I know you're coming for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine..."--Brand New

The song strikes me on so many levels. It seems a song not of repentance, but of pure honesty. Not a song of rejection, but of acceptance. Not a song of sadness or joy, but of a particular reality. What a prayer to offer up, letting the savior of your childhood know that things have changed since that cold, fateful Sunday morning. Sometimes, I wonder if (Doubting) Thomas will be one of the most popular folks in heaven, as he represents the whole of (at least modern-day) Christians. 50% detest him for his lack of faith, 50% understand, give or take most of those percentage points.

Anyways, thought I would share, in case you find any connection in the lyrics. If you want to hear the song, you can find it in my music player below.

Maybe it's time to work on those signs.

shanti,
mjh

time to begin, I guess

I assume that most people's first blog post is short, simple, and unimportant. So will be mine. I am working, listening to Ron and Fez, and thinking a lot about Galway Kinnell's "The Book of Nightmares." It amazes me how his poetry, which I fell in love with over 5 years ago, reads so much differently now that I am a father. It changed the way I viewed the world 5 years ago when I randomly plucked it off of a bookstore shelf, changed my view 3 years ago when I first began teaching, and is still changing my view today. If you haven't read it, check it out. If you have, cherish it.

shanti,
mjh

"And she who is born,
she who sings and cries,
she who begins the passage, her hair
sprouting out,
her gums budding for her first spring on earth,
the mist still clinging about
her face, puts
her hand
into her father's mouth, to take hold of
his song."--GK