The Gettys Are Coming

To Ontario.
Yes.  They are.
To Hamilton Place.
October 24, 2013
SO SAVE THE DATE and SPREAD THE WORD...

Light for the Lost Boy

Andrew Peterson.
How I wish I had a better sense of recall.
I think we first discovered him through the online program Haventoday.org
How often have I and my beloved been served up true blessing by the widely diverse and oddly well-timed contributions featured here?
(a rhetorical question that can be blissfully ignored btw:)
It was a series on Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, complemented by a music video of Petersons' Dancing in the Minefields that had us first sitting up straight and taking notice.
Imagine that for starters - a marriage referenced as a dance of two in a minefield.
Newlyweds will balk and quickly proffer disgust at such a notion.  Been there, done that.
The seasoned longer-serving couples however will smile at its quirky truth.  Been there, doing that.

We fell in love with his gift for getting to the heart of the matter in song and story and even made a road trip to Valparaiso, Indiana last year so we could listen to him live on stage.

I'm here to tell you he's done it again with his newest album:  Light for the Lost Boy
But don't take my word for it.  Click the link and decide for yourself.
You are urged however, to take your time with it, to listen carefully to the words, to let them steep slowly in your soul.

Andrew Peterson is equally gifted as a writer - working on book four of the fantasy adventure series Wingfeather Saga.   I couldn't put them down, now joining the throng who wait eagerly for the conclusion of the story.
(truly? does it have to end?)
To be so doubly gifted seems almost cruel to the rest of us.
Conversely, the rest of us can simply take up and read or take up and listen - finding ourselves a place of respite in a crazy world and a peace to pass on to those around us.
Well, I call it a peace but it is perhaps more aptly termed a restless sense of grace.  Such as you might eventually discover in reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy or least this commentary of same: A Sudden Joyous Turn


When I look at you, boy
I can see the road that lies ahead
I can see the love and the sorrow

Bright fields of joy
Dark nights awake in a stormy bed
I want to go with you, but I can’t follow

So keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way

Your first kiss, your first crush
The first time you know you’re not enough
The first time there’s no one there to hold you

The first time you pack it all up
And drive alone across America
Please remember the words that I told you

Keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way

If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross
And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs
And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch
But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost
Just go back, go back

Go back, go back to the ancient paths
Lash your heart to the ancient mast
And hold on, boy, whatever you do
To the hope that's taken hold of you
And you'll find your way
You'll find your way
If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

Enjoy exploring this artist as we have.
I think it's time for another road trip with my beloved.

The Lure of Laity Lodge

Disclaimer

In recounting our retreat experience I will at times default to shameless plagiarizing (word for word!) from the welcome package/promo material we found in our room.  A room of more elegant-rustic charm than we could have ever imagined

and to which these few photos might testify. 

Plagiarism will be henceforth identified in blue text to 

ease my conscience.  

Call me weak but to my way of thinking, 

it is senseless self-injury to try the telling of a thing already available in prose that cannot be improved.

Our sweet suite was one of six in the Black Bluffs, a structure built right into the cliff side 

and over-hanging the Frio River. 

Anne of Green Gables might have her Lake of Shining Waters,

but does it compare to this Emerald Sea? 

I thought not.

 The walk from the parking lot to the Black Bluffs

 Down one flight of spiral steps to our room

 Literally built into the rock face

If you know me, then you already know how hopelessly smitten I am with the music of Sara Groves and the writings of Sally Lloyd-Jones.  These women have been nurturing my soul for a few years now with their particular artistry and spiritual giftedness.  Sara's blog led us to The High Calling (and the daily bible studies with Mark Roberts) which in turn led us to the awareness of Laity Lodge and the concept of spiritual retreat.

In a random sweep of the retreat schedule for 2012, 

my attention was drawn to November's Food Retreat.  

Yes.  You read that right.  A Food Retreat.  And yes, the better half of me needed some time to consider the merits of such a theme on our spiritual health.  

As a firmly established foodie however, I needed no such convincing 

and knowing that one of the featured speakers 

was none other than the illustrious Sally Lloyd-Jones 

clinched the plan for me us in no *uncertain terms!

(*aka unnecessary negotiation)

Dr. Wirzba has published The Paradise of God: Renewing Religion in an Ecological Age and Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight. His most recent book is Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating. He also has edited The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community, and the Land and The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry.

“I grew up farming and still grow a garden. I also love to cook and eat. I want to help Christians think about and practice better eating. Doing the right thing tastes really good! I love sharing the table with others.”

Sally Lloyd-Jones
Sally Lloyd-Jones wrote the Bible. Well, not exactly. But she did write The Jesus Storybook Bible, along with other highly regarded (and highly recommended) children’s books. Sally also likes food. She joins us for The Food Retreat to lend a second voice to the weekend. Expect foodie-centric readings from the Storybook Bible (there are quite a few) and beyond.
 Though this marks only her second trip to Laity Lodge, 
we already count Sally as an old friend and look forward to introducing her to you.


Musician
Nathan Tasker
Artist
Gabe Scott (Pie Making)
Special Guests
Ben Edgerton and Andrew Wiseheart of Contigo Austin. 
They’ll be cooking up something. More details soon.

I needed nothing more to start the registration process.

Here is a write up of the same retreat by Sally herself.  

God’s Love Made Visible:
The Laity Lodge Food Retreat, by Sally Lloyd-Jones 

Friend and best-selling children’s author, Sally Lloyd-Jones, recently spent some time writing at Laity Lodge. The tail end of her stay coincided with The Food Retreat, so we asked her to take part, take some notes, and write about it after she returned home. We’re happy to share Sally’s account of the retreat, and look forward to having her back in the Canyon soon. (We’re big fans of her books too…they make great Christmas gifts!)

The remainder of this post is still under construction but I will publish it anyway.  

I am going out right now with all my boys to see The Hobbit - 

(my first real outing in three weeks as I struggle to recover from pneumonia).  

Like Bilbo Baggins, I'm going on an adventure and know not when I'll return!

*** 48 hour Time Lapse ***

Stepping out of the car in the parking lot, we caught the delightful aroma of Texas BBQ in the making.

We cast each other a thumbs up.  This Food Retreat was off to a mighty grand start.  WE passed this incredible conglomeration of outdoor cooking space en route to the Registrar's Office.

Everything and I mean Everything on the property has purpose and detail and is done with an excellence that surpasses even the most discerning taste.
When things are done for His Glory - the difference becomes very obvious.
THAT was an enormous take away for us as we ruminate the experience of Laity Lodge here at home.

The Bookstore welcomed you to either carefully borrow or buy 

from her shelves.  

 Sally's books!  (I noticed they couldn't keep up with the re-stocking)

 

A Hammered Dulcimer brings Rich Mullins lovingly to mind

Turns out Gabe Scott (resident Pie making expert as well) and Nathan Tasker are well connected to many of our favourite musician artists:  

The Getty's, Sara Groves, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, Andrew Peterson....

*sigh*  Music Heaven 

I wish I had gotten the story behind these sculptures but alas, 

now you are left with my uneducated guess.   

Feed my lambs?

We fellowshipped with approximately forty others at this Food Retreat.  

You are about to meet some of them, at the table and elsewhere.

Children's Music Matters | Christianity Today

Children's Music Matters | Christianity Today

As one with the enviable position of being able to introduce good music and song into the lives of +100 elementary students, you know that this title would have grabbed my attention immediately.
I first heard Sandra McCracken sing a soulful rendition of "Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul" at the Gospel Coalition in Chicago.  I've been tracking her music ever since along with that of her hubby Derek Webb (Indelible Grace) and am just now, digesting her first ever album for kids Rain For Roots which I first purchased as a four song pre-sale product available on NoiseTrade.
There.
You've been asking where I find my music.
NoiseTrade is one of the newest favourite places to search for good and upcoming music and a most excellent forum to 'test' it without investing too much too early.
The money I have wasted collecting music that I seldom or never listen to again is lamentable.

Ashley's Piano students

Piano recital tonight in my church.
Nineteen students (almost all of whom I meet regularly in the choir room at CCS) made their way one after the other - to the front on that fine upright piano - to pull out all the stops and play their best for us.
In a word?  Jaw~dropping delight.  Okay. I get it.
That was two ~ a noun and an adjective.
But worth so many more.  I digress.

All my favourite songs too.  Wow.  That was about all she could say.
It felt very much like a worship experience to me.
Here's my token of gratitude to you and your teacher.
Thanks for making this world a much lovelier place, for Adding to the Beauty in your own unique way.

Pentecost 2012

Our school is celebrating Pentecost with an exciting array of song and scripture.
It will feature the grade 8 class accompanying On the Day of Pentecost with various instruments including a stunning new pair of timpani purchased from the proceeds of our latest CD "Great Hymns of Faith".
Naturally, the program also features the sweet sound of about 100 other CCS students from Kindergarten to grade 8 who never fail to inspire and bless those who hear them.
An orchestral ensemble will accompany us and a small but wonderful adult church choir will add a bit of 4part harmony to a few songs.
Here's our signature song - it'll give you an idea of what to expect on May 25th in our church.
Join us if you can, the blessing of such an event is always best shared in community.



Yeah.  It doesn't seem to be working for me either.
Perhaps the Getty's are looking for ways to curb the piracy we call sharing.  :)
Google Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God.
It's our premium Pentecost song.

May the song in your heart put a spring in your step today.

The post concert review...

Unredeemed
Places
where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled, they may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed




If you were blessed to find yourself one of the Saturday night crowd at Redeemer, you already know the thrill of watching Alan Hall play that grand piano, evoking the holy fervour and sound of an entire orchestra.  A 'pentecostal Methodist' from Tennessee they said.  :)
Oh yeah, and THEN some!
And you'll know beyond all doubt that as suggested, watching Jacob Moon on his guitar is worth the price of a whole row of tickets.
And those voices!?!  Power of titanic proportion.
The song Unredeemed was my favourite of the evening.  I thought her story behind it and the sharing of it on stage was every bit as powerful as the song itself.
I am so thankful for the ministry of good music and excellent musicians who will 'lay it before the Lord' for the benefit and blessing to a broken world.

He's Always Been Faithful

I'm packing a few friends in the car and we're off to see this Sara Groves Girl in concert.

I. Am. So. Stoked.