Monday Morning Meditation #73: Fulfilling God's Tasks

The most marvelous thing has happened. After nearly three months of using a borrowed laptop, I have my own laptop again. Not my original; that turned out not to be repairable -- I tend to have a deleterious effect on tech stuff. Since neither Micro Center nor hp could not repair my computer, which was still under warranty, they finally gave up and gave me a brand-new computer. I am still learning its idiosyncracies, but it is great to be back in business!

In spite of not being able to post regularly, including the MMM, while the computer was on the blink and I was using a borrowed laptop from time to time, I have moved on in my own mornings of contemplation. I finished Isaiah, and this week I began the Book of Jeremiah. It is an interesting coincidence of my own progress through the Bible, beginning with Genesis, undertaken with MMM #1, and the somewhat random choice of my Bible Study group to read Jeremiah over the next several months. Maybe I will have additional insights as a result of our Bible Study. If so, I will share them.

In the meanwhile, I thought I might just start at the beginning today because I am starting to relate to Jeremiah, and to explain that requires starting at the beginning. In Jeremiah 1, we read:

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah remonstrates, but God tells him that he should not remonstrate and that in following God's instructions, he will not be abandoned. God will be with him. Nonetheless, given the nature of the perturbing message that Jeremiah must bring to the people, the task given to him must certainly seem overwhelming, or at least awkward, to Jeremiah.

Meditation: This tasking of Jeremiah to be a prophet and to bring bad news where he does not want to take it reminds me of a tasking I received -- certainly, not as any kind of prophet and on a far lesser scale, but nonetheless, one that set me bahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifck a bit. My first reaction, too, was to remonstrate, but in the end I did do as asked. In this particular case, I was told to "bring him to Me," him being an employee far below me in the hierarchy of our organization, and I had no idea how to approach someone to ask him the state of his soul! Nonetheless, I found myself doing just that. I related the story in detail a while ago on my Modern Mysticism blog: Voice VI.

This particular task was not easy or pleasant. It makes me feel much empathy for Jeremiah who experienced far greater unpleasantness. It makes me feel grateful to God that I have not been asked to suffer in the ways of Jeremiah or to carry the kinds of difficult messages that Jeremiah was asked to carry. Nonetheless, I hope I would be ready to do so if asked. None of us know how we will respond until we are, indeed, asked.

Contemplation: That is far as I can go with you this Monday morning. I now retire to private prayer to repent for those times I have first protested instead of jumping straightforward onto a given task, to praise God for all the ways He uses all willing hearts and hands, especially those of prophets, to help others, to thank God for giving me an occasional task that I might not mess up too much and not giving up on me because of my initial remonstrance, and to ask Him not to give up on me, as contrary a person as I can sometimes be. Then I will move on to contemplation, my favorite part of the day, letting God take over the direction in which my relationship with Him moves.

I will leave you now to your prayer and contemplation. First, though, I would like to bring to your attention a Monday morning prayer post that you might enjoy:

Fr. Austin Fleming, priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor in Concord, Massachusetts, posts a prayer each Monday morning that he calls "Monday Morning Offering." I enjoy his prayers very much. I think you also will find them inspirational. He has graciously given me permission to include a link to his blog on my Monday Morning Meditation posts. (During the week, he also posts great homilies and other thoughtful discussions. I enjoy reading those, too, as do readers of this blog who have taken the stroll over to his blog.)

For additional inspiration throughout the week, I would point out two sets of blogs: (1) the list of devotional blogs on my sidebar and (2) my blogroll, where I am following a number of inspirational priests and writers about spiritual matters. I learn so very much from all these people. I highly recommend them to you.

The Untitled Interview #116 – SXSW Edition: Starring BRAIDS

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

BRAIDS is something else, y'all. Another one of the Canadian musical elite, this here band will get your pulse racing and your blood going with their deliriously dynamite sound. It's breathy and dreamy, but with an undercurrent of severe and serious rock. Haunting lady vocals send this band right there over the top. Here's what they'll be getting up to down Austin way.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
BRAIDS: Automomeal, cereal wheels.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
B: Swagger and cuteness.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
B: Neuf.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
B: Sean Nicholas Savage. He just released an album Trippple Midnight Karma. Go here to order a tape. Very very special artist. I believe, Canada's best songwriter.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
B: Finding my friend Patricia and giving her a big hug.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
B: Calgary Folk Festival. I was of the general public. I danced to Broken Social Scene! A very folk festival thing to do.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
B: A lot of the time you get to be with your friends. It's especially nice to see people you love when you have been on the road away from them for months!

mp3: Plath Heart (BRAIDS from Native Speaker)

The Untitled Interview #115 – SXSW Edition: Starring Little Red

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

I’d hazard a guess, given their lively, rollicking sound, that Little Red can probably show a gal a good time. The latest Down Under band to hit SXSW in an attempt to captivate the kids, Little Red’s easy to listen to rock-pop should prove easily digestable. Here’s what the band’s got planned for their time in Austin.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Little Red: By plane from Australia, via to Papua New Guinea and New York - not the most direct way.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
LR: Vegemite.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
LR: We've got 6 shows in Austin - the Neon Gold party on Wed night at 8pm is the official one and then some other great parties too - 3pm Wed at Virgin House, 3pm Fri at Uncorked with Paper Garden records, Fri at 4.40pm at Maggie Mae's for Sonicbids, the NoiseRacket party is 12.30pm Sat at FADO's and then the Aussie BBQ at Maggie Mae's Sat at 2.55. Really looking forward to it!

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
LR: The Strokes, Black Lips and we're actually really looking forward to finding new bands we've either never seen before or maybe even never heard of. And Asian bands!

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
LR: Shooting guns and wearing cowboy hats.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
LR: It was probably the Big Day Out in Melbourne but the first one we went to all together was The Falls Festival, we didn't have tickets but someone let us in and it was great.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
LR: Babes, money and VIP passes.

mp3: Forget About Your Man (Little Red from Midnight Remember)

The Untitled Interview #114 – SXSW Edition: Starring Richie James Follin (Guards)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

Richie James Follin is one busy dude these days. One of his ventures is the sublime Guards, a candy-coated fuzzy lo-fi loveliness, bringing some scuzzy, sludgy rock and some saccharine poppy sweetness together in a perfect pairing. Guards is guarandamnteed to show you a good time, y’all. Pulling double duty down in Austin between Cults and Guards, Follin will hopefully have a chance to enjoy some barbecue.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Richie James Follin: Automobile. I'm touring out to SXSW as we speak...

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
RJF: I will forget nothing. I am a master of the road.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
RJF: 15 or so between my two bands...

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
RJF: The Strange Boys.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
RJF: The four B's...brews, bros, babes, and BBQ.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
RJF: Lollapalooza 96'...my stepdad played the main stage so I was backstage for the whole thing...Ramones, Devo, Rancid, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Metallica...

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
RJF: Getting to see a bunch of bands you have been hearing about all in the same day..

mp3: Resolution of One (Guards from Guards)

The Untitled Interview #113 – SXSW Edition: Starring Pat Jordache

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

The music made by Pat Jordache is quite frequently messy, loud, and all over the place. The latest record, Future Songs, was given an apt title, because the songs sound to me like songs stuck between now and then, bits and pieces of here and there. I hear occasional nods to Black Dice, Joy Division, Xiu Xiu, and Islands, you’ll probably hear something totally different. But again, that’s quite alright with me. Below, it sure sounds like this is one busy band this SXSW.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Pat Jordache: Win32 drivers.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
PJ: The soundblaster.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
PJ: So many that it would be easier to say that I stop playing for X time, the spreadsheet would be smaller.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
PJ: Cadence Weapon.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
PJ: Cut the pant legs off my Zegna jeans and make headbands for infants with them

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
PJ: The Royal Horsejumping Championship in Toronto.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
PJ: Doggies.

mp3: Radio Generation (Pat Jordache from Future Songs)

The Untitled Interview #112 – SXSW Edition: Starring Colin Stetson

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.

I’m not sure if he’s making music for these apocalyptic times in which we live, or music from years in the future, but whatever it is that Colin Stetson’s doing, it’s intense and unlike anything you’re likely to hear being done by anyone else. The wacky, unexpected things that Stetson can do with horns is unreal, my friends. Unreal. Obviously, he is not to be missed. And go on, buy him a fried avocado taco.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Colin Stetson: I will be arriving by plane, though actually I have a show in NYC the day before, so I'll be driving down from Montreal for that. So, plane and automobile, but no train.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
CS: My European power adapters...wait, I don't need them!

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
CS: Five, and a couple other things.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
CS: Looking forward to seeing my friends in Gayngs, Sway Machinery, and the Luyas.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
CS: I hear they have tacos with fried avocado. Probably be eating one of those.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
CS: ACL, playing with Antibalas.

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
CS: All the ridiculous drunkards not paying attention to any of the music. No, wait, that's my least favorite thing about festivals.

mp3: Fear of The Unknown & The Blazing Sun (Colin Stetson from New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges)

The Untitled Interview #111 – SXSW Edition: Starring Mikey Wallace (Friendo)

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and sweeter, and that, my little vixens, can only mean one thing: it's getting close to being almost time for the one and only SXSW. And of course, that means I had to ask some questions of the bands I'd sure want to see if I was heading down to Austin for the 25th annual SXSW-stravaganza.'

Y'all already know I loves me some Friendo. After all, they had one of my favorite records of 2010. Their raw, dissonant angularity melded with lighter, less ferocious prettiness encapsulated into perfect little songs is music to mine ears. The lo-fi grit of it all is a delight. Mikey (or Mike, for those formal occasions) Wallace gives one of my favorite ever interviews below, and causes an eyebrow raise or two in the process. Secret rendezvous? Oh behave!

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Mikey Wallace: The Canadian half of the trip we will be traveling by dog sled because that’s how we get around up here. The lower states we will be barebackin' it because that's how they get around down there right?

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
MW: My drumsticks! I'm not even the drummer, but I try to remember to bring some because I know Henry will forget his!

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
MW: One! Because we plan on enjoying ourselves, catching other great acts, swimming in the river, shooting guns, slapping a police horse, going to jail, getting bailed out of jail, getting bit by a rattlesnake etc... all the great Texan (SXSW) adventures to be had.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
MW: I was really pumped on seeing my good friend Idiot Glee but since recently finding out that Mike Tyson former heavyweight champion will be promoting iPhones I simply can't imagine a greater performance than a man so large with a voice so small promoting Apple products.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
MW: It's usually go swimming at the amazing Barton Springs, but after days and days of dog sledding and horse riding I'll probably have a beer and a secret rendezvous with my ladyfriend who I will be meeting down there, In her tour van I'm sure..

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
MW: Sled Island is the best thing that ever happened to my Butt Fuck home town of Calgary. It was great I was able to perform with Women on an outdoor main stage and it was really fun. I got blackout drunk hanging out with Mogwai trying to drink like a Scot!

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
MW: Probably everything except all the fucking loser whores all over the streets passing out flyers of their bands shows saying how good their band is that I will love their band and that I should go check out their band! Positives include ~ Taco trucks, running from show to show, playing shows, not having to work or do real life things, staying up all night for three days, babes, bros, Texas Heat (Canada is so cold right now), free shoes, free cigarettes (I don’t even smoke) and meeting new people to name a few fun things!

mp3: Counter/Time (Friendo from Cold Toads)