there's something sweet about the south

it's slow. it simmers. it makes you say, ahhhh. not in the blazing heat of mid-summer, of course. but that's what lemonade, sweet tea, (dr. pepper!) and front porch shade sittin' is for. as a south carolina native, i'm biased of my homeland. there's nothing better than inhaling the sweet scent of carolina air if you've been away from it. it's enveloping and comfy. it smells like home.

 

 

 

aahhhhhh.

there's a first time for everything

i've been able to resist jeremy's requests of keeping up with a blog for quite awhile now. i don't see myself as very digitally savvy, nor have i an interest in all things twitter, flickr, buzz, blogger and the like. i don't want to be so arrogant as to think that the world has any interest in what my life is like, my opinions on certain things, what sorts of things i'm interested in, etc. but for those of you who are good at keeping up with people this particular way, i figured i'd give it a try for you, and for my persistent and very awesome digitally hipster husband.  i guess this is, however, a better option than the traditional yearly christmas letter. no offense to those who keep up with those traditional yearly christmas letters, of course. i admire your diligence and consistency. we'll see how this goes!

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time are the periods of time in the liturgical calendar following Easter and Pentecost, outside of the narrative of the life of Christ.

Ordinary Time is also a band which I find extremely impressive. From their website:

Ordinary Time is an independent folk acoustic trio rooted in the Christian tradition. Comprised of Ben Keyes (guitar, piano, mandolin), Peter La Grand (guitar, banjo, dobro), and Jill McFadden (guitar, violin), Ordinary Time presents extraordinarily rich vocal harmonies, skillful instrumentation, and thought-provoking lyrics. The band's oeuvre seamlessly weaves the hymns of generations past with their own new songs-- often indistinguishably-- producing a sound that ranges from bluegrass-tinged Americana to sacred hard hymn arrangements. The band has released three records and tours semi-annually.

Grounded in tradition, innovative in expression, and mature in musicianship, Ordinary Time offers an important and unique voice, gifting us with enduring tunes for the journey of faith.

I first stumbled across them looking for liturgical music for the season of Advent, and discovered their album In the Town of David. It wrecked me pretty good. We did several of these songs for Advent last year, and their setting of the Nunc Dmittis, "Simeon's Song" is excellent. I've been listening to their album Until He Comes, and really feasting on the song "Following."

To Follow?

Your burdens are light,

but your blessings are heavy,

almost too weighty to bear

There's a hook in this meal,

to receive is to follow,

and you won't always say where.

What fool would dare follow you?

The idea of the burdens of Christ being light, but his blessings heavy is so powerful to me. And the very reality of the weight of the Lord's supper is so strong. It is a blessing, a means of grace, an actuality, the very real presence of Christ, and to receive it is to follow Christ wherever that may be. And if that is not a scary thought, than perhaps we don't understand it. It may mean scorn, ridicule, social suicide, or even physical torment or death. It certainly means the constant process of sanctification, the burning away of impurities, the putting to death of the old man. Such are the blessings of Christ.

It may be worth it, but it's still heavy.

The Proprietors

Julie, wife of Jeremy since 2007. She is new to the world of blogging, and unlike some of us, doesn't get swept away in every little technological/social media enterprise. She likes to cook, she has excellent taste in movies, and is an interior designer. She loves the beach, old Charlestonian style, and antique furniture.

Jeremy, husband of Julie since 2007. He is older to the world of blogging, though never particularly good at it, and he does get swept away in every little technological/social media enterprise. He likes all the same things as his wife. Also, he is a musician, and probably likes the mountains more than the beach. He recently shed the beard.

Like a vinaigrette

I love vinaigrettes. I love that there are so many different kinds, that they are never plain, and that they tend to be very robust and flavorful. But mostly I think that they are fun to watch when you mix them together, because simply sitting in a shared space, never being shaken up, they separate out. But shaking them up is a very different thing indeed.

Julie and I have decided to embark on a new journey of digital journaling for the benefit of those who know and love us. And those who do know us know how very different and complementary the two of us are. We both recently took the DISC test, and it turns out we really are basically diametric opposites in every category. I thank God for that. This will be an interesting intersection of two very different personalities types who have joined each other's stories, and here reflect that concoction.

So we are like a vinaigrette. Neither oil nor vinegar are very fun to drink on their own, but together they make a make a robust, flavorful, and beautiful marriage.

Unknown Artists and the Glory of God

Art lost its basic creative drive the moment it was separated from worship. It severed an umbilical cord and now lives its own sterile life, generating and degenerating itself. In former days the artist remained unknown and his work was to the glory of God.

-Ingmar Bergman (quoted by Gregory Wolfe in Image Journal)