Godspell: A Review

 Last night I went to see Abilene High School's production of Godspell:The Musical. What most people probably don't know about me is I have a history with this movie, seeing as my older brother was in another production of it twelve years ago when I was a freshmen in high school. While the one then was a much smaller cast and the singing was more polished, I have to say for the $10, this was overall a much better show.

At first, I thought the larger cast would become a hindrance, because you can only have so many students running around on stage before people start bumping into one another. However, for the dance numbers and dramatic scenes, it actually helped fill out the scenes and invoked a sense of "the crowd" in the times of Jesus' teaching, whether they were excited or began questioning him near the end.

While the singing wasn't as good as my brothers play in 1998, not every cast has a crew full of top choir students (or actors for that matter), which always needs to be acknowledged at any school play/musical. Plus, many of the songs in this musical are quite challenging (Trust me, I have tried to sing along with the CD I own and have trouble making it all the way through one song, whether getting tired and/or the voice range required.) The musical didn't cut any songs; so all the songs combined with the dance numbers, were really enjoyable.

While the songs may have been more professionally polished in the version I saw twelve years ago, it focused more on acting; however, I think the acting in this production far out-did that one, and here is why: I consider the best acting to invoke emotions from its audience; and what I felt in reaction to the stage presence was amazing and quite surprising. During the first half I felt a sense of joy, excitement, and humor; while in the second half I felt the tone switch dramatically and I felt dissonance, negativity, grief, and death. Truly, a great show invokes these emotions from the audience.

Twelve years ago I was just starting out my freshmen year in high school, still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Now, twelve years later I find myself doing that once again after graduating from college & graduate school... and though I have felt confusion, this musical has a way of speaking the gospel in a manner not normally done.

Why? It is because this focus is on the gospel as "story" and the story is fleshed out so well on stage. At times I found myself pondering what it really must have been like for those to follow Jesus, to hear him joking, being funny, being serious, and then being betrayed. How did Jesus feel when people got his teaching? What about when they tried to trap him? Or betray and deny Him?

The great thing about Godspell  is that it teaches the gospel message is always relevant. Culture may change, the medium, and ways we share the gospel may change; but the true message and essence of the gospel story is never-changing and never-ending, having meaning from generation to generation.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." - John the Baptist, Matthew 3:11

Truly,
"Long Live God..... Long Live God"!

~ Daniel
My Favorite Godspell Song:

All Good Gifts

2011: Resolutions for the Upcoming Year

It is not every year I feel compelled to have one or more resolutions for the New Year; however, this year I find myself in need of having some goals, some need of direction, if not at least to seek guidance within the next year or two as to where life should lead me next.

(1) Redoing Resumes:
While this may seem very basic and unneeded since I spent a long time trying to perfect my resumes, I have learned that while for some jobs expressing my education helps, when applying for others it hurts. People simply overlook you when you are overqualified, so for regular jobs I need to actually downplay my education in order to get an interview. I may even make this resume only one page; however, I may leave my ministry resume at two pages. I know, who cares, right? Well, this is my most basic goal.

(2) Keep Applying for Jobs:
This might seem basic too; however, between working my others jobs, it is very frustrating and disheartening to apply for all these jobs and not even get an interview, whether it is ministry or otherwise. I did well toward the end of the year and applied for about 10-15 jobs in December 2010, so I need to keep the trend into 2011.

(3) Back to the Spiritual Basics:
Spiritually, this year has been kinda odd. It feels like a back and forth roller-coaster. It started in a rather depressing place last year, then got better, and eventually I got a summer interim job. However, though I was optimistic and liked the church, nothing was ever heard back for a full-time position. Rejection always hurts, but being rejected multiple times stabs at you, and so I find myself not mad at God necessarily but at churches sometimes, for not truly seeking to see my calling and character and being more concerned about my marital status and ability to be extroverted. In light of all of this, I have not been communicating (praying) with God like I should be, nor been into this word as I ought to in the last few months, and my guitar has sat unplayed for months. This year I want to be in the word and pray at least five times a week and pick up my guitar and play/worship once more.

(4) Researching/Praying about Hospital Chaplaincy:
For January, I will be researching and praying about going into training for hospital chaplaincy. Yes, in some ways to me it seems like I am turning my back on youth ministry; however, in other ways I have to accept the fact that it has been two years and though I am equipped and ever-ready to move into a position, this does not seem to be where God is currently working in my life. Hospital Chaplaincy seems like it might be a good place to use my gifts and also where my marital status or slightly more introverted nature would not be as much of a problem, might even be a plus. Still, some part of me is sad I have to look elsewhere besides youth ministry, but I really do not know what other choice I have... I do know the programs must be applied to a year in advance and I still plan on being open to youth or any other type of ministry or job in the meantime, but only time will tell - and much prayer and conferring with close brothers and sisters in Christ.

(5) Applying for Hospital Chaplaincy:
If I still feel this is where God is calling me at the moment, I will start applying in February and March after I have narrowed it down. I already know there are places in Houston and Dallas, but I might also expand my search to places out of state, though in my heart I would rather stay in Texas to be closer to family.

(6) Get Writing(s) Published:

(7) Giving (Tithing) a Small Amount:
I am gonna write a whole note about tithing later though.

(8) Dating:
My goal is to go out with someone on a date or multiple dates this year, while this isn’t a primary concern over my other goals, it is still a goal, one I suppose I should not write about but I will anyway, ha ha. ;.) I find dating most confusing, asking directly or passively can both be good or bad, depending on whom you are asking out. The rules these days are so much more confusing than in the past. I want to pray God put someone in my path and her in mine, even if things don’t work out, maybe it will be a time for both of us to grow in some way. My biggest regret would be not taking a risk or overlooking someone, so I pray God give me wisdom and guidance in this area.

(9) Continue to Eat Better:
Most would say diet or loose weight, I have already been eating better, for the most part, in 2010, so I want to try to keep this trend.

(10) Play Racquetball:
I started playing racquetball again and want to continue this trend starting in the new year. Man, I love to play me some racquetball! :.)

What do you think?
Do you have any resolutions?

Prayers Appreciated!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:3-6

~ Daniel:

Pic:
http://www.webcooltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/happy-new-year-2011-wallpaper-set-13.jpg

Where is CHRISTmas?

OBSERVE CHAOS


As I get older I feel like something is missing during this time of year. Sometimes I feel so over-obligated to give to everyone it seems to become more of a hassle than a time that brings that feeling and spirit of generosity and giving I wish to well up inside of me. Of course, with limited funds, I decline a lot of giving and settle for only being concerned with my immediate family, though I have many friends and co-workers I wish I could give a little something to let them know I appreciate them. But isn’t something wrong here? Why does something feel off or wrong, uneven or unbalanced?

I know many arguments come around this time of year, many Christians feel this holiday is 'under-attack' by those who would mean us harm and wish to destroy, both religiously and politically, this season - by effectively erasing Christ from our holiday. No longer will we say ‘Merry Christmas’ but ‘Happy Holidays’, no longer is it a ‘Christmas Tree’ but a ‘Holiday Tree’. No longer is he called St. Nicholas but Santa Claus, with no remembrance of his giving being connected to Christ nor religion in any form. But I do not think what we need to worry or fight against are the others, the pluralist or the atheist, who many of us seem to think are in an all-out war against Christmas. I think the real people we need to be concerned about are ourselves as Christians.

SEEK SIMPLICITY


What witness are we giving people by the way we act? How about the amount of stress we bring on others? But even more than our attitudes around this time of year, what have we forgotten? We have messed-up and missed-out on Christ, the babe lying in that manger. We have forgotten the whole true message and story. We get so busy buying things, getting decorations out, getting irritated by holiday arguments, getting family together, and all the while Christ sits in anticipation.

Just as Christ held out the cup to his disciples and broke the bread saying "Remember Me," so God sits and says the same thing to us. God wants us to remember this moment when he broke though time, sent his son in flesh into our plane of existence. God sent Jesus, Immanuel, to be born of a virgin, in a manger, a dear little baby, who was so vulnerable to attack. Just as we all depend on our family, so was Jesus made frail and had to depend, not only on his earthy family, but on his heavenly father.

REMEMBER CHRIST


Let us not forget the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, the one who was worshiped and sought by both wise-man and shepherd, who loved the sinner and called out the hypocrites, who lived and died and rose for us called CHRISTians. Let us not forget the true reason for this season, let us instead become overwhelmed with the love of our Savior who was born in that small town, in that small place; yet God had tremendous plans for that small babe.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 1:14

~ Daniel

Thankful...

The world is full of negative thoughts, as humans we tend to always accentuate the bad and forget the good things in our lives. I know I sometimes feel depressed and vent about my situation in life; However, there are some things I am thankful for...

(1) My Family - I have been blessed with a wonderful family. We do not get to see each other as much as we would like, life sometimes separates families and friends this way; however, I know that they love me with all their hearts. I am thankful for my dad, who is always there to hear and who usually takes the brunt of our jokes because he is the "old man of the family" and because there are some things, from 'bands of pain' to asking the Jack in a Box person, "Do you have a problem with that?" - These things he will simply never live down ;.) I am thankful for my mom, who, though she isn’t my biological mom, earned the right to be called mom by me and my older brother through her love and caring of us as we were growing up and even today. I am thankful for my older brother, whom I shared a room with for about half of my life. We had some brotherly fights and quarrels, who is the most mature, to if Chris' spin roll in a fighting match would or would not make me fall over (You would be surprised how many times it got the best of me, lol). I was lucky to have an older brother who was funny and would let me hang out with 'his friends' in the youth, instead of belittling me like so many other older siblings might have done. I am thankful for my little brother and sister, both have more recently began to grow up and have depths of personality and talents I am only beginning to know about, though I regret not being closer to home so I can know them better than I do... I also love the rest of my family as well, on both sides there is a lot of love and jokes and stories, some that make you blush and some that amaze me from sacrifices made.

(2) Friends - I don’t know where I would be without my close friends, though sometimes I loose some and gain some depending on how life goes, God always seems to provide people in my life to help me keep going. This year Nathan and Ron have been those two good friends, who I have hung out with and shared my life with. What I love about friends is how you can have different interest yet maintain that friendship, even in tough times. It is about being open to another, about making time to develop that friendship. I am also thankful for my friends Katy and LaShay, even though life has drawn us more apart the last year, we still try to hang out every now and then and encourage one another. I am thankful for all my friends though, each having a place in my life and I try my best to take none of you for granted. I thank God for you all!

(3) Work - I am thankful to have a job, well two most of the time ;.) Sometimes I am frustrated but know many do not have jobs at all these days. I am glad to work with people who are nice (for the most part) and do the best they can at the job they have and sometimes at the corporations they have to work under. Working tough jobs teaches you that laughter and humor go a long way to reduce stress and build upon friendships, even if they are among co-workers. I am amazed at the resiliency of my co-workers, who not only work tough jobs but many who have rough lives and continue on. I may not always be vocal about my beliefs at work all the time, but I keep many of them on my mind and pray for them, especially when I know they are going through tough times (even if some of them try to look like they are doing fine on the outside).

What are you thankful for this year?

~ Daniel