The Kindlings Muse

"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” Among Jesus beatitudes I’ve pondered most the idea of mourning as a blessing. How does this fit with “the joy of the Lord is my strength?” If one of the Godward soul’s aspirations is to see the world as God does, mourning begins to make sense. Gaza, Ukraine, senseless violence in our own communities, all these bring me to mourning, prayer and a call to actions within my aged grasp. “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.“ (Micah 6:8) One of my heroes, Abraham Heschel once said, “indifference to evil is worse than evil itself; in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” obeying to say the least.

In a soul weary world, the good way, the way to restore your soul, is not necessarily the newest way but the ancient way. My first “exposure to a deeper Christian life was through A.W. Tozer a Christian Missionary Alliance pastor (CMA). He in turn was shaped by the founder of the CMA, A.B. Simpson. My grandfather attended Nyack (A CMA college that just closed) when A.B. Simpson was still there. After 70+ years of life, these roots in the CMA led me to Eastern Orthodoxy. What David Wells (Of one of my alma mater Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary) said about the wonderful IVP Ancient Christian Commentary resonates with Orthodoxy and the early CMA when I read this A.B. Simpson quote. Here is what Wells said about the commentary. “Takes us out of the small, closed-minded world in which modern biblical scholarship is done, into an earlier time, marked by Christian seriousness, by robust inquiry, and by believing faith. The commentary is a fresh breeze blowing in our empty, post-modern world.”

This week www.dickstaub.com

NEW St.Aub: Sermon: God’s Presence: The Secret to Soul Wellness
https://www.dickstaub.com/episodes/

NEW Dick Staub Interview.
Dr. David Aikman: Great Souls: Six Who Changed the 20th Century
https://www.dickstaub.com/archive/

"Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head... I read the news today, oh boy." "These are the best of times; These are the worst of times; These are the only times we have." I ask with the Psalmist: "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange and alien land."

Featured this week at www.dickstaub.com

St.Aub: Introduction: What Inspired the Name of the Series?
https://www.dickstaub.com/episodes/

Dick Staub Interview. Mark Noll: The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
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New this week www.dickstaub.com

St.Aub: Introduction: Is St.Aub really a Saint?
https://www.dickstaub.com/episodes/

Dick Staub Interview.
Craig Blomberg: The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
https://www.dickstaub.com/archive/

In a day of America’s easy-breezy, superficial Christian triumphalism we seem to forget that as Jesus said, “only the pure of heart will see God,” and that “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” C.S. Lewis warned us that, “Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is …That is why bad people know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it.” As I reflected on my own journey, that fight is not easy, so I wrote Honest Notes From the Spiritual Battlefield.

Our daughter Molly was married to Emily this past weekend. For months we’ve been getting ready to host this event. My assigned tasks seemed to concentrate on tidying up all the spaces in the house where I spend time, because apparently those are the very places my wife deems unsuitable for exposure to civilized visitors. Plastic bins were purchased, garage space was cleared out, and the evidence of my eccentric, eclectic, untidy, presence is momentarily, and I dare I say deceptively masked. For I shall return. I have returned. And with my very presence comes the books, periodicals, highlighters, pens, scissors, useless but precious to me knick-nacks, mugs, lens cleaners, battery charges, portable reading light, glasses case…the goes on endlessly and to me is delightful.

Robert Munger wrote a wonderful little book titled My Heart Christ’s Home. It involves readying our soul to be God’s dwelling place. It is more serious business than wedding preparation. When Luci N. Shaw speaks; I listen. And I was gob smacked by this recent poem, GUEST ROOM. Soul tidying is a collaborative effort in which we work out our salvation while God is at work within us. Let all Godward souls take notice for Luci offers a way forward.

ASKING FOR WONDER is the second digital single from Jeff Johnson and Phil Keaggy’s upcoming CD, SPINNING ON A COSMIC DIME. Exclusively available on Bandcamp (see Link below). On all other platforms June 7th.

Asking for Wonder Teaser Vid Featuring music from the second digital single of the upcoming album, SPINNING ON A COSMIC DIME by Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy. Exclusively on Bandcamp: https...

New this week www.dickstaub.com

St.Aub: Toxic Passions (Apatheia) https://www.dickstaub.com/episodes/

Dick Staub Interview: Stan and Jan Berenstain:
What Your Parents Never Told You About Being a Mom or Dad
https://www.dickstaub.com/archive/

EREMO – Music & Images Featuring music & images from EREMO by Jeff Johnson & John Van DeusenDownload / Stream: https://arkmusic.lnk.to/eremoIDVideography by Jeff JohnsonCover art b...

New this week www.dickstaub.com

St.Aub: Discernment (Diakrisis) https://www.dickstaub.com/episodes/

Dick Staub Interview.
Richard Brookhiser: George Washington’s Rules of Civility
https://www.dickstaub.com/archive/

Colbert tells us we live in an age of "truthiness." Trust me~it doesn't help our attempt at communicating factually and helps explain why getting at actual facts is difficult even, or should I say, especially in news and even more so in social media outlets. But it gets even more discouraging when you realize that publishers generally do not "fact check" their NON-FICTION Books. (see the Atlantic article linked here: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/05/the-book-youre-reading-might-be-wrong/678345/

Soon bookstores will need three sections: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Not-Sure.

This is one of my favorite quotes from desert Father Antony. It reassures me because the world seems to be getting increasingly irrational and pity the soul who says so. (Remember the fable of the emperor who has no clothes?) Jesus calls us to a countercultural life. We are swimming upstream in what is for the most part a lemming-like, spiritually deaf, and blind culture. American churches grew larger congregations but failed to minister the healing required to grow deeper, purer souls. If you are determined to proceed on the Godward path, your mind illumined, your heart purified; your soul and behavior will be transformed and no longer conformed the “the world” systems. You will seem crazy ~ especially when you show compassion and kindness to those who think you are crazy. Keep the love coming, because they need your private prayers for healing not your public ridicule or judgment. (A word of caution. Since we all read Antony’s quote and think we are sane. Remember, just because people think you are crazy does not guarantee that you aren’t).

Susie and I saw this play at Taproot Theater last night. It runs for three more nights and I can't recommend it enough. Of course, it was great to see our friends Pam and Scott Nolte in it and the other two actors are equally fantastic. It's a tender story and full of many poignant moments. See it if you can!

How to Write a New Book for the Bible NOW PLAYING! Playwright and Jesuit priest Bill Cain moves home to care for his strong-spirited mother. Through his eyes we witness his long-dead father, a brother coming to terms with his service in Vietnam, baseball games, and birthday pumpkins. In this bracingly personal and frankly funny play, Ca...

Pre-save on Spotify before this Friday's release!

New music from Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy FLOATING IN THIS CONFLUENCE is the first digital single from the upcoming CD release, SPINNING ON A COSMIC DIME, – Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy's fifth studio album.

Here’s a Selah-like meditation I created in my studio for Good Friday that runs just over twelve minutes. Peace.

A Good Friday Selah Reflection A 13 minute video featuring music performed by Jeff Johnson in his home studio and artwork by Michael O’Brien. The Selah Service is a worship service of musi...

The first single, “Floating in this Confluence” from our new album SPINNING ON A COSMIC DIME releases one month from today.

Floating in this Confluence (SINGLE) Video Teaser Featuring music from the first digital single of the upcoming album, SPINNING ON A COSMIC DIME by Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy.℗ 2024 Ark Records, Inc. / ArkMu...

For you Echoes listeners, "Eremo" gets a friendly nod from host, John Diliberto on tonight's show ...

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024 - Slow Flow Echoes On a Slow Flow Echoes, Jeff Johnson and John Van Deusen go deeply ambient. They’ve created a 29-minute music journey called Eremo, which is Italian for refuge. Echoes is always a refuge.

Based on a prayer attributed to Columba of Iona, a song for the journey to Easter …

Christ Has Walked This Path Music from LAUDShttps://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/laudsJeff Johnson with Brian Dunning & Wendy Goodwin featuring artwork by Kathy Hastings. ©201...

So many of you who know me, know of my deep, abiding, soulful friendship with Susan Osborn. I awakened this AM to this very sad news on Caring Bridge. (You can make comments to her husband David Densmore and Susan at: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/susanosborndensmore

You can also see her performing years ago with Paul Winter a song she wrote. "Lay Down Your Burden." https://youtu.be/01eb8-70G1w?si=0cLdCGAnQ2eXDSLk

Please pray. Send your love via Caring Bridge. I confess. I am having a difficult time "laying this burden down."

"Susan Osborn's Journey - February 29, 2024
Journal Entry by Donna Laslo — 16 hours ago
Susan Osborn, our beloved - friend, sister, community member, angel of song and mentor of all things beautiful, was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham on Tuesday, February 20th with respiratory and heart issues. Over the week she was visited and treated by numerous doctors from different specialties and in the end what they discovered was metastatic cancer that had spread to various parts of her body. This was of course not the news we hoped for. After many caring and thoughtful consultations, it has been decided by Susan, David and her team to begin the process of moving to comfort and hospice care. Susan will remain at St. Joseph's for the time being.

As logistics are being worked out, David and the team request prayers for Susan's ease and comfort for this upcoming journey. They have chosen this Caring Bridge site to keep their beloved family, friends and community updated in one place. “Journal entries” will be posted as pertinent information becomes known.

This is also the requested place for everyone to channel their messages to Susan and David. This is better than calling or texting. This will be extremely helpful as we manage what we would expect as a tsunami of love and prayers coming their way! It’s our hope to read your messages to her (and David) as they come in. We are beyond grateful for your love, support and prayers! More soon….

Susan Osborn Lay Down Your Burden with Paul Winter Consort 1982 This is a clip from Living Music's new two disc release, "Pete"; a CD of Pete Seeger with the Paul Winter Consort, and a DVD of concerts with Pete through th...

A prayer for the beginning of the Season of Lent.

The Jesus Prayer Music from LAUDShttps://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/laudsBased on an ancient prayer originating with the Desert Fathers and Mothers (5th cent) wit...

EREMO, an ambient instrumental collaboration with John Van Deusen, is now available to download or stream on all major services. The album features a twenty-nine minute musical journey that’s perfect for walking, sitting, thinking, praying and even sleeping. Listen to it with headphones for the best experience and support us by purchasing it on Bandcamp Friday TODAY (02-02-24) and we'll receive ALL of the proceeds. Thanks for listening and for supporting the creation of new music.

Jeff Johnson, John Van Deusen - Eremo Listen to Eremo by Jeff Johnson, John Van Deusen.

Pre-save on Spotify:

Jeff Johnson & John Van Deusen - Eremo Presave Eremo by Jeff Johnson & John Van Deusen.

My new instrumental collaboration with John Van Deusen releases a week from today. I’ve been a big fan of John’s music for many years and we both share a love for ambient music. We began sending ideas back and forth about a year ago and ended up creating EREMO, a twenty-eight minute musical journey that’s great to listen to while walking, resting, thinking and really good on headphones! I can’t wait for folks to hear it.

EREMO (Latin/Italian: “refuge,” “hermitage”) features a twenty-nine minute musical journey into an audio sanctuary of ethereal and evocative soundscapes for personal reflection and contemplation. Composed and produced by celebrated recording artists Jeff Johnson and John Van Deusen, EREMO releases digitally 02-02-24.

Eremo Teaser 3 Music from EREMO by Jeff Johnson & John Van Deusen releasing 02-02-24.EREMO, an ambient instrumental collaboration between celebrated recording artists Jeff ...

Releasing one month from today, EREMO is a brand new ambient instrumental collaboration between celebrated recording artists Jeff Johnson and John Van Deusen. EREMO (Latin/Italian: “refuge,” “hermitage”) features a twenty-nine minute musical journey into an audio sanctuary of ethereal and evocative soundscapes for personal reflection and contemplation. Available 02-02-24.

Eremo Teaser 2 Music from EREMO by Jeff Johnson & John Van Deusen releasing 02-02-24.EREMO, an ambient instrumental collaboration between celebrated recording artists Jeff ...

Happy New Year everyone! May you cherish all whom you love and may your memory of all who you’ve lost be rich and blessed.

Johnson, Dunning & Fitzpatrick - Auld Lang Syne Preview, download or stream Auld Lang Syne by Jeff Johnson, Brian Dunning & John Fitzpatrick

Here is Malcolm Guite’s “O Emmanuel” poem also featured at last week’s Christmas Selah. You can hear Malcolm’s reading of it in this blog post. Enjoy.

Malcolm Guite Blog for poet and singer-songwriter Malcolm Guite

“Annunciation” by Scott Cairns. This is the poem I read to begin last Wednesday’s Christmas Selah. Scott reads it much better! Enjoy. 🙂

Annunciation, by Scott Cairns with music by Jeff Johnson & Roy Salmond from the album Parable