Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her?
I'm not a Christian, although sometimes I play one at parties.
There are many wonderful attributes that I have taken from my Catholic/Greek Orthodox upbringing that bring peace in my life. And some that don't.
There are many ideas from the philosophy of Buddhism that I have (and continue to) adopted in my life that also bring me peace. And some that don't.
And there are my own ideas and meditations that I sit with that make me feel connected to the universe and what I feel and think that god or creation might be. And some that don't.
What I view as my spiritual path is a constant work in progress and is constantly evolving...occasionally dissolving. And when I turn into a raging bitch, I realize that it's time to get back to work.
So, I've told you all this because the above song and video was recommended to me by a really, REALLY sweet co-worker of mine at the university. He occasionally speaks "Elvish" to me (you think I'm kidding...), which is another story (that makes me want to binge drink), but he's a wonderful man.
He spoke of this song like it was magic. Like it pierced his heart and hugged his soul. So, I thought I should check it out.
It's a Christian band. And albeit the video is a little cornball, and the main character is a drunken slut because her father's a fuckface and then she eventually gets "saved" (after she has every STD in the book) by some uptight sphincters, it got me.
And even though the director of the video put the band standing in the middle of some fucking pond like they were walking (or standing) on water and they're above getting wet and really they all can suck it, it got me.
And even though all my friends are drunken sluts and I prefer them that way, like myself, and none of us would EVER wear that desperate crap she was wearing in the bar that she tried to wear the next day TO CHURCH while almost tripping over her labia as she got out of the car, it got me.
The band has a nice sound. But, it wasn't really the band or even the song that "got me", but the message. The message of not forgetting the marginalized, the outcast, not forgetting the forgotten, no matter how "tall" our "steeple" is, DOES pierce my heart and DOES hug my soul.
Because I know what it's like to be left behind. And excluded from participating...And I'll eat dirt before I ever do that to somebody else.
Stumble It!
posted by Kevin Charnas | 3:51 PM
27 Comments:
I yuv you!
I really do love this song.
What they said.
I love your heart.
And I'm so glad I get to share even just a little bit of it.
"Because I know what it's like to be left behind. And excluded from participating...And I'll eat dirt before I ever do that to somebody else."
Beautiful. (Well, maybe not the idea of actually eating dirt.)
Thanks.
I am a Christian and it got to me too. There are some really good contemporary Christian bands/artists that aren't the typical cornball PTL bible thumpers, lol
I'll be the one sitting next to you eating dirt too.
You. Are. Beautiful.
I too am a Christian, and I like this song. The meaning behind it got me as well.
Thank you for sharing the song, and your thoughts.
What if my "steeple" is really "short?"
I didn't even watch the video because it's late and I'm tired, plus I would probably wind up making fun of them and then it would ruin the sweetness of your message.
I'll never do that to you.
WOW. I'm about as heathen as they come and that got me. It was pretty powerful. And yeah....the lost, the forgotten, the downtrodden....it hurts to think of them.
I'll be honest, if I hadn't read your post before I watched the video, I would have ridiculed it (if I even took the time to watch it at all), but with your post in mind, even this jaded atheist was able to cut through the cheese and be touched.
thanks
Fantastic post. Actually made me think of all the little kids going back to school right now.....hoping beyond hope that none are left behind or forgotten because of who they are, what they look like, or what they have. It's amazing how being left behind can become your worst enemy throughout life, and mold you into someone you should have never been.
Sorry, I'm not going to comment on faith and love and forgiveness.
But Elvish? And Buddhist? That sounds more interesting.
Gah, I HATE sanctimonious stuff like this. But you're totally right, it's got a good message underneath it all. And the band's sound isn't bad. *sigh*
PS - I think I have a blog crush on you.
You really do have a heart of gold. Unfortunately you also have ears of tin.
You can always come sit by me!
and you, my friend, understand the christian message more than most christians.
even as an employee i find it hard to walk through the doors of a new church. sheesh. and where were the church greeters i'd like to know.
I'm so glad that you found this song and that you weren't immediately offended by Christian artists.
This video was filmed at Berry College in Georgia, where I attended. I remember seeing the "water scene" set up the night they shot.
As a Christian myself, I struggle with acceptance of people different from myself. I hope I can overcome that, and not waste the opportunity to get to know those who feel left behind, and show that being a Christian doesn't mean you don't still struggle, too.
Lurking in the blog world, I am often hurt by the stories of so many people who find their Christian friends too busy/scared/high and mighty to explain their faith with their friends, who would just like to know how they feel. It would just be nice for them to share that they are only humans who are just as messed up as anyone else, with a hope.
I'm as soft as they come, but I was able to resist this one.
Getting tougher I guess...
Right here people, in what Kevin has said, is the perfect example of the difference between a fundamentalist and a spiritual thinker...
Acceptance that while you may not agree with other religions and life paths... you certainly respect them and and understand that people believe what they believe.
I once heard Bill Maher make this same comparison to dems/repubs.
Kevin, im a Christian, and im "saved" too. i know that Christianity is not supposed to be the "religion" that people have made it today.Its sick the way people ignore the ones that really need help. I go to a wonderful church right now and when i was new they reached out to me.... sadly though, ive been in other churches in my life that are REALLY hypocritical. and i know GOd does nt excuse that one bit. i KNOW that Jesus loves me the SAME way he loves you and you ARE my brother .
i have and still and always will experience God's love in my life. Its there for you to experience it too.
Big huggles. :) thanks for putting this up!!!
It is a lovely sentiment. And you are lovely for posting the message.
Now I have to point out that it looked like the dude was driving the grand piano through the woods.
Hi. I come around and read your blog often, because you make me just about pee my pants. And I love that warm, wet kind of feeling. ;)
Anyway, I am a Unitarian Sort of Christian. This song always makes me cry a little. Growing up, I was a foster kid, not taken care of, child of addicts and people with some real "issues"...I felt like this girl so often! So I just wanted to say that I know what you mean about not ever wanting people to feel like you did. I did find a lot of support in churches I would wonder into, all alone. Even though I might not have been able to live with every idea. This song could have been about me.
the best to you. ;)
:)
I bookmarked you under funny, but now I have to add you to storytellers too! : ) That was nice! Good message for Christians and non-Christians alike. And thanks for the sweet comment about my daughter on my blog.
I really liked that - thanks for sharing!
I'm a sucker for this rapcay. (that's pig latin) Just don't tell anyone.
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