scotthodge.org

Magic of The Swell Season

Had the wonderful privilege of seeing The Swell Season in concert with Amanda a few days ago at the  Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.  In case you’re not familiar with TSS, they are made up of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Film, Once) along with Hansard’s longtime band, The Frames. 

I could go on and on about the show, but let me just sum it up by saying that it was one of the best live  performances I have ever been to.  Seriously.  It was amazing.  In a way....almost magical.

Why?  Well here's a few things I was reminded of during the performance that may answer that.

People don’t want to simply hear the music; they want to feel it too.

I don’t even know why, but there was something really amazing about experiencing Glen Hansard standing at the edge of the stage, off-mic, singing....screaming....almost crying....from the depths of his soul. It was.....just wow.  You felt his journey.  His pain.  His joy.  His struggle.  And....his redemption.  It was beautiful. 

People love the unexpected.

Loved how Glen (in his “Where’s Waldo?” hat) and Marketa opened the show by sitting on the floor with an acoustic guitar and a cheap Casio keyboard performing the song, “Fallen From The Sky.”  Totally unexpected.  And everyone loved it.

Everybody loves a good story.

Glen is a great story teller.  He includes details that seem unnecessary until you realize that you've fallen in love with the character because of those details.  I’m 100% convinced that people love a good story.  Partly because we see ourselves in most of them. 

People want to participate. 

But you have to ask them to.  Bottom line is that people need to be led.  I think every church worship leader needs to see Glen Hansard perform.  He leads people well by performing with a ton of authenticity and by bringing depth to his audience. 

 Ireland has brought some pretty good stuff to our world.

Guinness, The Swell Season, The Commitments, The Cranberries, The Frames, Snow Patrol, Damien Rice, and of course....U2.

Go listen to The Swell Season.  See them in concert if you can.  I know I will.  Again.  And again.

Redeemer's Renew Video

Beautiful city...  Beautiful Music...  Beautiful Call.

REN3W Vision Campaign from Redeemer Video on Vimeo.

charitywater.org

Gabe Lyons just finished interviewing Scott Williams Harrison (thx Emma) from charitywater.org.  Amazing story...  Check out their video featuring Jennifer Connelly debuting tonight on American Idol.

Dr. Seuss' Horton

Today with my girls...

U2 in 3D

I can't wait to go and experience this!

Oh mama!

Gary, on the kickdrum!

Picture this: 

Thanksgiving dinner.....everyone is done eating....sitting around the table talking....when suddenly Julia, my three-year old belts out:

"Gary, on the kickdrum!"

A short pause and then......laughter.  The entire table.  For several minutes. 

And if you have not idea what I'm referring to, watch this.  One of the best movie scenes ever....

The Bourne Ultimatum

Just got home from seeing it.

Dang. 

Now I need to hurry and get to bed so I can dream that I'm in the CIA. 

G'nite.

One Punk Under God

Wow, this brought back some memories...  One Punk Under God - it's a new six week series on the life and ministry of Jay Bakker produced by the Sundance Channel. 

And yes, THAT Bakker.  Son of Jim and Tammy Bakker.

Believe it or not, my family used to visit Heritage USA (the place his dad built...) regularly when I was a kid.   On one visit in particular, Jay and I became friends.  We ran around the park playing Miami Vice and one time even went to see the famous watermelon smashing comedian, Gallagher.  Some fun memories... 

Watching this last night made me sad.  For a lot of reasons...  Sad for his relationship with his dad.  Sad for all that he has been through.  Sad for how the church treated him and his family.  Sad for all of the people hurt by the "scandal", etc...  In one part of this episode, Jay went back to Heritage USA and went into a bunch of the old, rotted buildings.  Buildings that I remember being in numerous times.  That was sad too...

Click here to download a free episode in iTunes.

The Da Vinci Code (The Movie)

"Where do I separate fact from fiction?"

That's a question that I kept asking myself as I read The Da Vinci Code a few months ago.

From a writing standpoint, the book was excellent.  From a spiritual/religous standpoint, the book was a far departure from my personal beliefs.......which is why I'm already planning a two or three week series of talks which will correlate with the release of the upcoming movie, The Da Vinci Code, being released in May of '06 (Ron Howard, director & starring Tom Hanks.)

My goal with this series will be to help answer some of the questions that will surface in people's minds after they see the movie.  And actually, I am glad that this movie is being done (and being done WELL) because it gives us as a church community (and "church" as in the larger church community across the world) a tremendous opportunity to share the truth about Christianity to people who will be full of questions after watching the film (and many of whom, without the aid of this movie, probably would not approach these types of questions like they hopefully will.)

What about you?  Have you read The Da Vinci Code?  What did you think?

What opportunities does this provide for our churches in creating conversations?

Link (to movie site)

Star Wars Depravity

I have a major confession to make.  I have never seen ANY of the Star Wars movies.  None of them.  Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, Empire Strikes Back - I mean it, none of them. 

When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to go to movies.  We could rent them, but we could not go the theatre.  Of course, that all changed as I got older, but I still never saw any of the Star Wars films. 

I'm now adding them all to Netflix queue and I'm going to have a Star Wars night in a couple of weeks.  The depravity shall end.