Matt Jones' Random Acts of Verbiage

The Lonely Forest officially released their latest album, We Sing the Body Electric, to a sold out, and quite enthusiastic, crowd at The Vera Project last Friday. I am biased, I will admit that up front, but it was an incredible show and the record should be heard by all. Really guys, this album is great. If you want to read what John Van Deusen, front man for the group, has to say, check out all the lyrics to the tracks at my Lonely Forest Lyrics Page. You can also check out Megan Seling’s and The Sound on Sound’s reviews of the show.

Songs of social justice, to insomnia, to thoughts of suicide turning to visions of beauty all around can be found in We Sing the Body Electric. Something for everyone. The album’s first (?) single, We Sing in Time is a song that looks hopefully forward to a time where our society isn’t broken. “In Time the trees die and light will fade. But I hope for a new breath, a new life to take me away�” On to Something is a harsh and ironic critique of materialist nonsense. Golden Apples of the Sun parts I and II encourage love in any context, no matter the situation. Julia’s Song deals with addiction and ends with John’s grandmother’s lullaby: “I�m little I know, but wherever I go I give I give� I give (away).” Borders and Towns is an oldie (ask me if you would like an old acoustic version!) but goodie and a classic love song. WSBHBWA is another ironic attack against the superficialities of much of our culture, concluding, “You�re beautiful but you�re empty.” Mt. Constitution suggests we take a moment to pause and think about our life. The album coming to an end full of reflection:

Breathing is a blessing
A variable we take for granted
One quick second
It�s blown away with all your happiness

Hope lies in the proles
That�s how they made you.
But not how they wanted you to be�

I could go on and talk about every song, but they are all worth a listen to and read through. Head over to the Burning Building Records store to purchase We Sing the Body Electric, you won’t be disappointed. Oh, and you can listen to the entire album at the Lonely Forest band page at Burning Building Records.

There are plenty of pictures and video clips from the show!
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Easter is once again upon us. We are forced to deal with Good Friday and look forward to Easter. So often we want to focus on Easter, but we cannot forget what took place first at Calvary. Jesus was not brutally executed because he was a good teacher or because he was a threat to Rome and Caesar. Make no mistake, he was killed because he claimed to be God. This was offensive to the high priests and worthy of mockery by those who did not see who He was. But Jesus knew who he was and acted in perfect submission to the Father. Only Jesus could be the Christ, could be the redemption of mankind. Could save you and I from the treason we have committed against the true King. We have been pardoned because of Good Friday. Without Good Friday, Easter would have no meaning. Christ had to die, for us, in order to conquer death and evil.

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Do you understand how big that is? The veil of the temple separating us from the Holy of Holies, the people from Yahweh, us from God, is torn in two. We are no longer apart from God. We no longer have to perform special ceremonies or rituals to talk to Him. We are in his presence because of Christ. What amazing grace! It doesn’t matter who we are, where we are, or what we have done. We are accepted into his presence because of the price He paid. We can all say thank God for that!

I hope everyone has a great and thoughtful Easter. Share this gospel (good news) with others. It is a blessing to the world and people desperately need to hear it! I wrote (a number of time) about Jesus’ last words: ??????????: Some thoughts on John 19:30 that I found enlightening. Feel free to take a gander. Also, I would recommend a fairly new book by Craig Evans and N. T. Wright based on a few lectures they gave about the historicity of the death by crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus: Jesus, the Final Days: What Really Happened.

Blessings and Shalom on this Easter’s eve.