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Jennifer
Minneapolis
Wichita, Kansas - On May 31st abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was shot to death while serving as an usher at his Lutheran church in Wichita. An abortion opponant is currently being held on charges of first-degree murder. The third term abortion clinic will be permanently closed according to family. I'm thinking this bold act of violence could inspire a follow up song to Wichita.
Betsy
Bloomington
Well - I lost the second half of my note - but basically, I wanted to suggest that your CD could be a companion to the book of Job. Also - the book of Matthew - where the disciples think they "get it" which only shows they DON'T get it...
I also wanted to ask - knowing there isn't a simple answer - how do we love those whom we hate? I think of Gandhi - asking people to raise their enemies children as their own - but within the religion of the child's birth. When we can do that - we will have understanding, and then compassion.
Finally, I wonder if you might add more participation in future services, so it is less a "presentation" and more worship experience for all. Maybe more group singing?
Thanks again - these songs will stay with me and be easier to hold onto than some Sunday school lessons...
THANKS
I also wanted to ask - knowing there isn't a simple answer - how do we love those whom we hate? I think of Gandhi - asking people to raise their enemies children as their own - but within the religion of the child's birth. When we can do that - we will have understanding, and then compassion.
Finally, I wonder if you might add more participation in future services, so it is less a "presentation" and more worship experience for all. Maybe more group singing?
Thanks again - these songs will stay with me and be easier to hold onto than some Sunday school lessons...
THANKS
Betsy
Bloomington, MN
Hello Neal,
I am grateful for your presence at our church last Sunday - and the thoughtful conversation afterward. I have a couple additional comments I wanted to share.
Paradox and Mystery: Someone (don't remember who) has described human beings as either fallen angels or risen apes. Of course, we are sometimes both. Isn't that part of the mystery? We are both the child and the taker of innocence. And we are the “clues” (I loved that notion in your song!) to the mystery ourselves. This paradox begins with God: how can a creator create something that needs redeeming? And the whole trinity notion - AND the whole last shall be first, dying to be born again... mystery/paradox indeed. More of the mystery is that God is within us, the kingdom is now, and we, though sinners are the "clues" to sacredness for each other.
Fears and Dreams: I’ve often thought that “on that morning” our fears will disappear – but it never occurred to me that our dreams would disappear, too! If I had thought about it before, I might have hoped that dreams would become realized – not lost. Hmmmmm
This note is too long - so second half is coming....
I am grateful for your presence at our church last Sunday - and the thoughtful conversation afterward. I have a couple additional comments I wanted to share.
Paradox and Mystery: Someone (don't remember who) has described human beings as either fallen angels or risen apes. Of course, we are sometimes both. Isn't that part of the mystery? We are both the child and the taker of innocence. And we are the “clues” (I loved that notion in your song!) to the mystery ourselves. This paradox begins with God: how can a creator create something that needs redeeming? And the whole trinity notion - AND the whole last shall be first, dying to be born again... mystery/paradox indeed. More of the mystery is that God is within us, the kingdom is now, and we, though sinners are the "clues" to sacredness for each other.
Fears and Dreams: I’ve often thought that “on that morning” our fears will disappear – but it never occurred to me that our dreams would disappear, too! If I had thought about it before, I might have hoped that dreams would become realized – not lost. Hmmmmm
This note is too long - so second half is coming....
Neal Smith
Moving with his grace
Neal, I have listened to your sermons (waay back) and they helped shape my acceptance of Jesus, I have held close the words and emotions of your musical career. Your and Leandra have quietly become so much a prat of our lives, we "automaticly" bought your solo album. it got misplaced and was just found. I had forgotten the "warning" or preface that went with it. I popped it in for my mornign commute, i was shocked. I knew what you were doing, and portraying, but I could not take it all in. I arrive at work with "dumbo" and "when that morning comes" My day became a haze of underlying emotion. I listened to those last to cuts tonight. It felt so complete, ending that way. I am bringing it to my small group, but sure just how to introduce it. I thank you for this. I have stumbled sometimes on your apparent political songs, yet appreciated the wordsmithing. This is wholly and completely different. it IS the sharp stick to pry open those dark places. I continue to praise your journey and your chosen way to celebrate it.
Mark
FL
Stumbled on the acapella version of two of the songs in the archives of the MPR Morning Show and was moved to get the CD to be sure you were "rewarded" by a least one belated grateful listener. Stunning artistry quite apart from the courage of your conviction in proceeding with the project. Quite simply, thank you.
I'm heartened by how this project seems to be moving in directions I didn't anticipate. It seems to be getting people talking to each other in ways that move the discussion forward humanely. Thank you to everyone who has been moved to respond,
Neal
Neal
Peter
Mpls.
I was flying down to Mexico recently, predawn, staring out the window, listening to these songs and wept. First experience like that in 50 years. Just when the sun rose over the gulf, When That Morning Comes started. 4000 songs on my ipod but only one perfect song. Thank you Neal. Peter Mayer hasn't written the best song, you have.
Amy
Minnetonka
Hi Gretchen (and Neal)-- I love your question about "Imagine That." I've found myself humming that song a lot, and I couldn't pinpoint why, because the "she" of the lyrics does not describe me, although I do love my children and teach them their prayers (I don't homeschool them, though). But I had an aha moment not too long ago when it occurred to me that the part about going upstairs and sleeping soundly each night could also refer to someone's apathy about all these issues, instead of or in addition to holding the views that the song questions. It clicked one day with the quote at the top of the page of my weekly planner, from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.: "Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."
Neal Hagberg
Hi folks,
Thanks for logging in to either look or add to the forum. I will periodically check in with thoughts or answers myself. The question tonight from Gretchen about why I chose to write "Imagine That" is difficult to answer, as a song starts as one thing and often ends up as another. But I'll be as straightforward as I can. The starting point of the song was the woman secretly being glad John Lennon died because he was leading people to hell with his universal message of love. I know where I was when I heard about Lennon's death, standing outside Lund Arena on the college campus of Gustavus, and I was that woman, in my form of Christianity then. Secretly thinking he had 'gotten his' because of his 'unrepentant pride.' Even as I write those words it pains me, because if Jesus preached anything, in my opinion, he preached acceptance and love. Lennon's 'Imagine' is one of my favorite songs now, but then I thought of it as anti-God. How I thought universal love could be anti-God boggles my mind now, but I believe the sentiments of the song I subsequently wrote are something we all have experienced. The right demonizes the left and the left demonizes the right, and we are all left screaming and attacking and glad when the other side 'gets theirs.' The song I wrote, to me, is a lament that what should be the most peaceable of religions has been - and continues to be - used as a weapon to justify violence against other of God's children. I wanted to set up the juxtaposition of overtly or covertly justifying violence in God's name with the irony of the woman loving her children and being genuinely 'nice' in other aspects of her life. It makes the song all the sadder to me. And, hopefully, it creates a disequilibrium in the listener, begging them to ask how can this be and where do those same roots lie in me?
Thanks for logging in to either look or add to the forum. I will periodically check in with thoughts or answers myself. The question tonight from Gretchen about why I chose to write "Imagine That" is difficult to answer, as a song starts as one thing and often ends up as another. But I'll be as straightforward as I can. The starting point of the song was the woman secretly being glad John Lennon died because he was leading people to hell with his universal message of love. I know where I was when I heard about Lennon's death, standing outside Lund Arena on the college campus of Gustavus, and I was that woman, in my form of Christianity then. Secretly thinking he had 'gotten his' because of his 'unrepentant pride.' Even as I write those words it pains me, because if Jesus preached anything, in my opinion, he preached acceptance and love. Lennon's 'Imagine' is one of my favorite songs now, but then I thought of it as anti-God. How I thought universal love could be anti-God boggles my mind now, but I believe the sentiments of the song I subsequently wrote are something we all have experienced. The right demonizes the left and the left demonizes the right, and we are all left screaming and attacking and glad when the other side 'gets theirs.' The song I wrote, to me, is a lament that what should be the most peaceable of religions has been - and continues to be - used as a weapon to justify violence against other of God's children. I wanted to set up the juxtaposition of overtly or covertly justifying violence in God's name with the irony of the woman loving her children and being genuinely 'nice' in other aspects of her life. It makes the song all the sadder to me. And, hopefully, it creates a disequilibrium in the listener, begging them to ask how can this be and where do those same roots lie in me?
Gretchen
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hi Neal,
I saw you play at Proclaim tonight. Besides marveling at the musical gifts God has given you, I am left wondering what your purpose was in writing "Imagine That."
Peace,
Gretchen
I saw you play at Proclaim tonight. Besides marveling at the musical gifts God has given you, I am left wondering what your purpose was in writing "Imagine That."
Peace,
Gretchen
A.J.
Hopkins
Great concert, really thought-provoking, sometimes disturbing songs. Both my friend and I left wishing for more of the story behind how each song came to be, where you were, who else was there, any particular event that triggered an idea or lyric ...
Barb
St. Paul
I was at the concert last night and was blown away by the depth and meaning of Neal's new songs. By the end of the night I felt ready to engage again in dialogue around these difficult issues. I think I have been avoiding discussing these topics with people who I know disagree with me. I think I have been expecting too little of myself. The whole evening was moving and inspiring. Thank you, Neal, for this wonderful gift.
Cindy
Barton School Mpls
Thanks for being brave enough to bring up issues we all ponder yet don't always talk about. Additionally, offering the invitation for us as a community to discuss these topics with some structure wrapped around it. I'm looking forward to being part of the process... starting with your concert!