Friday, January 23, 2009

regarding Baptism

I'm right now in the midst of re-writing Spirithome's materials on Christian baptism. But there's something I need to know, because it's not something I can see from where I'm at.

This is for those of you who are not a committed Christian, attend only occasionally, are agnostic, or just find such things puzzling. Most of you have at least a passing familiarity with it -- you've been to a friend's child's baptism, or you've seen it in movies or on the media, read about it, or heard a colleague talk about it. I'm inviting you to write in about what baptism (the act, the ceremony, the talk about it) seems like to you.

To give you an idea, I'll start with a few items others have already told me. (You don't have to be this brief.)

-- a ceremony to mark the arrival of a baby
-- symbols that have been robbed of much of their real-ness
-- another occasion for collecting money
-- a way to pay homage to one's traditions and forebears
-- a way to enhance the power of ordained ministers
-- a mother's moment of honor in public or before the rest of the family

Do you have something more to add to these? A story to describe it? An entirely different reaction? Whatever it is, I want to hear it. Just write it as a blog comment to this note.

Thank you, in advance.
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Monday, January 12, 2009

Bob Longman show, 2008 year-end list

as heard on WUSB 90.1 fm Stony Brook NY, and wusb.fm, Sun afts 12:30-2:30 pm
rank -- song -- artist

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(1) No Words -- Neil Diamond
(2) Seven Steps to Heaven -- Take 6/Al Jarreau/Jon Hendricks/Till Bronner
(3) Breathe -- Keller Williams
(4) Half Of It -- Tim Blane
(5) Unburden -- Julia Brown
(6) Lullabye -- Tim Blane
(7) Not the End -- Natalie Walker
(8) the World Keeps You Waiting -- New York Voices
(9) It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace) -- Kenny Neal
(10) I Remain -- Carolann Ames

(11) Adelaide -- Tim Miller
(12) Dreamer -- Sergio Mendes/Lani Hall/Herb Alpert
(13) Flip Flop & Fly -- Cephas & Wiggins
(14) Grace -- Brooke Annibale
(15) One -- Keziah Jones
(16) Ride On -- Ben Wise
(17) Take Your Time -- Al Green w. Corinne Bailey Rae
(18) The Way We Do -- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
(19) Where Dreams Are Bound -- Ben Wise
(20) You've Got to Hurt (Before You Can Heal) -- Kenny Neal

(21) A Deeper Meaning -- Phil Roy
(22) AKA Papa Funk -- Jimmy McCracken
(23) Ashrey Ha'ish -- Sheva
(24) Bass Blues -- Belinda Underwood w. Nancy King
(25) Chamego (Betty's Bossa) -- New York Voices
(26) Disappear -- Michael Korb
(27) Dodo's Bounce -- James Carter
(28) Even Trade -- Terence Martin
(29) Get It, Get It -- Janiva Magness
(30) Hard to Lie -- Brooke Annibale

(31) Hide and Seek -- Return To the Dream
(32) Home To Me -- Phil Minissale
(33) I Can't Make It Alone -- Lou Rawls
(34) I'm Glad You're Mine -- Janiva Magness
(35) I'm Wild About You -- Al Green
(36) Last to Die -- Bruce Springsteen
(37) My Babe -- Dion DiMucci
(38) October Dance -- Seven Octaves
(39) Only You -- Watson Twins
(40) Prosciutto E Meloni -- La Bande Magnetik

(41) Rapid Shave -- James Carter
(42) Scramblin' -- Jo Williamson
(43) The Secret -- Toby Walker
(44) Summer Place -- Kaydi Johnson
(45) Things About Coming My Way -- Ruth Brown
(46) Thoughts and Prayers -- Ron Sexsmith
(47) Two Toasts -- Carrie Newcomer
(48) Un-Wishing Well -- Rajaton
(49) WHY -- Phil & Ian Keaggy
(50) Your Protector -- Fleet Foxes

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