My Crazy Times

Much of what is passed off as art today is just ordinary, a cheap imitation of a once great thing. It applies to all mediums whether it be music, film or literature. Technology has obliterated the walls of creativity allowing anyone with a mac or pc to create whatever their heart desires and then post it on the web for all to see or hear. The flip side to this though is that technology has afforded many great artists to share their gift with a larger audience.

One such artist is Patrick McBride whose debut album All That Remains fills one with hope that great art is still possible. Cut from the same mold as great folk writers Pierce Pettis and James Taylor, McBride pours his passion for life, love and faith into each song.

I’ve found myself captivated by a different song with each listen of the album. Perhaps the most masterful song is the title track, All That Remains. A song born out of heartbreak, but also one that inspires courage to move forward through the uncertainty of life.

Recorded in a home studio, All That Remains, is not polished and over produced and while some may find fault with that, it’s just one of the many factors that makes this album great. An overly polished album is mundane, sterile and simply a poor representation of how life really is. Life is filled with pain and suffering, doubts and questions and it’s the ability to find hope and love in the midst of all the junk that makes awe inspiring art.

Visit Patrick McBride on the web www.patmcbride.com

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Preface: I began writing this piece before the tragic events at Virginia Tech. My heart aches for the families and friends who lost loved ones. Why that person chose to massacre all those innocent people is a question I don’t think anyone will be able to answer. Nevertheless, there are many who will offer up their opinion and in giving their opinion seek to blame someone or something for this senseless evil. In just 48 hours some of those being blamed were Charlton Heston, video games and homosexuals and in time that list will grow to contain conservatives, liberals, gun companies and on and on it grows. Wanting an answer is natural, I just don’t think the truth can be contained in a sound-bite.

H.L. Mencken said, “For every complex problem there is an easy answer, and it is wrong.” What is easy, though, is the answer of how we respond to God and others in the midst of this complex existence. Micah 6:8 (The Message) states:

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what GOD is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously -
take God seriously.

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Why do junkies continue to stick needles in their arms?

Why does the prostitute sell her body, and why does the husband and father solicit it?

Why do many Christians condone the killing of men, women and children through war and yet base their voting decision on whether a candidate is pro-life?

Why can we not consider more than one way to solving a problem?

Why does the husband beat his wife and the father beat his children?

How can the last become first, and the meek inherit the earth?

Why do we do those things we know we shouldn’t and often times don’t even want to do?

Why can’t we be faithful, honest, peaceful, loving and merciful to all persons regardless of age, sex, race or religion?

There are no easy answers. Sure it would be convenient to be able to give a ten-word response to all these questions, but we wouldn’t be seeking after truth. Truth can be difficult to see, hell, Pontius Pilate couldn’t even see it and it was standing right in front of him, but it can be found. We must be passionate and diligent in our search, but truth is available to us all.

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This month M.C.T. will be presenting an exclusive interview with Jars of Clay as well as reviewing their concert at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio. We’re very excited about this opportunity for M.C.T. and we want to share this experience.

So if you have a question you’d like to ask to Jars of Clay, send it our way. We’ll pick a couple of the top questions and include them in our interview with the band.

Thanks to all of you who frequent M.C.T., keep coming by, we love company.

Submit Question

Much Love!!

My Crazy Times
For better or worse, it’s all a part of the journey.
Come join in the conversation.

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By: Joel Henderson

As far back as I can remember music has played a significant role in my life. Now I don’t play an instrument, except for that disastrous few months in grade school I attempted to learn the trombone, and I’ve only sung a few times in front of people and was given a charitable “A” for effort. Up until a few years ago my interaction with music was simply what I heard on the radio and then out of nowhere I was surrounded by talented musicians. Many of the original members of M.C.T. have talent coming out their pores (see: Banner), and it was through M.C.T. that I became to know Matt and Trish Nelson, the husband and wife duo who make up New Love Over.

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