Francesca Battistelli & Logan Martin in concert

Two very different Christian artists but who are both favorites of mine were at Mountain Christian Fellowship in Medford last night (11/21).

Logan Martin from Salem has the songs, the voice and the stage presence to keep an audience captivated for as long as he chooses.

His amazing voice which swoops and caresses by turn reminds me of a cross between Phil Wickham and the late great Jeff Buckley. Logan is one of those rare artists who sound just as good with only a guitar for accompaniment as they do with a band.

His humor, his engaging way with an audience and his heart as he shared about the Mocha Club cannot help but draw you in, and he deservedly received a standing ovation as he left the stage.

Francesca Battistelli, on the other hand, is a developing talent who really is learning as she goes. On her side is her powerhouse of a voice, along with a fantastic major label debut in "My Paper Heart".

The voice was there in spadeloads last night, but we saw a different side to Francesca than some might have expected.

Any fears that the major label connection might seek to water down her sharing her faith were totally blown away as Francesca shared not just stripped-down acoustic versions of songs from "My Paper Heart", but also an inspired selection of worship songs including Starfield's "Hallelujah", Tim Hughes' "Happy Day" and a heartfelt "How Great Thou Art".

While Francesca is, as I say, still learning her business, learning the art of stagecraft, and would never claim to be the greatest guitar player in the world, what did come over clearly was the sheer authenticity of the girl, her willingness to share her heart, and her joy in serving her God.

That, no-one can take away from her, and my prayer is that she will continue to develop as an artist, continue to minister from whatever platform God chooses to give her, and that her light will burn on for many years to come.

An open letter to President George W Bush

I reproduce below, with their permission, an open letter to the outgoing President from a Republican and a Democrat. It crystallizes far more eloquently than I could, how much we owe to the Commander In Chief, and highlights the measure of grace with which he and John McCain accepted defeat, which sharply contrasts with the poor grace with which the liberal left hailed their victory.


"By Perry Atkinson and Bob Just
© 2008
Dear President Bush

As you near the time of your presidential farewell, we want to take this moment to thank you for all you have done for this country. We also want you to know that you are in our prayers not only for the remainder of your term of office, but also for what we hope will be a many wonderful years ahead for you and Mrs. Bush. We know you will both continue to serve the country you love, and we thank you for that in advance.

As you prepare your farewell address, and reflect on the last eight years, we would like to thank you specifically for several things, beginning with your bold leadership in the War on Terror.

Many have now forgotten, but we remember the shock and confusion that descended on this country, not only due to the sudden and terrible loss of innocent American lives, but because none of us understood this new kind of war, or how to fight it, or what catastrophic dangers might lay ahead.

You galvanized the nation not only with stirring and true words before Congress but because you backed those words with decisive action, sending an immediate message to our enemies that while America's free and open society remained vulnerable to attack, the United States had the power and the will to deliver a devastating counterattack.

Totalitarian bullies have always respected power, and we thank you for not shrinking from your duty to use the power given to you in trust by the American people. Coupled with your aggressive leadership in securing the homeland, the actions you took abroad have led to many years of safety, which no American could have predicted on that fateful September morning over seven years ago.

You warned us many times that this asymmetric, terrorist form of total war could go on for years – and yes, we know that despite your success, our enemies will one day find the moment they seek to deliver the next blow. Nevertheless, a standard of presidential action has been set: No accommodation for terrorists or, ultimately, for the nations that support and encourage them.

Many have forgotten, but we remember that millions upon millions of human beings were liberated during your presidency, freed from a tyranny full of horrors few of us can even imagine. You waged war not only against terrorism, but also for a higher ground – for freedom. In this, you gave the world a choice. For truly, as you said, all people, no matter what their race or religion, are created with a longing for liberty.

Americans died in these foreign lands that others might live – and live free. Let this continued sacrifice of life and limb always remind us of the true nature of the American heart. Thank you for knowing and appreciating that true heart, and for always honoring our troops who so perfectly represent the best of who we are as a people.

Most importantly, we thank you also for honoring God, not only as you rallied this country in time of war, but as you called us to our better selves by honoring the sanctity of life – for what is liberty without that? Thank you for reminding us that life, including that of unborn children, must be protected and nourished in a just society. Thank you too for defending marriage and family and through them, for protecting our children and our national future. Your leadership in these areas will not be forgotten.

Finally, as Christians, we are grateful for how you represented Christ in office, often under temptation to mirror the mean-spiritedness of current politics.

Your continual civility under great pressure, and sometimes in the face of genuine hatred from fellow citizens, has set a good example for us all – and especially for those who will occupy that office in the future. For these things especially, you will be remembered and greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Perry Atkinson - Republican
Robert Just - Democrat"

Obama's Brave New World

The chilling new world to be presided over by Barack Obama was never better illustrated than in the hate-covered faces of Gay Rights Proposition 8 protestors in Florida, as they intimidated and bullied Phyllis Burgess, an elderly lady and supporter of Prop 8, who was trying in a totally peaceful and reasonable way to make her point to the protesters (something which, when I last checked, was a perfectly reasonable and legal thing to do under the American Constitution).

These mindless thugs did everything they could to prevent Phyllis from giving tv interviews (again, something she has a perfect right to do), and eventually succeeded in drowning her out and intimidating her to the extent that she was forced to give up.

Had this not been broadcast live on CBS in Florida, one shudders to think of the fate that might have befallen this elderly lady, but sadly it only goes to show that although the people of California, and a number of other states voted entirely democratically, and by a fairly significant margin, to uphold marriage as between a man and a woman, because it did not fit in with what they wanted, these louts decided to go on a spree of destruction, mindless vandalism and personal intimidation.

Very grown up.

If these people really think that they are going to wring an ounce of sympathy for themselves as a result of their actions, they are even stupider than they make themselves appear.

And to make matters worse, the local news anchor had the gall to comment at the end of the report: "There's a lot of anger and a lot of hate, obviously, on both sides". Clearly a laughable commentary on what had just transpired, but probably a good indication of how scared the media is of angering the gay lobby in our modern world.

Unfortunately, the President-elect is on their side, so I hate to think what we could be facing up to, especially as this is one issue where the will of a huge number of people who showed their feelings in a democratic vote is in direct opposition to the President-to-be.

If that isn't frightening, I don't know what is.

My only hope is that while we still have the freedom to speak out for what we believe is right, as set out in the Constitution, we will make the most of it, and people just like Phyllis Burgess will be able to protest and make their point in peace.

Just imagine the outcry if gay rights protestors had been treated the way Phyllis Burgess was.

We'd never hear the last of it

Redistribution of wealth in practice...not so much fun, huh?

"Today on my way to the Waffle House for breakfast I passed a homeless
guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.'

I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an 'Obama 08' pin; again I
laughed as she had given away her political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to her that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept.

She stood there in disbelief while I told her that I was going to redistribute her tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside.

The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I'd decided he could use the money more.

The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waitress was very angry that I gave away the money she did earn even though the actual recipient apparently needed the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application."

Francesca Battistelli - My Paper Heart

It's not often that I get REALLY excited about a cd, but since September, two have come along that I can barely keep off my iPod. The first was Lincoln Brewster's fabulous "Today Is The Day" album, and now the debut from major label hotshot Francesca Battistelli.

What makes this album doubly exciting is that Battistelli is a committed, and very open Christian, a fact which comes over loud and clear on this Warner Brothers/Curb release.

Aside from a very cute paper heart shaped lyric booklet, you first notice just how mature a songwriter this 23 year old from New York City really is.

Immediate reference points I guess (although I really don't like having to do that) would be Sara Bareilles with a possible hint of Nichole Nordeman, but musically Francesca sails a lot closer to Bareilles, as the more up-tempo songs have some real guts and groove without being musically overbearing.

It's not often you can say, hand on heart, that there is not one poor song, or filler on a record, but I can honestly say this applies here.

There are three types of song really on display here; the uptempo rockers (opener "Free To Be Me", "Unpredictable"), the songs with a groove (the excellent funky title track along with "Blue Sky") and then the ballads, which on this album are not just used as quiet interludes, but which are quality songs in themselves.

Recent single "Beautiful Beautiful" is a sensitive worship song in which Francesca sings

"Now there's a joy inside I can't contain/But even perfect days can end in rain/And though it's pouring down/I see you through the clouds/Shining on my face"

The brilliantly simple worship song "Forever Love" which I could easily see being sung in churches accross the land, and closer "Time In Between", which is again very cleverly written.

The playing is at all times sympathetic and never overshadows Battistelli's work, and her voice itself is a tour de force; at times a powerful growl, at other times a soft purr, but always mesmerising.

This album will easily sit in my top 3 for 2008. Francesca is coming to Medford in November, and I for one cannot wait to hear her in person.

A subtle way to argue?

In my near 18 months in this great nation, I have noticed one (among many) interesting thing about Democrats who appear on TV and radio news channels.

It would appear that they have decided that they are unable to win the argument in a rational and calm fashion, so they have taken - almost without exception - to attempting to shout and bully as loud and as stridently as possible.

Time after time on TV I see Democrats trying to yell and bully their way to what they appear to see as some kind of victory.

What they do not appear to realize is that apart from making them look increasingly uncouth, irrational and dismissive of any contrary opinion, far more importantly they are shown up as desperate and childish in their crazed mission for power at all costs.

The American nation will not be fooled.

Fireproof

So this is the third - and eagerly anticpiated - production from Sherwood Baptist Church and the Kendrick brothers, following the lead of their first movie "Flywheel" by focusing in on husband/wife relationships, but this time in the context of a firefighter, played by former child TV star Kirk Cameron.

The story concentrates on the story of a marriage gone bad and how divorce proceedings are put on hold while the husband is challenged to a 40-day dare.

Let's be frank; Fireproof isn't going to win any Oscars, but I'm sure that is not anywhere on the list of priorities of the film makers. What's important to them, and what is by far the most striking thing about the movie is the pro-marriage, pro-family message, and that shines out loud and clear, although sometimes at the expense of smooth narrative.

There are some weaknesses, and it would be remiss of me not to point them out.

In my opinion, the opening set-up of why Caleb and Catherine are so bitter towards one another isn't really established, with the result that Caleb flies off the handle frequently at his wife without there seeming to be any real reason. Several times his rage seems totally disproportionate to his wife's behavior. Now to married people, this may make perfect sense, but singles may not get that.

Whilst the main body of the movie is fine, I also had problems with the ending, or rather, endings. The Kendricks just don't seem to know when to stop the movie. Two or three times we reach melodramatic climaxes and expect credits to roll, only to be propelled into yet another emotional scene.

Whilst I could also gripe about some really cheesy moments and a few rather cheesy acting performances, let's be fair, a lot of the actors are first-timers, and there are some really strong performances, underpinned by Cameron, who is powerful and authentic as Caleb. There are also some very deft comic touches (although some are a bit less subtle than they need be, as if the director wants to make sure the audience knows what's happening when they already will),

The music throughout is well chosen and very well positioned. Particularly noteworthy are Casting Crowns' "Slow Fade" and John Waller's "While I'm Waiting". Look out also for songs by Third Day and Leeland.

Overall, as I've said, this movie is important mainly for it's message and not it's production values (although it is definitely streets ahead of its two predecessors in that area), and I'm sure it will be an important ministry resource along with the "Love Dare" book that's already been published along with a number of other products.

My only concern I guess would be getting non-believers to see the movie, especially when those in the secular field who don't understand it's mission have already started panning it for it's low budget deficiencies.

But I pray that God will use it, as there is no doubt that this is one of the more important movies of the year.