By The Banks

Morning Playlist

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:15:21 +0000

‘God Put A Smile Upon Your Face’ by Coldplay
- A melancholy, regretful ballad. If you don’t use what God has given you, you begin to fade, to doubt, and to fall into darkness.

‘Cemeteries Of London’ by Coldplay
- Another melancholy, dark, introspective song. It spins a story about people living in the darkness of old time London, and missing the clear voice of God because their hearts aren’t open.

‘Keep The Car Running’ by Arcade Fire
- A sense of readiness, being on the edge, and holding on to who you hold dear permeate this soundscape.

‘Typical’ by Mute Math
- Longing, reaching to escape the ordinary life that we instinctively know is not enough…

Music Is Your Religion

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:56:36 +0000

Whatever music you listen to is a reflection of who you really are. The lyrics, the tune, and the ethos of the bands or composers you enjoy show what you are inside.

Music has always been a key aspect of religious expression, of worship, and of contemplation.

There is no secular sound. There is no secular lyric.

Choose carefully.

Camp has come to an end…

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:52:50 +0000

And now I’m adrift in a sea of doubt. God, however, won’t let me drown.

God with people

James Monroe Treakle — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:58:52 +0000

Let it be.

Even when He is not speaking, He is communicating.

Spent

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:38:11 +0000

I am ready to step forward
Go back if it’s necessary
At least I wish I was
I am not ready to hold on more
I take every opportunity
To fall like weakness does

Souls Of Men

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:10:05 +0000

No one dares to stir the sound of silence.
The spiritual realm is empty of speaking, because all the souls of men are dead.

The problem with the world…

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:01:46 +0000

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am.

Sincerely,
James Treakle

Afternoon Playlist

James Monroe Treakle — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:34:09 +0000

‘Magic Carpet Ride’ by Steppenwolf
- Not exactly deep contemplation. Great fun.
‘Smoke on the Water’ by Deep Purple
- Classic.
‘Vertigo’ by U2
- Not usually considered one of this band’s deep songs, it nevertheless captures the tenuous position we often find ourselves in as we are tempted by the devil.
‘Everlasting God’ by Lincoln Brewster
- Originally written by Benton Brown and Ken Riley, this very energetic version has struck a chord in my heart as of late.
‘I Will Possess Your Heart’ by Death Cab For Cutie
- A chilled and refreshing love anthem.

Light

James Monroe Treakle — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:40:16 +0000

It’s real. Tangible. It’s synonymous with life. Or rather, He is.

Embrace Him.

Midnight Playlist 3

James Monroe Treakle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:29:28 +0000

‘The Sound of Silence’ by Simon & Garfunkel
- Exquisite poetry. Haunting.
‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ by U2
- This captures so much of the human spirit.
‘You Know My Name’ by Chris Cornell
- This is one James Bond theme song that doesn’t need James Bond. A great, sad portrait of the desperate soldier on the razor’s edge.
‘Extreme Ways’ by Moby
- Similar to the previous song, but with lyrics that apply to all of us at times.
‘No One Like You’ by David Crowder Band
- Modern praise at its best. This song is particularly useful for those who enjoy performing the “charismatic jump”.

Fasting?

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:29:59 +0000

I was reading in Matthew last night, and it struck me how I had missed something crucial in Jesus’ words about fasting: Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

We’ve always interpreted this as, when Jesus goes back to the Father, the disciples start fasting. Simple.

Well, maybe that’s not all it means. I’m convinced it means… when God seems distant, when your prayers seems to echo back to you, mocking your faith, it’s time to fast. The bridegroom, the “joy of salvation”, is missing. Then you will fast.

Maybe not

James Monroe Treakle — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:42:30 +0000

I’m not feeling it.

You know, the obsession people have with romantic love…

I don’t have it. I can’t see the value in it, for myself. I understand what it is and how truly important it is to humanity, but I’m not thinking along those lines at this point.

The idea of romantic love and sex, just doesn’t dominate my thinking. I’m more interested in God, and in His relationship with humanity, and in little more.

Maybe some time in the future, romantic love will demand something of me.

Weekend Anxiety

James Monroe Treakle — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:08:43 +0000

It’s break time.

After very hard work on Saturday, I’m off for effectively less than 24 hours, driving home and then going back to Ransburg on Sunday.

It’s this way every week.

Will I be able to rest? Will I be refreshed enough to make it through the next week without snapping?

God please give me the grace to do so.

I’ll miss them, like I do every week
As I pray, ask to be strong and meek
Will I survive?
Will I thrive?
Will all I do, be to glorify You?

Creativity…

James Monroe Treakle — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:11:03 +0000

The purpose of human creativity is relationship.

Not art for art’s sake, not entertainment for entertainments sake…

Insight and wisdom for relationship’s sake, humor for the sake of cheering people up, and showing them something in a new way…

This is what makes your generic action movie, romance novel, or doctor’s office painting empty. It lacks relationship, and thus genuine ingenuity.

It has no soul.

Whatever you make
Be it love, hate, or nothing at all
Someone’s heart, it will shake
They will always hear its call

If A Heart Is An Ocean…

James Monroe Treakle — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:46 +0000

And if our media consumption reflects our heart…

Then why do so few of the people I see around me seem like calm seas? Why are hurricanes blowing inside every one of us?

Why do I feel like I’m one of the only people who values peace?

Tell me I can find serenity…
Do you tell yourself to never stop?
Tell me I can find peace, and be still…
Do you tell yourself to never drop, and let it be?

Summer’s Breeze

James Monroe Treakle — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:34:23 +0000

The summer breeze changes direction
Hopes and dreams passing through tired minds
Times and tales told twice are told again

Every year fresh minds hear old stories
Questions and answers said too many times
Tired workers turn away in fading glory

Why do you come?
Go back to the city where the voices dwell.
Go back to the city where they buy and sell.
For the Summer’s soul you’ll suffer a splinter
You’ll find that Summer’s heart is as hard as Winter’s
Why do you come here?
We are laid waste by nihilistic hatred
Their damned thoughts have such terrible tread
“Winter may bite, yet Summer’s song remains!”
An anthem of perversity has buried its refrains
Why do you come here now?

The summer breeze changes direction
Hopes and dreams at last awaken them
Times and tales told thrice are told again

Every year old minds hear fresh stories
Answers and questions said one more time
Tired workers awake in building glory

Why do you go?
Come back to the place where the song is sung
Come back to the place of the holy tongues
For the Winter’s soul will crush your own
But Summer’s heart is where seed is sown
Why do you go away?
Damned lies and deceptions fall useless
Their bitter unforgiveness gone for the best
“Summer’s song is ringing empty and hope is dying!”
Yet brazen Winter’s minstrels are all just lying
Why do you go away now?

The summer breeze changes direction
Hopes and dreams are put to quiet rest
Times and tales told too much are told again…

Voices Shatter Glass

James Monroe Treakle — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:31:21 +0000

Voices shatter the glass
Beautiful, mild and crass
Mediums delivering hearts
Laying their lives out in parts

The city echoes from pain
The city shudders from joy
The village is wasted by death
The village is blowing away
And to all those who know
The knowing scatters the mass
And to each one who knows
The knowing shatters the glass

Knowledge and action are destroyed
Swallowed up into a void
At last it comes to me
To admit that I can see

The city is wasted by death
The city is blowing away
The village has been rebuilt
The village is flowing with life
And to all those who know
The knowing gathers the mass
And to each who knows
The knowing rebuilds the glass

Knowledge and action are remade
Taken into heaven’s gate
At last it comes to me
To admit that I could see

Sudden Recovery

James Monroe Treakle — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:46:06 +0000

Highs and lows are fickle.

Finding serenity is the goal.

I just don’t know how.

Maybe that’s part of the problem.

Holding On

James Monroe Treakle — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:49:28 +0000

Encouragement seems irritating, even though I know I’ll make it…

This isn’t “Nothing feels good”, this is “Where did my spirit go?”

This isn’t depression, this is withdrawal.

This isn’t loneliness, this isn’t sleep, this is being out of breath, and needing something more than physical rest.

This is holding on.

Another Midnight Playlist

James Monroe Treakle — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:50:47 +0000

‘Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows’ by Petra
- Pretty much one of the best Christian rock songs, ever. Essentially, it’s Keith Green’s ‘Asleep in the Light’, but rockier.
‘The Arms of Sorrow’ by Killswitch Engage
- I really don’t listen to much of the heavier, newer metal, but Killswitch has a certain charm, and this song, an examination of depression, is a winner.
‘Headphones’ by Jars of Clay
- One of the best songs on their 2009 album, it’s a fantastic blend of pop hooks with radio-friendly though insightful lyrics. Surprisingly melancholy.
‘Messes of Men’ by Mewithoutyou
- A lyrical great (what else can we expect from Mewithoutyou?) that’s all about navigating the stormy ocean of lust. Fantastic.