the friesen blog

I have been thinking a lot about transcendence in the last few months. 

transcend /træn'send, tra:-/ v.t. be beyond range or domain or grasp of (experience or belief or description etc.); excel, surpass. [F or L (scando climb)]

transcendent a. of supreme merit or quality; (of God) existing apart from, or not subject to limitations of, material universe; transcendence n,; transcendency n.

We talk of God being transcendent, that is God exists beyond us.  And Chidester, in Patterns of Transcendence articulates four ways in which humans try to transcend themselves: Ancestral Transcendence, Experiential Transcendence, Cultural Transcendence, and Mythic Transcendence.

A number of questions are occupying my headspace these days on this subject.

1. What is the relationship between God's transcendence and our desire for transcendence?  If we are made in the image of God, is the desire to transcend a God given desire or is the desire to transcend part of living in a messed up, "post fall" world?
2. Is the desire to transcend healthy?  (feel free to deconstruct this question)
3. What does the desire for transcendence mean for the artist, the pastor, the father, the daughter, the musician, the accountant, the workaholic, etc.

I have many more questions on transcendence but I will ask them later.

Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here.  I was hungry.  I was defeated.  I was happy.  I was sad.  I was in love.  I was afraid.  I was hopeful.  I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that's why I made works of art.

            -Felix Gonzalez-Torres   as quoted in The Big Ideas 2005 issue of Adbusters        

Mount Hamilton Baptist Church received three grants for summer students for a program we run called Impact Hamilton.  Essentially it is a social justice ministry designed to impact the community.  I'll keep the details here brief but if you are interested or if you know of students in the Hamilton, ON area that might be interested have them give me a call at 905-575-0570 or contact me through email dallas@mhbc.ca.

thanks.
dallas

I have been listening to the new album by august anchor.  It is amazing.  Peter Nelson, the song writer and lead vocalist is a great talent.  I thought that his work in his previous band, Kilmer, could never be topped but he may have done it with this album.  Peter is a masterful lyricist and his melodies are uniquely haunting.  I would recommend you all pick up the new album.

http://www.augustanchor.com/

cheers.

Wow so where do I begin?

Let me give a real quick update on what has happened in the last couple of days.

First, Leanne 'preached for the call' on Sunday to serve as Lead Pastor for Mount Hamilton Baptist Church.  She was voted in by congregation with a 100% yes count.  So that is absolutely exciting.  Some of you might be scratching your heads wondering, isn't that the church that Dallas pastors.  Why yes it is.  That means that we are going to be ministering together in partnership.  We are very excited.

Then on Sunday night I had an opportunity to play some of my orginal songs at the Freeway's art gallery.  It was fun to get on stage again.  It has been a while since I've played my own material.

On Monday, Leanne's parents came by from Newfoundland for Leanne's graduation on Tuesday.  I am soooo proud of Leanne.  She graduated with a couple scholarships and the Principal's Gold Medal which is the top honour for McMaster Divinity College graduates.  A highlight from the day was listening to Ben Heppner sing.  Ben Heppner is considered by many to be one of the best tenors in the world.  It was amazing listening to him sing. 

I have so much more that I want to write about.  Stay tuned.
peace.
dallas

i wrote this a few years ago.  i love the image of... well, i don't want to say too much... enjoy.

a painting of reality

the canvas is full

or better, it was full.

colors neatly arranged.

precise in their placement.

not a paint by number precision

rather, hues in their brilliance

artistically envisioned.

colors sweet

shapes defined

beauty and truth colorized

with love dominant

the artist repeatedly returned to this work

with slight modifications,

attempting to perfect the picture.

the picture, reality,

or reality from the artist’s perception

the image, however, is not the focus of this tale.

it is important, a web of idea’s, beliefs and dreams

captured through strokes.

on this day, however, upon returning to the print

the artist was confronted with the unimaginable

the paint: blue, cyan, mauve and crimson

fell.

the colors unleashed from their duty

descended to the floor, as though

systematically arranged into puddles.

from a distance the colors seemed separated,

as though the floor were a palette awaiting its artist.

as the artist approached the easel

the colors on the floor no longer

appear isolated into their respective colors.

rather, each color tainted and translucent.

each puddle desirous and incomplete.

the artist in a moment of confusing mourning,

simply turned around and walked away.

If you have any questions for Brian McLaren about his newest books or anything else check out Dwight Friesen's blog.  Brian is a guest on the site for he next few days.

peace.

dallas

Congrats to my big brother-  Rev. Dr. Dwight Friesen for completing his Doctorate degree.  I am proud of his accomplishment and work.