A lot of people will tell you that today, the contemporary Christian music scene is largely dominated by men. If I were to list a few of the most popular groups and artists played on the nationally-syndicated station Air 1, you'd hear names like these: tobyMac, Skillet, Kutless, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, David Crowder.
Not a woman in the mix.
This sad fact has only recently been pointed out in Christian media outlets; a particularly good read is this feature from Christianity Today on Addison Road's frontwoman, Jenny Simmons.
While I have nothing against male artists, because of the lack of females in the industry, I'm much more likely to gravitate toward them.
One of my favorite Christian artists made her solo debut just recently, and has had a firm grip on my attention ever since. Her name is Audrey Assad, a pianist/singer/songwriter hailing from the Phoenix area. Her music is incredibly simplistic, rarely more than piano and rhythm underneath her airy yet powerful soprano vocals.
In every sense of the word, her music is a form of prayer as she touches on subjects that many of her genre shy away from: doubt, suffering, apathy among them.
"Fear is a current we all get caught in
and in its motion, faith can be so hard to find.
And we all falter, 'cause we're all broken
we're just trying to turn the shadows into light ...
You say I am blessed because of this
so I choose to believe
That if I carry this cross,
You'll carry me."
This is just one example of how Assad speaks candidly to both the worries Christians face, and the hope that we can be sure of in Christ.
Random trivia: She's a Catholic convert, the only one in her family, and got her start singing backup vocals for her best friend, Matt Maher. I wrote about Matt (who is also Catholic) on this blog last year.
Check out this video of Audrey Assad performing "For Love of You," the first track off her debut album, "The House You're Building." Then, do yourself a favor and buy the CD.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Off Beat: Writers beat the clock in November
A lot of writers, whether professional or amateur, have big dreams. Many of them long for the day that their name graces the front cover of the New Releases section at Barnes & Noble, or even better, the New York Times' Best Seller list.
Every year, some of these people set out on the journey to write that great American novel. But the majority of them aren't crazy enough to try it in a month.
That's exactly what hundreds of thousands do each year during November, though. Armed with nothing but a flash of plotted brilliance and gallons of caffeine, they tackle the fiction beast that is National Novel Writing Month.
The event, which began on a whim in 1999 with freelance writer Chris Baty, offers hopeful novelists a quick and dirty opportunity to get their ideas down on paper. Beginning at midnight local time on Nov. 1, they have just 30 days to write a 50,000-word work of fiction.
In its first year, NaNoWriMo had just 21 participants, mostly Baty's friends from the San Francisco Bay Area; only a third of these met the goal. Eleven years later, 197,000 adults and young people from all over the globe have signed up for the challenge.
A popular component of the experience is the write-in, a meeting of local participants (called "wrimos") in venues throughout a specific region. Most of these people meet via the website's forum system, which includes regional chapters. According to the NaNo website, there are currently 164 people from South Jersey who have written at least a word this year (including me!).
The task of writing at least 1,667 words every day to hit the big 50K by the month's end may seem daunting, but it ends up not being so bad. If a person types as little as 30 words a minute, it will take just under an hour to get the day's quota done. With careful examination of our daily schedules and a little trimming here are there, it's a piece of cake.
The hardest part for a lot of participants is turning off their "inner editor," that voice of criticism that threatens to beat the hopeful writer into the dirt with every sentence. That's why the month-long deadline is in place. You have to write quickly, not worrying about being critical; in this way, you end up writing for the love of it.
To learn more about National Novel Writing Month, its sister program Script Frenzy, or the Young Writers Program, visit their website: The Office of Letters & Light.
A popular component of the experience is the write-in, a meeting of local participants (called "wrimos") in venues throughout a specific region. Most of these people meet via the website's forum system, which includes regional chapters. According to the NaNo website, there are currently 164 people from South Jersey who have written at least a word this year (including me!).
The task of writing at least 1,667 words every day to hit the big 50K by the month's end may seem daunting, but it ends up not being so bad. If a person types as little as 30 words a minute, it will take just under an hour to get the day's quota done. With careful examination of our daily schedules and a little trimming here are there, it's a piece of cake.
The hardest part for a lot of participants is turning off their "inner editor," that voice of criticism that threatens to beat the hopeful writer into the dirt with every sentence. That's why the month-long deadline is in place. You have to write quickly, not worrying about being critical; in this way, you end up writing for the love of it.
To learn more about National Novel Writing Month, its sister program Script Frenzy, or the Young Writers Program, visit their website: The Office of Letters & Light.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Losing Christ in Christmas
I was really hoping that I would be able to save this post for another week or two, but it looks like the time has come sooner than I expected.
Or I guess what I should say is that "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."
Today, I went to spend some of the birthday money that's been burning a hole in my pocket at a mall about 30 miles south of Rowan. Signs were up all over the place advertising the upcoming arrival of Santa Claus for photos and eager wish lists on ... Nov. 13! How about that. Don't you think it would be easier to, you know, put the Halloween decorations away first? Goodness, we still have a solid three weeks to go before Thanksgiving, even.
Now in the spirit of full disclosure and integrity I have to confess that I'm probably more excited than my baby cousins (seven of them ages 2 to 6, one on the way) when it comes to the holiday season. I'm guilty of blasting Christmas music in my apartment on campus by the second week of classes, have had ideas for gifts since the third, and was very close to buying my outfit for the family party today. I'm really terrible about it.
In my own defense, however, the reason I'm so crazy is because my family has taught me to appreciate the joy and simplicity of this time of year, despite the rushing and preparations. It's an opportunity to slow down with my family and be thankful that we've gotten through another year. For me personally, the coming of Christmas has given me so much more to celebrate now that I actually celebrate it for its purpose -- Christ. (So that's what Christmas is about? Jesus? Go figure!)
The stores were full to overflowing today with trees, candy canes, snowmen and enough reindeer to fill a barn...yet, ironically, the only time I saw anything to do with spirituality was in a gift card envelope. Even that reference was one use of the word "holy" in a ridiculous and cheesy rhyming couplet. I read it, groaned, and put it back.
Where, I kept asking myself, did they hide the Christ child under all of those snowmen???
Keep the faith, friends. ;)
(I'm thinking of turning this into a column for The Whit...Cuddy, when you see this, do you think it's got a shot if I clean it up some?)
Or I guess what I should say is that "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."
Today, I went to spend some of the birthday money that's been burning a hole in my pocket at a mall about 30 miles south of Rowan. Signs were up all over the place advertising the upcoming arrival of Santa Claus for photos and eager wish lists on ... Nov. 13! How about that. Don't you think it would be easier to, you know, put the Halloween decorations away first? Goodness, we still have a solid three weeks to go before Thanksgiving, even.
Now in the spirit of full disclosure and integrity I have to confess that I'm probably more excited than my baby cousins (seven of them ages 2 to 6, one on the way) when it comes to the holiday season. I'm guilty of blasting Christmas music in my apartment on campus by the second week of classes, have had ideas for gifts since the third, and was very close to buying my outfit for the family party today. I'm really terrible about it.
In my own defense, however, the reason I'm so crazy is because my family has taught me to appreciate the joy and simplicity of this time of year, despite the rushing and preparations. It's an opportunity to slow down with my family and be thankful that we've gotten through another year. For me personally, the coming of Christmas has given me so much more to celebrate now that I actually celebrate it for its purpose -- Christ. (So that's what Christmas is about? Jesus? Go figure!)
The stores were full to overflowing today with trees, candy canes, snowmen and enough reindeer to fill a barn...yet, ironically, the only time I saw anything to do with spirituality was in a gift card envelope. Even that reference was one use of the word "holy" in a ridiculous and cheesy rhyming couplet. I read it, groaned, and put it back.
Where, I kept asking myself, did they hide the Christ child under all of those snowmen???
Keep the faith, friends. ;)
(I'm thinking of turning this into a column for The Whit...Cuddy, when you see this, do you think it's got a shot if I clean it up some?)
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
The Hallowed Three
Hi. My apologies for the lack of updates -- I came down with a bad cold early Monday morning and have spent the better part of this week in bed. :( Fun stuff. I'm still not better, but I'm definitely getting there.
I had wanted to write this week about a series of holy days that the Church observed this week that are all interconnected -- All Saints Day on Nov. 1, All Souls Day on Nov. 2, and believe it or not, Halloween.
I know, that seems a little crazy. But the spookiest day of the year has more ties to Christianity than most people realize. As a matter of fact, I only learned this last week myself. I got most of my information from a homily by priest acquaintance of mine, Fr. Brian Ditullio, the Vocations Director in the Diocese of Paterson.
Most people know that Halloween traces its roots to two different cultures -- the Mexican Dia de los Muerte (Day of the Dead), and the ancient Celtic feast of Samhain, still celebrated today by Pagans and Druids worldwide. But as Catholicism began to spread around the world, the blending of these different cultures both eased the conversion process while creating a unique day of remembrance.
Of course, in many religions that believe in an afterlife, the deceased play various roles in faith even though they are no longer present. The Church has always honored its martyrs in the spring, but that feast was eventually moved to coincide with All Saints (this is where dressing up in spooky costumes comes from). The name Halloween comes from the phrase "all hallows eve," meaning the night before a sacred (hallowed) day. It was always the first day in a series of three to honor the dead -- one for the martyrs, one for those who are in heaven with God, and the last for those being purified before heaven in purgatory.
While it's true that Samhain has ties to occultism, especially in those faiths that contact the dead through witchcraft, it's got practically nothing to do with Satan.
So go on -- indulge in some of that super cheap post-Halloween candy and remember all of your loved ones who have passed on.
I had wanted to write this week about a series of holy days that the Church observed this week that are all interconnected -- All Saints Day on Nov. 1, All Souls Day on Nov. 2, and believe it or not, Halloween.
I know, that seems a little crazy. But the spookiest day of the year has more ties to Christianity than most people realize. As a matter of fact, I only learned this last week myself. I got most of my information from a homily by priest acquaintance of mine, Fr. Brian Ditullio, the Vocations Director in the Diocese of Paterson.
Most people know that Halloween traces its roots to two different cultures -- the Mexican Dia de los Muerte (Day of the Dead), and the ancient Celtic feast of Samhain, still celebrated today by Pagans and Druids worldwide. But as Catholicism began to spread around the world, the blending of these different cultures both eased the conversion process while creating a unique day of remembrance.
Of course, in many religions that believe in an afterlife, the deceased play various roles in faith even though they are no longer present. The Church has always honored its martyrs in the spring, but that feast was eventually moved to coincide with All Saints (this is where dressing up in spooky costumes comes from). The name Halloween comes from the phrase "all hallows eve," meaning the night before a sacred (hallowed) day. It was always the first day in a series of three to honor the dead -- one for the martyrs, one for those who are in heaven with God, and the last for those being purified before heaven in purgatory.
While it's true that Samhain has ties to occultism, especially in those faiths that contact the dead through witchcraft, it's got practically nothing to do with Satan.
So go on -- indulge in some of that super cheap post-Halloween candy and remember all of your loved ones who have passed on.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Health in Body and Spirit at TOT
Last night (Wednesday) was the second session of South Jersey Theology on Tap. There have only been four scheduled so far as a trial process; in 2011, the youth ministry staff at the diocese will decide how to proceed.
Tonight, our speaker was Patrick Donovan, the Executive Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Wilmington. I have to confess that I stuck my nose up when I heard about the theme for the night, "Body, Mind and Spirit: Total Fitness in the 21st Century" and almost considered sitting this one out.
In retrospect, I'm really glad I went. It was nothing like the discussion on exercise and eating my veggies like I thought it would be.
Donovan, who is slightly dejected over recently hitting the big 4-0 and no longer being classified as a young adult (the threshold is usually 18-39 these days), was full of humor and sarcasm. With a wife and four children spaced each a year apart, I guess you have to be!
"I used to be a runner," he told us, gesturing to his growing belly, "but now I only run when someone's chasing me with a weapon. Or to save my 2-year-old son, who thinks that playing in traffic is a good idea."
He then moved on to discussing the end scene of the 1988 movie Field of Dreams, where the main character realizes at long last that he's found his father. For Catholics, Donovan said, that should be our life's goal: to reach the end and realize that we are finally home with our Father.
"But how are you going to get there?" he asked us, referring to yesterday's Gospel reading about those turned away at the narrow gate of heaven. "You can't do it knowing about God. You need to know Him -- and be able to recognize Him."
Tonight, our speaker was Patrick Donovan, the Executive Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Wilmington. I have to confess that I stuck my nose up when I heard about the theme for the night, "Body, Mind and Spirit: Total Fitness in the 21st Century" and almost considered sitting this one out.
In retrospect, I'm really glad I went. It was nothing like the discussion on exercise and eating my veggies like I thought it would be.
Donovan, who is slightly dejected over recently hitting the big 4-0 and no longer being classified as a young adult (the threshold is usually 18-39 these days), was full of humor and sarcasm. With a wife and four children spaced each a year apart, I guess you have to be!
"I used to be a runner," he told us, gesturing to his growing belly, "but now I only run when someone's chasing me with a weapon. Or to save my 2-year-old son, who thinks that playing in traffic is a good idea."
He then moved on to discussing the end scene of the 1988 movie Field of Dreams, where the main character realizes at long last that he's found his father. For Catholics, Donovan said, that should be our life's goal: to reach the end and realize that we are finally home with our Father.
"But how are you going to get there?" he asked us, referring to yesterday's Gospel reading about those turned away at the narrow gate of heaven. "You can't do it knowing about God. You need to know Him -- and be able to recognize Him."
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A part of something bigger
Tonight, something pretty momentous happened in the relationship between Rowan and the Glassboro community, at least in the Catholic world.
After several years of talks, studies and careful planning, the Catholic Campus Ministry at the university has been incorporated as a part of St. Bridget's Parish, Glassboro.
The church has been part of the borough for over a century now, and not only serves local residents, but is also designated the "personal parish" of Latino Catholics in the county and elsewhere. Now, they've also become the personal parish for Catholic students, faculty and staff at Rowan.
There is no formal relationship between the school and the church, of course. The Newman House where CCM has its headquarters is considered, to use the words of Fr. Matthew Weber, pastor of the church, a bridge between Rowan's Catholic population and that of the greater community. CCM is a club chartered by the Student Government Association, but our worship and other financial resources are overseen by the Diocese of Camden. (I hope that makes sense!)
One of the changes to come from this partnership is the addition of a Sunday evening Mass at St. Bridget's that is open to anyone, but set aside to minister to the college population in particular. Everything is done under the leadership of Rowan's Catholic chaplain, Fr. Phillip Johnson, and all of the leadership roles during Mass are held by students.
The Sunday evening Mass was held originally in the basement chapel at Newman, but we've now been blessed with a beautiful church home. Daily Masses will still be held at 12:30 p.m. at Newman.
As for my part, I've been serving as the pianist for Sunday Masses since March. Someone from the church has graciously volunteered her time to play for the student Mass, however, and that has freed me up for my original role as a singer. I'm thrilled to be doing what I love again. (Not to mention relieved of the stress involved with playing piano in public!)
Tonight was beautiful. and I can't wait to see what the future brings for this partnership. :)
After several years of talks, studies and careful planning, the Catholic Campus Ministry at the university has been incorporated as a part of St. Bridget's Parish, Glassboro.
The church has been part of the borough for over a century now, and not only serves local residents, but is also designated the "personal parish" of Latino Catholics in the county and elsewhere. Now, they've also become the personal parish for Catholic students, faculty and staff at Rowan.
There is no formal relationship between the school and the church, of course. The Newman House where CCM has its headquarters is considered, to use the words of Fr. Matthew Weber, pastor of the church, a bridge between Rowan's Catholic population and that of the greater community. CCM is a club chartered by the Student Government Association, but our worship and other financial resources are overseen by the Diocese of Camden. (I hope that makes sense!)
One of the changes to come from this partnership is the addition of a Sunday evening Mass at St. Bridget's that is open to anyone, but set aside to minister to the college population in particular. Everything is done under the leadership of Rowan's Catholic chaplain, Fr. Phillip Johnson, and all of the leadership roles during Mass are held by students.
The Sunday evening Mass was held originally in the basement chapel at Newman, but we've now been blessed with a beautiful church home. Daily Masses will still be held at 12:30 p.m. at Newman.
As for my part, I've been serving as the pianist for Sunday Masses since March. Someone from the church has graciously volunteered her time to play for the student Mass, however, and that has freed me up for my original role as a singer. I'm thrilled to be doing what I love again. (Not to mention relieved of the stress involved with playing piano in public!)
Tonight was beautiful. and I can't wait to see what the future brings for this partnership. :)
Friday, October 22, 2010
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..."
Take a minute to really absorb this photo. Like streaks of paint, the crosses get smaller and smaller until they disappear into the horizon line.
4100 abortions...every day.
That's almost 29,000 in a week. 115,000 each month.
And the most staggering figure of all? If my math is right, there are 1,496,500 abortions performed in one year.
But what can we say about this? Is it a grand achievement that stems from a woman's right to choose that 1.5 million human lives never got a chance to blossom?
This is not a religious issue -- I can comfortably write this post without a single mention of faith. The taking of an innocent human life is never acceptable.
Make no mistake, I write with my efforts focused on objectivity. But I feel that there are some issues on which just about everyone can agree, and at the same time, some on which it is impossible to be silent -- one of them being that we shouldn't kill people.
Of course, the issue in the Supreme Court that is still hotly debated today does not concern when life begins, or even if the woman has the right to terminate her pregnancy (that was established in 1973 with Roe v. Wade). The issue is whether or not a fetus is a human being.
I'll leave it up for you to decide if this is a baby.
What I can say definitively as a person who has looked in the eyes of post-abortive women is that there is so much unnecessary hurt, fear and pain in the world. We need to do everything we can to give troubled parents and their children the support they need.
That's why I'm a proud supporter of Good Counsel Homes, a non-profit that meets the needs of single, homeless and post-abortive mothers. Plus, the organization was founded by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who are just awesome.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Over the past several days, the above phrase and variants of it began to pop up like wildfire on the Facebook pages of Rowan Catholics.
Just tonight, one of my younger friends who frequently finds herself overwhelmed by engineering homework wrote this: "I'm not going to worry, because God has everything under control."
And as we pass each other on the way to class or crossing 322, we share wide grins. Suddenly, life isn't as crazy as we thought it was.
For me, it seems like myself and the others that attended the CCM retreat this weekend are sharing in a collective sigh of relief. This week, we go about our business in the present moment; for some, the future has been put out of mind for the very first time. And you can see tangible evidence of that if you ask how our weekend was.
This was the first retreat I've been on with a concrete theme, and "pray instead of worry" speaks directly to so many of us who are looking toward the future and biting our fingernails. Through various talks led by our chaplain, periods of silent and group reflection, and worship, we got the opportunity to not only face our fears, but learn that God has overcome them.
"Who among you by worrying can add an instant to your life?" Out of all of the Scripture passages about anxiousness and trust we studied, this one question from Jesus in Matthew's Gospel struck me the most. It would follow me for the next three days, until my "quiet hour" on Saturday afternoon.
It was then that I finally dared to pray aloud about all the worries that I internalize so often. And as I did, I came to realize that I have no need to worry. God, after all, is in charge. I'm in good hands, and if I trust Him, I'll be taken care of.
Each one of us reached this point in different ways, but the end result was striking. There were a lot of tears on Saturday as a lot of people let go of their burdens and gave them to God, but on Sunday, everyone was smiling.
It's witnessing changes like these in myself and my friends that always makes the retreat experience worthwhile.
Just tonight, one of my younger friends who frequently finds herself overwhelmed by engineering homework wrote this: "I'm not going to worry, because God has everything under control."
And as we pass each other on the way to class or crossing 322, we share wide grins. Suddenly, life isn't as crazy as we thought it was.
For me, it seems like myself and the others that attended the CCM retreat this weekend are sharing in a collective sigh of relief. This week, we go about our business in the present moment; for some, the future has been put out of mind for the very first time. And you can see tangible evidence of that if you ask how our weekend was.
This was the first retreat I've been on with a concrete theme, and "pray instead of worry" speaks directly to so many of us who are looking toward the future and biting our fingernails. Through various talks led by our chaplain, periods of silent and group reflection, and worship, we got the opportunity to not only face our fears, but learn that God has overcome them.
"Who among you by worrying can add an instant to your life?" Out of all of the Scripture passages about anxiousness and trust we studied, this one question from Jesus in Matthew's Gospel struck me the most. It would follow me for the next three days, until my "quiet hour" on Saturday afternoon.
It was then that I finally dared to pray aloud about all the worries that I internalize so often. And as I did, I came to realize that I have no need to worry. God, after all, is in charge. I'm in good hands, and if I trust Him, I'll be taken care of.
Each one of us reached this point in different ways, but the end result was striking. There were a lot of tears on Saturday as a lot of people let go of their burdens and gave them to God, but on Sunday, everyone was smiling.
It's witnessing changes like these in myself and my friends that always makes the retreat experience worthwhile.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Turning Outward
Tonight I just want to share a song that just recently made its debut in the Christian music scene.
Over the past month, both in this blog and in the news, we've heard a lot of stories about people who reach out to those who are most in need, and what happens sometimes when those same people are ignored and literally left to die.
We need to look outside of ourselves -- to be a bit crude, get our heads out of our asses -- and realize that life isn't all about our desires and dreams. It's not even about being comfortable. A lot of people consider it a blessing just to wake up every day. But sometimes, we're so consumed in our worries, busyness and technology to notice. If we do notice, how many people are really going to act like it?
These are the questions that Matthew West asks in his newest single, "My Own Little World."
I confess that I have a soft spot for him and his story: a few years ago, he badly damaged his vocal cords to the point where doctors weren't sure he would ever speak again. After undergoing surgery, he had to go three months without saying a word. Not to his wife, and not to his infant son who was just beginning to recognize his daddy. As you can imagine, the experience had a profound impact on him both spiritually and musically.
One last thing: I mentioned above that we are often so preoccupied with worry that we push God out. This weekend, about 25 Catholics from Rowan and Stockton will be going on our semester retreat at St. Mary's of Providence in Elverson, Pa. This semester, the theme is "Pray Instead of Worry." As a typical hyperstressed college student, I'm looking forward to seeing what I gain.
If you feel so inclined, please pray for our success. I'll be back on Sunday night! :)
Over the past month, both in this blog and in the news, we've heard a lot of stories about people who reach out to those who are most in need, and what happens sometimes when those same people are ignored and literally left to die.
We need to look outside of ourselves -- to be a bit crude, get our heads out of our asses -- and realize that life isn't all about our desires and dreams. It's not even about being comfortable. A lot of people consider it a blessing just to wake up every day. But sometimes, we're so consumed in our worries, busyness and technology to notice. If we do notice, how many people are really going to act like it?
These are the questions that Matthew West asks in his newest single, "My Own Little World."
I confess that I have a soft spot for him and his story: a few years ago, he badly damaged his vocal cords to the point where doctors weren't sure he would ever speak again. After undergoing surgery, he had to go three months without saying a word. Not to his wife, and not to his infant son who was just beginning to recognize his daddy. As you can imagine, the experience had a profound impact on him both spiritually and musically.
One last thing: I mentioned above that we are often so preoccupied with worry that we push God out. This weekend, about 25 Catholics from Rowan and Stockton will be going on our semester retreat at St. Mary's of Providence in Elverson, Pa. This semester, the theme is "Pray Instead of Worry." As a typical hyperstressed college student, I'm looking forward to seeing what I gain.
If you feel so inclined, please pray for our success. I'll be back on Sunday night! :)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Media and faith alive in Chile
It's been in the minds and hearts of a lot of people today, but for the families of miners trapped in a Chilean desert, the heartache is finally over. Sometimes, I feel like America only tunes in at the end of these stories to be a part of the drama and emotion.
Here at Rowan, we offered Mass today in thanksgiving for the rescue that at this point has gone off without a hitch. A nationally syndicated and non-profit Christian radio station, K-LOVE, has had listeners calling in adding special donations for each miner pulled out.
And all around the world, people are glued to various live feeds from news organizations at the site, waiting to see another father, another sign emerge from the earth.
Okay, maybe that's a bit like overkill, but it's true. In times of crisis, people and nations all rally together despite their differences to reach out to the world. Look at 9/11, Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year.
We start to notice each other, and notice God, more than ever before. The first miner to come from the mines dropped to his knees when he reached the surface, and the crowd burst into an unplanned hymn. Another miner was quoted saying that there weren't just 33 miners trapped, but 34 -- God was with them the entire time, and the majority credit Him for their incredible survival.
It's nice to see that credit is given where credit is due, both in faith and the media.
Here at Rowan, we offered Mass today in thanksgiving for the rescue that at this point has gone off without a hitch. A nationally syndicated and non-profit Christian radio station, K-LOVE, has had listeners calling in adding special donations for each miner pulled out.
And all around the world, people are glued to various live feeds from news organizations at the site, waiting to see another father, another sign emerge from the earth.
Okay, maybe that's a bit like overkill, but it's true. In times of crisis, people and nations all rally together despite their differences to reach out to the world. Look at 9/11, Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti earlier this year.
We start to notice each other, and notice God, more than ever before. The first miner to come from the mines dropped to his knees when he reached the surface, and the crowd burst into an unplanned hymn. Another miner was quoted saying that there weren't just 33 miners trapped, but 34 -- God was with them the entire time, and the majority credit Him for their incredible survival.
It's nice to see that credit is given where credit is due, both in faith and the media.
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