Rants, Raves, Music Reviews and More in2010!!

It sure has been quiet around here!  Are there any Christians who stand behind Obama left?  What in the world has been going on in music?  I can’t hold my opinions in much longer!!

JZ

Break it Down…..My last Post of 2009

The Beginning and the End.

After much thought and even more time spent in prayer, I am going to vacate this blog for a while.  I will probably post again sometime after Christmas.  I want to dedicate more time to my family as well as another blog that I have begun.  Sometimes it is better to close the mouth and prove not a fool, than to open and need no explanation.  I need some rest as well as some much needed recharging of the batteries.  No one said being a Christ follower was going to be easy.  No one ever said it was the most educated thing to do either…but it is the truth…

See you in 2010!

Words From a Facebook Burnout

Dig Out My Soul...Goodbye Oasis

It has been a minute since I blogged about anything significant. (and who cares?..am I right?)  It does seem that everyone (including you) has something to say.  Let me first get what I have to say about rock super-group Oasis off my chest.

Dear Oasis,

Thank you for the music.  I mean that is what it has always been about anyways.  Thanks for such a wonderful soundtrack to my life.  From my days at SWOSU to just this morning driving to work.  From Definitely Maybe to Dig Out Your Soul, the memories will be forever.  And as much as I know (as any true fan does) you two Gallaghers could give a care in the world about what people say and don’t say about Oasis, The music from your band has and will always have it’s mark on our world.  I will never believe that you “sold out” or gave in to the “machine”.  I could care less if you marketed everything from Apples to Zebras with an Oasis logo on it.  The truth is, no one would buy it unless the music itself, didn’t have the ability to move your soul.

So I suppose I could go on all day here about my adventures with Oasis.(although I have never even met the band face to face.) That would just be about as fun as listening to that one uncle with bad coffee breath so I will skip it.  My love for your music is truly something I still have not quite gotten a complete handle on.  And so be it.  Or as they say in church: AMEN!

“Dig Out Your Soul”…interesting…You have put your soul(s) on display for us for the last 18-19 years and for that, I say a personal “thank you”.  My soul is grateful as well.  I will miss you all. (maybe except Tony Carroll )  Music has the power to change another person’s perspective, their outlook, their mission in this life.  Thank God for Oasis.

Eternal Love,

Jason Z.

p.s.  I find it only appropriate and short of amazing that “Champagne Supernova” was the very last original song performed by the band.

Journey on mates..Journey on.

Oasis song of the Week (Quite Fitting)

The World Will Miss You

 This week’s song came as a direct result of me thinking back on this HUGE soundtrack that is my life.  A big Thank You letter is forthcoming from me to the band in a later post.  Let There Be Love from their DBTT record is Oasis’ Hey Jude for their fans and by the looks of things..your fans will always Live Forever.  Thanks for the music guys.

Respect,

JZ

Tesla Still Rocks!

Jesus, I hope you like apples.

“40

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.” (NLT) Luke 6:40

Can you remember your favorite school teacher?  why do you remember them?  What was so fantastic about them?  Do you think of certain smells (be nice!!) such as Elmer’s glue, construction paper, Fall, etc when you think of them?  When you think about your parents, what comes into your mind about them?  What are your favorite memories?  What did they teach and instill in you?

A friend of mine met me for coffee this morning.  Politically we are like night and day.  Spiritually, we are the truest definition of Church there is.  Meaning: we recognize the need for one another.  In this passage in Luke chapter 6 as Jesus(the only one ever to raise from the dead) is sharing his mount teachings, He kind of throws this saying(teaching) in here as a intro to the rest of his sermon. (I hate that word by the way..sounds churchy) I suppose what sticks out to me the most is that He says ..”the student who is FULLY trained..”  Are you fully trained? discipled? Do you have everything you need to end the journey?  How long does it take to be “fully” trained?  When I was rescued from myself, I remember someone handing me a guide called a “Survival Kit”.  It was very Basptisty(not a real word) in it’s presentation and very structured.  It was a workbook that helped a new follower of Christ begin their journey.  So after I completed the Survival Kit, I had all I would ever need and possibly want when it came to this new way of life following the God-Man Jesus into the unknown.  In six short months I was fully trained….WRONG!! wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong!

Let’s take a look and see what this verse doesn’t say.  It doesn’t say you will be more enlightened.  It does not say you will BE Jesus.  It doesn’t mention that Discipleship is microwaveable.  It doesn’t say  you will arrive at Christian snobbery and have the ability(superpower in the Justice League of Christain Superdom) to look down your nose at baby believers.  It simply states that fully trained, you will begin to “become LIKE the teacher.”  ..not bad.

Now let me ask you the same question with a twist.  Do you remember your discipler?  Are you still in touch with them?  Are you continuing your discipleship education(if you will)?  or:  Have you arrived at Christian Nirvana and have no more to learn?  You have become so much like the teacher that the only step left for you is Heaven?  Have you become greater than Jesus? (This is not a poke a John Lennon )  Does it amaze you that Jesus even spoke these words? That He put Himself on the same plane as you and me?

So what smells come to mind when you think of the one who discipled you?  What remains on your mind when you think about them?  Discipleship is a lifelong..NO an Eternal process that almost touches on the infinite.  Are you still learning to become like the teacher?  I didn’t ask if you were the teacher’s pet.  Are you truly the aroma and light and salt and voice and heart and mind and face and hands and body of Christ?  If you are and have reached your Nirvana then I submit to you that I have wasted about ten minutes of your time today.  Please forgive me.  On the other hand, I hope you have a friend that will meet you for coffee and be a reminder that knowing and following Jesus is no picnic but as we are on the journey together, there is always an opportunity to become more like the teacher.

p.s. Hey Mike, I still love Tesla and I will always love Oasis.  It’s too bad neither of these bands wrote any church hymns or music!!  Thanks for the reminder that my training doesn’t end simply because I have the ability to memorize (or that I stop breathing for that matter!)  But God’s ability to allow me to become more like His son takes a lifetime..no an eternity to grasp.

You’re Gonna Be The One That Saves Me…

Call it a Day

This is directly from the Oasis website.  And while I  have never pushed their lifestyles..only the music, I will be forever heart-broken.  Then again, they may get back together later tonight …highly doubtful this time.  What a fantastic 18 years it has been…Live Forever Oasis..Live Forever..

JZ

 from www.oasisinet.com 29/08/09

Dearly beloved, it is with a heavy heart and a sad face that I say this to you this morning.
 
As of last Friday the 28th August, I have been forced to leave the Manchester rock’n'roll pop group Oasis.
 
The details are not important and of too great a number to list. But I feel you have the right to know that the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable. And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new.
 
I would like firstly to offer my apologies to them kids in Paris who’d paid money and waited all day to see us only to be let down AGAIN by the band. Apologies are probably not enough, I know, but I’m afraid it’s all I’ve got.
 
While I’m on the subject, I’d like to say to the good people of V Festival that experienced the same thing. Again, I can only apologise – although I don’t know why, it was nothing to do with me. I was match fit and ready to be brilliant. Alas, other people in the group weren’t up to it.

In closing I would like to thank all the Oasis fans, all over the world. The last 18 years have been truly, truly amazing (and I hate that word, but today is the one time I’ll deem it appropriate). A dream come true. I take with me glorious memories.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I have a family and a football team to indulge.
 
I’ll see you somewhere down the road. It’s been a {expletive} pleasure.
 
Thanks very much.
 
Goodbye.
 
NG.

 

So in memory: Enjoy!!

More info from MSNBC on Vaccines and Autism

Autism & Vaccination

Vaccinate…

Many of you have left very interesting and some well thought out comments on my entry regarding “Jesus Would Vaccinate”.  Some have been very hateful and not very well communicated.  All the same, the more information you have, the better informed you become and the better decisions you can make for your own family.  This is NOT an argument over faith in God or faith in Doctors. (If God wanted us to be whole in this world, then Original Sin is illegitimate and false.)  My intention is simply to get more uninformed people to think and exercise the muscle that God gave you between the ears. 

JZ

Country Music I Like Not

I’ll Be Back For You!

Dear Nashville,

I miss you.  I miss you like the grass misses the rain.  Ok so that is way too corny!!  I miss you like I miss Les Paul.(a lot!)  While I never truly enjoyed the CCM scene with all of its truth, I do miss your ability to accept all people groups and the way church happens there.  It goes beyond fathoming that I miss the FOOD!  Nashville you showered me and my family with a lot of grace as well as family.  I miss the smells and sounds of downtown and how many ways can you do Bar-B-Q??  I miss having more than one Dunkin Donuts to choose from.  And collectively as a family, we miss you PUBLIX!!! (the greatest grocery store on earth.  AND the best customer service as well!!).

Peter Moon Band: I Miss you and the Moon Pies!  and Hey Pink Spiders!! (You absolutely Rock!)  Loveless Cafe, you are sorely missed and as for you Pancake Pantry, I simply cannot find a better breakfast and atmosphere anywhere!!  The Brentwood/Maryland Farms YMCA..my wife blabs on and on about you all the time.  Gibson Guitar store, I sure hope you hold a signature Noel Gallagher Supernova Union Jack Gibson back for me upon my “fortunate” homecoming someday!!  FBC Smyrna and Judson, I miss my family and have been longing for some deep fellowship and time spent in prayer together and I am constantly grateful for showing me how to love the unlovable(me).

Nashville-Thanks for allowing me to meet some of the greats. (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dolly Parton, Switchfoot, Third Day, Amy Grant, Vince Gill…) Thank you for your lights.  Thanks for the Wild-Horse Saloon and The Blue Bird Cafe.   Thank you for such great history!  And yes I am nerd deluxe, THANK YOU for such a wonderful downtown Library!!

Finally, Thank you Nashvegas for such wonderful fun loving and accepting people.  I never quite know how to explain it to Okies, but one thing is certain..you have a spirit about you Nashville that changes a person.  And whether they observe it or pay attention to it or not, that change is ALWAYS for the better!!!

 P.S. Thanks for no state income tax!!

JZ

Soul Searching

 

This week’s Oasis Song of the week comes from the band’s latest release Dig Out Your Soul.  I  don’t know much of the history of this song other than the lyric “Catch the wheel that breaks the butterfly” references the quotation: “Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?” from Alexander Pope’s Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot  so I won’t bother pretending I know any more about it than I do.  I purchased this CD as soon as it was released as well as the DVD version.  Falling Down is my pick.  There’s just something about this song that hooks you from the very beginning and it carries you all the way to the end. 

The video is great too!  I still want to know that actress’s name!  Check it out on youtube when you get the chance.  One final note, last night I was told about a Jaguar commercial in which an Oasis song was used and yes, I nearly fell out!! 

Stay Mad For it!,

JZ

 

 

 

The Last Roar

Take Courage..

“An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.”

 

-President Barack Obama