Ragamuffin Ramblings

Switchfoot's song "Faust, Midas, and Myself" cleverly weaves together two stories of selfishness and greed and translates those stories into Jon Foreman's personal experience.

The first is Goethe's Faust in which the title character makes a deal with Mephistopheles, the devil. Faust, a Job-like character, is offered "everything [he's] ever had in fantasies." This also echoes the temptation of Jesus found in Matthew 4.

"Again, the devil took [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.'" -Matthew 4:8,9

The second story concerns King Midas. Overcome with greed, Midas asks the Greek god Dionysus for the golden touch, that everything he touches turns to gold. This seemingly wonderful power backfires when he accidentally changes his daughter into gold.

Jon Foreman's lyricism takes these two tales and shows the similarities that exist in his own experience. All of us experience temptation and failure, and more often than not, serious consequences follow. Thus, we must take heed of the warning that is presented in this song: "You've one life left to lead." We must remember to be responsible with the time we've been given on this earth because there are no do-overs.

Faust, Midas, and Myself by Switchfoot
This one's about a dream I had last night
How an old man tracked me home and stepped inside
Put his foot inside the door and gave a crooked smile
Something in his eyes
Something in his laugh
Something in his voice made my skin crawl off

He said I've seen you here before; I know your name
How you could have your pick of pretty things
You could have it all, everything at once
Everything you've seen
Everything you'll need
Everything you've ever had in fantasies

You've one life
You've one life
You've one life left to lead

I woke up from my dream as a golden man
With a girl I've never seen with Golden skin
I jumped up to my feet; she asked me what was wrong
I began to scream
I don't think this is me
Is this just a dream or really happening?

You've one life
You've one life
You've one life left to lead

What direction?
I'm splitting up
This is my personal disaffection!

What direction?
What direction?
What direction now?

I looked outside the glass at golden shores
Golden ships and masts with golden cords
As my reflection passed, I hated what I saw
The Golden eyes were dead
A thought passed through my head
A heart that's made of gold can't really beat at all

I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold

What direction?
Life begins at the intersection
What direction?
What direction?
What direction now?

I woke up as before, but the gold was gone
My wife was at the door with a night robe on
My heart beat once or twice, and life flooded my veins
Everything had changed
My lungs had found their voice
And what was once routine was now the perfect joy

You've one life
You've one life
You've one life left to lead

This past Saturday, some friends and I played a song in the Asbury College Freshman Talent Show. Here's a video of that performance. Enjoy!

To continue with this month's theme of love, I chose Andrew Peterson's song Canaan Bound, as it weaves a tale of twofold love; one is earthly, the other divine. On the surface, this song chronicles the lives of Abraham and Sarah as they journey to Canaan, the promised land.

"Sarah, take me by my arm. Tomorrow we are Canaan bound, where westward sails the golden sun, and Hebron's hills are amber crowned."

Beautiful images of star crossed lovers permeate the lyrics, delving into the depths of devotion. But this song is not merely a song of mortal love. A second glance reveals a much deeper message.

"I trembled at the voice of God; a voice of love and thunder deep. With love he means to save us all, and love has chosen you and me. Long after we are dead and gone, for a thousand years, our tale be sung how faith compelled and bore us on... how barren Sarah bore a son. So come to Canaan, come."

In this promised land, promises are kept and miracles come true. Ultimately, Canaan symbolizes the promise of hope and renewal at the hands of an almighty God. This is divine love--love that triumphs over all others and stirs up a faith that drives us forward into the unknown.

Canaan Bound by Andrew Peterson
Sarah, take me by my arm
Tomorrow we are Canaan bound
Where westward sails the golden sun
And Hebron's hills are amber crowned

So bid your troubled heart be still
The grass, they say, is soft and green
The trees are tall and honey-filled
So, Sarah, come and walk with me

Like the stars across the heavens flung
Like water in the desert sprung
Like the grains of sand, our many sons
Oh, Sarah, fair and barren one
Come to Canaan, come

I trembled at the voice of God
A voice of love and thunder deep
With love He means to save us all
And Love has chosen you and me

Long after we are dead and gone
For a thousand years our tale be sung
How faith compelled and bore us on
How barren Sarah bore a son
So come to Canaan, come

Where westward sails the golden sun
And Hebron's hills are amber crowned
Oh, Sarah, take me by my arm
Tomorrow we are Canaan bound

Lately, I've been considering what to blog about, as I've had a mild case of writer's block. Thus, here is my idea... Every week, I'll post one of my favorite songs and blog about it. So in honor of Valentine's Day, I've decided to inaugurate my Song of the Week section with a song by Caedmon's Call called Love is Different. Enjoy!

Love is Different by Caedmon's Call
Well, it looks like five thousand miles broke the camel's back
But it's not as though I had a plan to win you back
Because I don't know what I want
But at least I know that much
Now I'm afraid love came right up
And it slapped me in the face, but I did not know

'Cause love is different than you'd think
It's never in a song or on a TV screen
And love is harder than a word
Said at the right time and everything's alright
Love is different than you think

So I won't expect a postcard from Trafalgar Square
But I'd be lying if I said I didn't care
Because you can't just turn it off
And put a blindfold on your heart
But I'm off to a good start
A continent away, but I do not know

But maybe you're the dream I'm waking from
'Cause I see you everywhere I go
Darlin' you are such a mystery to me, you know


PS Last Valentine's Day, I referenced this song when I blogged about the meaning of true Christian love. If you'd like to read that post, click here.

Hello, all you out there in Internet Land!

It is I, Andrew Groves, with an exciting bit of news. Currently, my mother Laura Groves is a contributor to the Kindred Heart Writers blog, which is listed under my "Favorite Blogs" section. Her writing is powerful and poignant, curious and challenging, and now you can read some more of it.

My mother has now founded two completely new blogs that she will be updating from time to time. The first, called The Storied Path, is all about reading, writing, and literature. Here is an excerpt from my mother's first post:

"My love for words leads me to pen everything from poetry to drama to non-fiction with a taste of fiction thrown in. The mode matters not; the message is what’s important. The relationship of story to truth keeps me writing and thinking.

Wander down the storied path with me." -Laura Lee Groves

The second blog is called And Then I Had Boys: Encouragement for Moms of Multiple Sons. In this blog, my mother hopes to share the lessons learned from raising four sons.

"My hope is that this will be a place of help, encouragement, and inspiration for boy moms. Here's my best advice for the mother of multiple boys: Tumble out of bed expecting a crazy day. Then you'll never be disappointed." -Laura Lee Groves

So stop on by and read some thoughts and writings from a wonderful writer, teacher, and mother.

Earlier this month, I went to one of Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb Christmas concerts with my brother and his wife. All I can say is that I was blown away. Songs that I had heard a hundred times over rang true from the lips of their creator, Andrew Peterson, an average, down-to-earth guy searching for truth. My heart was touched as I viewed this songwriter on the verge of tears as he sang, "Hallelujah! Christ is born!" This was truly an unforgettable experience that I'd now like to share with you. Below is a 20 minute video of some snippets of this unbelievable concert. I hope that you enjoy it, and that it reminds you of "the brave little boy who was God, but he made himself nothing." Merry Christmas!

Andrew Peterson's newest project, Resurrection Letters, Vol. II, is replete with images of brokenness and redemption. With rich lyrics and lush musical arrangements, this album displays the unique talents of singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson in a new light. His most powerful song, in my opinion, is his retelling of the tale of the prophet Hosea. Here's what Peterson says about it:

"The Old Testament story of Hosea paints a powerful picture of the stubborn, pursuing, renewing love of God. Hosea is told by God to marry a runaround, no-good, heartless woman. Hosea obeys, and I can’t help thinking that he must not have enjoyed it much. He was probably humiliated, scorned by his friends, not to mention heartbroken by his new wife, Gomer. Even Noah, though mocked for building a giant boat in the middle of a desert, at least kept a little dignity, could feel like a man. But there was Hosea, alone in bed while his wife caroused, and everyone knew it. All because God wanted to make a point. After Gomer ran off with another man, God sent Hosea to buy her back and bring her home. Then God said about Israel, about us, dead in our sin: “…I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth…” The word Achor means “trouble”. From the ashes of the Valley of Trouble came new life, green and lush. Forgiveness. Rest. Resurrection." -Andrew Peterson

You can listen to the song above by clicking the play button. Enjoy.

Here are the lyrics:

Hosea by Andrew Peterson
Every time I lay in the bed beside you, Hosea, Hosea
I hear the sound of the streets of the city
My belly growls like a hungry wolf
And I let it prowl till my belly's full
Hosea, my heart is a stone

Please believe me when I say I'm sorry, Hosea, Hosea
Oh, you lovable, gullible man
I tell you that my love is true
Till it fades away like a morning dew
Hosea, just leave me alone

Here I am in the Valley of Trouble
Just look at the bed that I've made
Badlands as far as I can see
There's no one here but me, Hosea

I stumbled and fell in the road on the way home, Hosea, Hosea
I lay in the brick street like a stray dog
You came to me like a silver moon
With the saddest smile I ever knew
Hosea carried me home again, home again

You called me out to the Vally of Trouble
Just to look at the mess that I've made
A barren place where nothing can grow
One look and my stone heart crumbled--
It was a valley as green as jade
I swear it was the color of hope
You turned a stone into a rose, Hosea

I sang and I danced like I did as a young girl, Hosea, Hosea
I am a slave and a harlot no more
You washed me clean like a summer rain
And you set me free with that ball and chain
Hosea, I threw away the key

I'll never leave