zero360/music press life’s edges into song

Got Hope?Posted by Angelo Melendez on August 16th, 2008

Last night my wife and I had our fairly typical Friday wind down after the kids went to bed. Sure, we watched the Olympics, albeit while cruising channels in hopes of dodging the standard fare GAC video countdown, and stumbled upon a rerun of Glen Beck doing a full hour interview with Toby Keith, so we hung there for a while.

I’m a fan of both Toby and Glen, so it was interesting to see these almost exact opposites getting along, making sense, and uniting their voices in a rally cry to our country — WAKE UP! They talked about the delta between political and cultural conservatism, patriotism, the right to bear arms, and how the fact they register with different parties doesn’t make either better than the other. Oh, and, neither is sure who they’ll vote for in November, though gut tells me if doubt prevails, each will vote with the party line they claim to back.

It was really cool to see Toby, a man with a bit of a bad-ass reputation, refuse to pass judgment on social perspectives with which he doesn’t agree, or try to dodge questions about his faith in God and country. He’s a pretty basic guy who I think understands the issues and feels if you’re hated by the left and right simultaneously you are very likely on to something good.

This really got me thinking, not about politics or media hype around the coming election, but about the place I’m at with my own hopes, fears, passions, and dreams. I watched a message by Joel Olsteen last week on hope titled “You’re Closer Than You Think“. Say what you want about Joel, he’s different kind of preacher for sure, but the message hit home. He’s an encourager, not a preacher that preys on guilt trips, and I for one needed to hear that God wants to hear my heart cry for hope.

If not God, who?

I think both Glen and Toby believe strongly in God. Neither tries to shove the Gospel (Glen is Mormon) down anyone’s throat, but use fundamental (if not Biblical) principals to guide their lives and raise their families. Groan, not those old, musty principals about honesty and possessions and fidelity… not those principals about how putting our trust in hope in any man being like trying to grow coconuts in Iceland!

So, how much further do we get sucked into the “information age” while running around with our heads neatly tucked away in a dark orifice of choice? Are we safe not verifying what we read or hear from the media, whether Glen Beck, CNN, or the NY Times? How much more “information” can we process as we navigate the course of our very lives and keep the ship from smashing into lurking submerged portions of the ice berg? It’s great we have choices, it’s sad we make so many unfounded and uninformed choices.

I’m finding myself praying a lot more these days, mostly because it seems there are so many more life decisions to make and I can’t process the data fast enough. So I go to the wall, the closet, my knees, a deep breath, a quiet cry. In the end, there’s so much out of my control, all I can do is hope.

Here’s an excerpt from a lyric I’m working on for a new song:

Pain is never ordinary
Burdens get so hard to carry
When regrets I just can’t bury
Leave me numb and cold
All I have to hold
All I really know
All I have is hope

Copyright (c) Angelo Melendez

Bless BeyondPosted by Angelo Melendez on July 20th, 2008

I finally got around to checking out Mosaic Church (Charlotte/Mallard Creek)  this morning. I certainly can’t (and won’t) make any kind of assessment as to whether this would be the place to move our family, but I will say it was a refreshing approach, young congregation, in what appeared to be a non-pretentious environment. At minimum, I go to visit a church with my ears open, in hopes of picking up a seed I can chew on for a while to nourish my soul.

The pastor who spoke today was pretty young, and shared a message around the statement “A faith tested by fire is a faith that can be trusted.” He used Daniel 3 and the story of Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego to encourage us to see how trials can strengthen our faith; that is, when we don’t try to compromise or rationalize around God’s truth and remain obedient to his commands instead living to meet worldly expectations.

I think of all the riches in my life, and how I shouldn’t have cares or worries, complaints or regrets, but, of course, I do. Somewhere in closing the service, the phrase “blessed beyond” caught my ear. I wrote it down and have been contemplating it ever since. All the goodness, grace, material possessions, beauty of the earth, on and on, are just what I can see and comprehend — but what God does is bless beyond all these riches by providing a hope that can’t be qualified or measured, far exceeding our imagination or comprehension. Sure, for people going through deep struggles and pain, these words and concepts get shattered by despair and anger, I’ve been there, Lord knows chances are I’ll be there again.

I’m pretty sure I’ll go back for another visit, who knows maybe this is where God would have us for the next season of our lives. If not, I am blessed by the Word today, and pray God’s continued blessings on this congregation, its pastors and leaders, and all who give of themselves to serve the body of Christ.

PaintPosted by Angelo Melendez on June 7th, 2008

Last night I played a gig with Rick Spreitzer and Kevin Edwards at the Green Rice Gallery in NoDa… very enjoyable. I mean, people flowing through all evening, looking at the various artwork hung on walls and placed on stands, sipping wine and beverages, munching on treats — lots of smiles and conversation. All this going on as the three of us sat in a corner and jammed acoustically (me on electric bass) to Rick’s original indie music, sort of an art on art foundation.

Rick mentioned at one point, “starving artists don’t just paint”, which I thought was a great off-the-cuff line, unfortunately, I’m not sure  anyone heard it through the buzz of chatter. We were not turned up very loud and had a sort of muffled edge, so during a 10 minute break, we tweaked the sound then took off for a 2nd set. As the night progressed I felt as if we were less the foundation and more an art piece in the corner. Some folks commented as they’d wrap around the walls viewing art, buy a CD, or stand and listen longer than most before moving on. The flow of ever-changing faces was really fun to watch.

All in all, the night, which I actually wasn’t even looking forward to because I’d had such a busy and at times oppressive week, ended up being a wonderfully relaxing and inspiring time. As we packed up, the buzz between Rick, Kevin, and I continued. When the owner paid Rick, she said she hopes to have us back. We roadie’d the gear into a night totally lit with sound and energy from all the people on the streets and both the indoor and outdoor bands at the Muse and beyond. I’ve been hanging out in NoDa, albeit infrequently, for a few years and have observed it become what I saw last night… good for all. Business owners must love it, the folks that hang must love it, and other than the fools that choose to rely on crime to feed their vices, it’s really a pretty eclectic, peaceful scenario.

Funny that out of all that is enjoyable, reality comes back and paints our next hours, days, and chapters. I got home more tired than I thought I was… barely lasted an hour before my eyes were shut, battled the fact I needed to sleep about 30 more minutes, then just went to bed. Overslept, wasted half the morning, now I’m writing this entry… be right back, I need some more coffee… OK, I’m back. So, today will be “busy” with whatever I need to get done, would like to do, and maybe a little day dreaming. But reality will “paint” my thoughts and actions, and influence my hopes and dreams.

I heard on the news last night (in between dozes) that Al Sharpton is coming back to Charlotte to tongue lash our law enforcement agencies for shooting a young black man that was waving a gun at police. It would be nice if he’d come and stick his nose in the crack houses and gang dens and try to make some sense of that mess, too. Maybe take a ride through some once thriving neighborhoods now littered with for sale signs, which are perpetual lawn ornaments. Who wants to buy a house in a neighborhood that’s either gang controlled or where owners don’t care enough to mow their grass, much less maintain their houses — black, white, Hispanic… whatever! Hey, Al, why don’t you get in a Charlotte cop car on a Friday night and experience what they see and deal with on a daily basis?

And I’m so perplexed by the “Got Hope” t-shirts for B’Obama… give me a break! The Dem’s have had control of the house for almost two years now… nothing. Gas prices up what, $1.25? States in the great northwest are poised to deliver alternative energy, but for the red tape… where are the Dem’s? We’re still spending BILLIONS on space programs — who cares the dust on Mars is red — where are the Dem’s?

Our country’s livelihood is at stake, most just complain about it, hope is at a premium. If the only hope we have is to vote in a new president, that’s not a hope with much (if any) substance. My hope is in that which I can’t fathom or see, the hope promised by the word of God, which is in and of itself God, at least to me. My hope is based on promises so misconstrued and twisted by man, mis-labeled as “religion”, that I can understand why it seems so few choose to travel this narrow path. This hope paints a picture of peace for eternity, and in my heart. But along with this hope come the promises of life… struggles, fears, pain, and despair.

It’s up to me which brush I choose — the broad or the pencil thin tip — and what colors I paint, black and white, shades of grey, or a broad palette of lush colors I create from the basic set. We are all painters, artists in this life, it’s how we express and portray our hope that makes us who we are, to ourselves and those with whom we share our lives. It’s up to me to determine if hanging on to what I know is worth the possibility of missing out on adventures I’ve yet to imagine.

Bones & StonesPosted by Angelo Melendez on April 13th, 2008

All the political hype these days is wearing me out, and the tide is still rising. There’s a fervor around pending elections we haven’t seen in many years, which at face value seems a good thing. But I heard a comment recently from a woman campaigning for a senatorial candidate who recently stood up to our president and declared his shame for the actions of our commander in chief, as if this should be a quality of significance to sway voter’s minds for this candidate vying for a senate seat. Yep, lots of folks are mad, our country is “reeling”, the economy is “strained”, and once the war and health care get resolved by a new president, new party, everything is going to be “OK”.

Kidding, right? Politicians judging politicians, and “we the people” choosing sides based on their “trustworthy” rhetoric. When I hear statements about how “either Clinton or Obama will do”, we just need a Democrat in the White House, I get even more concerned about what’s at the core of our problems in the world today.

Jesus said, let those without guilt cast the first stone at the sinner (paraphrased). Who among us doesn’t have bones stashed in a closet that may someday become a skeleton hung on the front page of a newspaper or blog for all to see and judge? Like many (if not most), I’m quick to “qualify” others. The bones stashed in the back of my closet don’t even make up a skeleton because I’ve not taken time to truthfully inspect my own flaws and heart issues, so there is no form. If the bones represent my selfish pride and deception, my lack of compassion and putting my imaginations and desires ahead of God, then I need to deal with myself first, not blame someone else for problems, whether perceived or real.

As I see it, the choices we have for our next president leave lots to be desired. They keep stumbling over their own words, waiting to pounce on each others “flaws”, tickling the ears of those who believe a new president (or any other human) is going to make life “better”. Newsflash, it all starts with humbling ourselves as a nation (2 Chronicles 7:14) and addressing real issues. Most folks in financial trouble don’t budget, they overspend wildly on credit cards, and refuse to seek the wisdom of experienced, honest counsel when making life altering financial decisions. Lots of people who are out of work have the opportunity to modernize their skills and improve their quality of life, most won’t because working at the mill or plant is all they’ve ever known. Obesity and dependency on a plethora of substances is rampant. Immigrants who enter this country illegally get better and more frequent health care than our senior citizens living month to month on a pittance of social security. Our neighborhoods are at war with gangs, pedophiles, and lifelong criminals who evade the law and impact our livelihood — but if we get out of Iraq, everything is going to be OK… right?

We laugh at Leno’s “Jaywalking” segments, when he asks people about well known history and even current events and they haven’t a clue as to the answer, funny, huh?. People who flood across our borders illegally rant about their supposed rights, but won’t stand to pledge allegiance to the flag; and our kids can’t sing Christmas songs if a teacher allows a child of non-Christian faith to stand against American tradition… the country we fought so hard and so long for is slipping through our hands so we can all join a sing-along around a global campfire — I for one don’t buy it.

How’s a new president going to solve what’s really wrong?

We’ve twisted, demeaned, and ignored God’s Word for decades. Our society continues eroding, so we point fingers at the president, our government, local, state, or federal, or whoever we can find to blame. I wonder what would happend if we took all the faith we put into politics and turned our eyes and hopes back to Heaven? Maybe, like, humbly ask God to restore this nation, to take us back to the mindset of our fore-fathers? Things are so complicated — the only thing I know to do is cast the vote I’m entitled to this coming November, and trust God to work out the rest. Sometimes going back to square one, back to simple, is the answer. God promises fresh grace and new mercy for each day, it’s up to us to go there to receive it.

What We Leave BehindPosted by Angelo Melendez on December 31st, 2007

If all we take with us from this place is memories, it’s those same memories we leave behind. I’m searching right now on many different fronts, life is way more complicated than I feel like messing with, but it’s here, it’s now, and I’m grateful for the time I’ve left. I just want to make the most of it.

As I was cleaning out email clutter earlier today I came across some sound advice my cousin sent a few months ago. I’m thinking it’s just what I need to walk out to get 2008 off on the right foot. Hope these few phrases by Mother Teresa put a new spin on things for you — they have for me. Happy 2008!

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.