Oxymoron (poeTry)

by amica paige



A doubtful believer
and a hopeful skeptic.
A skeptical supporter
and a faithful cynic.
A cynical optimist
and a cheerful pessimist.
A philanthropist who hates
a misanthropist that cares.

I am an oxymoron,
a walking contradiction.
A lowly narcissist
and a godly sinner.

Like the lame that walked
and the doubting Thomas.
In seeing he believed,
like the blind that saw.
But blessed are those
who believed, but did not see
said the Man who lived
to die and give
the dead a life.

Matt Maher: Alive Again

Matt Maher’s album, ALIVE AGAIN, so aptly named, is a breath of fresh air in today’s polluted airwaves, wherein “cool tunes”, per se, rule over substance, and mere noise have replaced real music, as these misguided and image-driven artists, in blind pursuit of relevance, continue to embrace bland formulas and popularity over their God-given talents and musical integrity.

This unpretentious, stripped-down music displays a genuine balance between substance and creativity, without the latter running amok solely for its own sake; take note of Maher’s vocal ease and Audrey Assad’s cool harmony in a couple of tracks, especially in "Garden". With its lyrical and melodic strength, this album is solid and certainly deserves some serious airtime in its entirety, though my favorites are "Alive Again", "Sing Over Your Children", "Hold Us Together", "Love Comes Down", "Letting Go", "You Were on the Cross", "Christ is Risen", and "Garden". Each track eloquently delivers a message that turns your thoughts to our glorious Creator who richly blesses, even with eternal life, which many of us would rather reject, instead of actively seek or honestly question God.

Pick up the album, if you care to nourish your spirit. The music is a gem for the jaded listener, and may very well make you feel alive again. Plainly put, it is food for the soul and the lyrics are included in the no fuss, yet artful insert.

"I was looking outside
As if love would ever want to hide”

“No scheme of man…
separatesUs from Your hand…”

“I flirt with the world…
But Your gaze stops my heart”

“Glorious beyond measure
Bending low to wash His traitor’s
feet…
Why would a king do such a thing?”

“Where were you when all that I’ve hoped
for
Came crashing down in shambles around
me”

“O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He’s alive! He’s alive!”

“Your love’s so strongI can’t recall
What was this thing
They called the fall?
…the mournful
rejoicing
Seeing through tears
Of peace overflowing…”

Newsboys' Miracles @ Ocean Grove

I just love the energy in the song, "Miracles", by the Newsboys; it's got the 80's vibe, reminiscent of the period's pop exuberance in the likes of Iggy Pop and The Cars. With their latest album, Born Again, and new frontman, Michael Tait, the Newsboys has indeed been reborn, and this rebirth only proves promising. This concert was held at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, August 21, 2010. Video taken by Gordon Saylor of Society's Elite and edited by me of course.

Interview with Newsboys' Duncan Phillips

Exclusive interview with Duncan Phillips of Newsboys on the band's recent rebirth with their latest album, "Born Again", and new lead singer, long-time friend, and vocal powerhouse, Michael Tait, who may very well carry the torch, passed on to him by ex-frontman, Peter Furler, far beyond fresh starts and onto greater musical heights. This is not to say that the band's lasting vigor, with Furler in the picture, is now overshadowed and will soon be forgotten, especially considering the level that they've reached; on the contrary, Furler, Joel, Davis, Frankenstein, and Phillips would perhaps always be deemed as the quintessential Newsboys. But the band's future with Tait, formerly of dc Talk, has already proved promising, with their "Born Again" album shooting up to No.4 in its opening week on the Billboard's Top 200, alongside Sting, Eminem, and MIA. During the Newsboys' recent concert at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Duncan sat down to reflect on his band's past, present, and future with, his family and his faith, with host, Gordon Saylor of Society's Elite. This video was recorded by Joseph Saylor and edited by yours truly.