"Realms of Glory" Music Video from A Jesus Church on Vimeo.

Phew...amazing song that transforms into something other-worldly at 2:26 when the Spirit just completely takes over -- and you can see it in the room (and I felt it in my heart) -- TRUTH. I have no words for this. "Thank you, Jesus" sounds so trite, but really, it's all this humble heart can muster at the moment.

Choose Life

Earl William Mouer

May 21, 1922 - October 12, 2014

A eulogy I delivered at my Grandfather's funeral on October 17, 2014 

On behalf of the family, I'd like to thank all of you for being here today. You honor my grandfather with your presence. You honor my grandmother with your presence. And you honor us.

As I was thinking about what to share this morning, many things came to mind. In fact, it was hard to shut the thoughts down and equally hard to choose a particular route to take.

I could share with you some favorite memories like how he taught me to use his riding mower, how Nana & Pop Pop included me in trips to Merrill Lynch after I expressed an interest in the stock market, Pop Pop holding my son shortly after his birth or Nana and Pop Pop calling on my birthday most years to sing “Happy Birthday.”

I could tell you about some of the stories from the “old days” he shared with me like borrowing a dump truck, driving it up to the mountain and collecting stones that he later used build his brother's house or how, after taking a train from Boston to Harrisburg, he hitched a ride (or two) from Harrisburg to Waynesboro to see Nana on a long weekend break from the Navy.

I could tell of Pop Pop's great kindness, gentleness, wisdom, good-natured spirit and his servant heart, but I suspect all of you have experienced that yourselves or you wouldn't be here today. 

But the thing I landed on, the thing I believe the Lord has placed on my heart to share with you today is about a choice Pop Pop made many years ago. As you can imagine, he must have made thousands of choices over his 92 years here on this earth, but the most important, the most enduring, was his decision to choose life.

Yes...Pop Pop chose life!  

And here's what I mean by that...reading from God's word in the Old Testament – this is the Lord speaking through Moses to his chosen people, the Israelites:

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. [Deuteronomy 30:19-20]

In the greater design of God's redemptive plan, this life is ultimately offered through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In fact, Jesus later proclaimed:  

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [John 14:6]

God's word further tells us that once we decide to choose life, that we are a new creation -- our very identities no longer tied to sin and death, but to Christ and life. And through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and by the grace of God, we are then called to demonstrate that new life to those around us. To demonstrate Christ's love to this broken world. 

And that's what each one of you who knew Pop Pop experienced in your interactions with him – the love of Christ. He would be the first to tell you that the many attributes one could use to describe him were the direct result of Christ's work on the cross and in his heart 

And the good news is that choice, that offer of life, is available to each one of us, in whatever circumstances we currently find ourselves. If it’s something you're interested in knowing more about please talk with Pastor Gentry or any one of us family members.

One last thought...

It's because of Pop Pop's choice of life that we are able to know with certainty that he has not simply died, but rather passed to this eternal glory in Heaven. Finally home in the arms of his Heavenly Father!! 

So Pop Pop, today I join with your family here to give you a final thank you for choosing life. For laying a solid foundation for us. We all love Jesus based largely on your testimony and faithfulness to God over the many years we all shared together.

Amen.

Earl W. Mouer Obituary

2013 IN SOUND

My yearly, state of the union address on my musical leanings from the past year. I have to tell you, I listened to more music in 2013 than I have in a couple of years. I hit Noisetrade and Pandora hard this year, along with everything put out on the ISO50 blog (whose influence can be heavily seen below). Still slow to the Spotify game, but there's always 2014 to get into something "new." I still very much enjoy paying for good music, especially when it comes with good packaging and artwork! Below I present my song and album of the year, followed by a bunch of my favorite sounds from 2013. Enjoy! And please drop me a comment if you find something new.
  Beautiful Eulogy . You Can Save Me
Co-song of the year! I connect with everything about this song -- the lyrics, message, beats, rhymes and genre-defying production. From their sophomore release, Instruments Of Mercy, which also happens to be my co-album of the year. Each track weaves together into the next for a complete album experience. As I described to a friend (through a number of text messages): "Enjoy the first four tracks. Try to contain yourself on Track 5 and 6 (good luck) and then Track 7 is a complete dance party. Track 8 will drive you to your knees and you may as well stay there during Track 9. And then ride out the true hip-hop for the rest of the album. It's nuts bro. So good! A true Holy Spirit experience!! From their mouths and through your speakers." Put this album, which is freely given, in your ears.

 
Beautiful Eulogy . Release Me From This Snare
I won't waste more Internet space here going on about this song (or the album), just more solid gold from Instruments of Mercy.

 
Gungor . I Am Mountain
Co-song of the year! Soaringly beautiful title track from Gungor's I Am Mountain, which shares co-album of the year status with Instruments of Mercy. It's my prayer that this track be the soundtrack of my life. As for the album, Gungor seemlessly jump from one genre to another, artfully telling a collection of stories that somehow all make sense as an album.

 
Gungor . Wandering
A lot has been made of Gungor's heavy use of auto-tune on this track, but for me, it adds a complementary tension to a song that's long on searching (and short on finding). Simply beautiful.
  AKW . Evergreen
Perfect indie pop with a hint of Mumford & Sons sing-along!
  Bonobo . Cirrus
Bouncy and chill, but with a distinct harder edge that kept this one on repeat in 2013.
  Machinedrum . Gunshotta
Producer Travis Stewart (aka Machinedrum) incorporates all of my favorite genres of electronica on this track. If this is playing, pretty sure I'm dancing on whatever makeshift dance floor I can conjure.
  Bibio . A Tout A L'Heure
Lo-fi goodness that creates the perfect background for a sunny day.

 
Lily & Madeleine . Back To The River
Phew...chills-up-spine-inducing singer/songwriter track of the year. How exactly do a 15 and 18 year old from the suburbs write a song with such depth? You'd think they wouldn't yet have enough life behind them to shine in this, the most artistic of genres. But shine they do!

 
All Sons & Daughters - Great Are You Lord
It's your breath, in our lungs. So we pour out our praise to You, only.
Regardless of your faith/religious leanings, you simply can't deny the songwriting here. David Leonard and Leslie Jordan are at the top of their craft -- writing intimate songs that are best experienced in community. From All Sons & Daughters - Live, my worship album of the year.

 
Atoms For Peace . Default
Haunting vocals from Thom Yorke (Radiohead) over drowsy, glitchy, rolling electronica. Need I say more?

  Nitemoves . Ashe
Superb production on this downtempo track.
 
Vampire Weekend . Unbelievers
I'm not a Vampire Weekend fanboy by any means, but it's hard to deny the catchy sounds that come through the speakers on this one.
  Bora York . Waterfalls
Amazingly beautiful song from a band that is seemingly flying under the radar of anyone with musical clout (i.e. bloggers who actually influence mass amounts of people with ears). Bora York writes the definition of dream pop with this track, and takes you to another land in the process!
  brotherun . Maze
Standout track from another band that's flying too far under the radar of the general listening public. For fans of newer Radiohead and Atoms For Peace.
  Washed Out . It All Feels Right
My 2013 infatuation with lo-fi continues...you still feelin' it?
  Dauwd . Heat Division
A deep, deep house soundscape that lulls you in and then hits you over the head with some heavy synth.
  Four Tet . For These Times
This song is everything you wish your high school marching band would have been. #boomsauce
  BOY . This Is The Beginning
Catchy, delicate vocals over thoughtful instrumentation makes for quality indie pop.

 
Houses . The Beauty Surrounds
Love song? Tragic goodbye? Both? Not exactly sure, but the beautifully poetic lyrics on this one strike a chord, as does the instrumentation.
  Jon Hopkins . Open Eye Signal
A beautifully rich 8-minute gem that is all kinds of chopped up at the end from a well-versed electronica producer.
  Grizzly Bear . Will Calls (Diplo Remix)
A late addition to my list, as it was released in late-November. Diplo expertly remixes the indie leanings of Grizzly Bear. One listen and you'll be humming that bouncy bass line the rest of the day!

And for ease of listening: 2013 IN SOUND playlist (only includes tracks available on Soundcloud)


Previously: 2012 IN SOUND . 11 IN SOUND . twenty-ten in sound . 08 IN SOUND . 2007 In Song . Six for '06