Jonathan Paul Music - Latest Comments

Re: Statues of Critics

Ivorsolomons — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:31:50 -0000

Just to update everyone.
According to Alex Ross, the N.Y. music critic, there's a statue of the Russian critic Vladimir Stasov in St. Petersburg; and incidentally of the French literary critic sainte-Beuve in the Luxembourg Gardens. And a Canadian artist has done one of the art critic Clement Greenberg.
Hope that helps.

Re: Bio

jonathan paul — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:40:55 -0000

hi
this is so cool my name is Jonathan Paul 2
i searched it to find anyone who has the same name as me

Re: Shanghai

Rivene — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:44:19 -0000

Great pictures!
I especially like some random guys asking you to take that random picture with them.

Re: Eternity Invades

D.Scott Phillips — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:11:39 -0000

At your recommendation, I started listening to Vicki's album, Eternity Invades. Being unfamiliar with her earlier work, I cannot say one way or another if this album is her best or not, I only know that it is very good. I am curious: does she ever get compared to, or does she ever cite as an influence, the Australian worship bands connected with Hillsong?
Thanks for the post, and for the recommendation!

Re: Short Story

Jonathan Paul — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:12:06 -0000

Love your lines, RJK! Haven't been logging into my blog much lately, and just saw them for the first time today. Thanks for sharing! :o)

Re: Short Story

rjk — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:33:16 -0000

Maybe
the Author and Finisher
uses the ink in our pens
(your pen on my paper
and my pen on yours)
but He can rewrite the inkblots.

Re: Coexist

AudraKrell — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:34:05 -0000

Hi Jonathan, I don't much about this at all. Something about it doesn't seem right. I do agree with JB, Jesus loved a party. He was a friend to all and died for all. I would love to have world peace, but a man made festival idea doesn't seem like it will be the answer. If the Festival of Abraham was biblical, that would be a different story.

Re: Coexist

JB — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:52:10 -0000

I'm sure there's a lot to consider here, and if I thought about this for a while I would probably have quite a few (sometimes conflicting) thoughts of my own. I'll just share one that I was struck with: It seems that we can take heart from the gospel record. It appears that our Lord, in the days of His flesh, rarely turned down a party invitation. :)

Re: Ten Pages From My Journal Today

JB — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:44:05 -0000

I enjoyed all of it, but "I've got so much practice" struck a chord with where I find myself lately--dialogue with clerics of another faith, trying to understand honestly what they hold to and why, reexamining for myself why I profess what I do, and wanting to humbly and clearly speak from my own experience. Not quite the direction of your writing's original intent, I dare say, but I identified with the wish to stay in the old comfort zone. Leaving my familiar circles behind feels like putting out to sea where even the floor beneath my feet is subject to change. But at the same time, I've been able to marvel in a new way at aspects of my own beliefs which regained their wonder by seeing them through the eyes of a skeptic.

Re: Coexist

Sarah — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:15:44 -0000

I once visited "speakers corner" in Hyde park in London. A place where people from all religions, ideals etc could stand and preach to those passing by. The Muslims and Christians took turns listening in to each other yelling out questions as you can imagine often ending a debate. I can see this festival being a large speakers corner. I am not sure if it will bear the fruit that your encounter with the Islamic man did. Will it just be one person trying to be louder than the other? Should Christians turn down and opportunity to be light and salt to a large gathering of those who don't follow Christ- I would not be so quick to say yes to that. If Bono is hoping for Christians to be passive and admit to some kind of same God- different prophet agenda to promote world peace then I think Christians should be wary of aligning themselves to something that would look like that. Real followers of Christ don't bomb people in the name of their religion. Any in history who have oppressed and killed in the name of Christ are accountable for those actions that are contrary to His teachings. I know many Muslims don't agree with killing either, but the fact is their religion and prophet has that as its history and sanctioned in their book. I wonder how such an issue would be handled at the event? I would hope if such an event unfolds that all Christians would enter in with fasting and prayer so that God will be glorified and not allow their own ignorance and possible hatred get in the way of many coming to know Christ.

Re: Ten Pages From My Journal Today

Jonathan Paul — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:36:30 -0000

Thanks for taking the time to read and give me some feedback/encouragement, Audra! You rock!!

Re: Ten Pages From My Journal Today

audrakrell — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:24:40 -0000

Good stuff J! I like the one you grayed out here at the bottom about the moms rocking cradle, shaking while they tried to stand still. I also love all the parts where you talk about the person "telling you everything, not leaving anything out, telling you their own stories." Those lines are very powerful to me and make me want to keep reading!

Re: Rollerblading the Burke Gilman Trail!

Angela — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:33:01 -0000

How far does this trail extend??
What part of Seattle?
Are there other roller blading trails in on or near this area?

Re: Heroes – Watercooler Wednesdays

Guest — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:03:37 -0000

Interesting post. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.

Re: Little Jason

Jonathan Paul — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:17:11 -0000

Thanks, ladies! And yes, Sarah, I did take these pics. And wow, little Jason is growing fast... You should see him now!

Re: Little Jason

Sarah — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:26:17 -0000

Did you take these photos Jonathan? I can't believe I haven't seen these yet. I knew Jason had his baby and saw other picture,s but these are great- he is a really cute baby! I love that gummy smile. Kids are precious.

Re: How do you connect to God?

Erik — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:22:40 -0000

Yes, you betcha very muchy! I've been thinking a lot about this sort of thing lately. Many practical theological problems we struggle with are solved by taking it from the angle of relationship rather than religious system. If God is real, why do we treat him like a rule book? A rule book, whether in terms of a self-help book or a morality tome, however insightful, ought not to replace knowing someone. For example, Paul talks about the famous tension between works and faith in Romans. Why are we so mixed up at times to think, well if God made me this way (sinful) then who can resist God? I should just be bad then. He'll forgive me, right? Would that really make sense in the context of a relationship to someone rescuing us from that sin? Would we poke a lion in the nose who had refused to eat us? It simplifies so many things when we approach God humbly and through his offered hand of forever-mercy and friendship. Mark Driscoll, a pastor I listen to often these days, puts it this way: If he asked his wife, in an intimate moment, "Honey, would you forgive me if I committed adultery?" And she gracefully says, "Yes, I would." Would it make any sense whatsoever that he would answer, "Great! See ya back at the breakfast table tomorrow"? Relationship not only helps us understand the study of who God is, but it is essential to it.

On the note of intercessors, I'd only add that God chose intercessors (probably as a shadow of the reality found in Christ, the ultimate intercessor) to give his words to the people to express his holiness and our lack thereof (at least that would be a big reason). I had forgotten that God invited the whole group up the mountain (I'd have to look at it again to comment better), but I think he also had a purpose in choosing special prophets after Moses rather than making the relationship directly open to everyone. So in some ways, it has changed but yet remains since Christ is our way to meet the Father (so we pray in Jesus' name). If someone has a problem with that, not realizing that they themselves view truth as exclusive, point out that, sure, there are many many paths to heaven, but all of those lead to the God-man Jesus, the "doorway". It is his house afterall.

Am I speaking truth?

Re: Twestival Seattle

foleymo — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:54:54 -0000

So glad you came out for it. We're planning another one for Sept. 12 to benefit a local charity -- YouthCare. I hope you can make it.

Re: Marriage and Men

Vbug — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:20:53 -0000

He had some good, biblical, truthful things to say. Too bad is was lost in the noise of his own anger, or tough love, or whatever he wants to call it. I felt like I was being vomited on the whole time I listened. I couldn't agree more with some of his points. I couldn't agree less with his philosophy of the emotional fabric of men and what they're able to "take" vs. the emotional fabric of woman. Gentle with woman, verbally abusive toward men. I'm sorry, but that is about as far from biblical truth as you can get. The human heart is no different, whether man or woman. The idea that you can shame a man into being a man and call him "idiot, loser, a joke, a fool, little boy, pansy", etc. is ludicrous, and it's unfortunate that Mark seems to adhere to this philosophy. I would actually even go so far as to say it's not only unfortunate, it's sinful. Maybe one day he'll get it.

That's my two cents worth.

Re: I’m ready

audrakrell — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:03:19 -0000

I think your words would make a great song. I love your new banner by the way!

That face above is not my face today. I have a big, happy smile!

Re: Little Jason

audrakrell — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:01:34 -0000

I said it before and I'll say it again, he is absolutely adorable! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pic above with the tie. I love his smiling. What a profound blessing he is!

Re: How do you connect to God?

Jonathan Paul — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:22:39 -0000

So true, Bryan! Thanks for sharing your thoughts; I can certainly identify about connecting with God through nature! And I've also experienced the value in connecting with and incorporating more from the various Christian traditions.

Re: How do you connect to God?

Bryan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:54:40 -0000

I've found that I connect most easily with God while I'm in nature. I experience and converse more with God in a few hours outside than I do in church in a month. As I've experienced different Christian traditions with friends, I find that each of them tends to have a different twist of connecting with God. What is considered the norm in an Anglican tradition is shunned by Baptists because they fear it could become distorted and vice-versa. In truth, I think we can learn a little something about relationship from each of the Christian traditions.

Re: How do you connect to God?

Jonathan Paul — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:34:36 -0000

Thanks, Rachel! I don't think you're at all alone in that dichotomy, and as you suggest, I'm sure you'll find resolution by pursuing that relationship. :o) May we all do the same...

Re: How do you connect to God?

racheljoyklas — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:02:43 -0000

YUP. Relationship is always more complex and messier than a formula. Ever since (and probably before) Sinai when God invited the nation of Israel up the mountain and they delegated Moses, we've wanted an intermediary, a curtain, a ritual, a building to confine God to some sort of... tangible, containable THING available and controllable as satellite TV. The problem is that a deep relationship with God ACCESSIBLE but also CRAVED by Him. This is where God's passionate pursuit unsettles and confuses us. Or maybe I should say that it unsettles and confuses me. What in me cognitively wants, and yet fears, this offer of direct relationship? Perhaps I'm alone in this dichotomy. Perhaps not. And perhaps it is a relationship, not a formula, that will help me work it out.

~ racheljoyklas