Life

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

It’s a Trap!

| Chris

This morning, I read this passage from 1 Cor 6:7b… “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” The context talks about disputes and division between brothers/sisters. I thought, well, easy for you to say, Paul!

Anyway, I digress. I can’t help but be moved by the reaction I’ve seen and heard after the tragic events of late. I believe in discourse, but man, this is just straight up ugly! Listen, I’m not much politically-inclined. I make art and music. That’s it! I don’t pretend to fully understand the ideology behind either side of the aisle.

But here’s what’s stark in my mind: Righteousness and evil are obvious. And I have yet to see good fruit grow. Anywhere! Look, when we’re for one, we’re against the other. It only makes sense, right? We love one, we hate another. We’re right, they’re wrong. We see our own needs and cries but we’re oblivious to that of those we oppose. After all, why should we care? So, there’s no sense of humility. No unity. No forgiveness or understanding. Hence, no peace.

Plenty of blame to go around though.

Political convictions, it seems, can become a form of weapon. A means to hurt. At times, without even knowing it. It could be as subtle as a voice. Could be a given right, a privilege. Or it could be worse, as we all have witnessed lately! This weapon, some people conceal it, some brandish it, and some even flat out wield it. Nevertheless, that weapon can easily become our way, our truth, and our life. Our Constitution even. Constantly on the battlefield fighting an unwinnable war. Unaware that love has already won it for us all.

So, you know what I think? I think it’s a trap!

Not Young, Not Wild, Just Free

| Chris

I recently celebrated another birthday. Celebrated here meaning I ate at an all-you-can-eat buffet and seriously questioned whether pants with buttons were necessary that day.

And as the flames danced atop the birthday candles – metaphorically speaking, that is, as there wasn’t any cake at all – I couldn’t help but notice something off. Not in a “should’ve used a lighter instead of the blowtorch” kind of way, but in a deeper, more poetic sense. The candles just didn’t seem to fit on the cake like they used to.

Flashback to 30 years ago: San Diego, CA, 1995. A younger version of me stood on stage, guitar slung low, sweating under the stage lights. Oh, and singing the mighty words from Triumph’s Magic Power… I’m young, I’m wild, I’m free!

A friend snapped a photo of that moment, forever capturing a time when life was loud, raw, and deliciously unpredictable. And back then, birthdays came with adventure baked right in.

Today, I may not be jumping off amps or waking up from city to city but I still feel the fire. I still feel the energy. Fewer guitar solos, maybe, but I still hum the melody of a life that’s mine. On my terms.

So here’s to another trip around the sun! Even if the candles lean a little to the left and the frosting hides a few existential questions.

Freedom isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s in the quiet confidence of knowing who you truly are. And still dancing with it. Birthday cake in hand.

And no, I still don’t think pants should’ve been required.

Turning Point

| Chris

It was the last day of April, 1992. In the thick of the LA riots, I had acquired my first Bible. As the city burned outside my Hollywood apartment, I diligently read the Scripture for the first time in my life. Soon after that pivotal moment, I made a decision to be baptized. Yet the years that followed brought unexpected spiritual hurdles. The truth has an uncanny way of doing that to you, I suppose.

Eleven years later, in 2003, God woke me up. Guilt and remorse began to engulf my conscience. Religiosity unraveled. Friends drifted away, some passed on, and my first marriage began to falter. It was a dark time, for sure.

Around that period, I felt compelled to write a song where every line was a jagged little pill. It took three years to finish it. Though it remains the hardest song I’ve ever written, it gave me relief. My soul could somewhat breathe again after. Today, well, I’m still a work in progress, but grateful for the lessons I’ve learned since. God is good!

Wy Oming

| Chris

I live in beautiful Wyoming and am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the community here.

I have lived most of my life in metro cities where everything you need is right down the street. Here in Wyoming, you have to adhere to a lifestyle that gives you less options. The payout, however, is that your life is greatly simplified. And the perks… come on!!! Peace and quiet. Less stress. And the air you breath is actually more than the price of admission.

And besides the stunning views right from your own backyard, I think what’s really unbeatable is the lack of traffic. Having been a city slicker most of my life, I can’t emphasize enough how transforming that is to anyone who’s used to the daily hustle and bustle.

Anyway, what I really meant to write about is that being a musician and songwriter, I find myself writing about anything and everything but the beautiful state I belong to. One day, I just thought, I should write about Wyoming. Maybe from a point of view of someone who’s not a native but has come to love it enough to make it his home.

So here it is. My own take on the place I call home. Wy Oming. Hope you enjoy it.

Oh, and by the way, if you’re so inclined, help me collect some royalties. Follow me on Spotify and/or buy the song/album on iTunes. Thanks much!

Like Father Like Son

| Chris

On May 26th, it will have been my dad’s 84th birthday.

Time. Wow! Time can be so merciless. I can still vividly remember him taking me to the barber. And I hated it every time! Perhaps, I’ve always wanted my hair long.

I realize how undeserving of God’s kindness I am. He’s been so good to me all my life. And I am complete today because of him.

Yet, if there was one regret I have in life, it would be that I failed to forge a meaningful relationship with my earthly father. A dreadful iniquity on my part. And the aftermath will no doubt continue to weigh on me for as long as I live.

This song I wrote is not so much a tribute as it is a confession. A longing. A moment in sackcloth and ashes, if you will. It was a difficult one to write, for sure.

I wish I could tell my dad, for both the first and last time, that I love him. Because I truly did! But it’s a bit too late now, isn’t it? I was given countless chances and I blew them all.

Indeed, time’s up.

Good Sam – Friend or Foe?

| Chris

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” ~ Luke 10:36-37

It’s a classic, yes? Most people are presumably familiar with the story.

But what I’d like to briefly contemplate on is a view of this particular parable from an angle which I believe is quite easy to overlook. I know it is, for me.

goodsam

When Jesus told of this venerated tale, he made a case for all believers to pursue. He established a standard of righteousness through the likeness of a particular individual. He carved a hero out of someone whom the Old Testament-era Judeans considered not only a cultic half-breed but a downright outcast, as well. Or, a despised enemy, even.

One might not realize it but in many levels, we, in today’s society, are no different at all. We desire to be heroes. We long to be inspired. However, we naturally look up to the usual suspects, don’t we? Our examples typically come from the ones that we’re able to relate to easily – our friends, our family or perhaps, even revered celebrities. But when do we ever seek inspiration from the ones we might consider outcasts or, quote-unquote, enemies?

Think about it. It’s an issue of relate-ability. A matter of familiarity and comfort zones. It’s subtle but yet quite obvious, really. It can be about race, status or beliefs. It’s our perception of others. Our cliques. Our prejudices. The things we don’t enjoy talking about – because we are fearful of the subject matter and have nothing explicit to say about it. Unaware, we create invisible schisms, chasms and walls amongst each other. It’s a heinous misdeed and I certainly admit my own guilt!

How compelling it truly is to behold Jesus’ upside-down ideology and how it instinctively goes against the grain of our fleshly perspectives and leanings! Surely, I am in constant awe!

There is something astonishing and miraculous when we elect to pry our eyes open and witness the unexpected. The good within the perceived bad. Yes! To befriend a sinner; to plant a tiny seed of faith; to love as much as we’ve been forgiven; to knock in perseverance on God’s door; to find treasure in the unseen.

Or yet, to simply be a good neighbor, just like Sam. Good Sam. It’s a great place to start, if you ask me.

Meat or Manna

| Chris

Today’s contemplation…

“If only we had meat to eat! … But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” ~Numbers 11:4,6

Discontentment. Ingratitude. If we’re truly honest, we’ll admit we all have these in us to some degree. They can be elusive, invisible or incognito even. A bit hard to spot at times. I don’t know about you but I struggle against it just about everyday. Even when I try not to show it, I can be a grouch deep inside.

Sometimes, our choice between meat or manna can be a matter of life and death. It’s a tough battle. Choose wisely.

@2002 Chris Alma Jose

Tomorrow, you little stinker you!

| Chris

This popped up on my phone early this morning…

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:34

Happy Monday. Here’s your Verse of the Day. Eat up!

Okay, so I’ve probably nibbled on this little breakfast nugget more times than I can remember. It’s one of the most lionized passages in scripture and intrinsically embedded in my subconscious. Well, I hope so anyway.

But you know how it goes: Just because you’ve read something once doesn’t mean you’ve wrung out every possible ounce of flavor from it.

Well, a few moments after I’ve taken a quick and superficial gander at my phone, I couldn’t shake off a feeling that I might’ve missed something vital. Something that had been hiding in plain sight all this time! So I stopped what I was doing and sat for a moment. I read the verse a second time.

And a third.

Road Closed

Hmmm… possibly a couple more. But what I ultimately saw blew me away.

Tomorrow will worry…

Did you get that? Tomorrow will worry. Not me. Tomorrow will.

Worrying is not my business. Not my monkey, not my circus! Nope!

Whew! What a relief! Right?

Wait… easier said than done, you say? Yep, I thought the same. I hear you, my friend. But let’s read on…

It says: Tomorrow will worry… about itself.

Now, is it just me or is tomorrow being portrayed here as a bit ambiguous and problematic? Kind of a nutcase, if you will?

Think about it. It doesn’t say that tomorrow will solve any of my problems. It doesn’t say that it will resolve anything at all or that it will eventually sort itself out. It only says that it’ll worry about itself!

The funny thing is that tomorrow never really comes. It never arrives, does it? When you think tomorrow’s here, it’s already moved on.

Okay, so if tomorrow is indeed ambiguous and problematic, then am I not crazy to even worry about it, to begin with?

This is what I gather from all this: Jesus is saying not to worry because if you believe in him, the cares of tomorrow gets deleted from the equation and hope takes its place. As far as time is concerned, we are already there. Through hope, we are where we belong. In Him.

And that, I believe, is nothing to worry about.