Thoughts on classic rock and discipleship...

I normally have a U2 CD playing in my 1996 Honda Passport with 154,043 miles and fading paint.  Recently, however, I have tuned in our local classic rock station.  I have been enjoying the reminiscent journey through my high school and college years.

Yesterday, my 11-year-old son Grant and I were driving around town to pick up the barbecue and related items we needed for our Super Bowl gathering.  He was a little upset that I didn't have U2 on, but I told him it was my car and I got to choose the music.  When he had his own car, he could choose.  (Don't read any anger in that statement.  It was just one of those matter of fact statements; you know, this is the way it is so accept it.)  He did.

I started calling out the artist and the name of the song, usually within the first few bars.  The more I did this, the more amazed was Grant.  After doing this five or six times, Grant and I had a conversation that went something like this:

Grant:    Dad, you are amazing.
Dad:        I'm glad you finally realized this.
Grant:    How do you know all of this?
Dad:        I grew up listening to this stuff.  It was an important part of my life.
Grant:    But, you aren't missing any of them.
Dad:        I'm glad you are surprised by how vast my knowledge and wisdom are.
Grant:    Dad. (said with that frustrated tone which indicates being annoyed)
Dad:        So you think your dad is pretty smart?  You're surprised to learn that your dad knows something you didn't know he knew?
Grant:    Well, of course. (said with that tone of duh...)
Dad:        So maybe you will remember that over the next few years as I try to guide you through life.  Maybe you will listen, because, just maybe your dad knows what he is talking about.
Grant:    Dad. (said with that same frustrating tone of being annoyed)
Dad:        Jackson Browne, Running on Empty!
Grant:    Ugh!

This morning I read this:

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.

My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4

Comments

[Jawbone]

Don't teach Grant to like Black Sabbath.

[Eric]

Jawbone,

Just the good stuff...

Examples:

Tom Petty
The Who
Queen
Pink Floyd
John Mellencamp
Bruce Springsteen
etc...

[Kimberly]

Wasn't the Superbowl great this year? I love Tom Petty! (Oh, and all those people running around with that little ball thingy...)

[Eric]

Kimberly,

Yes, that was the most watched part of the evening, Tom Petty that is...

Good stuff...

[berit]

i love the way you can link pop culture to HIM! my son thinks i'm the smartest person 'ever' when those 'lyrics' shows are on only to roll his eyes (yes,at the tender age of 6) when i mention some rule in our house.