Acorns from Oakes

Brendan Greeley gets it way wrong in an article in the most recent Bloomberg Businessweek. In the first lines of the article entitled “Why Bin Laden Lost,” Greeley states:

The most successful organizing principle the world has ever known is a simple guarantee that we can buy and do things that have no point greater than the satisfaction of our own happiness.

Really? In the entire history of the world, Greeley latches on to a phrase from the Declaration of Independence - “the pursuit of happiness” - and asserts that it is the secret of success! Never mind the pursuit is less than 400 years old and not necessarily doing so well right now.

I suppose we shouldn’t be shocked that someone stated it outright, but my jaw dropped nonetheless. Don’t buy it! Don’t buy what Greeley’s selling! The most successful organizing principle in the world was stated most succinctly 2,000 years ago:

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Larry Brooks has created one of the best blogs for writers at storyfix. In a recent post entitled “Suffering Is Optional” he says this:

If you can’t describe your story in one compelling sentence, you probably can’t write it in 20,000 compelling sentences, either.  Why?  Because to write a story successfully, you need to be in complete command of what the story is about, at its highest level of intention and focus.

Reminded me of Blake Snyder’s advice to screenwriters in Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need:

And concentrate on writing one sentence. One line

Because if you can learn how to tell me “What is it?” better, faster, and with more creativity, you’ll keep me interested. And incidentally, by doing so before you start writing your script, you’ll make the story better, too.

One thought, one line, one point. Where did we ever get the idea that as writers, communicators, teachers, and preachers we need to cover multiple points in long, drawn out presentations?

After nearly two decades being in front of people weekly, I’m learning more each day the truth of Brooks’s words: If you can’t tell it in one sentence, you can’t tell it in 20,000.

Here are my favorite albums released in 2010:

7. The Band Perry - The Band Perry - This album had to make the list since the father of the band members is our pediatrician. Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry have called Greeneville home for nearly the last decade, and in 2010 they started getting national recognition for a song Kimberly wrote called “If I Die Young.” It’s the best song on the album, but my favorite is “Independence.”

6. Backatown - Trombone Shorty - I had never heard of Trombone Shorty until 2010, when this album was released. I listened to the samples on iTunes, and knew immediately this would be a winner. A fast-paced, loud jazz album with just a few vocals thrown in, I found myself searching for Trombone Shorty clips on YouTube (like this one in which he takes Wynton Marsalis on in a trumpet competition at The House of Blues) in order to get better acquainted with the artist. Best track: “Hurricane Season.”

5. A Beautiful Exchange - Hillsong Live - I don’t know if this would have made the list were it not for a single track: “Like Incense/Sometimes By Step.” Brooke Ligertwood (formerly Brooke Fraser) wrote verses and used Rich Mullins’ chorus to make a gorgeous modern anthem for the church. Sometimes I will put my earphones on, set this song on repeat on my iPod, and lose myself.

4. Beautiful Things - Gungor - After John Mark McMillan (see below), Gungor is my favorite current worship singer/songwriter. Fresh lyrics with arresting melodies. Favorite song: “Dry Bones” with an honorable mention to “Call Me Out.”

3. Tonight - Tobymac - This album ranks this high not necessarily because it’s good, but just because it’s fun. “Funky Jesus Music” wins my vote for funnest song of the year. Great, clean grooves.

2. The Medicine - John Mark McMillan - By far the best worship album of the last few years, not because it contains the best version of “How He Loves” (by the writer and composer of the most popular worship song of the past five years), but rather because it’s different than everything else that has come down the pipe. I read somewhere that McMillan is as popular in Charlotte clubs as he is in churches. His songs are that raw and honest. And absolutely great. Favorite song (besides “How He Loves”): tie between “Dress Us Up” and “Death in His Grave” and “Skeleton Bones.”

1. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum - By far, the album I listened to most during the year. No sophomore slump for this group - in fact, they improved their sound. Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott sound nearly always understated, yet it works to near perfection. “Need You Now” got all the attention, but in my opinion “Hello World” is the top song on the disc, a powerful anthem to gratefulness and honor for life and the creator of life.