Before and After you read our interview with the remarkable American singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer (on Wednesday this week), you can start reflecting on her music right now. Today, we’re sharing some brief excerpts—lines from her new album, “Before and After.”
Here’s a fresh idea: Think about organizing a series for your small group around this album. A crazy idea? Well, consider this: More than 1 million small religious groups, most of them related to congregations, meet regularly across the U.S. Most gather for experiences like prayer or Bible study or ongoing conversation. One of the most popular ideas is to select a book and discuss a chapter each week.
But, how about organizing a group around an album like Carrie’s new “Before and After”? This album has 13 tracks. Divide them up among your sessions. Ask participants to listen to a couple of songs each week. Then gather for your next meeting and start with the question: “So, how did you live with these songs this week?”
I can guarantee you’ll have no shortage of spirited conversation. In January, 2010, we named Carrie Newcomer among our 10 Spiritual Sages to Watch in ’10.
IMPORTANT LENTEN NOTE: This is Lent for 2 billion Christians around the world. Please, check out our Lenten Resources page—packed with terrific ideas for lighting up your spiritual journey toward Easter. This page also links to the FREE 40-day “Our Lent” series you can enjoy right now.
AND: If you’d like to order a copy of Carrie’s new album, “Before and After,” click here to jump to Amazon.
CONSIDER THESE LINES and CHORUSES FROM CARRIE …
Even without the melodies, which transform these words into unforgettable music, there is power in the poetry itself. We invite you to reflect on these words—just a few lines excerpted from some of the songs you’ll discover on this album. And don’t miss our interview with Carrie on Wednesday!
FROM “Before and After”
We live our lives from then until now
By the mercy received
and the marks on our brow
To my heart I’ll collect
what the four winds will scatter
And frame my life into before and after
FROM “Ghost Train”
I’m not saying don’t remember
or that all things can be repaired
But after the truth’s been told
where do we go from there
Sorrow is a constant companion
we learn to walk beside
Keep walking when it whispers
and don’t listen when it lies
FROM “I Do Not Know Its Name”
I do not know its name
Swimmer or watcher
But I believe that there is always
something
Moving beneath the water
FROM “Stones in the River”
So today I’ll drop stones into the river
And the current takes them out into
forever
And the truth is most of us will never know
Where our best intentions go
And still I’ll drop another stone
FROM “I Meant to Do My Work Today”
I meant to do my work today
So many plans I had made
I’d check the mail, I’d make the calls
Save the world and sweep the hall
Finally get my accounting done
Sort the beans one by one
But I got waylaid by the morning sun
And I got absolutely nothing done
FROM “A Small Flashlight”
The way unfolds like an open hand
The way unfolds like I didn’t plan
And only in looking back
do we understand
That the way was true as an open hand
FROM “If Not Now”
It will take a change of heart
for this to mend
It will take a change of heart
for this to mend
But miracles do happen
every shining now and then
If not now, tell me when?
AND JUST A REMINDER ON LENT: Please,
check out our Lenten Resources page, including a link to the FREE 40-day “Our Lent” series you can enjoy
right now. We ALSO invite readers to expand this page by Emailing us with your ideas.
AND: If you’d like to order a copy of Carrie’s new album, “Before and After,” click here to jump to Amazon
.
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(Originally published at https://readthespirit.com/)
