With Love and Flowers

 

She is Beautiful, yet she doesn’t always think so

She has big dreams for a bright career

When she is nervous, she plays with her hair

She has a birthday… 1977 although I would have guessed the 80’s

She has two smiles, the real one is much better

She wants to have a baby and a family

She wants to forget about this part

She hopes for something more

[One of the many alleys in the Red Light District]

Awkwardly standing in front of the window I put my heart on the line by extending my love through a white and pink rose. Droplets of water had formed on the delicate petals and had smudged the writing on the love letter than accompanied the stem. I was no one, maybe even a potential client. The message was simple – God created you, your life is important, His love for you is better than life itself.

We all need to be loved. We were created with a desire for intimacy, for deep personal connection. Amsterdam is one of the last places that you will find it.

[I was amazed at the amount of tour-groups threading through the district]

We got a small group together and started praying about what we should write to accompany the flowers that we would hand out to the girls behind the glass. We rifled through our pocket sized Bibles led by ideas and references that would speak life into a dark place. Although we didn’t get around to doing a whole lot with the ministries in the RLD because of the short time we were there, this was what God wanted us to do; possibly even the reason that we were here.

The next night we stared at all of the flowers before getting busy attaching the love notes. Someone had been looking for something to give money towards and when they heard of the Flower Campaign, the Lord provided more than enough through them. There were ten of us that were going out on delivery, carrying with us more than flowers and strips of paper.

[The Cleft is in the middle of the Red Light District and provides some amazing ministries to Amsterdam's lost and broken]

The time had come. We paired up and headed out. I went with Deni, one of the staff of the program I was with. As we walked, the closer we came to our destination, the more feelings stirred in our hearts. We arrived with an arm-full of flowers. The first interaction was the most difficult and nerve-racking. As far as we knew, people just didn’t do what we were doing; there was always something else involved. I have an odd way of explaining what happened when they received the flower and knew that it was a gift… It appeared as if scales fell from their eyes. It is a weird way of explaining the phenomenon, but words escape me if I try to say it any differently. Their eyes literally changed and they became human. Now, obviously, I know that they are human, made in God’s image and deeply loved, but they have been objectified to the point that there is a disconnect with who God created them to be. So when they received something beautiful for simply being loved by God, grace came flooding in. With some it was a little more obvious than others, but I know that the messages symbolized in the flower were delivered precisely to the people they should have. It was an amazing time, I too, felt valued and loved by God.

We continued to walk, praying. We realized that we were no different from the people walking around the RLD searching. They search for the girl that will satisfy, but we know that the love of Christ and the Father is the only thing. We have all given ourselves over to selfish desires as well, searching for that element of life that will set us on fire with fulfillment. It is part of what being human is. One of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning puts it this way. “To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace.” We all need the remarkable, exposing, and uncomplicated love of Christ. Since I have seen a glimpse, it doesn’t make me any better, because without Him, I am nothing, wretched.

[St. Nicholas Church in towers over the Red Light District (not seen here). Interestingly enough, St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of prostitutes among other things]

We were on our way out of the district when I looked down and saw a broken flower on the ground… someone in our group had given it out. I reached down and picked up the discarded blossom saddened by what it represented. The paper was torn, the writing blurred beyond recognition. The head of the daisy was incredibly whole so I kept it, not knowing what the future would hold. As we passed the last window on our way out, my eyes met the disconnected glance of the girl who occupied it. I approached the window, again putting my hope on the line. She opened the window and we began to talk. Deni and I stood awkwardly as she explained all the scenarios of why we should come inside… It was difficult to stand there, extremely uncomfortable. Why was I standing there? Why had I found that last flower? Why this window? We eventually paid for 30 minutes of her time (how it usually works) and entered the room, flooded with red and black lights. We took off our rain soaked jackets and sat down on the bed. As we talked about life, hopes, family, and hard times, the time flew by. 45 minutes later it was time to go, she had to get back to work, we had to go back to our residence. Since then, my mind has replayed the events of that night over and over in my head… We said goodbye and I hoped that I would never see her in that window again. What can I say? What words can describe the thoughts in my head and feelings in my heart? There aren’t enough flowers.

["Window Shopping" as it is often called]

I came to Amsterdam frustrated, but left with a broken heart. I look forward to going back. It is a city of confusion, brokenness, and misguided seeking, but also a city where those who are searching can be filled with everlasting water and the Bread of Life. Where sin abounds, so does Grace^{(Romans 5:20)}.

May love flow from God into your life and from your life into the lives of others.
The opportunity is ours.

Backseat Writer welcomes John Paul Vicory to the site! JPV is traveling the world, taking pictures, and sharing the love of God with others as he goes.

Free Download of Seabird’s “Let Me Go On” at BestBuy.com

For a limited time you–yes, you!–can download Seabird’s “Let Me Go On” at BestBuy.com. Not only that, you can purchase the bands debut album, Til We See the Shore (read BSW’s review) for a mere $9.99 and have it shipped to you for FREE! Go here to download the song, and as always, let us know how much you like it!

Check back later this week for Amy’s interview with Seabird’s lead singer, Aaron Morgan!

Bug Jar :: Three Crosses

“Three Crosses” by Dirk Bolle

Take 5 with Francesa Battistelli

By Amy Sondova Mention the name Francesca Battistellli to anyone in the industry, and the response is usually same—“Man, that girl can sing!” Fusing the classic jazz vocal stylings with a modern pop edge, Francesca’s rich voice shines on her debut album, My Paper Heart (Fervent) which releases July 22. It is Backseat Writer’s pleasure to have Francesca “take five” with us!

How did growing up in a musical family influence your career as a singer/songwriter?

I can remember singing Nat King Cole songs with my dad at the age of 5 or 6, and wearing out soundtracks to obscure Broadway musicals all through middle and high school. I literally never listened to Top 40 radio until I was 15! My folks didn’t ever push music on me. In fact, I was more likely to become a ballerina than a musician back in those days, but I’m so glad my parents exposed me to great music growing up. It’s been such a blessing to have their wisdom and support through the years. They’ve been there in the trenches, so they get it.

The title track from your debut album, “My Paper Heart,” is a vulnerable lyrically with a funky edge to it–what is the story behind this song?

I wrote it with my producer Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood–the three of us also wrote the single together, “I’m Letting Go.” With “My Paper Heart” I wanted to write something about the fragility of the human heart. You know, all of us start out with a perfect paper Valentine heart, if you will. But through the years we get crumpled, written on, stepped on, and pieces of our hearts get torn off. Truly, our hearts are the most precious and vulnerable gifts we have to offer. Only God can redeem the junk that living in this world does to our hearts. That’s where the song started and what it’s really about.

How do you hope to inspire people, especially women, with your album?

I hope to inspire all sorts of people to get off their couches and make a difference in the world around them! I especially want to encourage women that they are incredible just the way they are (dents, rips, and all!) because of God’s love for and in them. We are stronger than we think we are, and it’s time we act on our faith and go after the things God puts in our hearts to do. I think everyone needs to hear that, but I especially have a heart to tell that to young women.

It seems like there is a general lack of female artists in the Christian music industry these days. Why do you think that is?

I think it’s partly due to how scary it is to tackle the music industry as a female. Even the Christian music industry is daunting. It’s still a business, and it requires a lot of guts to put yourself out there and try to make a go of it. I also think there’s just been an influx of male artists and bands, and gatekeepers are more comfortable with them because it’s what they know. But I think the tide is turning. Thank God for that! We need more strong, Godly women influencing the next generation. I’m so grateful for women like Natalie Grant, Jaime Jamgochian, and others who are out there making a difference. The more there are the better!

What was the last thing that made you laugh so hard you cried?

Oh dear, I’m going to embarrass myself. I just moved into a townhouse here in Nashville, and a few nights ago I went outside to water my grass. Well, the nozzle on the hose is kind of cheap, so it’s always spraying water, even if you don’t want it to. I turned on the hose and noticed that the water pressure was really low, so I went to take the kink out of the hose and ended up shooting about a half a gallon of water in my face in the process. I was about to meet some friends for dinner, and I was soaked! None of my neighbors saw me (I don’t think…), but I cracked myself up!

Visit Francesa online at francescamusic.com or myspace.com/francescabattistelli.

Print copy of Take 5.

Movie Review :: The Dark Knight

By Clay W. Ginn Since the events of Batman Begins, Gotham City has experienced a resurgence. Crime has become less rampant, the mob is losing power, and citizens are treating Batman as a hero, even to the point of attempting to emulate his methods. On the horizon lies a new threat to the city, one that will touch every citizen of Gotham, from those in the highest halls of power to the powerless children. The Dark Knight tells the story of a group of men fighting to either keep the city together or to cause it to fly apart. Gazillionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), who moonlights as the hooded vigilante Batman, is hoping to set up newly elected district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) as the heir to Batman’s “hero of the people” throne. Those plans are put in jeopardy by a maniacal villain, the Joker (Heath Ledger), who terrorizes all of Gotham, even the mobsters and jailed criminals. Dent is aided by his paramour and assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a former flame of Wayne’s. Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) all lend a hand to Batman.

This movie is dark. The lighting is dark. The tone is dark. The humor is dark. The Knight is Dark. Directed by Christopher Nolan, who also directed Batman Begins, The Dark Knight continues down the path so many recent comic book and science fiction movies have taken over the last few years. It is a gritty, no-hold-barred attack on your senses, your ears, and sometimes your stomach. Where Iron Man was sometimes comical and light-hearted, The Dark Knight is equally heavy and serious. Each of the actors eat up the screen, giving almost no downtime to the viewer. There are surprising twists and turns, including the death of a major character. The dichotomy of good versus evil and the gray areas that must sometimes be breached to defeat evil are well portrayed in this film.

Heath Ledger proves that someone can do a better Joker than Jack Nicholson (Batman, 1989). As the Clown Prince of Crime, Ledger descends into the lowest circle of hell to bring out one of the most evil, sadistic, and brilliant characters put into a superhero movie. The Joker has no rules, no sense of self-preservation, no fear of the Batman. He is anarchy in it’s purest human form, and he hands out passes to view that anarchy to everyone he comes in contact with. Ledger plays the Joker as one who enjoys making everyone (including the audience) squirm. For me, one of the most uncomfortable things about Ledger’s performance is his constant need to lick his lower lip and the sometimes watery quality of his voice. Those touches bring out more of the manic psychotic in the Joker. Ledger is far and away the star of this film, his penultimate role due to his death in January 2008. Heath Ledger has been receiving some Oscar buzz for his role, and deservedly so.

In playing the dual role of Bruce Wayne and Batman, Christian Bale offers a well-rounded performance. He is engagingly witty and smooth while playing the millionaire playboy, but gruff and course when dressed as Batman, including a low, gravelly voice. Micheal Caine and Morgan Freeman bring playfulness and presence to their roles as butler and CEO, respectively. Aaron Eckhart portrays Harvey Dent as the upright, noble D.A., willing to take on the worst of criminals to clean up the city, something that backfires on him dramatically. Gary Oldman, given much more screen time as compared to the near cameo role he had in Batman Begins, brings a mix of strength and insecurity to the police lieutenant. In the part of Rachel Dawes, Maggie Gyllenhaal has more presence and poise than Katie Holmes, who portrayed Dawes in the previous Batman film. She effectively demonstrates the tug from both her current love and her former, and her character remains relevant throughout the story. She’s not just the damsel in distress, she is one of the turning points of the film.

Though the environment is understandably dark, there are times when it is too dark. Action scenes are shot so close to the actors and with such sparse lighting, that it is sometimes difficult to make out what is going on. Granted, all you are really missing is somebody getting another butt-whooping, but it would be nice to see the moves Batman uses to administer said butt-whooping. The music is quite over the top, occasionally venturing into a long, drawn out screech that slowly crescendos upwards during scenes of intense drama. It’s a long film, and does leave some things unresolved, most likely setting up the next film in the Batman series.

The Dark Knight is rated a heavy PG-13 for a great deal of violence and threatening situations. This is not a kids movie, and may not even be a tweens movie. There are times when it seems close to stepping into R territory, but it was probably given a pass due to the nearly complete lack of swearing and sexual situations. It is also showing in IMAX theaters nationwide, which could be an interesting show with the plethora of tall buildings and swooping flight scenes. Overall though, it is an excellent film and well worth seeing.

Movie Review :: Mamma Mia!

By Amy Sondova Get the girls together and spend a steamy afternoon at a matinee performance of Mamma Mia! which hit theaters on July 18. Based on the blockbuster musical which is based on the songs of Swedish mega-pop group, ABBA, Mamma Mia! is a laugh riot.

Twenty year-old Sophie (Allentown native Amanda Seyfried) dreams of having her father attend her luxurious wedding; unfortunately after raiding her mother’s diary, she can only narrow her potential dads to three men—Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarshard), and Harry (Colin Firth). Unbeknownst to her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), Sophie invites all three of her mother’s past beaus to the wedding and hilarity ensues. Also arriving on this Greek island for festivities are Donna’s two gal pals Tanya (Kristine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Waters).

While Siegfriend’s carefree frolicking, charm, and beautify as a blushing bride could easily steal the film, it’s Meryl Steep that’s the star of this movie. Her performance of “Winner Takes It All” is vocally and theatrically the milestone of the flick. While Pierce Brosnan is clearly the most appealing of the male leads, he’s a fairly terribly singer. Fortunately, all that is forgotten when he rips off his shirt and makes googly eyes at Streep.

Brosnan’s manly physique isn’t the only image that will wow female moviegoers—the shoots of Greek isles, where the movie was filmed, are also breathtaking. Mamma Mia! also seems to flow seamlessly from the big stage to the big screen allowing more people to bop to the beat of Mamma Mia!.

Oh, and stay tuned during the credits for bonus performances of “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo” with the main cast decked out in authentic-looking ABBA garb. It’s glitzy, nonsensical, over-produced, and lively, but that’s what makes it so great. While Mamma Mia! probably isn’t going to be “movie of the year,” it is the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time.

Print copy of review.

Blood:Water Mission’s Faith Night at Greer Stadium Featuring Jars of Clay Aug. 8

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club Faith Night to feature a performance by Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning band Jars of Clay to raise money and awareness for Blood:Water Mission

Nashville, TN – July 18, 2008 — Jars of Clay will be performing at Greer Stadium on August 8^th to raise money and awareness for their non-profit organization Blood:Water Mission with funds specifically going to the Ochieng’ Memorial Lwala Community Health Center in Lwala, Kenya.

The clinic in Lwala was birthed out of two Vanderbilt Medical Students’ father’s dream for his community. After his death from AIDS his sons carried on his dream. “Our parents’ deaths were hard, and disheartening, but it made us realize even more how much we could help, how fortunate we are to have all of this support, and how special this clinic is,” says Fred Ochieng’.  Brother Milton says, “For me, it symbolizes the hope that we have in Lwala, in Kenya, and in all of Africa, that despite all the obstacles, when people share a vision, they can make a difference. We’ve come this far, and we started from nothing. There are a lot of people who aren’t that lucky.”

This night will be Jars of Clay’s 3^rd Faith Night to benefit Blood:Water Mission, specifically the clinic and water needs in Lwala, Kenya.

The Faith Night will also feature a performance by singer-songwriter Christopher Williams. Various items will be auctioned and raffled off throughout the night. The gates will open at 5:30 pm with the concert beginning then as well.

Blood:Water Mission is a non-profit organization founded by the members of Jars of Clay to address the HIV/AIDS and water crisis in Africa.

For more information go to www.bloodwatermission.com.

Take 5 with Kutless

By Amy Sondova Since emerging on the music scene with their debut in 2002, Kutless has became a staple in the Christian music industry combining their rock/metal sound with praise worship on their latest project, To Know That You’re Alive (read BSW’s review). Despite hectic summer touring, Kutless lead singer Jon Micah Sumrall took the time to “Take 5” with Backseat Writer.

Backseat Writer: How has Kutless grown as a band musically and lyrically with the latest album?

Jon Micah: This album was significantly different in both the writing and recording process. We collaborated more as a band through out the entire process more than we ever have in the past. I think the end result reflects the dedication and work we all put into the music of this record.

“To Know That You’re Alive” is a very provocative song that seems to speak to a self-destructive culture—why is the album named after this track?

In order to receive Christ’s message of love you must first be willing to accept the fact that you are a fragile and imperfect being who is in need of saving. The song, “To Know That You’re Alive,” touches on our frailty as humans and how God allows difficult things in life to make us grow and to remind us of our need for Him. This is the foundation that we work from as we tackle many other issues through out the record.

What is the story behind “Promise You,” a song that seems to speak about leaving an abusive relationship or situation?

Abuse continues to be a growing problem around the world and we come in to contact with victims of abuse almost daily. Unfortunately many Christians who are in an abusive situation feel like they should just “turn the other cheek”. I feel this is a misrepresentation of scripture and that we are not “called” to be taken advantage of. Throughout the Bible you see God valiantly defending and taking care of His kids. We shouldn’t be afraid to fight for our survival but we are called to love and to forgive which is probably the most difficult thing to do.

After seeing a video tour of your bus by Chris Taylor, I was wondering—what’s up with all the Starbucks?

We are from the Northwest. Coffee is a part of our culture… and I am pretty sure Jeff is addicted.

What is the one of your most obscure (and potentially) embarrassing habits?

I am the one guy in the band who can’t stand coffee. I don’t even like coffee ice cream!

To learn more about Kutless, visit the band online at kutless.com or myspace.com/kutless. Also check out BSW’s review of To Know That You’re Alive (read review).

Print copy of Take 5.

Bug Jar:: Down on the Farm

“Down on the Farm” Photo Essay by Amy Sondova (Photos taken in Lancaster, PA)

Photo #1 (chicken): Taken at Amish Farm

Photo #2 (goat): Taken at Hershey Farm, baby goat about 3 months old

Photo #3 (various animals): Taken at Good N’ Plenty Restaurant

Photo #4 (goats): Taken at Amish Farm; Mother goat and her five day-old baby.

I Rented August Rush (movie review)

By Amy Sondova While August Rush is definitely a cool name for a musician, it’s a terrible movie. Maybe I’m just not into feel-good films that have a limited grasp on reality unless they’re in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I’m not sure how to classify August Rush except to reemphasize the fact it wasted two hours of my life.

The plot revolves around Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore), an abandoned 11-year-old boy who has lived in an orphanage in New York his entire life. He hears music in the world around him and believes that his parents are going to come fetch him up one day. Everyone he meets thinks his idealism is crazy, but are impressed with his natural musical ability. In fact, he’s some sort of musical prodigy composing his first piece of music only minutes after learning how to read notes.

Understandably, there are kids who will take to music like a fish to water. However, I doubt a kid who just plucks on a guitar for a couple of hours is going to sound like Carlos Santana shortly thereafter. The story gets more and more ridiculous as it goes along. Evan changes his name to August Rush under the direction of Wizard (Robin Williams), a bitter hoodlum who takes in runaway children and exploits their musical talents to make a buck.

Throughout the movie, August says that he must play his music so his parents can find him. Ironically, his parents are both musicians—Lyla, (Keri Russell), the classically-trained cellist and Louis, (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), the Scottish rocker. One starry night, Lyla and Louis meet, procreate, and are parted. After getting hit by a car, Lyla delivers early and without her knowledge, her father forges her signature, signing away her parental rights. Her father confesses his sin on his deathbed causing Lyla to search for her son 11 years later. Meanwhile, Louis, (who doesn’t know he has a son), can’t forget about Lyla and decides to make contact with her after 11 years. In a bizarre twist of events, music brings them all together and a family that was torn asunder is reunited.

I know I should just suspend my disbelief, but I can’t. I can’t get past the fact that Lyla would have needed a witness to watch her sign her baby away and that there haven’t been orphanages in the United States for over 30 years. A baby put up for adoption has a great chance of being adopted, not institutionalized. Not only that, but Lyla would never be able to extract the information about Evan’s whereabouts from his children and youth caseworker. If the plot is this shaky from the beginning, how are we supposed to believe that Louis loves Lyla after a one-night stand? How can we accept that August is really that talented?

If you want to see more of Keri Russell, rent Season 2 of Felicity. Watching her navigate through the perils of college life is much better than trying to understand this messy plot.

Print copy of review.