Scott Freeman

The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen

April 10th, 2009

I had the joy of seeing Bruce for the third time this past Tuesday night. I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember, dating back to the first time I heard the Wall of Sound come rushing at me through the sonic boom of Born to Run.
And when I first saw the video for Atlantic City 27 years ago I was hooked. The music of Springsteen has always resonated with me, even when I didn’t fully grasp the depth of some of his lyrics.
The gospels have been the same way. I’ve always gravitated to the words and stories of Jesus, even when I didn’t fully grasp what He was trying to get across.
It was only when I saw the “other-ness” of Jesus’ words did it come into full relief for me. Jesus spoke in the midst of oppression on the borders of Empire. The only way the words of Christ fully make sense is to see them in the context of relationship: of how we treat the poor, the outcasts and the marginalized.
For years I saw the words of Jesus as a laundry list of things to do. I didn’t fully realize that His words pointed toward people to love for a long time. When I made the connection, finally, it made all the difference.

Listening to Springsteen Tuesday night I was struck by how much of his lyrics attest to that truth of the gospels. I was again amazed at how he seems to lend credence to a good news that is often missing in the church. There is no further proof of that then in a sampling of the songs he performed in Tulsa:

Badlands
Lyric: Badlands, you gotta live it everyday/Let the broken hearts stand/As the price you’ve gotta pay/We’ll keep pushin’ till it’s understood/and these badlands start treating us good

Outlaw Pete
Lyric: Father Jesus I’m an outlaw, killer and a thief/And I slow down only to sow my grief/I’m Outlaw Pete, I’m Outlaw Pete, can you hear me?

Night
Lyric: And the world is busting at its seams/And you’re just a prisoner of your dreams/Holding on for your life/’cause you work all day/To blow ‘em away in the night

Working on A Dream
Lyric: I’m working on a dream/Though sometimes it feels so far away/I’m working on a dream/And how it will be mine someday/Rain pourin’ down I swing my hammer/My hands are rough from working on a dream/I’m working on a dream

Johnny 99
Lyric: Now judge judge I had debts no honest man could pay/The bank was holdin’ my mortgage and they was takin’ my house away

The Promised Land
Lyric: Gonna be a twister to blow everything down/That ain’t got the faith to stand its ground/Blow away the dreams that tear you apart/Blow away the dreams that break your heart/Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

The Wrestler
Lyric: Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free/If you’ve ever seen a one trick pony then you’ve seen me/Have you ever seen a one legged dog makin’ his way down the street/If you’ve ever seen a one legged dog then you’ve seen me/(Then you’ve seen me) I come and stand at every door/(Then you’ve seen me) I always leave with less than I had before

The Rising
Lyric: Spirits above and behind me/Faces gone, black eyes burnin’ bright/May their precious blood forever bind me/Lord as I stand before your fiery light

Born To Run
Lyric: The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive/Everybody’s out on the run tonight/but there’s no place left to hide/Together Wendy we’ll live with the sadness/I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul/Someday girl I don’t know when/we’re gonna get to that place/Where we really want to go/and we’ll walk in the sun/But till then tramps like us/baby we were born to run

Hard Times
Lyric: Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears/While we all sup sorrow with the poor/There’s a song that will linger forever in our ears/Oh Hard times come again no more/Tis the song, the sigh of the weary/Hard Times, hard times, come again no more

Land Of Hope And Dreams
Lyric: This train Carries saints and sinners/This train Carries losers and winners/This Train Carries whores and gamblers/This Train Carries lost souls/This Train Dreams will not be thwarted/This Train Faith will be rewarded/This Train Hear the steel wheels singin’/This Train Bells of freedom ringin’/This Train Carries broken-hearted/This Train Thieves and sweet souls departed/This Train Carries fools and kings/This Train All aboard

The characters in Springsteen are borne straight out of the gospels. They are the beat-up and the burned-out. They are the tramps and the thieves. The ones who have been forgotten and the ones who won’t forget their dreams. They are the ones who have lost and one. The whores and the gambles.

They are the ones that forever search for grace and hope against hope that one day that train will come to lead them to the Promised Land. Out of the Badlands. Into the Land of Hope and Dreams.

I often reside at the nexus of faith and doubt. From the lyrics of Springsteen it is obvious that he is intimately acquainted with that place as well. And it was in the midst of that show Tuesday night that I saw Jesus clearly. The champion of the one legged pony. The one who showed tramps like us how to live.

Posted in Entertainment | 7 Comments »

2008 Academy Award Predictions

February 19th, 2009

Sunday is the big night. As an Oscar enthusiast I anxiously await this night all year long. Unfortunately, I feel that there have been several major missteps this year in putting together the ceremony so my enthusiasm has been dampened a bit. Hugh Jackman? Seriously?
But it is always about the movies first and foremost. And there are some stellar films and performances vying for recognition this year.

Due to time constraints I can’t do a full breakdown this year but I will post a bit of analysis. One thing is true: whenever you start hearing someone say that a film is a lock is when you really need to start wondering how true that is.

Best Picture

Will Win–Slumdog Millionaire: This is the biggest lock to win Best Picture since Brokeback Mountain. The only problem is that Brokeback did not win. The main difference here is that Slumdog peaked at just the right time whereas Brokeback had been the frontrunner for months and peaked way too early leading to the ubiquitous Oscar backlash.
Could Upset–Anything but Frost/Nixon. The Reader is a captivating tale and has the Weinstein PR machine behind it. My gut is that it peaked too late, however. Benjamin Button could move in here but overall the reception was somewhat reserved. Milk is a fabulous film and would not be just a perceived makeup for Brokeback but could win on its own merits.
Should Win–Slumdog Millionaire. As much as I like each of the other nominees, this is the best picture of the year.

Best Actor
Will Win–This could go either way between Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. I’m going to go with Penn for bringing Harvey Milk to life.
Could Upset–I guess there is a scenario where Brad Pitt could sneak in if Penn and Rourke split votes but I don’t see that happening. A better choice would be Frank Langella for actually making Richard Nixon a sympathetic character. That is the perfomance that will be remembered in retrospect.
Should Win–Penn has won before and his role is more about the character than the performance. Rourke should be honored for such a stunning comeback.

Best Actress
Will Win–I’ve heard talk that Meryl Streep is making a tremendous surge to taking home another trophy after a long hiatus. However, this statue must belong to Kate Winslet for her indelible performance of a woman who is complex, layered and mysterious. It is her turn.
Could Upset–If Streep wins it is a huge upset in my book.
Should Win–Winslet

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win–Heath Ledger, although this could be the upset of the night. This statue was practically handed to him over a year ago when he died. The raw emotion of that passing has now subsided and Oscar voters hate being told who to vote for. With that said, he deserves the trophy based upon the merits of his performance. A win here after a huge snub for The Dark Knight is important.
Could Upset–Robert Downey, Jr. turned in an impeccable performance.
Should Win–Ledger

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win–I view this as the most wide open contest of the night. In theory the two Doubt performances should cancel each other out. However, who would not love to see an Amy Adams victory? My heart says Tomei wins and removes all doubt about her legitimacy as an Oscar winner but I am afraid that Penelope Cruz wins for her performance in the insipid Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Ugh.

Best Director–Danny Boyle
Best Original Screenplay–Dustin Lance Black
Best Adapted Screenplay–Simon Beaufoy

Best Song–Bruce Springsteen’s omission makes this category absolutely worthless.

Posted in Oscar | 3 Comments »

What I’m Listening To: Hugh Moffatt

February 10th, 2009

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: eMusic is an absolutely essential part of my life. I’ve been able to discover scores of artists I never would have been able to enjoy otherwise.

A great example is Hugh Moffatt. He is a tremendous singer-songwriter. He has one live album on eMusic and I loved it so much I purchased an additional one and find myself listening to them often. Check him out:

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Because It Makes Me Laugh: Blazing Saddles

February 6th, 2009

I cried like a schoolboy when I first saw this 30 years ago. I still laugh.

Be warned: Sophomoric Humor lies ahead

Posted in Because It Makes Me Laugh | 4 Comments »

Random Thoughts and Tidbits

February 4th, 2009

–I have been a Steelers fan since I was old enough to know what football is. It was great to see them win #6.

–Due to scheduling and other conflicts Tracy and I were finally able to catch up on some of our favorite shows on Monday night. That resulted in what might be the best block of TV watching I have ever sat through: FNL (the best show on TV, hands down), The Office Superbowl episode, The Big Bang Theory (which just gets better each episode), and HIMYM.

–I’m taking 9 hours this semester and trying to get out of my office at least once a day to do something people-oriented. I am already overwhelmed. When is Spring Break?

–Yesterday, Cassie woke up complaining about her eye hurting. This sent us into a panic. One of the biggest potential hazards of juvenile arthritis is eye debilitation and loss. We have her eyes checked quarterly and have had great results every time. Luckily, we were able to take her to the doc and determine that everything was fine. I think she wants glasses to look as cool as I do

–I have two trips to Tulsa this week and a Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday. It slows down right?

Posted in Asides | 3 Comments »

Because It Makes Me Laugh: Stripes

January 30th, 2009

We all need a good laugh and these scenes never fail me:

Posted in Because It Makes Me Laugh | 2 Comments »

25 Random Things About Me

January 29th, 2009

In the interest of cross-promotion and in an ever-increasing homage to laziness I thought I would post the ever-popular Facebook meme here:

1. I love spicy food. The spicier the better. Everything I eat has to be spiced up to nuclear levels.

2. My two favorite teams are the Arkansas Razorbacks and Pittsburgh Steelers. No other teams truly matter.

3. I am an Academy Awards fan. I have seen every Best Picture and Best Actor winner and see all of the major nominees each year.

4. I read constantly. About 145 books a year constantly

5. I am a major introvert. I don’t like crowds and don’t really get into events and gatherings very much. It makes ministry a challenge.

6. My post-ministry career will be working in a library. I am currently getting another Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences.

7. I have a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and a Master’s in Religion.

8. I love rainy weather. I love rain more than sunshine.

9. I use to run and I miss it a lot. However, I’m too lazy to get started again.

10. I am given to fits of nostalgia and Facebook has only exacerbated that.

11. I am notoriously difficult to figure out and rarely think conventionally.

12. I have to keep many of my views to myself to keep me out of permanent trouble.

13. People often find me unapproachable. That saddens me greatly and I have to pay close attention to my body language and non-verbals.

14. There is nothing I love more than my girls.

15. I love horror films and books.

16. I love change as long as it doesn’t interrupt my routine.

17. I don’t like being out after 7 at night.

18. I think Michael McDermott is the greatest songwriter of my generation.

19. I am a pacifistic, tree-hugging, civil-rights touting social justice advocate.

20. I love cold weather. I won’t wear a coat until it gets below 40 degrees and wear short sleeves no matter how cold.

21. My perfect job would involve reading and studying all day.

22. I drink way too much Diet Coke but I have no desire or inclination to stop.

23. I am not a morning person.

24. I love my sense of humor but I know that it does not appeal to everyone.

25. I am excited about how Facebook has allowed me to re-establish friendships with people I thought were forever out of my life and determine kindred spirits I have missed out on earlier in life.

Posted in Asides | 1 Comment »

Working On A Dream

January 27th, 2009

There is only one Boss and his name is Bruce. His latest album dropped today and it is better than should be possible. It is truly a masterpiece and is possible that it might land up near Darkness on my all-time Bruce list.

And this song “Outlaw Pete” is simply one of the coolest tunes I have ever heard.

Posted in Music | 11 Comments »

Book List

January 26th, 2009

One of the things that I lost in my blog melt-down was the handy-dandy book widget that was on the sidebar. I can add it back but haven’t taken the time to do that. Instead, I have gravitated over to using the visual bookshelf on Facebook.

Friend me to keep up with all of my readings.

One of the things that I want to do more of this year is post my thoughts on what I am reading, listening to, watching and studying. There are a couple of the books I have read over the last 6 weeks that make that list:

Creepers by David Morrell
This book won the Stoker Award a few years back and that my trick you into thinking that this is a horror novel. It isn’t. Instead it is a riveting thriller set in an abandoned hotel. Urban scavengers go into abandoned buildings and study the past. This particular hotel has quite an interesting story.

Out For Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay Rights Movement in America by Dudley Clendinen and Adam Nagourney
I was prompted to read this book after watching Milk. I fancy myself a student of Civil Rights and Social Justice struggles but had not read much regarding this particular movement. It is an exhaustive history of 1969-1989. I have many thoughts on the content of this work but will hold off until a later time.

I would highly recommend either of these works.

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Yes, I Am Back

January 22nd, 2009

As the few readers I have remaining may have noticed I took another month long break from blogging. Losing a year of posts and all of my comments took the wind out of my sails.

And now I am back to it. With a renewed dedication and purpose. When I first began 4 years ago Monday I blogged as catharsis and with a focus on things that truly interested me.

In time I began to attract readers and comments and became somewhat intoxicated by that. I liked have threads that were 100+ comments and 600+ visitors a day.

But in the process I lost what I was doing this for. And now I am back to a handful of readers and a desire to focus strictly on what interests me. Some will be deep. Most will be light. It will be heavy on the things that I am reading, watching, listening to and studying.

For those of you still here, thanks for sticking around.

Posted in Housekeeping | 15 Comments »