It's Basically Rock 'n' Roll, innit?

The famous English scholar and theologian N.T. Wright tells the story of riding in a cab in London when the cabbie noticed his clerical collar.

After a brief interaction about some of the problems and struggles in the church, the cabbie turned around, looked at him (they were stuck in traffic so weren't moving) and said:

"Well, Bishop, what I always say is, if God really raised Jesus Christ from the dead, everything else is basically rock 'n' roll, innit!"

Another good word for the beginning of what will be a tough year for many of us. I hope there are many good things that happen for all of us, but without question this year will have its challenges.

Many of them will be at the "macro" level - the state or national level, which means that we normal citizens won't have much influence. We can't change very much. We just have to observe and experience what is happening. There will be lies, misinformation, misuse of power and wealth. Our environment and climate will be further damaged. Normal, innocent people will be hurt and suffer loss in all kinds of ways.

Yet, if God really raised Jesus Christ form the dead, everything else is basiclally rock 'n; roll, innit!

In 2023, the Rolling Stones released their latest fantastic album, Hackney Diamonds. The album contains a wonderful song done with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, "Sweet Sounds of Heaven." It's an amazing song that will keep me going through the dark days of this coming year. Below are the lyrics and a video of the song. Enjoy!

I hear the sweet, sweet sounds of Heave

Fallin' down, fallin' down to this earth

I hear the sweet, sweetest sounds of Heaven

Driftin' down, driftin' down to this earth

Bless the Father, bless the Son

Hear the sound of the drums

As it echoes through the valley

And it bursts, yeah

Let no woman or child

Go hungry tonight

Please protect us from the pai

And the hurt, yeah

I smell the sweet scents, sweet

Sweet scents of Heaven, Heaven

Tumblin' down, tumblin' down

Tumblin' down to the earth (oh)

I hear the sweet sounds, sweet sounds

The sweet sounds, ooh, the sweet sounds of children

And they're praisin', praisin'

The land of their birth (No)

No, I'm not, not goin' to Hell

In some dusty motel

And I'm not, not goin' down

In the dirt (yes, yes, yes)

I'm gonna laugh, I'm gonna laugh, I'm gonna cry, I'm gonna cry

Eat the bread, drink the wine

'Cause I'm finally, finally quenchin'

My thirst, yeah

You can't have a light without a little shadow, yeah

Always need a target for your bow and arrow

I want to be drenched in the rain of your heavenly love

Oh, yeah, c'mon (oh)

Let the music, let the music play loud, play loud

Let it burst, let it burst through the clouds, through the clouds

And we all feel the heat

Of the sun, yeah

Yeah, let us sing, let us shout, let us shout

Let us all stand up proud

Let the old still believe

That they're young, yeah

Sweet, sweet sound

Sounds so sweet, oh, so sweet

Sounds so sweet, so sweet

Heaven, heaven

Down

Fallin' down, fallin' down

To this earth

Here's a live version with Lady Gaga, the first time the song was played live in public: