The narrow gate 1
June 1998
CONTENTS
- Letter From Shauna Skye
- Letter From Brian R. Hischier
- Getting Reviewed in TNG
- Music Review: Skatman Meredith "The Garden"
- Web Site: Bible Talks
- The Vanity of Art
LETTER FROM SHAUNA SKYE
Email: ShaunaSkye@aol.com
This will make the fourth time I've written this introduction. I'm used to doing editorials for writers and editors, people who already know me and expect me to be whimsical; so doing The Narrow Gate (a publication I haven't edited since the early 90's) is like starting over again. I'm writing for a whole new group of readers, and I think that's enough to make anyone excited. Hence my excuse for writing this four times!
In addition to myself, my friend and fellow writer, Brian R. Hischier, has joined me in publishing TNG. I met Brian about a year and a half ago at church, and we became instant friends since we're both writers, both actors . . . and both certifiably insane (just kidding). However, the most important thing we have in common is that we're Christians who feel lead to minister through the medium of art; be it literary, visual or musical. My talents lean toward writing, music (guitar and singing), acting and dancing. Brian's talents lean toward writing, acting, and the visual--he's an excellent cartoonist.
Both Brian and I pray that God would allow us to minister through TNG, and at the very least connect to people through writing. But whether you're artistic or not, a Christian or of some other religion, we would like to welcome you to TNG. We hope to offer thought provoking reading material, as well as amusement. Also, our maibag is open, so feel free to write us.
In the mean time, WELCOME! And if you will, please pray for us.
LETTER FROM BRIAN R. HISCHIER
Email: bran_aischer@juno.com
Ah yes, sweet glory, it's finally my turn to talk.
Hello, and good morning to you. My name is currently Brian R. Hischier, and allow me to greet you with a wonderful welcome to TNG (pronounced <ting>, rhymes with ping), the little publication that Shauna has so graciously allowed me to be a part of. Of course, I suppose if you look at it real closely, God had a bit more to do with allowing me in here than she did, but I suppose if it weren't for Shauna listening to Him, then hey, where would I be?
I suppose I should tell you who I am. I am the background upon which sits the words you are reading. That's right. Look closely. There. You see? That's me. All right, all right, that's not really me, I was just fooling. My name you already know as Brian R. Hischier, but Shauna has a whole slew of extra names for me (like Puck, a character I played from the musical "Eggnog Dreams: Pandora's Present"; or Bran, from my e-mail address; or Silly Boy, from my constant mental state of deterioration). I am a writer/ cartoonist/ director/ who hopes one day to take over the world with bob robert bob productions, get married to Lisa J. Flora (who recently on Friday the 13th said "yes", darn tootin') and then, I suppose, eventually die (all with a Christ-like attitude, I pray).
But to be perfectly honest, the Lord has led me here. It's incredible how He sets things up for us to do for Him, and how big a part faith plays in all of this. At one point in my life I was a Pre-med student majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry, but then I began feeling led by God to minister in the field of entertainment. Minister? Yup. With my partner Drew Gandy, we started bob robert bob productions, a company with the dual purpose of ministering to other artists while releasing our own works to minister to the general public. In an effort to start ministering to artists we started the Artist Guild at Heart Maneuvers Christian Fellowship, our wonderful little church: it was here in the Guild that I got to know Shauna really well. (Ask her how I shattered her first impression of me after only fifteen minutes of conversation). From there, we've been working steadily, praying that the Lord will give us strength to follow Him wherever he leads, that we may minister wherever we go. And again, it's a faith issue: without faith (and love[not to mention fellowship with other believers]) all of our efforts would fail. Only by keeping in God's Word and daily prayer can we hope to do this thing well: unfortunately both keeping in God's Word and continuing in daily prayer are two very difficult things, but then not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.
And so we pray. If you, too, would think to pray for Shauna and I we would be very, very blessed. And so on that note, welcome to TNG.
GETTING REVIEWED IN TNG ....
It should be comforting to know that it is not our goal to be like those nasty critics who heckle from the balcony on the muppet show. Nope, not us. So feel free to send us your CD, book, zine, artwork, site info, etc. However, please note that reviews may include negative as well as positive comments. Even from TNG a review is still a critique, and the content is based largely on our own opinions--for whatever our opinions are worth.
Some things we encourage you to send:
MUSIC: We encourage you to send us all kinds of music. Though most of our readers are under forty, we are not limited to reviewing CDs that come from bands with green hair. We enjoy eclectic music as well, things not listened to on popular radio. For example, we love Danny Elfman. We also think Classical rules, and lately I've noticed that Brian and his fiancÈ, Lisa, have this thing for Celtic music.
*Anecdote Alert*
On one occasion we had this folk/country-ish group play at our church, and I thought my hair was going to stand on end. I usually can't abide twang. I concealed my agony, however, and whispered to Brian in the most neutral voice I could muster: "Are you enjoying this?" to which he nodded affirmatively. I hadn't the heart say what I was thinking: "I would rather have dental work than sit through this!" But then, such a sentiment is to be expected from a person who used to edit a publication called SCREAMING ROCK--title courtesy of a father who would yell up the stairs in frustration: "Shauna, turn that screaming rock off now!!!"
Not sure why I felt it necessary to share that. Perhaps if a psychologist dug deep into my psyche (God forbid) he would find that I'm indirectly asking our readers to not send us "twang". Then again, maybe I just like to babble.
ARTWORK: All artwork will be reviewed by Brian. "Why?" you ask.
Well, because if you want your toilet fixed you don't ask the baker to do it. You call the plumber. In this case, I'm the baker and Brian is the plumber--er, I mean Brian is the artist and I'm the . . . well, I'm the person who will pass the artwork on to him. Though I love looking at visual art, my knowledge on it can be compared to someone who says: "The stars twinkle and are very pretty the way they light up the sky," as opposed to the astronomer who says: "That ball of pulsating gas illuminates the stratosphere, causing a [technobabble... technobabble...] effect." Besides, I have never spent an entire hour looking at a single cover of the New Yorker--unlike some people I know.
BOOKS / PUBLICATIONS / ZINES / EZINE: If you have a Christian publication of any sort, we will read it and give our opinions. We happen to be bookworms, and have on several occasions read the dictionary for fun. Aside from having no life, we are somewhat literate.
OTHER THINGS: We will review things not on the list above. It is best to query us first though. In other words email me at ShaunaSkye@aol.com and ask if it's ok before you send it.
In the mean time, the TNG snail mail address is at the bottom of this newsletter. Hope to hear from you!
**MUSIC REVIEW** SKATMAN MEREDITH: "The Garden"
Reviewed by Shauna Skye
Everyone knows that Bob Dylan has a son named Jakob Dylan who plays for a little group called The Wallflowers. But what people aren't aware of is that Bob also has another child he keeps locked in the cellar: his name is Skatman Meredith.
Ok, I'm joking. Skatman (to my knowledge) has no blood tie to Bob Dylan--but boy does he sound like he could be related . . . a cousin perhaps? Not to say that Skatman (aka "David") has a voice exactly like Bob's--it's actually more like Jakob's since we're speaking of the Dylans. Bob has more of nasal quality, more of a cynical "I'm-mad-at-society" sound about him and Skatman doesn't. Skat tends to inspire a mellow, pleasant feeling--thoughts of God: a good thing in a different way, depending on the mood. So though I'm comparing Skat to Bob--particularly his vocals--there is really a whole different feel to his music.
So far "Forgive Me" the first song off of Skatman's 11 song CD, seems to be the catchiest. This is not to say it is the best song, just that it rolls over in my head the most. This could be because it is first, thereby getting listened to most, but somehow I think if this were in the middle of the CD I would still be humming it. Other favourites of mine include "The Garden" (title track), and "Shine". Neither would probably be as successful commercially as "Forgive Me" but then many good songs aren't.
Some of the lyrics to "The Garden" are:
"There in the garden deer graze sweetly on the dew-soaked grass Fruit-laden orchards, acres of which lay beyond my grasp Oh what a bounty, what a harvest, what a pity Spiritual wrought-iron fences keep me excluded they won't let me pass"
A couple of days ago I spoke online with Skatman Meredith, and he said that he would be starting music full time in a few weeks. "Full time? You mean no real job?" I teased, to which he replied that yes, his kids would be going to school, his wife would be working, and he'd be making a go with music. All I can say about this decision is our prayers are with you, Skatman.
So what do I think? Well, as picky as I am, I actually enjoyed "The Garden" CD and would not be ashamed to recommend it to friends or TNG readers. That says a lot coming from me. I give it the thumbs up. Oy! For what it's worth.
Oh, I almost forgot. Skatman does have band mates--or at least these are the ones listed from the credits in the CD: Skat: Guitar/Vocals, Marc Moss: Electric Guitar, Jim McAnany: Bass, Rocky Tharpe: Percussion, Greg Harrington Drums and Maribeth Alkema: BGV's.
Skatman Meredith's CD may be ordered by calling 1-800-807-1047. (Visa and MasterCard) or by sending check or MO to: SILENT PLANET RECORDS, 6300-138 Creedmoor Rd., Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27612. (North Carolina Residents add 6% salestax. No COD's.) The price is $15 plus $2 shipping & handling.
His website is: http://www.skatman.com. To get on his mailing list or for more information email him: SKATXL5@aol.com
**COOL WEB SITE** HAVE BIBLE QUESTIONS?
William Alexy has been an ordained minister since 1984 through Evangelical Church Alliance, and he does an online newsletter called BIBLE TALKS, which I've found to be a decent reference source. Bill provides answers for various questions (his most recent being "Where did Cain get his wife?") and for the most part uses Scriptures to provide answers, giving very little of his own commentary. I like this because I often prefer answers straight from the source, instead of having to read through pages of religious babble.
I'm all for Bible Talks because it encourages the study of Scriptures. However, I don't recommend that one simply read Bible Talks alone to get answers. I'm sure Bill would agree 100% that it is best to look the verses up in the Bible, reading the text surrounding them to see if they are in context. Bible Talks is a great reference source and a supplement to the study of the Scripture, but is not meant to replace it.
On that note if YOU have Bible questions, Bill's site is worth checking out.
BIBLE TALKS HOME PAGE; http://metanet.net/bibletalks/
TOPICS PAGE: http://metanet.net/bibletalks/topics.htm
EMAIL: bibletalks@metanet.net
This article first appeared it "The Reticent" a barely distributed publication put together by our Artist Guild. I thought it was appropriate for this first issue....--Skye
THE VANITY OF ART
by Shauna Skye
Art in itself--that is, writing, illustrating, composing music or anything else that falls under the label "art"--can often be vain. As musicians we enjoy the praise our songs receive. We like it when people tell us how talented we are, how beautiful our voices sound. As writers we bask in the glory of letters stating: "Your story moved me so much!" As poets we enjoy drawing sighs when our work is romantic, gasps when our words are powerful, and applause when we've done well in our delivery. As actors we love the cheers, the laughter, the tears and pats on the back.
No matter what kind of art we do, it is often difficult to remain unaffected by the reactions of others. Sure, there are some who write songs or words and shove them into drawers, but most of us want our art seen. And even drawer artists can be vain, because we have to ask why we hide the art. Is it because we're afraid that people won't like it? Do we put so much of ourselves into our creation that we're afraid of becoming vulnerable
Often times if someone insults our art, we take it as though we were the ones insulted. I once gave a story to a writer who asked to see my work, and though I had not asked for a critique, this man responded with a three page letter that began with : "Shauna, No reader is going to like your heroine. She's mischievous and rebellious; and frankly I can't stand her. Heroines are not supposed to be so cheeky." Then he went on to say that my prose was flowery and I needed to cut words.
"What?" My eyes widened. How could he say such things, and who asked his opinion? My heroine wasn't mischievous, she was adventurous. As for rebellious and cheeky . . . those were harsh words. Spunky was the word I'd have used. Couldn't he see that the heroine's personality was based on myself?
Yikes! How humiliating.
After I cooled down, I thought over the man's criticisms. Looking at the story objectively I realised that my story did need a word chop, and at times my spunky heroine did seem impertinent. "God forgive me for being defensive. Help me to be able to take advice," I prayed, and finally had a peace about it. I'm not saying I implemented all of his suggestions, but I did weigh his words, and was able to thank him for his time. Still, no matter how objective we like to think we are, criticism is not pleasant; and yet it often helps us to improve if we are not too proud to heed advice. I would believe it is safe to say, however, that our art usually means a great deal to us.
I am also of the opinion that our art means a lot to God, especially when we use it to glorify him. Not that we force our work into something religious, but when we make ourselves available to him he notices. I once had to give up my guitar, and God--through a miracle--provided another one in less than two days. This really touched me, because I knew it was from Him.
And yet, art can be such an exertion. There is the temptation to be hypersensitive, and we have to be careful our art doesn't mean so much that we lose the proper perspective of it. Are we succumbing to selfish ambition with our art? Are we becoming vain?
It is easy to become vain if we aren't careful, and God often calls us to lay our works down for a time. But should the possibility of vanity worry us excessively? Should we avoid art because we might struggle? I think not. If we Christians bow out of art, we may have to bow out of other activities as well, for no matter what our talent there's always the chance of becoming vain. If we make cookies for a living someone might praise the taste and inflate our egos. Even ascetic types who avoid pleasure might glory in noble sacrifice. So yes, art can be vain, but so can everything else.
As for glorifying God with our art, that shouldn't be forced. Just because we're Christian doesn't mean we must do "Christian" art. (If a carpenter designs a house does he design a Christian house?) On the other hand, the state of our hearts will often be manifest by the art we do, or even more importantly, the way we behave about our art. If we love God we often show this through our creations, and we never want to let the art itself become our god.
ADS: We will consider advertising from other Christian publications, products, etc. Our rates run 5 cents a subscriber for an ad 50 words or less, with email addresses and URL's not counting as words. Ads will run in one issue of TNG, and be posted at our site for one month. Since our subscriber base is growing, the sooner ads are purchased the lower the price for advertisers. If you would like ads for July, August and September you may purchase them in advance, and only be charged the current rate. Example: If we have 200 subscribers now, we may have 400 in two months; but you will only pay for the 200 since you've purchased in advance... Email me for current pricing, and send information on what you'd like to advertise. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising we deem inappropriate for this publication.
The Narrow Gate is free via email and is sent out monthly. It may also be found on the web at: http://members.aol.com/shaunaskye/index.html
To subscribe to The Narrow Gate email ShaunaSkye@aol.com and put SUBSCRIBE TNG in the subject. To unsubscribe put UNSUBSCRIBE TNG in the subject.
*All letter received will be considered for our mailbag unless specified otherwise.*
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EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Shauna Skye (ShaunaSkye@aol.com)
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Brian R. Hischier (bran_aischer@juno.com)
THE NARROW GATE: 7210 West 57th Place, Summit, IL. 60501
Shauna Skye and Brian R. Hischier attend HEART MANEUVERS CHRISTIAN CENTER, 1819 North Center, Crest Hill, IL. It's a nondenominational church near Joliet, IL., and is located in the old Chaney School building. The pastor is Lary Dean, and the main services are Sunday at 10:30, and Wednesday evening at 7:00. Though HM is not affiliated with TNG, we encourage anyone in the area to drop by and say hello.
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