it takes just like chicken

I was listening to a radio programme where a well known chef had travelled to America in search of the taste experience offered by local cowboys. The a la carte extravaganza was known as ‘Texan oysters’. After much anticipation and expectation he said: ” I know its a cliche but it tastes just like chicken”. I don’t know which was more deflating for him: the blandness of the culinary offering or the fact that Texan ‘oysters’ are in fact boiled bull testes presented as a taste initiation for young cowhands.
Why do I recall this? Well because I was driving back from the breakfast / study time with the guys and thinking about (a) how tasty the breakfast had been and (b) how thought provoking and ‘filling’ the study had been. You know what I mean: food for the body + soul, and all that. Taste and see that the Lord is good – it does exactly what it says on the tin and no need to chase after the extraordinary.

posted by greentea

The Very Excellent Brian Houston

Whilst Bible Study is the main reason we all meet together, naturally enough the conversation often covers other things of great importance to men: football, music, football, films, football, rugby, football – that sort of thing.

Now it’s very difficult to get much agreement about football when you have Celtic & Rangers fans, Man Utd & Liverpool fans, Linfield & Crusaders fans all sharing a sausage, so, apart from our glorious Ulster & Ireland rugby teams, music tends to be the thing that most often helps us find some pre-Bible study common ground.

It’s great fun recommending music to your pals. In fact, it’s great fun recommending music to anybody, so here goes.

In my view, there were two absolutely outstanding albums released in 2005 – “Cole’s Corner”, by Richard Hawley, and “Jesus & Justice”, by Brian Houston. The first album has been seized upon and lauded by virtually all of the most respected critics (made The Word’s Top 10 Albums of 2005 etc) so let’s concentrate on young Houston. Well, he’s a folk singer in the Springsteen/Forbert mould, he’s about the age of the breakfast squad (or most of us!), he’s a Christian and he’s from East Belfast, which should make me biased, but then again he might be a Glenman, which evens things up a bit.

I first heard Brian when local radio began playing “Jesus Again” over 10 years ago. Then a few years ago I was browsing in a record shop when I found his album “In the Words of Dr Luke”. In the sleeve notes the album was described by the great Steve Stockman (author, preacher etc) as a worship album for people who hate worship albums. With a compliment like this, and the artist himself name-checking Springsteen, Dylan & Van, I took the album to the counter pronto. It was an excellent album lifted by one track, “Give me Faith”, the words of which could have been written for any male Christian (and possibly were).

After trying and liking a couple of other albums, I bought “Jesus & Justice” with a certain sense of anticipation. However, I could never have predicted the lyrical power and musical quality that I would find within the grooves (OK – so it was a CD but what’s a little poetic licence amongst friends?). Honestly, this album can be compared to Tunnel of Love, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher, Blood on the Tracks – you name it. Just listen to “How Beautiful You Are”, “Wear My Ring” and the majestic “Everybody Needs a Healer” and see for yourself. I guarantee dear reader, you will not be disappointed. I have played it constantly for the last several months and simply never cease to be moved, uplifted and inspired by this record.

Brian’s new album “Sugar Queen” is out in the next couple of months and already on pre-order from this household. In the meantime, check out Brian’s website and find out a bit more about the man described by Bob Harris as “the very excellent Brian Houston”.

posted by justcoffeeforme