"Who Are You?"

We all have an identity: It is the complex - sometimes contradictory - construct that we have built for ourselves. That identity determines how we act and the type of people we become.

Two declarations are making their rounds these days: "Everything is Crazy!" and "All We Need Is Love." In this talk, following the words of Paul - with a little help from Van Morrison, Foreigner, and Bonnie Raitt - Ronnie brings the crazy and the love together.

In his conclusion to the series "Dreams That You Dream" based on the life of Joseph, Ronnie uses Joseph's own words to help us make meaning of our experiences. "You intended to harm me," Joseph told his brothers, "but God intended it all for good."

Tyrone Edwards said, “Every parting is a form of death, and every reunion is a type of heaven.” 

In this episode Ronnie talks about life as it will be - and could be - as heaven is more than a final destination. It is a way of being in the world today. 

Enough blood and tears. There comes a time to seek peace and forgiveness, letting past injuries go. 

"You got to be tough if you are going to be stupid." This proverb is the hub around which this talk by Ronnie (and again, from the life of Joseph) centers. When we act stupidly, we have to toughen up because our own actions hurt us. The better option is to let our self-inflicted suffering open us up to a liberated way of living.

Being powerless in the face of injustice is one of the most common and infuriating experiences of being human. But what happens in those rare times when it is within one's power to take revenge? Ronnie explores how Joseph reacted in this exact circumstance in the eighth episode of his current series, "Dreams That You Dream."

This is an original song of mine  that was recorded live recently. I can't take credit for all the lyrics, as they are based on a couple of old spirituals. But, it's one of my faves, so I hope you enjoy it (and thanks to Bobby Rains for capturing it). - RM

PS: That's Sarah Anne Davidson on acoustic guitar and background vocals and Nic Turner on lead guitar, with the rest of the Backsliders playing along. 

"What's in a name?" Sometimes everything. In this seventh installment of "Dreams That You Dream," Ronnie shows how the naming of Joseph's sons reflect his ability to close the door on the past, and with courage walk into the future.

In his continued exploration of the life of Joseph, Ronnie McBrayer explores the tension of these two statements, both of them true: 1) You have almost no control over what happens to you; and 2) You are the only one who can take responsibility for your own life.

NOTE: Apologies for a rough spot in the audio about half-way through (technical gremlins).