Paint or Portrait?

Remember the days when you bought a CD just because you liked the artist?  You weren't concerned about whether or not you'd like every song on the album.  You were just a fan of the music, and you wanted to hear the latest stuff.

Then came the Preview Era.  It started when when the bookstores were plugging in CD players and leaving one jewel case unwrapped so you could preview the album.  Then, iTunes added the preview feature.  First it was 30 seconds.  Now it's 1:30.  You can practically listen to half of an album before even buying it.  The idea (I think) is to let the buyer decide which songs they like and don't like.  They even show you the popularity of each song so you can stay away from the ones that supposedly suck.  If I'm the artist, I'd be shouting at the top of my lungs, "Wait, I didn't spend countless hours with a pen and paper piecing my thoughts together and late nights in the studio slaving over these songs for you to only buy 1 or 2.  I've got something to say!!"

I will be the first to admit taken advantage of these perks.  I've been curious to hear an album (especially if it's a new artist) before I buy it.  I've made the mistake of buying an album based on it's cover art or because of a hit song on the radio (See Eve6 and Cowboy Mouth - remember them?)  However, those instances don't seem to occur that often.  More often than not, we do ourselves a disservice by choosing not to buy an album simply because we didn't like what we initially heard.  I will give you an example:

Sovereign Grace recently released a new album called From Age to Age.  I previewed it on iTunes.  Didn't love all of the songs, but because I'm always looking for new music, I decided to get the whole album anyway.  I burned the mp3s to a CD and took them with me on a recent vacation.  I was in the car all by myself for 8 hours up and 8 hours back.  You know what happened?  The songs that I would've initially brushed grew on me.  I began to get a sense for what the song and the album was trying to communicate.  The strange guitar licks became less strange, and the irregular meter went from "out of place" to "beautifully innovative."  In essence, I got the context of the album.  I felt as though the artists have took me on their spiritual journey, and I can now, to an extent, relate to what they're thinking and going through.  And to add to it, I now have more songs to use in worship than if I had brushed it off from my initial listening experience.

I know it costs more to get the whole album.  We're all trying to pinch pennies these days.  But the next time someone gives you an iTunes gift card or you find yourself browsing about, consider buying one album instead of 5 individual songs from different artists. Listen to the whole album on a jog or during a lengthy car ride.  You might decide after a few listens you don't dig every song, and that's highly likely.  But you might also find that you've looked into a beautiful portrait instead of thumbing through paint samples.

Act of Congress Coming to St. Andrews!

St. Andrews folks - listen up!  Act of Congress (my best friend/brother-in-law's band) is going to be performing at our church on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at 7pm.  You know you were gonna be here for Wednesday night supper anyway, so mark your calendars!!  Admission will be free and a love offering will be collected during the performance.  The band released their second album on March 27 and it is KILLER!  You can download it here.  Although you probably won't hear their music on "Christian" radio (more likely folk or indie stations), the group members are professing Christians and active in their local church.  Here's a little video to get you psyched!!  You can also visit their webpage at here.

Worship Fuels Worship

Steven Curtis Chapman came out with a fantastic song back in 2003 called "Moment Made for Worshipping." It's probably one of his lesser known tunes, but it's one of my favorites and is particularly speaking to me now. Here's the 1st verse and chorus:

6:30 Monday morning
I'm here hiding in my bed
A song plays on my alarm clock
As I cover up my head
But somewhere in the distance
I remember yesterday
Singing, "Hallelujah!"
Full of wonder, awe and praise
But now I'm must wondering
Why I don't feel anything at all

This is a moment made for worshipping
'Cause this is a moment I'm alive
This is a moment I was made to sing
A song of living sacrifice
For every moment that I live and breathe
This is a moment made for worshipping

It's funny how I so often associate worship with music. I understand that tendency, though. Worship music was the means God used to save me - wonderful moments of transcendence and awe, and radical desire to surrender my heart. This was my life as a young Christian. But, as we all know, the music eventually stops and we go about our daily lives. As I've had to learn over and over again (and am re-learning now), worship is not merely singing and lifting hands, but is clearly defined for us in Romans 12:1 - "...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Steven Curtis was on to something. In his song lyric, he reveals that he's like the rest of us, that though we all want those wonderful moments of transcendence to last, they don't. But what he says next is the best of all - "these moments are made for worship!" These moments are opportunities! So if worship is like what Paul is describing in Romans 12, then here's how I worship throughout the week:

• Doing the dishes
• Taking out the trash
• Waking up early with my 11-month old
• Cleaning the showers
• Sweeping and mopping the floors
• Changing diapers
• Opening up my home for a Bible study
• Giving my wife a back rub
• Getting in bed earlier than I want
• Choosing not to browse Facebook when I could watch television with my wife
• Giving the baby a bath and putting her to bed
• Taking the dog to the vet

Do you see a common denominator here? All of these are acts of self-sacrifice. I don't list these to pump myself up, because it's often that I don't do them with the best of motives. But the point is this: Jesus modeled this by washing the disciples' feet, and by doing the same, by serving and sacrificing our wills and wants, we are worshipping Him! Is this not what Jesus meant when He said, "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal"? Of course it is!

So to bring this full circle: I find in my own life that, when I am worshipping by sacrificing my wants and my life, my worship time at church is heightened. And the contrary is true when I'm not living this way. The reason Paul described worship as self-sacrifice is because that's how Jesus worshipped the Father. It's been modeled for us - the healings, the teaching, the patience with His disciples, the cross - what about Jesus' life was not self-sacrifice? Why should we lable worship as anything but self-sacrifice? And ultimately, the music portion in our church services is also an opportunity for self-sacrifice as well. It's in those times that the music and the lyrics can move us to surrender our wills, and hopefully, propel us to self-sacrifice during our week.

Another Audrey promo

I never liked the song "His Eye is On the Sparrow", but I like this one! Audrey Assad's new album comes out Valentine's Day.

New album from Audrey Assad coming February 14th!!

Audrey Assad is currently my favorite Christian artist. Honest words, great music, and...she plays piano!

More Audrey...

Is this girl cool or what? Love her music and her heart...

Indelible Grace DVD: Roots and Wings

Just found this video advertising a DVD that Indelible Grace is releasing. If any of you were curious about how the whole hymn re-write movement got started, this will probably help.

Indelible Grace Documentary Trailer: Roots And Wings from Kevin Twit on Vimeo.

"Songs From My Baby Years": Breathe

Right now I'm training two people in our church to become worship leaders. It's kind of making me feel old, especially when I tell them that "Shout to the Lord" was a Hillsong tune (Hillsong has definitely gotten more edgy in the past 10 years). One of the things I'm doing is introducing them to worship artists and songs that helped shape me. Chances are, if you ask any worship leader, they'll be able to point to a few artists and songs that had a monumental impact on them. For me, one combination of artist/song that greatly impacted me was Christ Nockels singing the song "Breathe."

Think of the most angelic female voice you've ever heard (before the days of Kari Jobe) combined with a passionate, longing heart. Christy teaches us what a worshipper should be doing, because when you listen to her sing, you can feel her energy and desire for God. She's not a show-boat; she just sings what she feels.

Marie Barnett is the original author of "Breathe", but Christy's approach to the song is the best out there. You can find it on one of the older Passion albums (OneDay Live):

This is the air I breath (x2)

Your holy presence

Living in me

This is my daily bread (x2)

Your very word spoken to me

And I...I'm desperate for You

And I...I'm lost without You

Isn't it amazing how these few words can say so much? Is this not the core of the Christian life? Our 2 most basic needs: God's presence & God's Word. And the best part about it? This song describes the very posture in which God desires us to be: humble, broken, contrite, needy. Isn't this where we find our strength?

"Songs From My Baby Years": Lord, Light the Fire Again

Stacy and I have recently discovered that our 7-week-old baby gets fussy. Thankfully, it doesn't last all day. But usually between 5 - 8pm, she will begin to cry and fuss for reasons beyond our knowing. Her diaper's been changed, she's been fed, rocked, swaddled - those comfort measures that always seem to work are all of a sudden useless. Nothing satisfies anymore. When all options have been exhausted, the only thing we can do is let her cry (in the seclusion of her nursery, of course!). It's hard to block it out. It's tempting to go pick her up. However, to do so would not only be useless, but it would rob her of a valuable lesson: she has to learn that the pain eventually subsides, that whatever she's upset about will eventually be made right. And she does. After 30 minutes of screaming bloody murderer, she calms and falls asleep.

Last week, I wrote about the song Draw Me Close. I loved feeling the closeness of God in those early days. I felt His presence all the time. It was new. Fresh. So it's only fitting that I was devastated the first time I seemingly lost that sensation. God had been so exciting to me, and all of sudden, things began to feel mundane, lifeless and dry. I thought I had done something wrong. I thought I wasn't worshiping hard enough or praying long enough. I would ask to feel His presence - nothing. I would try and sing my favorite song - nothing. I would even cry - nothing. Why was this happening? Has God left me? No. He was letting me cry in the nursery.

I think those were the moments where God said, "It's time for you to start walking by faith, Rick." Those were the moments where, instead of running to my first cry, God let me be, and I was forced to walk by faith. At the time, I wasn't sure how to do that, but soon enough, I discovered the beauty of God's Word, how it promised me that I am "sealed for eternity" and that "by one sacrifice, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." When I began reading these words, I realized that God hadn't left me. He simply wanted me to learn trust and faith - and that came by leaving me in my "nursery" and forcing me to know the Truth. Do I ever feel His presence now? Absolutely. Do I feel it as often as I did when I was 17? No, but I've learned to trust in between those times. He hasn't left. He's only growing me.

Lord, Light the Fire Again was a song I connected with during these times (and still do!). It's a cry to God to renew my zeal for him (whether I feel it or not), and to discipline me. It's one of those songs that means so much in times of dryness. I need that nursery time. I need to learn trust, and when I do, God seems to return that warm feeling. This song is by the Vineyard artist Brian Doerkson. Here are the lyrics:

Don't let my love grow cold

I'm calling out, "Light the fire again!"

Don't let my vision die

I'm calling out, "Light the fire again!"

You know my heart my deeds

I'm calling out, "Light the fire again!"

I need Your discipline

I'm calling out, "Light the fire again!"

I am here to buy gold, refined in the fire

Naked and poor

Wretched and blind I come

Clothe me in white so I won't be ashamed

Lord, light the fire again

"Songs From My Baby Years": Draw Me Close

Last week I started a new blog series called "Songs From My Baby Years." Lately, I've really enjoyed thinking back to some of the songs I was listening to when I first became a Christian. In Colossians 2 it says, "In the same way you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." These songs make my heart glad and encourage me to keep running the race. They stir up my affections for God and His Word, just like they did 12 years ago. It was through the hearing of these songs that I received Christ Jesus, and I want to continue listening to them for the rest of my life.

This week, I'm featuring a song called "Draw Me Close." This song was written by a girl named Kelly Carpenter, but, at least in my world, was made famous by a group called The Katinas. The Katinas didn't have very many hits (you may also remember the song "You Are God" from this group), but their arrangement of "Draw Me Close" was enough to put them on my map. This is a very intimate song. It speaks of longing and yearning for a Father who will whisper His love to us. If an infant could express it's deepest longings to its mother or father, it would probably sound like this:

Draw me close to you

Never let me go

I lay it all down again

To hear you say that I'm your friend

You are my desire

No one else will do

'Cause nothing else can take your place

To feel the warmth of your embrace

Help me find the way

Bring me back to you

You're all I want

You're all I've ever needed

You're all I want

Help me know You are near

It's funny how the first 2 songs of this blog series have to do with feeding and cuddling. It makes sense that they'd impact me so much as a new believer: they're written as from the perspective of a helpless, 100% dependent child. Something about the lyrics and instruments of this song feel to me like a baby in a nursery - quiet, intimate, and safe. And the best part about it - there's no way you can walk away from this song feeling proud. It gets you in the correct posture before the Father.

This is my desire in worship, that I not only believe the words I'm singing, but that I feel a tangible sense of God's presence.

Act of Congress Symphony arrangement

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Some of you who read this blog may have heard my brother-in-law's band Act of Congress. They came to South Florida last summer to play 2 gigs at Broward College. Our staff at St. A's was also treated to a private show in the coffee area one afternoon. Here is their latest clip of "The Well" with a live symphony orchestra backing. This song was submitted for a CD compilation called Music for Alabama, where all the proceeds go to the Red Cross to help with the impact of the tornadoes that hit Alabama 2 weeks ago.

Their sophomore album is set to be released in the summer, so I'll be sure to keep you informed. The new female lead/violinist is our good friend Connie Skellie. Mad talent. All Act of Congress music can be found on iTunes. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for music & updates.

"Songs From My Baby Years": Hungry (Falling on My Knees)

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I've decided to start a blog series called "Songs From My Baby Years." This series stems from my most recent post (see below) about continuing to walk in the Lord Jesus as I received Him, and features songs or albums that impacted my walk early on in my Christian life (Colossians 2:6). For me, since music is such a big part of my life, that means pulling out those old songs from the late 90s early 2K, closing my eyes, and letting them stir me up again. You know how sometimes your mom will drag out that old box of toys she's kept in the attic all these years? Every time I see things like that, it takes me back to a time when life was full of delight, free of hardship, and Christmas came once every 10 years. That's kind of what "songs from my baby years" is about: it reminds me of how glorious Jesus Christ was to me at the time of my spiritual birth and helps me continue pressing on...

Hungry (Falling on My Knees) was a song/album that my youth pastor had recommended to me. I had made the decision that, yes, I am now a professing follower of Jesus, and I was hungry for "that thing" that all the other Christians around me had. When I bought it and started listening, Hungry was the first song on the album. I think the words impacted me the most because they described the place I was at in my life: hungry, thirsty, ready, willing, etc. (not to mention, Kathryn Scott was the lead vocalist and to this day can about bring me to tears with her worship ballads.)

Hungry, I come to you for I know you satisfy

I am empty but I know your love does not run dry

So I wait for you

So I wait for you

I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me

Jesus, you're all this heart is longing for

Broken, I run to you for your arms are open wide

I am weary but I know your touch restores my life

The best part about it was that the entire album was live, and every song was good (some of you may recall the songs "Breathe" and "There's No One Like Our God" which also are on this album). Being able to hear all those voices express their hunger and thirst simultaneously was mesmerizing to me. If you haven't heard the Hungry album, check it out on iTunes.

Audrey Assad

It's been a really long time since I could say I have favorite Christian artist. Up until now, I've dreamt of what I consider to be the "glory days" of Christian music: Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, the early Passion albums, the early Hillsong stuff. Pretty much anything between 1994 - 2001 if I'm being specific. Since then, I've found good tunes, but not an artist that I really believe in. I'll go as far as to say that I've come across alot of artists since then that have had great lyrics, but boring music - or vice verse. I suppose the silver lining in all of it is that it's moved me to start writing more.

Desiring to find some new music, I hopped on iTunes on New Years Eve to find an artist I liked. Immediately, I saw "New Release: Audrey Assad." I listened to a few tracks and was convinced. This girl not only has a great voice, she has great music and unbelievable lyrics. If any of you enjoy Kathryn Scott, Christy Nockels, Candi Pearson, even Sarah MacLachlan, this is the one. And to be honest, I think her lyrics beat out all the rest (she does co-write with some other folks).

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Act of Congress Coming to SoFlo!!!

A few posts ago, I posted a video of my brother-in-law's band "Act of Congress." Please go and review that video, because they are coming to South Florida!! Here are the dates:

Tuesday September 7th
Broward College (Coconut Creek)
7:00pm

Wednesday September 8th
Broward College (Davie)
7:00pm

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO AND SUPPORT THIS BAND!!! I'm not only saying that because my best friend/family member is involved, but the musical experience/message is worth your while! Adam and I grew up making music together, and I've been heavily influenced by his music. Go check out their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/actofcongress to hear some tunes. When I find out if there's a cover charge or not, I'll let you know.

Act of Congress

My brother-in-law and long-time best friend Adam Wright has an excellent trio/quartet called "Act of Congress." They have stupid good arrangments of familiar tunes, but also write a good deal of their own stuff as well. This is a video of their arrangement of "My Country 'Tis of Thee", performed at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL. The band is as follows:

Adam Wright - mandolin, vocals
Bethany Bourg - violin, vocals
Chris Griffin - acoustic guitar
Tim Carroll - upright bass (not pictured in video)

Enjoy.

July Fourth - Act of Congress from Church of the Highlands on Vimeo.

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