DoxA

The Gift of Music

Before this day gets too far away from me I am sitting down to quickly jot down some thoughts of our whirlwind trip to San Antonio, Texas made possible through the generosity of Provident Label Group and our continued participation in Randy Elrod's annual cre:ate (said, recreate) conference.

First, to understand how this came about, Randy and the folks at Provident conspired together to offer an all expense paid trip for two to San Antonio to see Michael W. Smith with special guests, Matt Maher, Meredith Andrews and Phil Stacey on their current New Messiah World Tour. To be eligible for the trip you needed to be an early registrant to cre:ate. Then on October 26th they held a drawing which we were able to view via a livestream broadcast.

So, on 10/26 at 8pm, our time, as Joy was finishing up our dinner (we're European at heart; we eat late) I tuned in to the live feed and as others joined in on a chat screen where we waited for the name to be revealed. I honestly didn't expect to win, I just wanted to be part of this wonderful and close community that has developed over the years.

After a couple of weeks of planning with Roxanne Nichols with Provident, we finally met yesterday afternoon in the lobby of the stylish Aloft hotel in San Antonio. Along with Brian, VP of Promotions with Provident and Douglas who was involved with artist management, we made the trek to the Summit Christian Center. Upon walking into the 5,000 seat auditorium we were quickly met by songwriter extraordinaire and uber nice guy, Matt Maher. Roxanne made sure we were introduced to family, band and others associated with the event. It was a nice touch to be treated so kindly. It was also wonderful to catch up with multi-talented, drummer for MWS, Michael Olson who I've had the privilege over the past several years to host and worship alongside at Southwest Community Church. 

As we sat and watched the sound check/rehearsal for the evening I was taken back to former days of touring and production. No matter where or who; the pace, vibe and issues are the same! Most notably for me was a tune Smitty kept casually playing which eventually turned to a full rehearsal at the end. The lyrics and mildly haunting melody we're speaking directly to much of what we've been addressing as a core value at Twin Oaks Church.

There's people on the street
Ain't got enough to eat
You just shake your head
The measure of a man is one who lends a hand
That's what my father said

After you've counted everything you saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?

Later, after dinner, I asked Micheal about the song. He told me it was a song he heard Vince Gill sing at a benefit and asked Vince about the possibility of recording it (I hope it makes Michael's next recording, which they recently started).

After dinner our excellent seats allowed us to join with our friends John and Kelly who drove in from Austin while the concert, full of energy, production and massive amounts of talent went into full swing.

First up, was Meredith Andrews. We first met Meredith this past year at cre:ate who really impressed us with her humility and sweet spirit of worship. Again, this clearly was evident amid her sweet vocals and excellent songwriting. Then, Phil Stacey took the stage. Most might remember Phil as a season six contestant on American Idol. But my wife Joy insisted we knew Phil and spent an evening having dinner with him once at cre:ate. When I told her he was on American Idol she finally admitted she has a reality TV problem and will soon be checking herself in for rehab! Phil did a patriotic tribute which had the crowd on their feet and moved to tears with pride... Most of you who know me, know I'm not one to support a God and Country allegiance because the line between is often blurred and both mistaken for the other but I must admit, I was moved. Matt Maher, what can I say... love this guy! Best worship experience of the night for me was the combined songs of You Were On the Cross and Christ Has Risen. Oh my, worth the trip! Finally Micheal took the stage. You'd never guess this seasoned pro was nearing thirty years of performing as it all seemed so fresh and new. With boundless energy and apparent excitement the following hour took us through well known classics (yes, Friends was done in it's entirety) to a classic to come, A New Hallelujah. Choosing to perform, for the first time, earlier mentioned song, What You Give Away, the night also had a compassionate tone which was echoed in the final song of the night Help is On the Way, a collaborative, gospel blowout that left us all with a reminder, that during times like these, God will not forsake us. 

Overall our quick little trip to San Antonio was a great respite and reminder that music is a gift from God to our lives and a offering to God from our lives. Which seems to be fitting for the home of the Alamo... you know. Remember.

1:Thing that Changes Everything - Part 5

Today I was reminded of an old phrase I used to read on billboards and see in pamphlets. It's associated with a particular symbol and it got me thinking about the very first symbol used in Christian culture. Used as a means to signify faith, this symbol was first discovered in the catacombs of Rome, where Christians were imprisoned, to possibly signify a meeting place for fellow believers or identify one as such. Also, during times of open persecution the symbol was used to declare kinship. When coming upon another person it was likely a Christian would draw an arch in the sand with his foot. If the other mirrored the same, creating the image of a fish, it revealed one had come upon a friend. The fish symbol or Ichthus derives from the Greek word ichthys which is an acrostic meaning I = Jesus, X = Christ, T = God, Y = Son, S = Savior.

Today we still see this symbol. But like many things it has gone the way of commercialism and parody which seems to be a problem for many Christians. But this is the kind of problem we've brought upon ourselves. We have fallen into the trap of what some refer to as "Bumper Sticker" Faith. With phrases such as, God said it, I believe it, that settles it!", "No Jesus, No Peace, Know Jesus, Know Peace", "What would Jesus do?" and "I'm not perfect just forgiven!" it's no wonder people think we have reduced the Christian life down to a cliched experience.

Christians do have problems! I know, I am one. But our problems are rarely problems when we consider there are those who deal with real issues that have life altering consequences. For those who live in poor, oppressed countries, the lack of clean water and ample food is a real problem. Consider those who face ostracism and being disowned by family because of their new found faith in Christ; wouldn't you agree that is a real problem? And then there are those Christians who face imprisonment and severe punishment in cultures where it is illegal to believe in Jesus as Lord and God... I think that is a REAL problem!

For those of us in secure, affluent cultures, where freedom of religion allows protection against such problems, we should be embarrassed to consider our discomfort as real. Perhaps we would be better off to remember the words of the apostle Paul written to an affluent and secure group of believers in Corinth...

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17,18

Here we see Paul reminding us that in the face of death (see vs. 11) our faith has a limited perspective yet an eternal destination.

What then are we to do?

We should remember those who are in prison and suffer as though we were there and feeling it ourselves. (Hebrews 13:3) We should welcome trials and not trivialize them with a heartless response, "Well you know, Consider it all joy!"(James 1:2) Finally, I believe the answer lies in the one phrase that got me thinking about this whole thing in the beginning. As yesterday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we should pray, not just on one day but everyday. Not just for your problems but for real problems and not for comfort but for courage! Because...

The one thing that perhaps changes everything... is Prayer.

1:Thing that Changes Everything - Part 4

    I have to admit; I've lived a comfortable life. Oh sure, there have been times when things weren't rosy and I would have liked to crawl into a hole but most of the time, even during those early years growing up when we had very little, I must confess, I've done pretty well in the "lack of suffering" department.

However, for several days now, I have been burdened with the suffering of others. There are several families in our church who are going through very difficult times! They have been out of work, some are in the process of losing their homes and yet others have made the choice simply to move to a less expensive place hoping to find a better life. Which to me seems a bit silly but I understand why. To move to a place where there are more affordable housing, good schools, plenty of jobs and secure neighborhoods your choices are pretty limited. Which makes me think, "what if I didn't grow up in California, live in the freedom of the United States and benefit from a civilized culture providing roads, sewers, utilities, not to mention, rapid communication and travel devices?" Let me ask you... What if you did? Can you dig it? You too are dong just fine in the "lack of suffering" department!

All too often our world is defined simply by those people and things around us. We hear about people in foreign places who suffer and by definition I mean those who truly suffer (have no clean water, eat perhaps but one meal per day, have no access to medical care, are subjected to the elements and exposed to pestilence, disease and thuggery) but we don't really understand suffering. Not because we are ignorant, we are fairly intelligent folks around here, but we don't really understand it because we've never really experienced it! Now, without opening the Knowledge vs. Experience can of worms let me just say, knowledge can never lead you to an experience. it can help you have a better experience but never give you one. On-the-other-hand, experience does give you knowledge, albeit limited based simply by what you experienced! So, with that said; if you suffer, you have better, more accurate knowledge!

Why then am I burdened with all this suffering if I'm not experiencing it myself? Hmmmph! I wish I knew. But we are told, as part of the body of Christ to share in the suffering of our brothers (1Cor.12:25,26); is this it? Perhaps. But maybe I'm becoming more mature in my faith as a follower of Jesus. How do I know this? I'm becoming more and more convinced as I read more and more of His Word that suffering is evidence of my faith!

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

... It is tests, strengthens and perfects my faith!

Dear brothers and sisters,​ when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

... and it validates and empowers my faith!

So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian,​​ for then the glorious Spirit of God​ rests upon you.​  If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:12,13

Why then is it a problem for us to embrace suffering? To normalize and dare I say, expect it? There are places around the planet where suffering is the way of life... there are Christians, who in the face of persecution, find great joy, do incredible good and consider it a privilege to suffer for Christ! I have my opinions but what are yours?

Perhaps the one thing that changes everything... is location.