I'm not sure why this thought has been on my mind lately, but I figured I would explore it a little further. If I were to grade myself on the roles I have in life, I would fall far short of what grade I would like to get. My roles are: son, brother, husband, father, friend, musician. Why do I fall short? The all-encompassing, simple answer is that I am sinful. But it's much more than that.
As a musician, I realized that no matter how much I practice, I will still make mistakes. They may be small, but they're still mistakes. And for a long time, I used that as my excuse, and got into extremely bad habits, which I am still trying to correct. Is that part of why I would get a lower grade? Yes. I think another part of it is as well is being content and not being challenged, internally or externally, to improve.
As a friend, I was reminded last night in a discussion last night about a friendship that had soured. It was a complicated situation, but since mid November, this person hasn't said a word to me. Now, I could do something about that, and at least approach the subject and maybe something changes for the positive. Maybe not. The biggest reason why I would get a lower grade is because at times, I choose not to put in the work that friendships take.
I could keep going with more and more examples of where I fall short. But this isn't confession time. The law in the Bible reminds us that we are sinful, and we fall so far short of what God expects of us. And when I look in the mirror, I don't like what I see. But the Gospel reminds us that no matter how far short we fall, God picks us up, forgives us, and loves us. And that blows me away when I stop to ponder that. God knows that we will screw up again, and again, and again, yet He chooses to love and forgive us. Amazing. I have to make attempts to be better, but I know I'll fall short. I'll get distracted by other things, make incorrect choices, and fall short once again. But God doesn't fall short. He goes above and beyond even what His own law demands. His love, grace and mercy trumps all. And what joy that brings!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Awards?
Yesterday was the Dove awards. If you're not familiar with them, they're the Christian version of the Grammys. This concept has always felt a little odd to me, but I guess there is a lot that could be construed as weird about creating songs about God and selling them.
I was watching some of the Tweets come up as to who won what award, and I just kept thinking, "why does it have to be about "Christian" music? Yes, the lyrics speak about God and His work, but music is music. Why can't the music be judged as a creative piece of work? There is some great stuff out there!
This thought has been a source of recent ponderings in my head. I recently read a blog post by Dan Haseltine, lead singer of the band Jars of Clay, about how they write music for the people in the middle. Not specifically for Christian folks, but not specifically for not Christian folks either. They have impacted a whole lot of people through their music. And I love hearing music by bands that I know are Christians (Hawk Nelson, Skillet, Superchick, TobyMac and a whole lot more) that are played on commercials, TV shows and the like.
For a long time, I listened primarily to "secular" music and occasionally to "Christian" music. Understand, this was in the 80's and if I had to choose Amy Grant or Madonna, I'd pick Madonna. Today, I'd probably pick neither for a whole bunch of reasons! When I got into college, I realized that I needed to reflect my faith by the music I listened to. So, I started listening to solely "Christian" music. Then, a few years ago, at a conference on worship, Lincoln Brewster and a few of the other presenters were talking about how they write music based on what is popular on the radio. I tried listening, and I couldn't. It reminded me so much of who I was, and I just couldn't.
But, more recently, something inside of me has changed. Now, I won't go back to listening to 2Pac or Metallica again, but I'm drawn to excellent music. I really enjoy Mumford and Sons, but I skip over their song "Little Lion Man" because of the swearing in the chorus. It's a great song, but I can't listen to that language. So, I've become a bit more picky in my listening. I still listen to "Christian" radio, but thankfully, I can listen to Air1 now and not solely KLove. But, in this recent period, I definitely have reflected more on lyrical content, as much as musical creativity. And I think both can most definitely coexist in "Christian" music.
I still think awarding a "Best Christmas Album" is a silly idea, although I'm happy The David Crowder Band won it. But, what about putting The David Crowder Band, Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe, Gungor or any other band against what is currently playing on the radio and see what people like more? Why do we as Christian like to live in our bubble? I think in the end, it comes down to safety....or, more truthfully, the perception of safety.
I was watching some of the Tweets come up as to who won what award, and I just kept thinking, "why does it have to be about "Christian" music? Yes, the lyrics speak about God and His work, but music is music. Why can't the music be judged as a creative piece of work? There is some great stuff out there!
This thought has been a source of recent ponderings in my head. I recently read a blog post by Dan Haseltine, lead singer of the band Jars of Clay, about how they write music for the people in the middle. Not specifically for Christian folks, but not specifically for not Christian folks either. They have impacted a whole lot of people through their music. And I love hearing music by bands that I know are Christians (Hawk Nelson, Skillet, Superchick, TobyMac and a whole lot more) that are played on commercials, TV shows and the like.
For a long time, I listened primarily to "secular" music and occasionally to "Christian" music. Understand, this was in the 80's and if I had to choose Amy Grant or Madonna, I'd pick Madonna. Today, I'd probably pick neither for a whole bunch of reasons! When I got into college, I realized that I needed to reflect my faith by the music I listened to. So, I started listening to solely "Christian" music. Then, a few years ago, at a conference on worship, Lincoln Brewster and a few of the other presenters were talking about how they write music based on what is popular on the radio. I tried listening, and I couldn't. It reminded me so much of who I was, and I just couldn't.
But, more recently, something inside of me has changed. Now, I won't go back to listening to 2Pac or Metallica again, but I'm drawn to excellent music. I really enjoy Mumford and Sons, but I skip over their song "Little Lion Man" because of the swearing in the chorus. It's a great song, but I can't listen to that language. So, I've become a bit more picky in my listening. I still listen to "Christian" radio, but thankfully, I can listen to Air1 now and not solely KLove. But, in this recent period, I definitely have reflected more on lyrical content, as much as musical creativity. And I think both can most definitely coexist in "Christian" music.
I still think awarding a "Best Christmas Album" is a silly idea, although I'm happy The David Crowder Band won it. But, what about putting The David Crowder Band, Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe, Gungor or any other band against what is currently playing on the radio and see what people like more? Why do we as Christian like to live in our bubble? I think in the end, it comes down to safety....or, more truthfully, the perception of safety.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Blessed?
Today is Maundy Thursday. I was awakened at 4:30 AM by the cries of my beautiful 4 month old daughter Emily. At 5:00 AM, my older, almost 3 year old daughter Ella wakes up because she has to "tinkle". She's like her daddy and has a hard time going back to sleep once feet have hit the floor. However, after about a half hour, she went back to sleep.
In my early, early morning thinking and praying, I realized how blessed I am. Not only personally when it comes to health and other avenues in my life, but for my 2 daughters, and how they've been healthy and all. Their births were healthy, they've been great, and we are blessed. But it's one of those things that since you're always around it, and it's not a problem, you don't realize how blessed you are.
I think it can be that way with the Passion story. For many of us who have been Christians for a while, or have heard the Passion story, it's an important story, but it's one that we hear this time every year. It has been my personal prayer this Lenten season that I experience and think about the journey in a different way. And God has blessed that prayer with the thought of how blessed I am.
How blessed am I that God would love me in spite of my self-centered way of living?
How blessed am I that God would take my sins, and the sins of the whole world and place them on His sinless Son?
How blessed am I that every time I mess up and ask God for forgiveness, it is given.
How blessed am I that God would know that creation would rebel against Him, yet created it to show His redeeming power and love?
There are many more questions, but then as I pondered these questions, the overwhelming thought became "now what". If I know these things to be true, is my life in line with that? To be blunt, am I living and showing love as God has loved me? Absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, no way.
Being a dad twice over now has given me an insight into my relationship with God on so many levels. Primarily, Ella, being almost 3, loves to incessantly ask the same question over and over, even when the answer is given. I think about myself and God. Do I ask the same questions over and over, even when God has given me an answer? Yes!! It's like if I ask it the right way, in the sweetest tone possible, bat my eyes just right, He'll change His mind and I'll get my way! But God has His reasons for doing things, and even though we may not see it, He knows what is best.
So, what does this all have to do with Holy Week? Simple. God knew what was best for us, and loved us so much, that He chose to take the punishment we deserve, lay it all on His Son, and send Him to the cross. But, the story doesn't stop there. No way. It leads to the empty tomb, and death being defeated! While we struggle on this earth with sickness, sadness, and ultimately death, we can LAUGH in the face of it all, knowing that God loves us, and has redeemed us. I know I will not perfectly live this out, but I am going to do my best and be conscious of having this attitude!
In my early, early morning thinking and praying, I realized how blessed I am. Not only personally when it comes to health and other avenues in my life, but for my 2 daughters, and how they've been healthy and all. Their births were healthy, they've been great, and we are blessed. But it's one of those things that since you're always around it, and it's not a problem, you don't realize how blessed you are.
I think it can be that way with the Passion story. For many of us who have been Christians for a while, or have heard the Passion story, it's an important story, but it's one that we hear this time every year. It has been my personal prayer this Lenten season that I experience and think about the journey in a different way. And God has blessed that prayer with the thought of how blessed I am.
How blessed am I that God would love me in spite of my self-centered way of living?
How blessed am I that God would take my sins, and the sins of the whole world and place them on His sinless Son?
How blessed am I that every time I mess up and ask God for forgiveness, it is given.
How blessed am I that God would know that creation would rebel against Him, yet created it to show His redeeming power and love?
There are many more questions, but then as I pondered these questions, the overwhelming thought became "now what". If I know these things to be true, is my life in line with that? To be blunt, am I living and showing love as God has loved me? Absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, no way.
Being a dad twice over now has given me an insight into my relationship with God on so many levels. Primarily, Ella, being almost 3, loves to incessantly ask the same question over and over, even when the answer is given. I think about myself and God. Do I ask the same questions over and over, even when God has given me an answer? Yes!! It's like if I ask it the right way, in the sweetest tone possible, bat my eyes just right, He'll change His mind and I'll get my way! But God has His reasons for doing things, and even though we may not see it, He knows what is best.
So, what does this all have to do with Holy Week? Simple. God knew what was best for us, and loved us so much, that He chose to take the punishment we deserve, lay it all on His Son, and send Him to the cross. But, the story doesn't stop there. No way. It leads to the empty tomb, and death being defeated! While we struggle on this earth with sickness, sadness, and ultimately death, we can LAUGH in the face of it all, knowing that God loves us, and has redeemed us. I know I will not perfectly live this out, but I am going to do my best and be conscious of having this attitude!
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