Aaron Gillespie (Underoath), The Writting on the Walls

Here is wishing a happy Monday to all the drummers, metal fans and Underoath friends out there.  If you aren’t one of those three, you may not really dig this video.  At least give it a shot, k?  Aaron Gillespie is an awesome drummer and in this video from Mein Cymbals, you get to watch a song from right behind his set.  What a treat!  Watch how the camera can’t really keep up with his hand speed.  And also, any singing you hear (besides from all the fans) is being done by him as well.  A drummer who sings, writes songs and plays guitar?  Unheard of, I say!  Especially in the world of metal and rock.  Sorry, Phil Collins, I know you’ve sold more records, but I am still a bigger fan of Aaron Gillespie!

John Reuben featuring Matthew Thiessen, Nuisance

Haha!  If you’ve ever worked in an office you will resonate with this video.  I love the attitude that both artists present.  John Reuben is a fantastic writer and rapper and Matthew Thiessen brings that extra pop element to keep you going this monday.  I hope you aren’t being a nuisance at work but that everyone sees how hard you work and God gets the glory for it!  But if you do have an odd moment, making a sun out of post-its for your work space may not be a bad idea…

The truth?  We can do better than just okay.  We must, we are called to grow more and more like Christ everyday.  Don’t let life let you get all passive and bland.  Don’t spend all your time on you.  Don’t chase after the deceitfulness of getting rich.  Think about eternal things, about doing things of real significance.  Catch fire and burn for Christ, He’s worth it.

Lincoln Brewster, Salvation is Here

This week I bring you Lincoln Brewster’s version of Salvation is Here.  After reading the posts underneath this video on Youtube I am honestly suprised.  Apparently, there are people out there who don’t think this is a viable worship song.  Their main argument seems to be that it is Lincoln on display and not God.  I happen to have a couple of thoughts on that.

First, who gave Lincoln his talent and put it on his heart to pursue it?

Second, why does Christian music have to be lame to be God-honoring?  Surely as Christians we have reason to pursue excellence more than other artists because we do not do so for ourselves.

Third, what is the purpose of the music video?  Are you really capable of being in an honest state of worship while watching a music video on Youtube?  No, probably you have eight tabs open linking you into your facebook, email, blog and whatever else you are on the internet to do.  Face it, the internet is a good tool, but as a medium, is really weak at being a tool for worship.  That’s what corporate worship, prayer and scripture are for.  We live in a world that thrives on entertainment and some element of the video has to be entertaining for it to achieve its purpose as a video.

Finally, who is the video reaching with its words.  If you want sweet hymnal style music, go find it, there is plenty out there.  But chances are this song is a great bridge for our secular friends who also happen to be guitar snobs.  Your basic Steve Vai or Stevie Ray Vaughn fan is not going to care for most worship music because the artist cannot play guitar like that.  Yet, here is an honest, talented, Christian artist who can.

Chances are if you thought this song puts Lincoln on display over the internet, you would be just as upset sitting in his worship service.  So, really evaluate, is his music selfish?  Or is it a fantastic way to bridge the musical gap to our unsaved guitarist fans?

The City Harmonic, Manifesto

I was a little hesitant posting this song on the blog since it is getting fairly significant airplay already.  But you know what?  A great song is a great song.  Our worship band, ninethirty, has done this song twice and it has blessed our service.  Musically, it is simple, singable and yet rocks.  Gotta love it.  I will write more soon about how this specific song has ministered in my life and my church’s life.  Until then…Happy Monday!

Chris August, 7X70

Being embraced by the Word family came as quite a shock to former indie artist Chris August.  I heard just a part of his story a the Gospel Music Association songwriting showcase this past summer in Nashville.  This was just before Chris and co-writer Ed Cash (a songwriting giant in his own right) performed Starry Night for those of us at Immerse.  I heard about sixteen new songs that night by the people who wrote them, but this was one that I took with me.  So, like a rabid new fan, the moment the album dropped, I picked it up on iTunes.  And while Starry Night is awesome, singable and probably something I will lead my church to sing occasionally, it wasn’t the highlight of the album for me.

No, instead it was a song titled 7X70.  It is a song about forgiveness, specifically within family.  He states that there was screaming, heart breaking and other hurt in his home.  And then he says this, “Seven times seventy times, I’ll do what it takes to make it right.”

This of course, echoes the scripture from Matthew 18.  Peter asks Jesus how many times should he forgive?  Up to seven times?  Jesus replies, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (NIV)  Here the Lord is using hyperbole, or exaggeration for the sake of effect.  What he means is not a precise number, but instead we should forgive when we are sinned against, always.  This is so counter to our nature, but we must strive for this.  Why?  Because the Lord has done no less for us.  But especially in the context of family, we must forgive.  These are the people we typically have the most contact with and therefore most likely to offend.  Yet, the family is one of the institutions that God has given us to receive his blessing, be challenged with and responsible for.  Forgiveness is essential.  Another great truth delivered in a sweet musical treat.  Download and enjoy!

Project 86, Spy Hunter

Welcome back to Music Video Mondays!  I hope you were able to live without these during the month of February.  I’m sure, if you were like me, you ate yourself stupid on chocolate.  Therefore, you should be okay, if a little heavier.  And speaking of heavy…

Spy Hunter.  One of my favorite videos by Christian metal and rock band, Project 86.  Having seen them live and being a fan since Drawing Black Lines, I have a lot to say about their evolution and songwriting.  But it’s monday, so I won’t.  HAPPY?

Instead enjoy this dark and funny video.  Can I also just add how much it would be hurt to be hit with a Les Paul from behind?

Additionally, everyone is being very picky about who embeds their videos.  Web 2.0 my hiney.  Anyway, follow the link.

http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/project_86/videos/216337/spy_hunter

Audrey Assad, The House You’re Building

This is the title track from Audrey Assad’s latest release.  Her light and easy to listen to vocals complement the simple guitar and organ.  But like all the songs that impact me the most, the music is only the vehicle to communicate deep truth.  Her lyrics are both worshipful and insightful.  The melody leads to the key idea,

“I’m a broken stone, / so lay me in the house you’re building.”

It appeals to the part of me that feels lost and spiritually homeless.  And all the time, the Lord has been calling me to a home that he has been painstakingly building.  It kind of blows me away to realize that while I can feel so lost, the Lord is active in my life and afterlife.  There is hope in the idea that He hasn’t stopped working and has the big picture in mind while my vision is so narrow.

I need that hope right now.  Warning, I’m goin

g to get all personal and anecdotal right now.

I am currently waiting tables.  Nothing wrong with that or providing for your family, it just isn’t what I want.  I have a four year degree that I spent a lot of money on.  I have had eleven jobs since I graduated college.  Did you read that? Eleven!  The longest stint I’ve had in one career is two years.  I have been wandering since I graduated.  I feel lost.  I know what I want to do for a career, but the options out there are limited given my education and experience.  This is especially daunting since it has nothing to do with the degree I have hanging on my wall.  I have to work to support my family, so my ability to take risk is limited.  More than that, my personal vision for my life seems always in flux.  There is the problem.  I have been consumed with my vision for my life.  I have at times given thought to God’s vision for my life and think I may even know what that might look like.  However, I am not content to wait on his timing, his provision, or even really ask.  So, for the world wide web to read, I am sorry, Lord.  Forgive me for my wandering.  Please, lay me in the house you’re building.  Just give me the satisfaction of being apart of your vision for my life.  And never let me be content in running my own direction with my own lack of wisdom.  Or worse, never let me drift into hopelessness and stagnation.

My heart echoes Audrey’s prayer, just let me be apart of what you’re are doing, Lord.

I recommend the entire album for it’s musical excellence, her impeccable vocal quality and the insightful lyrics song after song.  This has been like a delightful auditory devotion.  If you don’t believe me, just listen to Restless.

Thanks for reading!

Why so distant?

For the three of you who actually subscribe to this podcast I owe you an explanation for my prolonged absence.  My wife and I recently had a brand new baby girl!  While she is adorable, she does interrupt the previous flow of life.  And may I add, needs to sleep at the appropriate hours.  So, never fear I will be back on track soon bringing you the best songs you may not have heard already.  Also coming, I will be self hosting this blog and so the URL will change.  I will keep you posted as the site gets revamped to be more helpful and easier to navigate.

In addition to this, I missed this blog very much and so stand with hat in hand, holding a bouquet of daisies with a look of the utmost sincere apologies.  Forgive me?  No.  Well maybe this will help, it is a photo of my family with our new addition.

Flatfoot 56, Brotherhood

There has been more than one moment where I thought to myself that I would just make this a Flatfoot 56 fan blog.  Well, I won’t, but I still love this band!  Enjoy the energy, the driving punk beat and don’t forget to shout, “Oi, oi!”

Vota, Hard to Believe

Super busy trying to finish the Sing it Out E.P. so it is  a short post this week!

This week is yet another video that makes me smile.  I love the way this is shot and the great use of color and repetition.  Plus, I just dig the song’s groove.  Peace.