Metallica and preaching

This past Friday I spent 7 hours driving back and forth to Philadelphia for a software seminar. The day itself was relatively mundane. I picked up some good practical ideas on how to get the most out of our presentation software. The coolest part of the day was the ride home. I thought it was going to be an 8-hour marathon trip home. It took about 4 ½ and I had an amazing time of prayer that lasted from the end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Secaucus. I truly felt, in the middle of the chaos that is I-95, I connected with God at 70 mph. I stopped at one of those Burger Kings on the Highway and grabbed some health food. Then I believe that I heard from God…through a Metallica song. I was listening to their live version of One, recorded in Mexico City. I was truly inspired not by the words or deep spiritual meaning behind the song but by the intensity and passion. Four guys pound away at their instruments, in an incredible cacophony of guitar lightning and double bass drumming thunder and move me to the core. At that moment, I thought to myself these guys absolutely love what they do and they do it with everything they have. Why can’t I do what I love with the same passion and energy? Why can’t I teach on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night or Sunday night like that? To move people with the word of God like Metallica moves people with their music…the most asinine thing I have ever written? Maybe. So what if it is, I’m not saying I want their lifestyle, I want their passion.

Arts Conference Day 3

The Last day of the conference was the most powerful for me. There was drama about a Youth and Family pastor. The pastor character was on the edge, feeling like he wasn't making a difference. Meanwhile he feels he is letting his family down at the same time. He is not doing anything well. I related a little too much to its message.
The band came came out and did a song about God's grace. The chorus was very simple:
"It covers me. It covers me. It covers me. It covers." In between the notes of that song God spoke to me. Even in the midst of the darkness of the last couple months, even in the midst of that anger and frustration, the feelings of failure and inadequacy God's grace covered me. God's Grace still covers me. Thank you Lord.

Arts conference Day 2

We had break-outs all day. I got some good tactical ideas on video and graphic stuff, some really cool teaching on worship as a lifestyle and some insights on what willow is doing with the whole postmodern thing. I was seriously disappointed with one break out on creative ideas for smaller churches. It was run by some woman from a church in Fla who basically made me feel like “This is what you can do when grow up into a real church.” I think there was probably some of that in there but also a fair amount of my own junk. All and all a good day.

Willow Creek arts conference Day 1

Day 1 of the willow creek student arts conference, got me really excited about pursuing more teaching opportunities. Nothing or anyone specific, more just a feeling about teaching being my art and a growing desire to create. We had an awesome time of worship with Chris Tomlin and his band. Tears poured down my face; tears of gratitude for God meeting me in the midst of my mess, for Gail running the house while I’m gone to allow me to go, for the calling God has placed upon my life and the community which he has called me to serve.
I was really bummed out by the Willow Creek band, they had five singers on stage all full of life and energy and dancing around and I just didn’t get the feeling it was real; unfortunate and ironic at a conference whose theme is the “real deal.” I asked God to give me a better attitude toward the worship experience for the afternoon. God is good. The same band came back out and played a Robert Randolph and the Family Band tune called I need more love. Sounds like no big deal, but I have been thinking a lot about this song recently and how it could be used at church. I felt like God was saying stop being such a whiner. Relax and enjoy this.
Take homes from day 1: Explore this excitement around teaching and Find out what Gail’s passion is and protect it.