My Life Thus Far

Another album by one of today’s most appealing bands, Death Cab for Cutie.  At first I was a little thrown off with a song that front-man Ben Gibbard sang almost entirely solo.  Soon I was taken on an adventure through a band that really does well with dynamics.

Every album progresses and shows the bands ability to not only continually put out a quality recording, but also the band’s ability to grow musically, which keeps fans waiting for the next thing.  Their latest release has (dare I say) even topped Plans and Transatlanticism, which is hard to believe.

Though Narrow Stairs is on the short side for a full length album, it is well worth picking up.  I found myself hitting the play button again after the first listen… and the second.

At Crossroads, part of my role is to lead worship on Sunday mornings. Responsibilities include choosing what songs we sing, putting together a presentation of those songs, guiding a band through music, and then leading the congregation in song. Unfortunately, that can carry some baggage.

What do I mean by baggage?

I am sad to say that many other people who do this very same position are trying to make a production. Even more than that, they are trying to recreate songs they hear on Christian Radio or CD’s of our nations top worship songwriters like David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. This has grown to the point where people are almost expecting to hear us mimicking others. Just this past week I was asked while visiting some college friends in Cincinnati who we were trying to be like as a band.

Not the case for Crossroads.

One thing that I try hard to do is to make an authentic experience for both our artists and the people who sing to God with us. Though my success rate is not 100%, that is one of our goals. I want to use people’s gifts in any way possible. That means they may need to change their style to fit us, and it also means we may need to change our style to fit them. We are not trying to sound like anyone else other than Crossroads.

We have a guy who plays amazing bass, both electric and concert. This means that we are able to play songs completely different when he pulls out the giant upright bass. The sound is different, and we can tailor the music to that.

I could be wrong, but I think people would much rather enjoy an authentic experience that does not sound as good as a reproduced song that sounds great. Am I wrong? Please share your thoughts.

Yesterday a group of us went to a Cincinnati Reds game.  Around the eight inning they had a goofy dance time and I let it all out for about 3 minutes.  Here is a picture to commemorate my embarrassment.  You can see others dancing on the jumbo-tron behind me.

Never in my life have I been more consistent with reading the Scriptures as of recent.  This is not bragging, more just stating a feeling of accomplishment.  Part of that is due to the fact that the staff whom I work with help keep me accountable.  Thank you guys.

Why have I never really read consistently?  While pondering this question I cannot but help think back to my Bible College days.  You would think that reading Scripture would just come naturally and be part of you everyday experience, especially for someone training for ministry.  Unfortunately that is rarely the case.

What tends to happen is the Bible becomes another textbook that is used to write papers and complete reading assignments.  So yes, I did read all throughout college.  But no, I did not have a regular time for personal devotion to the Word.

Since starting to read on a regular basis for my own devotions, I have had the joy of seeing a strong nation conquer, then collapse, and then be rebuilt.  The Old Testament has proven to be one exciting place to read.  If I were to go back to Cincinnati Christian University, Old Testament classes would be filling my schedule more than other topics.

My routine throughout the entire winter has been to wake up before my wife and brew a freshly ground pot of coffee in my french press (yes, I am a coffee snob), and then sit down and enjoy the Jewish history which predates Jesus.

While visiting some friends from college the past couple of days, and making a trip to Cincinnati, I have to come to realize something… we are growing up.  My wife and I have built up Cincinnati as a legendary place to live, and part of that is due to so many fond memories.

What we are realizing is that the people we made good relationships with are finding jobs in other parts of the world (like us) and will be leaving soon if not all ready.  The places we enjoyed are still there, but they are places.  Places just do not hold the same substance as relationships.

I am committed to my current location, no doubt about that.  But coming back has even more solidified our decision to move.  We are growing up.