Worship/Christian Music

1. Jars of Clay - self-titled: This album is the reason I play acoustic guitar now.

2. Darrell Evans - Let the River Flow & Deleriou5? - Cutting Edge: These albums made me want to praise God passionately. I spent alot of high school Bible studies singing songs from these albums.

3. Chris Tomlin - Not to Us: This album was the first album in the Christian market that I feel was produced really well and was similar to the production of pop on the radio. The writing is concise and we have ended up playing almost every song on the album at church.

4. United Live - My Best Friend: This album came out at the same time all my friends were listening to Blink 182 and the begining of the alternative to indie transition. This album showed me that “praise” music could be punk or more rock and roll.

5. Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown: This album really spoke to me in some difficult times and ended up being the force behind me and my college girlfriend breaking up. The entire album is written so well and lyrically can be summerized in a simple phrase, “this is your life, are you who you want to be?”

6. Emery - The Question: This album was the first ‘harder’ Christian music that I listened to because it was so well written and so melodic. It has opened the door for Underoath and other harder bands which I really enjoy now. Also lyrically, they craft alot of spiritual lyrics using sarcasm that I can appreciate.

aside: I never really got into crowder stuff that much. At least not leading it. I really appreciate that it is there, but I really have never enjoyed his stuff that much.

Other albums that have affected me greatly. Damien Rice - O: Weezer - Pinkerton: The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream: Radiohead - OK Computer: Coldplay - Parachutes: Matt Redman - The Heart of Worship, The Father’s Song: Newsboys - Going Public: Eoghan Heaslip - Mercy & Grace in the Wilderness:

This has been a great excerise for me with my band because I learn where people are coming from. You can read the music I have been into and have a pretty good idea what I sound like or try for. I found that a few of my guys love Blink 182 (which I do not like at all) and that explains a lot of conflict between us. I would encourage you to do this for yourself. It actually can be quiet emotional. I have had some amazing moments around music.

The other benefit that has come from me thinking about this is that I realize that music sometimes feels like a large part of my life, but rarely changes my life for the better. Some of the albums that I love actually have not motivated me to seek the Lord. They have had little lasting effect on my life.

Just a few thoughts. Thanks. -j

Have a good holiday.

All in all, so far, the experience has been wonderful. We have tracked the main guitars and the drums. I layed down some scratch bass parts tonight and we workshopped the vocals last night. I am really pleased with the lyrics to the song and feel like they are worthwhile. I don’t want to betray anyones trust and post the song yet but as soon as we get a go ahead, I will post and I would love to hear thoughts or questions. It definately is written to be played at our campus service or at our downtown church.

In other news, to keep developing our skills, we are going to be recording our downtown church live this weekend into an 8 channel protools rig. Then add more parts and give it to a bunch of guys to “Remix” then get together and talk about it and the decisions mixing we made. It should be fun to see how each of our sound guys mix. kind of fun eh?

well. peace. I hope that this finds each of you well!

be encouraged. -j

I think I have been a christian about 20 years now, but for the first time in my life, I am actually developing an intimate relationship with God. I am starting to enjoy being in His presence more than about anything else. I have started reading “the practice of the presence OF GOD” by brother Lawrence and I think I understand.

I am recently obsessed with how good God actually is. He likes me, He wants to know me, He wants to share His secrets with me, He wants us to be close, He wants me to constantly live in his presence. That is why He is taking me there within the next 100 years, but that also is why He put His Spirit in me now!

I also have been realizing my dispikable state without Him. Without the grace of God, I am completely incapable of doing anything other than sin. So I need to be living in the presence of God constantly.

I believe this is and will continue to affect how I lead music, write music, encourage people, and spend time with God.

I would challenge you to cash in on the promises of God and enjoy His presence. He promises is in Matthew 28. Isn’t that the foundation of what alot of us are involved in? Jesus says, here is the deal, you go tell the world about me, and my presence will be with you!

Are you like me and finding yourself doing what God asked you to do but never experiencing the reward of the Lord. Do you see what the exchange is? You “go into all the world and preach the gospel…” and He “is with you always.” It is the same if I asked you to build a website, you build the website, I will pay you.

In the words of Dan Rude, “Loving God is how we get paid spiritually!”

Have you cashed in recenty? today?

Hope you guys are all well. -j

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