My first bass guitar was an early nineties Yamaha. I knew nothing about playing. I didn't know how to hold it, how to carry it, where to put my hands, if I should use a pick or my fingers or my thumb...absolutely nothing.
I was trapped. I had this fantastic new bass and a Peavey 110 pushing out a tinny-punk-bass-sound and yet I couldn't do anything but pretend.
Over a decade later, after lessons, self-teaching, writing music, playing in bands, a music institute, hundreds of live performances and practice, practice, practice...I'm free.
I'm free. I know the boundless boundaries. I understand chords, harmonics, scales, modes, techniques, rhythms, feelings...I don't know it all by any means...but I'm free to play what I desire. I'm especially free to learn.
My Obedience to teachers, books, guides, music theory, technique, practice, musicians I admire and self-discipline I am now Free to enjoy the heavenly creation of music.
Freedom is not whatever I want it to be. It's defined by the One who gives it.
6/29/11
6/22/11
Layers
In the book Primal, Batterson asks what Christian traditions you and I adhere to that are simply abiblical. Neither prescribed nor described in Scripture but simply done because it's how Christianity has evolved over time.
How many layers of tradition do you and I subscribe to as if they're central to Jesus' Truth? Doctrines that matter eternally compared to those that simply provide direction for a body in a particular season of faith and many times develop into bylaws and ultimately dividers.
Why do you believe what you believe about Jesus and the Kingdom you're called partner in with the Body?
Are your spiritual parameters set by Scripture or Denomination? Truth or Tradition? Jesus or you?
How many layers of tradition do you and I subscribe to as if they're central to Jesus' Truth? Doctrines that matter eternally compared to those that simply provide direction for a body in a particular season of faith and many times develop into bylaws and ultimately dividers.
Why do you believe what you believe about Jesus and the Kingdom you're called partner in with the Body?
Are your spiritual parameters set by Scripture or Denomination? Truth or Tradition? Jesus or you?
Labels:
tradition
6/19/11
Motivated to Humility
...now or later?
I'm being convicted regularly by the Spirit that unless I truly begin to live humbly, not only physically or financially, but most importantly in my attitude - then as I speak into others lives more and more I will become less and less humble.
It's so counter-intuitive or at least counter-desirous. It seems as though it's easier to be humble when I'm doing what I love and especially when others are looking and yet, if that is part of the motivation for humility, then it's founded in pride! So if my heart, my mind and thus my attitude find proper alignment in light of God...then regardless of when and where I live out humility I will always be acting with the right motivation and bending my knee to the Creator. In fact it will be the Spirit acting out humility in me despite myself!
Jesus was humble at all times, night and day, in public and private, in a crowd, one on one or with His disciples, teaching and in prayer...always. He had reason to elevate Himself and yet He always gave glory to the Father in Heaven. I desire that attitude...here and now.
I'm being convicted regularly by the Spirit that unless I truly begin to live humbly, not only physically or financially, but most importantly in my attitude - then as I speak into others lives more and more I will become less and less humble.
It's so counter-intuitive or at least counter-desirous. It seems as though it's easier to be humble when I'm doing what I love and especially when others are looking and yet, if that is part of the motivation for humility, then it's founded in pride! So if my heart, my mind and thus my attitude find proper alignment in light of God...then regardless of when and where I live out humility I will always be acting with the right motivation and bending my knee to the Creator. In fact it will be the Spirit acting out humility in me despite myself!
Jesus was humble at all times, night and day, in public and private, in a crowd, one on one or with His disciples, teaching and in prayer...always. He had reason to elevate Himself and yet He always gave glory to the Father in Heaven. I desire that attitude...here and now.
6/15/11
Cakewalk Leadership
After watching Ace of Cakes reruns with my wife we noticed something interesting, overwhelming projects and short deadlines seem to always be coupled with ridiculous amounts of fun. Why? How do they do it? Are they mixing something 'special' with the cake batter?
Some Observations About Duff (owner/chef/boss):
1) ridiculously upbeat
2) looks forward to new and challenging projects
3) hired talented people who saw his vision (though he is the only trained chef)
4) trained his team well and trusts their decisions, creativity, abilities
5) listens to his customers and creates specifically for them
6) creates a relaxed environment with joking and what's that...laughing?
7) handles stress well
8) stands behind his team
About the Team:
9) excited to be working together and with Duff
10) believe in the quality of their product: sweet flavors & stunning visuals
11) trust Duff
12) own their work - personal style and responsibility on each project
13) celebrate a hard days work together
(Obviously we only see what happens on camera, so we'll assume that off camera holds the same)
While this list is by no means definitive of good leading and team building it is encouraging. Building and maintaining a healthy team requires work, personal gifting, time, talent, discipline, a clear vision and ultimately faith...leaders need to be aware of their strengths and weakness' and build their teams accordingly.
Whatever the situation, if you believe God is in control and the Spirit truly guides then maybe you can have your cake and eat it too...especially if you work with...cake. And a really great team.
Labels:
leadership
6/10/11
Healthy Skepticism...
...sounds like an oxymoron right? To be a true Skeptic one must believe that truth us unattainable or even nonexistent. Ultimately it's a lifestyle of doubt. An attitude of disbelief...is that really healthy?
Think practically - a true skeptic could never believe that their wife truly loved them. They would have to ask these questions regularly: What if she's lying? Did she really promise to stay by my side? Does love even exist? Are these fears justified? Does fear exist? and so on and so on...if there is no attainable truth, then a true skeptic can find no end to these questions. Is that a healthy marriage?
A lifestyle of Doubt can't lead to a fulfilled life can it? Think about all the times Paul tells the Philippians to 'Rejoice!' If truth is nonexistent then what do we have to rejoice in?
But if Truth does exist and has made itself attainable, understandable and experiential - then Paul is dead-right when he tells the Philippians that God, who started a work in their community, will truly carry it out until He is finished - and that bit of knowledge is worthy of our trust.
Seek answers. Ask questions...even the most difficult ones. Study. Research. Pray. Discuss. Debate.
But should you find yourself living a lifestyle of doubt maybe you should spend some time doubting that lifestyle.
Think practically - a true skeptic could never believe that their wife truly loved them. They would have to ask these questions regularly: What if she's lying? Did she really promise to stay by my side? Does love even exist? Are these fears justified? Does fear exist? and so on and so on...if there is no attainable truth, then a true skeptic can find no end to these questions. Is that a healthy marriage?
A lifestyle of Doubt can't lead to a fulfilled life can it? Think about all the times Paul tells the Philippians to 'Rejoice!' If truth is nonexistent then what do we have to rejoice in?
But if Truth does exist and has made itself attainable, understandable and experiential - then Paul is dead-right when he tells the Philippians that God, who started a work in their community, will truly carry it out until He is finished - and that bit of knowledge is worthy of our trust.
Seek answers. Ask questions...even the most difficult ones. Study. Research. Pray. Discuss. Debate.
But should you find yourself living a lifestyle of doubt maybe you should spend some time doubting that lifestyle.
Labels:
skepticism
6/9/11
Don't know? Read.
'No matter what happens in life...period! live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel - the Life of Christ.' (Philippians 1:27 - R.D. Version)
If you don't know what that means then read the Book of John right now! And then read the Synoptic Gospels. And then read everything Paul wrote. And then read The rest of the N.T.
And then read the Torah. And then the Prophets. And the Poetry. And the History. The O.T.
OR - If you want a summarization of a worthy life then read Philippians 2:1-11. And then start at the beginning of the letter and read all the way through it top to bottom.
Once you do that, and if you believe this is a worthy way to conduct your life, then 'work out your salvation' through repentance and forgiveness and joyful praise and thankfulness to God.
...And God will begin a work in you that He'll never give up on.
If you don't know what that means then read the Book of John right now! And then read the Synoptic Gospels. And then read everything Paul wrote. And then read The rest of the N.T.
And then read the Torah. And then the Prophets. And the Poetry. And the History. The O.T.
OR - If you want a summarization of a worthy life then read Philippians 2:1-11. And then start at the beginning of the letter and read all the way through it top to bottom.
Once you do that, and if you believe this is a worthy way to conduct your life, then 'work out your salvation' through repentance and forgiveness and joyful praise and thankfulness to God.
...And God will begin a work in you that He'll never give up on.
Labels:
Gods work in you
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