Author: Wick

I was avoiding it, but I suppose it makes more sense now than down the road. Last week, for $9.99, I paid for Derek Webb’s newest album, Stockholm Syndrome (immediately download, and 2 copies arrive in the mail near September – not a bad deal). I posted a few thoughts way back when I heard some of the controversy surrounding it.

Now that I’ve listened to it, I have a few thoughts.

1. Finally, an album that sounds different. Seriously. I like Webb’s stuff, but most of what he’s done solo has sounded like something a single college guy would sing around girls he likes to prove both that he can sing, and he’s into “hip” things. His voice is still a bit whiny at times, but at least the music mixes things up a bit. Even hip-hop-ish…at times. Numbers 2 and 3 my fav. for sound at least. A few of the songs go a bit too far into the techno/voice distortion/etc….but I still like it for sounding different from anything before this.

2. I like the price/options. I wish more artists would recognize their ability to be more involved in how/how much their album is purchased for.

3. Content. Aside from all the hype/promotion focusing on the controversial nature of the language/topics found on this album. It’s Derek Webb. Very hip-hop in content/message. But this album especially leaves me hungry for Christ. Maybe he did that on purpose, and will deliver in his next album, or was hoping to lead us simply to the hunger so that we pursue it on our own. In any regard, it would be very easy for this, and books/cds/blogs like it to simpy be an anti-church catalyst for those who are riding the slam the church gravy train. That’s not a train Jesus is aboard…so let’s be careful how long/why we ride it.

4. Edited version available. Thank you Derek Webb. No matter how much you hurt inside for sacrificing artistic integrity, thanks. I think it should still be possible to convey the message of church being held captive by our culture, and finding we are drawn into relationship with our captors all too easily….and still be properly offensive – without using offensive language. That being said, I can understand his desire to use many of the words he does in many places.

Altogether, I think it’s worth getting. Get together with a couple hippy friends who don’t mind a few risque words and buy it for $9.99. They can have the foul-mouthed versions, and you can get the Wal-mart appropriate version when it’s mailed out around September.

Worth a listen.

Yesterday a man came into the office, we’ll call him Jim. (not his real name, but in order to protect anything he may want to protect) I was the only one in the offices at the time, and he asked if he could sit down with me. I’m not particular in who I sit with, and love people in general, so of course I agreed.

He wouldn’t look me in the eye, unless it was with intensity in his story. He began to tell me about how he’s cleaned up his life. To some of us, this might mean being sober, getting a place to live, and having a job of some sort. To Jim, this simply meant living in his own low income housing, and collecting unemployment. The problem was, he let someone he trusted borrow his unemployment debit card, and they took his money. He would get more next week, but rent of about sixty bucks was due tomorrow.

This wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Jim.

He comes in, usually asking for anywhere between ten and a hundred bucks. Always with an inspirational story, and always with a guarantee to pay us back next week.

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, I never have any money. It’s an easy decision for me, although I usually do offer him a ride to somewhere else in town, knowing he doesn’t have a car. But I know he’s gotten some from other sources here at the church. He asked me if I could call around, and gather the money up somehow?

I always talk to Jim about visiting the church, inviting him to join us, about being a part of a supportive community, etc. I’ve prayed with him. I never know what to say.

Would Christ go out of his way, make fund raising phone calls, or sacrifice his own childs’ diapers to give a stranger $60 for rent – knowing the story might be slanted, and it may lead to this man and many more coming by for cash as well? Probably.

Did I? Nope.

Guess this post is more of a confessional of confusion than inspiring.

Last night we traveled down to Cowden Family camp to hear our new Senior Pastor, Gerry Coates. He’s preaching down there all of this week; something that was most likely decided well before anyone knew he would be joining us as pastor…..which is kinda cool.

His message was based in Colossians 1:15-23. A message about Christ being the center of everything. Not because we really really desire passionately for him to be there. Not because it’ll make everything come up daisies. Not even because that’s “Christianity”. But because it IS.

We were reminded of the irony that comes when a human being, formed from the dust of the earth – turns to the Creator and Lord over all things and says “I accept you.”

Christianity, and American Christianity especially, have in many places become more fans of selfish idolatry of Jesus; over actual biblical and historical faith in Christ. It’s seen in much of the language used (especially at certain booths at the Decatur Celebration…:) ) “If you died tonight, do YOU know where YOU would go?” These scare tactics (along with the line of thought that says “I want my BEST LIFE NOW”, a.k.a. special blessing and empowerment for success from God…whatever that means) may jump start a relationship with Christ”, but it’s not the direction of Jesus. “You never saw Jesus dangling Heaven in front of people.” (quotes from Coates)

Is Christ the center of our faith? Or are WE the center? Why do we do what we do, in regards to our spiritual lives? In regards to our “secular” (but non-separateable) lives?

I believe it’s why so many people can abstain from church so easily, and still consider themselves a Christian.

I also believe it’s why so many people can attend church services regularly, and because of that consider themselves a Christian.

What if we truly did what we do, and are who we are, and become what we are becoming……soley because of, out of, based in, sourced in, directed towards, moving with, empowered by, etc….Jesus Christ and His Spirit? The firstborn from among the living. The firstborn from among the dead. Lord over ALL.

Look out creation…. 🙂