Yet again, it has taken me forever to come back and write about what's going on. Vicki and I have moved to a new apartment (she and my Mom are finishing up as we speak), traveled to 5 different states, begun transition into a new position in my job, and begun pre-production on the new worship album. AND Watershed has been traveling more than ever! We have met so many interesting people in the last couple of months as well as renew old friendships. Jon Jouvenaux and Free Indeed are among the best! I just love our yearly get-togethers at the Neosho Shoney's. We laugh and catch up on what happening in each others music ministries. They are the real deal. I pray that God continues to bless them and their ministry. Maybe the next time they go to South Africa, we can go with them! Oftentimes, when I walk out of a church building, I feel that I leave thirsty. I feel like I have to jump through theological and cultural obstacles to even meet Him. And I wrestle, more often than not, with this nagging question that there is more to my spiritual walk than this. This spiritual unsettlment has brought me to search out and reaquaint myself with others who are on a similiar journey. I picked up a copy of "The Sacred Way" by Tony Jones. Its kind of a modern day "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster (both are great reads) which explains and encourages the practices of spiritual disciplines. Now, it is important to remember that these practices aren't "secret formulas" to encountering God or even a BETTER way to honor God- they are simply avenues to open yourself up for God to change you. I am currently reading the first chapter on lectio divina. It is a way of reading and meditating on God's word. Though, there are numerous ways to do this, I find the following way works for me. First, find a comfortable and quiet spot to read. Next, select a scripture- it needs to be somewhat short. Then, you read the passage over slowly and repeatedly, if possible aloud. Now, this needs to be a gradual reading, not a fast "email-type" reading- you need to savor every word. While reading, listen for what God is saying to you. For me, a certain word or phrase from the reading usually pops out at me. I think and meditate on this. I find that I end up memorizing at least part of the scripture as well! Try this and tell me what you think. Well, that's it for today. Talk to you soon! -chris

I've started a book about a figure in our culture that absolutely fascinates me. He's the lead singer of one of the biggest bands in Rock and roll history. He also is one of the leading voices in fighting poverty and AIDS in Africa. His name is Paul Hewson -better known as Bono. But even more than his music with a little band called U2, I am fascinated by his faith. His faith is definitely controversial and a source of heated discussion- from the foul language slips to the all out partying recorded back in the late 80's. But somewhere in the midst of all this immerges a figure who has met with a number of governments to eliminate debt in third-world countries, recites scripture from the stage in his shows, and talks frankly with people about his faith in God. Regardless of what some mainline Christians think of Bono, I think we have a lot of learn from him. He takes very seriously all the Biblical references to encouraging the oppressed, clothing the naked, defending the widow, etc. He is THE leading activist in the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He helped start ONE.ORG to rasie awareness and support for those who need our aid the most. He has met with and enlisted the help from the Pope to Brad Pitt to conservative christians to rock stars. Not to mention, U2 has written and recorded praise songs like "40" and "Yahweh" on their Cd's (being careful to avoid the stigma of neing labeled as a Chrsitian band). On this topic alone, I feel that social activism is something that every follower of Jesus should really consider and put into practice. We are being "out-loved" by people who bear no loyalty to Jesus Christ and for this- I feel shamed. I now wonder if we can ever separate social activism with our walks of faith. OR, should the two always be one and the same? We should always be speaking out to defend the helpless. More scripture is dedicated to this than most of the trivial arguments we focus so much energy on defending instead. This is the problem Bono ultimately has with the church. we should be spending our time loving, not arguing and fighting. I think that he's right. Now, I don't always see eye to eye on everything he has ever said, but I think we can gain a lot of wisdom from him. Search you heart, and tell me what you think about all this. Much love, chris

I'm here in the digital lounge of the Emergent Conference. Pastors from every state and denomination are in here checking mail and listening to the new Jars of Clay hymns project. There are theological discussions going on in every cafe and couch in this place. I just love the energy, excitment, and the interactionat this conference! Brian McLaren is speaking tonight, and if you know anything about me, you know I'm jazzed! I've had a few discussions with people who are kinda scared of him and what he is talking about. He is one of the main leaders in the discussion of the whole postmodern matrix and how to be a Christian in that culture. Some of the questions he asks are very uncomfortable questions to deal with, but I believe they NEED to be asked. We need to wrestle with questions of absolute truth and whether or not certain traditions should be kept or eliminated. There are tons of people who truly feel that they can't turn to the church because, "they already feel bad, the church will only make me feel worse". The church needs to be a "safe place" for people to go when life is a mess. But it is viewed as a place of judgment, not of love. We need to check our ourselves when we unjustly judge someone for the type of clothes they wear or style of music they enjoy. Christians especially are good at putting labels on people and things. I must strive to be more and more like Jesus and simply love. Oh Great God, help me to be like that. . . . -chris

Happy Mother's day everyone! My family and I all went to Woodmont this morning, then out for lunch at Olive Garden. We waited and hour and a half before being seated (the line was crazy)! But time with Mom is always time well spent. I guess time with family should always be time well spent! Vicki's dad was in town this weekend and we revived two personal passions of mine: playing Rook and fishing. I have actually been thinking about fishing for a while now, so a couple of weeks ago I bought a rod and reel combo and some artificial lures- waiting for my chance to prove to Vicki that I bring home fish as well as the bacon. My Dad, Jack (my father-in-law) Janelle, (my sis-in-law) and Vicki all hopped in the car and headed for the lake. We spent the whole afternoon fishing and laughing together. This may be biblical, I'm not sure, but I think there is something wired into every man that has this carnal desire to fish- it's that thrill of the chase; that puzzle to figure out: Where are they? Which lure is most effective? It's that thrill of the moment when you feel that nibble . . that little bite . . . when to pull hard and set the hook. . . now? . . no wait just a little longer. . . We didn't catch a lot. Just a few baby brim. Nothing that we could take home and set before the family- proud of our kill. Proud that we can be the providers of shelter and FOOD. No, we ended up catching these tiny brim and ultimately fed them a free dinner (if they were willing to jump on our hooks just a minute for pictures). I guess on the other side, I think it's funny that I spend so much time trying to outwit an animal that has almost no mental capacity! Have fun everyone, and, if you haven't already, call your Mom! Go fishing, too! -chris

OK- I've been reading this book called "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. It is a great read! Donald is such an honest writer- he doesn't mince words, he just writes as if he's in a conversation with you. I appreciate that especially because he has voiced and wrestles with a lot positions on "christian issues". I definitely recommend it! I also have had this longing for awhile. I can't really explain it, but I absolutely miss . . . . dare I say this!?! . . . college. I miss going to school and studying with my old bible professors. I have even gotten on Ebay to pick up some commentaries I have been wanting. Bible nerd to the end, huh? I think its because I learned so much and grew so much spiritually during my time at Lipscomb. I haven't really been able to find anything to replace my Bible classes. I haven't found anywhere that will go as deep as we did in those classes. The Jewish traditions, the Hebrew/Greek word studies, I love that stuff! It just makes the Bible come alive to me! Anyway, have a great day. Talk to ya soon. -chris

Hey everybody. OK, OK. . . . so, I'm already a poor blogger. One week has passed since I first started this thing, and look, ONLY ONE POST! Things have been pretty busy. I went to a showcase during GMA week last tuesday night and got to see a lot of musicians I respect perform. Ginny Owens, Matt Kearney, Superchic[k] were all great to watch. But Tree 63, by far, was the best musically. For just three guys, the sound was HUGE! They ended with Blessed Be Your Name- it was moving to see a bunch of people in a club worshipping the Lord. (Why can't we do that!?!) It was such a cool experience. We also had a great weekend in Ocala, FL at the Maricamp Road Church of Christ. It was a lot of fun to hang out with Hoss Ridgeway and get to know him better. And. . . . it's just exciting to help ignite the fire of worship in a church! I feel that as the church, in the past, we have boiled worship down to a handful of actions we simply execute instead of something that we are impassioned by. We have done a poor job of teaching a "theology of worship" that communicates what the Bible truly expresses. I bubble over with thoughts about this whole subject (especially those that know me well). And I hope that I can share some of those thoughts here. Anyway, peace out! -chris

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