Scratching off the top of my Bucket List

Ever see the movie “The Bucket List”? Yes? Well, I feel for you. Ok, sot he Nicholson/Freeman combo was good idea, but the movie didn’t really deliver. Sure, it had a neat concept, but just wasn’t realistic and was a bit cheesy. But the movie does, however, provoke the question “if you had X-amount of time to live, what would you do?”

Of course, not all of us have unlimited amounts of money to spend on frivolous materials and marvelous journeys but we do all have things we wish to accomplish, do, and see in our limited time here on earth. I can’t say I’ve made my list yet but before I even think about such things, I automatically know what would be the first thing on my list: to see U2 in concert.

On March 3rd, U2 released their latest album called “No Line of the Horizon”. I like it. It’s no “Achtung Baby”, but it’s close. I told Catherine months before its release that this would be one of the very few chances I’d have left to see U2 on Tour since they’re getting old and frail; conversely enough, the music does not and still holds just as much power as it always has. I quickly scanned the U2.com for tour-dates and after a few weeks of NLOTH’s release, they released dates and was on the prowl for tickets. Though pre-sale tickets quickly came and went last week, I didn’t have the $50 to spend on a membership to try and get pre-sale tickets. Rather, I waited out until the public sale yesterday afternoon. I was on the phone for 1.5 hours trying to get tickets but could not get through. I had a line on my work phone on hold with TicketMaster, kept trying to call TicketMaster on my cell phone, and kept getting put in and out of queues online. I (along with friend Matt Barbour) wanted to get tickets for the Boston show but by the time I finally got through to a human-being all that was left were the terrible $252 seats. So, I tried the to get tickets for the Toronto show (to which they added another show the next day). Funny enough I only had to make one call to get through the Ticketmaster.ca number and got 3 tickets for the Sept. 17th show at the Rogers Stadium. Although I didn’t get the tickets I wanted ($57 General Admission tickets that were standing-room on the field with the stage) I had to splurge and get “ok” seats for $97. I am excited, though, and can’t wait to finally get to see them live.

I once read (can’t remember where) a memorable quote from a pastor who went to a U2 concert once; he explained it something like this: “a U2 concert is a worship experience like none other. Except, this worship concert has the occasional cuss word and alcoholic beverage”. Even from all the U2 DVD’s I own, you get swept away by the music and its impact on a crowd. I can wait to get caught up in that and just take in the experience for myself.

This is a video of U2's second single from NLOTH, "Magnificent" and is my fave track from teh album. After the album's release, DAvid Letterman had U2 as the musical guests for a whole week and tore the Ed Sullivan Theater down with nermous performances; this, also, was my fave. What a fantastic lyricist:


"I was born, I was born to sing for you.
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
and sing whatever song you wanted me to.
I'll give you back my voice.
From the womb my first cry it was a joyful noise."






"Only love, only love can leave such a mark."

Art vs. Ministry: Part 6

In the summer Catherine, Noah and I visited our friend Tim & Mel Heerebout in London, Ont for a week or so. We always seem to have great conversations about the Church, worship, and God. In a chat about worship & ministry Tim & Mel gave me a book by Rory Noland called "The Heart of the Artist". Noland is (or was at the time he wrote the book) the worship & creative arts minister at Bill Hybels church in Willow Creek Church.
The book, in essence, is a guidebook for worship & creative arts ministry teams. At 350 pages, the book really is a manifesto that covers everything from character building, leadership, handling criticism, spiritual disciplines, emotions, to performance. Because I'm in the middle of a book right now ("The Shack") I haven't had time to really dig into this book. However, I have been flipping through and reading small portions here and there (mostly the things that Mel had underlined and written above/below paragraphs). Even within the first chapter, there were a few things that really spoke to me and answered some questions I often ask myself. Let me share:

"... what would I do if I had to choose between a highly talented musician who wasn't very spiritual or a deeply spiritual musician who wasn't very talented? I think that question captures the dilemma the church has been in with artists for along time... He (a Hebrew artist named Bezalel from Exodus 35) was talented and godly. That's what we need to be shooting for! That's the biblical standard. We can't expect to get by on just talent alone. It's imperative that you and I keep growing spiritually and artistically."

- I found that this excerpt particularly helpful when I was thinking about my role as worship leader in my church. Though I am one of three leaders at my church, I'm probably the most dedicated to musicianship than the other two. By that I mean I probably put a higher price on how we "sound" and getting things orderly, flowing, and sounding the way I'd like them to in my head. On the flip-side, Greg (one of my best friends and another leader at the church) and Loralee (other leader) put more stock into the spiritual side of the songs and his leading. That's not to say that I don't put any spiritual effort in leading (how could I not?) but I'm glad Noland mentions this in the paragraph above because I think it's something the church needs; excellence in music and spiritual character. But, where do we draw the line between excellence & submission of gifts?

"Every time we use our gifts for Him, we need to go into it wanting to do the best we can but trusting God's will to be done, not our self-centered, lofty expectation to be met... pursuing excellence means we do our best with what we have to the glory of God. He is worthy of our very best."

- this is something that I've struggled with as being a leader. I certainly have a tendency to lean toward musical excellence than spiritual guidance when leading. I want things to sound their best, but am neglecting the notion that when I'm deliberately playing my best for Him, I am indeed pursuing excellence.

"The Greek philosopher Heraclitus taught that your character is your destiny. That's a value shift for us because we tend to think that our destiny is wrapped up in our talent. But our destiny doesn't hinge entirely on what we do as artists; it hinges on who we are as people... We need to be people of proven character. Building character simply means that we're trying to become the people God wants us to be. For those of us with temperaments, it means becoming the artists god wants us to be."

- this excerpt impacted me greatly. As I journey on the "arts vs. ministry" road, this spoke miles to me. Certainly my talents and abilities are the things I rely on to "make it happen". But, this isn't the end. Sure, these things help guide and direct me to where God wants me, but it's my person, my being, and who I am in Christ that puts me there. While I realize my talents & abilities have lessened over the past year or two (because of many factors), I still strive to improve on those things and make them better. I can practice and play guitar or sing in the shower until the cows come home, but no matter how much effort I put into honing my musical abilities I will not end up where God wants me without re-shaping and molding my Christian character as well. I think about some of the most talented and successful Christian musicians: Lincoln Brewster, Christ Tomlin, Martin Smith, David Crowder (Band), or Phil Keaggy. These musicians & songwriters come from strong backgrounds, experiences, and maturity that has taken years to develop. Whether from being worship leaders at their church homes, touring all over the world with some of the most popular artists, or having their beginnings from ministries started to relieve a need in their local university, their characters were being shaped along with their talents to play guitar or write songs.

That's where I want to be. I've never been one to admit I don't need spiritual development on the inside. I know I do. But while I'm trying to make things happen with the what I have in my fingers, I also need to make things happen with my heart. I need to deeply search God's word for help and understanding. It comes with serving when I don't want to serve, helping when I don't want to help, loving when I don't want to love, and even playing when I don't want to play. It is then that I believe God will show me the more obvious pathways to fulfilling His will for my life.

Noah's "Highchair Fail"

I’ve posted some pics from Fail Blog earlier this month and it’s a pretty funny place where you can find stupid/funny/ridiculous videos & pics of people, places, and things that just don’t seem right. My one-year-old, Noah, is on the cusp of being featured on fail-blog, so he needs your votes!
Please visit http://www.failblog.org/vote , scroll down to the 4th or 5th photo, and click the “yes/thumbs up” symbol for Noah’s “Highchair Fail”
Go do it.
Now.
Do it.

Noah's First Birthday

I haven't blogged much about being a dad. I guess it's because it's a position that naturally comes without notice and is a gradual learning process. If I'm being as honest as I can, it's the most frustrating and rewarding thing I've ever had to experience. On the one hand, I'm not sure if there's any better sight than to see my son, Noah, smile and no better sound than to hear him giggle. I know that sounds cliche and sappy, but it's the Gods-honest truth; I'm sure any dad will agree. On the other hand, the first 9 months or so were a bit of a challenge because of loooong nights of 5 or less hours of sleep, headaches from the screaming and crying, and the worries that surround his eating, sleeping, and pooping habits. It's all relative when you're a dad.

But, today Noah is one year old and I couldn't be happier. Not only for him but his health, to see him grow, develop a personality of his own, and see him change daily. A year of my life has never gone faster, and I thank God for the many blessings he's given us, getting us through financial difficulties, and most importantly blessing us with a boy that coudln't make us any happier. Since Noah wasn't planned this earlier in our marriage, God has challenged us to be as good a parent as ours were to us and I believe we're walking in the right direction. I can admit that God still has some things to do inside of me, but I believe He's teaching me and Noah has been a huge part of that.

Noah is starting to walk now (actually, he just took 4 steps and bailed beside me while I write this) and his baby-babble is more prevalent (yet, still irrelevant), and he's sleeping about 10-11 hours a night. He's a beautiful boy and Catherine and I are so proud of him. And, if I can say so, I'm proud of us too. We've survived the first year and I imagine the second will be just as rewarding, exiting, and purely frustrating as the first. Funny thing is, I can't wait.

Happy 1st Birthday Noah.
I love you and can't wait to put skates on you so you can make me millions when you're older.
Or, put you behind a drum-kit so I can have someone to jam with.



PS: I've made a video of Noah's first year and I will post it as soon as I've finished editing it... stay tuned.
PPS: Macs make life so much easier.

Pipe Dreams/Guitar Solo of the Week

When JSB were rehearsing for our recent Texas trip, we (somehow) got into the habit of ending our practices with doing covers of Tragically Hip songs. After much deliberation, we presumed that we sounded so good that if the worship thing didn't work out for us, we'd become a bar band that does covers. Those bands can make good money doing just that; copying/slaughtering others peoples' songs. Fun.
But, if I'm being honest, I've always had smalltime dreams of being in a blues/jazz trio or quartet that just jam for fun. Of course, I have not developed a talent that's anything close to a professional (or semi-professional) jazz guitar player. I have, however, played with some friends in Calgary who could (and have) done well for themselves playing at local bistros, bars, and small clubs.
While I was living in Calgary going to school, I played with some guys who taught me so much about music. Not only that, but they taught me to love music of all varieties. And, though my knowledge of music theory was limited, they all made sense of theory to me. Despite the fact that these three guys were far beyond the proficiency of their instrument than I was (and am), they still pulled me along, encouraged me, and made me love music. Those guys were Justin Kudding (bass), Brendan Waters (keys), and Nate Northridge:


We always joked around about starting our on band, but of course that never happened and I moved back home to New Brunswick. Those guys are still around, playing with whomever, and are becoming quite the session/live players around Calgary. Those three were the guys that I've always wanted to jam & play with. I always thought it'd be so cool to just play at any small venue that'd take us and just enjoy playing music together. I was scanning YouTube today and found these videos with Lee Ritenour (guitar), Marcus Miller (bass), and George Duke (keys), and Vinnie Colaiuta and thought about Justin, Brendan, and Nate, how much I missed playing with them, learning from them, hearing them, and (most importantly) how much I missed their friendship. So, this clip is for them and you to enjoy: