Today has been all about sermon prep. I’m privileged to get to teach for the month of august, but it definitely puts a different kind of strain on my week.
I like to listen to music while I write. I need to be just distracted enough to focus on anything. So I like put music on that helps me to keep my brain a little bit busy.
Lately when I’ve been writing I’ve been gravitating to two artists that alway challenge me
The first is Dave Bazaan, (Pedro the Lion, headphones). Bazan used to be a Christian but he has drifted away. His music expresses his doubts and his frustrations with God, the church, Christians, his family, etc. It’s incredibly honest and listening to him helps me remember that I don’t have all the answers, but what matters are the questions. I’ve been listening to the album “Curse Your Branches” and it moves me deeply. Because vie had those same kind of doubts and frustrations. I’ve come to different conclusions than Dave but I need to be reminded that those questions are real and valid.
The second artist is Derek Webb. I love all of his albums but I’m particularly fond of the album “I See Things Upside Down”. Derek is a christian who has frustrations and believes that the church can be the force for change that the gospel commands us to be. Not through political action or strict moralism but through truly living out the gospel. His songs make me cry. The churchman be so much more.
So whenever i preach I listen to these guys because I need to be reminded that there are quest s and frustrations that deserve to be heard and the church can be a force to help set people free and provide the way to find peace in Christ.
Derek & Dave thanks for challenging me.
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