Archive for March, 2008
Back to the Real Drums
I spent the better part of this evening at The Point setting up my real drums. Yes, you read that right. My real drums. Am I crazy? Maybe. Low ceilings, concrete floors and walls, not a very big room and real drums are not a good combination.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been unable to play with TPCC’s band, since I’ve been out of town. My replacement played a real snare and cymbals, along with my real bass drum and hi-hat. This past Sunday was the first time I’ve heard real drums being played in that room. It actually wasn’t too loud. Now, he was holding back a bit to keep from overpowering the rest of the band. But, it all sounded pretty good.
So, I’ve decided to make the switch to real drums (for now). There’s a good chance that my replacement for the past two weeks will start sharing time with me each month. It makes logistical sense that we should both use the same drum set to make it easy on our sound guys. He prefers real drums, I prefer real drums, and the vast majority of our members have asked me why I don’t play real drums.
I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes. If anything, this will be good for my playing. If I can develop good control at lower volumes, this will only make me a better player. Perhaps I’ll be able to start using real drums with Josh Martin Band in smaller venues? I’m looking at this as a challenge to make myself a better player in the long run.
Humility & Forgiveness
Is it any coincidence that two of the most difficult things to do are also two of the most talked-about subjects in the Bible?
Gaining humility is a lifelong pursuit. Forgiving others requires swallowing our pride. And yet, the Bible calls us make both things a part of our lives.
Regarding humility:
Proverbs 15:3333 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Regarding forgiveness:
2 Corinthians 2:5-7 (Listen)5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Colossians 3:12-13 (Listen)12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
There are many more verses dealing with humility and forgiveness - well over one hundred verses in all. The interesting part is how closely these issues are related to each other. True forgiveness requires humility. It’s impossible to be humble and not forgive someone.
Two stories stand out as pure examples of humility and forgiveness.
In Genesis 37, we find Joseph’s jealous brothers selling him into slavery. Despite their jealousy and their cowardly move, Joseph was willing to forgive his brothers. How many of us are holding back forgiveness from people who have done far less? Joseph was separated from his father, his family and his life. Despite this, God was at work, and meant good for this ordeal. Who’s to say God may be working for your good in situations where you have been wronged? Who’s to say if you offer forgiveness to your opponent that God may bless both of you?
No Biblical story is complete, however, without viewing it through the lens of the Gospel. What greater story of humility and forgiveness than that of Jesus dying on a cross? At any time, Jesus could’ve changed the outcome of the story. In a display of great humility, he endured the beatings, the abuse, and finally - death on the cross. His purpose? Forgiveness. Specifically, for our sins. Despite our imperfection, on a daily basis, and despite God’s hate for sin, his grace covers our sin - past, present and future. A true example of pure forgiveness.
How can you humble yourself and offer forgiveness this week?
Emerging vs. Emergent
In case you’re wondering what the difference is: