Anyone can make music, anyone can draw, anyone can make a t-shirt. And lots of people do.
But what sets the great bands apart?
What sets the great artists apart?
What makes you like a particular style?
It's more than production, more than sound, more than everyone having keyboards. It's more than cool font, more than culture, more than the next trend. Trends change. Something about great art, whether music or painting, just draws an audience in... Inspires you to create. What does hillsong united or mutemath do better than anyone? Why is spoken word so powerful? Why is urban outfitters so catchy? What separates them? What is the draw?
To be great you have to be different. If you're not different, you're just a replication. Replications can be really good, but only the original is great.
Figure out what draws people.. And discover what you can do differently than everyone else. Then go at it full speed and use it to draw people. When you draw them, catch their attention and point them to Jesus.
Then put it on a Tshirt :-)
Love people past what they can do for you. Love people without expectation. Love without limits.
That causes change. That sparks passion. Passion leads to revolution. Revolutions impact the world.
Let's do this.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Compartments & Halloween
1. Sometimes, being a ‘Christian’ reminds me of Halloween. As in, it is something where we can compartmentalize who we are and what we do and it isn’t weird. Actually, it is encouraged. One day a year, on Halloween, we get a chance to dress in a silly costume and act like something we are not. We plan get-togethers, parties, etc all in the name of dressing up in a costume and acting ridiculous. Now if anyone were to do this on any day other than Halloween, they would be laughed at. We would probably call them ‘weirdo’s’ or something awful like that.
2. As Christians, we talk about ‘doing ministry’ on a mission trip like it is our purpose. However, when we get home we don’t do any mission work in our own community. If it was truly our passion, we would do it continuously. No one has to remind you of your passion; no one has to push you to love whatever you love. If they had to do that, the passion would only rely on the person reminding you, and the love would be completely dependant on the push. Ironically, the people that pursue mission work as their passion in their own communities are the ones we call ‘weirdo’s.’ On mission trips, we do door-to-door ministries in order to try and connect/talk with people we may not ever run into otherwise. Now think about the people that do that to you (you know, on Saturday mornings… knock on the front door… those ‘weirdo’s’ on bicycles…). Why does going on a mission trip make things like that ok, but doing it at home make it weird? Why do we need to go far away to provide for the homeless and needy when there are a bunch of homeless people downtown?? …oh that’s right, the ones downtown are dangerous… “hurry, lock the doors, don’t make eye contact..!”
3. How does it help us to pray together on a team, in the office, in your small group, at home, etc if we never interact outside of that prayer? If our prayers are only rituals to begin and end our 10 minutes together, we need not waste each others’ time. Prayer isn’t something we are doing to change the heart of God, it is something we do in order for God to change OUR hearts. Praying with other people is a sacred, vulnerable, intimate act- don’t throw it around like it’s a text message to the God of the universe.
4. Do we really want to know God? When God shows up, things CHANGE. But most Christians hate change. Once we’re saved, change becomes a threat to the kingdoms we begin to build for ourselves. Ultimately then, it’s not about growing God’s kingdom, but growing OUR kingdom in the name of God. That sorta reminds me of Christopher Columbus- a man who came to America and massacred 1000’s of natives in the name of ‘God and riches.’
-I am a Christian. I want to learn how to love Jesus with every fiber of my being. I want to know how to love people unconditionally. Ultimately, I believe we, as people, preach what we need to hear. We love how we want to be loved. We attack others due to the insecurities we see in ourselves. Therefore, many things I write are probably things I am struggling with at that moment. I am never scared to offend anyone, but I hope nothing I ever write hurts anybody. If it does, I apologize in advance. These are just my thoughts, no to be taken as proven fact or reality… just my reality.
*For some reason I always dressed up like a vampire on Halloween- seriously, for 6ish years in a row I was a vampire… and that was way before Team Edward. ☺
2. As Christians, we talk about ‘doing ministry’ on a mission trip like it is our purpose. However, when we get home we don’t do any mission work in our own community. If it was truly our passion, we would do it continuously. No one has to remind you of your passion; no one has to push you to love whatever you love. If they had to do that, the passion would only rely on the person reminding you, and the love would be completely dependant on the push. Ironically, the people that pursue mission work as their passion in their own communities are the ones we call ‘weirdo’s.’ On mission trips, we do door-to-door ministries in order to try and connect/talk with people we may not ever run into otherwise. Now think about the people that do that to you (you know, on Saturday mornings… knock on the front door… those ‘weirdo’s’ on bicycles…). Why does going on a mission trip make things like that ok, but doing it at home make it weird? Why do we need to go far away to provide for the homeless and needy when there are a bunch of homeless people downtown?? …oh that’s right, the ones downtown are dangerous… “hurry, lock the doors, don’t make eye contact..!”
3. How does it help us to pray together on a team, in the office, in your small group, at home, etc if we never interact outside of that prayer? If our prayers are only rituals to begin and end our 10 minutes together, we need not waste each others’ time. Prayer isn’t something we are doing to change the heart of God, it is something we do in order for God to change OUR hearts. Praying with other people is a sacred, vulnerable, intimate act- don’t throw it around like it’s a text message to the God of the universe.
4. Do we really want to know God? When God shows up, things CHANGE. But most Christians hate change. Once we’re saved, change becomes a threat to the kingdoms we begin to build for ourselves. Ultimately then, it’s not about growing God’s kingdom, but growing OUR kingdom in the name of God. That sorta reminds me of Christopher Columbus- a man who came to America and massacred 1000’s of natives in the name of ‘God and riches.’
-I am a Christian. I want to learn how to love Jesus with every fiber of my being. I want to know how to love people unconditionally. Ultimately, I believe we, as people, preach what we need to hear. We love how we want to be loved. We attack others due to the insecurities we see in ourselves. Therefore, many things I write are probably things I am struggling with at that moment. I am never scared to offend anyone, but I hope nothing I ever write hurts anybody. If it does, I apologize in advance. These are just my thoughts, no to be taken as proven fact or reality… just my reality.
*For some reason I always dressed up like a vampire on Halloween- seriously, for 6ish years in a row I was a vampire… and that was way before Team Edward. ☺
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
What I learned from Tupac
Last night while flipping through the channels, I saw a documentary that caught my attention. It was a documentary on the life of Tupac. I was in 8th grade when he was killed, so my appreciation for him didn't really develop until after he was gone. I used to have all of his albums, but somewhere in the chaos of jumping all over the map in the past few years, I have lost them all. I forgot how much I liked him. After we watched that documentary, I got on youtube and listened to a bunch of my favorite songs. Pac was a genius. I think the best thing about him though, was the reality that he brought to the light. He was willing to say what everyone around him was thinking, yet too afraid to say. He saw [his] reality for what it was, regardless if it offended anyone. He knew he had to be honest about reality if he ever wanted to confront/change it. I learn a ton from stuff like that- People connect to authenticity. People yearn for someone, anyone who is completely willing to confront reality, no matter what it costs or who it offends.
Food for thought.
*Creative people are very misunderstood. Creativity is closely related to passion, and TRUE passion cannot be compartmentalized. Passion cannot be masked, and it is not contained in the cultural norms of society. I am not AT ALL saying that all passions are right, justifiable, or should be accepted. I am, however, saying that passion is not something that can be contained but it should be channeled. We live in a culture that tries to kill passion. Ultimately, we don't want anyone to make us feel uncomfortable or ask us questions that we'd rather hide from. We'd rather everyone be a straight line for fear of uncertainty in the direction of a curve. I appreciate passionate people, even if their passions are misdirected- I don't have to agree with them to appreciate them. This world needs more people who are willing to stand up and ask the tough questions, regardless of what others will think. We need more people who will run at full speed and give all they have for a cause. Passion is contagious. Unfortunately, so is laziness. I choose passion.
Food for thought.
*Creative people are very misunderstood. Creativity is closely related to passion, and TRUE passion cannot be compartmentalized. Passion cannot be masked, and it is not contained in the cultural norms of society. I am not AT ALL saying that all passions are right, justifiable, or should be accepted. I am, however, saying that passion is not something that can be contained but it should be channeled. We live in a culture that tries to kill passion. Ultimately, we don't want anyone to make us feel uncomfortable or ask us questions that we'd rather hide from. We'd rather everyone be a straight line for fear of uncertainty in the direction of a curve. I appreciate passionate people, even if their passions are misdirected- I don't have to agree with them to appreciate them. This world needs more people who are willing to stand up and ask the tough questions, regardless of what others will think. We need more people who will run at full speed and give all they have for a cause. Passion is contagious. Unfortunately, so is laziness. I choose passion.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I’m sitting in Starbucks this morning. I have my computer out (obviously) and my ear buds in, but I’m not listening to music… intentionally. Since 7am, people have been constantly flowing into this place and little by little, bit-by-bit, it has almost filled up. Everyone has their own agenda; each individual has a list of important things they need to begin tending to just as soon as they get that much needed shot of taste bud hell… I mean, espresso.
I wonder why everyone seems so closed off. I wonder why no one talks to each other. Scanning the room, I see a big group of separated people. Separated by status. Separated by age. Separated by life. The one thing everyone seems to have in common is the reality that we are all in the same room, yet completely isolated from each other.
There are 2 people sitting next to each other at the table in the middle of the room- judging from the intense glare on their faces, they are both obviously doing something really important on their Macbooks. There is no one else at the table except the two of them. Maybe they don’t know each other. Or maybe they are married… Maybe they decided to come to Starbucks so they could get coffee, look mad at the world, and get on their computers to do important things while not talking to each other.
There is a old guy sitting in the corner by himself. He has been playing with his phone for about 30 minutes. No coffee, no delicious, unhealthy, pastry treat. Just an old dude and his phone. He could be trying to figure out how to text message. Or maybe he is trying to figure out why his phone keeps making the word ‘cool’ when he is clearly typing ‘book.’ I don’t know. But no one has said a word to him since he sat down.
There are two guys sitting at the window in front of me. They are engaged in a conversation about the Dallas Mavericks. It’s becoming more obvious to me that that Mark Cuban needs their brainpower, because if they owned the team, they would have figured out a way to bring Carmello Anthony to the nation of Dallas. And then the Mavs would win more. And then…
3 more people just sat down with the big table with the mad couple doing important things on their computers. That makes two separated groups at one table. They are separated because neither acknowledges the other.
There is a guy on talking on his cell phone while he waits for his coffee. This is pretty interesting- whoever he’s talking to must be able to see him somehow (maybe it’s the CIA) because he is talking as much with his hands as he is with his mouth. The person on the other end of the line must also have a hearing problem because this dude is talking very loud… maybe that explains why he’s also using his hands.
Here’s my point:
Everyone is so isolated. No matter where you go, you’ll find a bunch of individuals doing their own thing. When true community is hard to come by, it’s no wonder why so many people are at war- with themselves, with their families, with their jobs, with the world.
I don’t want to be isolated; I don’t want to be closed off. The best I have to offer anyone is my acceptance. My purpose on this world is not to just get through this day unaffected. My purpose is to connect with the people around me. People today are seeking authenticity- they are less concerned with your show, your façade.. people want you to be open about your reality. Be authentic, be real, and connect with people wherever you are.
Now I’m going to go help that old man with his phone.
I wonder why everyone seems so closed off. I wonder why no one talks to each other. Scanning the room, I see a big group of separated people. Separated by status. Separated by age. Separated by life. The one thing everyone seems to have in common is the reality that we are all in the same room, yet completely isolated from each other.
There are 2 people sitting next to each other at the table in the middle of the room- judging from the intense glare on their faces, they are both obviously doing something really important on their Macbooks. There is no one else at the table except the two of them. Maybe they don’t know each other. Or maybe they are married… Maybe they decided to come to Starbucks so they could get coffee, look mad at the world, and get on their computers to do important things while not talking to each other.
There is a old guy sitting in the corner by himself. He has been playing with his phone for about 30 minutes. No coffee, no delicious, unhealthy, pastry treat. Just an old dude and his phone. He could be trying to figure out how to text message. Or maybe he is trying to figure out why his phone keeps making the word ‘cool’ when he is clearly typing ‘book.’ I don’t know. But no one has said a word to him since he sat down.
There are two guys sitting at the window in front of me. They are engaged in a conversation about the Dallas Mavericks. It’s becoming more obvious to me that that Mark Cuban needs their brainpower, because if they owned the team, they would have figured out a way to bring Carmello Anthony to the nation of Dallas. And then the Mavs would win more. And then…
3 more people just sat down with the big table with the mad couple doing important things on their computers. That makes two separated groups at one table. They are separated because neither acknowledges the other.
There is a guy on talking on his cell phone while he waits for his coffee. This is pretty interesting- whoever he’s talking to must be able to see him somehow (maybe it’s the CIA) because he is talking as much with his hands as he is with his mouth. The person on the other end of the line must also have a hearing problem because this dude is talking very loud… maybe that explains why he’s also using his hands.
Here’s my point:
Everyone is so isolated. No matter where you go, you’ll find a bunch of individuals doing their own thing. When true community is hard to come by, it’s no wonder why so many people are at war- with themselves, with their families, with their jobs, with the world.
I don’t want to be isolated; I don’t want to be closed off. The best I have to offer anyone is my acceptance. My purpose on this world is not to just get through this day unaffected. My purpose is to connect with the people around me. People today are seeking authenticity- they are less concerned with your show, your façade.. people want you to be open about your reality. Be authentic, be real, and connect with people wherever you are.
Now I’m going to go help that old man with his phone.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Amazing.
Amazing Grace.
Those words have become cliché in current Christian American culture. For many, the mention of them brings a sweet melody and a few catchy phrases to the forefront of mind’s eye. Hopefully we can look past a song written in the 1700’s and see the value and weight this phrase holds. Amazing. Grace. I am simply amazed that The Creator would find mercy enough to extend a pardon for me, even when my sin deliberately continues to breathe. I don’t understand it, nor do I need to. The beauty of God’s love and the mystique of His character lie in the unknown of His reasons. Reasons to save. Reasons to love. Reasons to discipline. Reasons to desire us.
Those words have become cliché in current Christian American culture. For many, the mention of them brings a sweet melody and a few catchy phrases to the forefront of mind’s eye. Hopefully we can look past a song written in the 1700’s and see the value and weight this phrase holds. Amazing. Grace. I am simply amazed that The Creator would find mercy enough to extend a pardon for me, even when my sin deliberately continues to breathe. I don’t understand it, nor do I need to. The beauty of God’s love and the mystique of His character lie in the unknown of His reasons. Reasons to save. Reasons to love. Reasons to discipline. Reasons to desire us.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Some of my uncles tell me I should write more blogs. Ok. Ready, set, go…
I am a questioner. Those of you who know me can testify to the fact that I have always questioned the colors of life surrounding me. The phrase, “Because I said so…” has permanently ingrained itself in my brain due to my constant questioning as a kid. As I get older, however, I realize the importance of asking, probing, and searching for the things that lie deeper. I refuse to allow tired clichés, facebook profiles, and unlimited text messages to cloud my sense of reality… And reality tells me that people are starving for TRUTH. This world is aching for something authentic, something stable, and something they cannot understand the answers to- which leads to, that’s right, questions! I don’t think Jesus wants us to accept things as they are; He wants us to dig for answers, pry through the top layers. This world was contains the glory (Hebrew translation= heaviness) of God; therefore, there is depth in everything. Find it. Questions lead to a passion to seek answers. Question everything… it is only then that you we will be able to KNOW TRUTH. “Because I said so” is never an acceptable answer to anything.
I hope this all makes sense… I’m kinda just throwing out random thoughts and sound check is in like 5 min… Live LOUUUUDDD!!
-BW
I am a questioner. Those of you who know me can testify to the fact that I have always questioned the colors of life surrounding me. The phrase, “Because I said so…” has permanently ingrained itself in my brain due to my constant questioning as a kid. As I get older, however, I realize the importance of asking, probing, and searching for the things that lie deeper. I refuse to allow tired clichés, facebook profiles, and unlimited text messages to cloud my sense of reality… And reality tells me that people are starving for TRUTH. This world is aching for something authentic, something stable, and something they cannot understand the answers to- which leads to, that’s right, questions! I don’t think Jesus wants us to accept things as they are; He wants us to dig for answers, pry through the top layers. This world was contains the glory (Hebrew translation= heaviness) of God; therefore, there is depth in everything. Find it. Questions lead to a passion to seek answers. Question everything… it is only then that you we will be able to KNOW TRUTH. “Because I said so” is never an acceptable answer to anything.
I hope this all makes sense… I’m kinda just throwing out random thoughts and sound check is in like 5 min… Live LOUUUUDDD!!
-BW
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I love to write. For me, writing is a remedy- a release from the sprint. On a normal day, my mind races at a consistent pace that would easily outrun a purebred racehorse. Jesus has given me gifts of creativity, thought, and vision, but sometimes I get so caught up in the intertwining web of each of them that I drive myself crazy. In my mind, there is always something I need to be learning, refining, perfecting, and/or discovering. Like a little kid, I am constantly daydreaming, however, Lady Sleep visits me sparingly and is usually short-lived when she decides to show up. I am different than most- I try to operate with purpose in everything I do... nothing is face-value, nothing is surface. There is a point to everything, a purpose for the breath I breathe. I don't know how much time I have here on this planet and because of that, I want to illuminate Jesus to as many people as I can. Don't get me wrong, I have NOTHING figured out, nor do I have much to offer within myself... I do, however, know what the love of Jesus tastes like. I know what brokenness is, and I have experienced true life through it, during it, in the midst of it. God is Love and Love is Real.
Like a cancer, it is spreading rapidly and without warning to the most vulnerable areas of who
I AM…
Nothing apart from this. I have nothing to claim, nothing to own, nothing to reach for except for what I taste in this
LOVE…
Has been so hard to hold on to, so difficult to retain, seemingly impossible to discover. Reaching for everything this soul is screaming for, straining to catch something authentic. Deep down, I know that I need the
TRUTH…
Is the only constant, it is the island. Truth is not subjective, relative, or shakable. No matter what my eyes may see or what my emotions are shouting, it does not change. The calm rock that I am running to… don’t stop, not even to catch your
BREATH…
On my neck. In my lungs. Felt as you whisper in my ear. Keeping me alive. Giving me strength. Reminding me of a purpose. Waking me up. Hitting me with the windows down on a crisp fall morning. Happens naturally. Is the same word as
SPIRIT…
Guide me... or better yet, invade me. I cannot do this alone, nor was I ever intended to. Marry me and become my bride- I will dance with you, I will sing to you at night, I will cherish you and always be faithful, loyal, and confident in you. I will walk with you as we run together. I am finding completion in you alone, and I have realized that cannot live without you. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. The only desire I have left is to be with you forever. Transform all of
WHO I AM.
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