Build A Fire Under You

I was recently at a youth group service in the SF Valley. There were a few friends I had came to visit that serve as youth leaders, and one of them being the youth pastor. At the end of the service he asked the students to pick out some tasks from an envelop that would challenge their commitment of their confession that they are Christ followers. They ranged everywhere from doing more chores around the house to fasting from "secular" music.

One of the students I was talking to was reluctant to accept the challenge. So I told 'em I'd take on a challenge–maybe that would encourage them to follow through with theirs. As I was picking one up from the envelop I said aloud, "please don't let it be the music one." Surely enough, of all the 50 pieces of paper with challenges I could've pick, I pick the one that challenged me to fast secular music so I can focus more on reading my Bible.

As much complaining I did, I knew in my heart this had been something I needed to do. In fact, I had just discussed with my step-dad, an audiophile himself, that lately I've been in this phase of listening to just "worship music."

Five years ago I could have easily defined secular music for you; I'd have a hard time now–I've had a paradigm shift about this topic since then. (I don't really want to get expand on this thought-at least not in this blog.) However I couldn't help it, I was already making a list in my head of what secular music I couldn't listen to during this fast. But my friend, the youth pastor, had encouraged me to not look at my loss but rather to shift my focus to what I would gain. He added that many times as Christians we focus too much on our losses that it overshadows the endless gains we obtain when we attempt to deepen our commitment to Jesus.

This gave me an excuse to listen to and explore new "non-secular music"...haha...I can't say that without laughing...anyway, so I'll be posting up artists/bands that I've been listening to for the next three and a half weeks.


Thursday, 02.03.11
John Mark McMillan: The Medicine
fav tracks: How He Loves, Dress Us Up, Skeleton Bones

Various Artist: Shine Like Stars
fav tracks: You Are Faithful, Come Away With Me, A Little Longer

George Frideric Handel
Good music to listen to when working on theology papers!