The Music That Defined Me

I moved from the category Music Listener to Music Maker 12 years ago when I got my first guitar. Since then things have changed. Music has become more than just something I did in between trips to Wal-Mart and the bank. It transcended something in me and has evolved into something of a driving force.

Now, I am not like some melodramatic teen exclaiming, “I couldn’t live without music”, hearing violins playing in my head, but things would be different without it. Apart from relationships, with both God and man, music (both the listening and creating) may be the single most prioritized and meaningful thing I know.

I tend to categorize my life by what bands or songwriters were composing the soundtrack to my life at any given time. Over the past 12 years (since Thanksgiving of my 14^th year when my great grandma bought me my crimson Aria Pro: Knight Warrior) there have been key bands that entered into my story at pivotal points.

I think about what I would call my Constants (Desmond is my Constant), like Andrew Peterson and Five Iron Frenzy, that I discovered early in my musical journey. These are the ones I listen to on a regular basis even today. There are others, like Iron and Wine and The Appleseed Cast that I might put on a top 10 list of who I enjoy listening to the most, yet still wouldn’t make it on the list of bands that defined me.

Which brings me to the reason I am typing now. Here is my list (with possible annotations) in chronological order of artists who defined a period of time for me. Now, please do not mistake this list for bands that I would still say are my favorite (though most would make that list) these are artists that, at the time, captured me and found there way to CD players or tape decks more often than the rest. Here it goes:

The Early Years (pre guitar)

Michael Jackson

The Beach Boys

I would, without reservation, still claim these two artists to be the most influential in my life as a whole. Whatever Jackson may or may not have done on his own time, he was an unbelievably gifted entertainer. I might say that Brian Wilson is the best song writer of all time, composing, without a doubt, the best song of all time: God Only Knows

Middle School (Learning the Guitar)

Caedmon’s Call

Andrew Peterson

If you have known me for any amount of time you would know that I have at times been slightly more than obsessive about Andrew Peterson. Honestly in recent years, his playing on my stereo has tapered off, though still he will hold a place in my heart that I am sure no artist ever will.

Late Middle School/Early High School

Five Iron Frenzy/The Supertones

MxPx

Obsession was in high gear when the Supertones and then MxPx entered my life. I have always loved Five Iron, even back then. As I look back now, the Supertones and MxPx, certainly the most visibly devoted-to bands of my life, seemed to fade away, but Five Iron has stuck it out for me. It was listening to them today that spawned this blog.

Late High School

Dave Matthews Band (it was a weird time in my life, I have no other words for that)

Coldplay

Late Junior year I discovered Coldplay, and it was all over from there. They defined me then, they define me now. It is strange, and I have never really thought about it this way until as I type right now. No other band has come in and grabbed ahold of me and shaped me since Coldplay came on the scene. Maybe it is due to the unbelievable accessibility to music as I am overwhelmed with new music constantly. Maybe they are my pinnacle. Either way, Chris Martin and the gang have elevated themselves to a near personal level to me.

There are certainly tons of others that I may have said at any given time that they were my “favorite band” but none of them spoke to me in a way that when I think of that year they are the soundtrack I hear.

Honorable Mention goes to (in no particular order):

Copeland

Sufjan Stevens (He is the closest to making it on the aforementioned list)

Iron and Wine

NoFX

John Mayer

Jimmy Eat World

Forever Changed

David Crowder Band

Anyway, this is my music life. Who else will be on this list?

-Adam

Letter to My Future Self

Dear Future Self,

Right now I am 26 years 4 months and 23 days old. It is Dec. 4, 2009. Right now it is 12:49am (I am choosing to be up late at a youth event) I am currently leading, in all practicality and honesty, a pretty comfy life. I have a job that I love that is more rewarding at times than others, but is my dream job. I work with people I get along great with.

I have friends that I play with. I have music which is at my disposal. I have dogs that love me (even when I don’t take them for their daily walk). I have time, time to do most anything I want. I travel without much restraint from my previous responsibilities.

And then there is my family. It is just me and our wife, Rebecca (and the dogs). For nearly four years it has been just us in the house. We can decide on a moment’s notice (or maybe a couple moments) to travel somewhere or at least go do something fun together.

However, a bit of news arrived about 8 months ago. News I had been looking forward to for a long time. News that I had dreamed of hearing since I was young. This news will manifest into my firstborn child, which is becoming more and more real these days. I am uber-excited about the matter.

I am writing to you, Future Self, because I suspect that there will be nights where you are up at 12:49 (or later) for purposes that were not of your own volition. There will be times where you may not be quite so as excited as I am now, but that is ok. The times where from the time we decide to go out and do something fun to the time it is done, is significantly longer than it is now. There will be times that we decide to just not go to whatever thing calls on us. But there will also be times where you are with your entire family, holding the one I can only feel through our wife’s belly.

I write to you, Future Self, to remind you of how amazing it is, really just unreal amazing it is. The feeling I am having now I hope you feel then. I am certain you will.

I Am Not A Racist

Our country has to come a weird place in our eternal struggle with racism. From all that I have been taught and been able to ascertain about our nation's history with racism, I have grasped this: First experience in the "new country" with native Americans was met with horrible violently racist actions. We dealt with slavery, north vs. south stuff, abolition... Time passes and we arrive on MLK, Malcom X, sit in protesst, black people being sprayed with fire hoses, I have a dream, separate drinking fountains...

Eventually we get to the place where the fight in White vs. Black isn't to the extreme that it was, racial harmony seems much closer than it ever has been before.

Now we are taught racial equality and "color blindedness" so much (and rightly so) that we have to come an interesting place, and thus the reason for this blog.

The other day I was sitting at the lunch table of Creekside Middle School and noticed that it was quite the racially diverse table. Being proud of the fact that 8th grade students showed such lack of prejudice I commented on the situation. I say, "Wow, this is a very ethnically diverse table." To which I am overwhelmingly responded by how rude of a statement that was. I was shocked, trying to explain myself that this was a good thing. They heard nothing of it, only that I was out of line for commenting on that. And asking what ethnicity a student was was offensive to them.

We have come to this weird place in our racial struggle that to acknowledge race is a faux pas. Race does not exist, this is not good. An Indian, Philippino, Vietnamese, and a bunch of white kids were sitting together for lunch and that cannot be acknowledged. We made race out to be such a problem in our history and tried so desperately to correct it. We made so many horrible and painful jokes at the expense of "minorities" that kids now have been unable to detach the minority from the pain of the joke.

We have told so many Obama-watermelon-fried chicken-Muslim-raccoon jokes that to mention that someone is black or practices Islam is bad form and insensitive.

I am of Arab decent. You can call me an Arab, I won't be offended.

Get Out of the Way

Since I am hyper-spiritual I would like to share some of my thoughts that have come about during quiet/prayer/devo/whatever-you-call-it time.

As of the past few weeks I have taken up having a regularly scheduled prayer and Scripture reading time: 8:00am-when I feel that I have exhausted all prayer opportunities (I feel compelled to say that that is a joke). I have slacked off in this area and felt the repercussions.

I debated where I would like to do this.

Location Specification Level 1: Somewhere I wouldn't have to drive out of the way (and take away subsequent time in doing so)

Location Specification Level 2: Church/Office or House?... Church/Office

Location Specification Level 3: Inside or Outside?... Definitely Outside

Location Specification Level 4: Dingy behind-the-church-alcove or front porch?... First it was the Dingy, decided it was too dingy and non-conducive to prayer. Moved to front porch, where if I take too long the sun rises over the warehouse and blinds/burns me, which has an element of God Presence.

After spending time talking and listening I had what was such a good thought that it could not have been my own. It is a thought that I believe God has given to many, just I finally shut up enough to hear him tell it to me.

What would the ministry that I lead look like if I got out of the way and let God lead?

What would be different if my agenda, opinions, pet peeves, and pride were left behind and I carried out ministry the way God wanted it to be done? What if, what if, what if Jesus was the Youth Pastor at Port Orange Christian Church? What would that look like? Would it be different than what it is now, I'm sure it would. And if it would be different, how so? That is the question.

I need to find the answer to that question.

If Jesus, as silly and possibly ridiculous as this sounds, was the youth pastor here at POCC would he be doing the same sermon series as I am; spend time on Facebook and writing blogs, going to lunch with people? Would he hold table and shelf building classes? Would he enjoy Apple products (that one I am sure is accurate). Would he plan lock-in's and go to CIY?

Not sure what he would and wouldn't do that I do. Not all of those things in that facetious list are bad, we need to spend time with others engaging in conversation, we need to plan events that connect with teens. But what would God do differently if I got out of the way and let him take this ministry over? If I did everything the way God intended church to be? Would we have all things in common, share with those in need, feed the hungry, protect orphans and widows?

Those sound good to me. Maybe we should do that more. Maybe I should do that more.

Anyway, that is what I am praying about. Definitely don't have it all figured out. When I do, I'll write a book and tell you all.

-Adam

Stinkin' Teenagers

As a teenager I was what I now call a "youth group rat". The kid that is there whenever the doors are open. If my youth minister said, "We are all going to show up at the church and stare at each other for an hour." I would be there.

I remember the times when things would get spiritually and socially serious (aka CIY). And for being a kid that took his faith seriously, I never recall opening up, truly being vulnerable and totally sincere. Probably too busy trying to look perfect to the rest of the group.

On this side of the story, leading these trips and facilitating these discussions, I am continually amazed. Amazed at the depth and vulnerability that the teens offer.

So often teenagers can be written off and dismissed because of the frequency of mistakes, poor decisions, and low-cut tops. Though these are issues that need to be handled delicately, teens are really neat and uplifting to be around.

As of late (CIY) I have had the opportunity to minister to and with some truly exceptional teens. Some of them have opened up their secret worlds in ways I would have never dreamed of. Stuff I did or thought back then and would be mortified for anyone to have known, they are spilling out like water pouring into a jar that is too full.

I love the teens I work with, I really do. Their participation in Scripture, receptiveness of wise counsel, and seeking of Truth is humbling and highly encouraging.

You know how there are those moments in life where you wonder, "What I am doing, is this really where I am supposed to be?" But there are also those moments where you think, "This is why I am alive." I have had a lot of those second moments lately. It is an indescribable feeling.

A wiser person than myself said something like: If you are ever wondering what God's will is for your life, it may not be obvious what exactly to do, so do something. We often go back and forth between two roads wondering which is God's will. I am not so sure that it is always that one is God's will and the other is not. Just that whichever road we take, we glorify God on that road. God is giving me opportunities to do just that.

Knowing you are in the will of God and the joy that comes from taking part in live ministry is about all a man can ask for.

A 1967 Honda CB350 would be nice too.

Does Not Slow Down For Squirrels

 A number of years back a good friend of mine, Jesse Frame, rolled his truck by avoiding a less-than-prudent cat.  Since that day I have made it a point to avoid these types of situations.  

It is a personal choice for me to refrain from slowing down or swerving, even in the slightest, for a squirrel or bird. (I may make provisions for a dog or cat).  My wife, naturally, objects to this decision and proceeds to panic when the pack of neighborhood squirrels is out in force on our street.  I say that the squirrels are quick and darty and will make the right decision, and if not then natural selection has finally chosen to drop its selective gavel. Sooooo...

This Sunday morning on the way to church was no exception.  As I made a left from Harm's Way (my seemingly joke of a street name) to Donnel, a number of nervous squirrels found themselves in their usual situation, playing their game of "which way should I run".  As I did not swerve or slow down, wife panics, and we feel a slight bump underneath.  I say we got out ok.  I look back and no maimed squirrel.  We are good.

Sunday evening I am heading out of the neighborhood, I go the same way.  I see a slightly more than injured squirrel surprisingly in the same vicinity of the previous incident.  My wife also at a different time saw said squirrel.  She says, "You missed it, huh?" With more than a hint of sarcasm.  I say, "Sure I missed it."

Coincidence.  

No Food For Adam

For inherent biblical reasons (Matt 6:16-18), I am hesitant to even discuss this in a blog, however I don't believe that I am crossing any ethical boundaries (I think).

I have been thinking about the possibility of introducing fasting into my spiritual/physical life.  This is one of those areas in Scripture that is kind of on the fence.  It is never mandated, but more assumed.  It is not a common thing to do but the evidence of Scripture and stories I have heard point to tremendous value.  Not that the reason for fasting is that we get some immediate gratification or material benefit but, it seems that the Holy Spirit speaks more clearly in our lives when we participate in fasting.

My question then is, how to go about this.  Part of me feels like I am "that guy" who after sitting around the house all week watches Chariots of Fire and thinks they can run 26.2 miles.  I don't want to rush into something huge and not be ready for it.  I don't know if there is any spiritual training I should be doing to get ready for this.  

Maybe I should get a gray sweatshirt and run up the steps of the Port Orange City Center.  Who knows.

Anymatter, an ability to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit is worth the self sacrifice.  And hey, it wouldn't hurt me to miss a few meals now and again.

Here is a cool link to some biblical fasting content