My Garage Band Philosophy

Do you ever have those moments where your passion for something runs face first into a wall? You know, those times where what’s in front of you seems impossible to climb, move, or go around, keeping you from reaching your goals?

I usually respond 1 of 2 ways when I'm faced with what seems like an impossible task.

1: I’ll tend to get frustrated and overwhelmed. I look at how much there is to do and more often then not, I get depressed and give up. Sound good?

2: My other response (which I wish I would "turn up") is to take on the Garage Band Philosophy.

Since I’m pretty sure we all know what Option #1 looks like, let me spend a few paragraphs unpacking Option 2. (Disclaimer: This analogy isn’t perfect…but I think you’ll get it.)

Think about the greatest, hugest, most legendary bands of all time…The bands that could fill any stadium any night of the week. (Is it weird if all I can picture in my mind is Enrique? Ok…sorry!)
The thing that is crazy to me as I think about these huge bands (like U2…is that better?) is that they ALL started somewhere. Maybe it was a garage or maybe it was in the bedroom, or maybe it was at a friend’s house that happened to have a drum set. Every bands beginning is different, but every band had a beginning…
It all started…one chord at a time. One melody. One catchy phrase. One verse…One chorus…One song at a time…One show at a time…One fan at a time…the greatest bands took over the world and worked their way to the top…one day at a time.

So here we are…you and I, sitting in the garage, filled with a passion to see Christ formed in the lives around us and to see Gods people discover their true worth in Him. Where do we even begin? There’s so much to do! So many “songs” to write, shows to play, albums to sell and we’re stuck here in this stinky garage getting claustrophobic!
That’s how ministry feels to me a lot. The thought of all the work that’s ahead sometimes tempts me to quit the band, pack up the guitar, and sell it on eBay!

But it’s when I remember that everything I’m passionate about and everything God has called me to be will take place “one chord at a time”. (I was gonna go as far as saying, “Jesus is the Lead Singer” but that may sound cheesy…actually, I kinda like it!)

My prayer is to not miss out on the songwriting process that God has me in right now. My desire is to learn His chord progressions and melodies, and to wait patiently for Him to take the Main Stage in my life and in the lives around me!

BlackBerry's are a Blessing!!!

I did 2 things last week that I swore I'd never do:

1) Buy a NEW cell phone when I can get a free one every 2 years...

2) Wear a BlueTooth ear thingy.

Let me tell you a story...

Matt was unorganized.
He wasted time.
Matt spent 30 min in the presence of God at the Verizon store.
He bought a BlackBerry. He loves it.
Matt still wastes some time...But
He's organized!

The End

This Sunday=LEGIT!

Well, it's time for the summer to begin! This Sunday is what we like to call, "Promotion Sunday" and it's gonna be off the hizzy!!! (I don't know what "on" the hizzy really looks like...but we're gonna be OFF it!!!)

Just make sure you're there! All the action begins at 10:15. I'm so stoked to meet our new freshmen and I can't wait to see what God does this summer!

And Sunday night, JJ Heller (who's awesome!!) will be playing a concert at SCC starting at 7pm and Paige Aufhammer (who's awesome....and the love of my life:) will be performing too!
Hope to see you all there!!!

Zach's Creepy Clown Ringtone

Zach was playing this all morning at our rehersal and now this creepy riff has been stuck in my head ALL STINKIN DAY...and I can't get rid of it!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!! (It doesn't help that it's also set as my ringtone...)

So I thought I would just share this with you so we ALL can sing along!!!

The New iPod With 1,000,000,000 GB's!!!

Last Sunday "Rocked"!!!!!

I was so stoked about how the first week of our "iTunes" series went! Everything came together and there's no way it would've happened without the hard work and sacrifice of some awesome people who stepped up in crazy insane ways! So I just need to give a shout out to my peeps:

Avena- Those ipods are genius! I'm stoked that you're as O.C.D. as me! They look great!
Joey- Loved hearing you rock with the band! The song you wrote is seriously epic!
Seiji- My Beloved Intern... I love having you around!!! I was stoked that you were there working hard and the fact that you were extra 'willing' to help Avena with everything...hmmm...
Trevor and the Band-You guys are 100% Grade A Legitness!
David-My Musical Maestro ...The videos you brought "sealed the deal"!!!
Weston-You're a genius! You're dance moves set the stage! I don't know how you do it...but you do!

It's seriously pumps me up to see the people of God...His Body, the Church, being built up like this! It fires me up to see High School students full of passion to serve God give of themselves...their time, their gifts, their skills...and to see God work through them in such tangible ways!
And most importantly, God was doing business with one particular student during our worship service...and THAT makes it ALL worth it! The truth is, it doesn't matter how big and awesome the ipods are or how much the band rocks...God HAS to move. He's the one that changes the hearts!

Read this verse: Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain..."
Personal translation: "Unless the Lord builds the ipods, the builders labor for nothing..."

Let's be a people that "Labors" for God! Let's BUILD that stinkin house...let's make huge ipods! Lets unleash our God given creativity!...But may we not do it in vain! Jesus HAS to be the center. The foundation. He HAS to be the source of our strength. Otherwise, it's all pointless.

Here are some visuals. Enjoy.