“Jared Taylor lives his life in a brilliant pursuit of Jesus Christ.  Every time I have been around Jared, God has used him to bring me closer to God through studying the Scriptures together.  I am excited about Jared’s book release and know that he has written with caution, prayer and excellence.” 

Recently, I read Jared’s book and am even more convinced of my initial endorsement.  “New Lenses” provides a very unique perspective on discipleship.  Jared utilizes the lives, stories, and lyrics from popular performers, such as Beyonce and Michael Jackson, in order to reveal Christian principles that show up in their successes and failures.

Jared pulls no punches.  In chapter 7, he calls out Michelle Williams (formerly of Destiny’s Child) about a specific song (Gospel Medley) she did that honored the Lord, followed immediately by a song about booty-shaking.  Jared poses the question, “Are not words and actions supposed to match?”  At the heart of Jared’s critique is that all ministers of the Gospel would be effective in their Kingdom work.

Jared’s pursuit is grounded in the Luke 16:8, “for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of the light.”  Throughout “New Lenses,” Jared asks tough questions.  “If we had to choose, would we select God’s business or our own?”  “Are disciples and ministers one and the same?”

The value of this text is increased by the large portions of Scripture that Jared uses.  Hundreds of Scripture verses are mentioned conversationally throughout the chapters.  Jared’s experience as a youth minister and director of a youth choir provide the necessary framework to speak in to the lives of urban youth, using the music industry as a starting point.  Jared wrote of his own text, “The principles I have presented…are not merely techniques for developing the minister.  They are tools to cultivate the Christian.”  As I read this text, I found myself longing for the artists that Jared highlights to read what he has written.  How could this book, “New Lenses,” change the lives of R Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and others?

Ultimately, Jared Taylor’s desire and passion to call people out of mediocrity and in to a true life of biblical discipleship rings true throughout “New Lenses.”  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes this possible in the Christian, and Jared calls the reader to lift up Jesus and press in to the life He desires for us.

For more information, check out:  www.newlensesbook.com

The reason tomorrow is significant is because 8 of the 12 riders are riding in the 21st Annual Tour de Cape.  My friends and I will be going 62 miles tomorrow, Lord willing.  62 miles is a metric century and I rode that far on Wednesday of this week.  It’s the furthest I have ever rode.  So far this week, I have logged 120 miles on my bike, and by the end of tomorrow, I hope to arrive at 183 miles.

If you would like to support my ride to Key West in the next 2 weeks, please click here.  Please put my name in the “Notes” section and give generously.  God bless you.  I love you all.

Upon finding said disc, I was quite flooded with nostalgia – almost in an instant.  I remembered being a college student and going to a similar book store up in MD.  I would spend hours there browsing the CD’s and books, and planning my next purchase.  On more than 1/2 dozen occasions, I came across this really interesting CD – the cover art featured a girl’s profile – she was listening to head phones.  The title of the CD:  “Can You Hear Us?”  The first time I saw it, I thought, “hmmm…this looks like a techno album.”  I passed it up.  A few months later, after passing it up a bunch of times, I gave it a listen and was hooked…instantly!   Songs like “Our Love is Loud” and “Undignified” became regular songs of praise that said exactly what I wanted to say to God.  As I played this disc hundreds of times, I noticed – something was different about this music, this band, and the movement they were a part of.

As we began working with teenagers in 2003, we introduced many of these same songs to our students.  “Undignified” became a youth group staple, and I’ll never forget dancing to it in a massive crowd of brothers and sisters at Creationfest. The next album they released was “illuminate” which remains one of my top ten favorite cds of all time.  Songs like “Intoxicating,” “Deliver Me,” and “Coming Toward” took me deeper in worship to God than ever before.  Sometime around this CD release, the band also released David’s first album, “All I can Say.”  This was a nice addition to the world of worship music as well – songs like, “He Was There” and “Cry Mercy” were exactly what I needed in many valleys.

Some time after that, DC*B released “The Lime CD” which was a cool EP of some live songs and other studio songs.  The “End of October” instrumental track was used on many a mission-trip photo presentation and other Christian-videos.

Then, as with most bands, there was a period of music where I “got-away” from the Crowder band for awhile – to put it nicely.  The “B Collision” album made no sense to me at all – but then again, I don’t like death…or bluegrass.  The Remedy album, just got annoying really quickly because during that season, I somehow saw Crowder live about 3-4 times over a period of 2 years and the live set almost never changed – it just frustrated me how predictable they had become.  I had all but given up on the Crowder band to ever make another “illuminate-esk” record, and then I heard A Collision – which of course came before Remedy.  If you are reading this and have no clue who the David Crowder Band is, their most popular song of all time is on that album, “O Praise Him.”

I will not take much time to talk about the “Sunsets and Sushi” album because it was just horrible.  Techno remixes of Crowder-hits, not well-done at all.  Straight up weak. I have never met anyone who liked it…ever.  But enough about the negative.

I don’t remember the first time I saw DC*B in concert, but all in all, I’d say we have worshiped with them live more than 15 times.  We have been to the Youth Specialties conference the past 7 years in a row and DC*B has been a staple there!  I’ll never forget the time we saw their promo video and David was wearing a “Big Daddy Weave” shirt and pretending to be Big Daddy himself.

Anyone who knows anything about the Crowder band knows that they are quite obscure in their technique, humor, writing, etc. and they don’t really care what anyone thinks or says about it.  If you try to figure them out, you won’t. (See also:  Crowder’s second book about Bluegrass and death).  Speaking of books, Crowder’s first book, “Praise Habit” was a GEM!  I gave a copy to every guy in my wedding party!  I have read that book many times and it never gets old.  I rarely eat a ChickFilA sandwich without thinking about the first chapter and Crowder’s analogy of how he found God in a CFA sandwich – I’m not joking!  Read it! 

Some time in 2010, I think, DC*B released the long awaited cd:  Church Music.  It was different than anything they ever came out with – a reinvention of worship music all over again!  I loved every track, unlike some of my friends!  Songs like “The Nearness” and “Eastern Hymn” were again, not like anything I had heard before, and one of my favorite concerts of all time was when our friends, Al & Lisa Patterson took us to the Church Music tour.  Danyew opened, Seabird was next and then the DC*B.  This was the tour with the drum-set that played itself – super fun and that night at that concert, I got to see the words on the screen and I can remember how much they ministered to me.  That night was instrumental in God’s having Jeremy Willet and I write  a book together.

A few months ago, DC*B called it quits.  I don’t know that I’ve ever had such mixed emotions about a band breaking up.  After releasing 11 albums and being a part of just about every Passion compilation ever, the band members did this crazy thing that I know a little bit about:  they got married and had kids.  I don’t know the details but I am proud of them.  I am thankful for the way they exited.  I am thankful for the creativity that God has birthed in each one of them and the sacrifices they made in the past decade to share it with the world.

Finally, I had the honor of worshiping along with Mr. Crowderband Sir at the 7 Tour – their final tour after 10+ years of music.  David shared testimonies and about one of the first songs they ever wrote, “You Alone.”  This song was crucial to my walk with Christ and learning what it means to worship Him. Then, I got to worship with them again, along with my wife, at the Youth Specialties conference in ATL.  It was an emotional moment for sure.

Oh, by the way…The final DC*B cd is as big as texas – literally.  34 songs on 2 discs, I don’t know if anyone has ever done this!  Buy it.  Love it.  Let it bring you to the cross of Jesus Christ – where freedom reigns.

He alone is holy, He alone Most High, to God be the glory, to God be the glory, Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ!!!  from the new song, “There is a Sound”

10)  Gloria & Bryce have some pretty sweet dance moves to show you

9)  Jeremy Willet will be leading worship

8)  Fun for the whole family (child care provided)

7)  SE Asia stories and pics!

6)  Kenzi has a wicked-cool side ponytail

5)  Chick-Fil-A nuggets & appetizers galore

4)  You can learn more about Global Youth Ministry and how God mobilizes people to reach the nations through YouthHOPE

3)  It’s been 6 months since we’ve seen some of you!

2)  You can help us rejoice and celebrate all that God has done since July

1)  JESUS!

Thank you so much for praying for our family during the last 2 weeks.  God did an amazing work in delivering our passports and visas in His time in order for me to go to SE Asia with the team from Clermont, FL.  He had me there the exact days that He wanted and Karena and the girls did very well during our time apart.  They shared with me how folks from NMSI and YouthHOPE came to visit and make sure that they all were well.  I am thankful for people that are able and willing to “be the Church” to my wife and daughters.

As I process all that God taught me, the pictures, videos and stories, I look forward to sharing them with you.

Tuesday night, December 27th will be the first time that we have the pictures available during our 6-month report.  The event will be held at Uniontown Bible Church on Watson Lane in Carroll County.  Will you plan to join us from 6-8pm for a time of worship, testimony and giving God all the glory?  We would LOVE to see all of you!

For more information:  http://www.facebook.com/events/133757930060968/

11/4 – 11/6  Justin was in Orlando at the Especialidades Juveniles conference (Hispanic Youth Specialties)

11/11   We fly to Maryland (thanks Tom and Ellen Childs).  Emma & Aaron are getting married and Justin is doing the ceremony.  Rehearsal dinner pm.

11/12  Emma and Aaron’s wedding in Taneytown

11/13  Justin preaches at Emmittsburg Community Bible Church.  Our whole family will be in attendance, Lord willing, and this is the best time for Carroll County folk to catch us.  We’d love for you to come and hear a sermon on “Why Global Youth Ministry Matters.”  10am – 300 South Seton Avenue in the Elementary school

11/14 – 11/16  We see family in Glen Burnie and Justin works from the Hunger Strike office

11/17  We fly to Atlanta for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

11/18 – 11/21  We are in ATL

11/22  Ft. Myers

11/23 – 24  Thanksgiving with Jimmy and Amber Akers in Clermont, FL

11/25  Justin flies to SE Asia, co-leading a mission trip

Please pray for us as we travel, that we would make the most of the time that God has given us and have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit says.  We love you all.