Last night I had the pleasure of watching and listening to one of the greatest singer, songwriter, vocalists ever born...Al Jarreau...The first time I had the pleasure of witnessing an Al Jarreau concert was 24 years ago in Orange County at the Pacific Amphitheater. At that time Al was in what some would call his prime, right in the middle of a string of number one hits and album projects. That concert was great, but last night I witnessed an artist and his band culminate 40 years of experience into a group of finely tuned songs that was so captivating that it helped me see something I have been missing in my music...PURE JOY!!!...Every note, every sound, every beat was captured and exploited in a way I had not experienced before...The music had become so much a part of who Al Jarreau was you couldn't tell where the music and Al began or ended.
I couldn't help but think that this kind of dedication, this kind of pursuit of the craft and art of being a musician is what I want to experience...Not for my gain...Not for any accolades, but purely for one thing to have the music I play and sing affect lives as mine was affected last night. If I could bring that kind of intensity and passion to the music of Worship what could the result be? - Half way through the concert last night I thought of how I would describe what I was seeing and hearing and the words "Pure Joy" came to mind...After the concert I asked my wife Lori to describe what she saw and she said..."The only word I can think of is joy!"
The Bible says that "The joy of the Lord is my strength..." So how do you become such a passionate and dedicated musician that people walk away from hearing what you played and exclaim..."That was pure joy!" - Our goal is a lofty one...To be that kind of musician...It starts with a life dedicated to growing in Christ and growing as a musician. It means setting aside real time to be with God and real time to practice and take care of yourself...But the reward is so much greater than Gold and Platinum records and Grammy Awards...Our reward will be one of changed lives' - The "Pure Joy" that people could walk away with, could change their lives' for eternity.
Here's to the goal of a life of worship dedicated to creating music that generates the response of Pure Joy...The perfect pure joy of the creator - May our life's work as musicians crowd the walls of heaven with soul's won to Christ.
This Week:
Wednesday - Christmas Rehearsal (All Choirs) 6:30-8:30 @ SCC Room 129
Thursday - Christmas Rehearsal (All Choirs) 7:00-9:00 @ The University Of Redlands Chapel
Sat. & Sun. - "Overcoming Our Giants" in the Weekend Services - Celebration of the death of Goliath.
Sunday Night - "Reveal" 5:00-6:00 pm - What God Has Done, Vision For the Future.
