Rock Bands and Revivals

I recently attended a Rise Against concert (it was great!). One of the things that I like about Rise Against is that their songs have a point. This is not aimless singing to a catchy beat/tune in order to make money. They are singing to create awareness for a cause, or to get a message across. Several times during the concert Tim  McIlrath, the lead singer, would mention to the audience that it didn't matter who we were, or where we came from when we were in that concert venue - we were family. The Rise Against family.

Here I was in the midst of this family. Family is a good way of describing what it was - here we all were crammed in this small area - yet no one complained. People were bumping into each other - but when someone fell down everyone around him was quick to help him to his feet. Complete strangers put their hands over each others shoulders and swayed to the same song. There was a unity that was unexplainable, save for their enjoyment of a band. A band. That's it. Just four guys with guitars, mics, drums and tattoos. That is what was causing this community. That's it. Those guys don't know the names of the people in the crowd - yet the people in the crowd were willing to follow anything they told them.

In the midst of the songs, the sweat, and being offered a beer (which I was informed did not have a "roofie" in it, I still didn't take it) it hit me, why isn't Church like this? I don't mean why don't we hand out drinks, all stand in a circle and have a mosh pit in the center. I mean why don't we unashamedly declare who we are following, or get psyched about a message, or sing loudly, or turn to our neighbor and high five after a good point in the sermon? I know there are times when I go to church and I'm thinking more about the football game that is on afterwards than what the pastor is saying or I am annoyed that the person behind me is singing way out of tune instead of worshiping with them.

As Rise Against began their set, the lead singer asked the crowd how many of us were there for the first time (a large number, whom I was part of, raised our hands); he welcomed us to the family and then told us that we were going to have a fun time tonight. He then turned his attention from those who were new, to those who had already been there - he reminded them of the fun they had in the different venues they had played in Michigan. In one of the songs the band mourned the loss of a punk rock legend, and the crowd mourned with them. They unashamedly told us to stop being cruel to animals, that they thought some wars were unjust, and that even though America thinks it is the best country in the world it is behind in a lot of statistics and it will take major changes to fix that. How often do we celebrate what God has done in the past? How often do we mourn with people, even if we don't know the deceased/sick/hurting? How often do we stand up for our faith?

(Quick aside about that: If a person was to ask me what sports teams I followed (LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, SD Chargers, and ANH Ducks) I would tell him quickly. Depending on what he said I would be willing to defend why I followed them. I can tell you their history. I can bring up names of the greats. Are we willing to do these same things when people ask about our faith?...but that's for another time...)

So in the midst of a concert, plastic cups and sweaty people I began to pray. I began to pray for the people there, for the band, but mostly for myself. That I would live my life in such a way that people who know who I follow. That I would not get bored of church but remember what (and who) I'm there for. That I would not stop seeing revivals in the midst of a rock band.

The Beginning

I told myself I would never start a blog. Then again, I've told myself that I wouldn't do a lot of things (listen to country, watch NASCAR, get a twitter account, tell anyone that my secret identity is batman...)(well almost all of those are true). So why did I decide to start blogging? There are several reasons, I guess - but none of them are really good ones. First, I felt like doing it and I started one. Second, I've been told by people I should have one. Third, I feel like I have some ideas that I want to share. Fourth (and probably biggest), I need to.

Now that might sound strange that I need to blog, because I really don't. What I mean by I need to blog is that it is a way for me to get my thoughts out in a way that is different than journaling (which I would recommend doing). This blog is not meant to be my personal soap box of ranting, raving, and reviewing - as some blogs often are. There might be times when I rant, or when I rave, or when I review; those, however, are not the goal of this blog. The goal is a journey.

"A journey?!" you might say, "Where are you going to go, your power chord can only be so long and you have to run out of battery at some point? " To that I say you're absolutely right. This isn't about a journey I am going to take on Route 66, but rather about a journey I am taking through Route 66. We might get off and stop in some of the places along the way which may be unfamiliar - Canaan, Jerusalem, Rome - or they might be really familiar - your home, your church, your neighborhood. You may have gathered that I am not actually talking about a journey on a physical Route 66, but instead through a Route 66 that is on your shelf, or beside your bed, or in the nightstand at your hotel.

The Christian Life is often described as a journey. This blog is not an all inclusive tour guide to what you will experience and how to get from point A to point B. Instead, think of this as the picture slide-show as I say what I noticed about the different stops I made along the way.

So, with that being said, let's dim the lights and begin.