facing the music (november/december 2012)

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FacingtheMusic:LecraeMansUp

pk worship leaderlikes surprises

finding sacred in the secular

artist spotlight

seven – issue twenty-seven november – december, 2012 page 3

columns

5 PK PodiumWalking with men all year

6 Man to ManWhen it comes to friends,choose wisely

25 Sports SceneCFL defender lays down beats for Jesus

26 Money Matters What to expect whenyou’re not expecting

27 Out of My DepthEven men can make joyful noises

30 What Women WantIt takes two…to waltz?

departments

8-9 PulseBits. Blip. Beats. Blurbs.

10-11 ReviewsFresh and Familiar. Sound-tracks and SecondChances.

28 Power PlayTools. Toys. Technology.

SEVEN is a Christian magazine for Canadianmen that exists to help men lead morefulfilling lives and leave enduring legacies.

The name reflects the seven promises that form the basis of the Promise Keepersorganization, which works with churches to minister to men across Canada.

one – A promise keeper is committed tohonouring Jesus Christ through worship,prayer, and obedience to God’s Word in the power of the Spirit.

two – A promise keeper is committed topursuing Christ-centred friendships with a few other men, connecting regularly,understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises.

three – A promise keeper is committed to practicing biblical integrity: spiritually,morally, ethically and sexually.

four – A promise keeper is committed to strengthening families and marriagesthrough love, honour, protection, and biblical values.

five – A promise keeper is committed tosupporting the mission of his church byhonouring and praying for his pastor, and by actively giving his time and resources.

six – A promise keeper is committed toreaching beyond racial, social, economic,generational, and denominational barriers to demonstrate that power of biblical unity.

seven – A promise keeper is committed toinfluencing the world by his fervent love forGod while loving his neighbour, seekingjustice for the poor and oppressed, andmaking disciples of Jesus Christ.

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FacingtheMusic:LecraeMansUp

pk worship leaderlikes surprises

finding sacred inthe secular

artist spotlight

on the cover

Facing the MusicTime magazine called it “Christian music’s moment.” Lecrae, a hip-hop artist whose lyrics are inspired by his Christian faith, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 when his sixth album, Gravity, was released in September.

features

12 Father for the fatherless | aaron eppAt the height of music stardom, why is Lecrae calling for men to “Man Up?”

16 PK Worship Leader likes Surprises | frank stirkAndrew Thompson, national worship leader for Promise Keepers Canada, continues to find new joys in the life of a travelling music man.

19 Finding Sacred in the Secular | rob horsley The relationship between sacred and secular is a peculiar one,particularly for popular musicians. Just why are stories like these so interesting?

21 A Day in the Life: Artist Spotlight | robert white The life of a music man can pose significant challenges, especially to the artist’s family. See how these Canadian Christian artists have responded.

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Promise Keepers CanadaBox 20099 RPO Brant HillsBurlington, ON L7P 0A4

(905) [email protected]

Postmaster: Please send address changes to Box 20099 RPO Brant Hills, Burlington, ON L7P 0A4

ISSN 1916-8403Cover image: reachrecords.com

Publisher: Brian KoldykEditorial Director: Jeff StearnsManaging Editor: Rob Horsley

advertisingJohn [email protected] 1-888-901-9700

editorial advisory boardMARC BRULE: WellSpring Community ChurchROB HORSLEY: ChristianWeekKIRK GILES: Promise Keepers CanadaJEFF STEARNS: Promise Keepers CanadaMATT BREIMER: Promise Keepers Canada

editorial204-424 Logan AvenueWinnipeg, MB R3A 0R4Phone: (204) 982-2060(800) [email protected]

Design: ’Segun Oludewww.indigoinkstudios.com

c o n t e n t s november – december, 2012

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The PK Canada logo features amaple leaf, indicating ourdedication to serve the men ofCanada. An arrow breaks into themaple leaf symbolizing the impactwe believe God wants to seePromise Keepers and men makingin our nation.


P K P o d i u m

Promise Keepers Canada is about morethan just conferences. It is ourcommitment to walk with men all year.To do this we have identified three keyelements that are required, to help all ofus in our spiritual journey. These threekey elements form the basis of ourministry activity.

Ignite: Challenging and motivating men to follow Jesus

This is perhaps what we are mostknown for as an organization. Every year,thousands of men gather together to be challenged and motivated at a PK Canada Conference.

In the past, we had fewer events withlarger audiences. However, we havediscovered that we can actually reachmore men by doing smaller events inmore cities. In the next twelve months,we are continuing to add more locations;including events in Grande Prairie,Calgary, Saskatoon, Quebec City, and St. John’s. I know what’s in store for this year’s theme of Alive—you don’t want to miss it.

Equip: Equipping men to live as disciples of Jesus

Being challenged to live as a discipleis one thing, but after a major

event, the realities of lifesettle in. We need ongoing

equipping to live out ourfaith.

The PK@Homeministry reachedalmost 50,000 menlast year throughSEVEN magazine, Menof Integrity devotional,our SpeakerCDs/Podcast, andonline resources.

To strengthen the efforts of the localchurch, we facilitate leadershipworkshops called Grow Your Men – GrowYour Church and make availableresources for Valentine’s Day, Father’sDay, and men’s small groups. We haverecently added a series of workshops thatcan be hosted by your church.

In the coming days, we will belaunching a new ministry initiative calledPK@Work—to encourage and equipbusinessmen.

Impact: Connecting and directing men toinfluence the world for Jesus

Our partnership with EduDeoMinistries provides missionsopportunities for men to serve in a thirdworld country through building schoolsand helping those in need.

Fatherlessness is a one of the greatestissues facing our nation. Over the nextyear, we will be testing a new initiative tohelp address this need.

As you seek to grow as a follower ofJesus Christ, I want to challenge you toconsider these three very simpleelements that are needed for all of us onan ongoing basis—Ignite: joining withother men to be spiritually challenged—Equipped: being equipped daily in yourwalk with God—Impact: what are youdoing to show and proclaim the GoodNews of Jesus?

We are here to serve you—throughoutthe year. Together, we can continue tomove forward in God’s design for ourlives as men.

Kirk Giles is the president of Promise KeepersCanada. However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father toCarter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel.

by Kirk Giles

Walking With Men All YearWhat’s your next step?


Life is full of choices. “Which college should I attend?” “What career will I pursue?”“Who will I marry?”“What will I have for lunch?”“What will I wear to work today?””Where will we go on vacation?”“What will I do this weekend?” “Which team will I root for?” (for methat’s easy: the Green Bay Packers!)

Every single day we make decisions.Some are small and insignificant andothers very difficult and potentially life-changing. I’d like to suggest that one ofthe most important decisions you willmake throughout your life is thefriendships you choose to maintain. Inlarge part, the quality of your life will bedetermined by the relationships andfriends you choose.

During a recent study in the book ofProverbs, I discovered it had just as muchto say about choosing your friends as itdoes about being a friend. It is very clearthat God wants us to choose our friendscarefully and wisely.

Let’s look at a couple of these verses: Proverbs 12:26 – The righteous choose

their friends carefully, but the way of thewicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wiseand become wise, for a companion offools suffers harm.

Proverbs 22:24 –25 – Do not makefriends with a hot tempered person, donot associate with one easily angered, oryou will learn their ways and get yourselfensnared.

Can it be any clearer? When one looksat these verses, we learn the importanceof choosing our friends as well as thedanger of choosing poorly. If we choosewell, we enhance our chance of going inthe right direction. If your desire is to

become like Christ, follow Christ, andserve Christ, then choose friends whohave the same desires and passions. If weassociate with those who are easilyangered, given to swearing, materialismor lustful thoughts and actions, it iscontagious and will affect who we are asmen.

I’ll say it one more time: the course ofyour life will be determined by the friendsyou keep.

My guess is each of you can think backto a time when you chose poorly and theeffect it had on your life. I know I can. Theguys I normally hung out with didn’t evenconsider drinking. But I found myselfslowly spending time with another groupbecause they were the cool guys, andbefore long I found myself involved insome activities that I’m not very proud of.

After several months of ditching my oldfriends, the truth of 1 Corinthians 15:33“bad company corrupts good character,”hit home to me and I realized I needed tomake a choice: return to my friends whowere heading in the direction I wanted togo and who would pull me up to the noblethings in life, or stay with the guys thatwere pulling me down and away from theLord. The choice was simple and to thisday I’m glad I chose well. One of thosemen, Dave, is still my best friend after 40years.

As men we spend a great deal of timesearching for the “right” doctor, lawyer,accountant, and golf pro. And usually wespend very little time carefully searchingfor and aggressively pursuing closefriendships. Here are two key principles tokeep in mind when choosing friends.

Time – The best way to get to knowsomeone and see their character, values,and ethics is to spend time with them.

There’s absolutely no substitute for time.By going to lunch with guys from work, ortaking in a ball game together, or goingfishing for the day you will be able toobserve and learn much about them. Themore time you spend with them, the morelikely you will see their true nature.

Talk – There’s no way of getting aroundit—if you want to see what a man is madeof you will need to talk with him. When I’mwith someone new, I will often askquestions to get to know them and whatis important to them. Questions like: Whatdo you enjoy doing in your free time?What have you read recently? What getsyou excited these days? If you could doanything, what would it be?

When you couple time and talk youhave a window into their soul and it helpsyou determine if they are going to besomeone who will enhance your walk withthe Lord or pull you down. When you dofind a friend or two, they are moreprecious than silver or gold as they will:

Help you try again when you fail.Encourage you when you are

discouraged.Lighten your load when too heavy.Give you strength when tempted.Support you when tragedy strikes.Call you to whole-hearted devotion to

Jesus and serving Him with your life. I am blessed to have a few guys in my

life that do just that, and my hope is youwill cultivate friendships with those whowill do the same in your life.

Steve Sonderman is Pastor of Men’s Ministriesand founder of No Regrets Men’s Ministries. He consults widely with churches worldwide,sharing his passion for ministry to men in every local church. He makes his home inBrookfield, Wisconsin with his wife, Colleen.

By Steve Sonderman

man to man

Choose WiselySurrounding Ourselves with Friends of Integrity


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CANADIAN ARTIST’S FAITH GROUNDSHIM IN THE MIDST OF SUCCESS

TOKYO—Canadian Christian artistManafest recently completed aninterview in Tokyo for ThisIsMeTV, a website that spotlights Christian artistsof all backgrounds, and shares theirstories of how God has been at work intheir lives.

Having once dreamed of a career as a professional skateboarder, hard-rock/hip-hop artist Manafest turned his attention to music after suffering a devastating injury shortly after hecompleted high school. With his left footbruised and leaving him unable to skatefor a good deal of time, Manafest (realname Chris Greenwood) says that Godgave him a passion for music, a passionthat led to ambitious dreams as arock/hip-hop artist.

“I’m a Christian before anything else,”says Manafest, saying that his Christianfaith impacts everything he does as a person, and as an artist. His faith has kept him grounded in the successthat he has had, and allowed him to be a better husband at the same time.

“Be a world changer,” he says, statingthat it’s important to have goals anddreams in order to live life to the fullest.

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COVENANT AWARDS TO BE TELEVISED FOR FIRST TIME EVER

BURLINGTON, ON—The Gospel Music Association (GMA) Canada is set toair the Covenant Awards in early November. GMA Canada has reached anagreement to partner with Crossroads Television System (CTS) for GMACanada Week 2012, in which the awards show will be aired from CrossroadsCentre in Burlington.

“We are excited to partner with CTS for GMA Canada Week 2012,” saysMartin Smith, president of GMA Canada. “CTS has a strong history ofsupporting Canadian Christian music through shows such as!100 HuntleyStreet, Most Requested, and many others.!Broadcasting the CovenantAwards gives all Canadians the opportunity to celebrate the best of CanadianChristian music.”

This will mark the first time in its 34-year history that the Covenant Awardsevent will be aired on television.

GMA Canada Week 2012 runs from November 4!to 7. The week will alsofeature a worship concert to “kick off” the week, as well as workshops withindustry professionals, artist showcases, in addition to the Covenant Awardsbanquet and awards show.


DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS ARELISTENING TO?

FROM THE WEB—Move over BabyMozart; the next generation of musicaltools for fostering creative children is here:in the form of a new app for the iPad.

A Japanese visual design collectiveknown as WOW recently released theVisua Musio app that allows users tocreate atmospheric musical compositionsby adding colourful shapes to a blankcanvas. Though not explicitly described as“just-for-kids” the app appears to begeared primarily towards young children.

Though unable to create the sametypes of musical compositions as Apple’sGarageBand software, Visua Musio offersan application for simple, tangible musiccomposition, something that children canuse to grasp the idea of making music,possibly for the first time.

While the app itself might appear aslittle more than a collection of odd tonesand shapes to adult users, it offers aninteresting example of the ongoingrelationship of sight and sound as initiallyexplored by experimental filmmakers andanimators. Creators of the app cite VisuaMusio as a tribute to those artists.

For more on Visua Musio, search the project atwww.creativeapplications.net

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Record Reviews in 4/4 TimeFresh Meets Familiar in new music releases

Oh Village | Far Side of the Sea | INDEPENDENT

The debut disc from Abbotsford, B.C. rock band Oh Village is an intriguing album with a maturesound, one that belies the band members’ youth. The quartet—singer/pianist Scott Currie, guitaristJake Janzen, bassist David Dueckman and drummer Stephen Dahl—range in age from 17 to 19. Fansof Coldplay and Radiohead will enjoy Far Side of the Sea. The song “Restart” in particular has anopening guitar line that is reminiscent of In Rainbows-era Radiohead. It’s an enchanting, down-tempo tune that will tickle your ear and reward repeated listens. “In This House” is anotherhighlight, with Currie singing, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn / If I settle on the far side of the sea / If I stay in this house as the night goes on / Even there, your hand will guide me.” Listen to Far Side of the Sea and you’ll be treated the sounds of a band that shows a lot of promise and isn’t afraid to experiment. Visit www.ohvillage.com. Review score: 3.5 out of 5

Shad | Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness | INDEPENDENT

Vancouver hip-hop artist Shad doesn’t express his Christian faith in the same, explicit way that anartist like Lecrae does, but his lyrics are nonetheless inspiring. This mini EP, released via Shad’sBandcamp page this past July, is pure joy. Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness packs five songsinto 11 minutes. They’re more like sketches than songs, really, giving Shad a chance to spit cleverrhymes over fun samples from songs by Milli Vanilli, The Breeders, Lenny Kravitz, Prince and PMDawn. Lines on Melancholy like, “It’s not just Milli Vanilli / City to city, I’m Diddy samplin’ ScrittiPolitti / Until I’m dizzy, Shad kizzy—whattup” may seem nonsensical at first, but it’s enjoyable tohear one of Canada’s most gifted hip-hop artists stretch out and have some fun. Shad’s at the topof his game on Melancholy, and it only makes me look forward to his next album even more. Download this EP for free at www.shadk.bandcamp.com Review score: 4 out of 5

TobyMac | Eye On It | FOREFRONT/EMI

Over the course of five studio albums, three remix releases and a live disc, former dc Talk memberToby McKeehan, a.k.a. TobyMac, has become one of the biggest stars of today’s ContemporaryChristian Music scene with his blend of pop, rock, hip-hop, dance and reggae music. Released atthe end of August, Eye On It is a collection of 12 songs that, musically-speaking, wouldn’t sound out of place on today’s secular Top 40 charts. Lead single “Me Without You” is an Owl City-likeelectro-pop song in which McKeehan sings about what his life would be like without God, while a few of the songs, such as the title track, experiment with elements of dubstep. While theproduction is top-notch and the lyrics are positive, Eye On It is an innocuous collection of songsthat doesn’t include anything as truly moving as “Tonight” and “Get Back Up,” the standout tracks from his 2010 album, Tonight. Available on iTunes Review score: 3 out of 5

Steve Bell | Keening for the Dawn | SIGNPOST MUSIC

Christmas comes early for fans of acclaimed Winnipeg singer-songwriter Steve Bell, whose latestrelease, Keening for the Dawn, contains 12 songs that reflect on the Church seasons of Advent,Christmastide and Epiphany. “On and on the night goes on / Brooding dark before the dawn / Weare waiting,” Bell sings on the title track. “Keening for the dawn as such / Stirs the memory of yourtouch / We are waiting / We are waiting.” Although the songwriting on Bell’s albums is alwaysmarvellous, the songs have on occasion suffered from over-production. Not so on Keening for theDawn. As on 2010’s Kindness, Bell and co-producers Dave Zeglinski and Murray Pulver have hit onjust the right mixture of instruments and vocals to tastefully serve these songs. Longtime fans ofBell’s work will not be disappointed with Keening for the Dawn, and for people who have neverheard Bell’s music before, the album is an excellent entryway into his rich body of work.Available November 12 Review score: 4 out of 5

Reviews by Aaron Epp


Soundtracks. Second Chances. Graphic Novel Devotions.

HEAR NO EVILby Matthew Paul Turner

The effect music has on our lives,particularly our spiritual life, can beprofound. Following this theme, Turnerdraws from personal experience toweave a compelling story with humourand insight. No stranger to the Christianmusic scene, Turner attended Nashville’sBelmont University and received a BBA inmusic business. He then went on to lineup acts for coffee houses and laterbecame the editor of CCM magazine. As I read this book I identified with manyof his experiences and rememberedmany of the artists he talked about. I personally know many Christian artists that have had a profound impact on my faith.

Readers should be cautioned: while I found myself nodding in agreementwith much of his story, some of Turner’sobservations are definitely cringe-worthy.Many times it was because he was beingpainfully honest—something that manyreaders may find uncomfortable. Noteveryone will agree with what he has tosay or be grateful for his reflections.However, it is seldom that you readanything that you agree with 100 per centand in the end I really enjoyed listeningto his “life soundtrack” with him.

FINALLY FREEby Michael Vick

I did a double take when this firstcame across my desk and I assumed ithad to be a mistake. Isn’t Michael Vickthe quarterback that was convicted in thedog fighting scandal? One of the mostcontroversial players in recent history?How can this be coming out from aChristian publisher? It was as I turned itover that I saw the endorsement fromTony Dungy “Finally Free tells an amazingstory. It’s not all pretty, but it’s real. Thisbook will let you know why I’m proud ofMichael Vick and honoured to call him afriend.”

I have a lot of respect for Tony Dungyand it was enough for me to give thebook—and Michael—a chance.

Finally Free is about God’s grace andthe second chance he gives all of us. Ittells the story of Michael learning lessonsthe hard way, coming to faith and hisdrive to put God first. He evensummarizes with seven principals henow lives by. They aren’t PK’s sevenpromises but they are awfully close.

I am grateful we worship a God ofsecond chances.

THE ACTION BIBLE DEVOTIONALby Jeremy V. Jones, illustrated by Sergio Cariello

Getting boys to read is not alwayseasy; finding a good devotional that theywill want to use is difficult at best. TheAction Bible Devotional has the potentialto be the big exception.

This one-year devotional takes aunique approach. The Scripture passagefor each week consists of the comic bookversion of the text and is taken from theAction Bible (one of our most popularresources—guys love comic books). Eachdevotion then includes a key verse and adevotional passage written to connectthe story to your life. What I particularlyliked was that it didn’t end with Bible

knowledge but also gave boys a weeklymission—three ideas to put what youhave learned into action. It also includedcreative questions for further reflection.

I am anxious to introduce this to myson and see if this is something we couldenjoy together.

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Reviews by Jeff Stearns


f e a t u r e s

By Aaron Epp

Father for the fatherless: Challenging Others to Man UpNew record from Lecrae calls for Hands-On Faith

Time magazine called it “Christian music’s moment.” Lecrae, a hip-hop artist whose lyrics are inspired by hisChristian faith, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200when his sixth album, Gravity, was released in September. He had already claimed the number one spot on iTunes,including owning the first, second and seventh slots oniTunes’ hip-hop chart at the same time for the deluxe andregular versions of Gravity and his mixtape, Church Clothes.

The rapper’s chart-topping success is just another step in a career that has seen him start both a record company and aministry, sell hundreds of thousands of albums, earn Grammyand GMA Dove Award nominations, and receive praise fromathletes like Tim Tebow, Bubba Watson and Jeremy Lin.

Not bad for a guy who, instead of singing about ‘gangsta life’or doing drugs, spits selfless rhymes like, “Feed the hungry andtouch the sick / We gon’ help the homeless and love the kids.”As he pointed out on his Instagram account when Gravityreached the top spot on iTunes, “Dear Hip Hop, this didn’thappen because of swag, drug reference, or stripper anthems.#Godisgood.”

“I’m passionate about my faith,” the 33-year-old told Timein September, “and want to create great music that provides an alternative.”

Fatherless gangsterIt wasn’t always that way, though. Born Lecrae Moore in

Houston, Texas to a single mother, Lecrae never knew his fathergrowing up. Lecrae’s father abandoned his mother and becamea drug addict.

“I grew up wrestling with significance because my father andmother weren’t together,” Lecrae told IAmSecond.com last year.“I felt like my dad was a piece of my life that I needed to have tofeel like I was somebody.”

His single mother worked a lot, leaving him in the care offamily and friends. The hip-hop music videos he watched at hisgrandmother’s house had a deep impact on him and gave himthe role models he was looking for.

“I found people to look up to,” Lecrae said. “There were noBarack Obamas, there were no Martin Luther Kings or MalcolmXs—they had all passed away. So, I had Tupac.”

Lecrae wasn’t a great athlete, he wasn’t a particularly brightstudent and he wasn’t the toughest guy in school, but he writinghip-hop songs gave him a purpose.

“Being able to rap was my source of significance.”Lecrae looked up to gangsters and clearly remembers the day

his uncle showed him a real gun. Soon after, Lecrae took a BBgun into the street and pointed it at a car. The driver freaked out.

“To me, that was fun,” Lecrae said.By the time he was 16, Lecrae was doing drugs, getting into

fights and had been arrested for stealing.“I would say before I dedicated my life to living for God, I was

really your average thrill seeker,” he told Complex magazine thispast June. “Whatever came, came. They nicknamed me ‘Crazy



‘Crae.’ I would just do whatever, whenever, however. I’d getdrunk, jump out of a third-story balcony. So I just lived reckless. I think I just didn’t really know what I was living for. I was justliving for whatever happens today and that was the extent of it for me.”

Lecrae’s life began to change when a friend invited him to a conference where he saw Christian hip-hop group The CrossMovement perform.

“[I see at this conference] guys who had been shot from beingin gangs, girls who were extremely promiscuous in the past, I see rappers, I see dancers, I see singers; I see people whocame from the same background I came from,” Lecrae toldIAmSecond.com. “They still embodied who they were culturally, but they were all in love with Jesus, and I’d never seen that before.”

A speaker at the conference who spoke about Jesus dying on the cross also impacted Lecrae.

“It made me think, man, somebody thinks I’m significantenough to die for me—significant enough to climb on thismountain with this cross on his back and take nails in his wrists and his feet for me.”

Lecrae’s life changed when he became a Christian.He began volunteering at a juvenile detention centre where

he would rap for the inmates about the struggles he hadexperienced prior to becoming a Christian. Some of them wouldweep, and some were so impacted that they requested to hearthe songs again.

“It hit me,” Lecrae recalled. “This is what I want to do. I wantto use music to offer hope and encouragement to people.”

Bridging the gapFive years after becoming a Christian, Lecrae teamed up with

a friend to start Reach Records. The label released his debutalbum, Real Talk, in 2004.

Lecrae also co-founded ReachLife Ministries, an organizationthat, according to its website, “exists to help bridge the gapbetween biblical truth and the urban context.” One of theministry’s recent initiatives was Man Up, a conference held inAtlanta, Georgia this past April.

The two-day event was part of The Man Up Campaign thatReachLife started “calling men in the hip-hop culture to truebiblical manhood through repentance and faith in Christ,” the organization’s website says. “It is our call for men in urban culture to repent for their failure to become the men that God has created them to be and for believers to live as who they truly are in Christ.”

Lecrae’s life began to changewhen a friend invited him to a conference where he sawChristian hip-hop group The Cross Movement perform.

The campaign includes a film, concert series, album andcurriculum for church and small group use.

“Everybody on staff at ReachLife and the artists at Reach Records realized that biblical masculinity was one ofthe things lacking in culture, specifically urban culture,”Lecrae told Christianity Today earlier this year.

Lecrae told the magazine that the Man Up Campaignaddresses father absence by telling “young African Americanmales that you're immediately an example for other AfricanAmerican males in the community at large. Not only are theyoung men challenged and encouraged by this, but also theyoung ladies, because they get to see what they should belooking for and how to encourage their brothers in thedirection of taking leadership and responsibility.”

Man Up’s impact is reaching beyond Atlanta and theChristian community. Atlanta politicians have shown interest in partnering with Man Up to address local fatherabsence, and Lecrae was invited to speak in Washington, D.C.this past spring.

“I spoke with a lot of Congress members and also to one ofPresident Obama’s leaders for his fatherhood campaign,”Lecrae told Christianity Today.

As a husband and father of three, Lecrae feels thecampaign is especially important.

“Now I’m a husband and a father, and I’ve never seen thisfleshed out in the home, so I only know what I’ve read andwhat men have taught me,” he said. “That’s why it’s crucialand important for other men to learn while they have theopportunity.”

He’s a successful recording artist getting coverage in Time now, but Lecrae still remembers when he was someonewho “didn’t fit in anywhere. I was just a misfit of a person.”

Thanks to God’s grace, that has changed.“I spent a lot of time [prior to becoming a Christian] looking

for father figures,” Lecrae told IAmSecond.com. “God has shown me that ultimately, he’s my Father. That drives me to keep pressing [on].

“I’ve learned to stay close to my source of significance,to my source of worth,” he added, “and that’s God.”

Aaron Epp is the managing editor of The Uniter, TheUniversity of Winnipeg's weekly urban journal, and a seniorcorrespondent of ChristianWeek newspaper in Winnipeg.


Andrew Thompson just can’t wait to get on the road again.Thompson is the assistant pastor at Wellspring CommunityChurch in Welland, Ontario. For the past two years, he’s alsobeen the national worship leader for Promise Keepers Canada.That means travelling over a dozen weekends a year todifferent parts of the country to lead the music at PKconferences.

“I look forward to it,” he says. “It’s fun and it’s work. It’salways great to see and to be surprised by what God does ineach city and in each event, to hear the stories of how men’slives are being impacted by God, and how they’re beingtransformed.”

God and music have been part of Thompson’s life for aboutas long as he can remember. He surrendered his life to Christwhen he was just four years old, which was about the same time that he sang his first solo in church.

In fact, they have such a grip on him that Thompson, who’s aregistered nurse, decided some years ago not to pursue his

dream of becoming a doctor and missionary. “I realized that if I took that path,” he says, “I was going to be making a seriouschoice to disengage [to] a certain degree from singing at mychurch, because I knew the significant amount of dedication I would have to give to becoming a doctor. And so I made achoice not to.”

That decision freed Thompson to get more involved withworship at Wellspring, becoming its worship pastor and directorof outreach in 2000. It was there that he first came into contactwith Promise Keepers, starting as a volunteer background singerat local events. In 2010, he became national worship leader forPK Canada, taking over from Marc Brulé, who also happens to be a pastor at Wellspring.

Thompson works with the PK national team leaders onselecting songs for the conferences, always mindful that mostmen like their music upbeat and loud. (Women, he says, prefer “more emotive, me-and-Jesus-that’s-all-I-need songs.They love that.”)


f e a t u r e s

PK worship leader likes surprisesAndrew Thompson leads the call to be men of action

By Frank Stirk


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“We do songs that really rock, songs about God’s attributes,His greatness, the more theologically dense songs,” Thompsonsays. “And dedication songs like ‘Take My Life and Let It Be.’And call-to-action songs. Guys like to be challenged.”

From there, Thompson works with the event contact person to put together a band of musicians from local churches. He’llcome in early to rehearse with the band. It’s an arrangement hemuch prefers over coming to town with his own band.

“I always enjoy the surprise that I find in working withdifferent bands,” says Thompson. “They bring something to the table sometimes that I wouldn’t have thought of that reallytakes a song to a different level. I’m doing essentially the samelist this year 14 times. And so for there to be variety in that,that’s great!”

At three of those events—Mississauga on November 16-17,Winnipeg on March 8-9, and Lethbridge on April 26-27—Thompson and company will be joined by Robin Mark, the well

known, world-travelled, Irish singer-songwriter and a PK favourite.

“Robin is part of the fabric of Promise Keepers Canada now.His music is part of our culture. He really resonates with guys. He is the Everyman, and his songs are relevant to them thatway,” says Thompson. “And he has a great heart, a very keensense of God’s moving. The grace with which he handles people is wonderful to see.”

When Thompson is on stage leading the music, he says he is“more than anything listening to the Holy Spirit.” This is one onlyway to tell if men are truly being drawn into the presence of God.A raised hand, he believes, is no sure indicator of where a man’sheart is at, since some could be raising it just out of habit.

“Most of the time, guys are in very quickly. If they are singingout the songs, that means they’re in,” he says. “But there could also be the guy who just came from work, is exhausted,doesn’t sing, but in listening to the words of the songs and

Thompson is very aware thatbeyond the songs and theemotions they generate (or don’t),every man on the stage is asoldier engaged in spiritualwarfare—and the battleground isthe hearts and minds of everyman in the room.


f e a t u r e s

everything else going on around him, is going, ‘God, you arerocking my world.’”

Thompson adds, “We’ve been in a couple of environmentswhere it doesn’t work, and we’ve understood later that therewere some real spiritual dynamics going on there. You just have to continue to press through, regardless of whether they’re responding.”

Thompson is very aware that beyond the songs and theemotions they generate (or don’t), every man on the stage is a soldier engaged inspiritual warfare—andthe battleground is the hearts andminds of every man in the room.

“In the OldTestament, the kingput the musicians atthe front of his army.That was a great placeto be, but they knewand recognized howimportant their rolewas just to sing thepraises of God in frontof their army.Sometimes you have to do that, takethe risk, until there’s a breakthrough,” he says.

“That’s why prayeris so important to us. I need prayer. My wifeand kids need prayer.All of the staff that areparticipating in thisneed prayer. We recognize that we are not just doingsomething good, butwe are in the midstof a spiritual battle,and we need to take it seriously.”

Andrew Thompson

Thompsonreleases first CDFor sale at Promise Keeper Canada’s conferences this year will be Andrew Thompson’s new CD release,The God Who Sees. “It’s been a long time coming. I’m just really excited, honoured, humbled to be able to do this,” he says.

Thompson wrote or co-wrote all of the songs.Although they’re aimed at a general audience, some of the songs have been featured at PK events—including a Celtic-flavoured tune that Robin Marksings lead on. The album is also available in theiTunes store.

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Finding Sacred in the Secular:Cash, Cooper and CorganPopular artists seeking the divine melody

By Rob Horsley

The relationship between sacred and secular is apeculiar one, particularly for popular musicians.Since the early days of rock and roll, many artistshave expressed belief in some kind of higher poweror divine being. Though many are reluctant to go intospecifics as to what this being looks like, severalmainstream artists acknowledge their belief in theGod of Christianity.

But while God may still be registering on the radar of many popular musicians, such relationships mightlook odd to Christian observers. After all, if thesepeople are really Christians, why isn’t their lifestylematching up with that?

Take Johnny Cash for instance. The original “Man in Black” once released a spoken-recording of the King James Version of the New Testament. He alsoauthored The Man in White, a book comparing hisconversion experience to that of the Apostle Paul in theBook of Acts. He was also noted for being friends with

evangelist Billy Graham, collaborating with him on The Gospel Road, a film for which Cash assumed co-writer and narrator duties.

At the same time, Cash was notorious for battlingsubstance for much of his musical career, and foundhimself in and out of rehabilitation programs over thecourse of several decades. Though his faith in God waswell documented, Cash just couldn’t seem to ridhimself of the drug-related demons that tormentedhim for much of his life.

Encounters with substance are a familiar topic formany in the rock music world. Heavy-metal musicianAlice Cooper was an admitted alcoholic for much of his early career and made a name for himself as theoriginal shock-rock artist, an image that inspired figureslike Marilyn Manson in later decades.

Cooper kicked his alcohol habits and eventuallyfound Christ in the mid-1980s. Since then, Cooper hasrefrained from alcohol use altogether, and has become

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more vocal about his faith asa Christian in recent years. His shock-rock imagehowever, is still one heupholds, continuing to wearheavy black makeup andghoulish performance attire, a choice that still raises theeyebrows of some membersof the Christian faith.

“I’m the first one to rock asloud as I can, but when itcomes to what I believe, I’mthe first one to defend it too,”says Cooper in an interviewwith JesusJournal.com. “It hasalso gotten me in trouble withthe staunch Christians whobelieve that in order to be aChristian you have to be on your knees 24 hours a day in a closet somewhere.”

Though not a member of any formal religious group,singer/guitarist Billy Corgan of the alternative rock outfitSmashing Pumpkins has expressed some form of Christian faith,and has been described as an active seeker of Jesus at points in his life. Spiritual themes continue to feature strongly in hismusic, and Corgan is said to devote time each day to prayer.

However, Corgan’s relationship with God is another strange example of popular artists embracing Christianity from a distance.

“God is just out my back door, yet I choose not to visit,” heonce stated on his [now-defunct] website for inter-faith dialogue.“I would rather sit alone and scheme on how to be remembered,on what more that I can do here to cement the evidence that I once walked these roads with you. [It’s] a futile exercise. I know it is, and yet I persist.”

Corgan’s spiritual identity, as well as those of fellowmusicians Cash and Cooper, adds to the already complexrelationship between secular art and sacred expression. Why is this the case? And why do figures like these capture our attention so vividly, sometimes even more than a sermon or worship song?

For Cash, the struggles of drug use were a curse that plaguedthe singer well into the later years of his career. Corgan hasnever been able to fully embrace a faith God, though the longingis clearly there. Cooper, perhaps the most comfortable Christian

of this trio, remains somewhatof a mystery given that hispersona has changed relativelylittle despite his conversionand ongoing commitment. So why are these stories so interesting?

Part of the answer might lie in the way that secularartists depict the world aroundthem in their music. Whilecontemporary Christian artistsdo a fantastic job of lifting thespirits of churches andcongregants, there seems to be something missing fromexpressions like these at times.

Christian music has beencriticized now and again for

feeling empty, and not an accurate reflection of the way thingsactually occur in the real world. While this might come across as an overly cynical perspective (and perhaps rightly so) theremight be some truth in the claim that secular artists have done a better job at capturing the struggles of faith—thelaments, the turmoils, the emptiness—than their Christian-music counterparts.

Feelings like these aren’t limited to non-believers. Christians can experience times of despair too. A good portionof the Book of Psalms captures feelings of lament and sorrow,though Christian music is often not reflective of this.

For some, the choruses of praise in Christian music may notseem to accurately describe a particular moment in their lives.

Seeing secular artists struggle to find faith, as well as their place in the world, is something that many Christians can resonate with, and serve as a reminder that no one has it all figured out—it’s sometimes encouraging to know thateveryone, from superstars to regular Joes can find themselvesunsure of what they believe.

God continues to call. Stars like Alice Cooper have found their way to Him, and find comfort in who they are through theirlife in Christ. Finding Jesus doesn’t mean an instant turnaround,as seen in the chronic battles of Johnny Cash. And for peoplelike Billy Corgan, faith may seem a step too big to take, despiteknowing that God is waiting. Whatever your place in the journey,be reminded that God continues to call His children to a place inHis holy harmony of believers.

Finding sacred in the secular

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A Day inthe LifeSpotlight on

Canadian

Christian

Artists

By Robert White

The life of the ‘travelling-music-man’

can be a difficult one, particularly for

the artist’s family. For many artists in

the Canadian Christian music scene,

the rhythm and pace of their careers

have be cause for reflection as they

seek balance in being musicians,

husbands, fathers, and men of God.

Brandt finds balanceWith nearly 30 awards—Canadian Country Music,

Junos, GMA Canada Covenant, Country Music, CMT(US) and Western Canadian Music—Paul Brandt isCanada’s most awarded male country musician.

Before finding success as an artist, the Calgarynative wanted to be a doctor. Instead, while working as a nurse at Alberta Children’s Hospital, he enteredthe Calgary Stampede’s Youth Talent Showdown.Brandt quickly left the bandages and bedpans ofCalgary behind for the studios and stages of Nashville.In 1996, his first single, “My Heart has a History,” hitnumber one in Canada and broke the Billboard Top 10.

Last year, Brandt capped off 15 years of songwriting,recording and touring with NOW (a retrospective boxedset), Give It Away (his 10th album), a performance forPrince William and Princess Kate and as the host ofCMT (Canada)’s Build it Forward.

“The biggest thing istrying to maintain somekind of balance,” saysBrandt about his career.“It’s a business that reallypushes hard for certainseasons of work.

“You’re lucky to catch a couple hours of sleepwhile you’re going reallyhard at touring orworking on new music,promoting projects or whatever.”

Brandt cites his wife,Liz, and “solid friends”who could “ask me theimportant questions,” as keys to stayingbalanced, as well assome long-lastingadvice from his pastor.

“He told me ‘the best way to maintain balance in your life if you’re a person who believes in God is to put Him first, then put Him second, put Him third and everything else falls into place on its own,’” recalls Brandt.

Visit www.paulbrandt.com

downhere knew when to move on

After about a dozen years of recording and playingtogether, the four members of downhere decided tocall it quits.

The alternative rock band was started in 1999 byMarc Martel and Jason Germain who were roommatesat Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Sask. Theoriginal lineup included Jeremy Thiessen, TysonManning and Corey Doak. Manning and Doakdeparted and Glenn Lavender joined when the group moved to Nashville in 2001.

Earlier this year, the band announced that January1, 2013 would “mark the end of our travelling ministryfor the foreseeable future.” The release to fans andsupporters emphasized “this is not a band break up.In fact, we are open to playing a select few shows orevents in the future.”

Lavender says there had been a few times whendownhere thought about ‘hanging up their skates,’but there was always a sense that God wanted themto continue. But not this time.

“The fathering hand of God that put us together and allowed us to do what we do for the last 10 yearsseems to be causing us to end,” says Lavender. “The timing is now based on our circumstances and what’s going on.”

Those circumstances, for a band that quicklydeveloped a loyal following and earned 21 GMACanada Covenant awards, one GMA Dove award and four Juno awards, include growing families and Martel's involvement with the QueenExtravaganza band.

“We’re not saying we’re breaking up or we’re totallydone or anything but this season that we’ve been in

needs to change,” says Lavender.

Visit www.downhere.com


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Whenlifethrows curveballs

As the writer of several award-winning tracks like“Refiner’s Fire,” “Faithful One,” “Come, Now is theTime to Worship,” “Holy God,” and “Today (As For Me and My House),” one might assume that BrianDoerksen would have life together. But the storybehind Doerksen’s song “Your Faithfulness” paints a different picture.

Doerksen and his wife, Joyce, already had one sonwho had been diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome—acondition that causes severe developmental delays.Living in England, awaiting the birth of their sixth child (having already given birth to four daughters),the Doerksens knew that if it was another boy, hemight be born with Fragile X as well.

Recalling the song’s history on www.re-vive.com,Doerksen wrote, “As I began to pour out my heart atthe piano, this song spilled out amid the tears withthe assurance that there is only one thing we canreally count on, even when we don’t understand. The faithfulness of God.”

“I don’t know what this day will bringWill it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?I don’t know what tomorrow holdsStill I know I can trust Your faithfulness”The day after he penned those lyrics, Ben was

born—and also eventually diagnosed with Fragile X. Some would call the Doerksens heroes for raising

two special needs children. Instead, Doersksen, wholives on a homestead outside Abbotsford, B.C., pointsto God’s faithfulness, saying in a recent Claritymagazine article that raising Ben, now 20, and Isaiah,12, is “a sincere expression of who they are.

“We’re very ordinary people who are trying to figureout how this works,” Doerksen says in the article.

Visit www.briandoerksen.com


f e a t u r e sf e a t u r e s

In it for the long haulFamily, friends and community are key Winnipeg

musician Steve Bell’s 35 years in music. He beganplaying the bar circuit in Winnipeg during the late ‘70s before a spiritual awakening in the late ‘80s,when he began writing and performing music from a Christian perspective.

Since his first solo project, 1989’s Comfort MyPeople, he’s produced 15 CDs, which have sold over300,000 copies. Bell’s work has earned numerousaccolades including two Juno Awards and multiplePrairie Music, GMA Canada Covenant, Vibe, andWestern Canadian Music Awards.

Bell, referring to his longevity, jokingly says he’s “not really good at anything else” beforeadmitting there’s an inner sense that he’s beencreated for music.

“I do it because, when I’m performing, to quote Eric Liddell, ‘I feel the pleasure of God,” says Bell.

Along the way he’s been supported by two keypeople: his wife, Nanci, and his business partner,Dave Zeglinski.

“My wife affirmed me years ago. She’s nevercomplained about the time I spend on the road,” says Bell. “She believes in this as much as I do.”

He stumbled upon Zeglinski early in his career as someone who could do the work a musician can’t,or often won’t. It was an organic relationship, with a common vision for Bell’s ministry.

“And I’ve had tremendous community support:people who have come on board to help with the cost of recording or touring,” he says, comparinghimself to the “prow of a boat.

“I feel it in my bones that I’m part of somethingmuch bigger than myself.”

Visit www.stevebell.com

Putting first things firstFor Guelph, Ontario jazz violinist Trevor Dick,

his main ministry isn’t the music he makes but thefamily he raises. Born in Nigeria to missionary parents,Dick’s dad tragically died in a car accident while the family was still in the mission field.

His mother moved the family to Nanaimo, B.C.where Dick picked up the violin and toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada beforestudying music and education at the University of Toronto. During his stint as a worship pastor inGuelph, Dick “came to the conclusion that my number one ministry is my family.

“And when that callingwent frombeing a musicpastor to aparachurchministry asmusic artist, myphilosophicalapproach toministry stayedthe same,” he says.

Mainly a soloartist, Dick hasperformed andtoured with RobinMark, CarolynArends, Amanda Falkand Geoff Moore. And his five CDs have earned two GMA Canada Covenant awards.

But it’s his family time that he prizes most. Helimits his touring—recently turning down a 14-plus daytour on the East Coast for tour that was 10-days long—despite the financial advantages to a longer tour.

When he’s home, Dick carves out time in hisschedule to be with his family. He alternates Thursdaymorning breakfasts between his three boys.

“Monday night is also ‘daddy night’ where we hang out and do stuff together,” says Dick. And heand his wife Le-Anne have weekly lunches.

“I find by sticking to what I believe, God’s beenblessing that. I’m more interested in a healthy familythan money,” says Dick. “That’s what’s going tomatter in the end.”

Visit www.flyingbow.com

Canadian Christian artists


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Canadian Christian artists


If you’re a fan of the Canadian FootballLeague, you may have seen HenocMuamba listening to music. And youmight think the Winnipeg Blue Bombermiddle linebacker is listening to hisfavorite hip-hop or rap artist; someonelike Jay-Z or Rick Ross or Ludacris.

And you would almost be correct.Muamba, a 23-year-old from

Mississauga, Ontario, who played hiscollege football at St. Francis XavierUniversity in Antigonish, Nova Scotia,does indeed love hip-hop and rap music.The difference between him and a lot ofother pro football players is that Muambaprefers “gospel rap.” When he’s listeningto music, he’s not listening to “gangstarap,” but instead artists like Lecrae, TripLee or Sho Baraka, names that many rapfans don’t know well.

“I was actually surprised when I got toWinnipeg,” Muamba said. “I thought I’dbe the only guy on a professional footballteam listening to gospel rap, but I foundout a lot of guys listen to it.

“I like it because it has a great beat andI’m attracted to the message.”

And, as it turns out, it’s a lot morepopular than today’s pop, dance, rap andhip-hop radio programmers would haveyou believe.

Of course, so too, is Muamba, a youngman born Kinshasa, Congo, who movedto Canada as a child, and started playingfootball at Father Michael GoetzSecondary School in Mississauga. From there he went on to become one of the best players in Canadian Universityfootball and was the Blue Bombers’ first selection in the 2011 CFL entry draft.

Last year in Winnipeg, he played onspecial teams and waited for his turn to join the defensive roster. This year, he was the backup middle linebackercoming out of training camp, but by

the midway point in the season he had earned a starting role.

To his credit, he has improved withevery game—and in Week 13, after theBombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12, he was named the CFL’s Canadian Player of the Week.

Although the Bombers have not played particularly well as a team thisseason, Muamba, a 6-foot, 230-poundmiddle linebacker, has been one of theshining stars. And, be sure, he does nothesitate to thank his Lord Jesus Christ for all of his success.

“I am born again and I am so grateful,”says Muamba unapologetically. “I grewup in a Christian home and the Church has always been a big part of my life.But it’s bigger now than it’s ever been.”

It is often difficult to attend churchregularly when you’re a professionalathlete, living away from home and often traveling on weekends, but he does attend the Bombers Football Chapelconvened by team pastor Lorne Korol.

However, in today’s world, you always have modern technology.Muamba, who admits he’s attended “a number of churches in Winnipeg,”always returns to his computer to get what he needs.

“I’ve attended a few different churches, but I don’t have a home churchin Winnipeg yet,” he says. “But I go tofootball chapel and I go to church online.”

Online?“Yeah, my church in Mississauga,

Kingdom Covenant Church, has completeon-line services,” Muamba says. “I watcha lot of video from my church and theweekly sermon is always online. Theworld has really changed.”

And so, too, has sacred music. Take, for instance, these lyrics fromLecrae’s song, “No Regrets:’

“You only live once so live it up tonightI hope we live twice cause I can't wait to

give up this lifeDon't get me wrong I love my fam and

my experienceBeen around the world and back seven

wonders I done seen ‘emNumber eight is just us wonderin what

happens when we perishAnd I don't want no regrets I'm a tell

the ones I cherishThat I love ‘em thinking of 'em on this

red eye flight to ParisIf I die before I wake at my wake please

tell my parentsThat your son will positively wake in

paradise”Those aren’t “gangsta” lyrics.“I love this music because it’s the style

of music I enjoy, but also the lyrics arepositive and uplifting,” Muamba says. “Iget a great deal of comfort from my faith,but I’m a 23-year-old guy and I like thesame music most 23-year-old guys like.I’ve just found a form of that music thatmakes me feel good, not angry or hateful.And I’m pleasantly surprised that a lot ofmy teammates listen to it, too.”

Scott Taylor is a Winnipeg-based sportswriter and broadcaster.

f e a t u r e sf e a t u r e s

by Scott Taylor

CFL Star Finds a Beat all his ownMuamba’s Love for Rap has a Gospel Sound

sports scene

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We hear a lot about risk managementthese days, and for good reason: it’s arelevant topic for the current economicenvironment. Every day we areconfronted with a myriad of risks in ourpersonal and working lives. In itssimplest form, risk is the potential thatan event, an action, an activity, orinaction or inactivity, will lead to anundesirable outcome. Some risks poselittle or no material impact and arehighly improbable, while others aremore probable and pose significantmaterial impact. Regardless, we cannotescape the fact that risks are ever-present—and influence our activitiesand well-being.

Risk management is the process ofidentifying, assessing and prioritizingrisks, followed by using resources to steerclear of undesirable events. Generally,“impact” is equated with “loss”—whetherthe loss be money or otherwise (loss oflife, for example).

Risk management can be methodicaland formalized, or informal andcircumstantial, such as:

Should I go through the intersection•with the yellow light, or should I stop? Should I use my tax refund to pay•down my mortgage or to invest in mybrother’s booming business? Should I eat a big piece of chocolate•cake or an apple every day?

Because each of these hypotheticaldecisions poses a risk to our bodies or toour finances, a combination of quickthinking, planning and risk managementis needed.

In business, risks are identified andassessed for potential timing, forprobability and for potential impact,resulting in a prioritized “heat map” ofrisks, based on the inter-relation of theidentified factors. From this, we developstrategies to take appropriate actions atthe right times.

Individuals may not need to engage insuch a formal and rigorous exercise.Here are a few things you can do tomanage the risk in your life:

Ask yourself a few “What if?”•questions and review a few possiblescenarios so that you are not caughtoff guard.Discuss with your spouse the various•areas where risk is already present inyour life. This could be related to yourhealth, your living environment, yourjob, your budget or your retirement.Consider what would happen if yourincome stopped today due to anillness or a death? At what age wouldyou be able to retire?Create a “heat map” to assess•possible hot spots based on potentialtiming and impact of the risk you arefacing.

Seek wise counsel from your pastor,•your doctor, and a trusted financialrepresentative to create a strategy foraddressing risks in your life.Take a few small steps to create a plan•that you can stick to. Even one thingdone differently can lower your risk.

We owe it to ourselves, our familiesand those around us to act responsiblyand prudently to evaluate the risks thatlife brings. However, keep in mind thatthere are things we don’t know andthings that cannot reasonably bepredicted. These include low probability,high-impact disruptions or events thatalmost no one can foresee.

The type and timing of the actions orplans we develop will vary, as we seek toaddress various types of risk. However, byconsidering the potential for such eventsto occur, we will be better prepared whensurprises occur. Proverbs 16:3 tells us to,“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, andhe will establish your plans.” God hasbeen very gracious to give us life andhope. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that Heknows the plans that He has for us—plansto give us peace, hope and a future—inspite of the risks that we face each day

Karen Bjerland is President & CEO of FaithLife Financial.

money matters

Prepared to be SurprisedNo one knows what the future holds: be prepared for an unexpected event

by Karen Bjerland


There may be a song that takes youback to when your childhood hockeyteam pumped themselves up with ananthem for the ages in the dressingroom before the game.

Here in Vancouver “O Canada” isbelted out with a cappella power byCanucks fans in a way that shames mostchurches on Sunday morning. Ironically“a cappella” actually means “in themanner of the church”—so the beer-infused version on hockey night isprobably right on target given thereligious devotion to the sport in ourcountry.

There are songs that can take you backto glory days—props to Springsteen forcapturing that one so well. Some songsimmediately make you remember theproduct or show they were produced tosell. See if you can you fill in the blank:“_____ _______ is going to move you” orthink of what sitcom goes with this:“We’re moving on up, to the east side…”

Then there are songs that take us backto moments of romantic twitterpation. Forme, that horribly hummable Richard Marxballad, “Right Here Waiting,” that couldnever be extricated once you heard it,remains a trigger back to young love—andyoung love lost. I eventually proposed tomy bride-to-be using another song airbanded before a crowd with a few of mybuddies—who were about as musical asRichard Marx’s hair was natural. I’m prettysure none of them will agree to a remix atour twenty-fifth anniversary.

Now, I’m not particularly musical. Iplay the guitar. Okay, I have a guitar.Nevertheless, music is a constant realityin my life and I love it. In fact, most guys Iknow love a good song. They go toconcerts, outfit cars with powerfulstereos, and keep iTunes in business.Which is why, I simply do not buy theexcuses given for why guys don’t like tosing when the church gathers. Whilethere may be the odd bloke out there whosimply can only do talk radio, generallyspeaking the practical evidence about aman’s enjoyment of music is quite to thecontrary. So, why do so many men standthere as if struck dumb on Sundaymornings? Is the music really that bad?Can’t be. Our churches are full of greatmusicians of all ages and genders.

Sometimes the rationale is thatSunday’s songs are too emotional, tooeffeminate and guys don’t like singing“love songs” to Jesus. I would agree thereare a few songs out there that make mesqueamish, but that has as much to dowith their theology than the emotionalelement. At the end of the day, thenumber of songs that cross the fearedemotive line are few and far between anddon’t tend to stick around very long.

So, we come to a quandary: why do welove music in so many venues of our lives,but complain about it in the one whereour song touches heaven? Psalm 96—ascriptural song—begins with thiscommand:

Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, praise his name;proclaim His salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,His marvelous deeds among all the peoples.

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;He is to be feared above all gods.

To sing is a command given to God’speople. Singing is a strange andmysterious wonder whereby our lips areset free from the simplicity and drudgeryof speech. It is the complex joyfulexpression of the heart. And why shouldwe sing? Because God is great and only a new song in response to His glory isworthy of each moment beneath Hisgrace-filled reign. And so, it must beasked, do we gents who like music butdon’t like to sing in church, actually havetoo small a view of God? Do we who can’thelp but tap out “raise a little hell” at asporting event and claim to know Godreally have any excuse for silentlyenduring “God is great and His praise fillsthe earth fills the heavens and your namewill be praise through all the world?”

Phil Wagler is a pastor who lives in Surrey, BCwith his wife of 18 years whom he sings to each day. Okay, maybe not.

Out of my depth

Sing the MomentsBelting out moments of our lives

by Phil Wagler

NEW IPODSapple.ca/ipod

The new iPod nano is about the size of a credit card—the thinnest iPod evermade. Its 2.5-inch touch display is nearlytwice as big as the screen on the previousmodel. In addition to the music, photosand video features, the iPod nanoincludes an FM radio, a podcast player, a pedometer gauge, and Nike+ supportfor runners.

The iPod touch has also beenupgraded. No longer a poor cousin to the iPhone, the new iPod touch has abigger and better display, a new camera,and a new set of headphones.

The new 4-inch “Retina display” on the iPod touch is bigger, brighter,and taller, just like the screen on the iPhone 5. The new 5-megapixelcamera is capable of recording1080p HD video and featurestap to focus, an LED flash, and face detection. There’s alsoa new panorama feature thatmakes it easy to capture wideshots.

These new iPods now comewith EarPods, a redesigned in-ear speaker that promises a more comfortable fit andbetter sound than the previous earbuds.

The iPod nano sells for $149.The iPod touch starts at $299.

WIRED WAFFLES AND SYRUPwiredwaffles.comthinkgeek.com

If the word waffle makes you think ofsleepy Saturday mornings, brace yourselffor a delicious wake-up. Wired Waffles arethe opposite of sleepy. Each wafflecontains 200mg of caffeine, which isabout the same as a large cup of coffee.While you smack your lips, this snacksmacks you awake.

Still snoozing? Add Wired Wyatt'scaffeinated syrup to your waffles. Eachspoonful of this sticky pick-me-up adds

another 88mg of caffeine. Soonyou’ll be able to run to workinstead of driving.

Somewhere in a lab, someone is figuring out how to

add caffeine to bacon and eggs.Science marches on,

mostly because it hasn’tslept in a very long time.

WASHABLE KEYBOARDlogitech.comComputer keyboards are hard to clean.Over time, they trap and hold dust anddirt. If you eat or drink near yourcomputer, things get worse. One spilledglass of water or cup of coffee can be theend of your keyboard.

The Washable Keyboard K310 is easyto clean and easy to dry. It’s not just waterresistant; you can submerge it in waterand scrub with soap, and it has drainageholes at the back for quick drying.

There are some limits, of course. It’shand wash only—no dishwashers,please—and the water can’t be too hot ortoo deep. You also have to keep the USB

cable above water, even though the restof the keyboard can be submerged.

Still. Take a good look at the keyboardyou have now. If you see ink smudges,food crumbs, dead bugs, or evidence ofsticky spills, this could be the keyboardfor you.

RETURN OF THE VACUUM TUBEsamsung.ca

The DA-E750 Audio Dock fromSamsung makes a great first impressionas a lovely piece of furniture. Inside itspolished wood cabinet, you’ll find acollection of modern digital technology


p o w e r p l a y

Reviews by Sandy McMurray

Great games. Great toys.Great gadgets.

as well as an unexpected blast from the past: two vacuum tubes, glowingwarmly inside a glass bubble.

Vacuum tubes, once a staple of radio sets all over the world, are stillwidely used in guitar amplifiers. Byincluding this purely analog technology in the pre-amps of its new audio dock,Samsung is appealing to musicians and audiophiles who swear byits “warmer” sound.

Other notable features of the E750 includesupport bothApple andAndroiddevices. Youcan connectusing one oftwo docks, plugin with USB or3.5mm inputs, orconnect wirelesslywith Samsung’sAllShare Play, Apple’s AirPlay or Bluetooth 3.0.

All these features (and the lovely woodcabinet) will set you back about $800.

PERSONAL SPY PLANEspyhawkfpv.com

The SpyHawk is a lightweight radiocontrolled mini glider with an excitingbonus feature: a built-in video camera.The view from the front of the plane is

broadcast to a 3.5 inchscreen on the controller, soyou can watch where you'regoing and see from the

point of view of theplane.

Steering theplane andwatching thescreen is like a

video gamemade real. As the

plane flies, you can see thelandscape ahead and the ground

below. You can pretend you’re a pilot,flying over the park (or field, or parkinglot, or wherever you are). The controlleralso includes a 4GB SD card, so you can

record flight video for laterplayback.

Unlike some RCvehicles that

require greatskill tocontrol,the

SpyHawkcan be

enjoyed bybeginners and

experts alike. Featuresinclude a flight stabilization

system that keeps the planelevel and serves as a sort of autopilot.

The SpyHawk has a range of about 600 metres and can fly for about 15 minutes on a single charge of itsbattery. Suggested retail price is about $350.

SMELL LIKE A MANarchermen.com

What does a man’s world smell like?Sometimes it smells like a locker room, or empty pizza boxes, or fishing tackle.Ideally, though, the smells are morepleasant, like the oil and sawdust scent of a garage with a workbench, or the hairtonic and aftershave smell of abarbershop.

In a world filled with air fresheners thatsmell like flowers and fruit, someone hasfinally made a product for men. Archer“Air Superiority” room sprays come inthree manly fragrances: European Sports

Car,Hunting Lodge,and Distillery.

Hmmm. Come to think of it, flowersand fruit are pretty great smells. They remind us of women, the onlyreason most of us try to smell good in the first place.

FIRE SALEcampfire-cologne.com

Speaking of good smells...the scent ofa campfire is a powerful thing. Woodsmoke brings backmemories of outdooradventures, andgood times withfriends and

family.Campfire Cologne

captures that smell perfectly, but it’s not a bottle full of perfume. Oh no. CampfireCologne is the authentic smell of a tinycampfire. Each kit contains a small boxfull of sweet kindling and a smaller box of matches. You light the wood on fire,extinguish the flames, then “waft theessence over your flannel and beard.”There. Now you smell like a campfire.

Each box of Campfire Cologne costs$12.95, plus shipping. Hot dogs andmarshmallows not included.

Sandy McMurray writes about games, toys, and gadgets at funspot.ca and techstuff.ca


p o w e r p l a y

by Sheila Wray Gregoire

What women want


Can I Have This Dance?It really does take two to tango (or waltz)

When I was 19 and dating my now-husband, we were separated for eightweeks during the summer break. As my VIA train pulled into the station inBelleville, Ontario, I could barelybreathe. Keith was standing on theplatform, beaming, holding flowers.And as we climbed into his car,“Walking on Sunshine” played on the radio. Ever since then, it’s been our song.

Romance and music seem to gotogether, as if relationships needsoundtracks. And perhaps they do.There’s something about rhythm thatmakes relationships make sense. There’sa give and take; a progression; a backand forth that solidifies that idea thatwhile we’re in this together, we are not the same.

A few years ago, while pondering theconcept of soundtracks and romance, I had this brilliant idea. “Darling,” I said,“let’s take ballroom dancing lessons!”

Keith must have felt like he owed mesomething that week, because he keptthe smile pasted on his face as he replied,“Yes, let’s!”

I knew he would have rather done justabout anything than grace that dancefloor, but I took him at his word, and off towaltz we went.

While professional ballroom dancersmake waltzes look easy, they’re not. It’s awhole new way of moving—and counting.Keith spent most of that first lessonstaring at his feet as he repeated 1-2-3, 1-2-3. When he got the courage and therhythm to look up, he found that all theother men in the room were sportinghuge smiles on their faces. He felt like aklutz, and like he was the worst husband

in the world. Here were these other men,enjoying themselves for their wives’benefit, and him with such a bad attitude.

When we arrived home that night, he figured out why all the other men were smiling.

The next week, Keith rushed homefrom work and said, “Honey, it’s Thursdaynight! Let’s go dancing!”

What was it about falling all over ourfeet that made me feel so romantic? It’s certainly something to do with musicand rhythm. It’s definitely because you’reholding each other. But it’s more thanthat. It’s also because it really doeschange your relationship. It makes youwork together. It makes you smile. Butmost of all, it makes you feel like men,and us feel like women.

In most areas of our lives today, thesexes are interchangeable. A woman can do whatever a man can do, and viceversa. Dancing is one of the few areas oflife where you have to either be a man orbe a woman. You each have very definedroles, and it reminds you that you are two very different halves of one whole.

And the only way to get good at it is for the woman to figure out that she hasto let the man lead. I actually said to myhusband, “You’ve got to start pushing mearound more!” In no other area of ourrelationship will those words ever crossmy lips. But if you’ve ever longed to hearher say, “Just show me what you want meto do,” or “You decide and I’ll follow,”you’ve got to hit the dance floor.

Perhaps rhythm isn’t your strong suit,but if you’ve ever tapped your knees intime with a song, dreaming of being adrummer in a rock band, then you canhear the beat. And if you can count to 3,

you can waltz. Count to 4, you can rumba.Count to 8, and you can merengue. Andyou’ve never really seen your wife moveunless you’ve seen her do the merengue.

But there’s one more lesson thatdancing taught us: couples that movebeautifully together always make it look effortless. Yet a whole lot of practice went on first.

That’s true in most areas of marriage.When we’re first married we can see allthe unrealistic expectations our spouseshave of us, but we tend to classify ourown expectations under the heading“common sense.” We need to learn how to settle conflict, how to show love,even how to make love. We think thesethings come naturally, but they don’t.They take compromise. They takevulnerability as you tell your spouse what you need and want. And they takeselflessness, a lesson for which marriageis often the best teacher. In fact, that’sprobably why God designed marriage inthe first place: for marriage to work, we each have to look more like Jesus.

If your relationship doesn’t lookeffortless yet, then, it’s not necessarilybecause there’s anything wrong. Maybe you just need to find the rhythm.And you can’t find it unless you startdancing together—whether figuratively or literally. Start moving together. Dothings together. Talk together. Sharetogether. When things don’t work, don’tgive up or retreat. Take her in your arms,take a deep breath, and keep dancing.

You can find Sheila atwww.SheilaWrayGregoire.com.

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DOING GOOD TOGETHER

facing the music (november/december 2012)

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