Why The Work Continues

As mentioned in the last post, a couple of communications about the book came my way this past weekend that are more than worth sharing.

The first was pointed out to me by a dear sister in the Lord who was kind enough to help in the book’s promotion by graciously running Nancy Jo Mann’s chapter at the time it was first released last year. (I could go off on a “yes, I know how to market” tirade against certain self-centered individuals here, but I’ll do us all a favor and skip it.) A comment was left on the post the other day that… well, read it and see why it moved me. An excerpt:

Nancy Jo Mann’s dramatic story has done nothing less than snap me out of a deep stupor. Good storytelling does that. In “Eat This Book”, Part 2 of Eugene Peterson’s brilliant series on spiritual formation, Dr. Peterson contends that most Christians today don’t read the Scriptures properly. He observes that, too often, we approach the Bible in a ‘practical’ way – for what we can “get out of it”. Rather, we should look at the Scriptures as a STORY, & immerse ourselves in the Biblical narrative. When we do THIS, surprise!: We discover ourselves in the ’story’. Nancy Jo Mann’s testimonial has worked its deep magic in me in much the same way. The glory is in the details. Nancy has eschewed the modern trend to ’summarize’ the heart-rending events of her life into terse little sound bites. This, of course, makes her vulnerable. But here’s the thing: It also makes it possible for ME, a stranger, to enter into her story, & come along side her in the midst of all her pain & abandonment. I could feel my defences lowering, & God’s Truth penetrating the wall of spiritual pride that I had, ‘brick by brick’, so foolishly – & OBLIVIOUSLY – constructed. In a flash I became aware of 2 truths that the Prince of Darkness had so painstakingly & cleverly hidden from me: (1) My self-sufficiency is but an illusion. (2) Insidiously, I have become far too complacent & self-absorbed. Now if Nancy had preached or pontificated to me, the impact would have been minimal or non-existent. But her story, in which she laid herself bare, left me thunderstruck.

Next, an excerpt from an e-mail I received the next day from another reader:

What helped me the most about your book was reading how artists who I admire and  emulate, have the exact same challenges
(although theirs on a much larger grand and scale) as those I sometimes face.

I have experienced my share of church politics, suffered under backbiters, backstabbers, toothachers and naysayers. We have been criticized for “the rock look” or  sound. I have seen my share of  band related drama, knowing full well that musicians (including myself ) are slightly eccentric!

Reading your book encouraged, edified and made me evaluate a number of thoughts and themes, which I would  like to share with you.

1. Christian Artists are not alone in the struggles we face, yet we need to keep our eyes on the Shepherd, not the Sheep.
2. I am truly blessed by God to do my music independently.
3. I am thankful for the gift of Christian Music. My pastor says that “Gods gift to us is our talents, our gift in return is to use  those  talents for His glory”

Your book encouraged me to continue in what I call The 3 E’s… Exalt Christ, Edify the Body and Evangelize the lost, one song at a time, one soul at a time. I will recommend your book to all the musican friends in my orbit.

Any question why the work continues?