What's really important?

Yes it's been way too long between posts but I always feel that if I am gonna do a post then I gotta get in all I can in one shot. It's busy with youth ministry stuff as well as preparing for our third child on the way. Hard to believe that our first Caitlin was born over 6 years ago. But finding out about her came at at a very unique time. So the other day I was thinking of that story that really impacted my life and hopefully you can take away from it. 

In 1994 I had the opportunity to work for a Christian Bookstore called The Shepherd's Shoppe. For about 9 years in total I worked as the Music Manager and had some long but very blessed memories. Some of the funny ones will have their time to shine as a part of these stories I share. But I wanted to tell you about a very memorable week while I was with the store. Every summer there would be a trade show called CBA where a lot of the Christian retailers would gather to look at upcoming new products as well as place their pre-orders. It was also where all of the major companies had some of their authors and music artists there to promote their respective deals. I had been before about 3 years ago and that was one of the best trips ever. At this particular show in July 2007 I had the opportunity to meet several different personalities such as Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, Steven Curtis Chapman, Karen Kingsbury, Casting Crowns, and some others. I was able to get some pictures with them as well as several autographs on CDs and some books. It was another great experience thanks to The Shepherd's Shoppe. 

Well I was heading out to leave that Tuesday afternoon. I was anxious to get home and show Crystal all the music, books and pics I had. I was way jacked and pulled into the driveway. As I was unpacking I soon discovered that I had left a very important bag behind. In this bag was several of the autographed merchandise I had gotten as well as our recently purchased new digital camera. Yep all those pics with the peeps was sitting back in Atlanta. Ok to be honest I lost it. Went nuts and absolutely was so angry with myself. Well imagine if you would my lovely wife coming outside to greet me after being gone only to see me highly ticked. She hugged me and I hugged her back very half hearted. She asked what was wrong as I began to vent to her about my discovery in the driveway. She said well calm down just call Jack, who was my boss and still in Atlanta, and see if he can check the parking garage. I knew I had brought everything out to the car. So I called him and asked if he could check when they got back to the hotel to see if it was reported. I went inside and sat on the couch with so much anger I couldn't stand it. I could tell Crystal was bearing my fury and was really not wanting to hear alot of complaining since I just got home. I was so upset thinking I lost the autographed stuff and more importantly a brand new digital camera which she loved so much. She told me we can get another camera but I knew she had to be upset. 

Well after about 10 minutes of having tears of anger and frustration with some venting involved, Crystal said, "Well can I give you something?" I was like sure. She then brought in a gift box and sat it in my life. I was thinking oh wow I have been a total dud and she is giving me something. I then opened the box and unwrapped what was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I pulled out a baby bib that read "I Luv My Daddy". I instantly had gone from tears of anger to tears of great joy and surprise. I hugged Crystal as we both cried and were so happy. In one moment I had been taught a sincere and valuable lesson that would forever be etched on my heart. For all of the supposed loss I had thought I suffered, I gained something so precious. The gift of Fatherhood. The gift of a child. The gift of life. A life that would share my blood and that I would be responsible for. I would love her so much and go out of my way to protect her and train her in the way she should go. What a miracle and blessing that God so graciously allowed me to have. It was a moment that would stay fresh in my heart for a very long time. So the things sometimes we treasure or lust for or even put on a pedestal, are but momentary. 

Matthew 6:19-21 
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Never take for granted the treasures you have been blessed with. More importantly truly wrap your arms around the treasure of Jesus if He lives in your heart. I love my family and would never put anything materialistic before them again. When I see those little arms reach up for me, I instantly compare it to the way we should approach God in our lives. He loves us so much and he does care for you and for me. 

Oh and in case you are wondering I got called soon after the news was discovered about my newly crowned title of Daddy. My boss was able to get my bag which someone had given to the security guard in the parking garage. It was as if I was being stretched out by the Lord to see if I really was ready for my Daddy news. So yet again don't sweat the things of the earth when God is in control. And always be mindful of the things that really matter. God Bless

How To Avoid A Fork In The Road

Been too long since last my post and I will not try and catch you up on all that has happened but rather just get to something that is on my heart. Especially since graduation is approaching for many of my youth I am praying the following is secured in a foundation that will not be shaken as they start a new chapter. So let me get right into it.

Question: "What is Christian discipleship?"

Answer: By definition, a disciple is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. A Christian disciple is a person who accepts and assists in the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christ like. This process requires believers to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to examine their thoughts, words and actions and compare them with the Word of God. This requires that we be in the Word daily—studying it, praying over it, and obeying it. In addition, we should always be ready to give testimony of the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15) and to disciple others to walk in His way. According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following:

1. Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-36).

V34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

2. Following Jesus' teachings (John 8:31-32).

V31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. V32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28:18), and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death (Philippians 3:6-8).

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

3. Fruitfulness (John 15:5-8).

V6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 

Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be new conduct (thoughts, words and actions) representative of that change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t something we can conjure up on our own.

4. Love for other disciples (John 13:34-35).

We are told that love of other believers is the evidence of our being a member of God's family (1 John 3:10). Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is action. We must be doing something and involved in the process. Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2:3-4). The next verse in Philippians (verse 5) really sums up what we are to do when it comes to everything in life: "our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." What a perfect example He is to us for everything we are to do in our Christian walk.

5. Evangelism - Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20).

V18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we don't really know enough or haven't been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the "accepted" way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly  what we are to share.

Papa George

If there was such a label as step grandfather, then I guess that would be the label I have to give to Papa George. He was the only grandfather I ever knew growing up. His name was George Bradham, but we called him Papa George. He was married to my Mom's mother, Rhetta, and they lived in Sumter, SC.

We took many trips to Sumter to visit them during holidays, family reunions in other parts of the lower state, and just in general. He loved my brother Tim and I so much and would often times take us to do various things including some fishing as well as some trips to Dunkin Donuts. He always invested time with us when we were there in Sumter as well as when He would visit in Abbeville.

I remember he was also responsible for stirring the love for pro wrestling between us and him during the 80s. Back then on Saturday evenings, World Championship Wrestling (which used to be Georgia Championship Wrestling) was THE thing to watch. It would come on from 6:05 until 8:05. Anytime we were together we would watch it and of course our favorite was Ric Flair. As a matter of fact the two people he liked onTV the most were Ric Flair and Fonzy from Happy Days. We all loved watching wrestling together and those were some good times.

I also remember a very special time in my life when Papa George would stamp his imprint on my young life. In 1986, I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior during VBS at my home church Southside Baptist in Abbeville. I remember my Mama calling Mama Rhetta and Papa George to let me tell them over the phone. They were very excited and proud of me.

A few weeks later we went down to Sumter for a visit. During that visit Papa George told me he was going to take me to Dunkin Donuts and it was just going to be me and him. I remember when we got there, he was telling the waitress there about the fact that I had been saved and he was just glowing. He would then go on to tell a few others around the table we were at. By that time he started talking to me and just telling me how proud he was of the decision I made. He asked me a few questions and then began to tell me that he and Mama Rhetta had been praying for me and the time that would come for me to make this decision. I saw him glow so much and that was one trip to the donut shop I would never forget because his love for me just overflowed.

In 1988 he had developed lung cancer and then began to really suffer in 1989. I remember one of the last times we saw him feeling somewhat ok that he had lost alot of weight and really did not look good but he was in good spirits. Well one day during my Literature class in 7th grade, I was called to the front. Mama had called and said that he was not good and they were calling the family in. So we immediately went down to Sumter and had a chance to spend some final moments with Papa George. He looked so frail and was really struggling to stay alive. It was very emotional and also difficult to witness. Then later that night I was in his room when he finally passed away. I couldn't bear to see him lifeless so I ran out of the house crying and just really upset. My Dad came and consoled me and we began the mourning process. I had just lost my Papa George and the pain was very tough to handle.

I remember being at the funeral and just watching how tough it was for Mama Rhetta to say goodbye. It was a big loss in my family's life, especially Tim and myself. He was the only grandpa we knew and had. And even with all the good memories it was just difficult to handle. I did see and hear during that time from all the many people he did impact. I understood how bold a witness of his faith that he was. It really made that time in the donut shop just stand out more. And people would tell us that he would always brag on his "boys" and all we had accomplished. He didn't get to see Tim get married later that year but I know that he loved Tim's wife Terri so much and it was a tough loss for her as well. It definitely took some time to get over his loss in my family.

So I know one day I will see my two blood grandfathers and yes I do have many stories that were shared to me about them. But I will always cherish the Grandpa I had on this earth in Papa George. He was one of a kind and I also look forward to seeing him one day again. I know he would be proud of what God has done in my life and where He has taken me.

Matter Of Service.

Hope everyone has had a great start to April. That means hopefully not sneezing too much and enjoying the trees and flowers beginning the blooming process. For me well it has been a busy last few weeks but some great stuff to be a part of. Looking forward to what's ahead.

Today I just felt like I needed to share a little bit of how awesome it is to serve Christ as youth minister but first as a disciple of His. I think that it's easy to get burned out from time to time and you definitely have to stay fueled by His word and by your walk with Him. As much as I pour out sometimes I forget to get refilled so I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit is there to fill me when needed. If you read this and say well so far you lost me cause I don't do ministry, let me just say that as you look at life in general we all get burned out which is why vacation time is so amazing and well deserved. But as someone who is called to serve Christ I take full responsibility for that as the choice I made to answer His call.

Throughout my life especially since being in a paid ministry position I have seen many who have abused the great honor of being in ministry positions by poor choices, self serving motives, and overall discord created by egotistical pride. To be blunt. I have seen many drop the ball. The great thing is that God has grace and mercy along with forgiveness to restore those back to a place of service. Many feel like they have to have a position in order to serve when actually they can serve where they are planted with great success and growth. Too many times people don't want to stay planted and the first signs of hardship they pick up their tent and go elsewhere usually putting the blame on others or particular situations. And when they do this as in a consistent repetition they seem to be wandering in a self made desert not realizing that God is speaking to them all the while to stop, be silent, and listen. As Christians and true disciples we are called to follow Christ and serve others. Whether you get paid or not doesn't undersell the responsibility. Sometimes being a leader is being a better follower. Sometimes it doesn't have to be about us. It needs to be about Him. We are in a culture of denial and so many teens that I work with as well as adults I see fail to accept the responsibility and look to justify the means of excuses and self created mistakes. Instead of trying so hard to justify why you can't or won't do anymore what if we put that same energy towards the will to do better. In other words just because you get tired and start to sweat doesn't mean you abandon the race. As Rick Warren said the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons have learned the joy of serving others. Which attire are you wearing?

Let's look at what the apostle Paul said about true service for Christ. In Romans 12: 3-16 it says this,

"3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c]Do not be conceited."

This sums up everything really specific and direct to where we need to be when we think about what it means to serve God. We should remain humble in our words and actions, understand we can serve the whole body of Christ as it is made of many parts, we have different gifts that should be used not shelved, and lift others up instead of tearing down those who we have a falling out with.

Here's the deal. We all should be doing something for the Lord. If that involves serving in missions, at school, in the hospital, in advertising, in entertainment, etc. We should serve and serve gladly. And if you are wanting to serve yet seem to think your reward is simply a paycheck then think about how satisfying it could be to serve God in a local church with a church body and be content with the fact that you are answering a call. Maybe the call you seek is not ready for this season. We shouldn't dismiss what being called to serve is all about. I am blessed to be a youth minister and serve at a church that supports me with prayers and also financially. But if I wasn't a staff person, I would make sure I'm doing something to support my family while also being planted and awaiting the blooming process to grow at a church. I'm thankful for all that serve the Lord. Our voices and hearts should stay unified to make Him known to this world.

Talking about Recess

As a kid growing up in Abbeville, SC playing outside was the ultimate release. Especially when you think about playing on a playground and that legendary time of recess at school. If you're like me some of the greatest experiences in elementary school were during the recess times. I remember going to the old Langley-Milliken Elementray School from Kindergarten until 3rd Grade. Their were two different playgrounds which had some significant differences and they were on opposite sides of the school. Plus there was an advantage for Kindergarten-2nd grade because those classes were held in the portables outside that surrounded the school. So when the three recess times were held, brother we hit the doors hard.

That easy access made it like green flag racing at Bristol as you tried to get to something quickly. You see the swings were like big time priority and if you could get to them first buddy then you were the stuff. The big playground held the big swing sets and part of the coolness was when you were done swinging you could take off out of the swings with some monster jumps. It was like you were flying. Occasionally you could time it out and actually use someone as a safety cushion as you tackled them from high above. We would have long distance challenges and man it was some good stuff.

And then there was the sliding boards that looked like they came off the side of a mountain. There was a big daddy slide and a junior slide. Of course you slide down both but if you got your sneakers slick enough with dirt you could ski down those bad boys which put you into legend status. I also remember we would run up the boards only to come back down. Of course we would have a race to see who could get to the top before the other would slide down. So you would have a dog pile coming down the board. And when it was hot man you would squeak down that thing with shorts and leave most of your legs behind. It was brutal.

Of course you had the monkey bars and the old Jungle Gym. So the monkey bars were not much unless you got up top and walked across the bars. Then you had to avoid falling and that was really funny when people would miss a step and find the open space between the bars. Lots of agony. The Jungle Gym at Langley-Milliken was like a small building that ran almost a story and a half. You could climb up through the cubes and then there were like 3 cubes up top where you could just chill out. Great view of all the swing jumpers as they would fly out of the swings. And plus it was concrete underneath you so if you slipped and fell it would be known to those around it.

Remember the See-Saws. I heard a guy talk about how that developed a serious trust factor between you and someone else. Especially if you saw a pretty girl and wanted to go talk to her. Man that other end would hit the ground fast and tear up someone's posterior. But they were like the little honorable mention things that you would sit on if you just wanted to talk to people.

We use to have pick em up bust em football games that were epic. I mean it was rugby without limits and nothing would be cooler than answering a question in class with a busted lip or black eye. Of course now it would be considered rough housing. But it separated the men from the boys so to speak. You could earn some respect if you got dirty during those times.

Of course you would have those times at recess where guys and girls were messing with each other. Guys would go around and push the girls they liked and then the girls would chase them around the playground. You also could have some games of tag going that would wear you out. And then there were rain days which absolutely stunk. But if it was your day to do PE then you could take your frustration out during some games of Murder Ball. No not Dodgeball. We didn't have all that political correctness stuff in the 80's. It was Murder Ball and buddy we would light each other up. And the girls would bring it to. Loved it.

But as we transitioned to Westwood Elementary during my 4th grade year it was like the blackest year of my elementary experience. We went almost 75% of the year with NO PLAYGROUND. It was the pits. Great for football and tag games. When you got a girl to chase you shoot you could run for days. But I mean it would be boring on most days. So that was tough but it developed character in us and made us run harder to the swings in the 5th Grade.

I don't know if that great feeling is still there in recesses these days but it was something that definitely highlighted my days as a kid. We had three or four at times during a day and now if kids have one they are doing good. I think it's a sad problem across the board in a technically overrun society. Now someone would say it was not that big of a deal, but when you sit cooped up in class and are not having a good day you needed to release that energy. So for my personal development it kept me healthy and inspired me to not get into trouble because missing recess was the worst experience ever.

If you have any great memories from your recess experiences pass it along to me. I enjoy the feedback. Plus I know some of you Greenville Street Elemnetary alumni in SC could chime in. Enjoy some outdoor fun even if you're an adult.

Reflect The Light

“Be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1).

Those words are startling, upsetting, impossible. It is “the ultimate ideal.” “Be imitators of God.” There can be no higher standard than that. The apostle Paul boldly tells us if we are to be like God we must imitate Him.

How is it possible for us depraved sinners to possibly imitate the sovereign LORD of the universe?
Once we get over the initial shock we realize that as children we are to imitate our parents. We should behave like them assuming they are godly role models.

Since we were born into God's family as His legitimate children when we repented and placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we therefore should be an imitation of God (John 1:12-13).
Let it be clearly stated that “imitating God” has nothing to do with trying to merit eternal life. It has to do with our sanctification. We are to grow in godliness. The supreme example of this idea of imitating God is in the life of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul used the word mimetic from which we get our English word to “mimic.” The idea is to copy closely, to repeat another person's speech, actions, behavior and mannerisms. Paul is saying get to know your heavenly Father so you can echo His speech and behave the way He behaves.
How do we “imitate” our Father? We know that the apostle is not telling us to try to imitate God's sovereignty. He alone is and ever will be self-existent and self-efficient. That is absolutely beyond our means. He alone is eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, etc. Those are non-communicable attributes of God. He alone is God.

We are “to be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1). Not childish attitudes and behavior, but as His children.

Ephesians 5:2 explains how the believer is to imitate God. We are to “walk in love.”
Jesus sacrificed His life for us. As the Good Shepherd He gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11, 15). Jesus “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God, and our Father” (Galatians 1:4).

God took our sin seriously and He dealt with it fully in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. On the basis of that death God chose to forgive you and me (1 John 4:10; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 2:20; John 15:13; 3:16).
Christ “gave Himself up” for you and me. He surrendered Himself to death by execution for our crimes against God. He died in our stead, i.e. in our place. That is how great His love is for us.
Christians can imitate God by loving others, even to the point of death if necessary (1 John 3:16).
“We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

“Walk in love” is a constant ordering your behavior within the sphere of love. The child of God is to order his behavior within the sphere of this divine, supernatural love produced in his heart by the Holy Spirit. After a while it becomes a good habit, and we be become more and more like our heavenly Father.
Let's be careful to note the context of the admonition. A couple of verses earlier he wrote, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (4:30). How do you grieve Him? The next verse says by bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice (v. 31). Let's put it away from us because it causes pain, grief, and distress to the Holy Spirit of God.

We can please Him by being “kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you . . .” (4:32-5:2).
How do you please Him, rather than causing Him grief? Act the way He acts; behave the way your Father in heaven behaves; “be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore, be imitators of God . . .”

How did our heavenly Father treat us? He dealt with us in kindness, compassion, forgiving. Praise God that He has not dealt with us with what we deserved. In grace He has chosen to love us and forgive us of every sin. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us of all our sins. That is love. That is how God treats us.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children . . .”
Act like the Father. Love like the Father. Forgive like the Father. Be kind to one another like the Father. “Just as God in Christ has forgiven you.” “Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us."

When DC Talk Ruled The World And My Walkman

I love music. And during these blogs I would love to share some great music stories starting with this one. The year was 1995. I had just recently started work at a local Christian bookstore in Greenwood, SC. I wanted to work in the music section since I had a great love all kinds of music especially Gospel music. I had been slowly introduced to Contemporary Christian music at the time via a local FM radio station WLFJ in Greenville, SC. At that time most of the music was still rather dated and not relative to the styles of music that were exploding on mainstream radio. You gotta remember too that this was before Itunes and even the infamous Napster initiation so there were no early outlets to get music until singles were released if they were available or the actual street date of release. So while working at the store we were getting the buzz of a new DC Talk album releasing in August. And this was a big deal. A very big deal.

First of all DC talk had released an album in 1992 called Free At Last which was a landmark album in itself featuring an infusion of hip hop to the Christian music scene with a underground mainstream push. To this day I know all the raps from member Toby Mac and can remember the infusion of Kevin Max and Michael Tait killing some vocals. It was a must have as a teenager who attended church and needed an alternative to the standard hymns and worship collection. They even made an appearance on the popular Arsenio Hall Show during his late night run. There was a documentary/concert video released as well that showed some of the reality and celebrations during that time of the group's success. So DC Talk having the momentum as a group with that album had many waiting the next chapter. Little did we know the chapter would have some different feel to it. That was briefly revealed at the end of the Free At Last movie with a preview of the next step.

If you didn't know who Nirvana was in the early 90s when the Seattle based grunge sound hit you were under a rock somewhere. They were huge and they ushered a new darker and even harder sound at that time. Again most Christian music rock bands at that time were still stuck in the late 80s with the hair band stylings that gained a lot of rep. The last thing the CCM industry was expecting and the followers of DC Talk were expecting was a new direction of sound for the popular ground that may have been a roll of the dice. But obviously with the talent and artistic vibe they shared in their live shows especially something was gonna be magical.  As I was working at the store we kept getting local college students in asking when is the new album coming from DC Talk. The first single off the album was the self titled track Jesus Freak. The name itself yelled of curiosity and some controversy. The song was amazing. It was different than anything CCM had seen at the time and for me it was like YES somebody has figured it out. The sounds of current day now had a Christian alternative ironically. Not to mention that before Fred Durst was a public figure there was rap infused into a rock song which later would be labeled rapcore. Credit Toby Mac for pushing that envelope. The buzz was at a fever pitch and I told my manager you better have plenty ordered cause this thing is gonna be big. Also at this time we still had cassettes as CDs had established themselves as the main purchase. So you were talking a lot of units combined to get in. And in November of 95 the album dropped to a crazy response of purchases. It flew off the shelf. We sold out in less than a week after getting an initial order of 60 copies which was tapes and CDs combined. We would go on to sell over a thousand copies by the start of 1996 which was not the norm for regular releases. It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200 selling over 85,000 copies in the first week. That was the highest debut at that time for any Christian music album. It also went gold selling over 500,000 units in the first month. Again not the normal standard. It was a phenomenon. Truly a historic and cultural revolution. DC Talk would gain mainstream access to radio as well as the Virgin record label which expanded the buzz. The success and introduction of the Jesus Freak album would open the door for Christian music to take a massive makeover into all genres of music to counter culture the world's message. His message would now have the platform to reach so many new believers thanks to new groups like Jars Of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Big Tent Revival, Third Day, and others. 

The album was truly one of those that you had to listen to every song and there was literally nothing that you wanted to skip. That's hard to pull off. The songs are still relevant for today and it is on a regular shuffle mix that I have to listen to during the week. From struggles to grace to witness to celebration.

So on behalf of my generation of Christian music lovers as well as music fans in general I want to say thank you to Toby Mac, Kevin Max, and Michael Tait. Thank you for investing yourselves in a project that still speaks life and challenge to this guy and so many others. They may not read this but here's hoping it gets to their eyes. We don't know for sure if the guys will ever do a reunion tour or project but we do know that they created and left a musical masterpiece for us to share in. 

Sincerely,
Jesus Freak For Life.