I’m excited about this week’s iTunes Discovery Download. As you might have noticed in our news section, Sara Groves’ “When The Saints” was this week’s choice for a free download. As mentioned in the news item, it is relatively unusual for an artist from the Christian community to be selected; it tends to happen only a few times a year. What is noteworthy is that the site tends to often select not necessarily the best selling artist or project, but an artist with either significant crossover appeal, or a momentous message. The latter is definitely the case with the selection of Groves’ “When The Saints.”

Sara Groves is one of many who have experienced a life-altering encounter with God through the instrument of The International Justice Mission, a human rights organization focused on the rescue of victims of abuse and enslavement, as well as following up on the accountability of their perpetrators. In fact, they see their work of rekindling the social engagement of evangelical Christians as a vital secondary aspect of their mission. I am grateful for their calling and their faithful response to it; whatever it takes to wake the giant so long asleep.

Groves has, in turn, taken up the call herself and given her own awakening over to a glorious alchemy. Challenged deeply within by all that she saw and learned on her trip to Rwanda and Southeast Asia with IJM founder Gary Haugen, she spun those soul-shakings into the songs of her new album, Tell Me What You Know. “When The Saints” is just one of numerous tracks on the album that lovingly, patiently challenges us to take up the cause of the poor, the cause of Christ. The tone is not one of finger-wagging, but of graciousness, and I believe this has everything to do with its selection by the iTunes people. My prayer now is that it will be downloaded heavily, not just onto our iPods but deep into our hearts.

I had a conversation recently with a popular artist who has for years been consciously and faithfully finding ways to use her art to stir and propel listeners toward good. Over the years she has come to be well respected for her spiritual perspective, always a deeply meaningful facet of her music. In other words, she seemed like she had it pretty together to most of us. And she did.

But in the course of our conversation she spoke repeatedly about “waking up” and “crawling out from under her rock.” She used these phrases in referencing her awakening to social justice issues, a phrase which in itself has become the new buzzword of the day. But her usage was anything but self-aggrandizing.

The conversation was interesting because, although we were discussing the horrors of human trafficking, the tone was never anything but hopeful. A current of excitement buzzed through our discussion because we weren’t describing our emotions or an event but rather a move of God. She shared with me the story of her process, her journey toward awareness of the calling and the possibilities that awaited her, patiently, lovingly. And it rang very true to my own spirit, as I have been discovering my own inner Rip Van Winkle. In fact, it seems to me that a generation of believers have been slowly stretching, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes, and looking for places to put their hands and feet to Christ’s work. Maybe it began with the Tsunami in Indonesia, or Katrina on our own shores, but whatever the impetus, it seems like the sleeping giant may be finally stirring.

How wonderful, how refreshing to catch a hint of hope in the air! The Lord uses whomever He likes, as the whole earth is His and all who inhabit it. But it is especially sweet to me to watch him use members of the musical community, and only convinces me more deeply of the inherent spiritual seeds within artistic expression.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Justin Anderson shares the following:

Hey everyone!

Just giving you a quick mainstay update from the road - we are in the middle of this Jeremy Camp tour, and it has been going SUPER WELL! Soon we are heading back to our stomping ground - the MIGHTY
MIDWEST!!!!

We have seen God do some really, REALLY amazing things in and through these shows…people are connecting with the music, and more importantly, connecting with God. The stories we have heard from people night to night have been unbelievable…what God is doing in their lives…how Jeremy’s and our music have helped them…it has been a real uplifting experience for us personally as a band. I think we are embracing our calling to not only to play rock and roll for people, but also to lead them in worship
and try to facilitate real connections with God, night to night.

SO! This has been a surprising spiritual journey and blessing from God. Being able to hang with Jeremy and his guys and connect with people after hese shows has been the blessing of a lifetime.

Stay tuned - more updates coming!

Justin Anderson

We recently did work with Habitat For Humanity preparing housing for awaiting families in need of a home.

It seems simple, yet it is complex because if feels forgotten here in Mississippi.

We organize tool sheds, sweep foundations for houses, clear out sheds, pick up wood in wheel barrels and separate what is to be reused and what is to be scrapped.  There is detail involved and much labor to get to the bigger picture of people coming home. We are here for today, however volunteers are needed everyday and will be for sometime.

Chanelle seems to clean with the very near memory of the loss of all her families homes in New Orleans. I see the thoughts going through her mind as she is very thorough with a committed focus to everything she scrubs inside the home (kitchen and bathrooms). Angel seems to gradually take in and process the similarity of what has transpired with her family as well and helps with that understanding in mind. I organize, clean and sweep knowing that it is reasonable service to be here and I feel connected to the solution and the people as a whole, I want to be here. I am offering my form of contribution (I want people to know and feel that I care) and we are doing the same as a group.

There were song singing requests, so Chanelle went and got our new T57 cd and gave it out to be played on the speaker system so we could do the work we came to do and meet the request that was presented. It was a great solution because we really came there to roll up our sleves and work.

It was the least we could do. People are striving to get their lives on track and it takes community to do exactly that. I always say that “People Need People”. I think that is why GOD has brought us through such trying and difficult times so that we can represent Hope and Triumph in a realistic and practical way. Surviving difficult and draining times grows one’s compassion and believe me everyone at some point in life will need some compassion. Each day brings it’s own wonderful mysteries in many forms some in joy and some in pain.

Sometimes people just need to know that you care and if you are a spiritual person you should be a sincere example. We keep learning, growing and evolving on our own journey together and a part in our lives.

I watch the other volunteers (from Americorps for example) and you know what?  I was encouraged that people care and want to do the work that makes us all better.  In this case one nail, hammer and broom at a time

This is just one of the many ways we as humanity are all the better.

Love,

Adrian from T57

I’m not one of those grumps who grouses and rants against modern technology, not at all. Actually, I get a perverse thrill from conquering new techno-challenges, a millennium twist on “beating the system.” There’s no doubt about it, this is the system, and it’s not going away. Rock on, Al Gore.

No, I’m IMing with the best of ‘em, attaching and CCing my little brains out (case in point: my proficient techno-verbing). I thoroughly enjoy email for its built-in get-to-the-point efficiency. We cut to the chase, yet engage in connection that often even leads to relationship, startling as that is. I have numerous connections with people I never see, but we’ve become e-close or at least friendly through email. Most of these people I’ve not even spoken with on the telephone. What for? And I was tempted to write “lol” following that question, another fascinating element of our telecommunications: our abbreviated signals for electronic conversational responses.

But as communication systems go, our emails and IMs, while speedy and efficient, still lack the essential face-to-face element so necessary for some of the subtleties of communication. Yes, I admit a message all in caps does feel harsh, and no, I can’t explain why. And some of those little face icons can make me laugh out loud, but I’m an easy laugher. But they still don’t come close to taking the place of the mano y mano assessment, of having the opportunity to eyeball the other’s person’s unspoken signals. People are so rarely completely direct verbally, or in this case textually, that I feel sometimes lost without the up-close and personal viewpoint of facial expressions and body language. But even this wailing is probably for naught, as I assume that very soon this complaint will be outdated, and webcams will be as omnipresent as cell phones. My challenge then will be more cosmetic, I fear. I guess it’s always something, sigh.

CMCentral brings you an Artist Blog, courtesy of Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

We have began the 2nd leg of our Trinitee 5:7 Ambassadors of Hope and Triumph Campaign!

This time we are in Mississippi and we quickly got started after checking into the Antioch Volunteer Villiage.  This is a wonderful tranquil place for Missionary/Kingdom service providers to rest, refresh and replenish themselves so they can return to the fields and continue to serve for and with the pure Love of Christ.

Our next stop was the Lymans Senior Citizen Center and we visited with the Seniors there. We sang (they enjoyed “Listen”!), talked and enjoyed an interactive time with the women there.  Wouldn’t you know it, the men were in the next room playing cards.  :-)  We even asked them to share some of their wisdom and we got these great gifts:  1. You make your own happiness so don’t indulge in negativity 2. Family is more important than you know so treasure your family and try to work everything out and move on in LOVE. 3. Always Keep GOD in your LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  See we knew they had treasures to share that we all can be blessed by.We visited radio stations (WQFX 1130 am with Patrick Bass and 94.5 WJZD/fm station hosted by Tabari and assisted by his brother Mike) and they really appreciated us stopping by!  Even though Hurricane Katrina is far from many people’s minds,  recovery is still taking place and there is so much more rebuilding to do in this region!    

WE LOVE THE BABIES:) we went to the daycare center and drew butterflies with the children.  We sang songs like Father Abraham which includes interactive participation and lots of laughter. We sang “Jesus Loves The Little Children” with them and they sang along…these were sweet children who were glad to have a visit from a group who loves to get hugs as much as they love to give them!  We had a hug line when we were closing out and that was the very best part I promise!Last thing on the schedule for today (whew!) was ministering at First Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor and First Lady Adolph.  What a great teacher who truly cares for the people and the people made us feel special and very appreciated we felt the same…..people need people you know.

We came to inspire people and contribute to recovery in the spirits of the people and in practical ways so picking up a hammer comes with this as well.  Tomorrow is Habitat for Humanity! 

We are thankful we started this campaign……we learn so much from giving in the spirit of service for Christ  that we continue to grow and LOVE it.

Have a great day & talk to you soon!

Adrian of T57

I tend to think a lot about “community”, the latest buzz word for the Body of Christ. It’s just the way I’m wired; I’ve always had a passion for the Body. And for a long time I was sure I knew what community was, what it was supposed to look like. But like many far wiser than I, I’m beginning to understand finally how little I really do know. And I’m seeing also how hard true community can be.

I recently interviewed a label owner from Indiana whose entire company lives in community, one of the more unique and inspiring stories I’ve had opportunity to report. I was encouraged not just by his sense of ingenuity and adventure, but also by his honesty as he shared the cost of living and fellowshipping side by side with the people he also works with. He was truthful to say that at times ‘community was repulsive.’ Always ultimately worth the aggravation, but challenging just the same.

The small group I’ve been meeting with for the past year has talked a lot about ‘accountability’ recently, another popular buzzword, one that we all claim to want from one another. Until it’s time to actually address something significant. Then we find that many of us aren’t really up for this level of sacrificial love; it’s more cheap talk than anything else, unfortunately. The scary part, apparently, is the honesty involved. It seems it’s as hard to tell each other the truth as it is to hear it about ourselves.

But I wonder then…. why bother to meet at all? Sara Groves’ stunning new album, Tell Me What You Know, contains a powerful song called “Honesty.” Its lyrics are as follows:

“Here in the stillness/where thoughts are born/here in our frailty we’re tattered and torn…. here in confession/here in our mess/here in the places we’re mostly undressed/mostly….oh honesty/oh honestly/the truth be told /for the saving of our souls.”

The chorus goes on to quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Only the truth and truthfulness can save us now.”

What I love about this song is its perspective of desperation. Groves portrays honesty as ultimately life-giving, even life-saving. I’m frustrated by our unwillingness to pursue truth at all cost, and I feel somewhat lonely in this perspective. I hate to think I have to move to Indiana to find an honest small group.

CMcentral happily announces the first installment of the Mainstay Tour Blog, from lead vocalist/guitarist Justin Anderson:

Hello Everyone!

We are gearing up and getting ready to begin our tour with Jeremy Camp and we are so excited! We start on the East Coast and begin working our way toward the midwest and the south…and we cannot wait to see old friends and make some new ones!

The big news of the week is this - OUR NEW RECORD JUST CAME OUT!!! It’s called “Become Who You Are” and it’s in stores everywhere!

We would love to hear from fans what they think of this new album, and cannot wait to connect with people on this tour. It’s an intirmate acoustic tour, so the whole evening is geared around hanging out with fans and sharing stories.

Moral of the story - If you can, check out our new record and come out to one of the Jeremy Camp tour dates!

See you soon!

Justin

To tell you the truth, I’ve never really understood why so many people dislike change. Or at least, say they don’t like change, and even proclaim it quite convincingly. The truth is that many of us would choose it over monotony, or even sometimes over protracted consistency. Who doesn’t enjoy the occasional switch-up? Some of us are just wired to enjoy change simply as an end in itself, and love a good surprise.

Whether you mourn it or celebrate it, change is a fact of life, one that comes fast and furious on the web. The recent transfer of management of CMCentral, I believe, falls into the celebratory category, and creates some horizon-expanding opportunities. What’s not to like there?!

With that end in mind, we offer the following schedule of regular postings for your surfing pleasure:

Mondays: Artist Devotionals: Various artists share Scriptural reflections, fresh manna to get our week kicked off in the best possible way.

Tuesdays: Artist Interviews: Catching up with fan favorites and soon-to-be favorites, from worlds both indie and labeled.

Wednesdays: Blog: Thoughts on things from Editor Kevan Breitinger, some of them musical.

Thursdays: Album Reviews: Continuing our proud tradition of covering all the latest releases. Stop by on Thursdays for our thoughts on albums new and newer.

Fridays: Feature Articles: Covering a variety of music-related issues and events.

CMCentral will continue on in its proud tradition as your most reliable news source as well. Please count on these as can’t-miss-moments in your web travels, or at least good-to-check-out. On top of those regular delectables, you’ll find the irregular fits-no-category tidbits, like our upcoming Tour Blogs, from Mainstay (starting this week) and Our Heart’s Heroes (from November’s Punk-The-Halls Tour). It’s hard to nail down the tidbits to a regular schedule, but like I said, unpredictable can be fun. Say it along with me, people: CHANGE IS GOOD!