The Journey

Beauty Will Rise: An honest look at a man who struggles.

We got the call almost a year and a half ago.  Emily on the other line, "PLEASE PRAY FOR MARIA!!" she screamed and hung up almost as fast as I could say hello. 

We had no idea what was going on, but we gathered our staff together, and began to pray.  "God, whatever is going on, please be with the Chapman family.  We don't know how to pray, but we know you're watching."

The next cal from Emily "Maria is dead." and the silent sobbing began.

You know when tragedy strikes, and you don't know what to say, or how to comfort?  All we knew to do was buy a plane ticket to Nashville, and hug a lot of people. 

So Jamie Jo and I did what any other friend would do, we traveled all the way across the country, un-prepared for the darkness hanging over the church, the family, and all the friends who came to give their final respects to a little girl adopted from China, with so much life yet to live.

We wept a lot.
We hugged even more.
And our hearts were just so incredibly sad.

Maria Sue Chapman died at 6 years old, on a warm spring day in May, 2008.

I continue to watch a family deal with the loss of a child.  I can't even begin to imagine the waves of sadness that continue to pound at the heart of these wonderful people.  But one thing I know, Steven and Mary Beth are 100% committed to the faith they proclaim.  They're the real deal! 

They've traveled a road that you never find and end, at least on this side.
But they show the world their faith remains.
They ask hard questions about why, when, and what if.
But they continue to call God their rock and their refuge.
They profess a faith that challenges every day existence.
And, they live it, most notably by writing some of the best music I've heard from Steven in a long time.

I've been an SCC fan since I was in High School, but this album is the culmination of a desperate father, a husband longing to find answers, and the knowledge of a faith that will someday, on his journey,  rise to Beauty!

You won't be disappointed.
Get over to iTunes and download this wonderful masterpiece outlining the Journey of one man to find the answers to life's hardest answers. 

May we all be courageous enough to drill deep into the heart of our faith.
May we understand God's ultimate reconciliation of the world.
But for now...may we be a people who can mourn for our friends loss, celebrate with them in those times of triumph, and allow them the time to heal as God would heal.

We're praying for you guys today here at andybraner.com, and we believe, as you've recorded so well, BEAUTY WILL RISE!

David Crowder Band

Have you downloaded the new Crowder CD yet? 

If not, go to iTunes right now, and pick it up.  This could be one of the best albums I've heard David and the fellas put out in a long time.  From Alleluia, SING, to We are Loved, Crowder uses a mix of techno/praise/rock and roll to illicit a sense of praise to the creator. 

I'm riding my bike to this everyday...marveling in God's creation...singing outloud on my bike...finding myself in deep contemplation...as I worship.

Thanks guys...this album is going to go down as one of the 'greats' in Christian music. 

Why are people still buying this guy's music?

Last night I was watching the MTV video Music Awards.  Not because I'm a big fan of MTV, as much as I think it somewhat my responsibility to see what in the world is happening in the world of pop culture.  The annual MTV event usually conjures up some sort of controversy I think that shows us where our culture is, and how people respond to different situations. 

So I'm watching this deal last night, and Taylor Swift is nominated for the best video of the year.  She wins.  She comes to the platform to accept her award, and Kanye West steps up on stage, takes the mic from her hand, and basically shouts out that Beyonce's video is better.

What in the world?

I couldn't believe it.  It was like watching a pre-schooler on the playground, stomp up to someone playing, and steal the ball away. 

That's it.  If for no other reason than this guy is so wrapped up in himself, that he thinks he can just interrupt the biggest moment of an artists career, and come off like it was nothing...

Well, I guess it tells you the nature of our culture. 

It's all about me.
It's all about what I think.
It's all about disrespect.
It's all about what you can do to attract attention to yourself.

I think we should call on a total boycott of all Kanye West albums. 

Shocking.

Watch this, and tell me what you think.

Jake Armerding

WHAT A WEEK!!  Not only do we have two pro surfers out here, another friend stopped by to play, Jake Armerding.  He rolled in with his bluegrass/acoustic/poetry and the kids went NUTS!!  This guy is the real deal, and he's got some free songs online.  I told him I'd let you guys in on the website, so go check out http://www.jakearmerding.com and download some great music.

It's always fun to have guest artists out here in our state of the art theater.  They love playing, and the teenagers feel like they get an intimate show, as they're up close and personal with the artist. 

We also did a LIVE interview on the BlogTalk radio the other day.  So if you're interested, go ahead and click on the left hand side of the site, and you'll be streaming a recorded interview with Jake too!

Thanks again for praying.  We're having a BLAST here in our 6th term. 

Is there a New Line on the Horizon?

This last week the international Super Band U2 released a brand new album, No Line on the Horizon. 

With the First Single Get on Your Boots  and a media BLITZ, the world has once again been stormed by Bono, Edge, and the boys.

My question....What do you think?

As a co-laborer in humanitarian AID, I have much respect for Bono as he uses the platform of being a rock and roll star to End Poverty with the One campaign, The RED mobilization, and orphan care ; but what about the music?

What do you guys think?

No Line on the Horizon, worth the download?

(FYI: I just downloaded an application called appeture to this blog.  If you roll your mouse over the links, you'll be in for a surprise. Go ahead and try, and let me know what you think.  It's pretty cool!)

You've Got to Watch This!!

Ok, so I know I post a ton of videos, but this is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.  Brian Welch was the guitar player for a band called KORN.  You've got to watch this.  What a testimony!

All this Talk about Dating

All this talk about dating yesterday on the radio show made me think about the music we're listening to in Pop Culture.  Last week we looked at Kanye's video about Welcome to the Heartbreak, and I think there were some good comments on it.  So, my kids showed me this on Youtube, and I think this would be a great, WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?  Let me know what you think.

Kanye's New Video Welcome to the Heartbreak

Not to be a respecter of Music, Here's Kanye West in His new Video Heartbreak.  What do you think?

New U2 coming this next Month, What do you think?

I've decided from time to time we need to review new music and movies here on The Journey.  After all, if we're going to live in the world, and understand where the world is heading, let's be honest and analyze what's going on.  So our first review...U2.  What do you think?  New song, New Video, New Direction?  Get on your Boots, here it is!

Watching Crowder from Afar

I've been watching David Crowder from afar for quite some time.  I've seen him at various events we're at, and worshiped with him on numerous occasions. 

The more I watch this guy, the more I like him.  He seems to be right in tune to the question 'what's God up to' and I think he's providing a cultural answer for those of us into music, to be able to reach out and touch something tangible in this crazy world of change. 

I was cruising the news this morning and found an interview with him that I thought, "more people need to read this."  So, here you go. 

Christianity Today did an interview with Crowder and if you click here David Crowder Interview you'll be able to read the full text. 

All in all, I like where the band is headed.
I like the heart of ministry they have.
And, I think this is one artist we are going to be singing with for decades to come.

God Bless.

ART

It's Official Taylor Swift Wins This Week

Every week we have a poll going on the right side of the blog and this last week the question was, "What is your favorite music single out right now?"  I'm pleased to announce the winner is Taylor Swift with Love Story.  Check it out. 

Don't forget to vote here at andybraner.com

Leeland

I was just introduced to Leeland.  Talk about a 'best of' match made in heaven.  I hope to meet these guys someday....

Giving Hope to the Hopeless

A New Band is on the scene, they're called WRENT.

It's awesome to listen to a fresh, innocent voice coupled with several musical innovations.  I was listening to this the other day, and thought you might enjoy.  People all over the world, in every corner of the globe; people are longing for something different.  They try to find it in a worldly system, but are unable to match the beauty that comes from within knowing the One true God.  Take a listen, let me know what you think, and if you dig it go ahead and go to www.wrentband.com.  Check it out!

Click here to Listen to BELIEVE

Humor in Weird Places

I remember back in the late 90's when there were a few avant guard artists pushing the envelope with music, paint, and theater.  Abstract post-modern art was the name of the game.  The weirder the better. 

I was a part of that crazy time in the theater, and it was amazing.  Amazingly confusing.  I didn't know what things were supposed to mean, I had no idea the symbols and where they needed to go, it was kind of a strange time for me.

However, in the middle of all the post-modern art, you learn how to navigate to truth.  It's about the journey, not necessarily about the final result. 

So I was cruising you tube the other day with a friend of mine in Hong Kong, and he pointed out to me a couple of guys who are hilarious.  It looks like they're just improv type musicians, but they're really trying to do something here, that I believe is right in line with where our society is.  It's real enough to seem reality like, but there must be some sort of script to allow them to end the crazy game. 

Check it out and let me know what you think.....