The Sound of Music

Someone asked about Easterfest last night, and we got talking about the sound level of music. Christian music in live performances is no different to any other concerts. They are loud and sometimes makes me wonder if my ears got damaged. I remembered going to a Rebecca St James concert and the opening gig performed from another band was so loud that it literally pounded my chest with every beat. It made me feel sick.

I also remembered the much loved band Petra at AGMF 3 years ago. It was so loud that you couldn't hear the words, but only high pitch sounds screeching in your ears. It was obviously unbearable for some who left after a while. I just had to fend off the sound with my hands on my ears.

One thing I don't understand is why music has to be loud to be enjoyable. It doesn't make sense at all. Music when too loud becomes just noise. It becomes irritable rather than enjoyable. The thing that got me is, it's not even necessary to have it loud. For what? Don't think I've got a satisfactory answer from anyone yet other than the difference in generational preference. It's not like we can't hear it. But what really got me is churches are following the lead of the youth culture and our music in churches is getting louder and louder. It's not like God can't hear us, so what is the reason behind the need for high volume? I heard of churches handing out ear plugs for those who desire, doesn't that sound terrible?

And if we're talking about worshipping God that requires focus and a quiet heart, isn't loud music distractive and counter productive? It's a concern to me not purely because of the sound level, but the indication of churches following world's practices without thinking it through. Rather than being an influence to the world, the church today like the Truth project says, is conforming to the world. What hope have we then to be salt and light of the world if we're losing our saltiness?

Easterfest Weekend

It was a great weekend in Toowoomba. The weather was nice, hardly a drop of rain. Although it was a bit cold at night. But with the presence of the world famous bands, nobody seemed to care too much.

Among the many musicians and bands there, the most prominent would have to be those at the Main Stage. The Lads from New Zealand definitely has a big following and after a 3-year absence at the festival, people just don't want to let them go. But none beat the Newsboys. The venue was jam packed. It was quite an experience being in the midst. People loved the music, but more so find a connection with them when they presented a short history of the band. Some of us don't know that Newsboys is actually a Queensland band and started up from Toowoomba. It was a great night.



Another biggie was Jars of Clay who sounded like they haven't been to Australia before, at least Easterfest. Their music was different but equally good. And the mix and sounds were excellent. There were couple songs that really spoke to the heart. The fans were elated when they stayed not only for a song at the encore, but in their graciousness sang a few more songs because as they said, they rarely came over.

Of course, there were those who are the Easterfest favourites, and who didn't want to see the Lads, Alabaster Box and Compliments of Gus? Compassion was bigger than ever this year, and there were over 300 kids got sponsored compared to the 70 last year!

What was really awesome was the combined church service Sunday evening with a whole orchestra and ended with a closing song of How Great Thou Art. There were thousands of people there all singing together. Could you imagine how it's like? It gave us a taste of how heaven will be like with the saints and the heavenly hosts all praising God! I wonder how far it reached and if people at their homes would feel the awe of God through that.

The organiser had done a great job this year. There were a variety of activities including an Iona Passion Play, political forums, womens and guys only forums, focus on the family, free rides, yummy food and all that we didn't get a chance to see it all!

Legalising Drugs

A few days ago on the news, a minister was calling for the legalisation of drugs so that few will die of overdose and there could be more control. It was a Wayside Chapel minister and I gathered from the name that it must be a place helping drug addicts or people off the rail. So I had a search and confirmed my hunch about Wayside Chapel.

They are famous for running the first injection/needle exchange centre in Kings Cross, Sydney a few years ago when it wasn't legal to do so. There is no doubt they've done a lot for the down and out in society and those who are struggling with addiction of any kind. Very well you say on compassionate ground. But no amount of legalising can make the problem go away. What is harmful is still harmful, what is wrong is still wrong. By making it lawful doesn't mean that it won't hurt. On the contrary, it gives the opposite signal because it's legal and easily accessible. Just look around the world and we'll see no amount of legalising brothels, drugs, or same sex marriage actually improve the situation.

The laws are there for a reason. The Bible says that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And that the law is to help us become conscious of sin, and God's grace. (Romans 3:20b, 7:7, 21) Accepting and loving a person is different from accepting and allowing the person to continue to do what is not right and harmful (Romans 6:12-13).

In their recent newsletter, the Pastor said

“I'm sick of having my heart broken when I learn that some young person has made a brave attempt at life, made real progress in a rehab programme only to fail in the first few weeks after discharge. At least half of the people who have taken this brave journey, fail in the first couple of weeks. Imagine if we could cut that failure rate in half? I reckon we could do it. We have the passion and the skill and one day, we'll have the resources to do it.”

This is all the more evidence that we're battled against the spiritual forces rather than the physical of this world. We could try whatever human methods and would succeed to a certain extent. But it won't last. Because no matter how hard we try, it only addresses the superficial level that relies on self, rather than the transforming power of God that cleanses and reaches to the core of our being (Romans 7:22-25).

Young but not weak

How great it was to catch up with Beka and listen to her real life experiences in Central Asia in our small group this week. We were all curious about the place, but more particularly the life of a believer in such a hostile environment. We were particularly interested in the role of women in that society and how a female believer survived under the watchful eyes of men.

But what made the most impact on us is the strength of Beka's faith, her undying devotion and trust in God, her obedience to God's calling and her sacrificial service to God. When one has such focus on God, our actions, plans speech and thoughts become a reflection of God himself. Everything else in this world becomes irrelevant. All that matters is fulfilling God's mission for us.

It humbles, encourages and challenges me at the same time. Humbled to see the power of God at work in someone younger than I am. Encouraged to know young people with such passion and earnestness for God. Challenged to have the same level of devotion and obedience in doing whatever and wherever God called me to.