Music a part of the walk
Just as with my pre-Christian life, music has been a big part of my Christian walk. The difference being that contrary to the music I used to listen to, my ears are tuned today to songs written with a spiritual slant.
Ironically, my earliest exposure to Contemporary Christian music was the singer/songwriter Keith Green, who died in a 1982 plane crash – three years before I accepted Christ. It’s strange, but even though unfamiliar with his music at the time, I can still remember reading the wire story. As I recall, his death also netted about 4 inches of copy. (Nothing ever changes; everything remains the same.)
Green’s music was intense, thought-provoking and controversial. Songs such as "Asleep in the Light" and "To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice" strike at the heart of discipleship, sometimes causing listeners a great deal of discomfort.
Coming upon Green’s music as a baby Christian and a working journalist, there was in me an appreciation for his honesty and in-your-face discipleship. The notion of "no compromise" was both comforting and discomforting in its challenge.
Where mercy leads …
But where Green’s music continues to instruct me in discipleship, Rich brings me to the mercy found at the throne of God’s grace through songs such as "If I Stand":
"So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That You will pull me through
And if I can’t let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to you …"
Buzz is a married father of two, managing editor for print/online at The (Maryville, TN) Daily Times and pastors Green Meadow United Methodist Church in Alcoa, TN. He is a 1981 graduate of East Tennessee State University, where he is a member of the Mass Communications Department Hall of Fame.
Inside you will find a collection of columns penned by Buzz on topics ranging from the death of Rich Mullins, to his battle with Hepatitis C, to asking the question, "Does God have a sense of humor."
Buzz talks with those who, as the late Larry Norman would say, "rock the flock." His interviews range from members of Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, Jars of Clay and Third Day, to David Crowder and more.
Follow Buzz as he travels with Vine International on two different medical misison trips to Guatemala, as well as one with Volunteer Medical Mission. In 1999, he also went to Estonia with a Volunteers in Mission team.
Blog: Gathering Wool
Blog: The Pastor's Buzz