U2 360 Tour Heinz Field Pittsburgh

On my brother's birthday, July 26th, Jamie and I went to our first concert together as a married couple (I know, it was such a thoughtful and selfless gift for Chuck). We were able to get two tickets to see U2 at their last show in the United States on their current tour, and I would have to say that it was the best concert I have ever seen. It was absolutely incredible!

There are so many aspects I'd like to write about, but I'm going to limit myself to just a few. First, I loved the way they interacted with the crowd all night. The band could remember their first show in Pittsburgh. It was in a small club in 1981. They have been returning to Pittsburgh for years (I had seen them with three of my friends during their last tour in 2005). They referenced cultural icons and built a rapport with folks in the Burgh quickly. Beyond this, they built a sense of community and togetherness with the fans in attendance. It was really something to experience.

For instance, as Bono started singing "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," a song that was written as a modern hymn by the band, he stepped away from the microphone and the entire crowd in Heinz Field sang the first verse and chorus together. Bono picked it back up for the second verse, but it became one of many powerful moments for the concert attendees.

Beyond the feeling of camaraderie among the attendees, there was something special about the band themselves. They weren't just a group of musicians, they were a team of lifelong friends. They have been playing music together since 1976, and they have been able to bridge the gap of multiple generations. There were young and old alike in the crowd singing along to songs that spanned many years of their career. These guys have fun playing music together, and have been creating unique moments for concert goers for decades.

Beyond all of this, I think I appreciated most of all the sense of a long, persistent faithfulness to social causes and social justice. Sometimes, I think Bono is looked at as some rock star who just recently became an advocate for social causes, but the band has been serving as advocates for others for most of their career. In fact, two years ago, I saw U2 perform in Washington DC, and during the concert they made a focused push for freeing Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kii. They encouraged fans to write letters and use their voices as advocates for freeing Aung San Suu Kii. In November 2010 she was freed, and during the concert in Pittsburgh, she addressed the crowd by video and encouraged them to use their voices to fight for justice and to serve those who are in need.

As Jamie and I took in the sights and sounds of an incredible evening in Pittsburgh, I was reminded of the importance of perseverance and faithfulness, and I felt a renewed energy for approaching the causes I am passionate about with an even greater zeal. I hope that twenty years from now, I will be able to look back and see the impact that comes from longstanding faithfulness and tenacity.

May we each emulate these rockers from Ireland in the way that they work toward creating community, beauty, and seeking the good of others all the days of our lives. And, if you have an opportunity to see U2 on a future tour, take advantage of the opportunity. You won't regret it.

U2 360º Tour in FedEx Field

The above photo was taken a few minutes before showtime last night for the U2 Concert in Washington DC. After putting in a full morning, Jamie and I began the drive from Morgantown to DC hoping we could beat rush hour traffic and get situated in a timely manner. She had to be at work at 7AM this morning, so thankfully she slept the entire way back!

As we arrived at the arena, we went for an exploratory walk where we found a taco bell and the metro where we would later meet a few friends who happened to be in DC including my friends Don Jorgenson and Jake Harriman. They were joining us for the concert, and it was a great opportunity to bless my buddy Jake, who has spent most of the last year in Kenya, with a cool birthday present.

While waiting near the metro, I met a ticket "broker" named Lucas who tought Jamie and myself a few of the tricks of the trade. It was pretty amazing to watch him work--he had a charismatic personality and his story (told between crowds exiting the metro) was definitely engaging. Perhaps something for another post . . .

Anyhoo, the concert itself was phenomenal. I think it was one of the most inspiring concert events I've been part of, and it definitely was a participatory event. From lights, sight, sound, and the personality of the band, this legendary band put on an epic show. Bono began the concert by telling us that we were going to take a trip into outer space together, and I believe that his claim lived up to expectation. The concert was an out of this world experience that were at times comical while other times sobering and even worshipful.

As the concert progressed, I found myself personally inspired, reflective, encouraged, empowered, and even somewhat changed by the experience. There was a magic in the arena, which, if it were somehow able to be tapped into beyond the night, might lead to radical positive change for this world.

A personal high point for me was when Bono sang a verse of Amazing Grace during the second encore. He started with this song, and then the band began to play Where The Streets Have No Name. (On a personal note, that song has had a powerful meaning and sentiment for me both during and after my two periods of extended solitude, silence, and prayer
in the Joshua Tree Desert.

On a different note, I found myself reflecting on the perseverance of Bono and the band. They've been making music together for nearly 30 years, and they've also been engaged in the fight to end extreme poverty for over 20 years. They've leveraged their position in the world of rock and roll to bring about change in the world of people who have never heard of U2. They've lived their faith out tenaciously and aggressively in a way that challenges and frustrates both skeptics and committed people of faith. There's something to be said for " . . . a long obedience in the same direction."

There are still a few shows left for this tour, so if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend checking out one of 'em. And the next time you listen to a U2 song on the radio, think about perseverance. Reflect on the idea of making a tangible change in this world. And take action to make this world a better place.

May you start today, and may you be a tangible taste of God's Kingdom come, and His will being done, on earth as it is in heaven . . .

Lawson Reunion

The photo above is of a bluegrass group known as Lawson Reunion. These folks are an incredible group, and aside from our mutual love of bluegrass music and Jesus, we are also members of the same American Indian tribe. Many of these folks have served on our tribe's tribal council faithfully for years, and the entire family is incredibly talented musically.

So why am I writing about Lawson Reunion today? I'm writing about them because I heard they are the headliners at a music festival called the hard times acoustic festival that's happening in southwestern Ohio. And the whole day festival is only three bucks. As the promotion sign reads, "Fun for all ages . . . even if your dough flow is slow." If you are living in Southwestern Ohio, hearing Lawson Reunion alone is worth it, but the event is an all day affair. And if you are a picker or a grinner, bring your instrument for an open jam at the end of the night! The location is the Johnson Farm. Not sure where that is? Try entering this address into google maps. 2610 Camden-West Elkton Rd Camden, OH.

I'm really excited to see some shawnee people launching out successfully in this world. I've been proud of the Lawson's for a long time, and it's an honor to be able to share a little bit of what they do with you. Again, if you live in Southwestern Ohio, and you enjoy bluegrass music, I feel like this festival would be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Fee and Hillsong London

Tonight at Crc I attended a concert with Jerry Haynes and Jamie
Reaser. Concerts at Crc are pretty busy days for the staff but often
it ends up being a mini reunion as well. I've run into old roommates,
friends from my undergrad days at WVU, and people from the community
whom I haven't seen for a long time.
There's something cool about music that brings people together.
There's something cool about reuniting with old friends who share a
common tie. What's cooler than that is to share big dreams together.
Are you dreaming big with friends and with your Creator?
Dream big. Change the world. Love others. Love God.

Me and Justin McRoberts

Me and Justin McRoberts, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last month the guy on the right in the photo above rolled into Morgantown for a concert. His name is Justin McRoberts. I first heard Justin's music when I bought his CD on a whim at a bookstore in Frederick Maryland called The Shepherd's Table. His voice was rich and robust, his guitar was simple and yet a perfect complement to his voice. His lyrics were very straghtforward, but there was something about his voice singing his lyrics that communicated passion, honesty, and a vulnerability I have rarely experienced.

I was going through a lot when I picked up Justin's first CD, and his music was a gift from God for me. I don't like to categorize music in this way, because all music is an opportunity to reflect the beauty of the Creator as we engage in the creative endeavor ourselves. Justin's words were simple yet true, and I found myself hijacking his lyrics and making them my own personal outpourings of prayer to God. Many times I would find myself in tears while singing the songs Reason for Living (which is also the name of the album) and Galatians 2:20.

It was great being able to connect with Justin in sozo of all places. Judging by the lyrics of some of the songs from his latest album (which I purchased that night), we are once again thinking in a similar vein about how to live this life of faith to bring God the most glory.

One other thing, Justin and I were able to talk about my recent endeavor of my friends Jake and John to do holistic sustainable development among the world's rural extreme poor. Justin does some similar work to promote another non-profit, and it was just cool to talk about our generation's desire to live out our calling in such a way as to transform some of the ugliness in this world into beauty.

If you get a chance, you should definitely check out justin's music, or catch him in concert somewhere. He's a talented musician, and it's evident after spending some time with him that his desire is to both sing and live from the heart.

What would happen if we all strived toward that a little more?

FALLfest 2008

FALLfest 2008, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last night, I went to FALLfest. It's the annual concert event that welcomes students back to morgantown. Literally thousands of students and guests attended the event. There was a wide variety of artists on stage including this guy, Lupé Fiasco. He was the only person who I watched the entire set for. While his lyrics were not always the most eloquent or family friendly, he provided a high energy performance, and even took a moment of silence to remember all of those who were killed in the previous year as a result of campus violence or who were victimized in campus rapes. I was actually really impressed with the way he was able to rhyme while running and jumping at a fast pace as he and his crew danced while they rapped and sang.

FALLfest had a little something for everyone, and the headliners even included a Christian band called Day of Fire.

I spent yesterday evening going back and forth between sozo and the mountainlair--trying to connect with students as many made the return trip to morgantown just in time for classes to start.

All in all there were about a dozen of us who spent the evening together wandering through the crowds and standing packed like sardines for the event on campus.

The semester is on it's way now. Folks are scurrying all about campus as they strive to make their way around and learn the ropes.

And, in the middle of it all, I was able to join several thousand others in enjoying a free concert with friends.

Seven Bands for Five Bucks

Last night, as the next event in our week of Another World Is Possibleweek, we hosted not just five bands for five bucks, but actually seven. It was a cold and snowy night in Morgantown, but those who were able to come out were able to hear a lot of quality music at a very reasonable price.

But great music wasn't the only thing going on last night. A handful of local non-profit organizations were featured in between sets during this great concert at the Metropolitan Theatre on High Street. That facility is amazing by the way! If you are looking for a cool venue in which to hold a concert, drama, or event, I think "the met" is just the place!

One of the coolest things about the evening was that the artists and non-profits were doing some conversing over the course of the evening too. People were asking each other they could help one another in their respective field. In particulare, one of my favorite bands of the evening, Kessler, and my friends John & Jake's organization Nuru International started talking about some possibilities of working together in the future. I recommend you check out their respective sites. Kessler is a band out of Dallas Texas, and they have just gotten started touring and were signed with Tooth & Nail Records. Their sound is rich, melodic, and passionate. Give em a listen at the link above. Nuru, is a new organization dedicated to helping the rural extreme poor lift themselves out of poverty , first in Africa, and then around the world. It's hard to believe in a land of plenty like the one in which we live, but over a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. Nuru is trying to help people by walking alongside communities, one at a time, and sounding the trumpet to see people with resources and a passion for justice take steps to transform these communities into communities of hope.

I imagine I will blog about both Kessler and Nuru more extensively at a later date, but for now, I just wanted to share great news about another wonderful night/event flowing from our focused week on campus.

As one last side story, a couple of students I ran into as they were traveling home late last night, were totally stoked about the whole evening and the part they were able to play in it. I think that's another beautiful part of this whole week. So many people have contributed to the success of each night's event and to the success of the week as a whole.

What a wonderful opportunity to see the Creator of the universe at work in so many tangible ways. May you tangibly see how He is at work in your own life today, wherever you may be!

Jeremy Camp Concert

Jeremy Camp Concert, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last Friday night, I went to see Jeremy Camp in concert with around 2000 other people in Morgantown, WV at Chestnut Ridge Church. My dad, my sister, and my best friend and his family joined me for the merriment as well.

The concert was phenomenal on a number of levels. My sister was the one who was really enthusiastic about going, and I wasn't as excited initially. It wasn't that I don't appreciate the music, I just didn't know if a concert with a national Christian act would be just a concert, or a night of Christian music, or a time of worship, or what.

I was greatly enthused by what I heard and experienced. Much of the evening I was crying as I sang along with the rest of the audience. God was taking this time that I had dedicated to a concert to both minister to my heart and to allow me an opportunity to more deeply worship and appreciate Him.

If you ever get a chance to see this guy in concert, I highly recommend it. Through song, scripture, and personal testimony, he really ministered to my life, and encouraged me in my walk with Jesus.

One of the last songs he sang is called My Desire. The chorus of the song states This is my desire, this is my return, this is my desire, to be used by You.

It's a great song to sing, and a great statement of faith. As I sang along with him, I found myself really wrestling with the statement. Jeremy also shared how he wrestles with some of the statements in his songs. Deep down we want to be used by God, but sometimes our selfish tendencies get in the way. Sometimes I think we want to be used by God, but we just don't give consideration to what that would look like.

So I submit it to you, and I would love to read your comments. You can be both general and specific. What does it look like in general to be used by Jesus? . . .and what does it look like for YOU specifically to be used by Jesus? How do you make yourself available on the job, at school, in the house, in the neighborhood to be used by Jesus?

Brett Cain

Brett Cain, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Last Friday night, I went to the wheel house in Parkersburg with my best friend Willie. One of his old friends, Brett Cain had returned from the west coast and was performing in Parkersburg.

Willie had told me that this guy was really talented, and joy filled, and that when he first heard Brett, he knew he would make it as a musician.
Willie also said that listening to brett, and watching him perform just left him feeling joy. Brett was able to bring joy and fill a room with his music.

I went to the concert with Willie, and I was blown away. Brett was extremely talented and joy filled. I was blown away by His music.

And I found out that Brett will be on television in January on the show America's Got Talent. He's a Weirton, West Virginia native, so of course I feel compelled to support him. His music is on myspace, if you want to give it a listen.

One of the songs on his album really hit me. It's called "Find Time".

The chorus goes . . .

Find time
To make time
Cheating yourself is your biggest crime
Step into your spotlight
Cuz it aint gonna make you
You've gotta make time

Do you need to take some time to rest and be refreshed? Make sure you find the time.

David Crowder Band Concert

David Crowder Band Concert, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

I would be remiss if I didn't blog about this concert and the fun times we had together tonight. Although we traveled in two automobiles, I feel confident good conversation took place in both.

A group of about a dozen of us took a road trip to wheeling this evening to enjoy a David Crowder band Concert. Tonight was just a fun experience being together, enjoying good music, and great friends.

The band really impressed me with their genuine love for God and for the people in the small venue in Wheeling.

We enjoyed some delicious Di Carlo's pizza and conversation after the concert, and I truly rejoice that I was able to spend the evening with such quality people.

In fact, I found myself thinking about our community in Morgantown a lot. There is something special about this community. Although I enjoyed worshiping with many people, including my former roommate Jimmy Shreeves and his wife, I found myself thinking about our community, and our worship together being among the sweetest.

David Crowder was great, but I found myself thinking about how much I enjoy praising God with our worship leader Cameron King and our community back in morgantown.

There are definitely moments where in the midst of our devotion to God, He rends the heavens and heaven and earth touch in the center of our hearts as we give all of our heart, soul, mind and strength to the honor of King Jesus as a community.

I find myself desiring more and more of this in my life and the life of our community. What a fun group of people to spend time with.

My freshman year, I went to a hip hop concert in a similar venue. The two events were so far from each other when I consider what was glorified at each. It is truly wild to think what God is doing in and through our community as we seek His face together.

And we trade in our past at the cross for new life in Him. I want more of that new life manifest in my own.

Have you ever contemplated the reality that where the people of God are gathered on the earth is a place where the reality of the Kingdom of God becomes manifest? How does that affect your life and your worship?

I'll always stand . . .for you

Tuesday night I went to see Delirious and Tree 63 in a free concert in clarksburg, WV.

It was an interesting evening. I found myself a little detached from all that was happening on the stage. I listened to the lyrics and let them resonate in my mind. As the musicians played, I found myself engaged in conversations with the people around me. There is a lot of pain and hurt in our world, and it seems like sometimes it won't stop. I am shocked at the hurts some of my friends have had to walk through.

As I listened to conversations, and I listened to the lyrics, I felt a bit of the despair of so many of the young people assembled in this venue.

The chorus of one of the songs Tree63 sang is the title of this blog.

I felt like as i heard the lyrics it was like the musicians and the people in the audience were making a commitment beyond their capabilities, like saying something they could never live up to.

I think sometimes we make statements like this, and then, if we fail, guilt and shame overwhelm us, and we end up sliding away because of our failures.

Christianity bids us toward something different. We are to run hard after God, and if we fall, we are to allow grace to keep us standing up, and keep on running.

Don't let sin entangle you, cast it off, and run!

Vertigo

vt2005_img_lp, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So it happened. Saturday night I was immensely blessed. Two of my good friends made arrangements for me to be able to join them (and bring another buddy of mine) in Pittsburgh to see Bono and the boys.

This was probably one of the best, if not the best concert I have ever been to. It is a close call between this and Pearl Jam 2000.

Bono opened up the concert by thanking the crowd for the life they had provided for the band, and said, "we're trying to live it as large as we can!" In other words they were making the most of what they had been given. Are you doing the same?

The last set of the evening was a time of worship (unfortunately this point may have been missed by many in attendance). The last three songs of the second encore were God-ward. "All Because of You", "Yahweh", and "40" ended the evenings events.

The night was a mix of great music, humor, political activism, and incarnational faith.

While many have issues with Bono, it is my prayer that we would see many more people similar to Bono in this regard. . .

That they would live their lives radically and passionately for what they say they believe. Not to the point of endangering others, but to the point that people stand and take notice.

I wonder how many of us really live out our passion. I was just thinking about it this morning, and even among Christians, where identification with Jesus is in itself a little radical, I think many of us are afraid to step out of our comfort zones, and afraid of offending others.

Sometimes it makes me wonder, what do we really believe? Maybe we need to start swimming against the stream a bit more before we get swept away in apathy.

What do you think? Are you living life passionately?