Third Day - Wherever You Are

Third Day: Wherever You Are

As previously posted, I was blessed to attend Third Day’s All Access concert in Atlanta on November 1^st. After taking a month to listen to their new CD and letting the music soothe my soul, I’ve decided to write a review of it.

Drum roll please…

Wherever You Are begins with the message of constant and everlasting hope with, Tunnel. This is a great song if your life is full of burdens and worries as mine is right now. No matter what I'm going through, Jesus is my light and will always show me the way toward him.

As mentioned, my life is full of burdens right now. Some days the load is so heavy, I can actually feel the weight on my shoulders. Hearing, Eagles, takes me to a far away place where I be truly free. Sure, I try to give these burdens to Jesus, but the more and more I face them, (and usually it’s everyday) I collapse. Eagles don’t collapse; they soar. One day I will soar.

Through my burdens, I’ve been blessed to meet others who are also going through hardships and pray for them. From the hurricane’s devastation to those who live everyday in poverty, Cry Out To Jesus, is for everyone needing the love and grace of Jesus. I had tears in my eyes when Third Day performed this at the All Access concert. In my humble opinion, this song is the best one on the album.

I got goose bumps the first time I heard, I Can Feel It. Now I know some of you will probably find this humorous or heretical, BUT, I truly believe the Holy Spirit can be felt within and around us. I believe that God is always near even though we don’t recognize him.

The upbeat, Keep On Shinin’, is a good reminder that wherever we are, whatever we are doing, to show God’s love to others, i.e. strangers, church members, family, and friends. Not an easy task with all that’s going on in our own personal worlds. The Apostle Paul encourages us to, “…fight the good fight.”

As with all of Third Day’s songs, you can play them and visualize a personal or biblical story. Communion reminds me of the last supper with Jesus sharing the bread and wine with his apostles, who clearly didn’t understand what was about to take place. We know what took place and celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Carry My Cross explicitly tells what Jesus has done for my salvation through love. He took my sins, my burdens, and my shame to the cross.

Track 8, How Do You Know, lifted my head and heart from severe criticism. Moreover, lifted me above those who doubt me and my godly purpose. There’s nothing worse than family members criticizing your abilities and questioning your life in Christ. In a society that frequently measures success by your salary, size of your home, and how many cars you drive, it’s great to hear a song that defends what people, like me, are trying to do in the name of Christ. Sure, every now and then I may lose my step, but I will never lose my way in Him. Lastly, I love what David Carr says about ‘legalism’, “The high horse of legalism and piousness needs to be led to the water and drowned.” Amen.

Mountain of God is a sabbatical from the everyday worries and troubles that we encounter. I believe we become closer to God when we take the time to seek him without noise, distractions, or cell phones. Jesus often took the time to intentionally pray to the Father. Let Him be the example for us.

Generally speaking, Love Heals Your Heart and The Sun is Shining are two songs that fill in the album’s gaps. Both speak of love, hope, and encouragement in a lighthearted way. Love… is a beautiful ballad while The Sun… puts a smile on your face knowing Jesus is always with us and renewing us.

Wherever You Are ends on an inspirational high note with, Rise Up, that beckons you to keep the CD playing over-and-over. As I previously mentioned, Rise Up is a call to rise above the burdens and worries. Earlier I mentioned the physical impact of burdens. Rise Up lifts us up to face life. I can still picture Mac, at the concert, bellowing this verse: (Even with a cold!)

“Rise up my friend and live again.”

Overall, Third Day’s music keeps maturing as the songs tell of faith, hope, and love. In a time of war, famine, disease, and various hardships, Wherever You Are inspires us to keep living through Christ.

Hands down, Wherever You Are is Third Day’s best album to date.

Third Day - The Band

Note: This is the first of two, maybe three, posts on Third Day. Today is the band, tomorrow is a review of Wherever You Are, then on Friday I'll write about their mission opportunities.

Before going any further, please read Tai Anderson's recent experience at the U2 concert here in Atlanta. I've met Tai, Mark, Mac, Brad, and David at two local shows AND hereabouts in the Atlanta area. It's amazing who you run in to at a grocery store. : ) Needless to say to Third Day fans who already know this, but, these guys are wonderful examples of living through Christ.

Tai's post revealed the heart of a devoted fan, famous band member, and devoted follower of Christ. (Can I call Third Day famous?) His actions were justified and his heart was filled with the love for his wife, friends, and Jesus.

If you ever get the chance to watch Tai on stage, he makes playing the Bass guitar look like lots of fun. Every time I saw him play, he was bouncing around the stage with a smile on his face.

One last thing about Tai - he helped convert me from a Microsoft Windows guy to an Apple Mac one. Believe me, less troubles with a Mac than a PC.

Next, I'm going to write quick snippets on Mac, Mark, and Brad. I'll save David for last.

Brad is the most intense guitar player I've ever seen. Watching Brad on stage is AMAZING! He definitely feels the music and it envelops him. Every time he sways with the guitar riffs, you want to sway with him. Catch him smiling when he's, "in the groove".

Can anyone on this planet even come close to replicating Mac's voice? I didn't think so either. Whether he's speaking or singing, his voice resonates a meaningful tone. He's thoughtful and caring. I snapped a picture of him and my son at the All Access concert in Atlanta. Andrew won't part with it for nothing. Thank you, Mac.

Okay, as Brad is intense and brings the music to a high, Mark Lee makes the music come alive with vibrant chords and riffs. He bounces around the stage as well as Tai. Is it fair to say that Mark 'marries' the sounds together? I'll let you be the judge of that. Mark also reads and writes a good deal as seen on Third Day's blog. I check it out a couple times a week. Great stuff!

Last, but certainly not least in my book, is David. I've met him 'in the public square' and I'll say this: He is very humble and willing to speak. As with the other band members, David loves doing things for his family, which marks very high in my book. David, as with Brad, is intense behind the drums. He 'feels' the music wonderfully and balances the guitars with various beats.

If I had to say there was a leader on Third Day, I would definitely say it is Jesus Christ. For only Jesus could give these men the inspirational talent, perseverance, and love to produce fruitful albums, tour, and meet fans such as me and my family.

Beware the Fire Pole

This from the AJC.com... Woman sues for injuries from sliding down fire pole at party

For some reason, my brain just can't comprehend this right now.

Maybe later...

Mercer University and the Georgia Baptist Convention

From the AJC...Baptists vote to slash Mercer ties
(you'll need an account)

Mercer University is traditionally Baptist with longstanding ties to the Georgia Baptist Convention. However, these ties, which have become worn through the years, are about to end. According to The Christian Index, the Mercer Triangle Symposium held a "Coming Out Day" for gays and lesbians back on October 11th. Yet, according to R. Kirby Godsey, Mercer President, the Triangle Symposium was meant as a tool for dialogue and not encouraged by the university.

As of Tuesday, November 15th, the conservative force behind the Georgia Baptist Convention voted on a measure to end it's relationship with Mercer, since it cannot control the university's Board of Trustees. Therefore, if the measure is made final next year, the GBC will cease giving $3.6 million annually in scholarship money.

As a theology graduate student at the McAfee School of Theology, Mercer - Atlanta campus, I am troubled by the GBC's sharp-turn measure against the school. Is this really about a gay and lesbian organization meeting on school grounds OR is this about the lack of a conservative movement on behalf of the university? I don't think so. Therefore, at the center of the GBC's vote is the lack of control; control of what takes place at Mercer.

If one were to look at the quality of education at Mercer University, you would begin with President Godsey. In the many years of being president, he has taken this university and made it great. For example, look at enrollment or donations. Both are incredibly high. Mercer is also ranked amongst the top universities in the nation.

Now, would President Godsey jeopardize the university's fine reputation for doing something stupid? No, he wouldn't. His intentions are pure; he wants only the best for Mercer and it's students. Take my word for this: I've met President Godsey and his heart is in the right place. He encourages academic freedom while glorifying Christ. The Mercer faculty encourages the same values.

But alas, there are some things I will never understand. I will never understand a body, like the GBC, ripping it's relationship from Mercer without speaking with President Godsey first, students second. I fully support President Godsey, the faculty, and students of Mercer for their grace and love in Christ. For this measure really hurts Mercer's students the most. Students who rely on GBC's annual giving.

Listed below are the articles to "The Christian Index" and the GBC's measure.

The Christian Index

GBC Measure

Movie Review

Good Night, and Good Luck

Despite my moderate-Conservative self, I am giving big kudos to George Clooney, director and actor, in this tale of Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy. Clooney managed to tell a story by staying away from the vile nature of rated R or PG13 films. Let's hope other actors will follow his lead.

Personally speaking, I am a big fan of Murrow. He set the stage for factual journalism. He strongly believed in the truth; not news entertainment which runs rampant today. Murrow never mixed words nor used flowery language.

If you want more information on the life of Edward R. Murrow, go here to Wikipedia.

Good night, and good luck.