France, Jordan, Israel, and the music of my heart.

Here’s some “fun” pictures from the EuroRetreat and my recent trip to Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. If you’d like some more information about what we did there, please send me an email by clicking here.

At the EuroRetreat in Séte, France.









Dead Sea and Kasbah in Amman.









Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.













I’ve been thinking over the last few days how much I’ve been affected by the music I great up with, especially the “Chrisitan” music I’ve been exposed to. I can still remember my mom putting in a tape (a TAPE!!!! Ha! Haven’t seen one of those for a while!), and saying, “Tell me what you think of this song.” It was Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Treasure of You”. I was hooked. A few months later, I saw him in concert with a up-and-coming band at the time called the Newsboys. I’ll never forget when they played “Shine”, and the light fixture that they had, and the amazing show both groups put on.

Caedmon’s Call, Rich Mullins and Andrew Peterson came next, really laying the foundation for years to come as what I considered to be “good”, “quality” and “meaningful”. I actually still have yet to find any artist or group that moves me quite like these guys did, do, and probably will continue to move me. I will forever quote these guys and gals, viewing their lyrics almost as sacred as the Biblical text. “I had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. Looking back I see the lead of Love.” Or “And in stubborn spite of my stubborn spite, I am loved none the less, I am loved all the more and I believe there is love enough for the taking.” Or “Let mercy lead.”

Rich Mullins was asked one time why he played music. He responded with two questions: How many of Wesley’s sermons have you memorized? How many of Wesley’s hymns do you know?

I would be very hesitant to classify myself as a musician. I do know that I’ve been taught forever changed by most of the music I’ve let into my heart and mind, for good and for bad. Derek Webb (older) and Dave Matthews teach me about longing and giving that longing words. Andrew Peterson and Bob Marley teach me about love of all kinds and healthy expression of that love. Rich Mullins and Bach teach me a love for nature, the world, redeemed and sacred. Sister Hazel and (newer) Derek Webb teach me about relationships, both in health and in getting over them. U2 and Randall Goodgame teach me about hope and social justice. Matt Redman, Martin Smith, David Crowder and Chris Tomlin have all taught me about worship and reverence to the Triune God. All of this music feeds me, clothes me, directs me and gives me words.

I know none of these guys will probably ever read this blog (especially not Bach), but I would just like to say thanks. Thanks for everything that you’ve written. Thanks for being disciplined to write down your thoughts and prayers and put music to them. Thanks for working hard to write what you have and not just putting out trash. Thanks for paying attention to detail. Thank you for living and interacting with God and man, processing it, and giving birth to beautiful, compelling and challenging work. Thank you for finding people who could come around you and help shape, mold, chip away and guide you in the process of making quality, wholistic music (lyrics and melody). Thank you, and because of you, more will come later, and go further up and further in than you ever thought possible.

Grace and Peace,
Nate