Dear Cameron Strang and the good people of Relevant Magazine:
I am one of your subscribers who has journeyed with your magazine since the beginning (Alright, not the complete beginning, maybe issue 2 or 3). I enjoy most of the articles, the music/movie reviews, and of course, slices. In fact, the slices at http://www.relevantmagazine.com/ is what first caught my attention about the magazine. As a Christian in his twenties (and now in my very early 30's), I really appreciate a magazine (and website) that focuses on faith and culture.
I was pretty excited with your recent issue of Relevant Magazine. This issues is probably my favorite issue in the last year. I was pumped to read about Owl City and how Adam Young said, "I cling dearly to the hope and joy that is found in Jesus Christ. My faith is a big part of who I am and why I make music." It was great to read about Zac Levi and how he is a successful actor in Hollywood while living out his Christian faith. I was really intrigued to read about his close connection with his pastor and that he has a home church that meets at his house.
My problem with the issue came during the interview with Vampire Weekend. No, it had nothing to do with vampires and what vampires do on the weekend...but that I didn't find any real discussion or connection about faith. This got me thinking about whether a "Christian" magazine should try to incorporate faith into their articles/stories. Which leads me to my beef lately with Relevant. Your magazine and website focuses on God, Life and Progressive Culture- and sometimes there seems to be a compartmentalization of these three. You can print a story about a band (Vampire Weekend) without any discussion about faith. Because I have grown to look forward to Relevant- I want more!
I want more because many issues of Relevant begin to look the same. Some social justice, some bands, some witty slices. But I want more. I don't want to read that a band is involved with the ONE campaign. I want to hear how their faith led them to be invovled with the ONE campaign. I don't want a magazine that just scratches the surface- I want to see a Relevant that goes deeper and challenges this generation to go deeper in their faith.
My subscription for Relevant will soon expire. I will have to decide whether to remain- or to look elsewhere. Either way, I wish Relevant the best.
Grace and Peace,
Steve LaMotte
Adventures in The Journey of Faith. A Thirty-Something and his travels as a Pastor, Husband, Father, and Christian.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Delanco Camp Blog
It's been awhile since I've really been able to blog. I am doing my Clinical Pastoral Care for seminary- which is about 40 hours a week- plus my regular stuff at home and at church. So in February, I should be back up and blogging again. (I have some ideas in the works.)
In the meantime, I did a guest blog for the Delanco Camp Blog. This is the camp where Andrea grew up attending and that I've had the opportunity to be a speaker and worship leader at. This year, I am heading up one of the camps. You can check out my post here.
In the meantime, I did a guest blog for the Delanco Camp Blog. This is the camp where Andrea grew up attending and that I've had the opportunity to be a speaker and worship leader at. This year, I am heading up one of the camps. You can check out my post here.
Monday, January 18, 2010
From Joy to Mourning to Hope
Just a few days after Thanksgiving, Andrea and I received confirmation that we were expecting our second child. As you can imagine, we were pretty excited. On December 20th, we went to the doctors for our first ultrasound and were able to catch our first glimpse of our baby- we even saw it's heartbeat.
Something happened between that doctors visit and this past week. The baby stopped growing and we were looking at the reality of a miscarriage. Friday was a difficult day as we went through 2 ultra sounds to confirm that there was no heart beat. We were crushed by the news. Even though we had a notion someting wasn't right- we were hopeful that it was nothing and still anticipating our new child. As the doctor shared the news, we were obviously quite sad.
When everything was finalized and Andrea had the DNC procedure, it was interesting how our conversation began to turn. Our conversation turned to the joy we have because of our daughter, Abbie- and the hope that we have for what God has in store for us. Sure, we have had moments of sadness since then, but we serve an amazing God who has blessed us richly. Because of that, we look to the future with hope.
Isn't that how the Psalms work out in the Bible? Many begin speaking about the trials and tribulations that occur in life- and they end by giving God praise because ultimately God is in control. God will bring vindication. God will bring salvation. This is why the Psalms are so powerful because they speak authentically about our human condition. We suffer (Haiti earthquake), we face death, we face uncertainty- but through it all, God is faithful, and for that reason we can have hope.
For those of you who knew about the miscarriage, thank you for praying for us. It's appreciated. For all of us, let us go about our days with the hope of God's salvation and God's provisions.
Something happened between that doctors visit and this past week. The baby stopped growing and we were looking at the reality of a miscarriage. Friday was a difficult day as we went through 2 ultra sounds to confirm that there was no heart beat. We were crushed by the news. Even though we had a notion someting wasn't right- we were hopeful that it was nothing and still anticipating our new child. As the doctor shared the news, we were obviously quite sad.
When everything was finalized and Andrea had the DNC procedure, it was interesting how our conversation began to turn. Our conversation turned to the joy we have because of our daughter, Abbie- and the hope that we have for what God has in store for us. Sure, we have had moments of sadness since then, but we serve an amazing God who has blessed us richly. Because of that, we look to the future with hope.
Isn't that how the Psalms work out in the Bible? Many begin speaking about the trials and tribulations that occur in life- and they end by giving God praise because ultimately God is in control. God will bring vindication. God will bring salvation. This is why the Psalms are so powerful because they speak authentically about our human condition. We suffer (Haiti earthquake), we face death, we face uncertainty- but through it all, God is faithful, and for that reason we can have hope.
For those of you who knew about the miscarriage, thank you for praying for us. It's appreciated. For all of us, let us go about our days with the hope of God's salvation and God's provisions.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Show Me Your Glory
Having a 2 1/2 year old daughter is a lot of fun. I love the opportunity to get down on the floor and play with her. Just this morning, we played house in her Elmo Tent that she got for Christmas. We would pretend to fall asleep and then she'd wake up to answer the phone. What is really remarkable about Abbie is the way in which she studies Andrea and myself. She touches our eyes, our noses, our mouths. She copies the words that we say. Even today, when I was cleaning the bathroom, she pretended to clean the bathroom right beside me. Abbie is actively seeking to know her parents in the fullest and to learn from us all she can.
Abbie has learned about the many pictures of family throughout our house and we'll often go through each picture and name the people in them. When I leave on roadtrips to school or other places, Abbie has a picture of me that she carries around. When I'm gone, we'll talk on the phone and she'll tell me about her day in all her 2 1/2 year old details! But nothing compares to being face to face, nose to nose is conversation with Abbie. Phone calls cannot replicate what goes on when we are together. Abbie knows this, as any child does, and desires for mommy or daddy to come home when we've been away because it's better to have a relationship face to face.
In Exodus 33, we are told that Moses talked to God face to face as one speaks to a friend. This is an amazing picture of a relationship with God. Moses' visits we not filled with prayer request for sick aunts, lost dogs, or unsettled relationships. Moses questions God and even reminds God that "this nation is your people." Moses does not want to go anywhere without God's Presence because it is God's Presence with the Israelites that distinguishes them from the rest of the people throughout the earth.
Here is what is remarkable about this account- Moses asks for more. He says, "Now show me your glory." Moses already speaks to God as if speaking to a friend. He wants more. He hungers for more. In boldness, he asks for me. Now God knows better and says that Moses cannot see the glory of God (who could stand before God's glory??), but will allow Moses to see God's back. From seeing the back of God- Moses is changed and his face becomes so radiant the the people are afraid of him. Moses will have to wear a veil when he is around the Israel people.
I am moved that Moses wanted more. Moses want to know God in the most intimate of ways. Moses sought after God each day, relating with God as a friend speaks to a friend. If I'm honest, I cannot say this about my relationship with God. Certainly, I desire more of God in my life, but reading this I find that I may not have the boldness of Moses to ask God to see His glory. A.W. Tozer writes that "almost everyday of my life I am praying that 'a jubilent pining and longing for God' might come back on the evangelical churches." It's time to pray for myself that I might know God as Moses knew God. That God might place in me a longing and hunger for God's presence in my life. That the Church would long to know God in this way. I don't want to settle for a photograph from God, or a phone call- but a desire to know God face to face, as a friend speaks to a friend.
God,
I want to see Your glory. I want to speak face to face with You. Show me and the Church Your presence that we might not want to be anywhere else. Give us a hunger and thirst for more of You in our lives everyday.
Amen
"The man that has the most of God is the man who is seeking the most ardently for more of God..."
A.W. Tozer
Abbie has learned about the many pictures of family throughout our house and we'll often go through each picture and name the people in them. When I leave on roadtrips to school or other places, Abbie has a picture of me that she carries around. When I'm gone, we'll talk on the phone and she'll tell me about her day in all her 2 1/2 year old details! But nothing compares to being face to face, nose to nose is conversation with Abbie. Phone calls cannot replicate what goes on when we are together. Abbie knows this, as any child does, and desires for mommy or daddy to come home when we've been away because it's better to have a relationship face to face.
In Exodus 33, we are told that Moses talked to God face to face as one speaks to a friend. This is an amazing picture of a relationship with God. Moses' visits we not filled with prayer request for sick aunts, lost dogs, or unsettled relationships. Moses questions God and even reminds God that "this nation is your people." Moses does not want to go anywhere without God's Presence because it is God's Presence with the Israelites that distinguishes them from the rest of the people throughout the earth.
Here is what is remarkable about this account- Moses asks for more. He says, "Now show me your glory." Moses already speaks to God as if speaking to a friend. He wants more. He hungers for more. In boldness, he asks for me. Now God knows better and says that Moses cannot see the glory of God (who could stand before God's glory??), but will allow Moses to see God's back. From seeing the back of God- Moses is changed and his face becomes so radiant the the people are afraid of him. Moses will have to wear a veil when he is around the Israel people.
I am moved that Moses wanted more. Moses want to know God in the most intimate of ways. Moses sought after God each day, relating with God as a friend speaks to a friend. If I'm honest, I cannot say this about my relationship with God. Certainly, I desire more of God in my life, but reading this I find that I may not have the boldness of Moses to ask God to see His glory. A.W. Tozer writes that "almost everyday of my life I am praying that 'a jubilent pining and longing for God' might come back on the evangelical churches." It's time to pray for myself that I might know God as Moses knew God. That God might place in me a longing and hunger for God's presence in my life. That the Church would long to know God in this way. I don't want to settle for a photograph from God, or a phone call- but a desire to know God face to face, as a friend speaks to a friend.
God,
I want to see Your glory. I want to speak face to face with You. Show me and the Church Your presence that we might not want to be anywhere else. Give us a hunger and thirst for more of You in our lives everyday.
Amen
"The man that has the most of God is the man who is seeking the most ardently for more of God..."
A.W. Tozer
Friday, January 08, 2010
A Passion2010 Review: Pt. 2- The Messages
Yesterday's post was mostly about the music at Passion. If your someone who has been in a contemporary/modern/youngish church over the last decade, then you know the music of Passion. Just on music alone, the Passion Conferences could hold it's own. I was really excited to hear the speakers of Passion and the message given. Read more about the speakers after the jump
Thursday, January 07, 2010
A Passion2010 Review: Part 1
I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta on January 1-5 for Passion2010 with three of our college students here at the church. This was my first time to Passion and I was pretty excited as I have been listening to the Passion CD's since they first started coming out. Much of the music that has come from that conference has been influential in my life and the life of the Church. I was looking forward to also hearing the message that goes along with the music.
Our little group drove down to Atlanta to spare some of the cost and spent and night in North Carolina at the halfway point to make the 12 hour drive a little more manageable. We stayed with our friends Jason and Krystal Goss. Their hospitality was amazing! We arrived in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and it was freezing! We knew it would be cold, but not this cold! The high was never above 36. I'm glad I packed a lot of long sleeve shirts because I only brought a windbreaker with me!
The music at Passion was amazing- which was to be expected. My group began the conference in the Georgia World Congress Center where we were led by Charlie Hall and his band. It doesn't seem to me that Charlie Hall gets the same publicity that David Crowder, Matt Redman, or Chris Tomlin get- but he may be my favorite out of the three (with Matt Redman coming in a close second). I really like Charlie's approach to worship leading- and he has an amazing gotee!
The David Crowder Band was the late night concert in the Phillips Arena on Saturday night. From all apearances, it seemed like a great concert- but we were stuck high above the speakers and could not hear clearly. Every time Crowder spoke, it sounded like an adult speaking from a Peanuts movie. Needless to say, it was my least enjoyable part of the weekend-even though it had nothing to do with Crowder! We just had terrible seats.
On Monday, we were back in the Georgia World Congress Center and led by the Passion Supergroup featuring Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stainfill, Christy Nockels, and Matt Redman. It was pretty cool to see them on stage together. Tomlin and Stainfill are pretty demonstrative on-stage while Redman stands there strums his guitar, and sings. It was an interesting dichotemy of worship leading styles.
Sunday night, we went to the late night concert featuring Hillsong United. I thought about telling how we had floor seats, lost our floor seats because of a Passion communication glich, and then snuck into the concert because we couldn't attend the following night because we were heading home. I won't tell you about that. I'll just say that Hillsong United was great! It was high energy, passionate worship. I was pretty pumped that Brooke Fraser was there to sing "Hosanna." That really made my night.
The new Passion CD with music from the conference comes out in March. As someone who was not impressed with the last Passion CD, I think this one will be really good.
Tomorrow- I'll be recapping some of the messages from Passion2010
Our little group drove down to Atlanta to spare some of the cost and spent and night in North Carolina at the halfway point to make the 12 hour drive a little more manageable. We stayed with our friends Jason and Krystal Goss. Their hospitality was amazing! We arrived in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and it was freezing! We knew it would be cold, but not this cold! The high was never above 36. I'm glad I packed a lot of long sleeve shirts because I only brought a windbreaker with me!
The music at Passion was amazing- which was to be expected. My group began the conference in the Georgia World Congress Center where we were led by Charlie Hall and his band. It doesn't seem to me that Charlie Hall gets the same publicity that David Crowder, Matt Redman, or Chris Tomlin get- but he may be my favorite out of the three (with Matt Redman coming in a close second). I really like Charlie's approach to worship leading- and he has an amazing gotee!
The David Crowder Band was the late night concert in the Phillips Arena on Saturday night. From all apearances, it seemed like a great concert- but we were stuck high above the speakers and could not hear clearly. Every time Crowder spoke, it sounded like an adult speaking from a Peanuts movie. Needless to say, it was my least enjoyable part of the weekend-even though it had nothing to do with Crowder! We just had terrible seats.
On Monday, we were back in the Georgia World Congress Center and led by the Passion Supergroup featuring Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stainfill, Christy Nockels, and Matt Redman. It was pretty cool to see them on stage together. Tomlin and Stainfill are pretty demonstrative on-stage while Redman stands there strums his guitar, and sings. It was an interesting dichotemy of worship leading styles.
Sunday night, we went to the late night concert featuring Hillsong United. I thought about telling how we had floor seats, lost our floor seats because of a Passion communication glich, and then snuck into the concert because we couldn't attend the following night because we were heading home. I won't tell you about that. I'll just say that Hillsong United was great! It was high energy, passionate worship. I was pretty pumped that Brooke Fraser was there to sing "Hosanna." That really made my night.
The new Passion CD with music from the conference comes out in March. As someone who was not impressed with the last Passion CD, I think this one will be really good.
Tomorrow- I'll be recapping some of the messages from Passion2010