How Appropriate...

Perhaps you know what this feels like:

You have a dream - a passion - something you've longed to do for so long, yet you've just not been able to "put all of the pieces together" to make it happen.  I'm quite certain you know how this feels.  We all can relate.

One of my dreams for so long (and it seems like the hopes and wishes of many others based on their comments to me) is to create, record and release a CD.  This has been a pet project of mine for many years; and so, too have the wheels of my mind been turning for a long time in planning and preparation for such a project.

The journey that I've gone through with the Lord in realizing this passion of mine has taught me many things.  I share one with you now...

Let me begin by saying this: the flesh will try as hard as it can, in ways you'd never expect, to side track you from doing things God's way.  Let me elaborate.  The Lord has blessed me with musical abilities.  That said, it's so easy for a musician to get carried away into Perfectionist Land in writing, practicing and recording music.  (Hey, who needs to be a musician to understand this?  We all do it!)  My flesh wants to place this project on a timed table, clearly marking off goals along the way.  When I do this, I most certainly squelch the Spirit of God and His Word to inspire me in my writing endeavors.  My creative juices quickly turn stale then sour when placed under such constraints.  The Spirit of God - the Spirit of the Life of Christ does not work according to time tables and man's schedules.  He works consistently and constantly within our hearts and minds "both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

I've heard it said before that God is not in the microwave business, but rather the slow cooker business.  God desires true change in our lives that takes place on a very deep level.  It takes time for this to occur.  Time which we do not like to give Him, ourselves or anyone for that matter in our "gotta have it now" society.  

Although a hard pill to swallow, God has had to show me that He can and will use my talents in spite of myself and all of my planning and efforts.  I have tried so many times to finish such a project as this, but each effort has come up empty.  God's point to us all exactly: The flesh doesn't work.   It has been a path of over seven years that I am just now slowly starting to grasp this concept.  Believe me, I have so much further to go.  Nevertheless, I have, at least currently at this moment (we'll see about tomorrow) placed this project and dream into His hands.   Having done so, I have seen Him work in me to slowly bring this album into fruition.

I have decided a title for the work, and have written, composed and even begun recording the title track: Beneath It All.  Sound familiar?  How appropriate, right?  For this is also the title of the Blog that I have chosen.  In reality both projects are one in the same.  In this album, my goal and desire is to encourage myself and all believers to look deeper in their own walks with the Lord but also to look beyond the skin and superficial to see beneath it all and what the Lord is doing in the hearts and minds of fellow believers.  That is also the same goal of this Blog.    I intend to not only share updates about the album with you via this avenue, but further points to ponder and other musings from my own studies and walk with Him.    Eventually, it will also house more in depth teaching on the truths, backgrounds and stories told through song found on the album itself.

For now, this is all I share of the project.  Come on, now -  I have to create some form of anticipation!

Until we meet again,

Justin