One Way Artist Management

It's Always An Adventure [when Dad gets left alone]

2009-09-26T11:29:00.003-04:00

This is a true story. Only the names have been changed to protect the [guilty] innocent.

*****

Mom was helping out her mother-in-law one Saturday, so Dad and his two boys, Jackson and Jacob, were together for the day. Dad had signed them up for the Walk For Life that was to take place that morning at 9:00am, so the boys started getting ready to go. At 8:30am. And it's a 25-minute drive. Late already.

Dad hurriedly dressed the boys, himself, and out the door they went. At 9:00am. Still late.

They arrived at the State Fairgrounds at 9:30am, parked, loaded up the stroller and headed for the check-in as most walkers were crossing the finish line. Thankfully there were still two people manning the check-in table as Dad joked, "I think we're a little early."

"You missed the walk," the lady said.

"That's OK, we'll walk the loop anyway," the Dad told her. He collected their T-shirts, signed the waiver [good thing...], and headed back outside.

Dad decided that they would just do everything backwards. The walkers were finishing and heading for the snacks and bounce houses with their kids. Dad and his boys would too! So, Dad took Jackson's shoes and socks off, let him play in the bounce house, slide down the big slide, shoot baskets in the pop-a-shot, and have a grand time. Meanwhile, Jacob was content to let Dad hold him and watch his big brother play.

As the crowds grew, Dad and the boys decided to head to the snack table and then out on the Walk. Dad grabbed some coffee and water, as well as an oatmeal cream pie for all three. The boys headed out on their walk, with Dad pushing Jackson and Jacob in the stroller. They didn't even get to the starting line before a bump on the sidewalk caused the almost-hot coffee to splash all over his hand and Jackson's shoulder/arm. Crying, consoling, drying up the spill with the new shirt we got, starting the walk again.

Dad realizes that the level of difficulty for this walk just went up, due to trying to push two boys in a stroller one-handed while [trying not to spill] holding the coffee in the other.

Remember the oatmeal cream pies? At the halfway point, Jacob has managed to eat most of his, but his face, both hands, clothes and stroller have little pieces of cookie/icing everywhere.

Nearing the end of their own walk now, Jacob has become bored, and has arched his back in such a way that he is hanging, half-in and half-out of his stroller. Dad pulls the tray off the stroller, Jacob slides down farther and wedges himself even more between the front of the seat and the "safety bar." So, they all stop, while Dad keeps the stroller from moving with one foot and tries to unwedge Jacob from the stroller with both hands. He contorts Jacob this way and that, finally getting him back into a sitting position on his seat.

As they return to the truck to head home, Dad cleans up both boys and himself with diaper wipes, loads everyone up and starts the drive home thinking the adventure is over. With Jacob [detesting] loving the car ride home, Dad hands him toy to entertain him. With an old sucker stuck to it. That Jacob proceeds to hold in both hands and sticky himself up again. The Dad just [sobs uncontrollably] laughs, knowing this is just another chapter in the adventure that is parenthood. Then he takes the sucker away so that it doesn't end up in anyone's hair.

*****

There is a reason that Moms don't [run away] get out much without the family in tow. It's not that they don't need it - they do. It's just that they never know what story(ies) they'll hear about from Dad when they get home.

The Power of One

2008-12-29T11:09:00.004-05:00

The following was taken from All Pro Dad "Play of the Day" for December 25, 2008.

In 1926, Dr. James A. Francis wrote, "Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.

He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying -and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty-one centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of progress. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that one solitary life - Jesus Christ."

God's faithfulness

2008-12-09T15:39:00.011-05:00

That's it. I'm back. I've waited entirely too long to post, and with so much spinning in my head these days, it's time to get it out!

God is so good, and He is so faithful. I'd like to say that better, but sometimes simplest is best.

Before our 2nd son Ben was born in June 2008 - or even conceived for that matter - Sarah and I dreamed of the day she would be able to stay home full-time with our children. It seemed a long way off with me in a mediocre IT career that wasn't really headed anywhere. My incoming was certainly smaller than our outgoing at that time. It was close, but we were not there.

We had discovered Dave Ramsey by that time, we were trying to pay off our remaining debts as fast as we possibly could with 1.5 incomes, we continued to give to our church and prayed for a way.

Fast forward to Spring 2008. We're debt FREE! But I was in a job I hated, Sarah was pregnant and due in June with our precious Benjamin, and my salary still could not even equal what we needed on a monthly basis. So we prayed and prayed about a job change that could potentially provide enough for us to live on a very tight budget, continue to give, but at the same time would allow Sarah to be home with our boys once Ben was born.

SIDE TANGENT: Do you ever fret over a fork in the road for a long time, wrestle with either potential outcome, pray so much about it that you think you might be annoying God? That was us on this job change. And once you decide on change, have you looked back and wondered, "What was the big deal? It was a no-brainer!" That was us after I decided to join Smart IT Staffing, the job I now love.

Things started slowly for me as a recruiter, which I'm told is typical, but was also concerning since Sarah's paychecks were due to stop on September 1. But just in time - God's typical way of operation - things took off for me in August and September with placements and income, and God validated our prayer for Sarah to stay home! We were and continue to be thankful for that.

I tell you our story to enforce this thought you may or may not have heard: you cannot out-give God. It cannot be done. Malachi 3:10 says, in a discussion about giving and or not giving to God:

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

My story is the story in Malachi. God continues to provide for us beyond measure; He continues to pour out blessing. Earlier in December, we were marveling as all of the following took place over the last few months:

Our gas bill dropped by $19 per month.
Our mortgage dropped by $45 per month, then again by $45, plus we received a large escrow refund.
Our car/home insurance dropped by about $15 per month.
Our cell phone has dropped by $70 per month.

This Christmas season, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus, we are thankful because He is faithful. In spite of tough economic times, in spite of a year's worth of job uncertainty for me, He is faithful. Our cup is full and overflowing. Thanks be to God!

Legacy

2006-08-07T22:50:00.000-04:00

I was headed to a conference in Evansville yesterday, and headed west out of Indy on a familiar stretch of road on I-70. This was the road to my beloved grandparents house, and since I had three hours in the car, I reflected on their lives:

The first memory is that of myself as a child going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Just west of the Linton-Brazil exit, we could always count on Mom saying "There's the mine!" As a child, your heart starting beating faster because "There's the mine!" always meant "We're almost there!" We couldn't wait to get to their house!
I thought about their example in their marriage. They married young...I think around 20 years old...and had been married in the neighborhood of 65+ years when my Grandpa passed away. What an example for today!
I thought about the legacy of faith that they left behind in their family. Three kids who love the Lord and, as a result, numerous grandkids that love the Lord. That's what I want Sarah and I to be remembered for when we leave this Earth and head Home.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20 "19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

I'm eternally grateful to have a powerful example of this in my lifetime in the form of my grandparents. I'm humbly honored to continue that legacy in my child(ren) as well.

Back From Vacation

2006-07-23T14:38:00.000-04:00

We just returned home from vacation. Our little family of three went to Gatlinburg TN for a week of relaxation and sunshine. Spending that much time in the mountains and forests and streams of God's creation stirred me to think [and research] on the topic:

Isaiah 6:3 describes what the seraphs were singing when Isaiah saw the Lord - "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

David has this to say in Psalms 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

God has given us a beautiful creation to enjoy, to tend and to reflect on Him who created it. It is a daily reminder of how great, how big, how awesome is our Lord God. I praise Him today for this gift to all of us.

Following God II

2006-03-13T23:17:00.000-05:00

Our family is at a crossroads job-wise and could use the prayers. We are both searching for the place where God will use each of us and are unsure where He will take us. We are thankful that we have good jobs that take care of our family needs - a lot of people don't even have that. But it's a scary feeling not knowing what is next and yet, still trying to get there. It is also a comforting feeling - a feeling of peace - knowing that God is in control; He knows where we'll be and what we'll do for Him.

We just have to trust in Him to care for us. And keep putting one foot in front of the other. And continue to spend a lot of time on our knees.

Following God

2006-03-07T11:41:00.000-05:00

I'm reading through the Old Testament currently, and I can't help but want to scream at the Israelites. Over and over, God tells them what to do and they do differently. Over and over, they are punished because of their disobedience. I think to myself: don't they get it? They have God - WITH them - and yet they continue to do what He doesn't want them to do! I would NEVER disobey like the Israelites if God were that present here in 2006.

But I do.

God is everywhere: inside of me by His Holy Spirit, standing over my shoulder while I'm typing this post, in China where they are probably sleeping right now, in India where our missionaries are currently serving...everywhere. He is with me always, and I'm just like the Israelites. I continue to mess up, then ask for forgiveness, then mess up again the same way as before, then ask for forgiveness.

I'm so glad that God gives us more than one 2nd chance, aren't you? I'm so glad that He gives us His Word to teach us how to live. I'm so glad that He sent His Son - His only Son - to pay the price for all those times I mess up.

Church Signs

2006-03-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

These are so creative sometimes. Don't you just love the signs outside of churches? There is one church near my house that has this sign, and I love it:

Beat the Easter rush.
Join us this Sunday!

It's been awhile...

2006-03-02T20:25:00.000-05:00

I'm back! Feels good!

Lots of updates as there is a lot going on right now. First, I'm very excited to be starting up a Men's Golf Retreat, working through the Men's Ministry at our church and other churches as well. God is at work, as many doors have been opened recently and this thing has come together. I'm excited to find out what God is going to do at this event, and to see the lives that will be changed as a result of the fun, fellowship, and worship. We're hosting it in Sellersburg, IN. Can't wait!

I'm also beginning to look at national recording artist promotion in 2006. One concert that is in the works is Derek Webb, formerly of Caedmon's Call. The other is to be determined, but I'm looking into Shaun Groves, Nichole Nordeman or Sara Groves (no relation to Shaun!).

It's shaping up to be an exciting 2006! I just wish I could devote my 40+ hours per week to this!

Passionate Preaching

2006-01-30T21:52:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of the Passion movement, led by Louie Giglio. I love the preaching, the music by Tomlin, Crowder, Hall, Redman and many more. Most of all, I love their desire to reach college students with the message of Christ.

Last week, the first "bundle" from Passion 2006 was released on iTunes and of course, I purchased it the day it came out. I would suggest everyone get it. It's geared towards college kids, but applies to us adults as well. It had two songs and one of Louie's messages from the weekend. I've listened to the message a couple of times now, and it is built around Colossians 3:17:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)

I love the simplicity of the message as he talks about how we, as Christians, should impact the world around us. He says we don't have to be preachers, or Sunday School teachers, or missionaries, etc. to impact our little universe that God has placed us in. We can be retailers, computer guys, fast food workers, CEOs, whatever - the point is that the light of Christ MUST shine through us - through our actions and through our speech - so that we can engage others when they ask us about why we're "different." And whatever you do...

Dealing with Disappointment

2006-01-17T20:34:00.000-05:00

I read a post today from a Pastor in Knightstown, IN and it got me thinking. Hopefully it will get you thinking too. Here it comes...be ready for it:

How do you deal with disappointment?

Those of us in Indiana were bitterly disappointed on Sunday as the Colts valiant comeback came up short [actually, wide right] against the Steelers. Colts fans certainly had high hopes for the season: a potent offense, an improved defense, a 13-0 start, the #1 playoff seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, and New England losing the night before Sunday's game. This team had Super Bowl written all over it. Or so everyone thought...

Me personally, I was extremely disappointed in my favorite NFL team, the Detroit Lions, this year. There are more woes in that organization than there is room in this blog, I think.

How do you deal with disappointment?

Peyton pointed fingers. Vanderjagt kept his uniform on extra long. Dungy called the season a failure, in spite of all they accomplished this season, because they didn't get to the Big Game. The Super Bowl.

Me, I tend to dwell on disappointment. I let it eat at me for awhile, then I try to learn from it, then I move on. I don't know if that's the right way to deal with it or not. That's just me. I think I could stand to get to the "moving on" part a little faster...

So, what's your answer? How do you deal with disappointment?

For the Fans...

2006-01-09T21:27:00.000-05:00

Alright, here he is. My little munchkin:

Happiness

2006-01-05T11:52:00.000-05:00

Think about this statement: Our happiness and contentment are dependent on the expectations we bring to the experience.

Do you agree? Do you have anything you dread? A trip to the dentist? Your job? Going to see Great Aunt Mabel at Thanksgiving? The sermon at church? Does your expectation have any effect on you?

I believe that it does. As we begin 2006, I am focusing more on making 2006 a great year by having joy in my heart, regardless of circumstance. Already it has made a difference!

Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

For some time now, I've been all about taking the 'X' out of Christmas. I detest Xmas, Happy Holidays, and all of the other ways people avoid saying CHRISTmas. I have made it a point to say, write, email Merry Christmas whenever possible, in defiance of the new traditions most people have during this season.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Gold City sing in Greenwood IN. Their lead singer also issued this same challenge - let's put Christ back in Christmas. Of course I 'Amened!!' But he took it a step farther, issuing a challenge for us to the be the mouth of God, wishing all those we come in contact with a Merry Christmas! The bank teller, the gas station attendant, the wrong number that called your house during your favorite show, anyone! We, as Christians, know why "it's the most wonderful time of the year" - Luke 2:11 "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

Car Wash

2005-12-21T10:43:00.000-05:00

This is a recent journal entry that I found interesting, written by one of my artists - Betsy Walker. Love the outside of the car vs. inside of the car analogy, with regard to our hearts.

>>>>>
Have you ever noticed that it's a lot easier to clean the outside of your car than the inside? now granted, i don't clean either very often. in fact, just last week i drove through a car wash for the first time...and after i figured out how to get my tire into the little rail guard thing it was a beautiful experience.But it sure takes a lot longer than that to clean the inside.

Now i don't consider myself a slob by any means, but my car, which doubles as my office, lunch box, cd stand, first aid kit, and tour bus has a tendency to accumulate a lot of items. And because i spend so much time in my car, it also has a tendency to accumulate a lot of trash.For a few weeks i have been telling myself that i'm going to take the time to clean it, but i find that i am too busy or too lazy to make it a priority. So... earlier this week i had the brilliant idea of simply keeping a garbage bag in the back seat of my car so that instead of having to take my trash to the garbage can, i can bring the garbage can to me. so convenient...so beautiful.It's not really smelly garbage and by organizing it in a bag it rarely interferes with my life. I have also found that it is a lot more socially acceptable to hide all your garbage in a white sack then to stuff it under the seats etc. (of course there are still little crumbs and shreds of paper and leaves...but those are too little to mention right now...we've got larger problems to deal with).

So it would seem that i had my trash problem under control...accept today when i was driving to an appointment, i came to the sad realization that while i had compartamentalized/organized my trash, at the end of the day, i still have the same amount of garbage in my car...

and then it hit me like a ton of bricks...perhaps i still have the same amount of garbage in my heart...perhaps i am good at making myself look shiny on the outside, and rearranging my trash so that it isn't really bothering anyone...not even myself...but it's still there taking up space. Hmm...it's just a thought.

"He who wants to keep his garden tidy, doesn't reserve a plot for weeds." - dag hammarskjold
>>>>>

The Amazing Race

2005-12-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my brother and sis-in-law, our family has become a huge fan of the Amazing Race. This season was 'Family Edition' and I was particularly interested in following the Weaver family - a mother and her three children who were outspoken Christians.

After about half of the season, I became really disappointed in the Weavers as they were constantly making fun of other families, they had mean nicknames for all of their competitors, they were bitter, they were sarcastic and they constantly complained about being the outcast family that no one liked. You can call it CBS editing or whatever, but in between all of these - in my mind at the time, sinful - ways, they would manage to show them praying about the next leg of the Race, or about where to go, or strength to meet the next physical challenge. It seemed like every episode, I wanted to come off the couch and scream "Hypocrite!"

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Hmm...didn't see that one coming, God, but I hear You loud and clear.

When I stopped to think about it, am I the same way? Do I sometimes look at people critically - even in my mind - based on appearance or circumstances? Am I rude sometimes? Am I bitter when things don't go my way? And when I am any of these things, don't I still claim to be a Christian?

Activity and Overload

2005-12-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

In continuing with my reading of The Overload Syndrome, I just finished a chapter on Activity and Commitment. The author started the chapter by quoting John Charles Cooper, who said "Whenever two people meet today, one or the other is sure to mention how busy he or she is." True? Especially this time of year, isn't it?

It was interesting also that Dr. Swenson talked about busyness as a sign of prestige, or a badge of honor to be worn, to some people. He talked about activities, involvement, and commitments as fundementally good things by themselves. Or in moderation. They are a part of a healthy life. It's when our commitments prevent us from rest, prevent us from spending time with our family, prevent us from building people-relationships, that they become an overload problem.

He offered several prescriptions for overcoming Activity overload, but the last one stuck out to me most: Remember Who it is that gets things done. Amen. Someone said "God can do in twenty minutes what it takes us twenty years to do." We need to lean more on the One that can do all things, than the one (us) who can do few things well.

"Is it busyness that moves mountains...or faith?" The Overload Syndrome

My Son

2005-11-30T15:58:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely fascinated and amazed by my 4-month-old son, our first and only child thus far. He has such a wonderful spirit about him, besides being opinionated! He is constantly "talking" about his thoughts on everything from the dog, to food, to the Christmas tree, to his outfit, to Daddy's sports teams and more! I am so amazed - every day - with how he learns new things. He has recently started grabbing objects and trying to roll over from his back to his stomach. My favorite time of day is when I get home from work and he gives me the biggest smile, as if to say "You're home!" It fills my heart with joy and love every single day.

Since the day he was born, I have come to the realization of God's BIG, amazing love for us that he demonstrated through His Son. My heart is full of love for my son, I beam with pride when I'm out with him, and I ache when he hurts in any way. But how much greater is God's love for us?

I can only imagine the pride and love that God our Father had for His Son, our Redeemer. He was God's creation - man - in perfect form. And I can't fathom the pain He felt when He watched the very sinners that Jesus died for crucify Him brutally. I could not make such a sacrifice with my precious son. But I thank God every day that He did.

Thank you Father.

A Simple Life

2005-11-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to simplify my life, lately. After the birth of our son, I realized how busy I was and have always been. This was leaving virtually no time for family time, which I treasured more than ever after his arrival. Since he was born, I've been "trimming the fat" as they say: not saying Yes to everything and everybody, cutting some things out of my schedule that weren't necessary, and just trying to be less-busy in general.

I just started reading the book The Overload Syndrome by Dr. Richard Swenson, more as an affirmation than anything. In the book, he talks about our Savior and how simple His life was. Jesus' priority was always the person or people in front of Him at that moment in time. He wasn't in a hurry to get to the next city or to eat or to do anything else. He cared about the situation He was in at that moment.

Too often I'm taking care of what's at hand in order to get to the next thing, or get somewhere else: my tasks at work so I can go home, my nightly prayer so I can sleep, my conversation with someone so that I can [fill in the blank], the list goes on. What I should actually be doing is taking in the moment, living in the moment, slow down, especially with regard to people.

More to come as I read more, and lose more of my busy-ness...

Sad News

2005-11-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

I was bothered by the news that the senior pastor and our brother, Kyle Lake, at the David Crowder Band home church, University Baptist in Waco TX, died on Sunday while baptizing a brother or sister into Christ. I find joy in that he went out welcoming another soul into the Kingdom, and I'm encouraged by the words of CCM artist Shaun Groves, who remembered his friend:

" My greatest memory of Kyle was him teaching me how to tell others about Jesus. He couldn't have been more than nineteen and I was just a couple years younger, in the youth group of FIrst Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas where we both grew up. His enthusiasm for talking about Jesus and his knowledge of scripture inspired me. I'd never seen anyone so close to me in years so far ahead spiritually, so brave and wise. We younger kids worshiped Kyle, the good looking soccer player everyone wanted to be, standing before us not to draw attention to himself - though there was plenty to admire - but to focus our desires on Christ. He pointed us in the right direction, a life of building Heaven on earth...

We know today that Kyle is seeing God clearly now, face to face, his view unobstructed by the haze of this life. He's missing none of us. He's lacking nothing. His days are infinite and his heart whole. His tears gone. His hope realized. His company is a crowd that will only grow with time, a multitude of men and women lead to citizenship in Heaven by his words and laughter, random stories and worshipful listening, prayers and preaching of thirty-three years spent well."

Praise the Lord for Kyle's legacy and ministry! I hope that when my time has come, that I can leave a legacy such as this: he loved the Lord with all of his heart, and led others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And I hope that "others" = a lot of people!

Inhibited Worship

2005-10-31T16:25:00.000-05:00

Do you ever hold yourself back in worship? Like, the actual worship service at your church on Sunday morning?

I do. Sadly.

Why are we afraid to move to the music when we're singing? Why are we afraid to put one or both hands in the air as an outward sign of worship and/or submission? I'm willing to smile, clap, close my eyes, or shed a tear. Why can't I go farther than that? Why can't I sing louder?

For me, it's this: what will others think? And that frustrates me, because it's not about what other people think. It's about what God thinks! But I am continually singing quieter than I can. I continue to reserve myself on account of others.

But you get me in the car or at my house, when no one else is around, and I'm L-O-U-D! My hand(s) are in the air! And the Holy Spirit in me is working. I can feel Him in my emotions, in my worship. It's great! I just want to carry it over to the church service so desperately!

Praying for true worship,
Andy

They'll know we are Christians by our fish?

2005-10-27T16:13:00.000-05:00

I received this from Russ Breimeier at ChristianityToday.com. As a "fish-wearer" on my car, this really hit home. I can think of a few recent times when some other drivers were probably left scratching their heads...

"I was driving in downtown Chicago last week, where traffic seems to be our No. 1 pastime—even ahead of baseball (go Sox!). In my mind-numbed auto stupor, I noticed that the car ahead of me had that little fish on the back (you know, the ichthus?) Really, I couldn't help but notice, not because I'm automatically drawn to Christian symbolism, but because the driver rudely cut me off in traffic without using a turn signal.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure my driving habits have offended others at some point too. None of us are perfect. But the car fish is one of those everyday cultural items that stir mixed feelings in me. At time I'm filled with good cheer when I see it—"Ah, there goes a brother or sister in Christ. God bless!" And admit it: When a driver with a fish on his car is courteous in traffic, you conclude that they were nice because they were a Christian, as "proven" by the fish, right?

If that's true, then we need to accept the downside of the fish. It brands us as a Christian, and that means when we pull a fast one in traffic, another driver may think, There goes another rude and arrogant Christian. There's great responsibility in wearing the fish, and from my driving experiences, not enough Christians take it seriously.

Should that be any different from wearing the name "Christian" in our everyday living? This directly relates to the whole secular vs. sacred debate. I think some Christian artists are reluctant to be called "Christian artists" because they're afraid that in the spotlight, they will occasionally slip up and misrepresent Christ. It's easy to think, Yes, but we're all family in Christian music—we show grace to each other when we make mistakes—whether in traffic or in the mainstream. Right? Tell that to artists like Amy Grant, P.O.D., Sixpence None the Richer, and Switchfoot.

It's something to consider, the responsibility of being labeled for Christ. As it pertains to music, I can see it either way. Whether or not artists are publicly identified as "Christian artists," I can't stress enough that the emphasis be on their conduct, and not on their label. Personally, I'm not the type who calls much attention to myself with symbols and such. I'd rather be labeled a Christian by my words and actions—that people know me as a Christian by my love, not my shortcomings or my advertising."