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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Making Beautiful Music For God
November 8, 2007
Scott Barbarossa was one with his guitar as he jammed with the Fat Cats
at the Maennachor Club last Saturday night. He played with such passion
that it drew you into the song. As he finished up a solo, John DiBiagio
jumped in on his saxophone and you could almost see the notes dancing
out from the bell of the horn. To see them play was a treat.
I don't know if all bands get into it as much as John, Scott and the rest of
the group did, but you sensed that these guys were not just playing the
music, they were living it. My dad wanted me to play the saxophone when
I was young so I grew up listening to Boots Randolph playing "Yackety
Sax." I swear that Boots made his saxophone talk. It was the same way
with John the other night. He wasn't just playing notes on a sheet of paper.
He was bringing the tune to life.
When you watch someone play an instrument, it is easy to assume that
anyone could do it. I remember going to elementary school concerts and
listening to my girls play violin, clarinet and trumpet. Watching those
beginners reminds you that it takes practice and dedication to play well.
I don't know if Scott takes his guitar to work with him, but he obviously
spends a lot of time with it because it shows when he is on stage. As I left
the club last week it dawned on my that the same thing should happen
with our faith. Faith isn't something you read about in a book. It is
something that takes practice. It is something you have to live with and
make a part of everything you do.
Several years ago a man was going through a difficult divorce and he
came to me and asked me why he didn't have the kind of faith that I did.
He went on to tell me that he grew up in the church. He went to Sunday
School and was confirmed at age thirteen. I asked him where he went to
worship now. He replied he wasn't going anywhere. I asked him if he was
involved in a Bible study or prayer group. He told me he wanted to but he
couldn't find the time. I looked him in the eye and said, "that's probably
why your faith is weak."
The truth is faith is a gift from God. For faith to be effective though, it has
to be nurtured and used. You have to live it and carry it with you in every
circumstance, every day. That means walking with God, talking with God
and becoming one with God. Jesus once said that he was the vine and we
were the branches. That is a great image of interconnectedness that speaks
to the type of faith that bears fruit.
So you can play the guitar or you can be the guitar player. You can have
faith or you can be faithful. There is a difference and it shows. The former
is nice but the latter is better. The former is good but the latter is a blessing
to you and all you meet. So be a blessing and sing God's song.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
November 8, 2007
Scott Barbarossa was one with his guitar as he jammed with the Fat Cats
at the Maennachor Club last Saturday night. He played with such passion
that it drew you into the song. As he finished up a solo, John DiBiagio
jumped in on his saxophone and you could almost see the notes dancing
out from the bell of the horn. To see them play was a treat.
I don't know if all bands get into it as much as John, Scott and the rest of
the group did, but you sensed that these guys were not just playing the
music, they were living it. My dad wanted me to play the saxophone when
I was young so I grew up listening to Boots Randolph playing "Yackety
Sax." I swear that Boots made his saxophone talk. It was the same way
with John the other night. He wasn't just playing notes on a sheet of paper.
He was bringing the tune to life.
When you watch someone play an instrument, it is easy to assume that
anyone could do it. I remember going to elementary school concerts and
listening to my girls play violin, clarinet and trumpet. Watching those
beginners reminds you that it takes practice and dedication to play well.
I don't know if Scott takes his guitar to work with him, but he obviously
spends a lot of time with it because it shows when he is on stage. As I left
the club last week it dawned on my that the same thing should happen
with our faith. Faith isn't something you read about in a book. It is
something that takes practice. It is something you have to live with and
make a part of everything you do.
Several years ago a man was going through a difficult divorce and he
came to me and asked me why he didn't have the kind of faith that I did.
He went on to tell me that he grew up in the church. He went to Sunday
School and was confirmed at age thirteen. I asked him where he went to
worship now. He replied he wasn't going anywhere. I asked him if he was
involved in a Bible study or prayer group. He told me he wanted to but he
couldn't find the time. I looked him in the eye and said, "that's probably
why your faith is weak."
The truth is faith is a gift from God. For faith to be effective though, it has
to be nurtured and used. You have to live it and carry it with you in every
circumstance, every day. That means walking with God, talking with God
and becoming one with God. Jesus once said that he was the vine and we
were the branches. That is a great image of interconnectedness that speaks
to the type of faith that bears fruit.
So you can play the guitar or you can be the guitar player. You can have
faith or you can be faithful. There is a difference and it shows. The former
is nice but the latter is better. The former is good but the latter is a blessing
to you and all you meet. So be a blessing and sing God's song.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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