Thursday, February 05, 2009
short film article + party
Rapid Growth covered the short-film debut happening in downtown Grand Rapids next Thursday night. You're invited. Click here to check it out. If you want to sign up for our company updates, enter your email below.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
unexpected places
Much has happened in the last few months.
So many stories have become endangered of falling away, if not captured soon. Last night, after the show, I was thinking about my lack of focused prayer, but this morning, I’ve realized there have been so many answers.
My car beloved Jetta broke down. My sister gave me her car for Christmas. My friend Bobby Cheeks had given us an extra Mac that we couldn’t use at the office, so I wrapped it in a box and gave it to Ali for Christmas.
She had been praying for a Mac that week.
Another time, as I was leaving work, Doug, a neighbor from upstairs asked me where I was playing that night. We talked music for awhile (I was carrying my guitar; he’s a drummer), then he got up real close and stared into my eyes, slurring his speech, "You must have the Spirit of Christ."
"That's right," I said. He does too. He shared a bit of his testimony about his struggle with alcoholism and the hope he’s found in Christ. Then he gave me his white teddy bear, saying, "I don't know what to do, man. We need to hang out or something. That's all I have."
He asked me what I was doing that night, and I told him I was meeting up with my girlfriend. “Oh, you lucky dog,” Doug says, smirking.
“I know it,” I reply.
Later the next week I stopped to talk to him on the sidewalk outside the ministry. He introduced himself again. "Hi, I’m Doug. Have we met?" he said. "Yeah, we talked last weekend," I replied. "Was I hammered?" he asked.
"You had a few drinks in you," I reply.
But yet, the Spirit of Christ rests on him, regardless of the alcohol on his breath.
Another day, a man named Clay came into our office. Big and tall, in his 60’s with a graying beard and dark black skin and piercing eyes, he immediately informs me to not judge him by his appearance.
We talk about what we do, and he starts telling me about his passion.
“I’m a handyman by trade, but I love poetry. Christian poetry.”
I nod my head.
“Mind if I share some?” he asks politely.
I comply, and he looks directly in my eyes, explaining the piece is “taken from the book of Genesis.” His rich, deep voice speaks poetry for seven minutes with little pauses or mistakes. He rhymes clearly and simply about the Garden state, the fall, Eve taken from Adam’s ribs, obeying God’s commands and reconciliation through Christ.
After it’s over, I give him my card. He calls back the next day and we schedule a meeting.
On Monday he came in and he met the guys, calling them by name, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Matt and Mr. Derek,” and again, shares the seven minute poem with the guys. Then he starts telling his testimony of his adolescence somewhere in or near Chicago.
“When I was sixteen, five boys were selected go away who could read and write, but I couldn’t. You know, I cried about that. But then I was in my room, someone came in, and said there was a terrible car accident. Those five boys were killed just after they left, and I would’ve been the sixth if I could read and write,” he says.
“God saved my life. He’s just given me this poetry,” he says. “I know it’s from God.”
We record Clay’s poem in our studio on-camera, telling him we just need a record of it. “I know you aren’t trying to take advantage of me,” he says. “I can see it in your eyes.”
And perhaps, despite my lack of perseverance in prayer, I am privileged that Christ meets us in different places.
So many stories have become endangered of falling away, if not captured soon. Last night, after the show, I was thinking about my lack of focused prayer, but this morning, I’ve realized there have been so many answers.
My car beloved Jetta broke down. My sister gave me her car for Christmas. My friend Bobby Cheeks had given us an extra Mac that we couldn’t use at the office, so I wrapped it in a box and gave it to Ali for Christmas.
She had been praying for a Mac that week.
Another time, as I was leaving work, Doug, a neighbor from upstairs asked me where I was playing that night. We talked music for awhile (I was carrying my guitar; he’s a drummer), then he got up real close and stared into my eyes, slurring his speech, "You must have the Spirit of Christ."
"That's right," I said. He does too. He shared a bit of his testimony about his struggle with alcoholism and the hope he’s found in Christ. Then he gave me his white teddy bear, saying, "I don't know what to do, man. We need to hang out or something. That's all I have."
He asked me what I was doing that night, and I told him I was meeting up with my girlfriend. “Oh, you lucky dog,” Doug says, smirking.
“I know it,” I reply.
Later the next week I stopped to talk to him on the sidewalk outside the ministry. He introduced himself again. "Hi, I’m Doug. Have we met?" he said. "Yeah, we talked last weekend," I replied. "Was I hammered?" he asked.
"You had a few drinks in you," I reply.
But yet, the Spirit of Christ rests on him, regardless of the alcohol on his breath.
Another day, a man named Clay came into our office. Big and tall, in his 60’s with a graying beard and dark black skin and piercing eyes, he immediately informs me to not judge him by his appearance.
We talk about what we do, and he starts telling me about his passion.
“I’m a handyman by trade, but I love poetry. Christian poetry.”
I nod my head.
“Mind if I share some?” he asks politely.
I comply, and he looks directly in my eyes, explaining the piece is “taken from the book of Genesis.” His rich, deep voice speaks poetry for seven minutes with little pauses or mistakes. He rhymes clearly and simply about the Garden state, the fall, Eve taken from Adam’s ribs, obeying God’s commands and reconciliation through Christ.
After it’s over, I give him my card. He calls back the next day and we schedule a meeting.
On Monday he came in and he met the guys, calling them by name, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Matt and Mr. Derek,” and again, shares the seven minute poem with the guys. Then he starts telling his testimony of his adolescence somewhere in or near Chicago.
“When I was sixteen, five boys were selected go away who could read and write, but I couldn’t. You know, I cried about that. But then I was in my room, someone came in, and said there was a terrible car accident. Those five boys were killed just after they left, and I would’ve been the sixth if I could read and write,” he says.
“God saved my life. He’s just given me this poetry,” he says. “I know it’s from God.”
We record Clay’s poem in our studio on-camera, telling him we just need a record of it. “I know you aren’t trying to take advantage of me,” he says. “I can see it in your eyes.”
And perhaps, despite my lack of perseverance in prayer, I am privileged that Christ meets us in different places.
fiction family
Emily and Danimal and I checked out Fiction Family last night. It's Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek. Seabird opened and were fantastic.
After the show, Jon and Sean held a Q&A in the auditorium, talking about their art. Jon said that if songs are real, music will traverse from the writer to listener, and vise-versa.
The music was tight. The inspiration was better.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
mini-show this weekend
Dan and I are playing a few songs Saturday night for a show...
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 6 p.m.
Who: Jake Smith, Dan & Aaron, Little Tree Worship, Josiah Gentry.
Cost: $5
Keystone Eastside
2119 Lake Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Hope to see you!
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 6 p.m.
Who: Jake Smith, Dan & Aaron, Little Tree Worship, Josiah Gentry.
Cost: $5
Keystone Eastside
2119 Lake Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Hope to see you!
Monday, December 15, 2008
words and emotions
Parking downtown isn't easy, but we have great metered parking on our side street. However, the city blocked four or five spots to make way for a trash dumpster and trucks and workers tearing up the space next door.
Last week, I was looking at the tag on one of the unusable meters.
It read, "The City of Grand Rapids Has Reserved This Space for: Quality Air."
"Quality Air?"
Immediately I started ranting inside my head about the loss of a great space and the underlying belief that eliminating one parking place is going to somehow save the city and the environment. People are going to drive, I reasoned, why waste a perfectly proximal space to my building?
Fireworks were blazing. I spewed to a few people about it.
Then, just now, on my short walk to drop a bill in the mail, a truck was parked in the space.
The side of the vehicle read, "Quality Air Heating/Cooling."
And I am a fool.
Last week, I was looking at the tag on one of the unusable meters.
It read, "The City of Grand Rapids Has Reserved This Space for: Quality Air."
"Quality Air?"
Immediately I started ranting inside my head about the loss of a great space and the underlying belief that eliminating one parking place is going to somehow save the city and the environment. People are going to drive, I reasoned, why waste a perfectly proximal space to my building?
Fireworks were blazing. I spewed to a few people about it.
Then, just now, on my short walk to drop a bill in the mail, a truck was parked in the space.
The side of the vehicle read, "Quality Air Heating/Cooling."
And I am a fool.
thanks everyone
Thanks to everyone who came out to Tour//Creo on Friday night.
We had a great turnout and a lot of fun celebrating the new space.
If you missed it, contact us to set up a time for your own tour.
We had a great turnout and a lot of fun celebrating the new space.
If you missed it, contact us to set up a time for your own tour.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
rip: 1996-today
The Jetta died today.
(It's not technically "dead," but dangerous to drive and the fix-it bill is ridiculous.)
I'm still in shock. It hasn't sunk in. We've been through so much.
If anyone hears any amazing deals on crappy cars, let me know.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
media: studio launch
The Business Review wrote this story on our studio launch. Remember to check out our launch party on Friday, December 12 from 6-10 p.m. at 40 S. Division, as seen below.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
support zim tonight
Tonight from 7 to 9 p.m., Vital Connections is hosting a Celebration and Silent Auction to raise awareness and support for Zimbabwe. It'll also be the official launch of the Zim Worship Project, the 16-track CD we recorded in April.
Zim Worship Project: Official Trailer from Vital Connections on Vimeo.
All proceeds from CD sales will go directly to orphans in Zim.
Tickets are $20.
There's stuff up for auction.
Mosiac Space
25 South Division Ave #225
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
See you tonight!
Visit www.helpzimnow.com for more information on VC.
Zim Worship Project: Official Trailer from Vital Connections on Vimeo.
All proceeds from CD sales will go directly to orphans in Zim.
Tickets are $20.
There's stuff up for auction.
Mosiac Space
25 South Division Ave #225
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
See you tonight!
Visit www.helpzimnow.com for more information on VC.
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