Completely dangerous & radical letter from Tai of Third Day ...about Critics, Culture and "Christian Country Clubs"! MUST READ!
A Message from Tai of the Rock Band "Third Day"
Hey Everyone,
We're out here on the road working hard on tour. It's street week. So, we're hitting it hard. We've been doing morning radio, interviews, autograph signings, television, and, oh Yeah! Big Ole Concerts every night.
Last night, Mac, Mark, and I got on the bus and were reading through some of the lyrical criticism of the new project. We fully expected the criticism. So, we weren't surprised. We also feel more passionately than every that we have made the record that we needed to make so I'm not going to apologize for the record in ANY way.
I would like to address one aspect of the criticism in an undefensive manner I love worship music. I love worshipping God through music. In about 10 minutes, I'm going to go worship God through sweat at a Habitat for Humanity build in Dallas. I really believe what we tried to convey at the Dove Awards when we won the award for Praise and Worship album of the year. I believe that worship is so much more than music.
You know, there are times when I love hearing very bold statements and declarations of faith. There are times when we absolutely need to speak the name of Jesus, the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. But has anyone stopped to think that maybe we unknowingly use our Lord's name in vein? I mean we print the name of Jesus on Tee shirts because we know they'll sell. We let it roll off our tongues without a 2nd thought (Well at least when we're around other Christians.) I think sometimes we say his name without any reverence whatsoever.
Over the last few years, when worship music has become so huge, we all sing and say a lot of things that we don't really think about. It's easy to say 'em, but it's cliche'. I mean, unlike some of our critics, I'll look at myself first. I sing along to Show Me Your Glory and the line...."I want to see your face." Do I really mean that? If I did, I should be shaking when I say it... Because God's glory is something to behold. I'd probably just drop dead. Even Moses only got a glimpse of the backside and he glowed for days.
The thing with cliches is they're easy to say, but they don't always require thought. There is a time for bold, obvious statements. But there is also a time to be real. I don't live in a Christian utopia. I live in the USA. You might have missed the memo, but this isn't a Christian nation anymore. The name of Jesus is powerful, and it calls for a response. It's controversial. It's never something to be ashamed over. But, we should speak His name reverently and purposefully.
God has been calling us in the band to step out. We were meeting with our road pastor yesterday, and he reminded us of how this process has been years in the coming. He reminded us of all the prayer and study that has gone into this process. You know what, I think he's calling us all out. With our record, and in our upcoming concerts and interviews, we want to create art that challenges us all to think about what Jesus did for us. Sometimes that requires more than just spewing out an easy statment like, "Jesus died for your sins." and crafting a song, a parable if you will, like Innocent which paints a picture that those outside of our Christian "country clubs" might be able to understand as well. (Who else tended to speak in stories and in the language of His culture?)
We're stepping out. We're going to do whatever we can to get our music and the message of our music out into our culture. I'm tired of complaining about the stuff I see on the news. I want to start shaping the news. I'm tired of complaining about Janet Jackson superbowls. I want our music and message on the superbowl. I'm tired of complaining about a culture that's decaying. I want to be the salt that preserves the culture. I'm not ready to retreat and go to my Christian church, school, home, radio station, tv station, etc.
I want to change the world. So, who's with me? You can point the finger at us. That's what "religious" people do. Or, you can join us. You can step out too. It won't be safe. The world will hate you.
Guess what, even more hurtful, your brothers and sisters in Christ will question EVERYTHING you do. But, you know what... God never said this life was supposed to be safe. Maybe if you're faith isn't attracting any criticism, that should be a wake up call because our Savior promised that it would come.
This is an invitation. join us on the wire. Walk out there with us.
Try and balance being in the world and not of it. you can't do that safely. The big slogan of a Christian radio station in our whole town is "Safe for the whole family." Well you know what, that's all fine and good, but I think God has called us to be ...
DANGEROUS FOR OUR WHOLE CULTURE!
Tai
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Sarah Morgan asking for Testimonies - email her at info@fivelines
I GIVE YOU MY HEART - Do You Have A Testimony relating to this song?
When Reuben first wrote songs for church in Sydney back in 1995...Lord
I Give you my heart was penned...a beautiful love song to Jesus about
Surrender. It has had wide reach and impact...exceeding the original
intent for the song and spurring people's love for Jesus.
Sarah Morgan is now asking if you have a story relating to this song
or a testimony about the song that you are willing to share if you
would please email her at info@fivelines.com. She is creating a folder
of stories and would love to hear from you - please let us know if it
is inappropriate to publish it or if you would prefer to remain
anonymous.
Pictures!!!
Its a "normal" sunday crowd!
Up close!
The band
Bo Sanchez speaks.
Tina's Pictures
FEBC Pictures 1
FEBC Pictures 2
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Send in your pictures
Send your worship event pictures or questions to the band to ultradust@gmail.com or send me a link where you placed the image it on the net so we can put it here for all to see!
Monday, June 13, 2005
What an experience!
The Worship event is now over for now. Araneta was drowning in both tears and blessings- you can physically feel it rain down. This started when about 2000 people attended the seminar. Share your experiences and thoughts in either the expanded tagboards on the right or the now activated comments below. Let everyone know how God has affected your life through this event. How it was before and the transformations (if any) during the event or after.
Did you know what:
- 1700 people WALKED IN the day of the seminar? They got their tickets on that day only.
- Araneta's 9000 seat arrangement was 80++ % full. Could be higher but I'm not that good with percentages.
- Attendance was like 8000 people. Was it really an empty coliseum? See for yourself.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Desperately looking for tickets? Band Arrival Press Con. Seminar. Songs to be Sung. Band Members
WHERE CAN I GET TICKETS?
Tickets are still available at Sm Ticketnet and Araneta Coliseum. Do not hesitate anymore - go there ASAP! For Lowerbox, its now P 1000 only! See below. No more reservations people, just go and buy!
Available tickets now are:
420 +200 to attend seminar (worship leading/songwriting/Q&A)
840 +200 to attend seminar
1000 (reserved seats with seminar)
1575 (reserved seats with seminar + Tshirt + CD )
For Alabang people, there are still SOME tickets at Lighthouse Church Bookstore, Alabang. Its the street in front of Honda, near ATC. Get them there.
THEY'RE HERE!
They arrived from Singapore at about 630pm Friday just in time to hit the EDSA traffic and see their big billboard along guadalupe. They've already settled for an hour and had dinner.
Singapore Worship Event: Average 3000 people per service
Malaysia Worship Event: Average 3000 people per service
CAN THE PHILIPPINES TOP THIS?
PRESS CONFERENCE:
By the way, the press con last night was a blast. We finally found out who the person in the poster is!! You'll see him tonight. : ) Wink Wink. Anyway, a few people where there CBNAsia, CN Today, The Edge Radio, FEBTC, Now Radio, Praise Inc and of course FiSH Magazine.
SEMINAR TEASER:
Reuben disclosed that the seminar is something they usually do and there's gonna be a "FUN!" workshop part - so all those holders of 1575/840 and 200 seminar tickets are in for a treat! Don't have tickets yet? Go get them now.
WHAT SONGS WILL BE SUNG:
All night, the press were pressing (hehe) them to reveal what songs will be sung. They said........"some favorites". THATS IT! And "Just Come and See"! Very biblical. : )
COFFEE:
Last Night, if you were out, I know some people from Serviam were, 3 of the guys went for some coffee at the Greenhills Theater Mall. Did you see 3 tall guys there? One of them was Reuben! : )
THE BAND MEMBERS:
Paul (*Keyboards)
Kerian (*Sound)
Hika (he's a Maori, like Tulele) (*Bass)
Ben (*Lead Guitar)
Richard (Manager, *Drums)
Reuben (Well, you know...)
All of them are members of Hillsong Church, by the way except 1, i forgot who. I think Hika, who's from New Zealand (like Capt Panaka of Episode 1).
Oh btw, if you're wonderin' all of them are "good looking" said the lady from CN Today. So why are you still readin' this? Pass the word and get your tickets. : ) See you at the Dome! Lets Worship together.
Lower Box Tickets -P 1000 only! (prev 1575)
Lower Box Tickets are now P 1000 only!
Avail for this promo by texting 0917-812-0582 or calling 4117874 now only!
Note: Not eligible for free tshirt and cd but can attend 4pm seminar.
