I am the husband of one and the father of nine. I was created to sing, to worship, to encourage, and to be steady. I am the Owner & Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary Arts Center in Eastern Tennessee, and the President of Trinity Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on funding arts education and performance. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun.
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bibleYouth Ministry -- Where Flesh Feels Right at Home?
"If you ever wondered why the American church looks like it does, just take a look at the training ground for young people. At churches like this one, Christ doesn't call us to die to ourselves and the flesh, he comes to make the flesh happy."
The quote above is part of an article posted by Ingrid over at Slice Of Laodicea.
"If you ever wondered why the American church looks like it does, just take a look at the training ground for young people. At churches like this one, Christ doesn't call us to die to ourselves and the flesh, he comes to make the flesh happy."
The quote above is part of an article posted by Ingrid over at Slice Of Laodicea.
musicMy 2 cents?
I listen to, and worship through songs, hymns, and spiritual songs using a variety of instrumentation, styles, and volumes and I believe that if I come before God (and especially when kids come before God) to sing in worship and in praise... That He couldn't be more pleased with the sound that He hears, even it that sound includes a drummer. = )
I listen to, and worship through songs, hymns, and spiritual songs using a variety of instrumentation, styles, and volumes and I believe that if I come before God (and especially when kids come before God) to sing in worship and in praise... That He couldn't be more pleased with the sound that He hears, even it that sound includes a drummer. = )
Sure, there are churches out there that are getting carried away and, perhaps, self-absorbed but -- it's happening just as often with gospel as it is with contemporary, just as much with four-part hymns as with bluegrass. Worship is about the heart, not about the style. I can cry out to God, or sing toward the heavens, or weep into my hands. I can raise my arms toward heaven or close my eyes in prayer. It is my offering to God and He receives it just as He receives me... Just as I am. (to quote an old hymn). = )
Would anyone assert that we have to pray using the right words or style or does God hear us even if our focus isn't all it should be and if our words come out wrong? Of course he does. Why would worship through music be any different than through prayer?
By the way -- here a few of the lyrics (a bit out of order) from a secular song that brought me to repentance tonight. Maybe it's too loud for some. It probably wasn't written with that intent but -- God used it tonight to speak to me.
Best Of You - The Foo Fighters
I've got another confession to make, I'm your fool.
You gave me something that I didn't have but I had no use.
Were you born to resist or be abused?
My heart is under arrest again but I break loose.
My head is giving me life or death but I can't choose.
I was too weak to give in, too strong to lose.
I'm getting tired of starting again, somewhere new.
Is someone getting the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel. Your trust? You must confess.
The life, the love, you die to heal.
The hope that starts, the broken hearts.
Your trust, you must confess...
Is someone getting the best of you?
I've got another confession to make, I'm your fool.
You gave me something that I didn't have but I had no use.
Were you born to resist or be abused?
My heart is under arrest again but I break loose.
My head is giving me life or death but I can't choose.
I was too weak to give in, too strong to lose.
I'm getting tired of starting again, somewhere new.
Is someone getting the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel. Your trust? You must confess.
The life, the love, you die to heal.
The hope that starts, the broken hearts.
Your trust, you must confess...
Is someone getting the best of you?
stuffWhere am I coming from?
For those of you who don't know me very well, I'm currently on staff (part-time) at my home church, Grace Fellowship, in Johnson City, TN. In addition to my current role with Grace, I have also, over the course of the past 17 years, toured the country with my first band (Hot Pink Turtle), performed and led worship for youth camps and churches on my own and -- with my second and third bands (Spin Radio & Stand Like Stone). I've also led worship at my home churches in Kansas City and St. Louis, as well as, for a couple church plants along the way.
I've written music and performed with each of the bands mentioned above (heavy metal, rock, and acoustic) and -- am familiar with pretty much any standard hymn you can mention plus a handful of barber shop and classical Italian songs. I'm primarily a singer but -- I also play guitar (acoustic and electric) and piano (neither very well). Add to that, the fact that I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church and -- in a family that sings 4-part harmony every time we get together... You get a pretty diverse musical and worship experience. = )
I just wanted you to know where I was coming from, not from one side but -- from all sides (except maybe from hip-hop... there's just no way THAT can be used by God). = )
Finally, to lighten the tone a bit... I think we'd all agree that this is hilarious and probably not what any of us are after! = )
© 2006-2010 Jamin Rathbun & Superdink.com. All rights reserved.
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