derekhenbest.com

Lately…no that’s a lie…well VERY often i find myself scratching my head at my generations view on heroism…or should i say “Anti-Heroism” a recent study came out about my generations thoughts on what their hero would be.  The sociologists found that many would view a hero as what we have seen on the big screen “Seven Pounds” and recently a new drama on television “Breaking Bad”. Both are about men who when confronted with situations beyond their control rather than responding with what the “baby-boomers” generation would call wrong.

One man committed suicide and gave his remaining working organs to a SELECT few of people he thought were worthy to recieve them…I personally just watched this movie with my wife and we were both pretty frustrated at the end result.  Beautiful that he would think to lay down his life for others….depressing that he still took his own life.  My wife and I both discussed how mad/sad/bitter/depressed/hurt we would have been at the other spouse if either of us were to kill ourselves so that the other could have sight.  Some may argue the other side of my point that what he was in fact a hero and did a beautifully loving thing…God has blessed us all with having our own opinion :)  The other Hero figure is someone I would call a criminal.  This story is premised with a jr. high teacher who recently finds out he has cancer.  His response to this as many have even personally lived is heart-wrenching.  He, throughout the turmoil remembers he doesn’t have life insurance or anyway to provide for his family after he leaves…he decides to grow a meth lab and sells it to the addicted so that he might save up enough for his family…(unknowingly of his family of course).  I feel that if this is the path that much of our generation is heading…we are in for a distinct difference from our Hero (CHRIST) and the Anti-hero of this day and age.  One thing I am thankful for…is that when my hero died for the sins of the world…He rose again.

I think the word “relevant” has become so cliche its meaning has been bached.  The “relevant” movement has been in motion for the past 10 yrs in churches some have caught it…some have not.  The point being I believe God doesn’t only use “relevant” thoughts or people but makes thoughts and people “relevant” when inspired by His already “relevant” text (the B-I-B-L-E) (as you can see ” ” equals the word relevance) My main job on staff at Capital Christian Center is to lead people into the presence of Jesus multiple times a week…and I can’t help but ask is what I am doing relevant?  I think back to all the times I met with the Lord in worship and how meaningful it was to me…from songs that weren’t written by certain “professionals” but by people (most of them young) who had come face to face with the cross and had experienced true redemption.  I remember over a year ago talking to my Pastor…Krist Wilde…about where we thought worship was going as a movement, how it has changed in the last 10 yrs from a desperate attempt to sound like the mainstream radio, to now effecting culture and leading the way musically as it once did when the great hymns of old we all still sing today.  UNITED and the movement of Hillsong as a church…has once again inspired me to be what God has called me to do with my worship and music.

I believe with my whole-heart that God wants the church to lead culture…and not culture to lead the church…nothing new in thought but alive in my actions as never before!  I love that now as we look to the future of the CHURCH and extensions of what goes on from week to week…we see a “worship band” that has now topped the charts of I Tunes (beating out Emenim) the first “worship band” to do this.  I see Jesus in this.  Not in chart-topping but in reaching the WORLD with songs that we sing in church…oh how music captures the soul.  I am so excited to see where we (the waiting kind and worship bands all over the world) go from here…What a THRILL RIDE!

If you aren’t already doing something on the 5th day of June, come on out for our album release!! We are stoked out of our minds at the thought of getting our church and others in the valley together for a night of worship.  We will officially be releasing the “hard copies” of the album on this night…even though we are good to go on digital downloads…here is a slide of the night: post it on your myspace or facebook or both if you want!  We love you!

//Derek//

So i haven’t blogged in forever.  Mainly because i don’t like micro-managing myself…and if i feel like i am just talking to talk…i feel foolish  Although today is an exciting day!  Our first full-length album came out!  We have been working and polishing our sound and hearts for a few years now.  I am proud to say i think we are where God wants us and its only by His grace we have come even this far.  We have such supportive friends and pastors in ministry here: Capital Christian Center.  They encourage us daily to be what God has called us to be…and i wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else.  My personal prayer for this album is not that it merely puts nice melodies inside peoples heads (although i like that) I pray…daily…that the movement that we believe has started in our hearts through worship…would become liquid, and cause a generation to understand and embrace what true worship is.

Buy it Here

So I am officially one of the worst bloggers I know…it’s been almost two weeks. Holidays sshmolidays…I just haven’t been motivated. Blogging is comical to me in a couple of ways…but the main reason is because rather than someone asking how you have been the last few weeks or what have I been thinking…they say “hey, you haven’t blogged in a while…you should get on that..” definatley noted. Definately.

Kind of like texting. You know, someone says “hey call me tonight gotta tell you something!” and you say,

“or…I’ll just text you…pshh” like I would ever use my phone to CALL you…??

Or google chat: “hey man what you doing…?”

Friend: “in man…did you not check my facebook status ??”

It’s just funny to me that “social networking” tools have made people non-sociable…I love blogging though.

Sorry to keep all of you waiting…(all 8.6 of you)