Most of you have never heard of them. They enjoyed a brief run of minor popularity in the mid-80s, had Bono sing on one of their songs in the early 90s, and then gave another tune to Al Gore to use in his presidential race of 2000.  And then, with barely a whimper, they were gone. "They" are "The Call." The sound is a bit dated, you better like the bass guitar if you're going to listen, and the vocals can cross the line into melodrama. But it's a melodrama that played a pivotal role in reclaiming my spiritual life when I was a young adult, and from there propelling me to seminary.  The Call's music is subtly, subversively, spiritual.  And their mix of music and lyric, melody and message was just the tonic my wandering soul needed in my mid-20s.  You may have them confused with The Cure, The Cult, or even The Clash, but this band  convinced me that I did, in fact, still believe.  So here are my Top Five Call Songs of them all. 1.  I Still Believe.  Yes I do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWhDbkTmJHA 2.  What's Happened To You.  If you listen closely you can hear Bono on backing vocals.  I bet you don't think they're so obscure now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6HD3pdtmSU   3.  The River  I confess: the reason I like this song is that a group full of Jesus followers use the word "ass" and get away with it.  Urgent, chaotic, Flannery O'Connor-esque treatment of baptism as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoFfC_l9ZI 4.  Even Now.  Oh, the line about outrunning those who would "steal from me my love for God" gets me every time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6CASI7f68E 5.  Everywhere I Go.  A truth that's both convicting and comforting:  he surrounds you wherever you go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi-CfLsgLyk 6.  (For The Sake Of Al Gore)  Let The Day Begin.  Not one of their best songs, but it did receive more radio airplay than any other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t5Zmet3x2k    

The best part of yesterday's message was this video story from Rebecca Dinkins. I'm glad to be able to go to church with people like her.  

As we move to Sunday's culmination of Beyond, complete with first-fruits giving and three year promised giving, I want to share a note I received from someone in our church who has been impacted by the entire movement. In particular, she had a response to last week's idea that when you realize what you've been given is priceless, you are eager to give back what is precious.  Here's the note: I have heard John 11 & 12 told many times, but never like that. I was really moved by the service and I just wanted to share with you. It is my prayer that people throughout the church were as moved as I was about what is precious that Good Shepherd has done. I immediately made a list that night and have written below. It is because of GS that I quit smoking over 11 years ago. Battling an addiction I thought I would never stop doing, but your message and the Holy Spirit spoke to me that Sunday. When I tell people the only way I quit was GOD (and the church) I feel like they are encouraged. I got involved in a life group at GS 8 years ago. Because of that life group I have life long friends and we are still in a life group with them to this day. My relationship with my husband is stronger because of GS. We have always made a vow that any sports or other activities are arranged around Sunday worship and not the other way. Because of GS my children have grown up in an environment that shows what GOD looks and feels like and opens their hearts even more than what we can do at home. They are surrounded by other Christian friends and if I asked what their 2nd favorite place to be it would be something related to GS. Because of GS my faith has grown and still grows so much every day. Because of GS I learned that serving is so easy to get involved in and it has opened a part of me that I never new really existed before coming to church. The serving doors that were opened made it possible for me to serve overseas. Made it possible for me to be connected with [a local mission], which is so dear to my heart. It also has made such an impact on my family as a whole. Talbot, GS is so precious to me and my family. Thank you for all that you do and continue to do to make this church no matter the size still be centered with an intimate relationship with GOD and each other. P/S I could go on and on... This was just the tip of my gratefulness of how precious GS is.   Wow.  That's why we do what we do.  That's why we're taking what we do beyond these walls, beyond this corner, and beyond our imaginations. And it will take all of us to make it happen. So that more and more people can live the same kind of story you just read. Sunday.  8:30.  10.  11:30.

   

  Not long ago, I had a chance encounter and random conversation with a Charlottean Muslim of Pakistani descent. He knows what I do for a living, and was more than eager to talk about the bible and Islam -- all of it in a conversational and not confrontational way. Anyway, towards the end of the talk some fascinating perspectives emerged:  "We believe in the Old Testament," he said.  "But we believe it got some of the parts wrong.  Like when it talks about the prophet Noah -- may he rest in peace -- getting drunk and naked in front of his sons or when it talks about the prophet Lot -- may he rest in peace -- having relations with his daughters.  We think those stories are wrong.  In our beliefs, the prophets are perfect." My mind was whirling inside my head at this.  "Oh," I answered, "At our church we're really glad the bible includes the stories of the failures of its heroes.  It makes them more approachable.  And it lets us know that God can use flawed people.  Like me."  (Ironically, one of the sermons I feel the best about in all my years of ministry has the title "After The Storm" and drills down into that bizarre story of drunk, naked Noah.  In fact, that sermon is the concluding chapter from the forthcoming book, The Storm Before The Calm.) But what a difference in perspectives: On the one hand, according to my friend in Islam the prophets and patriarchs must be perfect.  Therefore any description of their imperfections is instead an imperfection in the biblical text and not in the character of the hero. Or, for Christianity, the stories of our heroes are endlessly interesting and eminently preach-able precisely because the people described are so, well, human.  Which means they are messed up.  Which means they are like us.  Which means they, like us, are in desperate need of redemption. The conversation with my new friend left me glad yet again that in the ministry of Christian preaching, we get to explore characters who are rounded, flawed, and ultimately loved.