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| T O P I C R E V I E W | | AXEMAN2415 | Posted - 01 Aug 2008 : 01:33:20
Jesus Joshua 24:15 Newsletter - August 2008
The Band:
Bobby Shepherd: Drums
Steve Pettit: Lead Vocals
Jay Woody: Bass
Will Rauser: Guitars
The Crew:
Mark Bussell: Webmaster, Computer Tech, Photography, Roadie
Tammy Woody: Video Production, Wardrobe
Juli Rauser: Booking
George Sparks: Roadie
Editor's Lead
A Change Of Address
Hello, and welcome to the August edition of the Jesus Joshua 24:15 Newsletter. Wow! July has come and gone! Time flies, whether you're having fun or not.
This month, I would like to reflect on a subject that I have "wrestled" with for most of my Christian walk; the notion of the Christian being "separate" from the world. Clearly, the Scripture declares, in several places (in both the Old and New Testaments), the concept of being separate from the non-believing world. I certainly have no problem with understanding the importance of being called out from among the world. The Apostle Peter declares that we Christians "are a chosen people. a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light." (I Peter 2:9). Peter even calls us "aliens" and "strangers in the world" (I Peter 2: 13). Obviously, there is a clear disconnect between Christians and the world.
Yet, that "disconnect" has, over time, come to mean something much, much different than what Peter (and the rest of the Apostles) meant. In this day and age, being "separate" has come to mean "secluded". Separation from the world no longer means being a distinctive people, it has come to mean a retreat from the world. Separation is no longer Christians being sanctified (or "set apart"); it has become Christians pulling themselves away from the world round them. I am not so sure that is healthy for Christians to think in those terms.
At this point in the article, some of you might be questioning this author's spiritual walk. "What do you mean, 'it is not healthy for Christians to be separate from the world'?" Does not the Scripture itself declare that friendship with the world is hatred toward God (James 4:4)? And does not the scripture also command us to not love the world, nor anything in the world (I John 2:15)?
Well, yes, both of those Scriptures are true. However, could it be possible that the writers of those passages were referring to a different kind of separation? Could it be that those Scriptural authors were appealing to a different way of thinking, not a physical "change of address"?
I would like to offer a quote from author Jon Fischer, from his book "Fearless Faith". Fischer first reads from John 17:15, where Jesus prays, "My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one." Then Fischer writes:
quote:
This last will and testament of Jesus seems to defy a long-standing tradition: the separation of Christians from the world and worldly things in order to remain pious and pure. This doctrine of separation has its roots in tradition rather than in Scripture. The Biblical doctrine of separation has primarily to do with what happens to one's mind and heart. For instance, later in this prayer, Jesus prays for us to be sanctified (set apart) by the truth of God's word. Since knowing God's word is an inner reality, this injunction would apply to a spiritual separation, not a physical pulling away from culture and society, a mind-set, not a physical movement. Likewise, when Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 not to be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed 'by the renewing of your mind,' it is an appeal to a different way of thinking, not a change of address.
Many of our brethren feel that it is necessary to completely cut themselves off from the world. In the manner of wicked and evil practices, I think that is an excellent idea. And, also, I do believe that there are things in this life that may be worthy of excision, as those things (and even associates) can be spiritual "umbilical cords" connected to a life you were once trapped in. (An example: It is probably not a good idea to keep your former drug dealer on your speed dial!)
However, I am beginning to think that the appeal to separating oneself from the world is just a euphemism for spiritual self-seeking. It isn't to keeps oneself from being "polluted", though that is often the claim. No, "separation" has become spiritual "retreat". We have allowed ourselves the luxury of being "distant". It is about "safety" not "salvation". Piety has now become an excuse to keep from being "offended" by the practices of the world.
Now, please don't misunderstand me. There's plenty of things in this world that we Christians ought to be offended at. Yet, I find it amusing that what offends us is rather disproportionate. I have an acquaintance who is a Christian, who despises swearing around him, considering it an offense of the mouth. Yet, this same person has no problem revealing personal matters about others to others. In other words, my friend is offended at swearing, but not offended at gossip.
But while we Christians should be offended at many things, we are also supposed to be agents of reconciliation. And you cannot be an agent of reconciliation sitting inside your pious little bubble. You cannot preach about drawing near to God, when those who are God's elect choose to remain distant. In my opinion, it is spiritual laziness, not spiritual piety.
Oswald Chambers writes, quote:
Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The Church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human race according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives individually, but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this very purpose - the corporate Person of Christ and His Church, made up of many members, might be brought into being and made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat.
"The Church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking..." Hmmmm. That's quite an indictment. John Fischer comments that: quote:
As a friend of sinners, you can believe that Jesus got an earful and an eyeful. You don't hang around with sinners without seeing and hearing about their sin. Of course this will bother you - it must have bothered Jesus - but you simply figure out a way to get over it because this isn't about you.
Perhaps we need to realize that this really isn't about us or our institution. It is about the reconciliation of God to men. And that cannot be done if we do not go out into the world.
Guitar Points from Will
Extended voices, Part II
In the last article, I showed some ways to use extensions to give chord some extra "sparkle". This time let's look at how we can add alterations. An alteration is a change to the chord by adding notes that do not actually fall within the original key center of that chord. Alterations usually occur in Dominant, or "7th", type chords. The reason is because Dominant chords accept alterations, even if they do not originate within the harmony.
Before I show you some examples, let's look at an alteration first. Let's use an "E7" chord. An "E7" is spelled:
E(1)-G#(3)-B(5)-D(b7)
Okay, first note that there is both the Major 3rd and the b7 present in this chord. Taken by themselves, this creates what is known as the tritone interval (1-b5). The distance between G# to D is a b5 interval. By itself, this is a dissonant interval (although it sounds real cool). Anytime the chord contains a Major 3rd and a b7, you can actually add alterations to other notes, and your ear will accept those non-scale tones as part of the harmony.
For example, let's take an "E7#9", or the famous "Jimi Hendrix chord". We already have the E7 part of that chord. So the "#9" is an alteration. Let's spell it out. E7#9 is spelled:
E(1)-G#(3)-B(5)-D(b7)-G(#9)
First, you will notice the presence of the G# and the G natural. Without the G#, you would have an Eminor7 chord. Also, notice that the G natural is called a "#9", rather than a "b3". That is because there's already the presence of the Major 3rd (G#) and the b7 (D). So the G natural is considered above the octave, and functions as a #9, not a minor 3rd. Now, you can play both a, E minor Pentatonic scale over this, or an E Major Pentatonic scale over this chord, and both will work, but that's a subject for another time.
Now, let's look at some examples of alterations at work. Let's take our simple "A-D-E" progression, and make some extensions. For this example, the chords "A" and "D" are normal, but the "E" chord will be our Dominant chord.
Ex. 1
A D/A E7#9/B
E|---------0-------|---------0---------|---------3---||
B|-------2---2-----|-------3---3-------|-------3-----||
G|-----2-------2---|-----2-------2-----|-----1-------||
D|---2-----------2-|---4-----------4---|---2---------||
A|-0---------------|-0---------------0-|-2-----------||
E|-----------------|-------------------|-------------||
Now, this might sound a little "sour" to your ear at first, but if you listen carefully to many Rock'n'Roll and Blues songs, you will hear this flavor all over them. Stevie Ray Vaughan was famous for using such dissonant colors. Rockers such as Hendrix, Van Halen, and Guns'N'Roses have used this flavor. (The end of "Welcome To The Jungle" uses an "E7#9" chord. Sweet!)
Now, go back to the last lesson, and add this chord to the extensions we had for the "A" and "D" chords, but end with the "E7#9". You will begin to hear how these kinds of extensions can spice up the progression.
We will go further next time.
Lead Techniques from Will
Two-String Arpeggios
Most of the time, when guitarists refer to "Arpeggios", their minds are on sweep picked arpeggio shapes. That's cool and useful. But that isn't the final word on arpeggios. The problem with sweep picked lines is that they tend to sound, well, ...Swept! And there shapes tend to make them sound like stacked intervals that always fall in order (1-3-5, 5-3-1, 1-3-5....etc.).
However, arpeggios do not have to sound sweep picked to sound cool. You can use Two-string Arpeggios. Two-string Arpeggios take the "broken chord" and lay it out onto two strings (hence the name). Let's see some ideas.
Let's make a C Maj 7 arpeggio:
C(1)-E(3)-G(5)-B(7)
Now, lets find a shape on the fretboard that uses all four notes of this arpeggio:
Ex. 1
B(7) C(1) E(3) G(5)
E|-------------12----15-||
B|-12----13-------------||
G|----------------------||
D|----------------------||
A|----------------------||
E|----------------------||
(Note: We started our arpeggio here with the Maj7 tone, but it doesn't matter which tone you begin with.)
Notice how the arpeggio has a distinctive fretboard shape? Now let's make a simple lick with this shape;
Ex. 2
v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^
E|-------12-15-12----|-------12-15-12----||
B|-12-13----------13-|-12-13----------13-||
G|-------------------|-------------------||
D|-------------------|-------------------||
A|-------------------|-------------------||
E|-------------------|-------------------||
I have chosen to pick every note, but you can use hammers and pulls, and that might even sound better! Anyway, this is an example of a Two string Arpeggio. This kind of Arpeggio sounds less typical of sweep picking, and even gives it a bluesy pentatonic feel. Examples of players using this type of technique; Gary Moore, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Steve Vai, and John Sykes.
Next time, we shall look at more examples of this, with some licks to change your ideas about arpeggios.
News and Events
- As everyone probably knows by now, Jesus Joshua 24:15 played at Cornerstone '08, last July 5th. As it turned out, circumstances dictated that only 3 Soul Joy bands were able to play that afternoon. First was Lordcain, and they were absolutely phenomenal! Next up was JJ24:15, who put on a really good show. Then, rounding out the day was F.O.G. And F.O.G. came prepared to rock the house, which they did! A great time was had by all. Jesus Joshua 24:15 would like to send a special thanks to both Lordchain and F.O.G., and to our dear Firestream friends, LadyRocker, Tink, and of course, FishingD! And of course, we can't forget David Kelsey of Soul Joy Records, for giving us the opportunity to do the event as representatives of the label.
- To those who have sent their prayers up for John Henton, please continue to do so. He is getting stronger, and recovering at home. But there are still some financial and physical needs.
- As of this writing, JJ24:15 Bassist, Jay, and his wife Tammy, are expecting their first child, due to arrive sometime this month (August). Let us be in prayer for a healthy child, and a safe delivery! Oh, and let's give our big congrats to the proud parents!
- If you have any questions for the band, or any single member of the band, send an email to Axeman2415 via the JJ24:15 website. Any questions are welcome, but the band reserves the right not to answer any questions of deeply personal or vulgar nature.
A Final Thought
As I wrap up this newsletter, I do so with some rain striking the house. The weather was a little rough outside, as the winds and rain swirled from a thunderstorm. Usually I am not unsettled by a thunderstorm. But, my children get a little worried, because a thunderstorm can spawn a tornado, under the right conditions. A tornado would not be a pleasant sight, as I live in a double wide mobile home. All of my earthly possessions are in this house, and can easily be swept away in a few violent minutes. I thought about that, and wondered how easily I would hold up under the strain of losing everything. Believe me, it is not a pleasant thought to ponder!
Yet, Jesus tells us not to store up riches on this earth, where moth and rust (and Tornadoes!) destroy. Jesus wasn't against personal possessions. Nor was He against wealth. But those things hold no security in this life, do they? I wonder; am I worried about my possessions, or am I concerned with what really matters? I must admit, I am not completely satisfied with the answer in my heart.
One thing I can say for sure; the only constant in this life is change. Whether my life is altered by a violent storm (or violent person), or by the ravages of time, nothing remains intact forever. All things on this earth will pass away. The only constant is Jesus. Indeed, I believe that is why He speaks of Himself as a rock upon which to build upon.
As I have spent some 30 years walking with the Lord, I have experienced many things. I have changed (and sometimes not for the better...), but Jesus has never changed. He is still that constant in my life. And, I am confident, that will never change. | | 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) | | Fishingd | Posted - 04 Aug 2008 : 20:57:08
I would like to congratulate Jay, and his wife Tammy, on their first child.. I do have one question does this mean Jay has to give up the baby chair | | AXEMAN2415 | Posted - 04 Aug 2008 : 20:49:01
quote:
quote:"Disclaimer: (This in no way means that I think you are always right!) "
Goes without saying really , but just thought I'd better anyway .
You mean, Shred, you don't think I am always right? Hmmmm....something is indeed wrong with your area of the world....lol
| | Shredhead | Posted - 04 Aug 2008 : 06:47:45
quote:Anyway... Axe I just wanted to take a second to thank you for all of your thoughtful effort every month. "
Yep , what CB said , thanks mate .
quote:"Disclaimer: (This in no way means that I think you are always right!) "
Goes without saying really , but just thought I'd better anyway .
And Hey !! lets not forget good ol Anon Jr , LEGEND ! are you sure you're not Aussie ??...lol
| | AXEMAN2415 | Posted - 02 Aug 2008 : 19:34:16
But, really, Captain...."robes vs. flesh"?
Would you prefer "skins vs. fig leaves"? | | AXEMAN2415 | Posted - 02 Aug 2008 : 19:28:04
quote:
In the eyes of the world we are no different than them... no more perfect and more dispicable for our arrogance to suggest that we are somehow "more righteous" in God's eyes than they.
I definitely won't argue with that! That is the one thing that has always irritated me about the world's expectation of Christians. They expect us to be "perfect", and criticize us for not being perfect....and then when we do act in likeness of our Lord, they insist that we couldn't possibly ever be perfect, anyway!
We've never claimed to be perfect, but we are being perfected. We might not be "perfect", but we are different.
quote:
Anyway... Axe I just wanted to take a second to thank you for all of your thoughtful effort every month.
Disclaimer: (This in no way means that I think you are always right!)
I appreciate it, Capt. And I can always count on you (and a few others) to make sure that I am steered in the right direction. I don't expect everyone to agree with me....I just expect everyone to think about their position (heck, I don't always agree with me....such a paradox...). Indeed, you do think before you post, and I am never offended nor irritated at your points.
quote:
In the words of some guy in the Bible... We don't know anything as we should...
Indeed....and I suppose in this life, we never shall.
| | Captain Blasto | Posted - 02 Aug 2008 : 10:31:22
ummm.... the audio clip would be before that last part... you know... right there at the corrupt society... | | Captain Blasto | Posted - 02 Aug 2008 : 10:28:01
When they see that we are humans too who have merely recognized our own need for a savior due to our own imperfections, that we have no "earned" claim to righteousness and that there can be a higher road to live than just riding down the de-escalator of our corrupt society then we might be able to reach them.(I would insert an audio clip of a toilet flushing here for effect).
I had to complete that thought...  | | Captain Blasto | Posted - 02 Aug 2008 : 10:22:11
quote:
Absolutely correct. However, sinners will never know who we are in Him if we are never around them.
I agree... however, the "shirts vs. skins" or should I say "robes vs. flesh" perspective that some christians sometimes hold about themselves and therefore model to the world is probably an outgrowth of their (?our) own lack of understanding of the inability of the world to see anything through God's eyes. In the eyes of the world we are no different than them... no more perfect and more dispicable for our arrogance to suggest that we are somehow "more righteous" in God's eyes than they. It seems very contradictory to them. Ironically this reveals that they too understand that no man can attain perfection via their own works. When they see that we are humans too who have merely recognized our own need for a savior due to our own imperfections, that we have no "earned" claim to righteousness and that there can be a higher road to live than just riding down the de-escalator of our corrupt society.(I would insert an audio clip of a toilet flushing here for effect). Why do we call the descending one an escalator? Anyway... Axe I just wanted to take a second to thank you for all of your thoughtful effort every month.
Disclaimer: (This in no way means that I think you are always right!)
P.S. This circumspect thing is both enlightening and frustrating at the same time and yet it is the very thing that makes it possible to counter a statement without necessitating refuting it.
Basically Axe... it means You're always right and not at the same time...
In the words of some guy in the Bible... We don't know anything as we should...  | | AXEMAN2415 | Posted - 01 Aug 2008 : 13:46:26
quote:
While your points are well articulated and substantively correct I cannot help but elaborate that just "hangin' wit da sinnas" (which we too have been) is not enough.
I cannot (nor will not) argue with this point. I certainly am not making a case for excusing corrupt associations (the Scripture is pretty clear that bad company corrupts good character). However, I must reiterate that we cannot afford the luxury of retreating into the institution of church. We often consider our piety (which is certainly a good thing) as our refuge, when it has become an excuse for inactivity and superiority.
quote:
Anyway... if sinners know who we are in Him conviction should follow...
Absolutely correct. However, sinners will never know who we are in Him if we are never around them. | | Captain Blasto | Posted - 01 Aug 2008 : 05:27:56
I guess you could say that your friend should not be so concerned about what offends him as those around him should be aware (or maybe made aware) that their conduct is offensive (to God). The cause of a lack of shame in a society is directly related to the lack of savor or saltiness of the Church. Is the meat too rancid to be preserved? I don't know... but I just ate some beef jerky that may have been cured (no pun intended) a couple of centuries ago. I also don't think that folks were bragging about their exploits to Jesus. quote:
,"As a friend of sinners, you can believe that Jesus got an earful and an eyeful. You don't hang around with sinners without seeing and hearing about their sin. Of course this will bother you---it must have bothered Jesus
As a matter of fact Jesus "outed" a few secret sins if I recall correctly. Not in a callous or condemning way but in a matter-of-fact way none-the-less. If God The Holy Spirit truly goes with us (when we're in the world) people should "feel" His presence and the inevitable conviction that comes with that as The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus through us. Whether one's profession of offense inadvertantly sharpens that awareness could possibly even be argued. How then can they hear or know? If isolated we would not be there among them to point out error. Is one man's piety another man's conviction? While your points are well articulated and substantively correct I cannot help but elaborate that just "hangin' wit da sinnas" (which we too have been) is not enough. The difference made by His presence among sinners via us as His proxies should manifest in their discomfort, not ours. Most of the time I feel like I don't even need to be hangin' out with myself that's why I gotta keep it about Him... cuz I'll get me into trouble. Awareness of God's omnipresence can make one an authority on discomfort if one's flesh is not crucified daily.
Anyway... if sinners know who we are in Him conviction should follow... |
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