Normally I wouldn't blog about such an event, but this particular birthday was... well... different.
You see, my friend Paul is a worship pastor at another church in town. Paul, by the way, is like uber tall... but that's another story. Paul's wife, Julia, is a DJ on the local Christian radio station. Still following me? Ok... the radio station teamed up with a group from the Cedar Rapids area called "Raising Praise Ministries" to put on a day of Christian entertainment in the city park in Marion... where I live (no, I don't live in the park... I live in Marion). Still with me? While putting together the schedule, they realized they needed some additional acts to fill some of the time slots... so Paul decided he'd throw together a band to play the event.
The band consisted of 6 guys from various churches around Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. All kinds of denominations were represented, which in itself was really cool. You see Paul and I share the desire to see churches break down false or man made barriers and come along side each other in serving God as a community of believers... so it was really cool to just worship with a bunch of brothers in Christ.All different age groups were represented too... I think from the youngest to the oldest band member we crossed almost 30 years!! Very cool.
It was a short set... something like 5 or 6 songs... but it was a lot of fun.
The weather was overcast, but it made for a cooler than average day which was great!
Ok... so now for the funny part:
I'm going to mention some "accomplishments" from my musical career in order to help set the stage. Forgive me if it seems like I'm bragging... I'm really just wanting to drive the point home and show the humor in this all.
I've toured 3 continents performing music.
I've sang on stage at Carnegie Hall (yes.. for an actual concert).
I've opened for several "well known" acts.
I've played concerts in excess of 20,000 people in attendance.
I've had a record deal.
I've held endorsement deals with musical equipment manufacturers.
I've had a song in the top 10 in national radio.
But there are a couple things that I've never been able to say I've been a part of... until now!!!
This past weekend was a TRUE Spinal Tap moment:
(If you've never seen the movie... you probably won't understand and I can't claim that it would be an edifying movie for you to watch.)
You see, we had a very special opening act for the show.... A PUPPET SHOW!!
And so began the Spinal Tap quotes: "If I've told them once... I've told them a thousand times... Spinal Tap and THEN the puppet show!" "Well, we have the bigger dressing room!"
It was one of those moments that just sort of makes you smile.
To add to the unusual happenings, we were immediately followed up by a two person rap group!
I'll be totally honest with you all... the puppet show was actually very good. Very well done by a group of young puppeteers.
I can't comment on the rap group, as I was packing equipment back up.
All of that to say that it truly was a lot of fun. It was great, but busy, way to spend my birthday... celebrating that it takes all kinds to do the work for which God called us. Celebrating diversity. Celebrating fellowship. Celebrating Him over all else.
What a blast.
Although it wasn't Carnegie Hall or the Sydney Convention Center, it was truly a blessing to hang out with good and Godly men and just come along side each other in worship. I can also honestly say that sharing a stage with men who desire to glorify God even in the littlest things means so much more than the size of the audience or the name on the outside of the building.
You can't ask for anything more or better than that.
Well... maybe one thing better... hanging out with friends while wearing a Cocoa Puffs t-shirt.
In Him,
Jim
