There is an unfortunate tendency in Christendom when it comes to the arts, to wrap a Kingdom message in a good looking package that resembles what is popular today. The result is a movie that may look pleasing at first glance, a song with a catchy tune or a book that grabs our attention, but fails to go any deeper.
We end up feeling unsatisfied because we feel that the powerful Kingdom themes spoken about should be matched artistically in quality, or attempted at least. Should not Christian endeavors in the arts proclaim the glory of God on its own merit without the Christian label?
Maybe that’s why I’m blown away when I come across a Christian band that is creative musically and profound lyrically (David Crowder Band), a Christian movie executed well and tastefully given its sensitive nature (October Baby) and a Christian novel that challenges us to explore the depths of God’s love in ways that only stories can do. Continue reading →
I was fortunate enough to hear Tim Be Told at a benefit concert this past Saturday. Lead man Tim Ouyang looks like an ordinary Chinese guy (ironically enough, he has a song called Ordinary), but behind the common face lies an extraordinary voice. Still, we know of the many youtube phenomenas of ordinary people doing amazing things but the special thing about Tim is the honest heart revealed in his music and the genuine faith he lives out each day.
One of his songs I’ve had on repeat is “Just Another Man” on his new “Humanity” album.
she’s only twelve and sells for thirty dollars, and that man is old enough to be her father. he holds her down while darkness takes her over and he steals her soul. on a concrete floor she lays her head — she doesn’t dream cause she’s already dead. while the queens and kings in their feather beds sleep so soundly, all the world’s a hole and i am falling, too deaf to hear her calling. i wish that i could set her free but i’m just another man, there’s nothing i can do.
he’s only five; a child and a soldier. they will make him kill his people when he’s older. and late at night he calls out for his mother, but he took her life. he’s pretending to be brave instead, but his family’s already dead. i cover up my ears and turn my head while he screams so loudly. my heart is open but my hands are hiding, afraid i’ll feel you dying. i wish that i could touch your soul, but i’m just another man. there’s nothing i can do.
Father, hear our broken cries from a world so fallen. help us see that in one man, our hope will never die and his people call him Savior Jesus, love abounding. give me strength to do all that i can…
…i am not just another man
Maybe it’s because of the burden God has given me for human trafficking and our church’s endeavors into Thailand, but the first verse was a haunting reminder of what is happening in our world today. And as Tim writes, we are prone to just turn a deaf ear and believe the lie that we are just ordinary people who can’t make much change.
But I appreciate Tim’s resolve to do all he can to make a difference in the world through Jesus who strengthens him. Because it’s easy to get paralyzed by the overwhelming needs of the world but the worse thing we can do is to feel bad and simply do nothing.
It’s fresh music and profound lyrics like this that make Tim not just another man.
I have been privileged to see Aimee grow up at Evergreen SGV and am so encouraged by her willingness to serve overseas. She is part of this next generation at Evergreen called by God to serve overseas and I am so encouraged by her passion to fight human trafficking. The word that comes to mind when I think about her is “fighter” because of her spirit against the injustices of the world and that is seamlessly coupled with the love of Christ in her life. Aimee Wong is currently serving overseas as an administrative intern for International Justice Mission in S. Asia combatting human trafficking.
Come hear about what she is doing in S. Asia regarding human trafficking and how you can get involved on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 9:30am in the Multi-Purpose Room at Evergreen SGV.
For more information on Aimee’s ministry and how you can help support her financially and/or through prayer, contact me at vchen@evergreensgv.org
