A Bedtime Snack

Hey everyone! I hope it's been a great week.

I'be talked to a lot of people recently about culture and how it relates to the church. Some believe cultural relevancy does not belong in the church. Some believe it has everything to do with the church. What do you think? Here's Nate's opinion....

I believe that the church must be culturally relevant to be effective. Jesus talked to people in their culture and in a way they understood. Don't believe me? Read the stories of Jesus ministering and see how He presented Himself in regards to where He was. Do I think most churches are effective? No. We've become fat sheep that will either fall over or be eaten by the wolves. After studying Acts and the early church and studying the ministry of Jesus, I see that we're doing things pretty opposite. Church today is referred to as an empty building most of the time. In Acts, the church was the people, regardless of their location. The early church moved and didn't wait for people to come to them while they were getting fat. They went out looking for people to bring in, give their story to, build a relationship with and lead to Christ. Then they discipled them and send them out. We do that as a church body maybe twice a year. Look at the Great Commission. It says "go" there isn't a maybe or wait, but it says for us to go. When was the last time you went and followed God? When the disciples were called, they had to drop everything right then and there and follow Christ no knowing where they were going, what would happen to them, or when and if they would come back. The church should follow Christ in the same way. We should sit around and constantly be fed. We should be going out into our communities and seek out the lost. We should meet for discipleship, but that's it! The Bible says we should watch for the Lord's return and when we watch, there's an urgent sense and so we should be urgently trying to get all the people we can to go to paradise with us forever. I know this isn't popular, mostly because we are comfortable, but Jesus was anything but comfortable here on earth. Also, we should be building relationships with lost people and eating and hanging out with then. The pharisees criticized Jesus for doing that, but He is our example. Jesus did this so they would listen to Him as a teacher and friend. He didn't come in and yell at them and tell them they were condemned. He instead talked to them and then shared the Good News that He was the Messiah.

My question is are we fat sheep or are we sheep that are ready to travel?

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A few minutes to talk

Hello all, I hope you are having a fantastic week. I had a great father's day this past Sunday as I spent all day with my wife and kids and after church, just enjoyed them. My band Restored just finished a fundraiser concert with some local and not so local artists and it was great, but I am very glad it is over. Along with us was Sarah McCoy, Winston Holder, and Katy Kinard. Katy came from Nashville, Winston from Charlotte and Sarah is a hometown girl. I want to talk about some local options for hearing and being exposed to local bands and venues to see such bands within the contemporary Christian genre. First, is probably my favorite place to spend a Friday or Saturday evening in downtown Asheville, strategically situated between two bars and that is Creature's Cafe. It's a great and family friendly place to go hang out, meet people and listen to some great music. Bands from all over the area come and play there, and their windows are huge and swing open so anyone walking between bars are likely to hear some great Christian music. They offer "mocktails" which are non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and the likes as well as some amazing cheesecake. Go check them out, they are right off of Patton Ave. in downtown Asheville beside Tupelo Honey Cafe. Also in the area is Rodney's Auto on Main St. in Weaverville. While it is not a typical concert venue as through the week it is a functioning auto repair shop, it is great for the family to enjoy some outdoor music while cruising along Main St. in Weaverville. Every third Thursday night is bike night I believe, and so you can hang out, look at cool bikes and hear great music! I might add that Restored and Relentless Flood will be playing there August 13th!

Now for some local musicians/bands that I love. Mainly because I know them and I know their heart, but also because they have some great music! First of course, is my band Restored. We play mostly praise and worship music with some southern classic rock influenced in there. You can check us out at www.reverbnation.com/restoredband Second, is a band called Relentless Flood, they are from the Spruce Pine/Newland area and are some great friends of mine. They tend to play more rock music, so if that isn't your thing, I have told you. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/relentlessflood Third is the lovely yet hard rocking band Bestowed. They are a little more heavy than the previous, but their message is awesome. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/bestowed

There are tons more that I could talk about, but it is that time yet again...time to get the kids ready for bed. Maybe I'll make a part 2 soon!


Nate

In case it doesn't show up.

http://vimeo.com/9944669'>Nate Johnson shared the clip "SKILLET's story" with you

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Greetings to all!

Hey everyone, Happy Easter!!! He's alive! So I got a new phone and now I can blog from the phone. Before I talk about music, I have a couple of things I would love for you all to pray about with me. First, I have surgery tomorrow to fix my rotator cuff and that will be a long process of recovery. Second, I am trying to save up to go to Honduras this July on a medical mission trip.

I am excited about what's going on in music right now, particularly. Contemporary Christian music. The Dove Awards were last week as well and I can't wait to see it. I was able to see Tobymac at Biltmore Baptist a few weeks ago and see the side projects his band are involved with. I am impressed at their testimonies and their lives. I even got to see some friends from back home which was nice as well!

I want to invite everyone of you to listen to all kinds of Christian music and not limit yourself to one kind. I have an oarray from bluegrass to Christian hip hop (lecrae is my favorite). But let God lead you to the music you like. If you don't think that God would approve of the music, challenge the words of the song to the words of God. If you don't think the beat is appropriate, David danced naked because of God's greatness, don't become self righteous and see what moves your heart. One piece of advice though, I see a lot of people disapprove what they think God will not like. Just a friendly reminder that we are not God and "our thoughts are not His thoughts, our ways are not His ways". I know God uses all kinds of music with a gospel message to reach people that may not hear it otherwise. People will go to a Christian rock or rap concert before they'll go to church. That's why I am passionate for any kind of music that portrays the Gospel in a great way.

That's all for now! See you when the anesthesia wears off!


In Christ,

Nate

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Test

Hi. Test run from the new Droid! Is anyone out there?

Creatures Cafe

Hey all, it's me again. I would like to tell you about this new club in downtown Asheville. Now, before you good 'ole Baptists get your panties in a wad, it is a Christian club in a very, very needed space. Bands such as Relentless Flood from Newland and Bestowed from Waynesville have been there. The atmosphere is laid back. They have a coffee bar and also serve mocktails which are fruity drinks minus the alcohol. Downtown Asheville is a place that needs that kind of good influence. It is filled with so many bad influences and people with mixed up misconceptions of religion vs a relationship. They also have classes throughout the week teaching anyone who wants to come about addictions and hang ups in their Christian life. The windows open to the place, so at night, when the concerts are blaring, everyone who passes by gets a good listen to what's going on inside. It's a great alternative to going to the bar or other clubs on a Friday and Saturday night. This place is going to be in Asheville for a long time.


Check them out!

A Greeting of Sorts

Hello all, this is an up and coming blog about Contemporary Christian Music. It's going to be fun. My plan is to first establish why there is a need for it and for all you nay-sayers, I'll give you some Biblical truths about music and we'll look at some common myths with music. I'm excited about this and I hope everyone who reads this will be as well.

A little about myself,

I play guitar for Woodland Hills Church of Asheville, NC in the praise band. My wife is the drummer. I am a youth pastor, and music is what I love.