4

Today is my little girl's birthday. Areyna Joy turns 4-years-old today. I can't believe it. She was only 1-and-a-half when we moved to Charlotte, and that means that she's spent more than half of her life on the road with us. She's incredible. Alot of people ask us what her name means. In Greek, erene means "peace." We modified the ending just a bit so that it also carries some of the meaning of the Spanish word raina, meaning "queen." Our prayer for her from the beginning is that the Lord would mold her into a woman after His heart. A woman characterized by the peace of God ruling and dwelling in her heart. That the Lord would fill her with all joy and peace as she trusts in Him, so that she may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit (Rom. 15:13).

Areyna, your mom and I love you more than you'll ever know. Let God's peace rule your heart...always. Happy Birthday. (Also, check out my wife's post about Rainy. It's much better!)

Tozer on Worship and Entertainment

I just finished a book by A. W. Tozer called Tozer on Worship and Entertainment. Tozer is one of my favorite writers of another generation. He pastored Southside Alliance Church in Chicago for 31 years in the early to mid 1900s. He was a prolific writer and self-taught theologian. One of my favorite books of Tozer's is Knowledge of the Holy, a Christian classic on the attributes of God.

Worship and Entertainment is a compilation of sermon quotes and other Tozer writings surrounding this issue. The title says it all--what Tozer felt about the embracing and harnessing of culture within the local church. He was adamently against it. And though Tozer takes a dogmatic stance, (many of his points I found hard to accept and had to filter some of his conclusions with my own interpretation of Scripture and the believer's role within culture) you have to appreciate his consistency of thought on this issue throughout all of his writings and sermons. In spite of my disagreement on some conclusions, there are countless treasures and takeaways in this book that caused me to reevaluate much of what I believe and practice--particularly as it involves my primary contribution to the local church, namely, worship leading. And even though Tozer went to be with the Lord nearly 50 years ago, the prophetic truths he preached to his generation have never been more applicable. Indeed, it's as if he was writing to the American church in 2009. This needs to be the next book you read.

Here are a few takeaways:

• The #1 Gem: "Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone!" (p.170)
  
• "For multitudes of professed Christians today the Holy Spirit is not a necessity. They have learned to cheer their hearts and warm their hands at other fires." (p. 106)
• "What we need more than we need anything else is a restoration of the vision of the Most High God. The honor of God has been lost to men and the God of today's Christianity is a weakling--a little cheap, palsy God that you can run and pal around with. He's 'the man upstairs.' He's the fellow that can help you when you're in difficulty and not bother you too much when you're not." (p. 54)
• "Why should believing Christians want everything pre-cooked, pre-digested, sliced and salted, and expect that God must come and help us eat and hold the food to our baby lips while we pound the table and splash--and we think that is Christianity! Brethren, it is not. It is a degenerate bastard breed that has no right to be called Christianity." (p. 116)
  
• "When the Church joins up with the world it is the true Church no longer but only a pitiful hybrid thing, an object of smiling contempt to the world and an abomination to the Lord." (p. 171)
• "It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God. One can only conclude that God's professed children are bored with Him, for they must be wooed to meeting with a stick of striped candy in the form of religious movies, games and refreshments." (p. 120)
• "I don't mind telling you that most of the people we say we are trying to reach will never come to a church to see a lot of amateur actors putting on a home-talent show." (p. 110)
  

Animal Zeke

Nathanael Bryan, my good friend and one of the best drummers in Charlotte, took this shot of Zeke a couple of months ago just before a worship service. Watch out, Nate. Zeke's "vying" for your spot. Pun intended.

Macon Waves

The past few days have been really exciting. We just returned yesterday from Macon, GA where we've been ministering. Sunday morning we led worship for the student ministries of Ingleside Baptist Church. We took the band with us--Andy Cherry, Tim Morrison, and Terrance Key. These guys were awesome and in spite of Andy coming down with strep throat Saturday night and all of them functioning on very little sleep, they did a fantastic job. We led 2 worship sets, one at 9:30 for middle school and one at 11:00 for high school. Bill Stanley was the guest speaker and did a phenomenal job. During the 9:30 worship service the fire alarm went off just as we were about to take the stage (something that has never happened in the 2 years that my buddy Fred Broome has been the middle school pastor there)! We finally got back in and had to cut the set short, but it all ended up well. The morning was pitched as a camp preview weekend, sort of a teaser I guess you could say, since we'll also be leading worship for Ingleside's summer camp in a few months. And in spite of the chaos of the fire alarm incident, a ton of kids signed up for camp.

The band headed back Sunday afternoon, but Tasha and I and the kids stayed for a few extra days to chill with Fred and Lindsey Broome and then to lead their college group on Tuesday night. We led worship and then I preached a message from Psalm 51 called "What God Desires"--a message about brokenness. I felt pretty good about the night. A really cool highlight was hanging out with the college students afterward and meeting a handful of guys who are all worship leaders in various contexts. We talked for awhile and I encouraged them to continue doing what they're doing--sharing the Gospel through word and song. It was a cool moment standing there with them in a circle and realizing that this group of young artists very possibly could be the next group to shake middle Georgia with the Gospel and make waves for the kingdom of God. In that moment, I realized again why we do what we do and why I love it so much.

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight: Etch-a-Sketch

Zeke and I had a little too much time on our hands on Friday morning. So, this is what came out.

Ingleside

Pray for us this weekend as we head down to Macon, GA to Ingleside Baptist Church. My good friend, Fred Broome, is the middle school pastor there. So tomorrow morning we'll be leading worship for their middle school and high school ministries. Our whole fam is going along with our entourage, Andy Cherry, Tim Morrison and Terrance Key. We appreciate your prayers for us and for the students who will be exposed to the truth of God's Word. I'll also be speaking to the college ministry on Tuesday night. Thanks so much. .josh.

Internet Accountability

I found this Covenant Eyes promo video and thought I'd share it. If you don't have CE set up on your computer, you need to get it. At least give the free trial a chance by entering joshandtasha as the promo code. Go here and give it a chance. You'll be glad you did.

2.15.09

Last Sunday was an amazing day of worship at Southbrook Church. It was a full day of worship as we exalted our awesome God and celebrated the CD release of Southbrook's first live worship recording. What a rewarding day it was! All of Dan Rutty's and the worship team's hard work finally came to fruition, and it was worth it all. Thanks everybody, for letting Tasha and me be a small part of it.

For more pics of the day, check out Pastor Rob Singleton's blog here.

If you'd like a copy, you can wait a few weeks until it's online, or you can write me at josh@joshandtashavia.com and I'll be glad to mail you one.

We played:
1. The Time Has Come (Hillsong, led by Andy Cherry)
2. Revival's Fire (Andy Cherry)
3. Grace Greater Than Our Sin (Via's version)
4. Immanuel (Via's)
5. All Creatures of Our God and King (Crowder version, led by Sara Scott)
6. Everything You Do (Sara Scott)
7. Captivate (Watermark, led by Sharon Cauthen)
8. How He Loves (John Mark McMillan, led by Lauren Wilson and Gal Friday)
9. Mighty to Save (Hillsong, led by Lauren Wilson and Gal Friday)
10. King Above All Gods (Andy Cherry, Dan Rutty, and Josh Via)
11. Pour (Dan Rutty)

No More Thumbs #2

Guest Blogger: Tasha Via - Why I Love This Man

Okay, so I'm not technically a guest blogger today, I sort of confiscated his blog without him knowing it but I just couldn't help myself! I just wanted to share with the world about this man, my husband, my best friend...

Just A Few Reasons Why I Love This Man

*He truly loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, strength and mind
*Because he somehow ends up with all the covers by the end of the night
*He lives out what he believes
*The way he gets the kids wound up for bed=)
*He knows he is NOT above any temptation, therefore he lives a cautious life in constant communion with the Lord
*He isn't afraid to say "I'm Sorry"
*He is slow to anger

*His laugh when he really gets going!
*The way he taught Areyna to give me a "courtesy flush" when she's in the bathroom because smells are killing me this pregnancy=)

*His knowledge of the Word

*His sensitivity to me

*The way he always seems to find a quick little project to do right before we walk out the door. Example: replacing a doorknob while we're supposed to be packing up the car for a winter conference...

*This guy can go through some jeans because he constantly wrestles, crawls and plays in forts with the kids. He's just an awesome dad!

*The way I always have to get his attention by going right up to his face, making eye contact and stating his name before saying something very important. (otherwise he may respond without even knowing what I just said=))

*The way he makes me want to know our Lord more personally myself

*The way he leaves just one more bite in the box or a tiny little sip in the OJ container=) Well, maybe I don't love this one so much, but it reminds me of the man I married and I fall in love with him all over again.

Thank you God for blessing me with this man.

Josh, I love you baby. You are my favorite=)

CD Release at Southbrook Church

If you live in the Charlotte area, you need to come on out to Southbrook Church this weekend for the big CD release of Southbrook's latest live worship CD. It's gonna be an incredible day of solid worship and you don't want to miss it! Sunday morning - 9:00 and 11:00

A Universal Back-Stabbing

I've never noticed until yesterday the severity of the disciples' betrayal of their Lord in the last hours of His life--and not just the severity of their betrayal, but the universal scope of their betrayal. Each of the disciples broke the heart of their master in some way in those final hours. Matthew 26 illustrates this for us.

1. A Disappointment - vv. 40-46 - His disciples kept falling asleep in the garden instead of praying and keeping watch.
2. A Betrayal - v. 49 - Judas betrayed Jesus into the hands of the sanhedrin for 30 pieces of silver.
3. A Desertion - v. 56 - "...Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." - Following Judas' betrayal, the rest of the disciples scattered. They deserted Him.
4. A Denial - vv. 69-75 - Peter denied that He knew Jesus three times to people he didn't know.

This same group that had shared their last meal together and sang hymns together (v. 30) all betrayed their Lord in one way or another only moments later. From this one chapter there is this escalating scale of betrayal culminating with Peter denying Jesus three times and the rooster acting as the capstone, the final note of this tragedy.

Lord, as I think about how You were so badly mistreated by Your closest friends in those last hours of Your life before the cross, my pride wants to ask,

"How in the world could Jesus' friends have acted this way only moments before Your death? Why? What would drive them to such a low?"

And yet, if I'm honest with myself I have to acknowledge that I would have done the very same things--or even worse. I would have disappointed You by falling asleep instead of praying. I would have betrayed You for money. I would have deserted You, fled the scene, and run toward safety. And I would have denied that I knew You--at least three times--maybe more if given the chance.

I know that about myself because I've already done them--some in my heart--some in public. I'm quick to point the finger at the disciples and quick to ignore ... the four pointing back at me? No. The middle one that I've got raised in the air as a rebel to a cause already lost. In this case, the lost cause being this sense of self-righteous entitlement--a battle I'll never win because I'm entitled to nothing, save Hell itself! So why do I go kicking and screaming when all You want is my surrender?--the white flag--to give it all over to You.

O Lord, forgive me. It was I who disappointed, betrayed, deserted, and denied You. And then it was I who stripped, cursed at, beat, stabbed, mocked and nailed you to a cross leaving You for dead. Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for it was I who murdered You.

Radical Reformission

Just finished The Radical Reformission--a book that I should have already read by now, but at least I have now. And I loved it. Mark Driscoll unpacks what it means to live as a Christ-follower and how to share Christ with the culture God has placed you in, without selling out--without caving into the pressures--without looking like the world. It contains classic Driscoll humor and candor, of which I'm a big fan. If you're looking for a good read on how to influence the world around you within contemporary/pop culture, you'll want to check this out.

There are many great takeaways, but here are just a few:

• "The way to avoid sin is not to avoid sinners but to stick close to Jesus." p. 40
• "At worst, traditionalism fails to distinguish between biblical principles for ministry and cultural methods for implementing those principles. Traditionalism clings to dated ineffective methods in the name of staying truer to tradition than to Scripture ... Equally damaging ... is the tendency... to ignore church history and its lessons in pursuit of unrestrained and undiscerning innovation." pp.51-52
• "Innovation, when not tethered to the truth of the gospel, leads to heresy." p. 53
• "People who were raised apart from the church often have less resistance to ancient traditions and institutions. These are foreign experiences that intrigue them, rather than bad memories that repel them." p. 55
• "Too often the evangelistic task of speaking about Jesus is promoted as a work or something we must do, rather than as an overflowing of joy within us that explodes out of us because we have met God in Christ." p. 143
  

2.9.09

It was good to be back at Ridge Church yesterday and to be a part of their second official baptism service. It was awesome. One of the young men who was baptized was just recently saved at Ridge Church, both he and his 60-year-old dad. Tragically, the dad passed away about three months ago, but not before Pastor Chris Brown had the privilege of leading him to the Lord in his hospital bed. That's just one small story among hundreds that describes the work God is doing in Charlotte through Ridge Church and the many churches and ministries which we are blessed to partner with. It's a blessing to be a part of it.

We played:
1. Salvation Rising (Via)
2. Divine Romance (Wickham)
3. Your Grace is Enough (Tomlin)
4. Dear Money (Josh Wilson)

Covenant Eyes is Awesome!

I'm excited to announce that our ministry has just been approved as an affiliate of Covenant Eyes. Covenant Eyes is an internet accountability program that provides help and support for men, women and families desiring to steer clear of the filth and garbage that plagues the internet. Covenant Eyes is perfect for churches, families or individuals. I signed myself up and all of my brothers about a year ago so that we could hold each other accountable. Every week we each get a summary e-mail from CE detailing where each of us have been on the internet, with the questionable sites scoring high on the scale. It's a pretty awesome deal, it's relatively cheap, and it has saved each of us a lot of heartache from the dangers of internet porn.

If you, your family, your church or ministry are interested, you can get a free 30-day trial here using our promo code, "joshandtasha". I know, I know. It sounds like I'm a salesman. Well, I kinda am. The truth is, that if you sign up with our promo code, it actually helps support our ministry as well--it will help us continue writing and recording worship music, taking short-term mission trips to countries such as Uganda, and much more. I'm shameless. So, think about it. I highly recommend it. And really, you can't afford not to have accountability. Your wife (or future wife) and kids (or future kids) will love you for it!

CharlotteONE 2.3.09

Tuesday night we had the pleasure again of leading worship at CharlotteONE in uptown. God is doing a great work there among this community of young professionals and college students. We count it a privilege to be able to partner with them when given the opportunity.

James-Michael Smith began a three-part series focusing on the big picture, or meta-narrative of Scripture. He clearly communicated several key points in regards to Scripture: the need for proper handling of the biblical text, how not to read your own interpretation into the text, and proper questions to ask when approaching the text--subjects I believe to be crucial and particularly relevant for this body of believers. He then looked at Genesis 1 in light of these principles. He handled near flawlessly and clearly a subject that can easily be confusing and hard-to-grasp. Amazing!

Our goal throughout the worship experience was to clearly focus on and give praise to the God of creation--the overarching theme of the night! Here was our set!

We also played:
5. Grace Greater Than Our Sin
6. The Solid Rock

Pursuing Christ

This weekend was exhausting yet rewarding.  We led worship for Grace Community Baptist Church's student ministry retreat in Altavista, VA.  It was a great weekend.  Wes McMurray did a phenomenal job bringing the Word every session, reminding us that the pursuit of our lives must be Jesus Christ.  (If you have a minute, read Matthew 13:44-46 to remind yourself of what the greatest treasure is.) The students were awesome.  They came ready to hear from the Lord and engage with Him. (By the way, whoever shot me in the neck playing paintball...I want a rematch!)

 
The volunteers were amazing too.  Ed Martin is the most organized student pastor I've ever met.  He had things planned to the T, which made for a stress-free weekend for us.  Thanks, Ed, for having us down and taking good care of us. We love you guys. 

Late Saturday night, Tasha and I packed up and headed to Chester, VA where we partnered with my Dad on Sunday morning at Enon Baptist Church.  He brought the Word--strong--from Revelation 1.  It was an awesome day there as well.  We always love when get to partner with him. Thanks for praying for us.  God was good.