Cafes & Festivals & Theaters, oh my!

After 10 years, BYB is shifting our focus. It's actually been a long time coming, but sometimes you don't notice things like that until they are upon you or past.

We've been functioning primarily inside what is sometimes called the "Christian Ghetto" - and we'd gotten pretty good at it for a local/regional group. But it's gotten to the point where it felt like we were "preaching to the choir" and in some ways stagnating as artists, musicians, etc. We plan to stop playing churches and focus on making music appropriate for cafes, festivals, theaters, etc.

While we still think there is some value to making music for the purpose of helping people worship God, there is also a glut of great music out there (and some not so great). Inspiration is a funny thing, so I try to never say never, but at this point we're moving on with no plans to return.

The concept that has been capturing our hearts and minds over the last two years, though, has been the over-arching story of the scripture: the devastating impact of man's attempt to be God and the restoring, healing impact of God becoming man. It's the contrast of two kings and two kingdoms - the empire of earth vs. the kingdom of heaven. Fear of death vs. the hope of resurrection. Darkness vs. light.

The goals and principles of these two kingdoms are polar opposites, and they have played out through all of human history. We're intrigued by the tension of the two, by the results of following either way, and the impact that can have on a home, a community, a nation, and the planet.

Just look at the current economic crises - the causes and effects, the possible responses. There's probably enough there for a whole album (so far we only have one new song, but it begins the discussion at least).

All of life comes under this tension - empire of man vs. kingdom of heaven. The good news that Jesus brought included a study of this very tension, and his recommendations for how to respond to injustice, anger, sensuality, oppression, poverty, religiosity, condemnation, and more. We plan to explore these things from both sides in the coming months, years, and albums.

We think that the notion of any form of Christian religion as primarily a "get out of hell free card" or a "we're right and everyone else is wrong club" is absurd and contrary to the teachings of Jesus (the smartest teacher who ever walked the planet). His focus was on changing/transforming our character to heal and restore the world. And the ones who hated his teachings most were the religious, rich, and powerful.

We suspect that some of the religious types out there won't understand or agree with our shift in focus, but we're beyond caring. We see that the kingdom really is the pearl of great price (just like some famous teacher once expounded). And it's stuff like that that inspires, invigorates, and propels us as artists. We hope you join us on our journey. :)

Commencement 2009

Our daughter Hannah Joy was one of 37 graduates in the 2009 CHEM Graduation Ceremonies. Each family provides a brief charge (or "blessing") and then hands the diploma to the graduate. It was pretty moving ceremony (but also pretty long - Joyce and I have a few ideas to chop out about an hour from it!). Anyway, since our surname is so late alphabetically and there were no Zalewskis or Zyzyks, Hannah was the last to receive her diploma. Here is the text from my charge to her:

---

Hannah Joy... we love you, and we’re very proud of you. Having you and being able to homeschool you was a dream for us... that turned into a quite an adventure. We’ve loved it. However, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into! Along the way we learned that all great things require:

• Significant risk – and the enemy will fiercely attack with thoughts of fear and failure. But remember, God has not given us the spirit of fear.

• Desperate faith – where the resources you lack can only be supplied by God himself. Trust Him.

• Hard work – God won’t do it all for you, you have to be diligent with what you can do. Just do it.

• Personal sacrifice – you show what you truly value by what you’re willing to give up for it. May you sacrifice for the best things.

If you choose this path of risk, faith, work, and sacrifice, trials are guaranteed… but so is great joy as God provides and proves himself to be your God, not merely the God of your parents.

And don’t forget: knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. As you go to college to acquire the knowledge you need for your calling, may you primarily be known for your love for God and for others.

Your future is very bright. We named you Hannah, which means "grace". Hannah Joy. May you always live up to your name. We love you.