thanks man......very well put.....trust......which is why it is called "Faith"

thanks again.

---

From: "Eric Copeland" <ec@...>
Reply-To: christianjazzgroup@yahoogroups.com
To: christianjazzgroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [christianjazzgroup] For the Creative Soul > Does God Want Me to Do This?
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 07:07:42 -0000

They're questions we all ask: Am I SUPPOSED to be doing this? Am I
REALLY called to use my artistic abilities for Him? Should I take all
this negative stuff that is happening as a SIGN that He wants me to
try something else?

It's easy to give encouragement when I see or hear someone's talent
and heart for ministry. The hard part is counseling them to be
patient, vigil, and see the larger picture in their artistic journey.

Just ask any pastor how many times he or she has wanted to run
screaming, and just become a goatherder somewhere.

It's easy to hear God's voice when we feel Him leading us towards
using our gifts. But what about when we think we hear Him saying we
should quit?

I hear alot of artists say that God told them to do this or that. And
although He certainly might have, I think it's easier to use Him as an
escape route out of this hard thing we've started.

Almost all the artists i work with are pumped with enthusiasm and hope
as we build their ministry. There's positive energy in the studio, in
the photo shoot, during the production, mix, and when the CDs roll in.

But six months to a year into the actual ministry, when it really
means getting into the trenches and being a music ministry, things are
radically different.

The whisperings begin.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Yeah, you got a cool CD, but you're no salesman/performer/minister!"

"Maybe this wasn't so a great an idea."

Now, do those sound like things God would say?

In his book "Thriving as an Artist in the Church", Rory Noland tells
of a vocalist who announced she was going to give up her vocal
ministry because it was something God told her she needed to 'die to'.

He carefully asked "Why would God give you a talent and then tell you
never to use it? Doesn't that contradict what jesus teaches in Matthew
25, the parable that challenges us to steward our God-given talents?"

Noland goes on that she blamed being a "hideously prideful person" on
her singing. He suggested she may be running from another problem
instead of facing it.

There are other reasons that artists feel they should just quit.

But mostly, it's someone who hates God, who is doing the suggesting.

While it's hard to imagine God telling you to "quit" ministering for
him, you can easily see the devil volunteering the idea.

I've seen great attacks both physically and spirtually on artists who
are trying their best to grow as Christian artists. Death in the
family, illness, divorce, threats, money problems, and more seem to be
more prevalent when we're on the front lines.

So what to do?

Well, here's some ammunition against that feeling.

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he
meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its
fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does
prospers.

There is certainly something to be said for walking with the Lord and
mediating there. God is the God of all those who have success in this
business.

Since I've been in Nashville, the most consistent answer on how to do
extremely well in the Christian music business is: There is no answer.
The best way to plan a strategy that we can be sure will make us
successful as a Christian music artist is: There is no such plan.

The majority of the artists that you see and hear that are having
success, are having it because God gave it to them as they sought
after HIM. End of story.

And those who this happened to were, most likely, not looking
necessarily for fame and fortune.

Example after example has come from meeting these folks who are great
players or artists, and seeing how they just trusted the Lord, and
things happened. They mediated on Him. They didn't mediate on a radio
promotional plan.

I think that's where we may get it wrong.

Now, it's not to say we shouldn't do radio, or distribution, or
publicity, or spend $ on an album (especially that!!!), but we need to
remember that these are just means toward an end, and not the end
themselves.

They're all so we can further walk with the Lord. Plant our ministries
by the water, and prosper through Him.

Let HIM open the doors instead of trying to force them open.

Let the music and message do the talking, and not our yappers.

Day and night, we need to be meditating and seeking wise counsel. Not
worrying if we get signed or get radio play.

For example:

I've been worrying about radio play for an artist. Why hasn't it
happened? I did everything right as far as the steps for radio play
and success. Song production, marketing, hiring a killer promoter. But
nothing.

But last week I followed this advice and just gave it up. I just left
the radio thing up to God.

Yesterday I'm looking through the charts, and Kristyn went up 65 spots
in the Christian Rock chart! 65! I didn't even know she was on the
chart yet!

See, we aren't even close to being in control of anything in this
world. Even our own ministries!

So, when the doubt and worry about doing your artistic thing for God
come in to your head, instead of trying to fix it. Give it up.

You were and still are called.

Be a tree. Soak up the water. Yield.

Now THERE'S a sign.

------------------------------
Eric Copeland is a producer, writer, and general tree farmer in the
Nashville/Franklin area of TN. His company Creative Soul has been
creating great albums, guiding artists, and needlessly worrying about
useless trivial junk for many, many years. If you need guidance with
your musical path or growth in your craft, come check out
www.CreativeSoulOnline.com and let's grow together.