What’s the source of your creativity?

Faith and imagination. Faith is the reason I do what I do, imagination is the fuel that keeps the creativity flowing. The Lord Jesus Christ is my reason for creating and I have nothing but thanks and gratitude toward him for being allowed to do what I do, and ultimately, seize my wildest dreams as if they were just there waiting for me.

When did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a Christian home, with the most wonderful parents a kid could ever ask for. I came to know the Lord in middle school after hearing a testimony at church. From then on, I’ve just wanted to serve Christ in every way I know how, music being the only thing I’ve ever considered myself any "good" at. I guess my whole message or goal of this whole operation is to bring glory to Jesus Christ byall that I do and say, not just as it relates to Owl City, but in all areas of my life.

Do you want to be thought of as a "Christian musician"?

It’s up to you, honestly. It’s not my place say what people should think of me as. Actions should speak for that. I follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly, so any definition that arises from that fact is all right with me. The same goes for Owl City. I am a Christian in a band. Is it a Christian band then? That’s up to those who ask that question.

Read the rest of the interview HERE.

Don’t ever expect the world to acknowledge or reward your faithfulness and hard work. The opposite often happens, as Joseph’s life shows. Therefore, make sure that you direct your service and life elsewhere. Don’t look for favor and kindness from the world. Its favor can quickly turn into furious anger.

To read the rest of the quote..go HERE

What does it mean for a Christian to "work"? Mark Mitchell addresses this issue in a sermon called “Don’t Waste Your Job.” I enjoyed this sermon very much although I might categorize it more as a great lecture than a good sermon because it really didn’t preach Christ. If you wonder how your work life fits into God’s plan then this is a good place to begin getting some answers. You can find discussion questions, download the message (45 minutes in MP3 format), or listen online HERE.

At one point the preacher quotes the Lutheran scholar Gene Edward Veith

The Reformation notion of ‘the priesthood of all believers’ by no means denigrated the pastoral office, as is often assumed… Rather, it taught that the pastoral office is a vocation, a calling from God with its own responsibilities, authority, and blessings. But it also taught that laypeople as well have vocations, callings of their own that entail holy responsibilities, authorities, and blessings of their own. All believers, like the priests of the Old Testament, can come into the presence of God through the blood of the Lamb. All believers can handle holy things (such as the Bible, earlier denied to the laity). All can proclaim the Gospel to those who need its saving message. ‘The priesthood of all believers’ means that all Christians enjoy the same access to Christ and are spiritually equal before Him. ‘The priesthood of all believers’ did not make everyone into church workers; rather, it turned every kind of work into a sacred calling… Every kind of work, including what had heretofore been looked down upon – the work of peasants and craftsmen – is an occasion for priesthood, for exercising a holy service to God and to one’s neighbor. Gene Edward Veith, God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, page 18-19

You can download additional lectures by Dr. Veith in MP3 format by clicking HERE. Veith is particularly helpful in laying out a Lutheran understanding of work, art, worldview, and literature. Veith’s two part lecture on the doctrine of vocation can be found by clicking Part 1 and Part 2. His lecture on visual Art can by found HERE.

I encourage  you to check out Jon Hainstock, a local singer/songwriter, and brother in Christ. I won’t try to describe his music except to say that it is powerful and his lyrics are touching. Take What You Wanted and 6000 Miles were my favorites. This is not Christian music, its good music written and performed by a Christian. Jon’s work is a good example of the Lutheran understanding of vocation or calling that is best summed up by this quote, often attributed to Martin Luther himself: The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays—not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.

You can check out Jon’s music at his websites HERE and HERE

Jon performs throughout the Midwest and will be playing gigs in the Burlington area in the next couple of months, including:
05.25.08: Chocolate Fest – 6:30pm
06.28.08: The Daily Brew – 1:00pm