Loser interviews Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell

Click here for an interview with Brian Littrell, Backstreet Boy turned-Christian music soloist.

I first met this pop-superstar in April at the Gospel Music Assoc. Week. His publicist asked me to interview him and I reluctantly agreed. The magazine I work for doesn’t typically print interviews, which is why I felt hesitant to waste his time.

However, I met an editor from Christianity Today at a Provident dinner. We got talking and I found out his interview with Brian was cancelled. We agreed that I would sell my interview write-up to CT.

What followed seemed a complete disaster. I almost turned down the story because I couldn’t get it completed (parents in town, writing a feature article at work) by the deadline they requested.
Then I couldn’t get a hold of his publicist to schedule a follow-up. Then I discovered Brian told me in about the exact same words what he tells every other media outlet. Then the interview was too short. But there was no way of getting a hold of him and asking more questions. I hear from CT they’ll pay me, but not as much as we agreed (I accept this—it’s my fault the interview is short). Then nothing. I assume they’ve decided not to publish it. Finally, I hear from my friendly editor it took “a while to get a few questions answered and get the interview to where my boss was satisfied.”

So now three months later it’s online. This is just to say you win some, you lose some.

I felt like a complete failure/loser during this entire process, but I pray God has used/is using it SOMEHOW for His glory.

Listening to...Blue on Blue

Two years ago Leigh Nash bottomed out. It wasn't due to any of the stereotypical rock dalliances involving substance abuse or lavish spending. Instead, Nash found herself face to face with the dark underbelly of the protestant work ethic - when giving and giving doesn't equal getting what you always imagined.

Sixpence None the Richer, the band she had been a member of for nearly half of her life, thirteen years all told, was contemplating calling it quits. Nash and high school sweetheart Matt Slocum had formed the group as teenagers, touring in sedans and cramped vans, slowly building a career.

In spite of the colossal success the band enjoyed with ubiquitous pop singles like "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes," the group was continually plagued by the business woes of the trade and finally decided to split ways amicably. Disoriented by this major change, Nash and her husband left their Nashville home of ten years and moved to Los Angeles.

"It was a major life change for me because I had been with Sixpence since I was fourteen. I was 27 at the time, and I didn't know what I was going to do. So, I started writing songs," says Nash.

While in L.A., Nash penned a batch of songs that would eventually comprise her first solo record, Blue on Blue, a sweetly understated collection of musings on love and motherhood due out August 15 on One Son Records, Nash's own imprint label through Nettwerk Productions.

A few months after Sixpence None the Richer parted ways, Nash welcomed her son Henry into the world, along with a new sense of creative vitality. Nash explains that her songs were not intentionally centered on any one concept, but admits her newfound maternity was a source of inspiration.

With Sixpence behind her and a two-year-old son along for the ride, Nash is back in Nashville, prepped to return to music even though she never really left. Now perhaps a bit more career-conscious and business-weary, Nash reveals that tired edge without losing her dainty charm. Because of this, Blue on Blue is not just a carefree jog through the present but a vividly felt exercise wholly informed by the past.

Check out more from Leigh Nash at:
www.leighnash.com
www.myspace.com/leighnash
www.nettwerk.com

Hiking Mount Elbert

Beauty—More than Anatomy

I almost never watch TV, but last night my roommate had on Grey’s Anatomy. I sat down to join her, with half my attention on reprogramming my new phone. But this particular episode caught my attention, and piqued my interest in discovering more about something that confuses my mind, yet stirs my heart. I set my phone down and watched the drama draw out.

A patient recognizes Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens from her modeling days and he refuses to allow her in the room with him. Viewers later learn he’s got prostrate cancer and doesn’t want the woman he fantasized see his emasculation.

I’m intrigued, because I’m trying to understand this male’s dilemma.
I turn to the pages of Xan Hood’s, Untamed. He helps me get it, at least a little bit.

In the chapter called “Beauty” Hood describes the draw of beauty, how he’s not alone in his search for it: “It seemed to be universal, desired by all—men and women, mothers and children, and even grandparents. It seemed everyone was trying to capture it in some form or another through a camera, by drawing it, writing about it, or by hiking to remote areas to find it.”

This I find true—why else would I find such great delight in exploring the marvelous mountains of Colorado? I take photos, write, collect flowers in the attempt to capture beauty.

But what is it about a woman’s body that gets men so excited?

Hood goes on to explain, “With this desire and stirring for beauty, I found a way to taste, for a brief moment, what it might be like to be with the beautiful girl. In my fantasies, I got the girl every time. I was her hero and knight in shining armor…Pornography offered to fulfill the longing and ache I had inside of me for a woman, and for beauty.”

As men long to taste beauty, they often settle for cheap substitutions. It’s not that they desire too much; it’s that they settle for so little.

I am guilty too. I focus on my outsides so much more than cultivating beauty in my soul. And yet I desperately long to be known and loved, not just for my appearance, but for who I am. As John Eldredge wrote in Wild at Heart, “Every woman is asking the question, ‘Am I beautiful? Am I lovely? Do you notice me?”

I want to be the beautiful girl, the one who gets noticed by a man and causes him to take action. I long to be the one for which he chooses to fight. I believe it’s within God’s design for this to happen—for a strong man to pursue a lovely woman, not just for her body, but for who she is.

The true beauty of a woman should bring out the best in a man. Likewise, the strength of a man acting in his God-given role should bring out the beauty in a woman. God made romance to be an amazing representation of how Christ loves the Church. And when love between a man and a woman works the way it should, it truly is a beautiful thing.

However, men and women can’t completely satisfy the longings of each other’s hearts, nor should they try. We must awaken to the ways our Savior pursues us, romances us even. The Creator of mountains, flowers, and bodies allows us to see beauty so we can turn to praise Him. He uses sunsets, rainbows, and lightning storms to show us His glory and remind us of His loving care. I imagine it’s like He’s saying, “See, look what I made. I cared enough to create this just for you to behold at this very moment. And I created you. I love you, and I want you to love me too. Don’t you see?”

Jared Anderson sings a song saying, “Nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord/
Jesus, your love takes my breath away/ And now I’m living every day for the beauty of the Lord.”

I don’t know the completeness of what it means to live for the beauty of the Lord, but I am sure it’s far more satisfying than seeking after a beauty that’s found in the cheap imitations of trashy magazines and sultry sitcoms.

A sampling of

images from an amazing trip to Crested Butte, CO.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. "

Here is the path to the door.
Will you take the effort to reach it?
I thought the most beautiful boat was the one that had been battered.
Similarly, these flowers find their beauty in resilience.

And my new friend Katie (above) has been knocked off her feet more than a few times, and yet she has found Strength in the struggle and beauty in the storm.

She reminded me that the rainbow can't be seen without the rain.

Highlights from Denver...climbing

It's amazing what you can find when you look up.

While rock climbing, as in life, it's easy to get stuck staring at what's in front of you.
It's often harder to remember that in order to climb highter, we have to let go of what seems safe in the moment. The best of what's available to hold onto is above you.

Philip Yancey shared insights from his new book (releasing in October) Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? when he spoke July 9th—first at the CO Convention Center and then at his “after party” at a rock climbing gym.

As a fellow Colorado resident and outdoor adventure-junkie, I appreciated how he juxtaposed themes from mountain climbing with lessons about God.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from what I’ve read of his book so far:

I live in daily hope of getting my life under control. At home I left a desk covered with to-do lists…Maybe if I take a day off, I’ll have time…

On the mountain one bolt of lightning, splitting a rock on a nearby peak and exploding against my eardrums, exposes any illusion that I am ever in control.

Like a flash of lightning, prayer exposes for a nanosecond what I would prefer to ignore: my own true state of fragile dependence. The undone tasks accumulating at home, my family and ever other relation, temptations, health, plans for the future—all these I bring into that larger reality, God’s sphere, where I find them curiously upended.

In prayer I shift my point of view away from my own selfishness. I climb above timberline and look down at the speck that is myself. I gaze at the starts and recall what role I or any of us play in a universe beyond comprehension. Prayer is the act of seeing reality from God’s point of view.

Between the Dreaming and the Coming True

Next week I’m headed to the biggest annual tradeshow in the Christian products industry.
I have appointments to interview Bebo Norman, Phil Joel (Newsboys), and new artists Jessie Daniels and Brandon Heath.

While I’m excited to spend time with these talented musicians, I always feel a bit of trepidation and anxiety during preparation for these types of things.
The enemy has a way of attacking my confidence.
Who are you to speak to these famous people?
What do you really have to say?
What if you embarrass yourself and say something really stupid?

Despite this nagging before each interview, I usually end up being blessed by each person because I realize, “this is just a person, just like anyone else.”
Carrie, this is not about you. It’s not even about them. It’s about what Christ is doing and how we can each bring Him glory with the particular talents and platform He’s given us.

I’m most excited to have coffee with Bebo on Monday (although I learned today from his Web site, http://www.bebonorman.com/, that he doesn’t consume caffeine. He also doesn’t sing at weddings—didn’t even sing at his own. Bummer.)

I was amazed at his authenticity and honesty when I interviewed him at GMA last year. His newest album, Between the Dreaming and the Coming True, which releases in September has impacted me deeply.

The title is named after Robert Benson’s book about discovering God even in the depths of depression. And Bebo’s tagline (gleaned from his biography put out by his record label):

“You can't understand light unless you understand darkness, because that’s where life is most often lived…somewhere between the two. It’s messy and it’s beautiful all at the same time.”

When Bebo first came onto the music scene 10 years ago (could it have been that long?), he says, “I wrote a lot in those days from turmoil and loneliness. A lot of that had to do with being single and living on the road without much of a home. The funny thing was that when this began to change and I entered into a season of my life where, for three or four years now, I’ve understood what peace is, that made me worry a bit too, because I didn’t know how to write from peace. I’d never done that before.”

I can’t wait to ask him if he thinks that peace came from getting married, which happened around that time, or other events.

He adds, “The rub is that I’m living in this peaceful place right now that’s played out against a backdrop of a world that looks so confusing and frightening. I watch friends of mine in failing marriages. I watch people that I love get sick and die. I watch war and poverty and natural disaster.”

With that, Norman was confronted with a number of questions that gave birth to a new attitude in his writing. “In the middle of all this, I’m asking, how does this make sense? What is this peace I feel in a world that’s so clearly not at peace? Who is God in light of how I see Him in my life, in this world? And who am I?”

Good questions, Bebo.
I might just ask him those very ones on Monday.
Tune in for more…

Undressed

Don’t be fooled by this title.
“The naked truth about love” the author states, is “about undressing our hearts. We have to strip off the layers of expectations, preconceived notions, and fears.”
Known for staying pure during his stint on ABC’s The Bachelorette, Jason Illian encourages singles to stay dressed and remain vertical. In a firm, not preachy manner, Illian includes his commentary on the state of the date, plus commandments for dating and breaking up.
Drawing from many well-known books, nothing incredibly new is offered. However, his conversational style from the “dating trenches” is refreshing. While his famous face will likely capture female customers’ attention, his bold stance mixed with ample humor will keep any reader’s attention.
Though aimed at twenty- and thirty-somethings, this is good advice for all ages. With a cover like this—plus what’s underneath the dressing—you’ll be sure to see Undressed face out on the bookshelves, starting October 16.
Click on the image to see his Web site.

Free Mockingbird from Derek Webb

INO Records singer/songwriter Derek Webb (formerly of Caedmon's Call) announced he will give away his latest release, Mockingbird (Provident-Integrity).

Starting Sept. 1 at freederekwebb.com, anyone can download, keep, or share the album.

Check out derekwebb.com for a preview of this hard-hitting, challenging album. The easy-listening melodies don't disguise the hard-to-hear provocative lyrics delving into topics including social justice, poverty, war, and politics.

Disappointment with God

In the wake of a hurtful breakup/s, painful chronic injuries, seeing friends suffer, and applying for but not getting the job I’ve been praying for years about, I’ve been questioning God.

Like John the Baptizer (who stood in prison knowing God could deliver him, but didn’t), I’ve asked Jesus, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”

I confess, I’ve questioned His goodness as He’s answered me with a “no” or “wait” (I’m not sure which in each case).

Beth Moore says, “Surely no pain is like the searing of the heart when ‘your God has not lived up to your expectations.’”

God hasn’t lived up to my expectations, but I’m realizing it’s my expectations that are faulty—not Him.

It’s just that when I was a kid I never knew growing up would be so tough.
But God is in a continual process of teaching us to grow up.

Even though I’m often frustrated when He doesn’t make sense to me, I’m glad He doesn’t meet all my expectations--then there would never be room for Him to exceed my expectations.

God doesn’t exist so I can get something from Him, and I don’t exist so I can get something from Him. He created us for relationship with Him.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned the past few months is that relationships require trust.
And God is teaching me to trust Him.

Do I believe that what He says is true?

“All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” Colossians 1:20, The Message

If He loves me enough that He sent His Son to die for me, can’t I trust Him enough to live for Him?