Free Derek Webb (with a little George Fox thrown in)

Just as a heads up to those who either don't know about derek webb or know about him and desire to see his perspective on following Christ have a larger audience. On September 1st, he's offering all the songs from his CD Mockingbird online for free: to listen and download and keep. He's hoping to start a conversation amongst others who have what I would term a "holy longing" for the church to be more than who we are...we know it's more than Sunday, we know God wants our lives, but we struggle with how to link up with and feel like a part of this thing, this real life we are compelled to seek. The website is here. And here are a couple thoughts from Derek from the webpage that might pique your interest about the project.

"i love music. i have grown up with music as a close confidant. and i believe in the power of music to move people. there's something remarkable about the way a melody can soften someone to a new idea.

as an artist (and often an agitator), this is something i am keenly aware of. my most recent record 'mockingbird' deals with many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others. but i found that music has been an exceptional means by which to get this potentially difficult conversation going. and this is certainly an important moment for dialogue amongst people who disagree about how to best love and take care of people, to get into the nuances of the issues.

one of the things that excites me most about the future of our business is how easy it is becoming to deliver music to people who want to hear it. i heard a story once about keith green caring so much that people were able to hear and engage with his music that he gave it away for free, which was a very difficult and expensive thing to do at that time. it's actually never been as simple as it is today to connect music with music fans. and i want people to have a chance to listen to mockingbird and engage in the conversation.

so this is why, on september 1st, we're launching freederekwebb.com, a place where anyone can go online and not just hear but actually download, keep, and share 'mockingbird' completely for free. In addition, freederekwebb.com will give you an opportunity to invite your friends to download 'mockingbird' in order to get them in on the conversation as well.

we hope this bold campaign will provide a jumping off point for conversations about all of these issues, and communicate my commitment to playing my part in starting them. so please help us spread the word: on september 1st, 'mockingbird' will be set free!"

derek webb

As an addendum, my guys' Bible Study on Monday night looked at a snatch of the life of George Fox (founder of the Quakers), and he had a pretty incredible word to share in a letter to others that I'll share:

"It is my joy that you all be ordered and guided by the mighty power of God. Know the Voice that speaks, the sound of the words, and the power of them. For words without power destroy the simplicity...therefore, walk in the power of the Truth that the name of the Lord God may be glorified among you, his renown may be seen in you and among you, and all the world may be astonished, and the Lord admired in the ordering of his people who are guided by his wisdom."

If you haven't heard about this guy, ask me...the Society of Friends is clearly a different animal than it was in Fox's day, so that may color some of your thoughts in a negative sense, but this was a tremendous man of God.