I like their production, but with bands who self-produce, perhaps that can't be separated from songwriting - in a sense, the production is an extension of the songwriting. That said, I heartily agree that both songwriting and production are remarkable. I haven't been keeping up since Narrow Stairs; I guess I'll get this one too. I can always use some instruction. =)

As Joe pointed out, WORDS may not work for everyone. But the fact remains that respect makes the man's world go round. In the context of marriage, I like Dr. Eggerichs's approach; it has worked well for us.

If you're here today and this is the first time you're commenting.....

Love it!!!!

I resonate with your feeling! I'm not a screamo fan myself, largely because it's not what's in my heart unless I'm deeply upset about something. I generally don't use it for praise. Actually, I never really have.

But I think that's the point. Here's an example: I grew up around people who couldn't (or wouldn't?) even clap their hands in praise to the Lord, let alone play a guitar or dance. But obviously, that doesn't mean no one can. I do all those things now (although my 'dance' usually involves barely moving my legs while playing my guitar)...

I guess what I mean is that there is a certain beauty in seeing someone else praise God from a pure heart, often in ways we don't understand. This seems especially pertinent in intergenerational churches, where there are a wide diversity of musical preferences.

It's up to the indivudual whether they're praising God from their heart or not, rather than up to me (as a worship leader, that's hard to handle when they're embarrassing me).

To put it into another context, my church just can't agree what they want in a worship service. Some people want country gospel, and some people want rock and roll worship (a la Kutless, Seventh Day Slumber, etc). Some people can't stand hymns (even in a modern style) and some people criticize choruses. But we worship together because (hopefully) we're there for God, and that helps us see beauty in things we wouldn't have necessarily chosen for ourselves.

So while I don't get into the screamo, I truly believe that some people could commune with God through it. I can't really commune with God through the Gaithers - it seems so plastic and unreal to me. But I have dear friends who love it. It doesn't mean either of us is wrong, just that we're different.

"A day when people of all musical interests could sing (or scream) their praise together!"

As a worship leader (one who rarely ever listens to screamo) it would make my heart glad.

Does the Pope wear an awesome hat?

The fact is, Christianity is a relational religion. So, if you want to prove it, you have to have relationships. They see the fruit over the long term, and they see the truth through it.

Just saw Much Ado About Nothing at home.

#13. grr. My wife finally got me to stop playing angry birds during conversations with her parents, and now you want me to stop doing it during prayer requests?