Category: Thoughts and Inspirations

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College at 55

I have given the better portion of 40 years of my life to worship leading in some form or another.  I was on church platforms at age 15 as a youth music minister with a guitar strapped on me, leading congregations in gospel songs, hymns, and 70s contemporary Christian music with my mom and brothers.  By my college and early married years in the 1980s, I had shifted over to piano and digital keyboards to lead “with the band” as we composed choir and ensemble pieces that blended traditional church hymns with contemporary songs, and of course those good old Gospel standards from the Gaithers.

As I turn 55 this year, we have come to know worship music as an industry category, no longer just a ‘phase’ that church musicians are going through; but an actual industry unto itself, launching new worship artists at an ever-increasing pace.

I recently re-enrolled in college at William Carey University to complete a bachelor’s degree, which I had put off due to marriage, raising children, and the demands of work life.  As I discuss my options with advisers and professors, I find myself more excited and inspired than ever!   The expectations and opportunities for worship music which serves the Church, and also reaches the masses of un-churched is virtually limitless.  The culture has demanded of us — the Church — that we respond with greater focus on purpose, excellence, clarity, and yes — good theology.

Worship leading for churches has never been more challenging for we musicians.  Technology has introduced cool and hip new methods of learning, teaching, training, and performing.  Raw talent is a must, of course. But the motive of the heart and the desire to make disciples of Christ with our musical gifts has never been more important for us as leaders, in my humble opinion.

I love what I see occurring in the worship music industry.  But, if I am honest, what inspires me personally and as a worship leader is what I see occurring in the local congregations across America.  At 55, if feels as if I’m beginning again.  And I love it!

As my friend and mentor Lindell Cooley would instruct his congregation and followers:  Worship God. Enjoy His Presence. Forever.

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Max

So — we have been Netflix binging this summer.  Sheryl and I found several movies we loved from 10-20 years ago, and several unknown titles as well.  Our newfound binge favorite, by far, is Ron Howard’s incredible series Parenthood, themed around a Berkley, California based family who deal with a range of real life issues.

Max Burkholder is the child actor who portrays Max Braverman in the critically acclaimed NBC series which ran from 2010-2015. His parents, Adam and Kristina Braverman, discover that Max suffers from Asberger’s Syndrome, which has been called a “high functioning” form of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My sweet wife Sheryl has taught children in our local school district who suffer from various forms of Autism disorders. I have experienced mentoring a few autistic children in my bus driving and volunteer work with school band and choir programs, as well as church ministry work.

The summer binge watching of Parenthood has sparked a place in my heart that, if I am honest, was a bit of an after thought when dealing with autistic children. As we have viewed the real life scenarios that occur in the TV series, and consider how those episodes have likely played out in the lives of children we actually know and have connection with … our TV affection for Max Braverman and his parents has now turned to an even deeper love and admiration for the real life people here in our hometown.

Max Braverman and his TV family endure daily struggles, which become weekly random episodes of meltdowns, accidents, misunderstandings, and outright angry moments, due to the effects of Asberger’s.  Sheryl and I routinely discuss the scenarios that our friends with autistic children must surely cope with, and we have become more deeply moved with a desire to pray for these precious friends.  So, we pray.  And, we pay more attention. And, we hug our children a bit tighter.

We recently attended a coastwide rally for Autism Awareness in Biloxi, Mississippi.  The Mississippi Centers For Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities was the benefactor of a series of fundraisers.  As we listened to the speeches of the Founders, Directors, and recipients of the care offered by this incredible organization, our hearts were moved with great compassion.  But, more important, our spirits were lifted just to know that a facility and staff of this magnitude are located right here in our coastal neighborhood.  What a joy to realize that, together with others who share great concern for those suffering — we are making a difference.

Max Braverman (via actor Max Burkholder) has touched a place in my heart.  I have fallen in love with Max.  I am falling more in love with the children like Max who live in my neighborhood and in my hometown.  I am asking God to help me be more aware of children and adults like Max.  They are much more intelligent and aware and loving than we might realize. Their ‘disorder’ might actually be a blessing in disguise, as difficult as the daily challenges seem for everyone involved.  And that … is beautiful and amazing to me.

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Weakness

I am reading Pastor Scott Saul’s recently published book, “From Weakness To Strength”.

Scott speaks to a place in my heart that is riddled with personal doubts, memories of failure, moments of grief and tragedy, and an overall sense of frustration with ‘life in ministry’.

As I power through 2018 with all the stuff of life, I am finding that my mid-50s are not exactly turning out as I planned.  Certainly, not as I hoped when I was 25 and filled with huge dreams, aspirations, and an unwavering over-confidence in myself.

Death has visited my family more than a half-dozen times now since Hurricane Katrina ravaged our little piece of existence.  Cancer and other terminal illnesses have seemingly stolen what might have been left in our souls as a ray of hope.  And these monsters we call disease have no regard for age, gender, or station in life.  These demons, and yes they are evil spiritual beings, have but one agenda — kill, steal, destroy.  The Bible discusses this and as a good Bible belt ‘Christian’, I should’ve known to be prepared.  But, I was not.  My wife and children were not.  My extended family were not.

All of a sudden, in moments of death and tragedy, our preschool Bible memory verses and sing-along tunes seem haunting and useless.  The whispers of the enemy in our ears speaks mockery, accusation, and revels in twisting the knife of pain during these solemn moments of hopelessness.

Weakness is a word that near-perfectly describes the emotion of these desperate moments.  Weak. Afraid. Bitter. Resentful. These words describe the range of emotions that come with death and tragedy.

Scott describes different levels of weakness in his book.  As he chronicles his perceived rise to fame and achievement in ministry, Scott reminds us all that “the intoxication of ambition” is relentless.  Ambition and drive are the fuel of go-getters and producers.  We pride ourselves in the ability to power through, to overcome, to get back up one more time.  We cue up our Rocky Balboa playlist, hit the gym or walking track, suck down our caffeine, and blast towards the goal.

Inevitably, we fall.  We get injured. We get fired. Or demoted. Or displaced. And in those moments, our weakness is revealed.

King David, when his weaknesses [plural] were revealed countless times in scripture, nearly always confessed, ” … I have sinned against You O LORD …”. Scripture also describes David as a man after God’s own heart.  David is frequently displayed as a warrior-poet-king who was quick to admit weakness.

Contemporary artist and songwriter Stephen Curtis Chapman penned a classic ballad in the 1990s that rings true for me to this day.  My prayer … once again … in this season of weakness is that God will be revealed as strong and mighty in my life, when my strength is gone.

 

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Jana

Jana Maples Myrick Aust went Home … to Jesus, her Mama, and other loved ones in Heaven … early Tuesday morning.  She was one of the most beautiful people in this world.  And she shone brightly throughout her incredible lifetime here which ended way too soon.  Much before any of us would have expected.

Let me say at this point in the story … CANCER SUCKS!  It is a monster. It is evil. It is wicked. And, it is no match for the Savior. Jesus died on a cruel cross, was buried, then resurrected as KING … over cancer. HE wins. Therefore, WE win.  Hallelujah!  O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!!

My beautiful Sheryl and Jana were childhood friends who grew up to fall in love with two brothers from this sleepy little town of Pascagoula.  Danny and I dated Jana and Sheryl through high school and college years, and then married our sweethearts, to then venture into our own respective journeys and careers.

Danny and Jana loved and lived big. They brought two incredibly talented and handsome boys into this earth who are their greatest pride and joy.

As life does, it threw a few curve balls at Danny and Jana. They divorced a few years ago; and eventually remarried loving new spouses who have brought even more joy, laughter, love, and beauty to our extended and blended family.

Jana touched thousands of people in her lifetime here. Her effervescent smile, radiant personality, and spitfire energy lit up any room she entered. Her children adored her and carry her spunky spirit in them.

In the blur of just 24-hours since her transition to Heaven, the expressions of love, sympathy, condolences and memories have flooded her social media page. It is obvious to all that Jana made her indelible mark on many. She lived fully. She loved as unconditionally as humanly possible. And she will never be forgotten.

We love you Jana. We miss you terribly.  Yet, we rejoice that you are Home, Healed, and more fully Alive than we can imagine.  We will cry many tears as we remember life with you, and now without you.  We will laugh at the charming memories you created for us all. We will deeply love one another more carefully because of the intense love you showed us all.

Jana, you were more like Jesus to us than you may have realized. You always showed kindness and generosity to others.  You took the mess that life sometimes creates, and recreated new life and new love from the mess.  You chose to overcome darkness with light.  You demonstrated heroic faith and courage in the face of the monster disease that we all have come to utterly detest.  You beat the monster. You are the champion.

We celebrate you, Jana.  And, we will see you again dear sister.

Thank you Jesus, for our beautiful sweet Jana.  We celebrate her and now entrust her to Your sovereign care … until we meet again at that Glad Reunion Day.

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New Seasons

 

Seasons change.  Customs change.  Inspired ideas create new tools and resources, which create new habits and practices.  As humans, we say all the time, “I don’t like change”, yet we adapt ever so quickly.

At Robby Myrick Music and RMM Productions, we are moving through another season of change.  God has graciously allowed us to lead music and worship ministries in churches across the Gulf Coast these past 30 years.  The memories are priceless. The treasures in Heaven are going to amaze us, I’m sure!  The hundreds and thousands of souls who have found peace, new life, salvation, and healing have been a joy to experience.

We have no intention of quitting that line of work, of course. The Bible is clear when it reminds us that “the callings of God” are without error.  So, we know that our calling is that of leading the Church in worship of the Father.  However, the work of musicians and artists within the context of both the Church and the local community has always been a complex relationship; yet — so, simply beautiful.  Depending on your theology, and personal perspective on worship.

The Spirit of God has been urging us for quite some time to slow down, listen more, and return to our first love for The Arts.

For me that means a return to the creative process of making music with various instruments which will surely involve returning to the recording studio.  I also possess a deep yearning to write songs.  Songs for the church, of course; but, also personal songs that reflect life, love, pain, joy, and all the emotions that go into our brief journey in these earth suits.

For Sheryl that looks like canvas painting, pencil and crayon sketches, as well as her endless creative spirit for interior design in our home.  She longs for me to get out in the yard with her and landscape.  She also wants a small garden.  So, we will be getting our hands dirty!

Together, we have both desired to write books.  I am learning more about the self-publishing process while she is trying to keep us both disciplined in our quiet times, solitude, journaling, and practice writing.  We have our work cut out for us for sure!

As we continue to build upon our business pursuits, ministry opportunities, and personal artistic ventures, it seems that God is teaching us a very consistent lesson:  Listen more.

That inherently would include:  Talk less.  Like … don’t talk.  Be still. Be quiet.  If you know me, that’s an extremely difficult proposition.  My wife says about me, “Robby has words.  Lots of ’em”.  Poking fun at me, of course. But, not really!

I find that when I listen more intentionally, I hear stuff that normally slips right past my senses.  The wind. The birds. The hum of engines and machines.  The chatter of others.  Conversations.  Music.  The sounds of creation.  It’s beautiful. And, it is reviving me personally.

This season, I’m listening more.  We are listening more.  We are journaling and writing.  We are asking for wisdom and guidance. So that when it’s time to speak or sing or create … maybe our words, songs, and creations will be more effective and filled with the things of God.

That is all.  For now.