THE FLAME IN ALL OF US
Thousand Foot Krutch

At the break of the century, a newly refined genre seemingly revolutionized the alternative rock movement, known as rap-rock. Acts such as: Linkin Park, Korn, and P.O.D., revitalized the dead genre, spurring Christian artists to follow suit. Like their predecessors, TFK proved that a Christian artist or a band with “Christians” could create as quality music as their secular counterparts. However, the group did little to distinguish itself from mainstream alternative, and the summer of 2006 saw the success of multiple radio singles spawning from their third Tooth and Nail release; “The Art of Breaking.” The success of chart toppers such as: “Move” and “Breathe You In”, established TFK onto the modern rock landscape. Ironically, a select few have been critical of the Canadian powerhouse, citing “shallowness” in McNevan’s lyrics and an overall unoriginal sound. Despite often harsh reviews; sales have flooded into the hundreds of thousands, and “The Flame in All of Us” looks to pick up where “The Art of Breaking” left off.

The music created by the trio soared as tidal waves of new energy, crashing onto the industry’s often dry shores, spurring creativity in contemporary Christian music. As time progressed, stylistic and compositional changes were evolutionary in nature, consistently adapting to changes. This process involved the gradual drift from the rap-rock scene, and “The Flame in All of Us” continues this progression. Tracks such as “Favorite Disease” set themselves apart from previous releases, by slowing up the tempo, while retaining an overall alternative tone. The pummeling rock anthems that fans have grown to love are also abundant, in the adrenaline pumping “New Drug” and the frustrated conflict with self saturated “My Worst Enemy.” “What Do We Know” serves as the album’s ballad, complete with a children’s choir, and strings, and “My Home” is sure to please loyal fans, sounding very similar to the band’s earlier recordings. Songs addressing brokenness and rejuvenation “Learn to Breathe” and “Broken Wing” carry their signature sound, and are sure to be additional fan favorites.

The ability to adapt tone and style, to a variety of genres is a skill which sets TFK apart from most alternative acts. “The Flame in All of Us” is executed flawlessly, switching from pop-punk, to nu-metal, to alternative rock. The lead single “Falls Apart” surprisingly serves as one of the weakest tracks; however, this is made up for, with additional potential singles including: the nu-metal “inHuman”, and the aforementioned “New Drug” and “What Do We Know”. “Wish You Well” closes the album, bidding farewell to an unmentioned antagonist, close to the lyricist’s heart. Despite simplistic lyrics, the album is profound both spiritually and emotionally. One may often find themselves relating to the scenarios and conflicts McNevan pens. Clocking in at just less than 50 minutes, “The Flame in All of Us” is another solid release for all alternative lovers, or those looking for something new to connect to.

Release Date: September 18th, 2007
Label: Tooth and Nail
Rating: 4.5 out of 5Thousand foot krutch- blog image

I am a big advocate of clarity.

By graduation this past June, I had crafted a plan. After four years of living on my own, I intended to move home, work part-time, save up money, and find a job. If I worked hard enough, I’d have this elusive job by September. And though I wasn’t sure what it would be, I knew that I would be living in a city and riding to work on the subway, a newspaper in one hand and coffee in the other. I would reclaim the independence that was rightfully mine after months of missing socks and crowded bathrooms. I planned to trade flip-flops and barbeques for leather pumps and a slot in the world of 9-5.

Then, I was reminded that no matter how much I strategize, the Lord still creates my paths.

At the beginning of June, things were right on my schedule. A position just outside of Chicago opened. I interviewed well, handed in a polished resume and cover letter, and told my mom I’d be home to visit at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Still, something prompted me to feel unsettled about leaving and I handled the rejection e-mail with moderate acceptance, unable to figure out why I met the dismissal with such ambivalence.

Within the week, my mom lost her job and both grandmothers were diagnosed with the onset of either Alzheimer’s or dementia. Priorities shifted and I halfheartedly resigned myself to living in Michigan.

I began to dread the question of “What’s next?” Since I really had no idea, sometimes I’d tell people I was planning to work at a non-profit on Capitol Hill. Other times, I said that I wanted to write technical copy for businesses in the area. I even tossed around the idea of moving back to China to teach ESL for a few years.

God has remained true to the name of Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14). My mom started a new job on Tuesday and both grandmothers are doing well. And while I still don’t have a job in my field of study or dread the “What’s next?” question any less, my boss asked me to come on staff full-time only two days before I was due to be laid off as summer help.

Life post-college is a phase of preparation. After Jesus’ baptism, he faced a time of trial and preparation in the desert before being sent out. Similarly, our baptism exists in the new life we acquire through His death, a life free from the strongholds of sin. We must also face times of trial in order to effectively prepare and grow ourselves for the ministry opportunities that lie ahead in life. During these times, God often humbles us in order to make us hunger for Him before nourishing us spiritually. Just as He provided the Israelites with manna and quail each day in the desert, He seeks to provide for us each and every day, both in desert times and times of abundance.

Our lives aren’t set up like a science experiment: appropriately controlled with the variables eliminated. Rather, we seem to deal with all variables and no control. This summer I’ve realized that fthe only definite clarity we can depend upon exists in understanding that God doesn’t always hand out Mapquest directions. Because we’re living for God, there will be times where we can’t see too much into the future or have the clarity and control over our lives that is so natural to desire. However, with that lack of control comes adventure. And while this adventure doesn’t include living in the city for now, I can be sure that Jesus is right here in suburbia beckoning me to come and serve.

I’ve always prided myself on being a person who is ready to talk about God and Christianity at all times. Many times when I’m around people who are “less churched” than myself, I look for opportunities to share nuggets of wisdom about God. Maybe teach them something that could help them in their own spiritual walk no matter where they are at with God. Last weekend, everything got flipped upside down, and I’ve been thinking about what I learned for the past week.

My oldest brother Kevin is a “man’s man”. Especially when it comes to emotions. He’s always been very matter-of-fact, straight-forward, and unemotional when it comes to things that most would consider sentimental. I’ve never seen the guy cry in my entire life. Not over anything. I don’t want to mislead you or anything. It would be a mistake for me to make him sound like some kind cyborg or something, because he’s not. He’s extremely intelligent, very funny, a tremendously hard worker, and a great husband. He’s very well-liked by all who know him. All I’m saying is that he’s not the one who’s going to cry at weddings, or get all emotional when watching “The Notebook” for the first time!!

There are 2 more things that you must know: With Kevin, I’m often times looking for a chance to share Christ’s love with him. I won’t force-feed it, but if the opportunity comes, I’m ready to teach/share!! The other thing you must know is that he and his awesome wife, Michele, just had twins about 4 months ago. So they are both experiencing parenthood for the first time.

Finally the story, my wife and I went over to help my parents baby-sit the twins on Saturday night. When Kevin got home he immediately made a beeline for his son who was a bit fussy at that point in the evening. Kevin lifted his son up slowly and gently, and then he kissed him on the head and began to talk to him. After a brief shower (in the sink!!) Kevin put his son to sleep and rejoined us in the living room. We talked about life for a little bit, and without me even asking, my brother expounded to me yet again about how great it is for him being a father. This is probably the 3rd time in the last 4 months that he has had this conversation with me. This time he said a couple of things that I can’t get out of my head:

First, he told me that he loves those kids so much that he can’t even put words to it. (This is pretty amazing considering that he’s a Lawyer and a vocabulary beast for the most part!!) He told me that it’s similar to what it was like when he first started dating his wife. All he could think about was her and about what they were going to do together in the future. That’s the way he feels about his children everyday. The second thing he said is that, “On Tuesday I had a busy day at work, I had to leave early and get home late so I never got to interact with the twins that day.” Then he said, “It’s almost like … I wanted to kill myself for going a whole day without seeing them. That’s how much I love being with those kids”. (He would never kill himself; he was just searching for the words to make his point) As he was saying this to me, his eyes were all teary. I could feel the emotion in his words. It was a very powerful moment.

Then I realized that my “relatively-unspiritual” brother just taught me a very important lesson about God. One that I forget about all too often: As Kevin was talking to me I was thinking to myself, wouldn’t that be great if we all had a father who loves us as much as Kevin loves his kids?? A father who is loving, tender, caring, and gentle?? A father who is DYING to spend time with us as much as he can?? … Then it hit me: …Duhh!! We do have a Father in heaven who loves us leven more than Kevin loves his twins. Why don’t I think about God that way more often?? Why do I catch myself thinking of God as being judgmental?? Why don’t I just relax and spend time with God the Father, knowing that the greatest joy I can bring to God’s life today would be to choose to spend time with him in prayer or in His Word. He couldn’t be more pleased than to just spend time with me (by my choice)??

This story just goes to show that sometimes the best sermons/ the most memorable lessons I’ve learned are acted out in real life by people who aren’t even trying to teach me anything. I wonder if God orchestrated that moment in my life to teach me something about Him. And, (GASP!!) …He even has the power to use people other than my pastor to teach me about Him!!

James 1:27 – This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself undefiled by the world. (NASB)

As a result of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, Sudan more than 200,000 people have been killed. They are survived by over 2.5 million widows and orphans who have been displaced from their homes. This tragedy is being watched by the world, a world also watching to see how the church will react. In the above verse James speaks of a religion by action. In chapter 2 he asks, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (in case you’re not sure, there is no use) We are called as followers of Christ to go to those in distress and care for their needs, regardless of their religion. One should note that the two groups engaged in the Darfurian conflict, as well as the majority of the displaced people, are Muslim, but James says we are to care for orphans and widows in chapter 1, he doesn’t limit the statement to Christian orphans and widows. By not limiting it, he calls us to go to all orphans and widows. That includes those on the other side of the world as well as those in our backyard.

Thus far the Church’s response to the crisis in Darfur has been notably shameful. At this point you may think I am ranting. I might be, but if I am I hope never to do so without proposing a solution. So, rather than continuing my complaint I have a proposition; why don’t we respond? When the early church faced a problem they fasted, they prayed, and then they acted (that’s why their story is call “The ACTS of the Apostles”). We should do the same.

The displaced Sudanese have basic needs that need to be met, including clean water and hygiene kits. A group called Mercy Corps is providing for these needs. They are improving sanitation in the camps as well as providing clean water and relief items while protecting children from the roaming militias. To continue this work Mercy Corps needs our support. Since most of us as college students and young adults cannot afford to go and physically provide for these people it is our duty to support those who can.

On August 15-19 we as the Lighthouse Collective will be fasting to raise support for those working in Darfur. During this period of fasting we will raise financial support for the work of Mercy Corps in Darfur by donating the money we would have otherwise used for food as well as meeting to pray for the region. Lord willing we will be able to make an impact on this region for Christ. This will culminate with a feast on the 19th at Belle Isle Park in Detroit where we will be feeding the hungry as well as ourselves.

In James 2:18 it says, “some one may well say, ‘You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’”

Lighthouse has long been known as a group of Christians by proclamations of our faith. It is time for us to show that faith by our works.