I was working at the strawberry field today. It was a really hot day, but enjoyable. Something very interesting happened though.

As I said, I was working outside. Tomorrow is the London Air Show, and the Snowbirds flying team was bringing their jets into the London Airport which is just around the corner from us. Several jets turned right overhead of where we were, and as they passed, almost all of the pickers in the fields stopped to watch what an amazing spectacle we were witnessing. However, soon after everyone turned back to the task at hand, I witnessed something no one else saw. Just after the plane passed, a bird flew just about 30 feet off the ground and landed on a branch of a tree. Now, you ask “what is so amazing about that? That happens everyday.” And that is exactly my point.

Those jets that humans made to fly around are powerless without someone controlling it. It is large and cannot simply land wherever it desires. It is inanimate. However, this machine that we humans built somehow fascinates us much more than the millions upon millions of birds that we see in the sky. These birds every day go out, find food, fend for their young, and interact in ways we cannot understand.

Obviously, the birds vs. planes scenario I’m talking about isn’t my main point. So many times we see amazing things happen; things that no human can replicate. And yet we never seem to pay much attention to them because they are just ordinary facts of life. But, what happens when this becomes our attitude toward God? The reality is, He hasn’t changed much in the part of eternity that has passed so far. Do we find ourselves simply passing Him over because we hear about Him every day? Do we pass up opportunities to know Him more because something that we have done fascinates us more than He does? I know I am guilty of this more times than I care to admit. Maybe rather than trying to formulate more formulas and steps to know God better, I should just get back to what I should be doing, which is actually getting to know God better.

※ Permalink for “June 24, 2005” published on date_to_rfc822

In two days I leave for camp. I have a feeling I will be regreting my decision to no longer continue my studies in youth ministry once the summer is up.

I’m trying to figure out what it means to be real. I watched the Shai Awards the other night (the Canadian Christian music awards). There was a group (featuring Manafest) that did a song called “Real.” Basically, it was a whole song going on and on about how they are real, and that other rappers aren’t, and that they are real cos they know Christ. I’m sorry, but if you need a whole song about how real you are, you are obviously not very real. That’s like me writing a whole song about how I can write songs.

So, I’ve been reading Blue Like Jazz again. I borrowed it from Grace (the man) earlier in the year, but had to give it back before I was done as he was leaving. So, I have finally gotten myself a copy. Once again, the chapter on grace (not the man) has brought me to a place where I don’t know where to go next. I see myself in Mr. Miller’s writing. I’ve been the pharisee, I’ve rejected grace because I thought I could do it on my own. I’m trying to see myself as someone who physically needs grace, as in someone who literally cannot make ends meet on their own, and I don’t know how well I’d deal with it. I’m so comfortable with how my life is going; good job, good girl, good friends. I don’t know what I’d do if I were like Job and lost everything. I’d probably turn my back on God, forgetting all the times he’s been so faithful to me.

Anyways, as I said. In two days I leave for camp. Have a good summer.

※ Permalink for “July 4, 2005” published on date_to_rfc822

Came home from work cos there was nothing to do, and my throat really hurt. I’m hoping to go buy my new guitar amp tomorrow. Does anyone want to buy my acoustic amp?

The whole “band” thing is frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, Dave and Ty and Dusty are amazing guys, and amazing musicians. However, because we are all such amazingly cool people, we definitely have a hard time getting our schedules to match up. Also trying to decide things like t-shirt designs and other things are made much more difficult. I guess it’s good though, because then we aren’t settling. Chances are, if I were left to make all the decisions myself and they didn’t have any input, we would be a boy band by this point, with Dave leaving to start his own side project called “Ants in My Pants” and Ty would be in rehab for ODing on gravy. Dusty of course would have started the “Dustin Martin Band” and gone on to make millions, but let’s not tell him that’s his alternate future.

I know this all sounds like madness, and it is. But, I love my band, and I love that for some reason, people are interested in what I have to say. I dunno, I guess I’ve never appreciated that before, but now I do. So, thanks for listening.

※ Permalink for “May 31, 2005” published on date_to_rfc822

I cannot think of a more disgusting, degrading, and horribly disrespectful question one can ask of a band. I was just reading a bit through a discussion online about whether or not Switchfoot is a Christian band. Basically, those who thought they weren’t used the arguments “Their songs aren’t very Christian,” “They don’t say ‘Jesus’ or ‘God’ in any of their songs,” “They just sold out because their going mainstream…”

I think one of the things that pisses me off the most about Cristianity is our constant need to “own” things. Look at those who argued that Creed was a Christian band. Or those who have stopped listening to bands like POD or Skillet because their songs aren’t all “happy, happy Jesus” anymore. It really bothers me that we have this mentality that music is always supposed to be about ministry, not entertainment at all. Do Christian doctors give sermons during check-ups? Do Christian accountants make sure that their clients tithe? Do Christian mechanics make sure that their customers “souls” get a tune-up too? Why is it that we can’t accept the music business for what it is…business. I have a hard time writing worship songs for my band anymore because it’s gonna label us as a “worship” band. Aren’t we all supposed to be worshipers? Why is it that I need to sing “I love you God” in order for my music to be worshipful? Do I even really want churches to play my songs? It’s not their expression of love and reverence to God, it’s mine, and their just copying my emotions I feel towards Him.

※ Permalink for “Are They A Christian Band?” published on date_to_rfc822

I cannot stand my school.

I went to Ron today to ask if my band could once again use the chapel for band practice. All this entails on his part is for him to ask either Ry or Sam to let us in and out. Ryan was sitting right there the whole time, so he could’ve easily turned around and said “hey Ryan, can you let these guys in on Sunday?” But no. Instead, he had to tell me that because I was half an hour late in asking him, I couldn’t practice on Sunday. This is right after I led worship at the chapel for the school.

Contrast this with a professor here at the school asking me the day before I had planned on going home for the weekend (something I haven’t done since February) if I could lead worship for a “Walk-Thru-the-Bible” seminar the school was putting on. Of course I said yes. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened either.

It just seems to me that this school is very quick to request things from people that cause people to sacrifice something, when they aren’t willing at all to budge on their “rules” or “guidelines.” This is exactly what I believe Jesus would want a church or other Christian organization to be like.

Anyways, that’s my rant for today. I hate Emmanuel Bible College.

※ Permalink for “March 31, 2005” published on date_to_rfc822

Worship has become an industry. Bands and artists are pumping out song after song, generating chart topping hits with songs that are “supposed” to be for glorifying God. Some songs are being recorded by other artists before the songwriter even gets the chance to take it to the studio! Sure there is a necessity for fresh worship music, but is it coming at the expense of passionate worship?

Where is the heart of worship we have sung about so often? Where have we missed the boat? I think the answer lies in Revelation 3, in Jesus’ letter to Laodicea. Take a minute and read Revelation 3:14-22.

When you read that, does it not sound a heck of a lot like today’s churches?!? All over the continent people are singing songs of “praise and adoration” to our God of love who is so great and kind and loving…but are we worshiping? Jesus says that he bases his judgement on a church based on their deeds (Rev 3:15). It is based on the Laodicean church’s actions that Jesus makes his comment “I am about to spit you out” (vs. 16). Better translated as “I am about to vomit you out” or, “you make me sick,” Jesus obviously has no tolerance for a church without passion. This church was going to church regularly, but they were not living. They were not dependent on God (vs. 17).

When was the last time our churches were hungry for God? So hungry that nothing we could do could satisfy our hunger, but only God could fill the void? Have we, in the last several centuries, experienced a lack of worship songs? Have we ever had a service where in our minds we were thinking “oh man, I hope someone writes a new song REAL soon…we’re running out!” I think we are depending less and less on God to produce God-honouring songs as it becomes easier and easier to create and produce the songs.

What will be the solution to our lethargic lives? 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us a hint. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” As the church, we need to be humbling ourselves, no longer accepting worship that comes from our own hands, but that which God has breathed divinely into us. We are told in Exodus not to come to God empty handed, but it is also important that we realize God is not only the recipient, but the provider of our offering.

※ Permalink for “The Passionate Worshipper” published on date_to_rfc822

We’re driving home from Dorchester right now. That’s so weird to say, as Dorchester has been my home for nearly 20 years, however now with me at school, I can now say that I am a resident of Kitchener. I suppose, however, that my heart will always be in Dorchester.

I just did a show at a coffeehouse. I was accompanied by my friend and yours, Mr. Tyler Martin on djambe. The show was great, so much talent coming from that little small town I grew up in. I have been so blessed to have a place where I can really grow my talents and showcase not only my music skills, but more-so my love for God.

The show had some great highlights. Sharon Bee had a great voice, accompanied by Jake something-or-other on guitar. They sounded great. Later on were a couple skits by James Cox and Brandon Cameron. They were priceless. Derek Drover, a singer/songwriter from Dorchester (also a youth pastor in Dorchester now) played a couple of great original songs that I loved. Sounded a bit like Bart Millard of Mercy Me. A personal favourite of mine, Todd Donald, did a couple of great songs he has written. Todd came up from Kitchener with us, and I had the great privilege of playing tambourine and singing back up vocals for his first song. It was fantastic.

My set with Tyler was great. We did “Catch Me” and “All I Need,” incidentally the two songs that are currently being played on the radio in Kansas! The crowd response was great, and it was great to rock out with the full Pat Dryburgh Band in attendance. Now, if only we can do a gig where all three of us play…

Thanks and props go out to Maria and Gord Hardcastle, as well as Charleanne their daughter, for putting on such a fantastic event. It was great to sit back with friends enjoying the amazing gifts that God has given all of us, as well as sharing the great things God is doing in our personal lives. Till next time Dorchester.

※ Permalink for “Coffee House in Dorchester” published on date_to_rfc822

Wow. what a night! Last night was great. I played at EBC, debuting several of the songs I’ve been working on over the last couple of years. I think people enjoyed it! To read more about the concert and it’s happenings, click here.

Also, some good news! My purevolume.com website, where you can download “All I Need” for free, has just recently hit 1000 hits! Click on the image to see the total as of today…

Thanks for all who have supported me over the last year. You are truly a blessing! God bless!

※ Permalink for “10-02-04” published on date_to_rfc822

Well, now that that’s over…

What a night! First, I have to say, Ryan, my roommate, you are hilarious! Ryan did a short stand up comedy bit, and it was great! Three cheers! There were lots of other acts as well last night, including Sketch and his story telling, Corrie Kessler singing/playing piano, and, who can forget the mannequin song? All the acts were totally awesome! Kudos!

As for my set, this was probably the most nerve-racking show I’ve ever done. It was the first time I have ever played almost all of the songs I played. In fact, the only song I had ever done before another group of people is “All I Need,” which obviously I’ve been playing for over a year now.

This show was interesting because it was just me and my guitar. It left my very open, very vulnerable. The first couple of songs I was a little uptight, but as I started talking to the crowd and really getting into it, I stopped worrying about what the people were thinking about the songs, and just focusing on singing my heart out. By the end of it, people were getting into it and singing along, which is always a great feeling!

So, now that that first show is out of the way, I’m really looking forward to the rest of this year. For those who were there last night, unfortunately I didn’t get any of the show recorded. So, I guess I’ll just have to wait until next time! Thanks very much for coming out and supporting me. It meant a lot!

※ Permalink for “10-01-04” published on date_to_rfc822