First of all, THANK YOU for responding with all your creative ideas and thoughts on Rescue.  Out of all the responses, I was most inspired by this collection of “The Most Ridiculous Album Covers Of All Time.” If you haven’t seen this yet, please stop reading for a second to check them out.  You will not be dissapointed!  My two favorites were “Getting Down To Business” by Gary and “Ratt On” by Swamp Dogg. (Thanks Don Linnen!)

OK, now on a more serious note, I need to explain that “The Rescue Idea Awards” was not planned when I first sent out the request.  Since only after I received so many great ideas, I decided to do an impromptu virtual awards ceremony to celebrate. 

Two Disclaimers: 1. This is all on the fly….go with me here folks  2. virtual = virtual.

I received over 100 inspiring ideas and have chosen only a select few.  Authors are anonymous.

Cue dramatic music/lights…..Here are the six categories and winners:

1. Most Interesting : “How about a picture of you and your band slipping on Mount Rushmore, but it’s your faces instead of the presidents.  Your slipping while chiseling and the hand of God reaches down to offer you a lift.  The hand could look like Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” of the Sistine Chapel with your hand reaching also.”

2. Most Honest : “A very sexy fireman”

3. Most Funny : “Tax Refund”

4. Most Real :  “When I think of RESCUE, I think of water and someone being saved from drowning. I don’t know if this is because I am a trained lifeguard or because I often describe myself as “drowning” in life.  I am in desperate need of God to rescue me from myself and this world.  As a Christian, I know I am saved, but I am in constant need of my Savior to rescue me.  It often feels like a struggle, but it is a beautiful thing to be in the midst of struggle and feel God’s hand “rescue” me from myself, by changing my perspective, changing my circumstances or hopefully changing me.   So there you go…not the princess at the top of the tower rescue, but there it is. ”

5. Most Close To Home : “Katrina”

6. Most “We’re Not That Cool” :  “My vision for the cover would have a rescue helicopter sitting in field grass, with the sides open, the band members in hip looking attire inspired by rescue uniforms posed in a contemporary way around the opening on the side of the helicopter, and Jon posed in a cool way slightly closer to the camera. They could have a patch similar to the red cross logo, on their sleeve, except shaping it more like a Christian cross; white cross, red background. The helicopter is facing right, with the front slightly closer than the tail to give it perspective. If the shot includes instruments, the drummer would be set up to the left of the tail, a bit more distant than the others for proper perspective. The guitarist would be sitting in the side opening of the helicopter. The keyboardist could be more forward set up in the grass. Any other members posed in like manner around the opening. All of that further back, and Jon the star. I see different combinations of the uniform inspired clothing on different members. Dark aviator pants, white T-shirt on one, maybe jeans and cool jacket with the patch on another, and so on.”

….And that concludes “The Rescue Idea Awards.” Thank you again for all your submissions!

We’re getting close to deciding what the actual cover will be.  If we do use your idea, you will get a free copy of the new album delivered by your very own United States Postal Service.

Ratt On Everybody!!  What!?

A couple weeks ago, I returned from 8 days in Cuba. This is a video about my experience and a few simple reflections.

1. I thought that I was going to Cuba to help and encourage the people that we met and maybe I did in some small ways, but I was impacted and blessed more than all of them combined.

2. I was overwhelmed by the sense of real and genuine community of the churches that we visited. They truly don’t have anything to depend on but God and each other and so they experience the richness of what I think God made us for. Here in the USA, I don’t think I’ll ever experience it like they do because of my dependence on my stuff and my independence from the people in my life. For a guy who has “everything,” I left envious of people who have “nothing.”

3. While spending time with the musicians and worship leaders in Ciego and Las Tunas, I was inspired and reminded that I need to be pouring my life into the next generation.

I’ve been reading a great book the last few weeks called “Worship Matters” by Bob Kauflin. It has been both encouraging and convicting in many ways. He writes, “If our doctrine is accurate but our hearts are cold toward God himself, our corporate worship will be true but lifeless. Or if we express fervent love for God but present vague, inaccurate, or incomplete ideas of Him to those we’re leading, our worship will be emotional but misleading–and possibly idolatrous. Neither option brings God glory.” Good stuff!

Merry Christmas !

I hope you are doing well! You might be wondering what the title of this post is all about. Let me explain. A few days before Thanksgiving I had an accident while fixing my lawn mower and without going into the details, I lost part of my ring finger on my left hand. (I know…..not good for guitar players!) Now on the other side of two surgeries, I will continue physical therapy over the next couple months so that I can regain full use of my hand and continue playing music. The picture is of me and my two boys, Thomas and Connor, and what became known as “The Club” or my cast after the first operation. We laughed because it was as big as Connor’s head.

As you might imagine, this has been a challenging season to go through on many levels, but God has been very present with me through my family, our Church, faithful friends, and in times of my new found solitude as I haven’t been able to do much since the accident. Knowing that God is good and sovereign, it has been my prayer that I would not miss what He would want to teach me and accomplish through this. He has never let us go or never not made good come out of our troubles, mistakes, and sufferings. In fact, He humbly chose to become a child to pursue, redeem, and love us in the midst of them.

Have an amazing Christmas!

Jon

For the past few years, I’ve been looking for an organization that I could partner with who truly serves, loves and defends the poor, voiceless, and needy. As as touring artist and worship leader, i’ve been given a small platform, through my music, to be a voice for those who can’t speak out against their injustices. Compassion International is a ministry that I have grown to respect and trust, and at the end of this month I’ll be going with Compassion to the Domincan Republic to see the minisry in action and learn how I/we can help through sponsoring children in need in DR and around the world. I can’t wait to share more with you next month!!

If you’re interested in learning more about Compassion International and how you can help, please click the link below.

New Pics Posted!!

It was a great summer!  Check out new photos on Jon’s myspace or facebook pages.