You can call it the proverbial "silver lining" in a cloud. You can chalk it up to what many of us were taught as children - "What Satan intends for bad, God takes and makes good." You can label it as coincidence, the luck of the draw or good timing. But whatever subtitle you give it, you have to name it what it is ... ROCKERS HELPING ROCKERS ACROSS THE NATIONS!
Holy Soldier decided to reunite because an underground outreach ministry in Mexico needed their help. In order to raise funds for the church after a financially devastating event, Steven Patrick and the other members came together after 15 years of separation to play a benefit concert. (Enter stage right the Beyond the Mountain Music Festival). BTM was being planned and when the promoter of the festival offered Daryn Hinton a stage for the guys to play on, it seemed like an answer to prayers. But, sometimes things just don't work out like they seem they will. Even though the festival was receiving worldwide attention because of the benefit aspect, the promoter was adamant that the festival was not a "benefit" concert. (I know this first hand because I am one of the people that he chastised for writing more about the benefit than about the music).
Fast forward three months. The Beyond the Mountain festival has been cancelled. The festival web site says "We are deeply saddened to report that Beyond The Mountain Music Festival has been cancelled due to financial struggles and lack of ticket sales." But as one door closed, another door opened. Roxx Productions and Thunderground Radio have joined with Daryn Hinton to present "Up From The Ashes" on August 27th 2005. Instead of being a "side note" the entire concert has "one common cause and goal - to support our brothers in Mexico." Holy Soldier, Once Dead, Neon Cross, Ultimatum, Rivera/Bomma, Tower Of Hundred, Laudamus and Tykkus will all be performing. With lots of food, fellowship and great music, it promises to be an awesome event!
Sometimes we, as people, get tunnel vision. We take an opportunity that God has given us and "see" it's outcome - but we limit ourselves to seeing only what we can conceive, which is rarely beyond the end of our own nose. God is so much bigger than that. When we can't expand our own vision to include God's plans, we rarely see success. While I'm saddened by the fact that there are people who chose not to participate in Up From The Ashes, I am elated that there are many more people who will benefit from this concert. God is moving and people are answering the call to see beyond themselves and into a bigger picture.
My hat goes off to the musicians, promoters and fans who are coming together to make something glorious happen for the Kingdom of God!
