Charlie Peacock: UK singer/songwriter returns to Greenbelt

Friday 1st August 1997

Greenbelt '97 sees the welcome return to the UK of singer, songwriter, producer, executive and thinker CHARLIE PEACOCK. Tony Cummings reports.



Continued from page 1

"Also just in terms of being plugged into a community, whether it is going and doing something good for some other person or just getting a gang of people going to see a movie. There's something right about that, as right as it is to use your mind to God's glory."

Vince Ebo's Suicide
"(After it happened) I was pretty much in denial over it. Lately I've thought of Vince often. My responses kind of run from, "I miss you Vinny,' to 'You stupid idiot.' I don't know of any other way to say that. It's not a simple subject to discuss... Ultimately, he did it because he saw no other way out. The big question is, 'Out of what?' That's what no one knows... I'll just have to go to my grave knowing that I'll never know the answer. It certainly won't be a question that I'll ask when I stand in the presence of the Lord because it really won't matter anyway. I've just kind of had to accept that. At some point you have to say it's just one more sin weaved in the fabric of sin that is draped across the heart of humanity. Jesus certainly died for that sin as well. I know that point has been debatable and that's fine. That's a doctrinal and theological issue, but my position is that Christ died for all sin. Where suicide assaults the Christian the most is that the Christian mind comes against all such thoughts that have to do with non-hope. When the Christian mind is alive and well, it's always holding out hope."

Charlie Peacock
Charlie Peacock

God's Love
"I'm not afraid of God anymore. I mean I fear God in terms of the Scripture's fear for God, in terms of reverence and respect of the awesome holiness of God. But I don't fear him as my father, and that's really good (laughs). That's really, really good. I really rest in knowing that there's nothing I can say or do that will change his love for me because of who I am in Christ."

The Nine Pursuits Of The True Artist
The artistic journey begins with a simple desire to create. But this is only the beginning. This seed to create will in time grow into a full-blown philosophy of artmaking. And like plants themselves, these philosophies come in all shapes and sizes, from weeds to roses to lilies. All practicing artists whether Christian or non-Christian are driven by some philosophy of artmaking whether they are able to articulate it or not.

In what follows, I've tried to articulate for you nine pursuits of the true artist. Not "true" as defined by degrees of talent, but rather by their close association with the truth - Christ himself. It is out of this association that I offer these nine points, which if pursued with faithfulness, will in my opinion, help the Christian artist develop a philosophy of artmaking that is honouring to the Lord.

1. Excellence In Craft
True artists pursue excellence in their craft. They purpose to develop skills on par with the talent given them. They pray for the Holy Spirit of God to fill them with skill, ability and knowledge. They work hard, for as the Scripture says: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." They study models to learn why some things work and others don't. They don't waste their time in reinventing the wheel. They get on with it. They are productive.

Peter Kreeft in his book Making Choices wrote: "A ballet dancer becomes free to make beautiful moves only by conforming herself to laws and principles in disciplined practice. A scholar becomes free from ignorance only by conforming to truth, to data, to facts." (1)

2. Make The Most Of Every Opportunity
True artists purpose not to live in a world of "if onlys' but instead make the most of every opportunity. They do not wait for a national platform to really apply themselves. They give their best to God in their home, church or university, being seen as faithful in the little things that they might be found ready and prepared for the bigger. They recognise that contemporary tools are nice to have, but are no substitute for astonishing ideas.

3. Find Balance Between Work And Rest
True artists purpose to find a balance between work and rest. Foolish is the man that thinks he's succeeding because of all the talk about how hard he is working. As the Scripture says, "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Rather than anxiety regarding basic provisions, true artists memorize and trust God's promises to provide.

4. Pray For Humility
True artists pray for humility and don't struggle endlessly against circumstances designed to humble them. Instead they see difficult circumstances as a provision from God and an answer to their prayers. They welcome the discipline of the Lord because it is a testimony of his fatherly love and a sure sign that he is changing them incrementally into the man or woman he has designed them to be.

5. Work Against Apathy
True artists work against apathy, indifference, unconcern and disdain. They purpose in their lives and their art to do both in such a way as to lead men and women away from such worthless occupation of the mind and heart.

6. Love The Church
True artists purpose to love the Church despite indifference or opposition to their work. Though indifference is their enemy they separate it form the brother or sister who is seduced by it. They are eager to find their place in the Body and do not consider themselves exempt from fellowship and church stewardship responsibilities. They love the Church and do all they can to build it up, for how can you love Christ and hate his Church?

7. Purpose To Think
True artists purpose to think. Philippians 4:8 is their text. They meditate on what is lovely and truthful and desire such things in their art. They never stop thinking. They are curious to know what makes things work. They know the power of ideas and pray to use only those whose consequences produce fruit in keeping with the Spirit of God.

8. Know Mission And Destination
True artists know their mission and destination. They know where they are going and what they are called to do along the way. Their panoramic vision keeps their eyes on the promise ahead. It keeps their eyes on what has gone before in history. And when they begin to stumble about the road from fatigue or hunger or loneliness their eyes keep them from falling into foolishness at either side of the road.

Showing page 2 of 3

1 2 3


Be the first to comment on this article

We welcome your opinions but libellous and abusive comments are not allowed.












We are committed to protecting your privacy. By clicking 'Send comment' you consent to Cross Rhythms storing and processing your personal data. For more information about how we care for your data please see our privacy policy.

NAVIGATION
CONNECT WITH CROSS RHYTHMS
SIGNUP

Connect with Cross Rhythms by signing up to our email mailing list

A Step Change...
Cross Rhythms Media Training Centre
MORE ARTICLES
DISCOGRAPHY
ARTIST PROFILES
Artists & DJs A-Z
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
Or keyword search

 

PRAYER ROOMS
Incinerator
Be genuine and real and incinerate your attitudes and apathy in our Prayer Room