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We Need Help but There's Strength in the Struggle
Mon., Jul. 1. 2019 11:11pm EDT
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX here.
I was catching up with a childhood friend via email last week when he asked the following: "How's ApologetiX? Still struggling?" Ugh! I forget that some of my old friends get our newsletters till times like that.
"Well," I replied, "'struggling' is a relative term. I know ApX is never going to make a lot of money, but we do get to reach a lot of people. God takes care of the bills. I just have to make our needs known periodically."
Ironically, my friend asked that question just as it was becoming apparent I'd need to send out another appeal letter. Yes, it's July 1 and we're now at the halfway point of the year, but I don't follow a schedule; I only send them when I need to.
I need to now because ApX once again has some large (and other-sized) bills due (and overdue). And the band is a couple months behind in paying me, so my family has the same situation with bills as the band.
Our last single was late (mixer had migraines, then webmaster had stomach flu), our new CD is running a week later than expected (unusual backlog on the manufacturer's end), and we had a three-week gap between singles about a month ago.
Meanwhile, lyrics are coming fast and furious, and I can't wait for you to hear our next single, with one song about youth groups and the other about God's admonition to the Israelites and to Church not to conform to the world around them.
So I've spent the last week praying about this appeal letter and trying to delay it till now. While praying this weekend, I felt led to start it with that question from my friend. Then, while praying more this morning, two Bible verses about "struggling" came to mind:
After Jacob famously wrestled with God, He was told "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have STRUGGLED with God and with humans and have overcome" (Genesis 32:28).
In another famous passage, Paul says, "For our STRUGGLE is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
So "struggling" isn't necessarily bad, as long as God is involved. And we try to make sure God is involved in everything we do in ApologetiX. If you'd like to be involved, too, any of these things will help:
1. Pray (still the most important thing)
2. Get our new CD: http://apologetix.com/news/news-details.php?news_id=3847
3. Get singles, CDs, DVDs, etc. at http://apologetix.com/store
4. Get our USBs at http://apologetix.com/store/store.php#USB
5. Give online at http://apologetix.com/store/store-donate.php
6. Give by mail: ApologetiX, 208 Charlemma Dr., Pittsburgh PA 15214
Donations aren't tax deductible. Please only give if you feel led and are able. Thank you!
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