Dear ND Alumni,
The Apostle Paul was so radical in his commitment to the Lord Jesus that he was willing to go to any end if it would advance the Gospel! I am always challenged by that example – especially in our world where “socially acceptable behavior” is so crucial for advancement in almost any realm of influence. But note these words of context for the verse above:
“I think God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake”…To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now” (I Cor. 4:9-13).
Because we were so often “outside the box” spiritually, socially, racially and musically, we were often scorned and laughed at as “Jesus Freaks” and “Christian fools” by foe and friend alike! Perhaps sometime it was deserved by our immaturity. But our hearts were to “go anywhere” and “try anything” if it would advance the Gospel.
In the earliest days of the ND’s we had the “Hill Group” (short for the “Hill Billy Group”) that did a crazy interlude at some of our concerts. Scotty Smith played guitar…Duffy Robbins played the wash tub base…brother Guy Robbins played harmonica…I played the wash board…Fuji Allen played the banjo – and did the “chicken strut!” Talk about being “fools for Christ sake?” We were it!
The “Hill Group” in concert at the YMCA
Scotty Smith on the 12 String Guitar
Duffy thumping away on the well-tuned wash tub!
J.L. Playing the washboard
Fuji picking the banjo before doing the “Chicken Strut”
Later on there emerged within the ND’s a group known as “Damascus Road.” It was first build around Steve “Moose” Smith. He too was considered a “fool for Christ” for leaving a successful rock band career in the “Peace Corps.” But it was his testimonial song, “Walking Down The Road To Damascus,” that the group took their name from. It was always the desire of “DR” that God would use their concerts to bring others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ – just like Paul experienced on the Damascus Road in the First Century and Moose experienced in the Twentieth Century. Through the years DR continued with other members after Moose moved to Nashville/Franklin, Tennessee, to be with brother Scotty at Christ Community Church – where both are still to this day.
The original “Damascus Road”
Damascus Road in Rehearsal
Damasuc Road in Concert
So I hope you enjoy these pictures of both the “Hill Group” and “Damascus Road.” And please continue to plan to be with us for our BIG “40th Anniversary Celebration” the first weekend of August. Also,
-especially for the cook-out on Saturday evening!
In His Hilarious Love,
PS: My book, A Christian Perspective On Islam has just been released. Many of you who are monthly supporters of NDI through our “Circle of Friends” will be receiving it in the mail next week. If you do not receive a copy and would like one, please let me know. I also have a CD series to go with it. It is 16 half-hour sessions with discussion guide that is perfect for your Church, Sunday School Class or Home Bible Study.
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