I don’t know who dares to gaze upon this forlorn page of a band that was once gaining friends by the day, booking shows every week, and recording a CD, but apparently not many people.

So i will keep it short.

The Simon Girl band has not been a functional ministry for some time now. There was not a falling out among the members. Nobody freaked out and got married or moved to Africa or anything. The Simon Girl had just reached a point about a year ago where some serious life decisions had to be made on behalf of all the members of the band. A majority of those decisions led several members of The Simon Girl down roads that couldn’t physically, mentally, nor spiritually allow them to manage in a band-type situation. Being a self-sustained band in the midst of school, work, and family life proved after the several years we were together to be too much, and so we are on what can be described as a permanent hiatus.

The good news is that all the members of The Simon Girl are still actively playing music, and each person is still involved in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that shows the character and nature of The Simon Girl, and that is what brought us all together in the first place.

Will The Simon Girl ever reform? Will we ever hit the road and get inducted in to the rock and roll hall of fame? The fact is our form has just changed. We will never forget the times that we have had with all of you, and we know that you will not soon forget us. As far as the rock and roll hall of fame… You’ll just have to wait and see.

Until we see you again, we love you, you have our hearts, and we pray that our paths will reconnect in this life sooner then later, and if the Lord does not allow the grace for us to meet again in this life may we all be excited for the shows the Simon Girl will be playing in the life to come!

ROCK THE CLOUDS TOUR 3008!!

We spent about a week in Ireland. Then we got here Monday afternoon, which also happened to be my birthday. So, very minimal celebration, trying to cut down on costs seeing as things are expensive and money is tight as it is. Still yet, Ireland was amazing, and London has been all that and more. Lots of sights to see, so we are having to breeze through a couple, but very fun to see nonetheless. We’ve seen Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery (art), Harrod’s (the shopping mall of all shopping malls), walked through beautiful Hyde Park, and even saw a play (”Guys and Dolls”) tonight. Tomorrow is more on the agenda: London Tower, London bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, The Globe Theatre (where Shakespeare’s plays were held) and probably a few other small things before we watch the England vs. Trinidad and Tobago football match…that’s right, it’s a football match, not a soccer game.
Which is another one of the coolest things about being here right now. The World Cup is huge. You realize how huge when being out of America. America is great, but so is football (soccer), hopefully more Americans catch on to. We missed only a few matches, the rest we have watched and thoroughly enjoyed. The best players in the world on the biggest stage, doesn’t get any better.

So, gotta run. This was the easiest way to update everyone I could without taking up too much time. We’re alive and having a great time. We (Noelle, Jenny, my bro and I that is…not the band) miss everyone too though, and look forward to seeing you guys and filling you in on the happenings. Thank you for your prayers, we wouldn’t be where we are without them. On to Paris on Friday. So much more to come.

in Him,
Lee

Just wanted to let you know that if we are more dorment than usual…which…I don’t know if that’s possible. But if it is, the reason is that I am out of town for the next two weeks: I’m vacationing in Europe with my bro and friends. So, please keep us in your prayers. Hopefully the other guys will pick this thing up while I’m gone. Hope you all have a great two weeks!!!

Lee

I had a thought today about that attitude, and the attitude amongst the various high-school age youth I work with on a daily basis “I’m not afraid of you, but I’m scared to death of myself.” Think about it. People live to prove that point. I’ll prove I’m not afraid by being a punker, a stoner, a sex-addict, a Christian, a mormon, a muslim, a homosexual… the list is limitless. Guess what those false identities prove in the end? Nothing. People care less and less day by day about what we are trying to prove by being something…

I want to expand on my choice…I chose to be a “Christian.” Being a Christian is one of the hardest amongst the list because they are most widely known as hypocrites so you really have to prove yourself. I’m talking, raising your hands and standing when NO ONE ELSE IS, praying with people no matter how awkward or unwelcome, memorizing the Bible and applying it liberally orally and written, learning guitar, turning the other cheek on a daily basis, staring down the guy who yells the F-Bomb in public, counseling every couple who decides to go out on a date on marriage, join a ministry or two, or three…did I really do four at once?? Show up every Sunday, and if your feeling extra humble set-up the church along with your brothers and sisters.

Guess what. I do not regret doing any of it. As a matter of fact my life has been blessed beyond my dreams by the seeds God used me to sew while I did Jr. High Ministry (you all know who you are out there!) Music is an integral part of my life as a result of the time I invested in ministry. BUT was it all good? Obviously I spent a lot of time at church… but how much time did I spend being a big brother? How much time did I spend with my mom and dad? Was I investing into my friends and family or even my OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? The answer is no. I was hiding. God used me even in hiding, but I was in fact hiding. I had no sense of identity. My identity was wherever I was and was adjusted accordingly to who I was with at the time.

This may seem like a meaningless monologue, but here’s the point. We all would be so much better off if we stopped “acting” like Christians. Just like MySpace isn’t 100% who you are… you can’t act Christian. Life is not an act. “This life is more than just a read thru.” (RHCP) (If your laughing at my logic because I quoted the Red Hot Chili Peppers I really don’t care… By far they may not be right, wise, moral but they are who they are and I respect that. May God grab their souls.)

Having said this… One of my goals for The Simon Girl is to be a band of real believers who join to represent the Simon Girl in Jesus’ name. Loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful, and self-controlled. I do not desire for us to be a Christian band in the sense in which I have discussed previously…at all……ever.

God extend to all of us the grace to share in your suffering for your sake and not our own. May you expose to us the darkest depths of our hearts and spur us on to conquer all fear in Jesus name. ‘For we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline’ (2TIM1:7). Jesus become our closest friend so when we truly see ourselves you will be there to keep us from loosing heart. Heal our weakness, and bring healing to our families, our friends, our churches, and our communities. We need you, not the other way around so thank you for loving us, monitoring our every breath, for thinking about us, and welcoming us into your house for eternity.

Finally writing from my heart and not for the sake of yours… but in hope that God in some way will use this testimony for his glory.

Justin