How Eyes Wide Open formed and got its name
The band tells its origin story: it started with two of them jamming after church services (one had just left the band Firstborn Son), rehearsing at Open Bible in Pella, and booking their first concert with only one song written. About a hundred people showed up, three gave their lives to the Lord, and they discovered they were opening for John James, the original lead singer of the Newsboys, who turned out to be a motivational speaker rather than bringing a band. Rejected band names included The Wily Spider, Cheese Grater Deluxe, Blood Boots, and a wheel-within-a-wheel variant. The name came from reading a grandma's Bible: her note said 'Lord, open my eyes,' which they call profound — a call to open people's eyes to Christ, hope, and salvation.
More on Evangelism
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Confetti and lasers: what should God's people be known for?
- Do we want to be known as the confetti and lasers people?
- What should God's people be known for?
Ben redirects to the docket's denomination question: when someone hears Silas's church described as 'the confetti and lasers people,' should that sting?
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers
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Dear LFTP: the $600 lawnmower and buying them a mower
- My nephew's wife took my $600, lied about it, and is avoiding me. Should I say something or let it go?
Mike reads a letter from someone who gave a nephew's wife $600 for a self-propelled lawnmower; she spent it, never bought the mower, and now avoids them.
From No. 587 · Coffee After Sunday
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Maintaining hope for people who won't choose Jesus
- How do you maintain hope for someone who keeps rejecting Jesus when God won't override their free will?
The episode's centerpiece: Mike's pre-show question about how to maintain hope for people who reject Christ when God won't override their free will.
From No. 579 · Wanted: Paul and Hope | Paul’s Persecution of Christians and Radical Redemption