A Special Toolby Rick Schneblin
In 2007, I was sitting in front of my computer and spotted Chuck Girard's email address in my address book. The Lord quietly whispered, "Why not send Chuck an email and just encourage him." Of all the things that God could have asked me to do that day, that seemed the easiest. I did so and Chuck wrote back with a thank you. This began a small exchange including asking if he would like a copy of some early Jesus People music I had digitized (much of which was not available back then as MP3s). He responded with an enthusiastic "yes" which led to another conversational thread. It began with my asking a very simple question.
"Speaking of MP3s, why hasn't Love Song albums been offered on iTunes yet?"
Chuck responded, "I would like to, but the band does not own the Love Song catalog— all those tunes are owned by the album's producer, Freddie Piro."
"Well, ask Freddie Piro to list them on iTunes."
Chuck replied that he once did, but it was a fruitless effort and Chuck was pretty negative about contacting him again. In fact, he did not even want to talk to him, and didn't even know how to contact him.
So, I did some Googling, and found his contact information. I then exhorted Chuck to get in contact with him, despite his misgivings. "I want nothing to do with Freddie Piro," was Chuck's curt reply. "No," I replied, ignoring his unwillingness, "GO ASK FREDDIE to list them on iTunes. Tell him it's free money."
I did not hear back from Chuck, but I did not know at the time that I had planted a small seed of curiosity in him. “Free money? Freddie might understand that.”
Well, a couple of years had gone by since I had that email exchange with Chuck. It was in the Summer of 2009 and Love Song was having a reunion concert at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. I decided to hoof the hour drive down to Costa Mesa to hear them play. Though I arrived early for the concert, I still got a seat way over to the side. It was very crowded that night.
At about mid-concert, Chuck introduced the various members of the band and I was taken aback when he also introduced their old producer/engineer Freddie Piro who was seated in the audience. My mouth gaped open, "What!? Who?! Where?! No way!!" I wanted to jump up and yell to Chuck, "Wha huppun!?" Chuck was very adamant about not wanting to get back in contact with Freddie, but there he was at the reunion concert!?
Fast forward again, one year later in 2010, and there came another reunion concert in Irvine sponsored by The Upper Room. This time it featured various soloists that included Chuck Girard. After listening to many of the glorious testimonies, I began to feel a sense of regret. I felt like I had missed out on ministry during those spirit-filled days. With each testimony and song, I began to feel more and more regret and sadness. "Why had I not made myself more available to God's promptings or opportunities?"
I was beginning to sink into the proverbial Slough of Despond when Karen Lafferty took the stage and began singing "Father of Lights". The following lyrics began a very cathartic weeping with eyes and hands raised heavenward...
Father, when I feel forsaken Oh, Father, when my fragile heart is just Breakin' in two Help me to draw near to You Father, I'm not deserving Oh, Father, I know there's blessing in Serving You Show me the right thing to do
My heart then wept out this request as she sang the chorus...
Father, send us Your spirit Oh, Father, help us to hear Him We want to walk in Your light Pleasing to be in Your sight Oh, Father of Lights
The Spirit of God washed over me with His unconditional Love. I was revived and pulled out of that sinking despondency. From that moment on, I was in church, not a concert. It was capped with Andrae Crouch and the Disciples sending me the rest of the way into pure worship and thankfulness.
After the concert, I was overflowing with his joy. Several of the concert participants were out in the venue courtyard meeting, greeting, and selling their CDs. One of these was Chuck Girard. This was my opportunity to settle my questions from the previous reunion concert. I asked Chuck if he remembered me. He could not quite remember me by my name, so when I described my email with him. He then remembered the collection of MP3s I had sent him. I then got to ask him what in the world happened regarding Freddie Piro. He gave me the following account of events (as I recollect)...
"When you suggested I reach out to Freddie, I was hesitant because of some previous bad experiences. When you added, 'Tell him it's free money' I thought to myself, 'yeah, he would understand that... no printing cost, no inventory, no promoting for store shelf space...' I then decided to take your advice and get back in touch with him. After reconnecting, I discovered that Freddie was not the 'bad guy' I remembered, but rather, he was just a 'flake'... I'm a musician, I can deal with flakes!"
This made me laugh. Chuck then continued, "After a long conversation regarding the Love Song catalog and what to do with it, we came to the conclusion that he would rather just sell it and forego any ownership or future marketing. After hearing this possibility, I contacted Pastor Chuck [Smith] and notified him of this opportunity to purchase the Love Song catalog. Pastor Chuck responded with, 'Have Freddie call me.'
My eyes widened as Chuck continued, "Well, I immediately called Freddie and told him that Pastor Chuck wants you to contact him regarding the purchase of the catalog. Freddie said, 'I will.' Remembering how much of a flake Freddie was, I pressed the point. 'No, contact him now while Pastor Chuck is interested... you have a rare window of opportunity here!' Freddie agreed and immediately contacted Pastor Chuck and they struck a deal. Pastor Chuck was now the new owner of the Love Song catalog."
My mouth was now gaped open in amazement. I thanked Chuck for his update as we parted. It wasn't until around 1 am that I was on the freeway headed home. I was rejoicing in all that had transpired that night and was remembering the lyrics to Father of Lights. It was then that God began to speak to me,
"Rick, remember when you were feeling down because you thought that you had missed ministry opportunities back in the Jesus Movement? And yet, because you were obedient to my small prompting to contact Chuck Girard, now the ownership of the Love Song catalog is in the hands of someone who will give it the proper attention and distribution it needs to flourish—even more than the Jesus People days could have imagined."
I began to weep again as God continued, "Rick, I have a lot of tools in my tool chest. Some I use daily, and some I use now and then. But, there are times when I have need of a specialized tool that can only suffice in certain situations. Remember when you used to work on small engines? Remember the wheel puller? How long had that strange tool sat idle on your peg board? Yet, when you needed it, there it was, ready and willing. Yes, you are frustrated with me using the screwdriver or hammer every day, but they are of no benefit when I need to remove a pulley or flywheel. You are my special tool—there when I need you."
My weeping gave way to convulsive sobs as I fought to keep the tears from distorting the freeway lane I was traveling. I had nothing but thankful prayer on my lips the entire hour drive home.
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The Butterfly Effect is the theory that small things can have an impact that could lead to something larger. The concept is imagined with a butterfly flapping its wings that would cause a series of events that could lead up to the creation of a typhoon. A simple example of this can be seen in the classic, It's a Wonderful Life. The main character, George Bailey, thought, by reason of decisions and events, as if everyone would have been better off were he never been born. He was then given the opportunity to see how his small butterfly of a life had wonderful ramifications that he did not realize at the time. For example, saving the life of his little brother would later save the lives of hundreds of navel crewman on a ship in WWII— and even save the destiny of an entire town.
When I became a Christian, I began to see this clearly as we engage with our God. Because He instructed me to flap my butterfly wings of obedience to contact Chuck Girard, look at the resulting typhoon it later created:
All of the Love Song albums got published to iTunes for everyone to download and to be thereby blessed. Pastor Chuck had the entire catalog of albums published as a box set titled Book of Love and then went on tour with Love Song to promote it.
So, next time you feel as if you are not being used, remember this testimony. I had the benefit of seeing the outcome. However, I don't think 99% of the results of our butterfly flappings will be known until we are given our rewards on that Great Day in glory. Till then, have faith that God is using you, whether you see the fruit of it or not. Just stay attached to the vine until He comes to take us home.
