Customer Reviews

Lessons from the Road

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I really enjoyed this book. It had special insights to some of Third Day's songs. Also liked the "lessons" from Nigel James. Anyone who loves Third Day will enjoy this book!

Full review at [...]

I read this as an audiobook, not a kindle or paper book.

This audiobook was a short interesting look into the life of Christian musicians. I picked it up from ChristianAudio (they are the site that gives away a free book once a month.) It was on sale for $5. I am not completely an objective reviewer. My wife's cousin is the wife of the lead singer from Third Day and I have met Nigel James at least once. When I lived in Chicago we were pretty much guaranteed to see Third Day once a year. Since moving to Atlanta almost 4 years ago we have only gone to one concert.

When we were in Chicago we usually were able to spend so time with Mac and some of the guys before or after a show. So I know I met Nigel once briefly, and maybe a second time.

This book is intended for fans. It gives a brief history of the band, some insight into life on the road, a history of how Nigel started being their road pastor, some background on the guys as individuals, background on a few of the songs and some of the bible studies that Nigel has led while on tour.

It is not a real deep book and only is 4 hours long. But it is put together well. Nigel reads (which I always like) and the guys from Third Day read their own quotes and memories. It is a group effort. The production values are a little shaky. (There is one point when you can hear a door slamming a couple times, there is some other background noise and even though it is an mp3 file it still asks you to put in the next CD once an hour.)

But if you are a fan of Third Day (or Christian music in general) it is probably a decent four hour listen. Especially if you find it for $5.

Nigel James has an enviable position in life. And he also bears a large responsibility. He shares his thoughts surrounding his duties and his in-your-dreams job in Lessons from the Road. Third Day band members are given opportunity to share from their hearts as well.

Third Day fans will likely consider this a must read. Others who may get much out of it? Musicians and worship leaders should appreciate the stories behind the songs, the nitty-gritty details of life from suitcases, and how creativity is encouraged in that atmosphere.
Lessons from the Road would also make a good mini-devotional or study book because the chapters contain topical Bible studies with application.

I still remember buying my first Third Day album. It was their self-titled debut album and I purchased a cassette copy of the original 9-song album released by Gray Dot Records. It was a bit rougher and, in my mind, a little bit better than the subsequent major-label release a year later. I loved the combination of Mac Powell's voice with the southern rock and occasional bluesy melodies. I remained quite a fan of Third Day until Time or so. While I have since grown a little bit ambivalent about their music, I continue to respect them as a band and as individuals; I admire the fact that they have strayed true to their Christian roots despite finding a great deal of fame and popularity. They seem committed to serving God in the unique way He has gifted them.

As Third Day has traveled the world over the past fifteen years, they have often been accompanied by "road pastors" (probably not a church office you'll find in the New Testament). One of these men, Nigel James, has just released Lessons from the Road, a book that gives insight into the band--"the excitement, the homesickness, the relentless schedule, the challenge to stay committed to God's purpose while on the road." Featuring contributions from the band members, the book gives an interesting inside look into the lives of the men of Third Day. James shares some of the devotionals he has taught to the band and reflects on his times spent with these men. The band members write about some of their songs, about their lives, and about their priorities. Overall, the book offers a very positive and intimate look at Third Day.

One thing that concerned me just a little bit as I read the book was an subtle, underlying assumption that pastoring a rock band is somehow a higher calling than pastoring a church. I doubt that either the band or the book's author believe this, but James seems to regularly face people who consider him a kind of celebrity because of his role in the lives of the men of Third Day. I hope he would be the first to say that his primary calling in life and the one that excites him most is pastoring a local church. And I hope Christians understand the critical importance of the local church relative to rock bands and rock stars. I delighted to read how the band members are members of local churches and how they have renewed their commitment to these local bodies despite travel schedules that make such commitment difficult at times.

I suspect the reader's enjoyment of this book will rise and fall in proportion to his enthusiasm for the band. Those who are fans of Third Day will no doubt consider this a must-read. Those who have little love for the band will find little to love in Lessons from the Road. And I guess I stand as proof that those who are somewhere between can still read it with enjoyment. I continue to enjoy Third Day's music and ministry and, having read this book, understand why God has blessed them so they can do what they do. They are committed to His purposes and I pray for their continued success.

Lessons from the Road is a terrific look behind the scenes of a Christian rock band, specifically Third Day. Nigel James has served as their road pastor for over ten years and leads them in devotionals and prayer while they tour all over the world. The guys in the band contribute to the book with anecdotes about how songs came to be written, trouble with home life vs road life, and some amazing things that have happened during concerts. James includes abridged versions of some of the devotionals that he has taught over the years. The strongest of these is the one themed: of those who are given much, much will be asked. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the guys of Third Day.

"Lessons From the Road" by Nigel James with Third Day provides a candid look at the musicians' life on tour. James is the pastor who tours with the band. His writing is witty and wise with a deep love for Jesus. Much of this book reads like Nigel James' diary of his travels with the band. Peppered with memories, comments and insights from the band members, this book is an eclectic mix of perspectives. There are explanations of the motivations for the band's songs, transparent and insightful stories and wonderful snippets of the history of Third Day.

I was blown away from page one - the foreword where James describes a bit of the band's tour in Iraq. The author immediately sets the stage that we are all soldiers for Christ. I loved the devotions that were included in the book on success, prayer, friendship, worship, faith, the Holy Spirit, discipleship, God the Creator and bearing fruit in our lives. This is a wonderful book that will not only get you singing along with the song excerpts sprinkled throughout, but take you to a new level of worship.