After three albums, a string of hit singles (including six No. 1 songs and eleven Top 5 hits), major tours with some of the biggest names in the business, and various awards (including a Dove Award for Modern Rock Album of the Year), Christian rockers Sanctus Real have kicked things up a notch with their latest offering, “We Need Each Other,” releasing February 12.
Not only is the project an amazing leap forward musically (it hits you right out of the box how much they’ve grown since 2006’s “The Face of Love”), the entire album encompasses a message the band has been modeling for years, both in their music and in their own lives: unselfish, compassionate love their fellow man.
Given the new album’s theme of unity, family and wholeness and February’s emphasis on love, I thought it was only fitting to have Sanctus Real’s drummer Mark Graalman share some thoughts on ways that you can love your neighbors:
1. Just be there. “We all have times when we could just use a friend during some sort of trial or hardship, and often those are the times when we find out who really cares about us and who considers us a priority. Love [a neighbor] by being there when they need you.”
2. Give. “A lot of times when someone is in need we tend to want to run and hide, because to help might mean we have to give of something that’s ours. You ever hear of someone’s desperate financial need right when you just got some extra cash you weren’t expecting? Yeah, you were all excited about getting to blow some money on something you don’t even need, but now you face a choice: to love or not to love. Remember, 1 Corinthians 13 says love is not selfish.”
3. Ease their load. “We all get overwhelmed at times in life with our responsibilities and work load. Maybe to show love to your neighbor you could offer to take some of their load, even if just for a little while, to give them a breather.”
4. Think practical. “Fifteen inches of snow just fell. You’ve got a snow blower, your neighbor doesn’t. Need I say more?”
5. Keep an open heart. “We may not always agree with someone’s lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean we have the right to treat them with less respect than someone whose lifestyle is similar to our own. In other words, show them love by not being a snob!”
–written by Joanne Brokaw
posted January 30, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I don’t listen to Christian music so I’m not familiar with the group, but all I can say about these young men is, like their band’s name, they’re keeping it real. They are living by Jesus’ words. They rock in more ways than one!
posted January 31, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I’ve never heard of this group, but the tips for being a better neighbor are right on the head, regardless of who or what you listen to. Certainly food for thought.
posted February 1, 2008 at 1:20 am
Well, I do listen to this band, and if you haven’t you might check them out. I believe you will be glad you did! Jesus’ life showed us how to be love in action and as followers we are to follow Him. Thanks for the reminder!
posted February 1, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Dead on comments by the drummer. I just checked out their myspace page because like the others I had not heard of this band. Really like their sound. They have lots of videos on there too. http://www.myspace.com/sanctusreal
posted February 2, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I love number 5…just from recent experience with some skeptics/athiests I have seen that love and a willingness just to be with them without wanting to debate or anything goes a long way
posted February 6, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The tips are right and all, I listen to their music(since ’03) and I like it, it is worth checking out if you haven’t heard them before.
posted February 6, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Go Mark! Well said man! Yes, if you haven’t heard their music before, check them out at myspace.com/sanctusreal I have been following and enjoying their music and well thought out lyrics for gosh… I want to say 10 or 11 years now. Every album has amazed me when compared to the last. I listen to their first ever album, followed by their latest national album, and I am in awe. They have such a heart for ministry and just for using their music as a tool to get people to shows so they can share Christ’s love with people. They are great guys and proclaim great messages through their lyrics. God is going to kepe using them in amazing ways!
posted March 31, 2011 at 11:17 am
Just Googled Love for neighbor so as to prepare a sermon and came across this site. I love the tips and will definately use the points highlighted. may God continue Blessing your ministry.