Lamentations 5:1-5
"Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us:consider, and behold our reproach.
Our inheritance is turned to strangers,
our houses to aliens.
We are orphans and fatherless,
our mothers are as widows.
We have drunken our water for money;
our wood is sold unto us.
Our necks are under persecution:
we labour, and have no rest."
What does "Wasting Lament" mean?
To help you understand the meaning of our band's name, let's take you to scripture. While reading through Lamentations, which as the name of the book suggests, we find a people who were lamenting to God.
Have you ever been hurt before? In reference to Lamentations 5:1-5, which is found on the left hand column, let's turn the latter lines into questions. Has your inheritance turned to strangers or your houses to aliens? Are you orphaned and fatherless or are your mothers as widows? Are your necks under persecution? Do you labor and have no rest? These people could not help but lament over the situations they were going through.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which is on the Welcome page for the band, reads, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." All of us go through seasons in our life. The verse goes on to say that there is a time to laugh, to weep, to be born, to die, to mourn, and to dance (there are a few others, but you get the point).
Revelation 21:4 says, which is on the calendar page for the band, says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." This verse may be speaking of heaven, but is it possible that sometimes we lament, or mourn, over things in our life that have held us captive from doing the work God has called us to?
We cannot judge the situation of others, however, each of us should personally evaluate our own lives and ask God to show us whether we are missing out on fulfilling what He has purposed for us simply because we are stuck "wasting lament" over something that we should have already had time to heal. God can heal our hearts.
Meet the Guys
Brian Spears
Brian started playing guitar at the age of seven. He had the opportunity to have the church's worship band practice at his parents house during the 70’s. At the age of 11, he would sometimes play bass with the worship band. His teenage years were spent playing along with other guitar players who had set the standard in rock and heavy metal history.
This unfortunately was the beginning of a dark time in his life, lasting about 15 years, until Brian listened to God's spirit calling him back.
Brian’s professional musical experience consisted of fans and followers knocking each others teeth out in mosh pits which they considered to be fun. The commitment made by fans has always been humbling and endearing. However, since those days of head banging, Brian has since changed tremendously, more importantly receiving salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Currently, Brian and Wasting Lament are trying to harness that same energy he had experienced earlier in his career as a musician, but from people who want to worship God!
When not playing with Wasting Lament, Brian is playing on the worship team at Calvary Chapel Caldwell on Wednesdays and Sundays
Email: brian@wastinglament
Ernie Garza
Originally from South Texas, Ernie has been playing guitar since the age of five. He got his feet wet playing guitar at his grandfather's church and sitting in with the family gospel band. During high school, Ernie dove into local influences like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Duarte, and childhood friend Eric Gonzalez. These influences can be heard in his song stylings.
After serving the military and playing in numerous bands around the world, he settled in Springfield MO, playing guitar at Central Assembly of God. During this time, opportunities opened up to play with local indy sensation Chronos. In 2002, Ernie soon met the love of his life and married her shortly thereafter.
In 2005, Ernie relocated to Greenleaf, Idaho, attending and playing guitar at Valley Church under worship pastor Don Christensen. Ernie was greatly influenced and mentored by Don before his untimely death in 2007. You can find Ernie leading worship at Valley Church when he is not playing with Wasting Lament.
Ernie and his wife have two children and are expecting their third anyday now.
Email: ernie@wastinglament.com
Steve Ahlborn
Growing up as a PK (Pastor's Kid) of a small, country church in Homedale, ID, Steve spent a lot of time helping on the worship team, singing "specials", and attending "singspirations". Those were the good old days. He attended Greenleaf Friends Academy from 1994-2000 and was a part of choir every year. His Sophomore year, 1997, he had the privilege to be selected for "Full Measure" Ensemble. He was a part of Treasure Valley Honor Choir every year and made All-State Choir two years; as a Sophomore and a Senior.
Steve was chosen to be included in a group called Primary Focus right out of high school. Their mission is to teach and reinforce character based principles that children will practice for life. On the weekends, he traveled to churches with a group called Living Proof. Steve spent three years traveling with these two groups; 3rd year as a team leader.
At the age of 21, he started his education at San Diego Christian College (formerly known as Christian Heritage College) and received a full tuition scholarship as the leader of the recruiting singing team Legacy. Legacy performed in churches and high schools in California and took a summer tour through California, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. When the tour was over, Steve left SDCC to go back to his roots in Caldwell, ID.
He continued his education at Treasure Valley Community College and began to call Valley Church his home. Under the musical leadership of Don Christensen, former worship paster of Valley, he gained invaluable knowledge and experience. In 2004, Steve graduated with an Associate of Arts from TVCC after two years and continued two more years at Boise State University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2008.
During his time at TVCC and BSU, his musical resume continued to expand. Steve led the Connection Youth Group Worship Team for two years, served as a leader in the Identity 1:9 College & Career Group and has helped lead worship for the main Sunday and midweek Wednesday services at Valley Church. He has always had a desire to use the musical talent God has given him and is excited for the opportunity to bring worship to others through his newest venture, Wasting Lament.
Email: steve@wastinglament.com