10 Lyrics

10 Lyrics That have been resounding with me over the past year:

1. "You make beautiful things out of dust.  You make beautiful things out of us."  -Beautiful Things (Gungor)
2. "I want to thrive not just survive." -Thrive (Switchfoot)
3. "Without You I am nothing." -Search My Heart (Hillsong United)
4. "Shout it. Go on scream from the mountains.  Go on and tell it to the masses.  He is God." -All the Poor and Powerless (All Sons and Daughters)
5. "I've been pushed down into the ground, but I will rise up a tree." -I am a Seed (David Crowder)
6. "In my life... Jesus.  More of you... Jesus. You are the one. You are the only one." -The Only One (Passion - Chris Tomlin)
7. "I lay me down. I'm not my own. I belong to you alone." -Lay Me Down (Passion - Chris Tomlin)
8.  "We'll be a city on a hill shining brightly.  We'll be a light to the world shining your glory."  -Not Ashamed (Passion-Kristian Stanfill)
9. "It's Yours.  All of it. Yours." -Yours (City Harmonic)
10. All our troubles
    And all our tears
    God our hope
    He has overcome
    
    All our failure
    And all our fear
    God our love
    He has overcome
    
    All our heartache
    And all our pain
    God our healer
    He has overcome
    
    All our burdens
    And all our shame
    God our freedom
    He has overcome
    
    All our troubles
    And all our tears
    God our hope
    He has overcome
    
    All our failures
    And all our fear
    God our love
    He has overcome
    
    God our justice
    God our grace
    God our freedom
    He has overcome
    
    God our refuge
    God our strength
    God is with us
    He has overcome.
    
    -Take Heart (Hillsong United)

Tim Timmons this Wednesday Night

I'm incredibly excited to have Tim Timmons joining us this Wednesday Night in Senior High for a night of worship.  Tim's story is fantastic, his heart is genuine, and his style is engaging.

About Tim's current Album Project:



"Cast My Cares" is a song off the new album:

It's 7:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse. I'm also excited that about 44 of our students and adults will be joining Tim and a power-packed lineup at the conVERGE Student Leadership Conference. in Gull, Michigan this weekend.

Youtubesday: Gungor

It's been a while since I posted some Youtube Videos.  Today is a music edition of a band I've been listening to quite a bit.  Gungor's Liturgical post-rock has me completely hooked. 

About Gungor:




The Earth is Yours in a Forest (the album version is one of Katylynn's favorite songs.  It's awesome to watch her dance and sing the chorus)




White Man (fairly controversial, I guess, but extremely Biblical, I'd say):





You Have Me (a great prayer)

Where I Want to Be

I feel like my worship/prayer life is borderline hypocritical.

I tend to cringe and have a little battle in my mind and heart when I'm challenged by a worship leader who says, "Only sing this if you really mean it." The reason being that more times than not, I find my prayers to be, "God, I'm struggling to, but here's what I want to do for you."  I find the attitude in the songs I sing to be, "God, I'm not quite there yet, but this is where I want to be."

My wife recently had a conversation with a student during a worship session (we were singing songs together) where she just seemed unengaged/ emotionally dead.  The gal told Janelle, "I can't sing these songs because I don't mean them."  My wife, as only she can do, helped the gal unpack her thoughts and that statement.   This gal was at a bit of a stalemate in her walk with Jesus.  She'd let some areas of her life slip, and she was feeling terrible about it.  Janelle encouraged her to take up a different attitude as she sang that night.  She gave her permission to sing, not about where she currently was, but for where she wants to be.

Currently, this song fits that mold for me.  God, I sing this song not because I'm there, but because it's where I want to be...

Ten 90s Christian Albums Everyone Should Own

Was looking through my I-pod and became heart-broken over the fact that you may not own the following albums.

1. Plankeye - The Spark. Grungy, whiny 90s alternative.  Still break it out and sing as loud as I can in my car on a regular basis.
2. Poor old lu - Sin or Picture of the 8th Wonder (or both). To even narrow it down to 2 poor old lu albums is a shame. Seattle grunge. Good stuff.
3. Five Iron Frenzy - Proof that the Youth are Revolting.  Live album that allows you to enjoy the best of the best of their earlier stuff.
4. Prayer Chain - Shawl.
5. Ghoti Hook - Sumo Surprise. Absolutely fun, rockin' 90s punk.
6. Steve Taylor - Liver.  It's actually live 90s grunged up versions of several 80s tunes along with some great 90s tunes. God literally spoke to me through this album.
7. The 77s - Echoes o' Faith Live. Hard one to find, but 90s unplugged versions of the several of the band's 70s & 80s tunes.
8. Sarah Masen - Carry Us Through.  Eclectic Coffee House solo tunes back at the beginning of coffee house music.
9. Model Engine - The Lean Years Tradition.  Potentially the most obscure album, but some great rockin' duets on this album.
10. Dime Store Prophets - Love is Against the Grain.  Rockabilly.  Probably the second most obscure band, but I loved 'em.

If you don't own these albums, it's your loss.  Just sayin'...

Dear Husband/Dads,

Watch and listen to this song:


Then watch the story behind the song here:


Be challenged. I am.

Dancing in the Family Room

I knew being a dad would be awesome, I just had no idea how awesome it would be. There are two beautiful ladies who are the loves of my life... one I call wife, and one I call daughter.

About a month ago, we popped on some "Daddy music" (as Katylynn calls it) to see if she wanted to dance. I decided to start with David Crowder Oh Happiness. She screamed "NO NO NO NO NO! ANOTHER ONE!" So, I then flipped through my I pod and thought, "Maybe she'll like this?"

The next thing through the speakers were a horn section, and my little girl smiled big. Janelle and I were launched back to our dating days when we would skank (see the link if you're nervous). Katylynn absolutely loves Five Iron Frenzy. We have spent a lot of evenings in the Family room dancing away. Her favorite song is also one of my all-time favorites. I love the message in the song, and I love the picture of Janelle, Katylynn and I dancing together to Dandelions.

Danelions

Music and lyrics by Five Iron Frenzy

In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun,
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope,
reveling in tiny dreams,
filling up, his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,
while cradling his prize.
A flickering of yellow light,
within his mother's eyes.
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.

She sees love, where anyone else would see weeds.
all hope is found.
Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to you.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
you see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to yo

80s/90s Worship Tweets

I've been a part of several discussions this Summer about worship. I coming to grips with the fact that I am aging in my worship tastes. When worship leaders ask me for any appropriate songs to go with the message, the first songs that come to mind are at least 5 years too early for the crowd I'm speaking to even remember.
This aging is significantly increased due to the demographic I work with.

I also thoroughly enjoy the increasing popularity of using Twitter or Facebook status updates solely to quote song lyrics.

With both these thoughts in mind, at 7:00 p.m. last night, I decided to dedicate a full 24 hours of tweets to some of my favorite 80s/90s worship chorus lyrics.

Enjoy here or just read on the right sidebar of the blog.

YouThurbsday - A Special edition

This is floating around blog world (Terry Linhart and Rob Henschen to name 2). OKGO has done it again. The makers of my personal favorite Youtube video (Here it Goes Again music video... almost 50 million views), OK GO has their newest music video up... a nonstop shot of the biggest, baddest rube goldberg machine ever created.

Youtubesday: Josh Wilson

I received an email from a Christian artist booking agency telling the recent story of Josh Wilson at the Newark airport. Here's an excerpt:

It's been a very interesting week for Josh Wilson. What began as a very innocent attempt at breaking tension in a stressful situation has become an internet sensation. I'm attaching a link to the story of Josh serenading the passengers at Newark airport in the wake of the a security scare - http://withoutwax.tv/2010/01/07/its-easier-to-act-than-react/ .

The video has exploded on the internet, and is now also showing up on CNN, on ABC World News, and quite possibly on your local news broadcast. What potentially makes it better is that Josh is largely unaware of all this attention, as he's with his wife in India sharing the gospel and serving the poor. He'll have quite a surprise waiting for him when he gets home next week.

I love it. Josh came in and led worship for our Junior High at the 2008 3DYC. He's an extremely talented musician who deeply loves God. Check out his moment of relieving the tension in this video:

The 33s: Albums

33 CDs, Tapes, or album purchases on I-tunes that have gotten significant play by me (again, in somewhat chronological order):

1. Vanilla Ice: To the Extreme
2. Run DMC:
3. Beastie Boys: License to Ill
4. John Mellencamp: Scarecrow
   
5. AC/DC: The Razor's Edge
   
6. U2: Achtung Baby!
7. U2: The Joshua Tree
8. U2: Rattle and Hum
9. U2: Under a Blood Red Sky Live
10. Pearl Jam: Ten
11. Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
    
12. Weezer: Weezer
13. Billy Joel: Greatest Hits
14. Steve Taylor: Liver
    
15. Bush: Sixteen Stone
16. Soul Asylum: Grave Dancers
    
17. DC Talk: Jesus Freak
    
18. Live: Throwing Copper
19. Prayer Chain: Shawl
20. Third Day: Third Day
    
21. Five Iron Frenzy: Our Newest Album Ever
22. Poor old lu: Sin
23. Poor old lu: A Picture of the 8th Wonder
24. Switchfoot: Legend of Chin
25. The 77s: Echoes O' Faith Live
    
26. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
27. Switchfoot: The Beautiful Letdown
28. David Crowder: Illuminate
29. Leeland: Sound of Melodies
30. U2: How to Dismantle the Atomic Bomb
    
31. Switchfoot: Oh! Gravity
32. Desperation Band: Who You Are
33. Jon Foreman: Summer EP

*It's ridiculous for me to try to limit this list to 33... many have been left out, but these are all albums that I would listen to from track 1 to the end during a time in my life.

Snow Patrol

They opened for U2. My friend Corey made this video several years ago, and was my first introduction to them. It's a great video, and a great video.

U2 Songs

10 U2 Songs that the average fan may not know, but needs to know:

1. Out of Control (Boy)... first album. first single released in Dublin.
   
2. Gloria (October)... One of the better worship songs ever written, in my opinion.
3. Running to Stand Still (Joshua Tree)... Bono's version of what someone told him a heroin trip is like.
   
4. Bad (Unforgettable Fire & Wide Awake In America)... Best performed live (Wide Awake version).
5. New Years Day (War)... might know this one, but if you don't, check it out.
6. Van Diemen's Land (Rattle and Hum)... The Edge sings it. Eclectic, but I love it.
   
7. Yahweh (How to Dismantle the Atomic Bomb)... Powerful.
8. Wake Up Dead Man (Pop)... Their worst album. But a momentary glimpse into Bono's soul during a cloudy period.
9. Peace On Earth (All That You Can't Leave Behind)... Such a great album with so many good songs; this one may get overlooked.
10. Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World (Achtung Baby)... "Every woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle." Greatest (and oddest) lyric ever.

Too many to choose from. I could give you another 10 tomorrow.

Reflections on U2

Saturday Night, 6 of us traveled to Soldier Field to see the U2 360 tour. It was my second U2 concert. My first was "PopMart"... which is noted by many to be one of their worst tours. By U2 standards, that still means really good.
Let me be clear, I'm a bit of a U2 freak. In High School, it was an unhealthy obsession. Through college until now, it's found a little balance and it's simply a deep enjoyment in their story, music, and the powerful ambiguity of their lyrics.

My "Moments":

• "The Show". 360 degree stage with all the bells and whistles to enhance an already incredible stage band.
• Stuck in A Moment. Bono (vocals) and Edge (acoustic and vocals) take to the center of the stage and nail out a beautiful version of one of my more favorite U2unes. Although an incredible stage show, in the end, it was a reminder that it's their music I love.
  
• Watching Janelle slowly become mesmerized by the entire show. It was her first arena concert experience. She's never been a big U2 fan. She became one Saturday. In fact, halfway through she Tweeted, "Holy Crap, this concert is awesome!"
• I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. The entire stadium sang, minus Bono, as U2 played. Music is a powerful thing. That song is a powerful picture of spiritual searching. For me, there was a moment of worship in it (and not worship of U2).
• Bad. It was while watching the band perform this in the movie "Rattle and Hum" that I officially became hooked on the band. The building of the melody. The passion behind the lyric. To see it live was a "Moment".
• Walk On. I remember watching a DVD of U2 perform at Slane Castle in Ireland. Their final song was "Walk On". Bono's father had recently died, and this song had become a kind of anthem remembering his dad. It's also an amazing worship song (yes I said worship song) focusing on surrender. I was gripped by the powerful tribute the song had become. It hit home as I think over these past 7 months.
  
• A Simple Thanks. At the close, Bono, who has done about as much for relief in Africa as anyone, said some thanks to those in the Chicago area who have helped with the "ONE" campaign. Through that campaign, 3 million African lives have been saved through getting the ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) they need. 30 million Africans are receiving education so they can break the cycle of poverty. The first person Bono thanked was Bill Hybels... pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. I loved to hear that be the first name to come of His lips. One from the Church. We need to be leading the charge!

A great night.

2 Songs Tearing (read that word both ways) Me Up

As we at Student Ministries are seeking to seriously address Kids In Need, I'm seeking to internalize it all in my life. In my times alone with God, He has been continually bringing songs across my path that stir my heart. These are two of them.

INSTEAD OF A SHOW (by Jon Foreman from Switchfoot; off the Summer Album)


Lyrics to Instead of a Show:
INSTEAD OF A SHOW (Jon Foremn)
I hate all your show and pretense the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals I hate all your show

Away with your noisy worship Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your singing ‘em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show

your eyes are closed when you’re praying
you sing right along with the band
you shine up your shoes for services
but there’s blood on your hands

you turned your back on the homeless and the ones that don’t fit in your plans
quit playing religion games there’s blood on your hands

Ah! let’s argue this out if your sins are blood red
let’s argue this out you’ll be white as the clouds
let’s argue this out quit fooling around

give love to the ones who can’t love at all
give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all
instead of a show I hate all your show


FOLLOW YOU (by Leeland w/ Brandon Heath; off the Love Is on the Move Album)

Lyrics to Follow You:
You live among the least of these the weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away
All my needs You have supplied when I was dead You gave me life
So how could I not give it away so freely?

And I’ll Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world

Use my hands use my feet to make Your kingdom come
To the corners of the earth until Your work is done
Faith without works is dead on the cross Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world
(repeat)

And I give all myself, I give all myself
I give all myself to YOU
(repeat)
Yeaaaaah

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world (Follow YOU)
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world
Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God

Yard Work, Idealism, and Switchfoot

I hate yard work.
If I had to choose between watching figure skating and doing yard work, I'd choose a root canal.

Yet, we're doing some major work in our back yard to get the house in better shape. I've found that there are about three major bands I will listen to while mowing, tilling, breaking cement, pulling fence posts, and raking (that's it, I just threw up in my mouth a little from writing about these tasks).

Anyway, those three groups are my three favorite bands... U2, Coldplay, and Switchfoot.

I've noticed something about my playlist... it's full of idealism. I think it keeps me dreaming while doing something I dread. More times that not, I land on Switchfoot. Yesterday, it was the song American Dream. I was struck deeply by the lyrics.

Watch it...


Read it...

When success is equated with excess
The ambition for excess wrecks us
As top of the mind becomes the bottom line
When success is equated with excess

If you're time ain't be nothing for money
I start to feel really bad for you honey
Maybe honey put you're money where your mouth's been running
If you're time ain't be nothing but money

I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom

(chorus)
This ain't my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream

When success is equated with excess
When we're fighting for the beamer, the lexus
As the heart and soul breathing the company goals
Where success is equated with excess

I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom

(chorus)

Cause baby's always talkin 'bout a ring
And talk has always been the cheapest thing
Is it true would you do what I want you to
If I show up with the right amount of bling?

Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we've been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain't my America,
That ain't my American dream

(chorus)

Coldplay Live Free Download

My Computer is currently downloading a free live album from Coldplay. They placed it on their website as a thank you to their fans. You can download it here.
(link love to Joshua Seller)

15 Years Ago Today

It was Spring Break my Junior year in High School. I was with my church youth group traveling back from Florida on a charter bus. somebody was listening to the radio on their walkman and told everybody.

"Kurt Cobain is dead. They found him with a shotgun. It looks like he shot himself."

Obviously, many would say this event does not merit the "Where were you when..." type of memory that goes with events like JFK's assassination, Columbine, 9/11, etc. Oddly enough, in many ways, Cobain's death was one of the most significant moments for Generation X.

Slumdog Millionaire - A Rewatch and a Rant on Viewing Attitudes

I've said the Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie I've seen in the past few years, and easily ranks in my top 5 all-time.

I watched it by myself in the theater, so we rented it last night for Janelle's viewing pleasure and I joined in. It was still fantastic viewing the 2nd time through.

It's a tough movie to watch in sections due to some violent sequences involving kids. Why I would encourage a traditionally "R" audience (age 17 and up) to watch it is due to the fact that, although it is not a true story, the issues facing many children on the streets of India's massive cities are very real.

As I watched the movie, I found myself considering the manner at which I go into my viewing of entertainment. I can think of 3 possible attitudes I will take...

1. Blind Entertainment - Turn my brain off. Get lost in the movie, tv show, or song. Laugh, cheer, cry, and enjoy the story, song, or pictures unfolding before me.
2. Sin Conscious - The constant questioning of, "Should I be watching or listening to this? Is this truly something that I should be finding entertainment in?" This is the "garbage in/garbage out" mentality.
   
3. Student - I'm listening or watching for the redemptive moments. I'm educating myself on a genre, topic or popular trend that can make me more "aware". I'm looking for moments or situations that could generate conversation.

Now, you may think I'm going to say there is one way to go, but I think all three attitudes have validity. I have to be cautious when taking the #1 attitude. I personally feel I can only take this attitude when I have a high level of confidence that what I'm taking in has alot of the stuff Philippians 4:8 talks about. I find myself taking this attitude on re-watches most often.

The #2 (stop for a potty humor reference...) attitude is what I was taught growing up (especially in church). It was a good thing to be taught. Media has significant influence on us. There are lies laced all through the messages overtly and covertly. There is sin depicted on screens and in song that a follower Christ really needs to just avoid. I personally avoid any movie that contains strong sexuality/nudity in it, because I want to guard my heart against seeing women as an object, and I want to honor what was meant to be enjoyed in a married couple. But, if it was all I was taught, it would be incomplete though. I RARELY (the times I do watch are very much due to #3 attitude) watch the horror movies that will rejoice in and take lightly the spiritual realm. Like I said, this is a good approach, but if left to itself, it's incomplete. If I watch or listen to something depicting sin, I am not necessarily sinning (if it was sin, I shouldn't read the Bible).

This is where #3 comes in. Entertainment is not just "entertainment" when taking on this attitude. It is something more. It is looking at art and seeing it's message. It's considering how the echoes of our creators voice are resonating through a storyline. It may even take on a worshipful approach. But the ultimate goal is not simply entertainment... it's something more... education, illustration or inspiration are just a few things that one can pull out.


It's very possible to take an element of all 3 attitudes together when listening or watching. but what's your primary attitude in entertainment? If it's solely #1, you'd be wisest to put attitude #2 into action before partaking. If it's Solely #2, you probably have guarded yourself well against becoming "of the world", but you may be missing out on some great opportunities to engage in this world for the sake of the Kingdom.
If it's solely #3, lighten up every once in while! Laugh a little and enjoy. There are seasons you know...

The Eagles - A Tweetline

I woke up yesterday to a text message from one of our super cool volunteers letting me know they had two tickets to The Eagles Concert in Chicago. They couldn't go, and wondered if I would want them.
Called Janelle, and we headed out at 5:00 p.m. We got home at 3:00 a.m. Below are the tweets (updates on Twitter) I sent over that period of time...

Going to see the eagles in Chicago tonight!11:15 AM Mar 26th from txt

Driving by Gary. Chicago, here we come!about 22 hours ago from txt

Ah traffic jam. How I loathe thee.about 21 hours ago from txt

15 minutes to show time and we're stuck in line waiting to park. Hope the opening act takes a loooong time.about 20 hours ago from txt

We're in no cell phone in arena.about 20 hours ago from txt

Nevermind. Evrybody has their cell phones out. Just did Hotel cali and peaceful easy feeling. super tight.about 19 hours ago from txt

You can't hide your lyin' eyes. Absolutely fantastic sounding. Janelle's getting a kick out od the old drunk guy in the 4th row.about 19 hours ago from txt

Glen frey - "Our wives call this the credit card song... TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT"about 18 hours ago from txt

I think don henley has played nearly every instrument on stage.about 18 hours ago from txt

Joe Walsh deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as eddie van halen, stevie ray, Edge, keith richards, etc.about 17 hours ago from txt

Couldn't figure out why they were making everyone stay seated. Looking around, I get it. There's a lot of old knees in here.about 17 hours ago from txt

Encore time! Glen looks like he has one foot in the grave, but his vocals and playing are strong.about 17 hours ago from txt

..... Aaaaand Desperado.about 17 hours ago from txt

We caught all the encore and still beat all the traffic. A great show. A great experience.about 16 hours ago from txt