and i will open up my heart and let the hero let me sing

OK – I did a quick blog about Eli schooling me in coco-nutty bowling…now it’s time for a blog about Eden’s coolness.

Eden was singing “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever” today. We are always laughing at how our kids will learn songs really quick, but they don’t always hear the words correctly. But they usually make up something that’s pretty close – and funny too.

Here are the correct lyrics for the chorus:
Over the mountains and the sea, Your River runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart and let the healer set me free

Here is Eden’s interpretation:
And I will open up my heart and let the hero let me sing.

I like Eden’s version. Kids are smart. Smarter than we think.

You Alone Can Rescue – Matt Redman

Matt Redman sang a new song @ the Passion DC regional that I really enjoyed hearing. It’s called You Alone Can Rescue. I think from what Matt Redman said – he’s still finishing the verses for the song.

It’s a salvation song – the lyrics are so beautiful. If you have a minute, reflect on these lyrics today…

1st Chorus:
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us – led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

2nd Chorus:
Now we are more than conquerers through your deathless love
And nothing Lord will have a hold on us
You’re the saving promise – You will never fail
To You Alone Belongs the highest praise

Bridge:
We lift up our eyes, we lift up our eyes, You are the giver of life

I have several blogs coming that reflect on what I learned by volunteering at the passion DC regionals.

Peace!

moby on christianity – relevant magazine

Moby was interviewed in Relevant magazine. I found this question, and his response especially interesting.

In an interview with RELEVANT a couple years ago, you talked about some negative views on the state of Christianity. Do you think anything has changed?

It’s hard, because I think that individual Christians are quietly doing amazing things; they’re ministering to the poor and sick. The quiet, humble Christians seem like the ones who are really trying to walk in the footsteps of Christ. It’s the loud, arrogant, judgmental, obnoxious Christians who seem to give the rest of Christianity a really bad name.

When I see religious leaders being judgmental and arrogant, I want to pull them aside and say, “You’re supposed to work out your faith in humility and fear and trembling.” You’re supposed to approach everything in a spirit of nonjudgmentalism and compassion and love and forgiveness, and I don’t see a lot of evidence of humility and love and faith on the part of leaders. I find that to be really dispiriting.

2008 Hockessin Baptist Men’s Conference Set List – w/speaker Ray Comfort

The Hockessin Baptist praise band is going to lead the worship time during the 3rd annual men’s conference. John, Dan, James and I had a great planning meeting tonight. Below are the songs we plan to lead at the 2008 Hockessin Baptist Men’s Conference. Most songs have an itunes link to sample or buy the version we plan to do.

New Songs:

• When I Think About The Lord – Shane & Shane arrangement (written by James Huey)
• Our God Saves – Paul Baloche

Songs we’ve done before (but we’re going to rock out):

• SingHallelujah
• The Lord’s Prayer (upbeat version) – can’t find the itunes link yet. We’re not doing the Frank Sinatra version…
• Amazed or this version of Amazed
• Those Who Trust by Waterdeep
• Give Us Clean Hands by Charlie Hall (although Chris Tomlin sings this version)
• You Are So Good to Me by Waterdeep
• How Great Thou Art (Paul Baloche arrangement from the Our God Saves album – very upbeat)
• Everlasting God or this version of Everlasting God
• O Worship The King (Chris Tomlin arrangement w/added chorus from Passion – Hymns Ancient and Modern)
• Take My Life (Chris Tomlin arrangement w/added chorus from Passion – Hymns Ancient and Modern)

I’ll also set up an imix and email it out.

one clear choice

Here is the prayer God gave me today…

God, give me one clear choice – that is awesome.  And help me to follow.  Amen.

This was spurred on by two things:

1.  A breakfast meeting with Jon (who totally spurs me on, & maybe instigates a bit too).
2. And by the lyrics of James Blunt.  (God can work mysteriously, right?)

On Blunt’s new album there’s a song called “Same Mistake“.  I don’t completely understand the song, and I don’t necessarily think it’s theological.  But the lyrics do capture my prayer to God right now…

I’m not calling for a second chance,
I’m screaming at the top of my voice.
Give me reason but don’t give me choice.
‘Cause I’ll just make the same mistake again.

is technology helping the church?

Is technology a killer? Is it killing the church? Or is it killing true worship?

Especially when it comes to worship, I wonder if technology (overall) is helping people connect with God on a fuller spectrum? I wonder what God’s take is on all the things we’re adding to worship?

Below is a link to the opening of one of the Hillsong Conferences.

I love the song Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve. And I love the song Amazing Grace. And I love the chorus Chris Tomlin added – My Chains Are Gone But I never expected to hear the 3 songs merged together. That’s how the 2007 Hillsong conference started.

If you have nothing to do for the next 12 minutes, watch this version of Amazing Grace. I’m sure John Newton never imagined this. It’ll at least make you think. About 11 minutes into the video Chris Tomlin shows up, with his humble redeeming smile. I love that guy. I love the look in Chris’s eyes towards the end of the clip. It’s like he doesn’t know quite what to think. It’s like he’s thinking, “What am I doing here?”…which he probably was.

Hillsong Conference 2007 Opening
Uploaded by ajchz

I found this here.

Is technology killing the church? I don’t think it’s killing the church, in fact I think overall it’s helping. But when it comes to worship – sometimes simple is better.

HBC – 25 years of worshiping together

Libby and I started attending Hockessin Baptist church (HBC) in 1998. We’ve had such a great time worshiping there. The place is very alive to God. People are real, and it’s a place that real spiritual healing happens on a weekly basis.

I LOVE leading special services. I had the opportunity to help lead our 25 year anniversary service a few weeks ago. It was such a blast to be in the presence of God, celebrating what he’s done over the last 25 years – and looking ahead to what he will do through His little piece of the body @ HBC.

I believe He will do great things. Even this coming year I’m excited of what He will do. I’ve been talking to Jon and Rick about a worship idea I have. I have this vision of HBC getting together on a monthly basis to worship in an informal setting. Right now it’s called “Embers”….the idea is to have a place where we can come together and be free to worship God, practicing different elements of worship. I’m really excited about it. I’ll be talking more about my ideas later.

Here is the set list from the 25 year anniversary…

Set #1

1. Here I Am to Worship (D)
2. You Are My God (D) – I love this song, it proclaims that “early in the morning we will rise to meet him.”
3. Ancient of Days (E) – I think I said something like “this is the song that helped us find our funkier side”.
4. Great is Thy Faithfulness (C)

Set #2

Set #2 was neat because we started with How Great Thou Art, then ended with the chorus of How Great – “Then Sings My Soul…” by taging it to How Great Is Our God. The idea was to have book ends to the set. I love when things come full circle.

1. How Great Thou Art (G)
2. Blessed Be Your Name (A) – Joanna has a great post on this song here…read it!
3. Jesus, All For Jesus (D) – Brett has a great post about this song here…read it too!
4. How Great Is Our God (G) – resolved to “Then Sings My Soul” for the book end.

I love worshiping God with all my friends @ HBC. We have such a great group of people.

If you go to HBC, chime in on something you love about our body of believers….

Ali Cooper – EP

I love great indie music! Check out Ali Cooper’s new EP here. Or click on the i-tunes link below. Her EP came out today.

When you buy this EP, turn it up loud – it’s that good! Here’s my mini-review.

|| rich tones || beautiful lyrics || warm melodies ||

This EP is full of rich tones and authentic lyrics. The lyrical content has an honest confessional feel but doesn’t waver from a hopeful outlook in the end (Psalm 119). The melodies are beautiful and connect really well to the lyrics. The instrumentation is intricate, with unique piano melodies and guitar layers.

I love Ali’s voice! It’s got a very warm tone, her voice sticks with you after you listen. The voicing on (I Don’t Belong Here) is beautiful. Overall, the voices blend well and the harmonies are not over done.

(Mosaic) stands out as a beautiful tragic love song.

The mixing and recording are excellent, but not over produced.

I think you should buy the whole EP, it’s that good.

sharing a meal with eric – part 2

Ben and I had lunch with Eric for the second time. Eric is homeless. You can read about our first lunch here. Or you can read a better account from Ben here.

We found Eric on the same bench we found him last time. And he was drinking a pint of whole milk, just like he was last time. It’s as if not much had changed since we met him over a month ago.

Today was like meeting an old friend for lunch. We talked about old times, like the time Eric told us that Bob Dylan’s wife is from Wilmington Delaware. Ben mentioned how that’s his go to now, for random facts about Delaware. We heard Eric has been in the hospital since we last met, because of his diabetes. He’s doing better now, but we had to walk SLOW as we walked to the restaurant.

We were able to go a little deeper with Eric, trying to get a feel for how we can help this guy.

I’ve realized it’s hard to take homeless people to lunch, on many levels. First, it’s hard to find someone willing to take a risk and share a meal with you. But beyond that, it’s hard to know how to help. I felt helpless just being with Eric. I also felt the eyes of those around us, people looking at us probably wondering why we were together. Maybe I’ve had a small taste of what it’s like to be in his shoes. Hard. And a lot of hardness surrounds him.

But there is hope for Eric, even though I don’t see much right now. Maybe we’ll meet him again.

These are the lyrics that come to mind. Lyrics I’ve sung before. I know they’re true – but this would be really really hard for Eric to sing.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are.

From “Cry out to Jesus”, written by Brad Avery, David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee, & Tai Anderson

Paul Potts singing Opera

“so you work at car phone warehouse, and you did that. i was not expecting that.”

this is flying around the you tube world, you’ve probably seen it. but if not – you should.

over the rhine – world cafe live in Philly – November 1

Exactly one week from tonight….Over the Rhine @ the World Cafe in Philly

Libby and I are going to have a seriously sweet date night a week from tonight. We’re headed up to Philly, leaving Eli Eden and Silas in the dust! Headed to the world cafe live to listen to one of our favorite bands – Over the Rhine.

This goes way back, a song called Bothered.   Sample it here!

Your fire burns me like a favorite song.
A song I should have known all along.
I feel you move like smoke in my eyes.
And that is why.

andy gibb and a virtual slow dance

I was recording a song at Joshua’s studio earlier this week. He said my voice reminded him of Andy Gibb. What? That’s crazy. Andy Gibb was a teen idol in the 80′s, his three older brothers were the Beegees. I grew up listening to the Beegees and country music. According to wikipedia, Andy Gibb was noted for his good looks and vocal abilities. Yeah, that’s me….I just wish I had Andy Gibb’s hair – impressive!

Libby, this one goes out to you…a virtual slow dance.

burn out bright – switchfoot

I love songs.

The song “burn out bright” by switchfoot has had a profound impact on me. Especially today. Don’t you love the way a song can hit you sometimes? I’m feeling a little depressed today, which is so not me! But it is raining outside. The acoustic version of this song is better than the rocked out version, but it’s hard to find.

“Burn Out Bright”

Does it have to start with a broken heart
Broken dreams and bleeding parts
We were young the world was clear
But young ambition disappears
I swore it would never come to this
The average, the obvious

I’m still discontented down here

If we’ve only got one try
If we’ve only got one life
If time was never on our side
Then before I die
I want to burn out bright

A spark ignites
In time and space
Limping through this human race
You bite and claw your way back home
But you’re running the wrong way

The future was a question mark
Of kerosene and electric sparks
There’s still fire in you yet
Yeah there’s still fire in you!

If we’ve only got one try
If we’ve only got one life
If time was never on our side
Oh before I die
I want to burn out bright

I keep cleaning up the mess I’ve made
I won’t run away
I can’t sleep in the bed I’ve made

If we’ve only got one try
If we’ve only got one life
If time was never on our side
Oh before I die
I want to burn out bright

worship confessional 10-14-2007

Worship was great this past Sunday. We got off to a late start on our practice, but that didn’t hold us back.

The set reminded us that Christ is our daily bread and He is the very word spoken in our lives.

The sermon – A Life Worthy: Studies in Colossians

We pray…that you may live a life worthy of the Lord…. Col. 1:10

Set list:

• Be Thou My Vision (traditional) by Eleanor Henrietta Hull and Mary Elizabeth Byrne – Key: D
• In Christ Alone by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend – Key: D
• Sing Hallelujah by Mark Stokes/Vineyard – Key: Bm
• You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) by Marc Imboden and Tammi Rhoton – Key: E
• Breathe by Marie Barnett (this version by Christy Nockels) – Key: A
• Mighty To Save by Hillsong United (Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan) – Key: A
• Everlasting God by Brenton Brown – Key: A

Random notes:

• We layered the first two songs, they both had a very traditional hymn feel driven by the piano. Holly did a great job on piano driving those songs. We used a more percussive piano beat on Be Thou My Vision, with less melody and accented each downbeat. We really built the song In Christ Alone at the end of verse 3, then left it just to the piano for verse 4.
• We finally nailed Sing Hallelujah, thanks to John realizing we were jumping on the Bm on the chorus. That song is amazing, if the timing is right. And we pretty much nailed it during both services. I love the lyric: “He has rescued us with a strong right hand” – there is so much energy to the lyrics of that song. We butchered the song during our Monday practice, but even during the practice before service we really had the timing – it was beautiful.
• I used my cut capo on You Are Holy
• The block of the last 3 songs was all done in the key of A. I played in capo 2 G chording. This part of the worship was the highlight. During Breathe we had a scripture reflection time that was powerful. We gave time in between the scriptures for people to meditate. The scripture we used is below.
• The end chord progression on “Breathe” leads nicely right into “Mighty to Save”. I went straight from the G – C – D to the C on “Everyone Needs Compassion”, I did it much better the second service.
• Lowlight- I started singing the wrong words to Breathe during the first service.
• We did the entire first verse and chorus of “Mighty” with just voices and acoustic guitar. Added full band on intro line of verse 2. That was nice, and adding e.guitar, bass and percussion all at the same point had a nice ramping feel to the song.
• In my opinion, we finally hit the right tempo on Everlasting God. In the past, we started too fast and then the pre-chorus and chorus loses some of its power. That song is powerful at the right tempo. I was seriously getting into that song this week, could anyone tell?
• I’m trying to be less stiff when I lead, but I don’t know how much I improved this week. Letting loose is a good thing in moderation.
• The vocal harmonies we had were SWEET thanks to Ali, John and Libby. I love the way our voices blend. Next time we’re all signing together I want to perform “You Are so Good to Me” as part of the worship block.
• The sound mix was the best we’ve had in awhile thanks to James and John tweaking the set up earlier in the week.
• Rick had a great sermon from Colossians 1, that challenged us to evaluate our lives and live a life worthy of our calling.

Some of the screen shots:

 

My wife Libby took the background pictures for Prince of Peace and Mighty to Save. The picture for Prince of Peace was taken of our dining room window with the sun setting through our sheer curtains. The picture for Mighty to Save was taken along the coast of California during our 10 year anniversary trip. Check out her other photos at libbyportraits.com. Let me know if you want to use either of these backgrounds and I’ll email them to you.

Scripture reflection during Breathe:

Develop the idea that

1. Jesus is our daily bread, and
2. He’s the very Word that is spoken in our lives.

“This is My Daily Bread, Your very word – spoken – to me”

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Job 23:11-12

My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

John 6:32-35

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

1 John 2:4-6

The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Colossians 1:10-11

May you live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might.

Final thought

I was inspired to worship. There were a lot of people that gave of their time and energy as a sacrifice and offering to God.

David Crowder Band – Remedy – E-card preview

 

You can preview clips of the new David Crowder Band CD – Remedy on this ecard.  I know this post absolutely contradicts my previous post about the music buying fast I’m on.  The way I see it there are 3 options here:

1. I end my fast on September 25.
2. Someone hooks me up.
3. I end up wanting.

Remedy preview