Music Builds

Went to the Music Builds tour last night with the boys.

Red

Jars of Clay

RR & TFB - Robert Randolph and the Family Band (WHO??)

Switchfoot

Third Day

In that order. They apparently had Red perform before the actual start time, so we missed it. They ended their set as we were walking in. So I have no comment on them.

Jars of Clay, as always, was fabulous. These guys are just amazing. They did some of my favorites, like Love Song For A Saviour, and also some new stuff from their upcoming new CD. They simply rocked.

Now wait a sec. They put a major band like Jars of Clay before an unknown group like RR & TFB?? What the heck are they thinking?

RR & TFB was interesting. It was kind of a jazzy-fusion sound. But the thing is, it all sounded the same. To me, it sounded like a single 30-minute song.  The music was basically the same, and all they sang was "Good time, good time, we're having a good time" or something like that. Now, the music was definately catchy and quality for it's style, but it's not my style.

Then came Switchfoot. They have definately gotten better since I first saw them several years ago. They have a really top-notch performance. They did a bunch of the classics, like Meant to Live and Dare You To Move, as well as stuff off of their newer albums. It was really a great set.

Then came Third Day. They lead their set with Rich Mullins' Creed. Wow. I think even Rich would have been impressed. They sang Rockstar. I'm sure they sang other songs too, but at this point both the boys were complaining about wanting to go home and being tired, and I got tired of hearing it so we left. I'm sure it was a great concert. Probably more like a worship service with songs like God Of Wonders. I wonder.

Linkin Park

Well, this band isn't in my iPod rotation. In fact, I don't own a single song of theirs. I came across this song while flipping radio stations. Of course, the DJ didn't say who the band was or what the song name was, so I Googled the first few words of the chorus and found out it was Somewhere I Belong by Linkin Park.

Wait a minute. I like something by Linkin Park? Me?

Yep. Did some iTunes research (song/video previews) and I found out that I like several of their songs.

Problem: Most of their songs are labeled 'Explicit' on iTunes. Ok, I'm not surprised. I've had a negative opinion of LP since they first came on the scene, mainly due to stereotyping. The kind of people I saw that had LP t-shirts and stickers on their cars, etc, told me that they were a band that I would not care for. So I never checked them out.

Till now.

I gotta say, this song and a couple of others that I sampled on iTunes are brilliant, musically. Now, the songs I checked out on iTunes were all marked Clean, FYI.

When I heard this song (and Numb) on the radio, I was like, Wow, who is that?? Not only did I think the music was brilliant, but I heard something in the vocals and the lyrics that really reached out to me. It was a yearning for meaning, purpose and acceptance.

I looked at the lyrics of several of their songs, and saw a common theme. These guys are desperate. How bout this, from the song Given Up:

I've given up...
I'm sick of living
Is there nothing you can say?
Take this all away
I'm suffocating!
Tell me what the #$%^ is wrong with me?

Throughout their songs, they sing of anger, of pain, of desperation, of wanting/needing something more than what they have. From what they sing, you'd think they have awful lives not worth living. Kind of crazy looking in from the outside. These guys have what so many think they want. They have fame, fortune, stardom. Its not enough. Not fulfilling. But they're hanging on, hoping somehow, somewhere, someday, someONE will help them find themselves and their purpose for living. SomeONE that will accept them and love them unconditionally. I know the feeling. I think we all do.

What are these guys missing? To me, it's obvious. They are looking inside themselves for the answer when what they need is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him, all else is meaningless. I hope they find Him. Can you imagine the amazing music they could create if they did it to glorify God?

Somewhere I Belong - Linkin Park

When this began
I had nothing to say
And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me
I was confused
And I let it all out to find that I'm
Not the only person with these things in mind
Inside of me
But all the vacancy the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I've got left to feel
Nothing to lose
Just stuck / Hollow and alone
And the fault is my own
And the fault is my own

I want to heal
I want to feel
What I thought was never real
I want to let go of the pain I've held so long
[Erase all the pain 'til it's gone]

I want to heal
I want to feel
Like I'm close to something real
I want to find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong

And I've got nothing to say
I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face
I was confused looking everywhere only to find that it's
Not the way I had imagined it all in my mind
So what am I what do I have but negativity
'Cause I can't justify the
Way everyone is looking at me
Nothing to lose
Nothing to gain

Hollow and alone
And the fault is my own
The fault is my own
I will never know
Myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel
Anything else until my wounds are healed
I will never be
Anything 'til I break away from me
And I will break away
I'll find myself today

I want to heal
I want to feel like
I'm somewhere I belong

Numb - Linkin Park

I'm tired of being what you want me to be Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface I don't know what you're expecting of me Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow Every step that I take is another mistake to you Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow I've become so numb, I can't feel you there Become so tired, so much more aware By becoming this all I want to do Is be more like me and be less like you Can't you see that you're smothering me? Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control 'Cause everything that you thought I would be Has fallen apart right in front of you Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow Every step that I take is another mistake to you Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow And every second I waste is more than I can take! I've become so numb, I can't feel you there Become so tired, so much more aware By becoming this all I want to do Is be more like me and be less like you And I know I may end up failing too But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you I've become so numb, I can't feel you there Become so tired, so much more aware By becoming this all I want to do Is be more like me and be less like you I've become so numb, I can't feel you there I'm tired of being what you want me to be I've become so numb, I can't feel you there I'm tired of being what you want me to be

Rascal Flatts

Now, ordinarily you would not find me listening to country music. I've been forced to listen for the past 10+ years due to Denise liking it.

I will admit, however, that every now and then there's a pretty good country song. I've become somewhat acclimated. I no longer twitch when I hear that twang that's so prevalent in country music.

I'm sure I had heard a Rascal Flatts song prior to this, but what made me stand up and take note of them was their song, "My Wish". What a cool song. If I could sing, I would sing that song to each of my kids. It made me think that these guys must be Christians. I even liked the song so much that I bought the CD. YES, I bought a country CD for ME, not Denise. Will wonders never cease?

After I got the CD, I read the liner notes. Those notes can tell you a LOT about an artist. Especially the 'Thank You' section. Since these guys thank their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I think it's probably a good bet that they are Christians.

This post is not about that song, by the way. It's about another song on the album called "He Ain't The Leavin' Kind".

I saw a commercial the other day for some CD where country artists are singing gospel songs, and this song was included. I said, "Huh? How's that a gospel song?" Once again I have victimized myself by not paying attention to the lyrics. You hear the chorus of "He ain't the leavin' kind, He'd never walk away" and you kinda think, "Oh, that's nice, they're singing about a faithful husband or something like that." While that would definitely be a honorable thing to sing about, what they are actually singing about is much more important.

They're talking about that, despite people's best efforts to get rid of God, He won't leave us. No matter how unfaithful we are to Him, He will always remain faithful to us. Romans 3:3-4 says, "3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4 Not at all!"

This is something I think we need to cling to in these times. With economic uncertainty and this crazy election and the possibility of a man like Barak Obama being our president, we need to remember that despite people's efforts to kick God out of this country, God will not leave us. He ain't the leavin' kind.


He Ain't The Leavin' Kind - Rascal Flatts

They tried their best to drag him out
Of a courthouse down in Montgomery
And now they wanna kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of paper and stone
But he ain’t gone, no

Chorus
He ain’t the leavin’ kind
He’d never walk away
Even from those who don’t believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain’t the leavin’ kind

She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For takin’ her husband
Started losin’ her faith
And thinkin’ that her life meant nothin’
But when she looks at those kids she raised all by herself
She knows she had some help, yeah she knows

No matter what you do
No matter where you go
He’s always right there with you

Even from those who don’t believe
And wanna leave him behind

He ain’t the leavin’ kind
No, no
He ain’t the leavin’, he ain’t the leavin’ kind
He ain’t the leavin’ kind
He ain’t the leavin’ kind

Cheap Trick/Journey

Got to go see Cheap Trick and Journey in concert on Saturday, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I had never been a Cheap Trick fan. I liked a few of their songs here and there, but never bought an album. I'm still not a Cheap Trick fan. Despite Wikipedia saying they have a "reputation as "the greatest live band ever", their live performance was lacking. The audio sucked and their singing was awful. It was more like screeching. You could not make out the words most of the time, even if you knew the song by heart. While I recognized most songs, the most recognizable was their cover of The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" and "The Flame". I simply was not impressed.

Journey, however, was a different story.

My first impression of Journey when I was a kid was that they had very cool album covers. They still do. They have a lot of cool songs too. Obviously, the Steve Perry years defined Journey as a band. That's why I was somewhat apprehensive about going to this concert. They have a new lead singer that they found on YouTube, who has only been with them since December of 2007. And he's some guy from the Philippines.

Well, I decided to go. After all, it was free tickets and I really had nothing better to do, so why not? Let me tell you, this Filippino guy, Arnel Pineda, is incredible. He sounded so much like Perry that if you closed your eyes, it would be hard to tell that it wasn't him. It was the first time I had ever seen Journey live, and I'm glad I went.


It was really fun watching the stupid drunk college kids too. One of them only knew how to do 'the pony', and he did it for the entire concert. It was hilarous.

All in all it was a fun night. I got to spend some time with my friend Russ and hear some good old classic rock.

Need tunes now!!!

Wow, it's been over a month since I wrote anything here.... Nothing has hit me as being noteworthy of late, so maybe I need to go buy a new CD....

Being part of a legend... or two...

Boston. Clearly one of the most legendary rock bands of all time. Amazing guitar riffs. Incredible vocals. Some of the best rock 'n roll you'll ever hear.

So why am I writing about Boston? Well, with the unfortunate and untimely death of singer Brad Delp, something interesting has happened. I have known about this for some months, but just haven't sat down and wrote about it till now.

Boston has chosen Michael Sweet to be their vocalist for the 2008 tour. !!!
(They also have some other guy, but he's not relevant to this post. Sorry dude.)

Now, Michael, as you may know, has already had a stellar career with the legendary Christian Metal band Stryper, and a pretty darn good solo career as well. Now the guy gets a chance to be part of Boston history too. How lucky can you get? Michael Sweet is an amazing vocalist. He can scream better than just about anybody. If they come through Alabama, I'll probably try to go. It'll be interesting if they play any of Michael's/Stryper's stuff.

I had a hard time deciding what song to list here, there are so many good ones. I decided to listen to a few and see if any really grabbed me, when, once again, I actually paid attention to the lyrics of one that I had never really paid attention to before. The song Higher Power is dedicated to those who have recovered from substance abuse.

The possible Christian application of this song is so obvious, I'm not even going to talk about it.

Higher Power - Boston

Let me love you
Take me home to your religion for the night
Let me touch you
Teach me how to see your vision through my eyes
Turn the pages
Tell my story, let me face another day
Safe embraces, I feel it comin' now
My captain's on his way.

Hey, my high power
The world is spinnin', but I'm not afraid
Yeah, give me the power
It's the beginnin', the beginnin' of another day.
Yeah

Let me hold you
Take me back into the secrets of my mind
Let me know you
Come and save me Lord
Don't let me cross the line


Hey, my high power
The world is spinnin', but I'm not afraid
Yeah, give me the power
It's the beginnin', the beginnin' of another day.


"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Thy will,not mine,shall be done. Amen."*


Ooh, let me love you
Ooh, let me love you
Hey, my Higher Power
The world is spinnin', but I'm not afraid
Yea, my Higher Power
It's the beginning of another day.


Hey, my Higher Power
The world is spinnin', but I'm not afraid
Yeah, my Higher Power
It's the beginnin' of another day.


Hey, my high power
Hey, my high power
Hey, my high power

*The Serenity Prayer is not included in some edits of the song.

I miss the high.

I lived in Colorado for over 30 years of my life, when in 2005 Denise and I thought the Lord was leading us to move to Alabama. I won't get into the reasons here, as it's a really long story. Anyway, sometimes I question that decision, due to various reasons.

I think overall we are better off than we were in Colorado. We have a bigger house. Our kids have more friends. I have a better job.

I like the beach. I don't miss the snow.

But I do miss Colorado. I miss the mountains. I miss the cooler summers.

There's a song that I've loved since I was a little kid. It's Rocky Mountain High by John Denver. It's the guitar that got me hooked on it. I love guitar music and this song is just one of the best out there for acoustic guitar.

Ok, I know the problems with this song. How the 'high' for John was possibly chemically induced (I don't know, I wasn't there, but if you've been up in the Rocky Mountains, you know that you can have a euphoric feeling by being amazed at the beauty God's created). How he should not be looking inside himself for answers rather than looking to God. I get all that. But look at the rest of the song. With some very, VERY minor changes, this song could easily have been a top Christian hit rather than a top secular hit.

From a Christian perspective:
He talks about being born again. He found the key for every door (Jesus). Seeking grace in every step he takes. Talk to God and listen to the casual reply (does God reply casually? I guess it depends on which meaning of the word you use). If you've ever stood on top of a Colorado mountain and seen a mountain lake and watched an eagle fly over the valley, then you know how amazing all that is and can definately cause you to pause and reflect on our Mighty Creator. Seeing so many stars, and the shadow from the starlight is incredible. John wrote the song after camping out in the mountians during the Perseid Meteor Shower (raining fire in the sky). I would love to have seen that from up in the mountains on a clear night. I'll have to put that on my bucket list. Should have done it while I had the chance.

Some other references in the lyrics:
"He was born in the summer of his 27th year" - John was 27 the summer he wrote the song.
"Coming home to a place he'd never been before" - He and Annie had just made Aspen home.
"And he lost a friend but kept his memory" - A good friend from Minnesota had come to visit and was killed riding John's motorcycle.
"Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more" - This referred to the debate at that time about bringing the Olympics to Colorado.


Rocky Mountain High - John Denver
He was born in the summer of his 27th year
Comin' home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found the key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hangin' by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

It's the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye

Rocky Mountain high, Colorado
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory
Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Talk to God and listen to the casual reply

Rocky Mountain high, Colorado
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky Mountain high

It's Colorado Rocky Mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high

Rocky Mountain high, Colorado
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado

Friends...

What makes a person a friend? According to http://www.m-w.com/:

Main Entry: friend

1 a: one attached to another by affection or esteem b: acquaintance
2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4: a favored companion
5 capitalized : a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war —called also Quaker

I think I like # 4 the best of all those. A favored companion. But I don't think it goes far enough.

Tracy Lawrence's song describes a friend even better. Someone who is there for you through thick and thin, no matter what. Someone who loves you despite your shortcomings and failures. Someone whom you can hurt and offend, yet they stick by your side anyway. Someone who would sacrifice for you. Their time. Their money. Their belongings. Maybe even their life.

I used to have lots of 'friends'. Most of which would fit more under the 1b definition. Lots that would fit under #4. But I've also had quite a few that this song describes. People that would drop whatever they were doing and come running if I needed them.

Seems like life (and death) really gets in the way of friendship a lot of the time, though. All the close friends I had through my college days and 20's have all moved on with their spouses and children and I rarely hear from any of them anymore. Some have died.

Now, I can think of really no one that would fit the definition of a friend as described by this song. I have a lot of 1b's. A few 4's. But is there anyone in my life right now, besides my wife, that would do the things described in the song? I can think of a couple of 'maybes'.

It's partly my fault because I'm very introverted and insecure. (wow, did I just say that in public?) I'm not a very good conversationalist. I have a hard time expressing my thoughts. All this makes it difficult for people to get to know me. Also, I've been hurt/betrayed by 'friends' enough in the past that it's hard for me to let my guard down and let someone get close.

But I do have to wonder too.... I've been going to this church for almost 2.5 years now and in that time not one person has ever called just to see how I'm doing or to invite us to dinner. Not even during the time that I was here for 6 months by myself before the rest of the family moved out here. The only calls I ever get are when someone wants me to do something for them. That's #2 in my top 10 list of reasons to find a new church. There's a HUGE difference in being friendly and being a friend. Alabama has been a pretty desolate place for me.

Find Out Who Your Friends Are - Tracy Lawrence
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind, Lose the shirt off your back,
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare…

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don’t lie

Find out who your friends are
Somebody’s gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think “what’s in it for me?”
Or “it’s way too far”
They just show on up
With their big ol’ heart
Yeah find out who your friends are.

Everybody wants to slap your back
Wants to shake your hand
When you’re up on top of that mountain
Then one of those rocks will get wet
And you slide back down
Look up and see who’s around then
This aint where the road comes to an end
This aint where the band wagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lotta folks jump off.

Yeah find out who your friends are
Somebody’s gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think “what’s in it for me?”
Or “it’s way too far”
They just show on up
With their big ol’ heart
Yeah find out who your friends are.

When the water’s high
When the weather’s not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who’s gonna be there?
Yeah find out who your friends are

Somebody’s gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think “what’s in it for me?”
Or “it’s way too far”
They just show on up
With their big ol’ heart
Yeah find out who your friends are.
Yeah find out who your friends are.

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Man I been there
Or get yourself in a bind
Lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch
Need a bus fare…
Man I been there
Man I been there…

---

Sanctus Real got it right, "I think I caught a glimpse of life without friends - bitter, empty, hollow, dark and lonely"

John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Obviously Jesus is the greatest example of a friend. He sacrificed everything for everyone.

God I’m in this place again...

Not only do these songs rock, but they express how I feel a lot of the time. You get all excited about Jesus and you get on this spiritual high, but then the pressures of life start to make those feelings diminish. Then, eventually, you forget what made you feel that way and you have a hard time re-capturing that joy, despite how desperately you want it back. We're all guilty, we've all messed up. But Jesus forgives us and doesn't want us to give up, but sometimes we feel like we're just barely hanging on...

I Won't Give Up - Everyday Sunday
You know how sometimes you meet somebody
Who changes your life
But then after awhile you forget how you thought
About what changed everything

Tell me what's your reason
You find me in this treason
I didn't think that I'd come through
Then I thought that I failed You
I tell You that I still love You
Well I tell You that I'm guilty, I messed up
But You're still the one I love
Please forgive me Jesus
I promise I wont give up

So I know I forgot what it meant just to love
Without caring about my selfish thoughts
I just want to remember what its like to glorify You
And let it go

Tell me what's your reason
You find me in this treason
I didn't think that I'd come through
Then I thought that I failed You
I tell You that I still love You
Well I tell You that I'm guilty, I messed up
But You're still the one I love
Please forgive me Jesus
I promise I wont give up

Hanging On - Everyday Sunday
God I’m in this place again
I’m trying so hard not to fall,
but everything keeps coming down with the rain.
And I try so hard I forget to call.

Everybody’s looking around, and wants to be found
And I’m just hanging on;
I give You all that I am.

I come to You with all that I am,
I bring to You all that I have,
and all I have is nothing,
and I keep on trying,
and all I want is You.

Everybody’s looking around and wants to be found
And I’m just hanging on.
I give You all that I am.

And as I sit here in the midst of You,
I come to You; I come with all I am.

And as I sit here in the midst of You,
I come to You; I come with all I am.

Everybody’s looking around and wants to be found,
and I’m just hanging on.
I give You all that I am.

Finding the Holy in the common, or even the unholy...

I was driving down the highway the other day, and Forever Young by Rod Stewart came on. I understand that he wrote this song for his son, wishing him a good and happy life. I never really listened to the lyrics before, but for some reason I paid attention this time. I was somewhat dumbfounded to find him singing scripture.

Now, Rod Stewart isn't really known for morality or faith. If you look at many of his songs and his lifestyle, it's pretty clear how he has lived. (Not judging his current spiritual state, as I have no idea, but in the past, I think it was pretty clear where he stood.) From the same guy that sang songs like Tonight's The Night, Maggie May and Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, comes a song like Forever Young.

Makes me wonder what other common things, or even unholy things there are out there that contain a glimpse of the Holy... What are we missing?


Forever Young - Rod Stewart

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you

Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to Heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young
Forever young

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young ,forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young

To Hymn Or Not To Hymn...

It really bothers me, this debate about hymns vs. 'modern' songs in the church. Not so much the difference in the music. That's just a matter of taste. Music is neither moral or immoral. It is amoral, so the difference in the music is just a matter of personal preference.

No, the issue for me is when people say that the old hymns are just so spiritual and full of scripture and sanctified and all that. Then they say the new stuff is shallow and they talk as if they are evil or something. Their opinion is based on the music style rather than the message of the song, and since they don't care for the style, it's automatically a bad song. That just kinda pisses me off.

I don't think the hymns need to go away. I like hymns, in moderation. It's no secret that I prefer contemporary music. But I do like some of the hymns. I just wanna see a good blend between the two styles in a church service.

Last night Pastor Craig was talking about the hymns in the hymnal. He was talking about how there are 100 hymns in the hymnal about consecration (being dedicated to a sacred purpose ). As he was listing some of them, this lady says, "So why don't we sing those songs anymore? We didn't sing any hymns this morning, the songs that we grew up with!"

Ok, well, first of all, our church sings MOSTLY hymns, so she really has no valid point to make there. And to assume that everyone grew up on those songs is pretty vain.

(We are starting to bring in some of the more contemporary stuff, but in my opinion it's watered down, cause instead of singing them the way they were intended to be sung, they are slowed down. But at least it's a little progress.)

Pastor had invited a bunch of college kids to the service and to a special lunch after church. Considering that demographic, if we had sung just hymns, do you think it would grab their interest and make them want to come back to our church? Probably not. Most kids that age are into the contemporary worship music. I think the song selection yesterday was very wise in one aspect. It was geared more toward those kids. But my problem with it is, if any of them come back, they may feel somewhat decieved when the music is reverted back to what is normally done and hymns are dominant.

Our church has stated that one of our primary target demographics is younger people, especially young couples with children. We're not going to attract that demographic if we continue to do things like it's 1955. The church has to change with the times. NOT compromising the gospel message or the integrity of what we are doing, but it must incorporate new things if it wants to attract the people of this day and age. People in 1500 were not singing the same songs that the disciples sang, and the church has endured. People in 1800 were not singing the same songs that people in 1500 sang, and the church has endured. So why do we place such importance today on songs that were written 200 or 300 years ago?

It's great to preserve traditions and all that, but the world looks on at the church and sees it stagnant, doing the same things as it was doing 200 years ago, and the world says, "Yuk." Why would a 30-something non-believer want to come to a church where the service looks like it's modeled after the church on Little House On The Prairie?

Written in 1885 by Carl Gustav Boberg, How Great Thou Art is a classic hymn of the church. It celebrates God's great creation and praises Him. It's one of my favorite hymns. Let's compare it to God of Wonders. Written in 2000 (115 years later) by Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd, it, too, celebrates God's great creation and praises Him.

What makes one better than the other? What makes one more spiritual than the other? What makes one more scriptural than the other? What makes one more sanctified than the other?

The answer to all those questions is.... Nothing. The only real difference between the two is the accompanying music.

How Great Thou Art - Carl Gustav Boberg O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art! When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art! And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art! When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!" Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

God Of Wonders - Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd Lord of all creation Of water, earth, and sky The heavens are Your tabernacle Glory to the Lord on High God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Early in the morning I will celebrate the light And as I stumble through the darkness I will call Your name by night God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me Father holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy, holy, holy Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Early in the morning I will celebreate the light And as I stumble through the darkness I will call your name by night God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy Precious Lord reveal your heart to me Father holy, holy The universe declares your majesty You are holy, holy, holy, holy Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth Halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth

What do you think about this song? Some of it is in Latin, but I've provided the translation for you:
Gloria
I try to sing this song
I, I try to stand up
But I can't find my feet
I try, I try to speak up
But only in you I'm complete

Gloria in te domine (Glory in You Lord)
Gloria - exultate (Glory exalt Him)
Gloria - gloria (Glory, Glory)
Oh Lord, loosen my lips

I try to sing this song
I, I try to get in
But I can't find the door
The door is open
You're standing there
You let me in

Gloria in te domine
Gloria - exultate
Oh Lord, if I had anything, anything at all
I give it to youI give it to you

Gloria in te domine
Gloria - gloria
Gloria in te domine
Gloria - gloria
Gloria - miserere (Glory, have mercy)
Gloria - gloria


Sorta sounds like a hymn. Maybe a Catholic one, with the Latin?







Nope. It's a song by U2 and it rocks! Referring to Psalms, Corinthians and James, how can you get more scriptural than that? We should be singing that song in church!

Shot rings out in the Memphis sky. Free at Last...

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Full text of the I Have A Dream speech: http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

Pride (In The Name Of Love) - U2

One man come in the name of love
One man come and go.
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow.

In the name of love
What more in the name of love.
In the name of love
What more in the name of love.

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss.

In the name of love
What more in the name of love.
In the name of love
What more in the name of love.

Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky...

Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride.

In the name of love
What more in the name of love.
In the name of love
What more in the name of love.
In the name of love
What more in the name of love.
In the name of love
What more in the name of love.

MLK

MLK - U2

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.

If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, rain down on he.

So let it be.
So let it be.

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, let it rain
Rain on he.

After 30 years...

I've been subscribing to CCM Magazine since ninteen eighty-something. I still have every issue I ever bought, much to my wife's chagrin. Mostly they are packed up in boxes in the attic.

I just received the final in-print copy of the magazine in the mail. It was kind of a weird feeling, knowing that I'd never hold a new CCM again...

After 30 years of publication, CCM has gone totally online. While I can still read up on whats going on in the CCM world, it's still strange knowing that it won't come in my mailbox anymore.

I guess if it can be said that video killed the radio star, it can maybe be said that the internet killed everything else.

Anyway, a quote in an article by John Styll caught my eye and I think it really applies to the church as a whole, in particular the church we're currently attending:

Harold Best, former Dean of Wheaton College’s Conservatory of Music once said on these (CCM's) pages, “Sincerity of heart is never a substitute for excellence, even though far too many Christians hide behind this, excusing mediocrity or defending quick results. As has often been said, holy shoddy is still shoddy.”

Whatever you do, you should do it with excellence, to the best of your ability, then leave the results up to God. (This is something I'm still trying to learn!)

Another very appropriate quote, "Too much blind acceptance of the status quo is like a rudderless journey to oblivion."

That's so true. Some people get so stuck on the way things have been that they can't accept change. Without change comes stagnation, and with stagnation, putrid disease. "We've been doing it that way for 30 years!" Yea, so? If something is clearly not working anymore, you have to change it to be effective.

We Need Each Other - Sanctus Real
I think I caught a glimpse of Life without friends
Bitter, empty, hollow, dark and lonely
We never meant to hurt each other
So can’t we trust again
And take it as a chance To keep on growing

I don’t know why it doesn’t come easy
But I know that we could be happy If we’d only learn to love

Oh oh we need each other
So what’s the fighting for
Oh oh we need each other
Please don’t close the door
Oh oh we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh oh we need each other
Cause no one’s meant to live alone

Life revolves around the need
Of having someone
Causing every complicated feeling
Oh and I don’t want to loose you
And there is nothing wrong with
Telling me what you need
To keep our love strong

It’s just a part of being a family
Taking the good with the bad and the ugly
If we could only learn to love

Oh oh we need each other
So what’s the fighting for
Oh oh we need each other
Please don’t close the door
Oh oh we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh oh we need each other
Cuz I don’t want to be alone

Oh Oh we need each other
Fathers and Mothers
Oh oh we need each other
All your sisters and brothers
Oh oh we need each other
We need friends and lovers
Oh Oh we need each other

Well I need you
You need me
Cuz that’s the way
It’s meant to be
I need you
We need each other
(I don’t want to be alone)

A New Direction...

Well, I had what might be called a 'spiritual experience' last night. It was a dream that I was in Radio City Music Hall watching Cavalli's Giasone. In my dream, I thoroughly enjoyed it and actually understood all the words. I now can understand opera, and I've taken this as a sign that I need to abandon my current collection and only listen to opera and classical music.

I've decided to sell my iPod and only listen to vinyl records, because the true sound of opera can only be reproduced on vinyl. Fortunately, I still have a turn table, so this isn't an issue. The issue is finding good operas on vinyl. I'll have to scour Ebay and all the used music shops, garage sales, and thrift shops.

I just hope selling all my current vinyl and CD's will bring in enough for me to amass a grand collection of opera and classical. Surely an original Beatles 'White Album' will bring in a few bucks. Maybe some of the Elvis, Abba, Monkees and U2 records will as well...


Oh crap, this means I have to rename my blog....

Charlie Peacock

I never get tired of listening to this guy. His work is so varied and diverse. He blends pop, rock, gospel, electronic/techno, soul and classical, all with underlying overtones of jazz. (Can you say underlying overtones and have it make sense??)

Though all of his albums have great songs on them, many of which have been covered by some major artists (such as Amy Grant, dc Talk, Russ Taff etc), his debut album "Lie Down In The Grass" will always be my favorite. It ranks in my top-10 favorite albums. It's pretty old, having been first released in 1984. Yes, I still have the record.

He's had an impact on a ton of other musicians as well. He's produced the likes of Switchfoot, Nichole Nordeman, the 77s, Avalon, The Choir, Al Green, Twila Paris and Sarah Masen, and others. He's worked with Steve Taylor. 'Nuf said.
His eclectic style is full of vibrant energy and passion, as are the lyrics of his songs. Often directed at Christians, the songs are honest and pointed about this Human Condition we find ourselves in.

I think his best song, and a song that is definately in my top-10 best of all time is The Harvest Is The End Of The World. Every other post on the internet that I've found referencing this song says it is 'joyous'. I tend to agree. I had to look up the scripture related to this song, so that I could really, fully understand what he's saying in it.

Jeremiah 31:
15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more." 16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy. 17 So there is hope for your future, "declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.

Matthew 2:
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Matthew 13:
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Revelation 14:
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE WORLD - Charlie Peacock
Rachel, why do you weep
Why do you bury your face in your hands
Is there no one who would reach you
Is there no one who understands

There is no one to comfort her
(There is no one to comfort her)

For her children are no more
And there is no one to comfort her

Rachel, why do you cry
Why do you hide your trembling lips
Are those tear stains on your brow
Are those tears on your fingertips

There is no one to comfort her
(There is no one to comfort her)
For her children are no more
And there is no one to comfort her

Now and always, Now and evermore
Now and always, Now and evermore

I see angels in the distance
In the distance, I see angels
And their shadows fall like crosses on the fields

Some are swinging low their sickles
Some are binding up the sheaves
Some are sifting out the harvest yield

Rachel, run to join the angels
In the harvest in the distance
Rising from your bed as from a dream

In that faint and splintered line
Where the wheatfield meets the sky
You might find your sorrow made complete
You might find your sorrow made complete

Now and always, Now and evermore
Now and always, Now and evermore

Redemption is the harvest
Of the tears that came before

Now and always, Now and evermore

All who sorrow with her, lift your heads
You might hear the sound of Rachel gently weeping
For the gathering is done
And her children have come home
Whom she counted lost and dead
Now to find were sweetly sleeping
In the fields where the angels have been reaping

I see angels in the distance
In the distance, I see angels
And their shadows fall like crosses on the fields

Some are swinging low their sickles
Some are binding up the sheaves
Some are sifting out the harvest yield

Rachel, run to join the angels
In the harvest in the distance
Rising from your bed as from a dream

In that faint and splintered line
Where the wheatfield meets the sky
You might find your sorrow made complete
You might find your sorrow made complete

Now and always, now and evermore
Now and always, now and evermore

Redemption is the harvest
Of the tears that came before.

Now and always, now and evermore
Now and always, now and evermore

Redemption is the harvest
Of the tears that came before.

Now and always, now and evermore
Now and always, now and evermore...

Who's having more fun???

Ok so here I am sitting in the sound room at church during choir practice for the upcoming Easter thing. The 'choir' is up there and they all look like they are in a funeral rather than practicing for the celebration of the Resurrection.

Meanwhile, I'm back here jamming out with my iPod, listening to stuff like Mat Kearney, Coldplay, Stryper, Foolish Things, etc...

I must ask...Who's having more fun??

In The Name Of Love...

Wow. This(U2/3D) was a very cool experience.

I was very impressed by the 3D effect and the digital picture. If the sound had been more like a real concert, I think it really would have been better than being at a concert. This movie reminded my why U2 is my favorite band, and confirmed why they are still the biggest band in the world.

I also think that they are a band blessed by God. A lot of people find them controversial because they have been seen smoking and drinking and using foul language, but they seem to forget the amazing things that they have done through things like the One organization and the like. If we are going to judge them based on smoking and drinking and using foul language, then let us be judged in the same measure.

Three of the band members, Bono, Larry and The Edge have proclaimed Christ as their savior since they were young. The 4th, Adam, only within the past few years has claimed to be saved. Who are we to judge their salvation?

If you look at their lyrics, you will see tons of scripture, subtle and not so subtle. Who else has recited Psalms during their halftime show at the Superbowl? Bono quotes scripture often from the stage. My favorite is when he quotes Psalm 116:12-14 (The Message) during the intro to "Where the Streets Have No Name" in Boston:

"What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I'll pray in the name of God; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people."

Here's an old article that kinda sums it up. There's a lot more to say, but this does a good job of putting it in a nutshell: U2, Christian?

This is cool too: Godtube

“I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge…It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity…I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb…The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us [Karma], and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled…It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven.” [Bono in Conversation, Riverhead Books, 2005, p. 204]

U2/3D

May is the month!!!

There are a ton of great new realeases coming out in May.
Several movies, to include :

• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian


• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull


• Iron man

There's also some great CD's coming out as well. Not the least of which:

Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?

Larry Norman

4/8/1947 - 2/24/2008

A legend died on Sunday. Larry was a pioneer in Christian music. Often called the "Grandfather" of Christian Rock, Larry had a profound influence on many Christian artists over the past 40+ years. I've been enjoying his music since the early '80's.

It is, in a way, Larry's fault that I became a lover of music, especially Christian music. Back in 1970, Larry lead Randy Stonehill to the Lord. Randy, known as one of the 'Fathers' of Christian rock, went on to create some great Christian music. The very first Christian record I ever owned was Randy Stonehill's "The Sky Is Falling" (I still have it, too). Larry produced, sang background vocals and played various instruments on this album . After loving this album and reading the liner notes, seeing Larry's name all over the place, I figured I better check out this Larry guy since he seemed to have a lot of influence on this recording. So I bought one of Larry's tapes and have been a big fan ever since.

I only got to see Larry live once, at Cherry Hills Community church in Denver, Colorado. It was an amazing concert.

His second solo album, Only Visiting This Planet, has been voted the best Christian album of all time by CCM magazine.

Larry was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

The following credit Larry with influencing them in one way or another:

• Randy Stonehill


• Steve Camp


• Mark Heard


• Toby Mac/dc Talk


• Frank Black of the Pixies


• U2


• Pete Townshend had been inspired by one of Larry's early rock operas to write Tommy*


• "It’s often said that Bob Dylan was heavily influenced by his music during his “Christian period,” and even attended Larry’s Bible study while on tour."*


• Too many more to mention.

*These claims I have not been able to confirm, but they are mentioned in multiple websites that I've found.

I think Larry summed up Christian Rock music best in the following words:

Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music? - Larry Norman

I want the people to know that He saved my soul
But I still like to listen to the radio.
They say rock 'n' roll is wrong, we'll give you one more chance.
I say I feel so good I gotta get up and dance.

I know what's right, I know what's wrong, I don't confuse it.
All I'm really trying to say
Is why should the devil have all the good music?

I feel good every day'
Cause Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away.

They say to cut my hair, they're driving me insane,
I grew it out long to make room for my brain.
But sometimes people just don't understand,
What's a good boy doing in a rock 'n' roll band?

There's nothing wrong with playing blues licks,
But if you got a scripture, tell me to my face
Why should the devil have all the good music?

There's nothing wrong with what I play'
Cause Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away.

I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that has a beat.
I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that moves my feet.
I don't like none of those funeral marches
I ain't dead yet!

Jesus told the truth,
Jesus showed the way
There's one more thing I'd like to say.
They nailed him to the cross,
they laid him in the ground,
But they shoulda known you can't keep a good man down.

I feel good every day, I don't wanna lose it.
All I wanna, all I wanna know
Is why should the devil have all the good music?

I've been filled, I feel okay,
Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues
Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues
Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away.

---

See ya, Larry. Thanks for everything.

Chris Rice

The past couple of years I've really enjoyed Chris Rice's music. He writes a lot of catchy tunes that you can tap your foot to, and his lyrics are clever, funny and very profound. To me, it's happy music. It sounds like he's happy, and it makes me happy to listen to it. This is one guy I'd love to sit down to dinner with and just have a long converstation about life.

I don't think I've heard a song yet that I didn't like (although there are some that I have to be in a certain mood to listen to). I even use a portion of one, Smile, as a ringtone on my phone.

One song in particular that I'd like to mention in more detail: Life Means So Much.

The message of this song is one I'm desperately trying to learn. Every moment of our lives means something. Is it a blessing or a curse? Are we lifting up or tearing down? Are we investing or squandering? Unfortunately, too often it's the negative.

I'm really trying hard to learn that every moment I have with my family is precious and can't be retrieved once lost. I've been trying to spend more time with them, be nicer to them, be a good dad and a good husband. Unfortunately, I fail all too often.

Life Means So Much - Chris Rice

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do and believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessings
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So no one's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life
And don't you think giving is all
What proves the worth of yours and mine

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living

My New Band (sorta...)

the latest internet meme (fad) that’s going around is the band album cover theme. You pick random words and pictures from Wikipedia and Flickr and combine them to create your custom band album. It goes like this:
1. The first article title on the Wikipedia Random Articles Page is the name of your band.
2. The last four words of the very last quotation on the Random Quotations page is the title of your album.
3. The third picture in Flickr’s Interesting Photos From the Last 7 Days is your album cover.Throw in some Photoshop and mix to get your own album cover.

My Band
Band Name: This Disambiguation
Album Name: If You Just Trusted Yourself
Cover:

Captivated...

How can anyone look at this amazing creation and not believe in God?
It takes a heck of a lot more faith to believe that this is all an accident than it does to believe in God. I recently read "The Case For A Creator" by Lee Strobel, and the stuff he talks about in that book just amazed me, and made me wonder how these 'scientists' that spout evolution and atheists can actually believe the crap they are saying. There's way too much evidence pointing to God.

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

This is a really cool song that expresses how evidence of God can easily be seen in His creation.

Captivated - Shawn Mcdonald

When I look into the mountains I see Your face
When I look into the night sky it sparkles Your Name

The wind in the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
That's what draws me to You

Chorus:
I am
I'm captivated by You
(You know that You do)
I am
I'm captivated

When I wake unto the morning it gives me your sights
When I look across the ocean it echoes Your might

The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me
That's what draws me to You

Chorus x2

The wind in the clouds and the blue in the sky
The sun and the moon and the stars so high
The sand on the shore and the waves in the sea
The air in my lungs and the way You made me

The blood in my veins and my heart You invade
The plants how they grow and the trees and the shade
The way that I feel and the Love in my soul
I thank you my God for letting me know

Chorus x2

I am...

Mat Kearney

I've really enjoyed Mat Kearney's "Nothing Left To Lose" since I got it. The release I have, unfortunately, does not have "Breathe In Breathe Out" on it, so I had to download it. I got the video from iTunes.

WOW! What a great song, and the video is very poignant. Mat says on his website that this is one of the best songs he's written. I think he's right.

Very reminiscent of Coldplay's "The Scientist". In fact, some people compare Mat to Coldplay.

This album is great. One of those rare ones where I like the entire album, rather than one or two songs. I listen to it quite often, and once Denise caught me singing "Nothing left To Lose" while I was cleaning the kitchen. Now, I don't sing aloud often cause my voice makes dogs run away yelping in fright, so that oughta tell you how much I like his music.

Breath In Breathe Out - Mat Kearney

Breathe in, breathe out
Tell me all of your doubts
Everybody bleeds this way, just the same
Breathe in, breathe out
Move on and break down
If everyone goes away, I will stay
We push and pull
And I fall down sometimes
And I’m not letting go
You hold the other line
Cause there is a light in your eyes, in your eyes

Hold on, hold tight
If I’m out of your sight
And everything keeps moving on, moving on
Hold on, hold tight
Make it through another night
In every day there comes a song with the dawn
We push and pull
And I fall down sometimes
And I’m not letting go
You hold the other line
Cause there is a light in your eyes, in your eyes
There is a light in your eyes, in your eyes

Breathe in and breathe out
Breathe in and breathe out
Breathe in and breathe out
Breathe in and breathe out

Look left, look right
To the moon and the night
Everything under the stars is in your arms

Cause there is a light in your eyes, in your eyes
There is a light in your eyes, in your eyes
There is a light in your eyes, in your eyes

Cornbread

My family's thoughts and prayers are with the Rick Burgess family (Rick & Bubba) after the tragic loss of their youngest, Bronner 'Cornbread' Burgess.

U2/3D

I couldn't possibly have a Music Blog and not include this. Too bad it doesn't come to B'ham till Feb. 15. Maybe I need to take a road trip on Wednesday....

The chord progressions touch your soul....

I have no idea what that means, but I understand it.

I mentioned in my previous post about how Rick & Bubba played a clip of a song that I liked. All they played at the time was a clip consisting of piano and drums. I had no idea what the song was or who played it, but I loved it. Ironically, they just played a bit more of it today (on a R&B Best of moment) and were talking about the song. Bubba said, "The chord progressions touch your soul....". Well, I don't know what a chord progression is, but I know that that song touches me. It's called Clocks by Coldplay. I don't remember now how I figured out what song it was after hearing just the piano and drums, but it was only a few days later that I heard it somewhere and connected the dots.

Well, once I figured out what the song was and who played it, I went to iTunes and downloaded it. It's a very cool song. Ok, I know it was released in 2002, but like I said previously, I'm kind out of the loop on recent stuff.

Made me look into Coldplay a little. Seems like overall they are a pretty decent band. My only issue so far is that apparently they 'drop the F-bomb' rather often. That's one thing that bugs me about bands that overall seem very clean, their music is great and lyrics are clean, but then they use profanity. Another example of this would be U2, which is by far my favorite band. I've heard Bono and Adam use the F-bomb fairly often in videos and interviews, and it really bugs me. But then, I can't judge them. I've used the F word and other words before too. I'm a lot better at NOT saying those words now than I was 20 years ago, but once in a while one will still slip out.

Based on most of the comments I've read about this song, people seem to think it's about death. I read an interview with the band where they talk about how they started recording the album on September 16, 2001. 5 days after 9/11. Of course, they were affected by the events of the previous days, and so there was some element of 9/11 in the backs of their minds while recording. Here's a quote from Will, talking about the album as a whole:

"WILL: It's not specifically about September the 11th. I suppose big events that have an effect on you just make you realize the things that are important. I think partly — certainly I think in Chris's head — it was the need to get everything done. We really wanted to get these songs done as well as we could because we could die whenever. It could be the next day. And he always jokes — whenever he goes flying, he says, "Oh well, if we go down in this thing, at least the album's done, so it's fine." So that's kind of a big weight off all our heads, 'cause you can die happy."

I think Clocks is reflected in this. Get the important things done before time runs out, live, love and laugh all you can while you can, or you'll 'curse missed opportunities'.

Clocks lyrics by Coldplay
Lights go out and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, tigers waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are...
Confusion never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop, that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I part of the disease (singing)
You are....
And nothing else compares
Oh no nothing else compares
And nothing else compares
You are.....
Home, home, where I wanted to go

The Radio

OK, I kinda hate the radio. They play the same stuff over and over and over and over and.... well, you get the idea...

So anyway, I was really enjoying listening to 93.7 WDJC here in Birmingham, as it was the only Christian station we can get that played anything remotely resembling Rock. In fact, the Jon Walden show was awesome till they made him change the format. Now his show sounds like the rest of the shows. They need to let him go back to playing the harder stuff!!

Since Jon Walden's show now sounds just like Justin & Cari, Ronnie Bruce and Wendy & Ken, but with no female co-host, I've pretty much quit listening to WDJC. I'll put them on sometimes on the drive home from work, and depending on what they are saying and playing, I might actually stay there. However, most of the time I drift. In the mornings, I almost always listen to Rick & Bubba (ok, so it's a talk show. But they are funny, and they play some clips of songs when they come back from a commercial break, and that is how I found a song that I really like, which will be discussed in a later post.)

I've even started popping around on some other stations. There is a decent Classic Rock station and there's this one station that sometimes is playing a good grunge song (like something from Alice in Chains, Nirvana or Pearl Jam, etc) so I'll stop on them if they are playing something interesting.

Anyway, I'm kinda outta the loop on pop songs and current rock stuff. Most of it is nasty stuff not worth listening to. I really look at the lyrics and the lifestyle of the band, and even though the music might sound awesome, if they are immoral, I often won't listen. Sometimes, however, you to hear some quality music from what seems to be a pretty clean band.

In The Beginning....

I created a Blog. Now, the blog was formless and empty. So I decided to post my thoughts about music I hear.

It might be stuff I like, it might not. I have a lot to choose from. I listen to various radio stations, so I get a pretty good mix there. I currently have 5893 songs on my iPod, but I have over 6000 songs stored on my computer. (Yes, it's all legal. Either backed-up from CDs I own or downloaded from iTunes or other legal music download sites.)

Anyway, feel free to express your opinion of the music I review here, just keep it clean.