Friday, November 8, 2013

I Want to Live My Life Like That

My personal vision statement is:


To declare the Supremacy of God found in the Gospel of God through Jesus Christ.

I want to invest my God given talents to further the impact of His Kingdom in the world.

Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “The true Christian cannot be hid, he cannot escape notice.  A man truly living and functioning as a Christian will stand out.  He will be like salt; he will be like a city set on a hill, a candle set upon a candlestick. But we can also add this further word. The true Christian does not even desire to hide his light.  He sees how ridiculous it is to claim to be a Christian and yet deliberately to try to hide the fact.  A man who truly realizes what it means to be a Christian, who realizes all that the grace of God has meant to him and done for him, and understands that, ultimately, God has done this in order that he may influence others, is a man who cannot conceal it.  Not only that; he does not desire to conceal it, because he argues thus, ‘Ultimately the object and purpose of it all is that I might be functioning in this way.’”

I want to live my life in the same way.

Friday, October 25, 2013

The Music I'm Listening To

It's been a while since I posted about some the new albums I've been digging into lately, so I thought that it would be good.


We know he’s talented. He’s produced over a hundred records. He’s played in multiple bands. He’s put out half a dozen solo albums. We all know Aaron Sprinkle is talented. But do you really know Aaron Sprinkle?

If you’ve listened to his latest record, you do.

Over the course of twenty years, Sprinkle’s life has been dedicated to creating and producing music. Outside of his own musical endeavors (playing in bands Poor Old Lu, Fair, and Rose Blossom Punch, and making his solo material), Sprinkle has engineered and molded records for countless talented musicians, building for himself the much-deserved reputation as an outstanding producer.
It’s through his exposure in the studio that he’s been able to cultivate his own style as an artist. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing people that inspire me,” he explains, “They push me to grow and explore and hone things that I wouldn’t have had on my radar before… like this record. You would have never heard anything like my new music on any other record I’ve done.”

It’s true.

Water & Guns, Sprinkle’s fifth solo album, is unlike anything he’s done before. Yes,
exposure to varying musical styles expresses itself tangibly in each track, but there’s something new in the mix – his electronic roots. Reaching back to his musical beginnings, Sprinkle douses his new material in colorful synth, programmed percussion, and keys that sprout and flourish, making this his most vibrant record to date. It’s a pop album – its catchy melodies, synth, and acoustic guitar color the entirety of the record – but for Sprinkle, it’s more than that.

“I started making a record that I thought people would want me to make, and ended up making a record that I just really enjoyed,” he confesses, explaining, “I wanted to portray who I am now. I wanted this album to reflect me.” Musically it’s an epic, pop album. Lyrically, it’s a journal. The record’s upbeat sound juxtaposes its heavy message in a flawless marriage of playful purposefulness.

With songs that deal with topics from grace and blessings to sin and death, Sprinkle furthers, “this record took so long because I changed my mind in the middle of it – I thought no, this is isn’t what I want to do. I want to write about real things I’m dealing with.”

A perfect example is the track “Alright”, a song that could easily act as the album’s anthem. The lyrics, “When your life rips at the seams / When it seems like the worst is really happening / When you can’t see the light / It’ll be alright” encourage perseverance through trial. The electronic, danceable track breathes joy in sound and hope in content.

Similarly is the springy track “River of Lead”, an optimistic sounding song that couples lively keys and an upbeat, sing-able chorus with a weighty lyrical topic. Singing about being consumed, Sprinkle delicately addresses human nature’s attraction to destructive behavior. The lyrics, “Down this river of lead I roll / Feel it pull me underneath / If the fire don’t kill me the water will / Feel it pull me underneath / Lay me down to sleep / I pray there’s something left to keep” transparently speaks to all-consuming struggles and the desperation for relief.

“Whisper Something”, “Heatstroke”, and “I’ve Missed You” offer the same mixture; profound lyrics that cover themes of reconciliation, death, and longing are woven within strong, accessible beats and addictive melodies. Sprinkle curated an album that speaks to both contemporary, pop-enthused music lovers and those thirsty for poetic lyrics that resonate.

“I want to relate to people,” says Sprinkle, “I wanted to be honest, both musically and lyrically. I’ve realized that every time I’ve been brutally honest in an intimate setting, I’ve never been greeted poorly. This is what I like, this is how I feel, this is who I am.”

This is Aaron Sprinkle. Enjoy.  



Beautiful Eulogy is a Portland, Oregon-based group made up of artists Braille, Odd Thomas
and Courtland Urbano. The group introduces a distinct and directive sound that’s driven by a desire to worship and glorify the God of the Bible, based in the context of its members’ hip-hop roots and shaped by influences like electronic music, folk songs and old hymns.

The natural way Beautiful Eulogy came together parallels its organic creative process. As its members cooperated on various musical and church-related projects, they realized their chemistry and the opportunity before them to form a completely collaborative group that would emphasize a new gestalt — one that would allow them to steer away from a pure hip-hop trajectory while holding onto its origins, and that would free them from the courses of their solo careers while applying their individual talents to a collective. 

“We’re reinventing ourselves together,” the group says. Its members enjoy their creative
freedom within self-imposed boundaries, by predefining their work’s message, sound and purpose. This type of intentionality is central to the way Beautiful Eulogy creates songs, settling on concepts and driving them through a process and reprocess of musical and lyrical shaping.

The resulting tracks are lyric-driven, but contain an equally deliberate musical backdrop. This panorama enhances and clarifies the presentation of weighty spiritual and theological truths, inviting listeners into the artists’ ideas about and experiences of God. Listeners may have first heard Beautiful Eulogy on Rapzilla’s King Kulture compilation, or featured on “Misconceptions,” a track from Lecrae’s Church Clothes mixtape. Beautiful Eulogy’s debut album, Satellite Kite, serves as a foundational prototype of the group’s approach and ambition.

Their new album, Instruments of Mercy is available now.


Having joined the Christian group, FFH, in 1999 and contributed to seven No. 1 radio
singles, seven GMA Dove Award nominations, and records that have sold into the millions, Michael Boggs is no stranger to the music scene. When FFH took some time off the road in the fall of 2006, Michael stepped into the role of worship leader at a fast growing young adult gathering, Kairos, in Brentwood, TN hosting nearly 1200 college students and young adults every week, and has served as a regular guest worship leader at various churches, including Max Lucado’s church, Oak Hills, in San Antonio, Texas.

Although Michael continues to keep a rigorous, solo-touring schedule performing and leading worship over 100 dates a year, he has established himself within the music community as one of the foremost sought after songwriters. Lending his songwriting ability to other artists, such as FFH, Diamond Rio, Big Daddy Weave, Anthony Evans, Josh Bates, Jason Crabb, Selah, Matt Maher and more have garnered him multiple Top 10 singles as well as a featured song in the major motion picture release “Facing the Giants.”

In April 2010, Michael took home the Dove award for Country Recorded Song of the Year for “Somebody Like Me,” at the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards where he was also nominated for Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year. The same year, “Somebody Like Me” served as the featured single from Jason Crabb’s self-titled Grammy award-winning album.

In the Fall of 2010, Michael’s song, “Said and Done,” was featured on the Max Lucado: Out
Live Your Life CD, and carried the banner for Lucado to AC/ CHR/ Soft AC radio. “I’m proud to have this single carrying the message of Out Live Your Life to listeners,” says New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado. Following the Out Live Your Life release, Michael Boggs debuted his first solo record, More Than Moved, on October 19, 2010 through in:ciite and Word Entertainment.

In February 2011, Diamond Rio’s album, The Reason, received a first-time Grammy, spotlighting “Reaching For Me” as one of the album’s featured singles. Matt Maher’s latest radio single, “Turn Around,” which Michael penned with the artist, topped the charts and remained in the Top 10 for over 16 weeks and earned him a 2012 ASCAP Award. In 2012, Michael was also honored as CCM’s Songwriter of the Year.

When asked where this journey is taking him now, he laughs and says, “Those plans have never been up to me. I’ll just continue to follow Jesus.” His new EP is titled More Like a Lion.

How about you? What's new on your playlist?

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Your Best Life Now

Well, he said it.
He put it out there for the world to hear it.
 
 The Strange Fire conference is going on right now that includes Dr. MacArthur, RC Sproul, Joni Eareckson Tada and others. This conference is based off of a new book from MacArthur under the same name. You can find it by clicking here

A while back I interview Dr. MacArthur about his new book.
Listen to it here:

Read it by clicking here.

So what are your thoughts after reading the quote above?

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Peace That Destroys Anxiety

Recently, after a wild day, I was in bed tossing and turning. Unable to get to sleep. My mind was plagued by both the things of the day as well as troubled for some things that I had to face in the future.

In the past, I would try to "ride the wave" of despair and let what ever was bothering me leave. It never helped. I felt like the "wave" was never fun and my mind would continue to travel a downward spiral.  Sometimes those worries would come like a ton of bricks, weighting me down.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever been so troubled in your heart that it felt like there was no way out? No way to rise above? 

Thankfully, there is always the Word. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian church, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (4:7)


So that night I got up. I was tired of wrestling with the situation and I needed to hear from God. I needed to pray to the Father.

At first I thought that I should just open the Bible and read where ever "the Spirit led" type of thing. Then I thought, "No, Isaiah. I should start there." The truth was, the Spirit led me to what I really needed. There was a random piece of paper stuck at Psalm 120. So that is where I started.

Psalm 120 starts "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me..."
This was for me, for I was filled with distress. "Oh God, you are giving me the words to say."

I continued. Psalm 121, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper..."

Like a balm to my soul. I continued to pray. I continued to read. 
Psalm 122. 123. 124. 125 and 126.

As I was reading I keep "hearing" God speak to me. He kept "saying" that He had all things taken care of. I was worrying for nothing.

My heart was calming. My mind was changing. God was at work.

At the end of Psalm 126, the verse states, "He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bring his sheaves with him."

That night, I rested. I was able to go to bed and sleep. His peace destroyed the anxiety that my heart was wrestling with.

Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you? What verses has He used in your life?

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Honey, There Are Weeds in the Back Yard

When we moved into our new home, we found it to be real easy.  We were the first owners after all. The windows were clean. The drawers had no crumbs. The dishwasher was spotless. The front yard was lush.

If anyone drove up to see us, they wouldn't have to think very hard to see that we had it all together. The house looked good. We looked good. We smelled good. It was good.

Except there was a problem. We never opened the blinds on the back of the house. Why? you may ask?  

The builders had given us great sod for the front and side yards, but left the back yard up to us.  Do you know how hard it is to transform a plot of clay into lush, thick, green grass? Let's just say that it's easier to teach a fish how to ride a bicycle.

Lately that memory has had me thinking. In what ways have I made myself look good? In what ways have I attempted to cover up my sin on my own? Am I pretending to be ok in the eyes of God without coming to Him in confession? In other words, am I trying to ignore the weeds in the back yard of my heart? 

Hosea 5:15 says, "I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me."

My thought this morning is that I need to continually be on my knees - confessing my sins. In doing so, I will be truly free. Remember what the prophet Zechariah said about Jesus? Luke 1:77, He will "give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins."

How is your lawn doing?

Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Blind Date

We all know what a blind date is. Perhaps you were on one once. I have never been.


In fact, I wasn't much of a dating person to begin with. I always tell people that my wife, Mary, was the second person I ever dated. Once I met her, I knew almost instantly that she was going to be my wife. I realize that not everyone is that "lucky." But I digress.

Blind dates.

I am not sure what brought this to mind, I think I was watching some show on TV that had an example of a blind date and it made me think of the process to which people set themselves up for.

You know how it works. A friend recommends to a friend that that friend should get to know another friend of theirs. Sooner or later, the two meet - in a blind fashion. In other words, the two don't really know much about each other. 

In the "old days" before social media and the web, friends would just have to trust their friends to point them in the right direction. "Trust me. This person is perfect for you." Now, folks can "stalk" someone on social channels to at least get a picture.

This is where it gets a little weird. For friends don't know friends really that well. Or, none of us really know each other deep enough.

Which got me thinking. There was a courtship that happened a few years ago.  You remember that Jesus, in all of His holiness, looked upon us, in all of our sin* and said, "Yes, she is the one for me."

And the wild thing about this is the fact that it wasn't a blind date. He came to us knowing everything about us. Everything. EVERYTHING! He in fact knows us better than we know ourselves.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I praise God for the beautiful promises of Romans 5! 

*I need to point out that I summed up everything that is wrong with us in a little word. Sin. That word carries so much to it. Click on this link to find a list of sins - over 600 in length.

Friday, March 29, 2013

There is a Song




There is a Freedom that blows away all other freedoms.
There is a Hope that blows away all other hopes.
There is a Future that blows away all other futures.
There is a Word that silences all other words.
There is a Miracle that truly raises dead people to life.
There is a Death that has literally murdered death.
There is a God that blows away all other gods.
There is a Joy that blows away all other joys.
There is a Love that blows away all other loves.
There is a King that destroys all other kings.
There is a Song that quiets every fear.

"The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."
Zephaniah 3:17


Monday, March 11, 2013

What Matters Most?

Contemplate today on what matters most.  
Not only what should matter most, but one what you would consider to matter the most.  
Think about it. 
Chew on it. 
Are you loving well? 
Are you repenting well? 
Are you serving well?
What does matter most?


"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 
For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
(Philippians 3:8-11)


What does matter most?

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Little Liars vs. Rescued Children

I am sure that you have seen this video. (If you can't see it, click here.) It's been all over the inter-webs. The mom and kid have been on Ellen. Celebrating what a cute little liar he is.

 

The premise of the clip is that this boy is flat out denying what he did. He is saying right to his mom that he didn't eat any sprinkles.  

After viewing it numerous times, I am reminded how much I resemble that young boy.  For how often do I sin right in front of the Law Giver and demand - DEMAND - that I have done nothing wrong.

Oh God. "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips..." (Is. 40:31)

The amazing thing is that there are two sides to this story. For even though you and I sin numerous times (daily/hourly/minute-by-minute), our Father see's us as though we have never done anything wrong. In seeing us, He sees His Son. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Cor. 4:16)

What glorious truth. For we are the rescued children of God.
Honestly. That shakes me to the core.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Conviction AND Encouragement

The Bible study that I am attending is going through Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica.  This has been a great book.  Lots of discussion and encouragement from other guys in our group.
This morning, the verses that struck me were the following:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I have been convicted lately of how I blow things out of proportion and I don't always see the good in things.  Here, God is convicting me again to be joyful - always, to prayer, and to be thankful for all things. When I read that, I don't see room to blow things out of proportion.
I am also convinced that God is the one working in me to produce those kinds of actions. For it IS God's will that this would be done in me. In you. Paul continues that thought of sanctification in verse 24 by saying that He who called us is faithful. He will do it.

I love how the Word does that. It brings to light both our own sin and the grace of Christ to cover it.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Thankful for Shoveling Snow and Hits on the Head

Where as a typical morning, upon waking, I would go out for a run.  The past couple of days this hasn't been the case.  We have been getting a bit of snow.  Not a lot, but enough to cover our driveway.

This morning wasn't really different from other mornings with snow, except for that fact that I was hit on the head by the Holy Spirit. 

 

Conviction is good for our hearts. 


My "normal" routine of shoveling, probably like yours, is to start at the edge of our garage and slowly make my way down to the street.  This morning was just that.  I started scooping off the inch or so of white powder and kept moving along.  I wasn't paying attention to much. Just enjoying the quiet of the morning.

Shoveling the driveway, of course, is just part of the routine.  There is our front walk, that leads to our front door and our sidewalk in front of our house.  And our neighbors house.  Bruce.

For some reason, Bruce doesn't like to shovel his sidewalk. Or driveway for some reason.  This morning while shoveling in front of Bruce's house, I started thinking, "Bruce never really thanks me for shoveling his driveway... I wonder why... Here I am, breaking my back, for what? For this?  Bruce needs to thank me for doing this service for him.  I mean, he has a snow-blower, why doesn't he use it. Here I am shoveling! Bruce, you need to thank me for all that I am doing for you."

 

Then he hit me. Not Bruce, but the Holy Spirit. It was like a 2x4 to the head.  


I immediately remembered a conversation that my son and I had a month or so ago.  We were talking about tithes and offerings.  Giving and then also receiving.  The one thing that I remember, my son saying was,

"We don't give to get. We give because we have been given much."

Boom. There it was.

What was I thinking? How horrible of me to think of giving to get.  I was immediatly convicted of not serving/loving my neighbor. I was cut to the case. God used the words of my son to bring me to my knees.

"Oh God, I am sorry. Please forgive me."

As I drove to work this morning, Bruce was out snow-blowing his driveway. We both exchanged waves. He's a good man. I am thankful for him and for the sidewalk that connects our two houses.

Friday, January 4, 2013

The Best Music You Never Heard from 2012

Around this time, last year, I wrote a post about the best albums that snuck out in 2011.  So, without committing to doing anything annually, I decided to post another round of great albums.  These are albums that you should take note of, not because they are great sellers, but because they are great music.

The Choir - The Loudest Sound Ever Heard
After three decades together, iconic alternative rock band The Choir is set to release their 14th studio album. The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, will release May 15th, 2012 on their own Galaxy21 label.

As one of the few bands left standing from the 1980’s SoCal music movement wave that swept nationwide more than 30 years ago, The Choir continues to make their renowned atmospheric music married to lyrics stirred by life’s inspirational lessons in the context of real relationships - love, despair, light, dark, hope, and recovery. Comprised of original members Derri Daugherty (lead vocal/guitar), Steve Hindalong (drums), Dan Michaels (saxophone/lyricon), and Tim Chandler (bass), The Choir thrived in the creation of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard.

Buy here

Josh Garrells - Love & War, The Remixes
An EP of B-Sides & Remixes & Additional Content connected to the full length album "Love & War & The Sea In Between".
Free download here.








Keith & Kristyn Getty - Hymns for the Christian Life
Keith and Kristyn Getty continue to write modern hymns for the church, but this collection comes from the challenge to consider not just what we sing on those occasions when we’re all together, but how the shared lyrics of our faith speak into all the moments in between.

Musically, Hymns for the Christian Life reflects both Celtic and American folk traditions, bringing old and new world together - much like we lean on the rich legacy of Church music we already have to create songs for the life of the Church today. This is their most personal album to date as it explores themes such as work, family, money, community and social action.  

Buy here.

Heather Headley - Only One in the World
Acclaimed by Billboard as "one of the great entertainers of the day," Tony award winner and multiple Grammy nominee and winner Heather Headley returns to the stage after ten years in the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard: A New Musical - and returns in force with a new record stylistically encompassing her R&B roots and bigger than life Broadway flare. Only One In the World includes Whitney Houston’s famed songs "Home" and "Run to You" from The Bodyguard wonderfully recreated in Heather Headley style along with other well-known favorites such as "Mountain High, River Deep" and "Chicago."

Heather does not disappoint fans of new music either, as the record includes four never-heard songs. Following critically acclaimed performances on her top selling and Grammy award winning Gospel record Audience of One  (2009), certified gold debut CD, This Is Who I Am (2002), and her second critically acclaimed album, In My Mind (2006), Only One In the World continues the legacy of musical excellence and grace that is unmistakably Heather Headley.  

Buy here.

Newworldson - Rebel Transmission
Canadian quartet Newworldson return with their fourth full-length album, Rebel Transmission, teeming with fun, sunny melodies and an upbeat style. Adding elements of funk, soul, roots, and pop to their unique musical brew, the multiple award winning group offers positive lyrics of encouragement and faith on "Learning To Be the Light," "Sweet Grace," "Shake Holy Spirit," and more..

Buy here.

 


Bebo Norman - Lights of Distant Cities
Throughout his discography, singer-songwriter Bebo Norman has been applauded for laying it all on the table. Lyrically transparent and musically vulnerable, Norman’s music provides a common ground for the songwriter and the listener to collaborate in a discourse on life’s curious details, and how those day-to-day unknowns play into the greater mystery of faith.

With Lights of Distant Cities, Norman continues to stretch the musical arrangements to his often worshipful melodies. "You can't understand light unless you understand darkness, because that's where life is most often lived - somewhere between the two. It's messy and it's beautiful all at the same time," Bebo says.

Here is an interview that I did with Bebo. 
Buy here.

Owl City - The Midsummer Station
A long way from his first experimental online musical posting, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young explores new sonic avenues on his first-ever collaborative effort. Packed with catchy, pop-influenced electronica, The Midsummer Station incorporates drone, ambient and post-rock, along with musings about faith.
Buy here.



Rend Collective Experiment - Homemade Worship
A movement of friends is a hard thing to package. When something happens locally that is real and sincere, it probably doesn’t need the hype that the music industry can sometimes bring. The Rend Collective Experiment started in 2004 as a group of confused 20 somethings trying to figure out life, God and community. Then in 2007 it grew into a collective of musicians and artists trying to share with the world what they were learning. Music grown out of an “organic environment” and a bond between the members, not only as artists but as friends and family. They are about journey music that follows God’s heart and is for all, not just the religious!

A huge part of the ethos of Rend Collective Experiment is found in Amos 5 - “Away with the noise of your songs… Let justice roll like a river.” Its about generating money that can help those who are less fortunate, not making them charity cases but standing with the poor and oppressed in solidarity as one family. At the minute they have committed to give the profits of sales to a project in Gulu which we believe in greatly. Is this not the “fast” that God requires of us?

Buy here

The Vespers - The Fourth Wall 
2012 sophomore album from the Nashville-based Pop/Folk/Country quartet. With two sisters on lead vocals and two brothers filling out the sound, the foursome are distinguished by an arsenal of instruments and the kind of harmony only siblings can create. On The Fourth Wall, they create infectious Folk-Pop with both the buoyancy of youth and deeper spiritual themes. Most of the songs have the energy of a live show because the band polished them on the road, where they also came up with the album title. The fourth wall, in theatre terms, is the invisible wall between the audience and performers.
Buy here.