Jesus Freak

1995 marked a shift in my Christian music paradigm. In junior high and high school my Christian music collection involved Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and Accapella. I didn't really appreciate any of these artists and then came dc Talk with Jesus Freak. The music was intense, the lyrics were to the point and this album just made me do a 180. I thought Christian music was a second class citizen to the secular market until Jesus Freak came out.

To this day I spend my time listening to a majority of Christian artists because of dc Talk. There were others too (Jars of Clay and Audio Adrenaline) but dc Talk just had that something.

I just found FREAKED - a tribute album to Jesus Freak where artists perform every song - it's awesome

Here is the original music video by dc Talk
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=38cb8196317d6e6802d7

You Never Let Go

Psalm 23 has always been a favorite Psalm of many folks and it is becoming more of a favorite for me in part because of Matt Redman's song "Never Let Go." Everytime I hear this song I want to hear it again and again.

I am reminded in this song by Matt Redman that God relates so well to being a shepherd. David wrote this Psalm from the shepherd's point of view and God time and time again is portrayed as a shepherd.

I just love the chorus...

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

Can I hear an 'Amen'?

This link is to a video put together with photos and this song. Check it out. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=038186ff908851cb7f09

Mia is 2

My little girl turns two today! Macy was working yesterday morning in my classroom before school on a card and a booklet for her sister. I know that Macy is way more excited about Mia's birthday than Mia herself. Of course how excited can a two year old get when it's hard to tell how much she really understands.

I play a trick on her sometimes when Erin asks her something like, "Mia, do you love Mommy?"
I ask her, "Mia, do you live in India?" Of course she nods her head and Macy and I roll over laughing at Erin and her brilliant child. I really do think that Mia is above average though. She is very intelligent.

Anywho, Happy Birthday Mia!

Week One

Well, it's been a little over a week and already I've fallen behind (not Left Behind - mind you) but I have confidence that I will make a change. Forming a habit is so difficult. I didn't realize this until I tried doing something consistently that I didn't automatically succeed at. Reading the Scriptures takes a love of the Scriptures. I have read off and on nearly every day but not the full 15 minutes that I set out for. I actually got to spend about 5-6 minutes today with a group of students at school reading John 1 from the Message. I didn't make any applications, I just read the Scripture. How good it felt too.

Day Four

I've read for a total of 3 minutes and 43 seconds but I hope to get in my other 11 minutes and 17 seconds before heading to bed. How pathetic.

I spent a grand total of 9 hours on wrestling today: 3 for practice, 2 for working on stats and 4 for traveling up to and back and being at a wrestling meeting for our tournament this weekend (which is an hour from my house). And I can't find time for 15 minutes in God's word. It's time that I get things straightened out in my life.

Peace.

Day Three

6 minutes, that' s all I got in on the third day with my New Year's resolution.

I read the Psalms again and got interupted by a child and just never got back to it.

Funny thing is though I had time to do all sorts of other things...

Day Two

Read Psalm 10-17 from The Message Remix by Eugene Peterson

Favorite scripture today was Psalm 15 "God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? 'Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor, despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this.'"

Today was not much better in the "getting reading done without interuption" but it was much better than day one. I'm sure when we get back to school (Monday) life will be more scheduled and I will find a time to read when my girls aren't climbing on me, asking me for food or saying "can we go to Chik-fil-a?

Day One

I am going to resolve (one of my New Year's Resolutions) to read the Bible at least 15 minutes every day.

Day one went something like this:

open up my new Message Bible and find Psalm 1
read for about 2 minutes and get interupted by a screaming 1 (soon to be 2) year old who only wants me to hold her...constantly
read for 3 more minutes and my wife tells me I need to get something upstairs for her (she's getting closer to her due date - Feb 20th and tired of walking up our stairs) so I go fetch
read for 5 more minutes and someone needs me to get a snack (my 6 year old) because she can't do it herself
read for 5 more minutes while they are in the tub together (Macy and Mia - not Erin) and while I'm reading Mia somehow does number 2 and we have to clear out and clean out the tub - yeah!
I finish my 15 minutes and am exhausted
I can't wait until tomorrow!

Read Psalm 1-9