Whoa. Check this out.
Original.
Cover – Mumford & Sons Style.
Tags: music
If I were a pastor yesterday, I wouldn’t have talked about patriotism. I don’t know why, but the idea of propping up patriotism with the Bible seems a bit like “seeing” Elvis in a potato chip. You might want to see it, but that doesn’t mean its there.
So, if I were a pastor on the 4th it seems to me the message to our people would go something like this:
We have graciously and sovereignly been given so much simply by being born here. It is a gift to be thankful for. And a gift not to squander on ourselves, but to give back. If the people of God are a people called out for His possession then we must honor the one who has given us our very life. We do this by serving one another and the world around us. We are blessed to be a blessing.
It reminds me of a verse* I have been thinking about lately…
Galatians 5:13 // For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
(*This is also probably strengthening my anti-fireworks stance. 
If we haven’t talked about this, ask me sometime.)
Tags: american, the kingdom
singing in french, singing in english, on a train or in the rain, with a fox or in a box… i’ll take them anyway I can. 
enjoy.
Mumford & Sons – The Banjolin Song / Awake my soul – A Take Away Show #105 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
Tags: music
Two thoughts swimming around my head right now…
thought #1 –
In our country we protect our freedom. In a week we will celebrate the very fact that we are free in this place. We light off fireworks and have a party. If someone tried to infringe upon our freedom we would kill to protect it. We are interested in maintaing our lifestyle, to the point of death.
thought #2 –
Phillipians 2:5-8
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
It seems to me there is a difference in what the point of death was in #1 and #2.
Tags: politics, the kingdom
Seriously one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a while… (and, the whole album is amazing)
Tags: music
this is what I have been up to. its amazing.
my baby.
my girls.
my family.
Tags: family
so, the national came out with a new album this week. high violet. i really like them and this album is no different. while i hear every possible entertainment source that i actually appreciate raving about these guys, no one i actually know shares my love for them. weird. i wouldn’t mind a friend here guys…
check out their video. bloodbuzz ohio.
The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (official video) from The National on Vimeo.
Tags: music
My Mom is incredible. She has a series of articles being published in the Toledo Free Press on behalf of 5/3 Bank. They will run over the next 6 weeks and are really good. The common thread in all of them will be the idea of living charitably and I think she really captures this well.
Also, I was very impressed with the way she was able to cut right to the chase in a few different ways throughout the series. I think she is able to communicate very important truth about money in a very clear way. What can I say, I’m proud of her.
With that, here is week 1…
Significance
When Mr. Richard Anderson accepted his award as the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropist, he commented that “Givers are the happiest people I know.” You might argue that givers are happy because they have more then enough for themselves. That may be the case, but how much is enough? That is the question we must find the courage to answer.
The media is full of warm and fuzzy programs telling tales of great heroism and self sacrifice that leave us feeling quite optimistic that people are truly generous and everything will be ok. These are stories of changed lives and passions ignited. Generosity is a universal value, born within us all. But, our lives are complicated and challenged on all fronts with immediate pressures. Two-thirds of all people who intend to begin a charitable program do not accomplish it.
Even in today’s tough economic times, the majority of us go to bed with full stomachs and clean sheets. We have worked hard to be independent, to provide shelter for our families, educate our children and retire without relying on others. Is this success? As elusive as it sometimes seems, success should include a feeling of significance.
You feel a sense of accomplishment, after years of studying or working long hours, when you hold the diploma or the keys to your first home in your hand. And then, there is the promotion and the bigger home. A realistic definition of “need” is a critical first step in achieving financial well being. Structuring your lifestyle and budget as a reflection of your true values will allow you to experience greater levels of joy, fulfillment and contentment. The connection between success and significance happens when the seed of generosity is allowed to grow and thrive.
Givers are the happiest people. They recognize the abundance of resources in their lives. A desire to see a new world, to give hope, to find a cure or alter a situation is the heart of philanthropy. This is accomplished one individual, one action, and one step at a time.
My wife and I took a trip to the Toledo Botanical Gardens today. It was wonderful and here are a few pictures. The rest can be found on facebook.
i really loved these blue ones. not sure of the name though.
a close up of a brilliant tulip.
the most beautiful of them all.
In Genesis we are trying to move to hymns making up most of our song list. I just came across a hymn project that I am really digging so far. Check out Page CXVI. They are giving away their first album this week, with a new one coming! Some of the best I have heard. Really balanced and well put together for a corporate context. Awesome.
Tags: music, worship leading