For a little background on this, go here.
Tags: music, unlikely worship leaders
I think the saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ applies here. But either way I am thrilled to point everyone I know to the blog my friend, pastor and mentor… Tom Polker.
No one has influenced my life more, or taught me more about Jesus and His Kingdom than Tom. Please follow his blog, rss, bookmark it, whatever. Just read his Reflections.
Tags: Genesis Toledo
Here is part one of a new series* on the blog.(There is no real end date in mind, but I will try to keep track of them in the tag cloud.)
I feel like sometimes we see better worship leaders outside the church than we see inside. (myself included) So, lets take a look at people who love what they do, try to get people to sing and go after it with an incredible energy. They wouldnt seem like a logical choice to lead a church in worship. But, maybe someday…
First up – Springsteen. Check it out.
and…
(*”Unlikely Worship Leaders” is not meant to imply anything about the spiritual direction or intention of the singer. If you sit in skepticism of the artist and their “knowledge about what they are really singing about”… thats fine, just leave it in your head. Instead, I invite you to dream about the coming days of huge Kingdom-type-music gatherings where people come together to sing incredible music to an incredible King. If you are up for it… enjoy.)
Tags: music, unlikely worship leaders
This was a wise choice… Daytrotter app has every session with tons of artists. If your looking to get a good sample of some new music check out the daytrotter library! (daytrotter.com)
Joshua James session was wonderful. Especially this cover…
Tags: music
Sabbath tends to be a bit of a loaded or confusing word in our day. In our church community we can use it with some sort of familiarity because we have recently studied and implemented the practice. However, some people, if not altogether unaware of its meaning, have reduced it to an old testament principle or something having to do with the adventists.
Well, recently in our study of Sabbath, this is some of what we have come up with…
Sabbath is a day, any day, of the week where God’s people break from all of the work and worry and stress and appointments of our normal everyday lives. Sabbath introduces a rhythm to our hectic lives. And, not simply a rhythm of rest and relaxation. Sabbath is not simply a day off. Sabbath is primarily all about breaking from our routine to acknowledge and honor the One who truly makes the world go round. If we stop moving, God is still in control. We say with our hearts, minds, schedule, relationships, commitments, that God is sovereign over all and in charge of everything. The world is not about us and what we are capable of, it is about God and what He is capable of.
So, at first attempt Sabbath may become a time to reflect and meditate on the sovereignty of God. But as you continue to practice, it becomes a joyful resting day to actively stop living for us and spend our time, thoughts, and affections on God… thanking Him for his sustenance, provision, love and power.
How do we Sabbath? Sabbath is a relational practice. Because the faith is meant to be lived out as a family in community with other believers, Sabbath is the same. We have fun, eat good food, enjoy good drink, pray, listen to good music, play games, laugh together, remind each other of who God is and who we are as His people. We participate in what brings us joy… all to the Glory of God.
Sabbath has implications for the rest of our week as well. Leading up to Sabbath we must prepare. Get everything ready. (Laundry, dishes, house cleaning, homework, prep for the upcoming week…) Even this wrinkle of practicing Sabbath has profound implications of discipline to our normal lives. Our time is not our time… we must prepare for a day off and not simply assume it will be there.
Some of the scripture leading us in this is Hebrews 4 and Exodus 20.
Lindsey and I have not fully grasped this, but it has been an exciting journey. And, this writing comes on the most beautiful of all Sabbath days. The one day where our Sovereign King was risen from the dead to prove that even the enemy of God, death, had no power over Him. If that is true, then how can we not take time to sit in His goodness and great His great love for us?
So… Rest. And do it well believing that the Creator of all… can handle it.
I think this may just be perfect for today.
‘And there will come a time you’ll see…’
Recently N.T. Wright has made a great impact on myself and those in my church community. As we approach Easter I am realizing that the church as a whole has very little excitement or anticipation of what is the biggest event in the story. (At least in my experience) I believe this is because of a disjointed take on what actually happened that day, and on its significance.
Take a look at these videos and maybe even give Wright’s Surprised by Hope a try as we close in on Easter. Incredible.
A few short snippets for you. (From 100Huntley) Also, if you’re reading on Facebook, click on original post to see videos.
On the Resurrection of Jesus…
On the Resurrection of the body…
On a new heavens and a new earth…
On people’s response to his thoughts on Heaven…
There are all kinds of theories and books and thoughts and ideas about the way Church should be in our day and time. Well, a friend of mine recently texted me a picture that I thought was fairly simple. He refered to it as “profoundly simple” and I agree.
I think everyone should go here.
Tags: church, simplicity
Here is a great story from NPR about the latest book from Brian McLaren. (Quote from McLaren below) Good story, although I wish they would have interviewed Keller or N.T. Wright instead of some of the others.
“The view of the cross that I was given growing up, in a sense, has a God who needs blood in order to be appeased,” McLaren says. “If this God doesn’t see blood, God can’t forgive.”
McLaren believes that version of God is a misreading of the Bible.
“God revealed in Christ crucified shows us a vision of God that identifies with the victim rather than the perpetrator, identifies with the one suffering rather than the one inflicting suffering,” he says
I will not be reading it. Sorry Brian.
It’s Tim Keller Tuesday… And what perfect timing.
This whole health care business has me fairly discouraged about the church’s involvement in politics and their fear and axiousness about one particular political ideology versuses another. It’s concerning and a bit paralyzing to be honest.
So today I will listen to a brilliant man preach about a more brilliant man. I encourage you to go find this podcast.
Tags: politics, the kingdom