So what if I'm stuck in 1994

One of the things that I am excited about the most is that our new van has a cassette player along with the CD player. Crazy, I know. But, I FINALLY have a place to play my favorite mixed tape from 1994. Even with the sub-par sound quality, I have enjoyed this treasure over and over the last few days.

After exposure to this musical goodness, my son has now declared that Dave Matthew's Band's Ants Marching [extended version] is his new favorite song. He will actually tell me which instrument is playing (piano, drum, violin, saxophone) and then pretend he's playing it too. He's always had a HUGE interest in music and various instruments. Once a guy from church told me that he thought Jackson had unusual musical skills when playing his little plastic drum. I think it could be that he just likes to bang on things. Or that he's watched too many Little Einsteins episodes.

But, I digress.

I have keen memories of dancing under the stars at the DMB concert the summer of '95. It was at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville, and 4 of my closest friends had driven from various cities in NC to visit me and go to the concert. Dionne Farris (remember her song, I Know?) opened for him and it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. We were all decked out in our new Abercrombie outfits that we had purchased that afternoon. (Back when A&F had more rugged clothing, and not so...well, skimpy. I think I bought a brown plaid button-up and it was my favorite shirt for a long time.)

Seriously, I am the tangent queen today.

Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased with my son's new taste in music. Especially since it was not too long ago that I heard constant begging to hear Veggie Tales' This Is The Day over and over. There is only so much Veggies a mom can take! I thought if I heard it one more time it WOULD be "the day" I lost it!

Tenth Avenue North

I have a new favorite band. I love Tenth Avenue North. Check out their song Love Is Here. Also love Hold My Heart. Laid back, unique, & worshipful. Good stuff. I've been listening to it over and over. It hits the stores today, in case you are wondering.

Thanks, Michelle, for the heads up on this band!

UPDATED: American Idol meets God??

[Updated at the bottom of this post]

Hubby and I just finished watching the infamous "Idol Gives Back" fundraiser. I enjoyed the show. However, the manner of which it ended has been something hard for me to wrap my mind around. When Seacrest announced the idols were going to sing "Shout to the Lord", Mike and I looked at each other and asked if we had heard that correctly.

A Christian praise & worship song on American Idol?!? I know that Mandisa did one, and some group did a bluegrass version of "This Little Light of Mine" a few weeks ago, but it is NOT the normal musical offerings of the show. Sure enough, they sang the song... only, instead of the lyrics "My Jesus, my Savior", they substituted Shepherd for Jesus. An attempt to be PC, I suppose. Grr...

My first reaction was complete frustration that they altered the words.

Then, I thought about how a song about worshipping God because "nothing compares to the promise I have in You" was song for millions of international ears. It IS a beautiful song. Who knows the countless numbers that are googling right now to find out who sings that song so that they can download it to their ipods.

God uses all things for His glory. I pray that the world can know of his love, and the meaning behind the lyrics. Regardless of the intentions of the AI people for using the song.

"My Comfort. My shelter. Tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship You. Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.... I sing for joy at the works of your hands. Forever I'll love you forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you".

UPDATED: They sang it again on 4/10 (results show), except this time they didn't take Jesus out. Hmm.. Why the switch?

Long Lost Treasure

So... in my quest of purging I found a true lost treasure. A mixed tape my college roommate and I made freshman year (1994). Every single song brings back a flood of memories. And, well, makes me feel old. It was my favorite mixed tape ever. Sadly, we have no cassette tape players in my house! Agh!

I thought I'd share this musical perfection with all of you ...

Undone - Weezer
That Kind of Love - PFR
Lola - The Kinks
I Alone - Live
What's the Frequency Kenneth - REM
Shine - Newsboys
Brown-Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Into Your Arms - Lemonheads
Let Her Cry - Hootie & the Blowfish
You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
Take My Hand - The Kry
I Now Live - Crystal Lewis
The Mountain - Steven Curtis Chapman
Basketcase - Green Day
'74-'75 - The Connells
29 - Gin Blossoms
Cecelia - Simon & Garfunkle
Romeo & Juliet - Indigo Girls
Linger - Cranberries
I Will Not Take These Things for Granted - Toad the Wet Sprocket

Everlasting God

I have found so much encouragement from the song "Everlasting God" (by Lincoln Brewster) ..... "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord". I have been belting out this song around the house for about a week.

Thought I'd share - maybe it is an encouragement to you, as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

How Could I Ask For More?

This is one of my favorite songs... and it epitomizes thankfulness.

How Could I Ask For More? - by Cindy Morgan

"There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more"

I am truly blessed beyond measure. I can go on and on about how thankful I am for my family. And my friends, my amazing church, our home, our community, etc. But, most of all, I am so thankful for the underserving love that my Savior lavishly gives me. I fail the Lord constantly, yet He desires to forgive me... to love me... to bless me... to call me His child. Thank you, Lord!

Remedy is here

David Crowder* Band's latest cd, Remedy, hit the stores today - and yes, I have already purchased my copy. It is good. dc*b is incredible. I love their new version of "O, For a Thousand Tongues". To hear short samplings of the songs go here.

other random thoughts:

1. I drove home the slightly longer way... a back road that I discovered. There's tons of horse farms for Jack to see. Pumpkin patches that I made note of to visit later. Beautiful old farmhouses. An old general store. We go over parts of a lake. I like taking this route - it's just minutes from the suburbia I live in... and it reminds me of simpler things.

2. I signed up for facebook almost a year ago, and completely forgot that I had done so. I don't even remember why I did it - maybe Denise made me... or maybe I was trying to track down an old friend... Anyway, lo and behold, I started getting "friend requests" send to my email account. Which baffled me, because I did not even realize I had a facebook account. So, other people have noticed that I accepted her as a friend... and I keep getting friend requests...next thing you know, I'm doing facebook. And, I'm over 30. Go figure.

Only Grace

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to epitomize my thoughts and feelings... and this song becomes my anthem, so to speak, for a period of time. For a long time I was hooked on the praise song "In Christ Alone". I still love it.

However, there is a song that I am now captivated by -"Only Grace" by Matthew West. I think what I am drawn to the most is how this song reminds me of why Mike and I started The Bridge. A place free of judgement. We love our community so much, and our hearts ache for them to see the love that God has for them. So many have come to our church without any church background. Others are de-churched... they have been burned by church in the past. They are finding a place of acceptance. Most importantly, they are finding Christ. It is only by grace...the grace that I don't deserve, but that God pours on me... and you. Beyond amazing.

I have the lyrics below, and if you would like to hear the song, play the video below (someone made up this video, it’s not the artist’s video for the song - but it's really great).

Only Grace - by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

Chorus:There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

Chorus

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again

Chorus: (2x’s)