My Resilient Heritage

Today is an important day in the Brannon family. On this day, October 5, 1941, my dad, B. C. Brannon preached his first sermon. He is the only person I know of who has been a preacher for 68 years and is still at it! Although his health is not as steady as it once was, he still manages to find the motivation to study every day and prepare two sermons for each Sunday. I was beginning to wonder if he would be able to preach any more after coming down with pneumonia around his 90th birthday back in April, but my doubts were proven wrong in August. I haven't gotten to hear him preach since early last year, but I know he still "brings it" every time.


For those of you who know some of the history of the Churches of Christ, especially black churches, you know the name Marshall Keeble. Dad was baptized by Marshall Keeble back in 1939 and began studying to be a preacher at Keeble's seminary in Fort Smith, AR.


B. C. Brannon is my hero. He has been considered a great evangelist, a pioneer in the black Churches of Christ, and (most importantly) my dad. I am so proud of my dad and the legacy he is leaving for me. Someone who is determined to keep telling the Good News of Jesus until he is physically and/or mentally unable to do so will always have my utmost respect and admiration.

Even though there are only about seven people who attend services there on a regular basis, I will always have a certain fondness for the Jim Hall Street Church of Christ. It was the church where I grew up. It was where I made the decision to follow Jesus. It was where I was baptized. More importantly, it was where I saw my daddy at work week in and week out, teaching people about the God he knows and loves.


I hope to see Dad's name on this marquis for many more years. I pray he reaches at least 70 years in the pulpit. I would love to be in full time ministry at least half of the time he has been in it. Dad taught me what it means to never give up. I hope to live out that lesson!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Praise Time!

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
- Psalm 118:24 (NIV)


...and how 'bout them 'Canes?!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Good Stuff

I love good drumming. It's almost a weakness of mine. Since I've been back in the drumming scene, I've been really itching to hear and see some great drumming.

Well, I'm proud to say that I've found some. Thanks to my old Blue Knights buddy, Rance Costa (great contra player from back in the day), I have been able to watch and listen to one of my favorite drum lines, Santa Clara Vanguard, playing the end of "Go!" written by one of my favorite writers, Murray Gusseck.



You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

What A Loser!

This is Sean.
He's a big loser.
He has lost over 115 pounds and he's still losing.

Because he is a real man, he lost his position on the Biggest Loser ranch.
Because he is a real man, he is about to be a father for the third time.
Because he is a real man, he is traveling around the country promoting healthy living.

He's one of my favorite people on the planet!

Pray for Sean and his family.
If you know him, show him some love.
If you don't know him, get to know him.

We love you, Sean!

Come On, Get Happy!

First off, let me say thanks to all four of you who have been reading my blog! It really does mean a lot to me. Let me know what you think from time to time.

I appreciate the comments I've received lately regarding singing. Like I said before, I'm still trying to learn the truth about the Bible and all it has to teach us.

One thing I have noticed lately is the way many churches sang for a long time (and a lot of them still do). Even though there will probably always be the debate on instrumental/non-instrumental music in worship services, let us not forget that we have been encouraged to sing to God with our hearts with thanksgiving like we mean it (Eph 5:19-20). If we are rejoicing for being blessed the way we have, we should sing as such in worship. It's probably not the best idea to sing like this:


I'm just sayin'...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

The Difference Is...

Before I begin answering my previous question, I want to say happy birthday to Bruce Springsteen and the late, great Ray Charles. Thanks for the great music!!

Now, on with the festivities.

The question: "What is the difference between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs?
As a follow-up question, why does Paul make the distinction in both of these verses?"

In order to give my answer, I needed to find the origins of the words. This is what I came up with.

Word Origin & History

psalm

O.E. salm, from L. psalmus, from Gk. psalmos "song sung to a harp," originally "performance on stringed instrument," from psallein "play on a stringed instrument, pull, twitch." Used in Septuagint for Heb. mizmor "song," especially the sort sung by David to the harp.

hymn

c.1000, from O.Fr. ymne and O.E. ymen, both from L. hymnus "song of praise," from Gk. hymnos "song or ode in praise of gods or heroes," used in Septuagint for various Heb. words meaning "song praising God." Possibly a var. of hymenaios "wedding song," from Hymen, Gk. god of marriage (see hymen). Evidence for the silent -n- dates from at least 1530.

spiritual (adj.)

"of or concerning the spirit" (especially in religious aspects), 1303, from O.Fr. spirituel (12c.), from L. spiritualis, from spiritus "of breathing, of the spirit" (see spirit). Meaning "of or concerning the church" is attested from 1338. The noun sense of "African-American religious song" first recorded 1866. Spirituality (1417) is from M.Fr. spiritualite, from L.L. spiritualitatem (nom. spiritualitas), from L. spiritualis). An earlier form was spiritualty (1377).

song

O.E. sang "art of singing, a metrical composition adapted for singing," from P.Gmc. *sangwaz (cf. O.N. söngr, Norw. song, Swed. sång, O.S., Dan., O.Fris., O.H.G., Ger. sang, M.Du. sanc, Du. zang, Goth. saggws), related to sing (q.v.). Songbook is O.E. sangboc; song-bird is from 1774; songster is O.E. sangystre. Phrase for a song is from "All's Well" III.ii.9. With a song in (one's) heart "feeling of joy" is first attested 1930 in Lorenz Hart's lyric. Song and dance as a form of vaudeville act is attested from 1872; fig. sense of "rigmarole" is from 1895.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

What I'm noticing here is that there are distinct differences between our three terms. In the original Greek, psalmos is used in reference to a song with harp accompaniment. The Greek word hymnos refers to a song used to praise God. Spiritual song was a little more complicated since it's two separate words. As I understand it, the word spiritual is used with the intention of something originating in the spirit (or given by the Holy Spirit to the human spirit). And, of course, a song in this case means music produced by the voice.

Interesting? I think so.

When Paul was writing his letters, there was no "New Testament" as we know it. The Bible Paul read was what we know as the "Old Testament" and he says twice that we should sing psalms (songs sung to a harp), hymns (songs of praise to God), and spiritual songs (songs produced from the depths of our spirits given by the Holy Spirit).

In the comments on my last post (and thanks a ton for commenting!), Shane wrote: "Here's my first lean: I see Paul encouraging and appreciating some diversity in our singing by choosing those words."

And Brenda wrote: "I believe a psalm to be a song. (instrumental or not) There are also hymns in the book of Psalms. But, in my opinion, the Psalms read more like a personal account or testimony of some sorts as to where the hymns seem to be songs written about the history of things. I think that spiritual songs are ones that are given to us by the spirit that are put on our hearts and tongues."

I think both of them are on to something here. It certainly seems that Paul is not only encouraging diversity in worshipping God, but possibly commanding it. If Gabby were to draw Steph and me a picture, we would love it. If she were to draw the exact same picture for us over and over and over again, after a while we would encourage her to draw something else for us. Something fresh. She would probably have no problem thinking of something else to draw, especially if we gave her ideas. That's the same thought process in this matter. When we worship God, I'm sure he loves us pouring our hearts out to him, but he gave us so much more creativity so that we could think "outside the box" and find new ways to worship him. That's why Psalm 40 says that God "put a new song in my mouth." He created us to be creative worshippers.

Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. Three separate-but-equal ways to worship God. So, could that be considered as a "commandment" to worship with instruments?

Your thoughts?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

What's The Difference?

A good friend of mine posted a great blog the other day about how we, as Christians, tend to misuse Scripture. He was raked over the coals by a fellow Christian for his thoughts and reasonings. I don't know about anyone else who read the post, but I was convicted. It brought up a question that has been in my mind for years. I have my own answers to the question, but I want to see what other people think. The question comes from a couple of verses that tend to be misunderstood and, therefore, misused.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord..."
- Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
- Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

My question is this: What is the difference between psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs?
As a follow-up question, why does Paul make the distinction in both of these verses?

I will give my answers soon. I would like to see what other people think.

Discuss.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wow!

I just watched this video that Trey Morgan posted on his blog and I just couldn't go without telling people about it. So, for the three of you who actually read my blog, I hope you watch and enjoy it thoroughly.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

20 Things I Learned From Mama

It was 20 years ago today
God took my Mama away
To the "land of endless day"
That sacred land for which we pray

So let me introduce to you
A list I've made from all these years
How my Mama taught me to be a man!

(bonus points if you can name that tune)

20. Always respect authority.
19. Be on time.
18. Keep learning.
17. Don't put off today for tomorrow.
16. When you go to pick a switch, make sure you pick the right one!
15. Smile.
14. You don't always have to fit in to be cool.
13. You have no business dating until you can take the girl somewhere and pay for it.
12. Be still when I'm combing your hair (yes, I actually had hair once). It'll hurt less.
11. You're never too old or too big to get a whoopin'!
10. Just because your friends do it doesn't mean you do it.
9. If you say you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability.
8. When you are asked to help, don't complain. Just do it.
7. Treat people better than you want to be treated.
6. A hard head makes a soft behind!
5. Always be honest.
4. Jesus wept and God is love. Memorize scripture.
3. Cancer may destroy your body, but it can't harm your soul.
2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. (Eph. 6:1)
1. I will always love you and be proud of you, no matter what happens to me.



Shirley Mae Brannon
January 12, 1944 - September 17, 1989

See you soon, Mama! I love you!

Great Advice

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”- 1 Peter 3:8

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Dad Is Great

Sometimes you just need a little chocolate cake for breakfast. You're welcome.


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Remember

Remember the families of those lost eight years ago today in your prayers.
Remember that God loves them just as much as He loves you.
Remember that "love is the power that makes everything alright."
Remember that we in the U.S. are blessed far beyond what we deserve.
Remember that "this land was made for you and me."
Remember this classic and be thankful!


Peace, Love, and Remembrance

I Need To Laugh Today

It's been one of those days.

I set my alarm for 5:15 AM (unfortunately, that's not a typo) so I could be ready to leave for my first day on the new job by 6:00. I'm noticing the older I get, the more I have to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break (ain't it messed up that some of us have to take breaks from sleeping?!). This morning's break happened at about 3:15. It wasn't a big deal except for the fact that I never got back to sleep. Thank you, Insomnia. So, I get up and go to work. It wasn't bad. I'm learning what all I need to accomplish with the kiddos.

Anyway, I come home and pass all the way out for an hour or so...until I have to take another break! I go back to bed and wake up to the news that there was money taken from our bank account without our permission. So, I get up and deal with that, which is a headache and a half.

Now that that's all supposedly settled, I'm cranky! I need a laugh today, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. The following clip is just what we need right now. I hope you laugh as much as (or more than) I did.



Laugh today. Just don't be "that guy!"

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Giddyup!

So, I get to start working with these guys tomorrow morning...

teaching them how to do stuff like this...

and this...

and even some of this...


I just hope that we can achieve that kind of quality!

Go Broncos!!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Laboring On Labor Day

I pray everyone has had a wonderful Labor Day today. Ours, considering some of the financial muck we're wading through right now, was truly blessed. We got to live another day and attempt to make it the best today we could make it. Gab got to hang out with Mikayla a lot today. Steph had to go to classes but didn't have any life-threatening homework. I didn't have to go to work today... mainly because I don't have a regular job yet, but I know that will change soon. Maybe this is God's way of saying to take a little Sabbath today and not labor, but instead, trust him to provide everything we need. I have every confidence that God will make the right job available at the right time. In Psalm 37:25, David says
"I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread."

There's something to be said about those of us who know God. He is always faithful and just. He always takes care of his children. He knows exactly what we need, when we need it. That's why Jesus instructed us to pray "Give us today our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11) and also, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt. 6:34).

So, we pause to pray for those who don't have the priviledge of earning a living on this Labor Day, but we also provide this word of encouragement: don't lose heart. God is not finished working on you yet!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A Great Day For Football...

BYU! BYU! BYU!

That is all.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Back To Basics, part 2

Installment #2 in our study of the new Christian walk takes us a step further into the book of Ephesians. As we discuss the following passage, feel free to add your thoughts to make this more of a discussion than a lecture (and not the most informed one at that!). I'll do my best to make sense of this for myself as well as my readers.

Eph 1:5-10 (NIV)
[In love] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

What I'm understanding this passage to say is that God created us with the goal of us being adopted into his family. Have you ever seen a foster child who loved their foster parents so much that they asked to be adopted into that family? That's the picture here with God. He was our "foster dad" until we decided we wanted to be in his family forever. As a matter of fact, his will for us is to want to be in his eternal family so much that we make that life-changing decision. That's why he sent "the One he loves," Jesus, to die in our place for our sins and to rise from the grave, defeating death and giving us everlasting life with him! That's the best news ever!

The blood of Jesus has redeemed us, or brought us into relationship with God the Father. The blood of Jesus has been shed for the forgiveness of our sins. The blood of Jesus gives us the grace that we don't deserve, yet spares us from the punishment we do deserve. That's called mercy and I'm glad God is kind enough to give it to us. That's all part of the mystery of his will. I don't honestly have a clue why he loves us as much as he does. We don't deserve it. We do things to deny his love all the time. We deny his love by the way we treat non-Christians, the way we treat Christians, and even the way we treat ourselves.

Before I get off track, I'll close this section by saying that all this has been put into place as part of God's great plan "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Someday this will all make perfect sense!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Back To Basics, part 1

A little while back I felt an urgent need to share the Gospel on this page. I wanted to give you Jesus in a way that was simple enough to understand yet relevant to what anyone may be dealing with in life at the moment. I hope it worked, even if only one soul decided to surrender to Jesus.

A good preacher-friend of mine reminds me on a regular basis that Christians often make the mistake of leading people to Christ, getting them baptized, and then leaving them to fend for themselves, not helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus whatsoever. Gotta win more souls to the Lord. Can't be wasting time teaching people how to be Christians. They just need to know!

So, I decided to try to give some help to you new Christians, and some reminders to us seasoned ones. If anyone has something to add, please feel free to leave comments (I've been feeling a little unloved in comment world anyway). Most of the Scripture references I will use, at least for a while, will be from the book of Ephesians. If you have a Bible, this is a great time to open it to Ephesians 1. If you don't have a Bible, fear not. Just click here for Ephesians 1.

And we're off... like a herd of turtles!

Eph. 1:3-4 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

The first thing Paul is telling us in this passage is that God is our Father and the Father of Jesus, which makes Jesus our Big Brother. But not in the way most Americans think of "Big Brother," as though someone is always watching us, waiting for us to mess up so he can punish us. In John 12:47 Jesus said that he "did not come to judge the world, but to save it." That means that even though he is always watching us, he is not watching us for the purpose of punishing us. He "chose us" to be his people and to live in a way that glorifies him before the world was even created. Before there was even an earth, he chose his teammates, and we get to be on his team!

Paul also said we have been called to live the way Jesus lived, "holy and blameless." To be holy means to be set apart for God's special purpose. When we are set apart for what God has in store for us, we give up our old way of life. We give up our old thought patterns, our old bad habits, our old way of treating people badly, our old selfishness, our old greed, our old pride, our old self and accept the new thoughts, habits, attitude toward people, selflessness, charitable, humble self that God has been so gracious to give us.

When we truly give up the old and accept the new, we get the honor of standing "blameless" before God who loves us unconditionally. John 16:33 says that we will have trouble as Christians. Becoming a Christian doesn't mean life will get easier or that you will get rich or that you won't get sick or anything of the sort. It means that life is going to be difficult, but we have the promise of eternal life with God, in complete love and fellowship with him for eternity. This life will be tough. The Christian life will be tougher. But everlasting Life trumps the worst situation anyone could ever even imagine! And for those who stand "blameless" by the grace of God, we will experience that Life!!!

How's that for hope?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Hey Family!

I have a huge and urgent prayer request to share with you all. Please lift up my sister Rahnee (sounds like Ronnie) Williams to the Father as soon and often as you can. I received word this morning that her the oldest two of her four daughters have run away and she hasn't seen them since Friday. As bad as this is, it gets worse. She is going to be evicted as of tomorrow, September 2. At this point, she has no idea what she will do, where she will take her two young girls, how she will feed them. There is a church in Eugene, OR, where she currently lives, that is trying to help her, but there is only so much they can do at this point. I don't really know how to help other than to pray for a miracle. I know a God who still works miracles and He listens to the requests of His children. So, please, pray. It's the least you can do and the most you can do.

Shalom

The Tenth Arbor-versary

September 1, 1999.
What a day.
I don't remember much of what happened that day, but I do remember this:

It was Wednesday, the third day of classes, three days before the first football game, and my first time to be drum major for the band. For some reason, I had missed about half of my advanced music theory class in the library, but I was determined to redeem the rest of my day and play well in the upcoming wind ensemble rehearsal. When I left the library, I decided to walk across the back lawn between a small grove of trees because it would get me to the Fine Arts Building faster, and I needed to be on time.

As I was walking across the back lawn of the library, between the trees, I heard something that sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies (snap, crackle, pop!). I didn't know where the sound was coming from so I thought to myself, "Maybe I should walk a little faster."

So I did.

Maybe that wasn't the best move. The noise got louder and louder until it hit me, "That's the sound of a tree limb falling..." Then it really did hit me! I ducked and covered my head with my hand just in time for the large branch to land on my hand... and my head! It was so heavy that the weight of the rest of the limb swung down and landed on my left leg, knocking me down into a concrete ravine next to the bottom floor of the library.

This joker was huge! It was so big that it knocked my hat, sunglasses, and the backpack that I had on both shoulders completely off! It was so big that I thought it had broken my femur! It was so big that I had to be strapped to a hard board and rushed to the emergency room to make sure it hadn't done permanent damage!

I found out later that the limb was close to 2 feet in diameter, 20 feet long, and fell from about 25 feet up in the air!!! I also found out that if I hadn't ducked and covered like I did, it probably would have broken my neck and killed me... so there's that.

When I went to marching band rehearsal the next day, barely able to walk, wrapped up in bandages, the guys in the band were very encouraging and supportive. They went out of their way to make me feel welcomed back to the land of the living. It's true. They called me George of the Jungle and threw small branches at me while yelling, "Watch out for that tree!" Isn't that sweet?

All in all, it was a memorable experience. I mean, it's been ten years today and I still remember it like it was... well... ten years ago!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Soon And Very Soon

Hey Kids! I just wanted to take a minute to apologize for not having written lately. We are in the process of moving and I simply haven't had the time to even think about writing, much less actually writing. So, until I get settled in and refocused, I'll leave you with this little gem.



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

There Is Joy

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

And I Quote...

"Leadership is dependent upon people. If the leader looks back, and no one is following, he's just taking a walk."

-Dr Brent McCall





Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I'm A Lucky Man (all in english... really!)

This time it's all in english. It has to be.. I got it directly from the Jason Mraz website!
"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Mi Vida Loca!

Life is crazy right now! I've been on the road for the past couple of weeks (and my body aches because of it!), so I'm just now getting back to blog world. I posted what I could when I could and now I'm back for a few days, gearing up for the next series of events and packing up the house. Keep praying for my family and me as we take this great leap of faith! We are confident that God will take care of us, but there's always that pesky fear of the unknown.

(Yes, that is a skunk on my head)

Anyway, I wanted to post our concert schedule for the next few months as we know it now. I hope to see some of you at a concert sometime soon, especially if you're able to meet the Princess and the Sweet Pea!



Acappella
8/15/2009: Neosho, MO
Venue: Rocketdyne Road Church of Christ
1111 Rocketdyne Road
Time: 7:00:00 PM

8/22/2009: Plainview, TX
Venue: Fair Theater
717 Broadway St
Time: 7:00:00 PM

9/12/2009: Edmond, OK
Venue: Hardeman Theatre (OC)
2501 E. Memorial Road
Time: 7:30:00 PM

9/19/2009: Raleigh, NC
Time: 7:00:00 PM

11/21/2009: Saginaw, TX
Venue: Saginaw Church of Christ
201 Western Avenue
Time: 7:00:00 PM

11/29/2009: Danville, VA
Time: 7:00:00 PM

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wise Words from Max Lucado

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,...who walk according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Does the Word of God say, "There is limited condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"? No.

Does it say, "There is some condemnation..."? No.

It says, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Think of it--regardless of our sin, we are not guilty!

From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Here I Am

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Interview With The Enemy

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (New International Version)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I Have Seen The Light

I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.

Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within...

Marvelous Light
songwriter: Charlie Hall & Eugene Lii
album: Live Roots

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

And I Quote...

"Live for nothing, or die for something...


Your call."



-Rambo


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I Give Up!

It's Sunday morning again. The morning when most folk get up and go to their choice house of worship. If I may, I'd like to submit that, although corporate worship is good and necessary, worship doesn't start and stop "at church." Worship is a daily decision to give up self and devote all your time and energy to your God. There are many different gods out there (we'll talk about those soon), but there is only one True Savior. This Savior is who I worship, and I hope you do too.

Since I don't have the ability to worship with all my readers at the same time (by the way, thank each of you for reading my blog), I decided to add the following video to this post so you know where I'm coming from every day. No matter what happens in our lives, we are called to worship, so take this opportunity to give in to Jesus and let him overwhelm you!



I Give You My Heart
songwriter: Reuben Morgan
artist: Michael W. Smith

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Watch Yourself

I was watching House the other day and I saw a pretty disturbing scene. A mom brought in her young daughter(5 or 6 years old), the child-pageant princess, to see Dr House. The little girl was dressed so beautifully in her pageant dress and makeup and the most blank-yet-bewildered look on her face. The mom was so confused. She thought the child had possibly had some sort of stroke or seizure that left her catatonic. House informs the mom that the daughter can be cured with a cup of coffee, "sober juice" as he calls it.

The mom is dumbfounded.

Could her daughter possibly be drunk? How?

House goes on to explain that the minty fresh scent underlying the child's perfumes and powders gave it away. He asks the child if she had used mouth wash, to which the reply was, "yes." Then he asks if she had swallowed the mouth wash, to which the reply was, "Mommy does it."

The moral of the story: Watch what you do. You never know who is watching you.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

You Think You're Better Than Me?

When I was a freshman in college, I went to a lot of parties. I just went to socialize. I didn't drink or do drugs. I didn't even hit on girls. I just wanted to hang with my friends and band-mates.

I remember one party particularly well. I had been offered beer for what was probably the fifteenth time that night and, as usual, I respectfully declined. The guy who offered the beer to me was at least five years older than me and wasted out of his mind.

He looked at me, all confused and concerned, and murmured, "What... You don't drink?"
"No."
"Well, what are you doing at this party?"
"I'm just hanging out, having a good time."
"So, what? You think that just because you don't drink, and I'm drunk, that you're better than me?"
"No. Not at all. I just don't drink. That's my choice."
"Well, I respect that."

And then he kinda stumbled away to harass someone else.

But it got me thinking. Do I think I'm better than anyone else? That's a question that has kept me in check over the past several years. Because, whenever I start feeling like I'm more special or more important or more useful than anyone else, God has this way of bringing me back to reality. He usually begins by showing me all the things I'm not getting right. Then He shows me people who have it together better than I, which reminds me I have a long way to go to reach the perfection He has called me to. But then He takes it a step further and shows me other people who are struggling more than I could ever imagine. And then, the final nail in the coffin, He shows me people who are lost; people who don't know Jesus, or worse, people who have no desire to know Jesus.

So, do I think I'm better than anyone else? How could I when Jesus loves us all the same, which is so much more than we could ever know? No, I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I think I'm blessed to have a great family, wonderful friends, and steady work. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, food on my table, and clothes on my back. And I'm blessed more than anything to have the relationship with God that I do, but I'm no better than you or any other person on the planet.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

You Make The Call

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

My King!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

We Only Have Today

I'm sure some of you readers are wondering why I have been so adamant this week about sharing the Gospel and writing "salvation posts" or whatever you want to call them. Well, the reason is this. I don't want to see anyone spend eternity without God. That is the true definition of "hell," life without Jesus.

We live in unsure times. No one knows when it's their time to die, but we will all die at some point or another. The question is, "Will we die safe in the arms of Jesus or painfully in a sea of regret?"

Maybe I sound a bit dramatic. That's the point.

This is real!

Let me explain. In May of 2001, I got the call from my Dad that my brother, Earnest, had passed away suddenly. I love my family very much, so that news destroyed me. Partially because it was my brother, but moreso because of the way he was living. He had grown up in a Christian home (Dad's been a preacher since 1941... no exaggeration), but when he retired from the United States Air Force, and had seen combat in Operation Desert Storm, and had to kill people, he felt his only escape from those memories was the bottle. He became so dependent on alcohol that he drove everyone who loved him away. He separated from his wife of nearly 20 years, he became an extreme recluse ("hermitism" runs in my family, but usually not to the point of complete isolation). He was plagued by all kinds of physical and mental health problems. He was a small man who convinced himself that he needed to take diet pills.

He had completely walked away from God. He would say things like, "Me and God have an understanding. I don't need church or anything like that. I'm fine." Or, the one that tore me apart, "When it's time for me to check out, I'm gonna be all alone."

Sadly enough, he was.

He had been dead for a couple days when my Dad found him. Dad and I both felt, and still feel, guilty for not having witnessed to Earnest enough. I know Dad tried at least to get him back to church. That was way more than what I had done... nothing.
I wasn't even praying for him.

Ernie's death created this conviction in my heart that has never gone away, and I don't think it will. That's why I've been so moved to share Christ in whatever ways I can. If someone is reading my blog who doesn't know Jesus, it's time you get to know Him. If there's someone reading this who knows Jesus but has turned away to do his or her own thing, it's time to turn back to Him. He's waiting for you. He wants you to know He loves you.

We only have today to love, serve, forgive. We only have today to make the best of every situation. Tomorrow isn't promised. Yesterday is gone. We only have today to live! And only in Jesus will we truly live! Please, don't wait any longer. The choice is yours, and I pray that you will choose the life that is found in Jesus Christ!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I'm All In

All In (Letting Go)
artist: Toby Mac
album: Portable Sounds (2007)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

So Long Self

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self

Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long

Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away,go away

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long self
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)

So Long Self
artist: MercyMe
album: Coming Up To Breathe (2006)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

It Doesn't Matter

It doesn't matter where you've been;
it matters that you go the right direction now.
It doesn't matter what you've done;
it matters that you do what's right now.
It doesn't matter what you've said;
it matters that you speak the truth now.
It doesn't matter who you've hurt;
it matters that you treat people as you want to be treated now.
It doesn't matter who has hurt you;
it matters that you forgive others and yourself now.

Regardless of where you've been, what you've done, what you've said, who you've hurt, who has hurt you;

Regardless of the pain you have felt, or the pain you've dealt;

Regardless of anything and everything in your past, Jesus loves you right now, in the present, without conditions, without questions.
He loves you this very moment. He will love you in the next moment, and the moment after that, and the moment after that, too. He always has loved you and he always will love you. You cannot do anything to make him love you more. You cannot do anything to make him love you less.

I want you to understand this fully and completely. He loves you more than you could ever know or think or imagine. He loves you so much that he sacrificed his very life for you. But the best part is that he came back to life so he could give you the opportunity to love the way he loves. He will love you beyond forever. He wants you to love him, but he won't force you to do so. He wants you to choose him because he gives eternal life. And life without him is hell!

It doesn't matter how you feel about Jesus;
it matters that he loves you now. Period.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

"One, Two, Five..."

Since this is post number 125, I thought it extremely appropriate to post this clip from one of the greatest comedies of all time,
Monty Python and the Holy Grail.



Have you ever noticed the counting sequence only takes three seconds?
Pure genius. You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

It's Time

It's time. If you don't know him by now, it's time for you to get to know the greatest man who ever lived. His name is Jesus. He was born to a young virgin named Mary, grew up in Nazareth, became a carpenter, taught teachers the truth, healed the sick and lame. He took all of the sins of the world on himself, allowed himself to be tortured and murdered, was buried on a Friday, and raised from the dead the following Sunday morning. No other person in the world has ever done anything like that, and never for the reason he did. He took all the torture and punishment and death for you because He loves you more than you could ever imagine. There has never been anyone like Jesus, and there never will be, because Jesus is the Son of God. If you don't believe me, I'd like to recommend a book to you that will explain all of this much better than I ever could. The book is called The Holy Bible and it is the inspired word of God. Here's a short excerpt from the book of Romans from the Bible.

Dear friends, my greatest wish and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know they love God, but they don't understand what makes people acceptable to him. So they refuse to trust God, and they try to be acceptable by obeying the Law. But Christ makes the Law no longer necessary for those who become acceptable to God by faith.

Anyone Can Be Saved

Moses said that a person could become acceptable to God by obeying the Law. He did this when he wrote, "If you want to live, you must do all that the Law commands."
But people whose faith makes them acceptable to God will never ask, "Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?" Neither will they ask, "Who will go down into the world of the dead to raise him to life?"

All who are acceptable because of their faith simply say, "The message is as near as your mouth or your heart." And this is the same message we preach about faith. So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.

The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. All who call out to the Lord will be saved.

How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"

No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.

Romans 10:1-17 (CEV)

So, will you take the biggest step of your life? What are you waiting for? Get to know Jesus personally and intimately right now. Don't wait. You may not get another chance. It's time.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Check This Out

I've been doing something I wondered if I'd ever find the time to do again. I've been reading! Quite a bit, actually. I've always enjoyed reading. The summer after fifth grade, I read 100 kids' books.

Well, I grew out of the kids' books but I still have a passion for reading. And I like to read all kinds of stuff: books, blog articles, newspapers, etc.; whatever is educational, encouraging, entertaining, I'll probably read it.

So, I thought I'd recommend some reading material and see if you have any suggestions for my library.

At the moment, I'm reading this book, this book, and this book. On deck, I have this book that I had started last year, but got distracted and never finished. I also would like to read this book and this book if I get a chance soon.

I read this book and this book and I really enjoyed them... a lot! They are a stark contrast from some of the previous books I mentioned, but they are fantastic in their own rites.

That's a lot of books, so I'll recommend this article, this article, and this article (which leads you to this article).

Hope you are encouraged by any and all of these books and articles. What reading do you suggest?

Oh, by the way, we're moving to Oklahoma. Anyone wanna buy our house?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

The Ones

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I hypothesize He would be a homeless man
Roaming around seemingly no plan
He'd show up at your temple while your rabbi preached
Crack his Father's word and start to teach
His words would amaze and thoroughly craze
His wisdom kickin' law teachers in a rage
Cause He'd expose the grave error of their ways
And all of that before he turned the page

Would we be the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah would not live that way"
Would we be the ones to threaten Him
When He claimed to have the power to forgive sin?
Would we be the ones that had shouted "let Him die"
As fellow legalists stoned Him with their picket signs?
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
To love and follow Him?

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I firmly believe He'd love people of shame
Healing their lives as they believed on His name
Prostitutes and drug lords, all people who are unclean
And if you asked Him why them, He'd say "what do you mean?
The well don't need a doctor but the sick do"
The He'd extend the invitation to you
"Forget your life and follow if you believe I am the King Jew,
I'll save you if you give of yourself to share the good news"

Would we be the ones, the disciples of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah's come, please change your ways"
Would we be the ones to live with Him
As we claimed His promise of forgiven sin?
Would we be the ones that are witnessing His death
Crushed, yet filled with hope by words He gave His last breath?
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And willingly deny Him?

Okay, Jesus came when He did
But He's still alive today and His Church's head
Tell me is He pleased by the way that we live
The devotion we're willing to give

Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Enforcing on all but us what we see as "the Christian way"
Are we the ones who live for Him
Or are we willfully swaying in the winds of sin?
Are we the ones who are willing to die
To let the Lord have full reign in our lives
Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day?
Are we the ones?
Are we living for the King always?
Are we the ones who are willing to die?
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Surrendering to Him?

Words and music: Aaron Herman © 1996 Anthony K. Music (ASCAP)
Lead: Aaron Herman, Josh Harrison, and Brishan Hatcher

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20
"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:17

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Mighty To Save

No matter what you're going through, remember that God is WAYYYYYY bigger than that. Take a few minutes to worship with Hillsong and know that I'm worshipping right along with you!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Another Day, Another Legend

There's a lot happening in our world right now. We as Americans are dealing with war, economic woes, family destruction, you name it. We recently celebrated 233 years of hard-earned freedom in America. At the same time, life, and death, was still happening. And now, we mourn the loss of another well-recognized soul, Steve "Air" McNair.

McNair was one of my favorite quarterbacks of all time. He played with heart, grit, and an iron will. He would not let anything keep him down. He was determined to be the very best in each of his 13 seasons. He broke records in college. He lost the Super Bowl by a yard (I'm still not over that). He was co-MVP. He was a winner.


Despite all his accolades, he struggled like everyone else. I won't speculate about the young woman who died with him. I won't speculate about the relationship between the two of them. What I will say is that I'm sad for his wife and kids. I'm sad for all the young fans who looked to him as a role model. I'm sad for those of us who admired his charity work and all the things he did for the community.

At the same time, it is heavy on my heart that so many young men and women are still fighting and dying for the freedom that we Americans hold so dear. They all have my utmost respect and encouragement, as do their families. I have friends fighting in the war as well. These warriors are so young and full of life. I hate to hear when another one has made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage will always astound me. May God bless our troops!



Let us be in sincere prayer for all image-bearers of God to bear His image honorably and produce the fruit of righteousness and peace.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Fly Like An Eagle

Surely you know.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever,
who created all the world.
He does not become tired or need to rest.
No one can understand how great his wisdom is.
He gives strength to those who are tired
and more power to those who are weak.
Even children become tired and need to rest,
and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New Century Version)

Keep praying for us. It's the least and the most you can do... That and buying our house. It's a great starter house. Just think about it and get back with us...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A Little Left Coast Flavor

We had a great time in San Diego this weekend. Met some great people. Saw some great sites. Ate some great food! Had a couple of great concerts. All in all, it was a good weekend. It would've been promoted to great if our wives had been there, but it was still good. I took some pics. Some were better than others, but they are pics anyway. Enjoy!


David Bates is the man! He took us to the beach and hung out with all day Sunday. We sure do love him and his family. Pray for his daughter, Suzanne, who is marrying an awesome dude, Jason Godfrey, on August 1.



They put us up in a very nice hotel resort, complete with multiple swimming pools (that we didn't visit), restaurants, and a health spa! Thank you, Town & Country Resort.



You know we always love performing for any sized audience. It was especially nice to perform for nearly 2000 people at the Convention Center!



Even better than performing big concerts is witnessing souls, like Verna, being given completely to Christ!



And then we put Allen to work at the airport!









Keep praying for my family and me in our new endeavors. Anyone wanna buy our house? Seriously. It's really a nice house. Anyone?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Getting Back On The Road

So, we're finally traveling again. We will be in San Diego this weekend, then here in Nashville for ACAFEST next week. After that, we'll be in Rockford, IL on July 12 and then it's off to Brasil for 2 weeks! We're gearing up for an unforgettable summer. Hope to see you at a concert soon!

Also, keep us in your prayers as we go through this life change. There are obstacles and challenges we have to face in order to answer God's call. Pray that we will overcome any and every hurdle placed in our path as we reach for the goal set before us. Remember James 5:16 and remember us when you're before the Father.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wisdom Of An Eleven-Year-Old

I've been learning a lot and remembering a lot as we've been deep-cleaning our house to try to sell it. Gabby and I have been working together to get this house in tip-top shape while Steph is at work. Today, we were working on the spare room (if you have one, you know what I'm talking about) and we got to a point where we could start scrubbing the baseboards and walls. At one point, Gabby said something that reminded me of the way we live. She said, "This is the best this room has smelled in forever. It always smells like dust but now it smells so clean."

Part of what made this phrase click for me was the fact that I hadn't even finished the first wall yet. I was so tempted to say, "Well, wait till I get finished in here!" But I didn't.

But I thought it.

Then I thought about how messed up we are. Have you ever noticed that the moment we get the slightest relief from whatever painful situation we're facing at the time, we are so quick to say how good life is? The problem is that we have no idea how much better it's going to be. How's that a problem? I'm glad you asked. It's a problem because we like to sell God short and not be patient enough to wait for the finished product.

The moral of the story: "Patience, young Grasshopper." God is up to something way bigger than we know.

Anybody wanna buy our house?

Peace, Love, and...

(wait for it)

Chocolate

(doesn't that feel good?)

And I Quote...

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."
- Albert Einstein







Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Your Favorite Name

For Dads everywhere:

Almighty God
Lord of all creation
Ancient of days
The Holy One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father


Eternal King
Alpha and Omega
Jehovah God
The mighty One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father

Abba Father
Holy is Your name
Abba Father
Holy is Your name
Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father

Your Favorite Name Is Father
artist: Newsong
album: More Life (2003)




Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Reunion

By now, you may have heard about the AVB reunion concert coming up at Lipscomb University on July 3rd. If you haven't heard about it, you can get the details here.
In the meantime, feel free to watch this harmonized, rhythmitized, power-mulletized gem from classic AVB history!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

In the Words of C. S. Lewis

I just finished reading Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis and found it to be incredibly insightful and, though written in the early 1950's, very relevant. Here's an excerpt from chapter 7 entitled "Forgiveness."

I have often thought to myself how it would have been if, when I served in the First World War, I and some young German had killed each other simultaneously and found ourselves together a moment after death. I cannot imagine that either of us would have felt any resentment or even any embarrassment. I think we might have laughed over it.
I imagine somebody will say, 'Well, if one is allowed to condemn the enemy's acts, and punish him, and kill him, what difference is left between Christian morality and the ordinary view?' All the difference in the world. Remember, we Christians think man lives for ever. Therefore, what really matters is those little marks or twists on the central, inside part of the soul which are going to turn it, in the long run, into a heavenly or hellish creature. We may kill if necessary, but we must not hate and enjoy hating. We may punish if necessary, but we must not enjoy it. In other words, something inside us, the feeling of resentment, the feeling that wants to get one's own back, must simply be killed. I do not mean that anyone can decide this moment that he will never feel it any more. That is not how things happen, I mean that every time it bobs its head up, day after day, year after year, all our lives long, we must hit it on the head. It is hard work, but the attempt is not impossible. Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves - to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not.
I admit that this means loving people who have nothing lovable about them. But then, has oneself anything lovable about it? You love it somply because it is yourself. God intends us to love all selves in the same way and for the same reason: but He has given us the sum ready worked out in our own case to show us how it works. We have then to go on and apply the rule to all the other selves. Perhaps it makes it easier if we remember that that is how He loves us. Not for any nice, attractive qualities we think we have, but just because we are the things called selves. For really there is nothing else in us to love: creatures like us who actually find hatred such a pleasure that to give it up is like giving up beer or tobacco...

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part."
(Matt. 6:14-15, The Message)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A & Q

I figure it's about time for me to answer old questions (really, statements) and ask some new ones (one).

A while back, I posted a list of my favorite music artists and said I would explain why later. Well, it's later, so let's see if I can make this clear yet succint.

5. Acappella - besides being in the group, I have been a big fan since my childhood. I remember when they came to my hometown, Borger, TX back in the mid-eighties, singing Shut De Do with their Miami Vice-ish skinny ties and sunglasses on. That was a turning point in my musical upbringing. Acappella has been a major part of my life ever since.

4. The Temptations - One of the greatest groups to ever sing a love song. They didn't only sing about love, though. They sang about life. They went through all kinds of trials to become (in my opinion) the most popular r&b soul group ever. They revolutionized the way we all listen to music. As a matter of fact, this song was the first song I ever sang to Stephanie. Thank you, Temptations, for pouring your hearts into every note you sang.

3. Tower of Power - Chicago meets the Temptations. In the seventies there was a horn-rock band movement that swept America. Tower of Power emerged from Oakland, California's East Bay and took the world by storm playing their own instruments and singing their own tight harmonies. Unfortunately, however, a lot of their music has been forgotten. I can say from experience that they are the tighest, funkiest, groovin'-est band I've ever seen or heard. Here's some proof:
Soul Vaccination, You Got To Funkifize, Diggin' On James Brown

2. Take 6 - This is, hands down, the best vocal group that has ever existed! The quality of each voice, mixed with the richness in the musical arrangements, and the heart behind all of it makes a legendary style that is often imitated but will never be duplicated.

1. Bobby McFerrin - The single most innovative vocalist in the world. The greatest vocal, non-verbal communicator out there. One of the world's most incredible vocal improvisationalists. In my opinion, simply the best.


So, here's the new trivia question:
What band has the most number 1 records of all times (Josh Graves)?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Tater Faith and Whatever

No, it's not the latest Christian bluegrass duo to land on Nashville. I just thought it would be a fun title. And it has a point, believe it or not.

Steph and I watched Faith Like Potatoes night before last and it completely sparked something in us. If you haven't seen this 2006 movie yet, I highly recommend that you go rent it or buy it and watch it as soon as possible (I hope I don't get sued for this free advertisement!). Here are three reasons I fell in love with this film:


1. It's based on a true story. Can't go wrong there.
2. It's about people completely surrendering their lives to God and stepping out in faith to answer His call.
3. It's about God showing what He does when we are totally sold out for Him. Basically, it's God showing off!


Seeing this movie has kicked us into gear. We've been sitting on some major, life-changing decisions for a while, but now we have to choose. Will we take the comfortable route or take a risk that will alter our lives forever? I think God has shown us what we need to do.

Go check it out yesterday! (note: if you have a hard time understanding thick Scottish and/or South African dialects, you may want to turn on the subtitles)


Faith Like Potatoes reminded me of a song I've been hearing a lot on the radio and it kinda hits me in the gut every stinkin' time I hear it. It goes perfectly with this idea of having "tater faith" (as we southern folk would say it). It also fits perfectly with today, seeing how God has allowed me to be another year older. I still say it's just Tuesday! Enjoy today!!!

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)
Sanctus Real
songwriters: Dan Gartley, Mark Graalman, Matt Hammitt, Peter Prevost, Chris Rohman

Peace, Love, and Chocolate Birthday Cake

Thinking of You

Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (NCV)

Heaven knows no difference between Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon. God longs to speak as clearly in the workplace as he does in the sanctuary. He longs to be worshiped when we sit at the dinner table and not just when we come to his communion table. You may go days without thinking of him, but there's never a moment when he's not thinking of you.

Knowing this, we understand Paul's rigorous goal: "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). We can fathom why he urges us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), "be constant in prayer" (Rom. 12:12)... and "let heaven fill your thoughts" (Col. 4:2 TLB).

From: The Great House of God
Copyright (Word Publishing., 1997)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Happy Birthday, "Groove Master"

On this date in 1939 my favorite drummer was born. Over his extensive career, he has completely changed the way we listen to music. He is the inventor and innovator of "groove" drumming. His name is Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, also know as the "Groove Master" and today is his 70th birthday!

The reason Bernard Purdie is my favorite drummer is not because of his technical ability (although he is technically sound), or even because of his groove (although he grooves harder than any other drummer on the planet). I love Bernard Purdie because he loves what he does and it shows. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but it is so apparent in the way he approaches music. It's like notes are words and he believes every note he plays. That's how I want to approach the music I make. That's how I want to approach the ministry I do. That's how I want to approach life in general; living like there's no tomorrow and loving every minute of it! Watch the videos below to understand what I'm talking about (since it's his birthday, I decided to give you three for the price of one!).

Here, Bernard "splains" his signature groove, "The Purdie Shuffle."

In "part 2," Purdie shows you how to really feel this groove. Pay special attention to the end of this clip. Classic Bernard Purdie!

This clip gives a very small glimpse into Bernard's career. Listen to his stats. Incredible!


Peace, Love, and Chocolate... and GROOVE!

Order Of Importance

This idea of prioritization has been pretty prevalant in my life lately. With as much as I've had going on, it only seems natural for me to go through all my "stuff" and remind myself of my priorities. It's up at the top of my order of importance so I don't forget what I need to concentrate on for that moment. Yes, I'm saying I prioritize how I make my priorities. Kinda fun, huh? Anyway, I thought I'd list my major priorities (I'll spare you the details) and maybe set an example for you to list yours (Really, I just want to see if anyone other than my wife reads my blog anymore ;) so take a moment to list yours if you are reading this right now... please). Mine go like this:

1. God
2. my family
3. ministry
4. my friends
5. other work / personal business (what I need to do today)

I figure if I can approach life in that order, everything else will fall into place as it should. So, how about you?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Hope

"The most dangerous man in the world is the man with no hope."
- Dr Brent McCall








Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Is It Loving?

[Love] is not rude.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

When defining what love is not, Paul put rudeness on the list. “It is not rude.” The Greek word for rude means shameful or disgraceful behavior.

An example of rudeness was recently taken before the courts in Minnesota . A man fell out of his canoe and lost his temper. Though the river was lined with vacationing families, he polluted the air with obscenities. Some of those families sued him. He said, “I have my rights.”

God calls us to a higher, more noble concern. Not “What are my rights?” but “What is loving?”

Do you have the right to dominate a conversation? Yes, but is it loving to do so?…Is it within your rights to bark at the clerk or snap at the kids? Yes. But is it loving to act this way?


From: A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2005)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

How (Not) To Worship

I'm so glad we don't worship this way (he said with tongue planted firmly in cheek)!

Lord, forgive us for who we worship and help us to remember Who we were made to worship.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate