A Modern Prophecy

There was a Flashback Friday post all queued up for today, but last night God gave me a new plan and a different kind of flashback. I was listening to my iPod and heard the classic Larry Norman song The Great American Novel (1972). The late singer was one of the first prominent voices of the Jesus Movement of the early 1970s and a pioneer of contemporary Christian music. To my mind he was clearly a leading voice of that generation and I have long loved his music. But as I heard this song last night the lyrics overwhelmed me, just like hearing it for the first time. The song seems to have been written for a time such as this. No matter your politics or your point of view, the words are like ants in your underwear- uncomfortable, irritating and hard to shake off. There are lines that make me angry, yet are difficult to refute. In scripture, prophecies were always painful to hear. This 43 year old song speaks to NOW in ways that can only be called prophetic. Listen & watch. Think about the lyrics. Squirm a bit. And don't miss the truth and the hope found in the very last line of the song. Then get down on the knees of your heart and pray for my country. As another prophetic radical once said, "Let those with ears to hear...hear!"

Because of Jesus,

Keep Doin' the Walk

We all know people who can tell great stories about their accomplishments in life. These tales often thrill and enthral us, and make us a bit envious that we have not achieved as much or do not have such wondrous stories to share. But let's be real. Many of us (and I do mean US- I am as guilty as anyone of this) like to spice up our stories so that they make us sound more exciting, more accomplished or more significant. It's fun to think that we have soared with eagles or run with the big dogs. We may not actually lie, but there are times when we all remember BIG. In the world we live in it sometimes seems more important to be able to talk a good game than to have actually played it.

This is often true when it comes to our spiritual journeys as well. If we can recite the right creed, memorize the right scriptures and give the right answers to all the regular questions, then we must be doing it right...right? All of those things can be helpful. But when it comes to being on the #NarrowRoad, it's not about talking the talk. It's about walking the walk. The scripture in Micah 6:8 asks the big question: "What does the LORD require of us?" The answer doesn't say that we should talk about how much we love God or love others. The answer involves walking. We are to "do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." It's not about telling the best stories. It's about doing the right things.

In John 13, while in the Upper Room, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. This scripture always amazes me, but in a recent revisiting I was struck with something new (to me). The Messiah chooses to wash feet (and feet were disgusting enough with dirt roads and sandals) BEFORE sending Judas away. He washed the feet of the betrayer right along with the rest. He included everyone from betrayer to tax collector to fisherman. As he did throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus was reminding us that to love like him, to follow the #NarrowRoad, we have to be inclusive. We have to be forgiving. And we have to be sacrificial. It's never about us. It's about doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God. If we are excluding people, holding grudges, seeking vengeance or living a selfish life, then I have bad news for us. We ain't doing the walk...

Steven Curtis Chapman has long been a favorite of mine, and the song below is on my top 5 list of SC2 hits. It is a reminder that quite often our best steps on the #NarrowRoad occur when no when is looking. Quite often the more we talk about our walk in ways that bring glory to us, the less significant they become. Steven sings about his time "on the big bright stage." He does his thing and people yell and scream their approval. But the big question is this: "But when the music stops- am I doing the walk?" 

This series (with a new post every Tuesday) was inspired back in December by a couple of church signs that reminded me how much easier it is to claim to be a Christ-follower than it is to actually be one. Yes, we need to share our faith, and as Saint Francis once famously said, "if necessary, use words." But more than that- so much more than that- we've got to keep doing the walk! Enjoy the song and have a blessed day, beloved of Christ!

Because of Jesus,

It's Christmas Time

"In the town of Bethlehem

See the stars shine

Fall down and worship Him

It's Christmas time..."

I love everything about Christmas. I love the religious celebrations of the birth of our Savior.  I love reading from Luke 2 (just like Linus!).  I love the decorations, the trees and Santa Claus. I love the movies and TV specials. And I love the music. I know that they start playing it way too early for most of us, but when it it time I am sooo ready for it! I love it.  And I love a wide variety of Christmas tunes. My play-list includes everything from traditional carols to rock anthems to singing vegetables. In fact, the first VeggieTales Christmas CD is a traditional favorite for us. And I love sharing some of my favorite Christmas music with you. 

Today's selection may be a little obscure, but it also is one of my very favorite contemporary Christmas songs. It comes from the 2002 album City On A Hill: It's Christmas Time.  This album featured various contemporary Christian artists including Third Day, Caedmon's Call, Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer. The title track, It's Christmas Time, was written by Terry Scott Taylor and Steve Hindalong. Taylor's roots in CCM go all the way back to the beginning at Calvary Church in southern California. He has been a prolific songwriter and member of the bands Daniel Amos and Lost Dogs.  His songwriting has been listed as an inspiration by artists as varied as U2 and Michael W. Smith. Hindalong received a Dove Award for his production work on the City On A Hill albums. He was in the classic CCM band The Choir, and with Taylor in Lost Dogs. He is perhaps most noted as a drummer and percussionist, having played on numerous albums for various artists over the years. This song (for me) sets the mood for the celebration, joy and reverence that the Christmas season should be all about. It is sung by an all-star choir, including Dan Haseltine (of Jars of Clay), Mac Powell (of Third Day), Michael Tait (of dc Talk and now Newsboys), Leigh Nash (of Sixpence), Caedmon's Call and Out of Eden. I trust the God will use it to move you as much as it moves me. The celebration of the birth of our LORD is coming quickly. Let's prepare ourselves now for the coming of the hope of the world. Enjoy the song!

My Deliverer is Coming,

Sunday's Song: Amazing Grace

In all of Christian music, perhaps no song is more traditional and yet as contemporary as Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace is a Christian hymn written by English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807) published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, Amazing Grace is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction. He joined the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. This incredible piece of music and theology rose from his personal struggles with sin; struggles that each of experience every day, no matter how strong our faith.

Yet despite being 235 years old and having survived a plethora of changes in church music, this great song has remained very modern. Over the years the lyrics have been sung to a variety of tunes to help convey the always contemporary message to new generations. I first remember hearing it sung to the tune of House of the Rising Sun in the early 1970's. At Quaker Lake we used to do a song called Calypso, which married verses from Jesus Love Me, O For A Thousand Tongues, Amazing Grace and the Doxology with an easy to sing calypso beat.  Andrew Lewis and I (see picture) used to sing the words to the tune of The Theme From Gilligan's Island, once performing it at a talent show at FUMC-K (I will pause now while you sing it to see if that actually works...pretty cool, huh?). My son Will learned a version to the tune of Sweet Home Alabama ("Sweet home up in Heaven, where the skies are so blue...") while at camp a few years ago. No matter the tune, it has always been the message that sets Amazing Grace apart.


There are two versions (besides the original, which is still my favorite version) of which I am particularly fond. One is to the melody of the Eagles' great song Peaceful Easy Feeling. We used that one a lot at youth worship in Kissimmee and in Tampa, with the lyric to Amazing Grace as the verses and the original "I've got a peaceful easy feeling, 'cause I know You want let me down..." as the chorus. In a side note, it was also one of the songs our Guitar Choir played in worship at FUMC-K.  That group, featuring Vic Hill, Darin Miller, Pete Lynes, Nate Hill, Jay Lynes, Ben Thacker, myself and others was as much fun as I ever had making music- it was just a lot of work to keep that many amateur guitarists in tune! When I led the congregation in this version at Wesley Memorial, it was by far the loudest I ever heard that group of adults sing.


But my favorite remake came in 2006, when Chris Tomlin released his great project See the Morning (#43 on my CCM Countdown). The final cut on the album was his version of Amazing Grace, which you can hear on the video below. His added chorus ("My chains are gone, I've been set free...") truly drives home the original message of the song- that God's love is unending, and that through Jesus Christ our sins are erased and forgiven every day. In a world where so many church leaders mislead us with talk of performance and piety, this amazing song continues to remind us that Christianity is not about what we DO; it is about what Jesus has already done. That's why we call it the Good News! God's grace is even enough to cover "a wretch like me." And that, my friends, is pretty amazing! Enjoy the video, and have a blessed Sabbath.

Because of Jesus,

Taboo

ta-boo: proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable

Over my years in student ministry we often talked about the radical nature of Jesus. We sang songs like Radical Man. I heard gifted teachers like Tony Campolo tell me about the radical nature of following the Christ. We talked about becoming radical ourselves- maybe extreme enough to be considered Jesus Freaks. But most of us shrink from those thoughts in a world where following Jesus is becoming taboo. I'm not talking about being "christian"- just take a stand against the right things and for the right politicians and you can claim to be "christian." I'm talking about standing strong and telling the world who Jesus is and why He came. I'm talking about living like the resurrection actually happened and like Jesus is alive. And perhaps most importantly, I am talking about loving people the way Jesus told us to love each other. God does not care what country you are from, who you voted for or if you protested the "right" issues. According to Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39, the greatest commandment is to "love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second is like it- love your neighbor as yourself." If we truly believe that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life," then we will let nothing stand between us and living like we know Him. So be improper and unacceptable. Love the unlovable. Offer peace when the world wants aggression. Forgive when the world wants vengeance. Almost everything Jesus taught goes against the "normal" of the society we live in. Are you ready to be taboo?


Read these lyrics. And answer for yourself the last question posed- "Do you claim Jesus' name as the ultimate truth?" Have a blessed Sunday!

Taboo-  Ian Eskelin (from the album Save the Humans) 2004

For the sake of argument
Say Jerry Springer were the president
“No Inhibitions!”
The national theme
There’d still be one thing
Makin’ Donahue scream

“Taboo!”
We’ve come to the last
Taboo
There’s an audible gasp
When you claim there’s a God
Who’s objectively true
It’s taboo

Party on, let freedom ring
For the shock jocks and the gangsta kings
But mention Jesus in the public square
The tables turn and the tempers flare

Taboo
That’s a no-can-do
Taboo
The A.C.L.U.
Say when we sneeze
Could we please
Drop the ‘God bless you’
It’s taboo

God isn’t really dead
He’s under house arrest
Will Amnesty protest?
No I don’t think so

I could kiss a kangaroo
Sic my Spitz on your Shih Tzu
No one blinks at anything I do
Until I claim the resurrection is true

“Taboo!”
I’m breaking the last
Taboo
How about you?
Do you claim Jesus’ name
As the ultimate truth?
It's Taboo...

Because of Jesus,

"Can Anybody Show Me the Real Jesus?"

A while back I was involved in a discussion with a couple of guys who are having a hard time these days. Work is scarce, and they are in situations that make life very complicated. We talked about all kinds of things covering many areas of interest, but eventually the talk turned to church. Neither of these guys are big church-goers, but they know my background and they had some issues they wanted to raise with me. It seems in their experiences, church has not been a place of healing, hope or comfort. It has not been a center of love and forgiveness. It has been a place where they were made to feel like second class citizens because they had no money to give. It has been a place where they were told that if they really were Christians, God would bless them- implying they couldn't be followers of Jesus and still be having problems in their lives. In short, the church has failed them. And they asked a very insightful question: Why does the church sometimes seem to be more about traditions, politics and money than it is about Jesus?

We often refer to the church as an institution, and unfortunately, I believe we are too often correct. It is bound by policy and leadership and tradition, and it has become a very sanitized place. For those of us who are USAmericans (everyone who lives in North or South America is an American; why do we claim that title for ourselves?) it seems we have turned Jesus into a wimp; a toothless, politically motivated white guy who is against all kinds of things, and for almost nothing. This is not the Jesus of the scriptures. This is not the the Jesus who hung out with sinners and the people society scorned; this is not the Jesus who shouted down church leaders (My pastor, Matthew Hartsfield said in his sermon yesterday that when you preach the radical love and grace of the authentic Jesus, the people who get most upset are religious people. So true!); and this is not the Jesus who gave up His seat next to God to come to earth and die for us, that we might be reconnected with the Father. We may not want to hear it, but if the church is misrepresenting Jesus, then we are failing at the only mission we have. We need to show the people around us "the real Jesus" if we want them to understand and follow the Christ. As Matthew is fond of saying "we are God's Plan A for taking Jesus to the world- and there is no Plan B."

So who is "the real Jesus?" The band Downhere wrote a song in 2006 that attempts to answer the question, and I believe they were painfully honest and very close to the truth. Maybe it's because they are Canadian, but they have attacked the myths and want us to see who we really follow. The lyrics are below. The song is called The Real Jesus.

Jesus on the radio, Jesus on a late night show, Jesus in a dream, looking all serene
Jesus on a steeple, Jesus in the Gallup poll, Jesus has His very own brand of rock and roll
Watched Him on the silver screen, Bought the action figurine
But Jesus is the only name that makes you flinch

Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the mystery of the real Jesus

Jesus started something new, Jesus coined a phrase or two
Jesus split the line at the turning point of time
Jesus sparked a controversy, Jesus, known for His mercy, gave a man his sight
Oh Jesus isn't white!
Jesus loves the children, holds the lambs, Jesus prays a lot
Jesus has distinguishing marks on His hands

If anybody walks behind the Good Shepherd, If anybody holds the hands that heal lepers
And if you recognize the eyes that see forever, please...show me 
Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus? Oh, let Your love unveil the glory, the real Jesus
Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus? Oh, let Your love unveil the glory of the real Jesus, the real Jesus

The modern church gets so wrapped up in numbers, in politics, in denominations and in theology. God loves the church, and wants it to be His voice and His hands in this flawed world we live in. But the church is NOT a building, a denomination or a political body. The CHURCH is the people of God sharing the love of God whose name is Jesus. Too often the church forgets the main thing- It's All About Jesus!  And as the song so clearly points out, the Christ was not a "talking head," but a radical lover of all souls. The guys I was speaking with have just about given up on the church. I pray they don't do the same with Jesus, because in the world we live in, the two are not always related...may God have mercy on us.

Because of Jesus,

Nights of Joy

This weekend is the annual Night of Joy weekend at Walt Disney World. For over 30 years WDW has played host to the best in Christian music in early September. The ticket at the top is from the very first NOJ that I attended in 1994, shortly after we had moved to Kissimmee. You may notice that in those days it lasted for two weekends and had the same artists every night. Now it only two nights, with different artists each night.  But it still includes many of the very best acts that Christian music has to offer.

I would attend NOJ with a number of youth groups over the 12 years that followed that first visit, and I have many great memories attached to the event. From Kissimmee, we would go for just one night. Later, I would get us rooms at WDW and the groups would spend the weekend, which also included early admission to the MK. It was always a great time. I am the first to confess that the majority of the youth I took were not there for the music.  They might pause to listen to a song or to watch a particular artist, but most of them were busy on Space Mountain or other such attractions. But for me, the music was the thing!

From my very first NOJ and seeing dc Talk debut Jesus Freak at the castle, I experienced most of my favorite Christian artists in the Magic Kingdom.  I sang Breakfast with the Newsboys and heard Michael W. Smith unveil This Is the Time.  I heard David Crowder Band, Stellar Kart, the O.C. Supertones and Steven Curtis Chapman. I watched as Jars of Clay performed a thrilling acapella version of World's Apart. I saw Audio Adrenaline work the crowd into a frenzy on many occasions. And the aforementioned dc Talk, and the later Toby Mac as solo artist, were there almost every year.  I heard a lot of great music over the years.

That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the attractions as well, and there were non-musical memorable moments over the years as well.  Surviving the stampede the the ferry or the monorail in the early years when we were there for just one night was a miracle in and of itself. Riding Splash Mountain and being able to see concert stages all over the park. Having students complain after having been at the Magic Kingdom for 2 hours that they had "already done everything and wanted to go back the rooms and play video games." Sheesh. Riding The Haunted Mansion with people who were actually a little scared- and with my good friend Lisa Jewett, who was not. Being the object of a scavenger hunt by the youth of FUMC-Kissimmee in 2002 after I had left there and moved back to Tampa. In 2004 laughing hysterically when Ken, Travis and Philip from Wesley Memorial UMC tried to sneak out of their room at the All-Star Sports Resort only to lock themselves and have to call me and confess so they could get back in. Helping Lisa plan the 2005 trip even after I had been let go by the church, and having a wonderful time taking Will. Lots and lots of special moments.

I ventured away from NOJ and tried Universal's rival Rock the Universe once (2003). And just once ("my mother made me go to Rock the Universe once, Johnny. ONCE!" If you have ever seen the movie Johnny Dangerously then you are laughing hysterically right now. Trust me.). Before the weekend their customer service was abysmal. I didn't care for the staging and it was very disorganized. Plus there was a hurricane. So yeah...ONCE!

So this weekend I find myself quite envious of those who are spending the weekend at NOJ. I haven't been since 2006 (with the group from Waycross), and I am not sure when I might go back. I am not as "up" on Christian music as I once was, and I know longer know all the artists who are performing. But if I were in charge this year, here's what I would do.  Michael Tait is now the lead singer for Newsboys. Kevin Max Smith is not the lead singer for Audio Adrenaline. Toby Mac will be performing as usual. There needs to be a dc Talk reunion, and I am sure Disney could make it happen! Now THAT would be a night of joy!   Have a great weekend everyone!

Because of Jesus,

Surfer's Paradise

"And the junk's all free at the 7-11,

catch a perfect wave it'll take you to heaven

Bring your girl, bring your guy, 

make it on down to Surfer's Paradise!"

Welcome to Obscure Music Monday #4!  As I continue to take a look back at songs from Christian artists that stay in heavy rotation on my I-pod but that you may not have heard before, today we dig really deep!  The song is called Surfer's Paradise, and it was featured on a 1998 compilation album called Surfonic Water Revival.  The album was a tribute to the great surf music of the the 1960's, honoring artists such as The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Dick Dale, The Safaris and many others. The album was put together by the great Terry Scott Taylor, who also wrote the majority of the songs. It was dedicated to the late Beach Boy, Carl Wilson.  Artists appearing on the project included Smalltown Poets, The Insyderz, Plumb, Chuck Girard, Skillet, Plankeye, Daniel Amos, Randy Stonehill and more.  But our obscure song for this week was done by the pop/rock band All Star United and the legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. I knew it would be my favorite track on the album before I ever heard it... 

If you don't know Phil Keaggy, you should.  He was a guitarist for the great blues/rock band Glass Harp in the late 60's and early 70's before converting to Christianity and focusing on the early years of what would become Contemporary Christian Music. How good of a guitarist is Phil Keaggy?  His 7 Dove Awards for best instrumental album aside, his name often comes up along with Clapton, Hendrix and others in discussions of the greatest guitar players EVER.  Ted Nugent once said, "I don't know what happened to that guy Phil Keaggy. He could have saved the world with his guitar."  Actually Ted, that was EXACTLY what Phil wanted to do- use his music to help people discover Jesus. Using Phil to play classic surf riffs and pairing him with the classic "beach party" sound of All Star United was brilliant, and the song just soars.  I was working in Kissimmee when Interlinc introduced me to the album, and I wound up buying numerous copies because youth kept stealing mine! The concept is simple- if you were a surfer who is also a Christ follower, then perhaps this is what your favorite beach in heaven might be like.  Perfect waves every day. There's no closing sign, and your tan never fades.  Surfing utopia. 

So today, take a little trip with me. Let's hit the beach. catch a wave, and remember that the God who created the oceans and the waves loves you and me.  Let's thank God for that- and for Phil Keaggy.  He's still out there trying to help save the world...

Because of Jesus,

Activate!

For many years a major part of my programming and teaching (and even my sermons) was to use Contemporary Christian Music to help tell the story of Jesus.  My countdown may be finished, but Thursdays will continue to use great music from a variety of Christian artists to make you think.  Today we feature Activate from Stellar Kart's great 2006 album You Can't Stand Sitting Down (#12 on my countdown).  Check out the video below, and then take a closer look at the lyrics below that.  What is the purpose of your life?  What's holding you back from serving God?  What's keeping you from getting in the game and changing your world in Jesus' name?  Now is as good a time as any to start spreading the good news of the Gospel- because "there is a world out there in need, and now is the time for you and me.  Before it gets too late-ACTIVATE!!!"



ACTIVATE
Here's the plan I think I got it made
Life is easy
When you're sitting in the shade
Not too hot, not too cold
I think that's what I'll be
Now I'm nervous
And I've come undone
My head is spinning
Like the earth around the sun
I feel You drawing me away
From my complacency
I think I'm ready to go
Won't stop 'til everybody knows


This is the purpose of my life
This is the reason I'm alive
Don't have time to wait
Activate, activate
There is a world out there in need
Now is the time for you and me
Before it gets too late
Activate, activate


Make a move
'Cause talk is really cheap
You'll never start a revolution
In your sleep
Showing love to everyone
Is what it's all about
I think I'm ready to go
Don't stop 'til everybody knows

This is the purpose of my life
This is the reason I'm alive
Don't have time to wait
Activate, activate
There is a world out there in need
Now is the time for you and me
Before it gets too late
Activate, activate

One by one, everyone activate

This is the purpose of my life
This is the reason I'm alive
This is the purpose of my life
This is the reason I'm alive
Don't have time to wait
Activate, activate

There is a world out there in need
Now is the time for you and me
Before it gets too late
Activate, activate
Activate, activate
© STARSHAPED MUSIC; UNIVERSAL MUSIC - Z TUNES LLC.; WORDSPRING MUSIC INC

Home Run!

Official GMD autographed
 baseball- 1997

There are a lot of things I love in life- Jesus, my family & friends, banana splits, seafood at Calabash, BBQ in North Carolina, Walt Disney World- but certainly baseball and youth ministry are near the top of my list!  Today, with a little help from my old friends Geoff Moore & the Distance, I'd like to think a little about both...

In the great song Home Run, Geoff (and co-writer Steven Curtis Chapman) use the imagery and passion of baseball to remind us of a very different story-  one that is extremely relevant today.  There are many differences between the people who call themselves Christians.  We can read the same words in scripture and come away with very different interpretations.  But we do claim to follow the same Jesus.  The words of the song remind us that "we're on the same team though we're not all the same, that's why we have to learn to play together." The bridge lays out some steps we need to take to do just that.  

You gotta keep your eye on the ball, swing straight

 and true and follow though

Don't be afraid what ever the call

Because we're never alone, 

our Coach is there to cheer us on...

And therein lie two of our biggest problems.  We have stopped listening to the Coach- Jesus! We are trying to save the world under own own power.  And we are afraid- so afraid that we have lost trust in the overwhelming power of the Creator of the Universe.  It is so much easier to argue about sin that it is to love a sinful world, and so we are afraid we cannot do it.  In doing those things, we have forgotten our primary purpose in God's plan.  We are called to be the carriers of the disease known as The Good News.  It is our job to spread the Word.  And so many of us want so much to be a part of that effort.  As the song says, "I didn't join this team to sit on the bench, I'm going deep and swinging for the fence- I've got some friends on base I've to get home!"  

My youth group in Kissimmee in the mid 1990s loved this song. We talked about the meaning a lot, and we focused on the references to the biblical Great Cloud of Witnesses.  The lyrics say, "We are not the first to pass this way or stand over this plate. We are surrounded by a legacy..."  Wanting to do our part to fulfill the Great Commission was one of the reasons we invited Geoff and the band to do a concert for our community at the Tupperware Convention Center in the summer of 1997.  We were trying to hit a home run.  We risked a great deal and lost a lot of money, but people came to Jesus that night. "You gotta pray and swing, then watch it as it's going, going...it's GONE!"  But we had to work together to make it happen.  We could not focus on the things we do not agree on.  We had to focus on the ONE we do. And we had to share his love to with the community. The ENTIRE community!

We got to hear this song performed live that night, just like you will hear it here.  For our FUMC-K family, it turned into a sing-along as we celebrated being the family of God- a true team.  My prayer is that in the days to come the Christian community will set aside the things that divide us and focus on the mission we have been given- sharing the love of God whose name is Jesus with our world.  If we will do that, we can make the Coach proud.  He is indeed cheering us on, saying- "GO! GO! All the way!"  Enjoy the video, filled with lots of great baseball images and a few select shots of my youth families.  Now get out there and Play Ball!

CCM Thursday: Third Day Top 10

Way back in 1996 I sat in my office at FUMC-Kissimmee and opened my latest box of goodies from Interlinc, the great music ministry that I always counted on to keep me up to date with the latest in Christian music and videos.  Every time I received a box from them it was like Christmas morning had arrived early.  On this particular occasion, one of the CDs I received had a picture of a bus on the front, and the words Third Day.  Something about the cover art caught my eye, and I immediately popped this unknown band into my office stereo system.  The first song grabbed my attention.  The second song- Forever (see video at bottom) - just blew me away!  I was hooked on Third Day, and I have never looked back.


Over the years I have seen Third Day perform live on several occasions.  I once sat on stage while they performed at a National Youth Workers Convention (bring back the "Peanut Gallery," YS!) and guitarist Mark Lee and lead vocalist Mac Powell came over and visited with us.  I later ate lunch with them in Pittsburgh- well, we ate in the same restaurant!  :)  But mostly, I have loved their music, and used many of their songs for programs and lessons.


So here are my choices for a Third Day top 10. There are so many great songs to choose from;  I feel certain I will have left out some favorites.  There are 4 songs on the list from their first album- and there could have been more.  It's one of my favorite albums ever!  Please feel free to add yours in the comment section.  I didn't include any songs that were not originally done by the band, such as God of Wonders and songs from the 2 Offerings projects- even though I love those songs so much.  From their early "hey they sound like Hootie & the Blowfish!" days to their current status as CCM royalty, their faithfulness to making great music in the name of Jesus has never waivered.  We "Gomers" thank you very much.  Now let the debating begin!


10)  40 Days  (From the 2001 album Come Together) - Classic southern rock with a message.  One of my "go-to" pull me out of a funk songs.
  9)  Thief  (From the 1996 album Third Day)  - One of the great Good Friday songs ever written, told from the perspective of one of the thieves crucified with Jesus.  Awesome.
  8)  Don't Give Up Hope (From the 2010 album Move) - "Don't give up faith, don;t give up hope, there;s always something better waiting around the corner..."
  7)  I've Always Loved You (From the 1999 album Time) - They've always had the unique ability to write songs from the perspective of Jesus.  Love this song.  
 7+)  My Hope Is You (From the 1997 album Conspiracy #5) - A simple truth told in song.  My only hope is Jesus.
  6)  Revelation (From the 2008 album Revelation) 
  5)  Show Me Your Glory  (From the 2001 album Come Together) - How can you listen to this song and not want to worship God?  "Send down your presence, I want to see Your face..."
  4)  Love Song  (From the 1996 album Third Day)  - Hearing Jesus sing, "Just to be with you I'd do anything; there's no price I would not pay" still brings tears to my eyes.  A beautiful, haunting love song from our Savior.
  3)  Consuming Fire (From the 1996 album Third Day) - "1,2,3,4,5,6..."  Chill bumps every single time.  My favorite Third Day song to hear live, and one of the great modern worship songs.  There's an awesome live rendition on Offerings 1.
  2)  Forever (From the 1996 album Third Day) - My very first favorite Third Day song is still might close to the top of my list.  Check out the lyrics on the video below.  Incredible.
  1)  Cry Out To Jesus (From the 2005 album Wherever You Are) - An amazing song that speaks to everyone.  No matter how dark the night, no matter how deep the valley, Jesus is always there.  As hard as it was to pick a Top 10, picking #1 was actually pretty easy for me.  A brilliant song.


So there you have it.  Enjoy the video, and let me know which of your favorite songs I missed.  Blessings to you all!

CCM Thursday: 6 String Rocketeer

Today I want to share with you one of the great "One Hit Wonders" of Contemporary Christian Music.  The band Daily Planet was only together for one album, but on it they produced one of my all-time favorite songs- Six String Rocketeer.  The song is about dealing with family issues by allowing yourself to become lost in your favorite music.  I never had those problems; my parents were wonderful to me and to each other.  But I did often retreat to my room as a child and lose myself in my favorite songs. I would crank up the stereo, break out my tennis racket/guitar and BECOME my favorite rock stars!  That music helped me overcome heartache, depression and many other issues, and much of that music still moves me to this day.  This song is a reminder of all of that.


So today, in addition to sharing a wonderful and seldom heard song with you, I want to play a little music trivia.  The bridge to this song contains slightly veiled references to a number of classic recording artists of the 60s, 70s and 80s.  Do you know who Daily Planet was referring to when they mentioned Sgt. Pepper, Mudslide Slim, Rocket Man, Gordon Sumner or any of the other references?  For your chance to win a $20 Barnes & Nobles gift card, identify as many of them as you can and e-mail me your answers.  I'd also love to hear some of the songs and artists that help you "blast off" and lose the worries of the day...


Music has always been an important part of my life and my ministry.  I hope this little homemade video will remind you of some precious ways music has impacted your life.  Enjoy this amazing song.

CCM Thursday: The Holy Books

I first became aware of James Ward at the 1982 National Youth Workers Convention, when this James Taylor looking dude took the main stage and absolutely blew us away with piano playing and soulful voice.  Later on, he would would do concerts for us at North Carolina Yearly Meeting sessions and at Youthquake '91 in Vermont.  For many years he served as the musical director for Youth Specialties at the NYWC.  But the most important thing James ever did for me was teach me to rap...


I had already passed my 30th birthday in 1990 when I started to get serious about memorizing scripture (for really the first time since my childhood).  Among the things I wanted to commit to memory were all of the books of the bible.  In 1985, James had written a rap called The Holy Books, and I decided to use it to help me with my memorization.  It worked like a charm. To this day if I need to locate a particular book of the bible in my mind, watch my lips.  You may see them move as I silently rap my way through the Old and New Testaments.  I used to perform the rap on occasion, only to prove that I could really do it!  :)


In July of 2010 I put together a little video of the song and posted it to YouTube as a teaching aid for anyone trying to learn the Holy Books.  As that video approaches 10,000 views, I thought I would share it with my blog readers for the first time.  It is cheesy.  It's silly.  But it works.  And I can promise you from personal experience- learn this song and you'll never forget the books of the bible again!  Enjoy, and have a blessed day!

CCM Thursday: The Late Great PFR

Back in early 2010 I did a countdown for this blog of the 50 Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) projects that had the most impact on my life and ministry (through 2007).  You can see that list here.  When I began the countdown I decided to leave off live albums and greatest hits collections.  In doing so, I chose to leave off one of my all time favorite projects, The Late Great PFR.  Today I want to share this classic collection with you.


PFR is a band that began as the group Pray For Rain in 1991, only to discover that an instrumental group already had claimed that name.  They shortened their name to PFR and became one of the most influential Christian bands of the mid-1990s.  I first encountered them at a National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville in 1995 and was blown away by their creative lyrics and awesome arrangements. I quickly bought all of their CDs and became a big fan.  In 1998 they announced they were breaking up and issued a greatest hits collection.  It is still easily one of my top 10 listened to albums.  It contained 13 classics and 3 brand new songs, and I love them all.  Songs like Great Lengths, Pray For Rain, Anything, Wait For the Sun, Fare Thee Well and the classic Goldie's Last Day are staples on my I-pod.  For me, their vocal blend and creative songs made them the Beatles of CCM.  You can hear their biggest hit, That Kind of Love, by watching the video below.  If you don't know PFR, then you are missing out on some amazing music. They have gotten back together a couple of times since 2000, and still perform together.  But they will be hard pressed to ever top the songs featured on The Late Great PFR.  Here's the playlist:
1)  Great Lengths                              9)  Pray For Rain
2)  Pour Me Out                               10)  Wonder Why
3)  Name                                           11)  The Love I Know
4)  Walk Away From Love              12)  Do You Want to Know Love
5)  Forever                                        13)  Merry Go Round
6)  Anything                                     14)  That Kind of Love
7)  Spinnin' Round                           15)  Wait For the Sun
8)  Goldie's Last Day                        16)  Fare Thee Well


Have a blessed day, everyone- and don't forget to "pray for rain to come and wash away what has made you numb!"

CCM Thursday: Moshing Machine

Sometime around April of 2003 I received a call from one of the talent agencies I had used over the years asking me if I would be interested in having a new Christian band come to our church as part of their summer tour.  The band was called The Swift, and I had never heard of them.  I was not alone.  They had a new album and were touring in support of it, but they were not well known.  The agent told me that they had a piano-driven pop sound and were receiving excellent reviews for their live performances.  And they would come cheap.  Cheap was good.  The students of Graceland at Wesley Memorial UMC  loved concerts, so I booked them for an August date.  

By the time they arrived at WMUMC that August, The Swift had a hit single called Under the Sun.  Their album had received great reviews, and their star was climbing.  We had booked them at exactly the right time, because by the time they did the show for us we could have no longer afforded them!  They turned out to be great guys with hearts for ministry, and they did a tremendous show for us with an awesome message of God's unfailing love.  It was a pleasure to hang out with them, help them set up and tear down, and them take them and some of my youth out to dinner afterwards.  It turned out that the band shared my addiction to the restaurant Chilli's, and we had a blast eating and listening to them tell stories of life on the road.  It was one of those nights that made me LOVE my calling to serve Jesus through youth ministry.

One particular song stands out from that great night of music.  It's a song called Moshing Machine, and it speaks to the often odd experience of seeing an unruly crowd at a Christian concert.  They also had a killer t-shirt based on the song that was a big seller that night.  One line from the song always makes me laugh out loud: "Love your shoes but when they're breaking pews can't you see, it's irreverency!  OWWWW!"  Having once seen that happen at an Audio Adrenaline/Supertones concert in the late 90s, the song really resonated with me.   The band is no longer together, but their music is still all over my I-pod.  So to cap off a great memory shared with some incredible people on one awesome night, here's the official video for Moshing Machine.  Enjoy, and have a blessed day!

CCM Thursday: Steven Curtis Chapman Top 10

Any list of the most faithful, successful, influential and award winning Christian artists of all time will feature the name Steven Curtis Chapman (SC2) right near the top.  Since the release of his first album in 1987, SC2 has dominated the charts and the Dove Awards with his music.  His 1992 project, The Great Adventure, was one of the albums that got me believing that Contemporary Christian Music could be great.  I took youth groups to see him on a couple of occasions, and one of my favorite concert events ever was seeing SC2 and my friend (and his best friend) Geoff Moore share a stage and tell stories about their relationship and song-writing.  I have used his music in worship (Speechless and Let Us Pray), to teach lessons and to inspire action in students.  His catalog is so huge that this Top 10 list is limited to songs from albums released before 2003- but there are still some HUGE hits left out.  As always, I'd love to hear from you.  And be sure to scroll down past the list to hear a special medley of Steven's early hits.  It was a bonus track in The Great Adventure Fan Fun Pack, which also featured a video.   Dive in!  :)


10)  I Will Be Here - (from the album More To This Life, 1989)  I sang this song in at least 3 weddings, so it has to make the list!
  9)  Fingerprints of God - (from the album Speechless, 1999)  I gave my son Will a t-shirt with lyrics from this song and "God's fingerprints" on it when he was little.
  8)  Facts Are Facts - (from the album Heaven In the Real World, 1994) Amazing chorus with an amazing promise.
  7)  The Walk - (from the album Signs of Life, 1996)  Micah 6:8 "It all comes down to the walk..."  
  6)  No Better Place - (from the album For the Sake of the Call, 1990) "Jesus came to bring us life in the here and now..."
  5)  Live Out Loud! - (from the album Declaration, 2001)  "Wake the neighbors!"
  4)  For the Sake of the Call - (from the album For the Sake of the Call, 1990) If you are in ministry (professional or otherwise), this song should be close to your heart.
  3)  Dive - (from the album Speechless, 1999) One of the great "GO FOR IT!" songs ever written.
  2)  Lord of the Dance - (from the album Signs of Life, 1996) "I am the dancer, I need the LORD of the dance!"  And the instrumentation- simply brilliant!
  1)  Prologue/The Great Adventure - (from the album The Great Adventure, 1992) The soaring instrumental Prologue sounds like the soundtrack of a great western and leads straight into the classic "Saddle up your horses!" opening.  Check out the video of my 28 years in youth ministry to hear it all together!


So there's my list.  What did I leave out- I mean besides his rap duet with Toby Mac, Got 2 B Tru? Now THAT is a song for the Jukebox of Cheese!  Let me hear from you!

Written On My Heart

Welcome to another CCM Thursday.  Let's get this straight right from the beginning- I don't like boy bands.  Even though in the mid-1990s A.J. from the Backstreet Boys had a number of direct connections to my youth group in Kissimmee, I was NEVER a BSB fan.  Even though I think Justin Timberlake is one of the 2 or 3 most talented people on the planet, I had no trouble telling N'Sync to go "Bye, Bye Bye."  I don't even know what NKOTB stands for. So in 2000 when I began to hear of a Christian boy band - Plus One - that was being put together, I couldn't have cared less. And that's the way it should have stayed...


Then my friends at Interlinc- THE source for new Christian music for youth pastors- included a Plus One song on one of their video loops.  I didn't mean to watch it.  It's all Interlinc's fault.  I certainly never intended to like it.  But Written On My Heart was just so catchy...   The kids had incredible voices and it was the #1 Christian song in the country for 2 months!  The video really spoke to me about telling the world how much Jesus loves us, and the lyrics are a wonderful reminder that God has loved us since before we were born.    Think about these lyrics:

You game me Your love,  lifted me up

Now I'm looking at forever 

when I never thought I'd ever see that far

You, you're in my soul wherever I go

Now I know right from the start

Your love was written on my heart

So go ahead.  Make fun of me.  Tell me to hand over my "Man Card" yet again.  At least it's not on my Ipod (OK, that's a lie- it IS on my Ipod, and I love it!).  But like I said last week about Testify to Love, this song is a guilty pleasure that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it because it is such a positive, upbeat testimony to the love of God.  So enjoy it.  And if you find yourself liking it more than you want to, don't blame me. Blame Interlinc!  :)