Monday, April 6, 2015

Scripture Challenge Days 1-7 + Associated Tunes

Adam Raatz challenged me to post my favorite scripture references for 7 days straight.

Not all of my friends will want scripture in their feeds for 7 days straight, so I modified my approach by listing all 7 in the post and letting folks opt in to checking them out if they so choose.

I also chose to add some tunes to the mix, because music, 2nd only to the visual expression, is the language o' my heart - much more so than reading.  So... with all of that said... here goes...


Psalm 13 - "How long, Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, Lord my God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me."
  • I love this passage because it feels realistic to me.  Four of its six verses are questioning God.  They are written by a man that feels disconnected, fearful, and maybe even a bit ticked off.  But that same man circles back around to the Truth that he knows is eternal and talks himself off his own ledge.  It's a model for us to follow and one that I wish I was better at.  If it were me, I'd probably write a couple of whiny chapters before I came back to the truth.  
  • Tune:  Shane & Shane: Psalm 13


Matthew 6:33-34 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."
  • I remember verse 33 as one of the first verses I ever learned as a kid.  I didn't know that verse 34 existed until I was older, and, as a control freak, I think I should have learned it first. The two combined are great instruction, simple enough for a kid to get, and more meaningful as I continue to get older.  Good stuff.  
  • Tune: Steve Moakler: Crooked Heart - Absolutely love this tune - it's a realistic depiction of what it looks like to pursue his kingdom  


1 Corinthians 10:23-24 - "I have the right to do anything," you say - but not everything is beneficial.  "I have the right to do anything" - but not everything is constructive.  No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."
  • This is one that can either cause us to get all judgy about "society", or have us take a look in the mirror.  I'm a selfish litter bugger that wants to do what I want to do.  This brief passage is a great reminder for me.  
  • Tune:  Steve Moakler: Riser - it's a song about a guy working to be a protector and provider.  Gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.  Hopefully you'll see the connection as you listen  


1 Corinthians 13:4-13 - "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.  but where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we phrophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see fact to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  
  • This passage was read during our wedding ceremony and has been something to aspire to ever since.  I don't read it, or do it, often enough.  It's also a passage that began to get even more real after the arrival of my son.  
  • Tune:  Josh Garrels: Little Blue - it's a song about he and his wife expecting the birth of their daughter.  Beautiful little ditty. 
  • Bonus Tune:  Josh Garrels: Million Miles - it's a beautiful love song.  I'm pretty sure it was the prelude to Little Blue.  ;)


Luke 22:31-34 - "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.  But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."  Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times that you know me."
  • I find hope in this passage.  It demonstrates that, even a disciple that walked with Jesus, ate with him, saw his miracles, and did life, came up short when he worried about his own well-being.  And his God knew it was coming and loved him anyway.  A beautiful message to a guy with the same name and the same tendencies.  He is constant, even when we are not. 
  • Tune:  Judah & the Lion: Everything Changes - it's a great summary of my last sentence above. 


Psalms 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
  • Love the spirit of this simple, but profound verse.  I want to live deliberately while I'm here. 
  • Tune:  Judah & the Lion: Rich Kids - these little smart arses are on to something. 


Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you."
  • This one is easy to mistake with muscling through day-to-day stress with our own power.  The reason for courage in this passage has nothing to do with us.  It centers on the fact that we are to be courageous because our Lord is with us.  If it was just us, we'd be delusional to be courageous.  
  • Tune: Crowder: I Am - "In the middle of the storm, I am holding on, I Am." - love the play on words and the message.  His hope is in his Creator, not his own power.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Leave a Mark

About 10 years ago, I stumbled across Steve Lloyd - a potter in Princeton, MN that was doing community wood-firings.  I reached out and asked if I could play.

He didn't know me from Adam, but he welcomed me into his studio, his home, and his community of artisans.  He shared his knowledge and his supplies, and celebrated with me when we unloaded the finished pieces from the kiln.  

A piece of Steve's that I purchased from their wee-little farm house studio.


I only participated in a couple of firings with Steve before he and his wife Becky decided to pick up and move to North Carolina to pursue the next season of their career together.  But the memories of feeling welcomed into their space have lingered on for a decade.  

Steve passed away recently.  Much too young. 

He left a mark on me - thru a few interactions over a few months time, he demonstrated what it looks like to pursue your passion, to invite others into it, and to create community.  

He will always have my respect and I hope to model what I learned from him awhile back. 

So today, I've got two asks of you:
  • Check out Steve & Becky's work.  It's beautiful.  I love the fact that Steve throws the work and that Becky completes the surface decoration.  The relationship and partnership is inspiring.
http://www.lloydpottery.com/gallery.html


  • Figure out what mark you want to leave on those around you and start pursuing it if you haven't already.  The world needs your story and you're the only one that can tell it.  
 Love to you and yours.  pba. 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Friday Fusion, Volume 7 - NEEDTOBREATHE, "Multiplied"

Thought this one was appropriate for Easter weekend.  Enjoy!

It's been a NEEDTOBREATHE week.  Lovin' all of their stuff right now. 


Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wildfires singing your name

God of mercy, sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to your design
May this offering stretch across the sky
These hallelujahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wildfires singing your name
God of mercy, sweet love of mine

I have surrendered to your design
May this this offering stretch across the sky
These hallelujahs be multiplied

(Multiplied, Multiplied, Oh Multiplied)

God of mercy, sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to your design
May this this offering stretch across the sky
These hallelujahs be multiplied
These hallelujahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds
bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wildfires singing your name


Sunday, April 13, 2014

Friday Fusion, Volume 6 - Harbor & Home, "Kings"

Time for a nod to a local group that recently concluded a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording of their first album - Harbor & Home 

We recently had the opportunity to check 'em out in concert and were impressed with their potential.  Kings is a great tune - check it out!

And check out their new album in a few months.  Recording is done and it's in the process of getting mastered by the same gent that has worked with The Lumineers, Alicia Keys, and other faboooolous artists.  

If you're a vocal supporter, maybe they'll include you in their VH1 Behind the Music special. 




Friday, April 4, 2014

Friday Fusion, Volume 5 - David Wilcox, "Burgundy Heart Shaped Medallion"


This is an oldy, but a goody.  A beautiful message in less than 2:00 flat.  
It's dedicated to Trisha Rene - as it has been for well over 15 years now.

Forget about everything, focus on someone you care about, and soak it in.
It also works as a song from God to you.

David Wilcox

Cheers. pba. 

Friday, March 28, 2014

Friday Fusion, Volume 4 - Judah & The Lion, "Back's Against the Wall"

It took me a total of 2 notes to figure out I like these guys.  Not kidding.



They were performing at the Storyline Conference in Nashville last October.  I noticed their merch stand out in the hall on the way in, but wanted to find a spot to sit.    

I went in, sat down, heard two notes, put my books down on the floor, got up, walked out and bought both EPs they were selling, then came back in and listened to the rest of their set. 

The woman next to me was all-like "Did you just buy both of those?!".  
And I was all-like "Hellllllz Yeah".  Or something like that.  

Today's song is called "Back's Against the Wall" and it's a hopeful southern anthem-like thing.  I listened to it very loudly (on repeat) on the drive home with the sunroof open. I hope you like it.  pba. 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Friday Fusion, Volume 3 - Steve Moakler, "Riser"

This week's tune is a brand-spankin'-new one from Nashville-based singer/song-writer, Steve Moakler.  You might remember him from such excellent adventures as the feeding of Buddy the Blue Beta Fish...


Steve Moakler following thru on his word.
And a very happy girl.
Steve is the one on the left.  (October of 2013)  

The tune is called "Riser" and it makes me think of my brother Dean. 
If I was a singer, I'd sing it to my wife.  

It's good.  Listen to it.  
And then go buy the album. www.SteveMoakler.com 


(Lyrics included below if you can't understand his thick accent.  Kidding.  He doesn't have a thick accent.  He's from Pittsburgh.)
   

Riser

Lay your pretty head down on my shoulder
You don't have to worry anymore
This old world is cold and getting colder
But I know how to lock and bolt the door

I'm strong enough to hold you through the winter
I'm mean enough to stare your demons down
Hard times put the shine into the diamond
But I won't let that keep us in the ground

'cause I'm a Riser
I'm a get up off the ground don't run and hider
When pushing comes to shove, hey, I'm a fighter
When darkness hits the town, I'm a lighter
A get out aliver, of the fire
Survivor

If we ain't got the money, I can make it
I ain't afraid of working to the bone
If I don't know what I'm doing, I can fake it
I'll pray 'til Jesus rolls away the stone

I'm a tryer
I'm a get down low so I can lift you higher
An army couldn't keep down my desire


******

An equally fabulous Moakler tune is Crooked Heart.  I think it's going to be in my playlist for a long time... Have a fabulous weekend.  pba.