Amazing Violinist

This violin solo was performed by Sirena Huang in 2006. It is amazing.

Not too shabby for an eleven year old.

Enjoy.

Rethinking the Words of Worship

Are we thinking about what we say to God during worship?

Adam Wood has some great thoughts on the topic here.

Leaving the Manufactured Church

Rachel Daniels:

"Church" has become synonymous with words like "corporation" and "organization". But instead of manufacturing toilet paper or toothpaste, our products are decisions, discipleship programs and even the Holy Spirit. Rather than equipping the saints to do ministry, our pastors are CEOs, Chief Evangelism Officers, who manage the industry by creating consumers of Christianity.

Read the rest of the article here. It is thought provoking and well worth the read.

Why You Can Have Hope & Strength in Suffering

Stuart Dean:

When the truth of God is abandoned, so is the hope and strength to face suffering.

Read the rest.

How To Fail As A Worship Leader

David Santistevan:

As a worship leader myself, I've found that failure has a lot more to do with how we handle

the small stuff behind the scenes, than it does with what happens on stage.

Read the rest.

Abide With Me

This week in worship we are singing the great song titled "Abide With Me". The lyrics were written by Henry Lyte in the 1800's. We are doing the version put out by Indelible Grace Music.

I just wanted to share the lyrics with you today. They are so strong. So strong!

I hope they can be an encouragement to you today.

ABIDE WITH ME; FALLS THE EVENTIDE;

THE DARKNESS DEEPENS; LORD WITH ME ABIDE.

WHEN OTHER HELPERS, FAIL AND COMFORTS FLEE,

HELP OF THE HELPLESS, ABIDE WITH ME.

THOU ON MY HEAD, IN EARLY YOUTH DIDST SMILE;

AND, THOUGH REBELLIOUS, AND PERVERSE MEANWHILE,

THOU HAST NOT LEFT ME, OFT AS I LEFT THEE,

ON TO THE CLOSE LORD, ABIDE WITH ME.

I NEED THY PRESENCE, EVERY PASSING HOUR.

WHAT BUY THY GRACE, CAN FOIL THE TEMPTER'S POWER?

WHO, LIKE THYSELF, MY GUIDE AND STAY CAN ME?

THROUGH CLOUD AND SUNSHINE, ABIDE WITH ME.

I FEAR NO FOE, WITH THEE AT HAND TO BLESS

ILLS HAVE NO WEIGHT, TEARS LOSE THEIR BITTERNESS

WHERE IS THY STING DEATH? WHERE GRAVE THY VICTORY?

I TRIUMPH STILL, ABIDE WITH ME.

HOLD THOU THY CROSS, BEFORE MY CLOSING EYES;

SHINE THROUGH THE GLOOM, AND POINT ME TO THE SKIES.

HEAVEN'S MORNING BREAKS, AND EARTH'S VAIN SHADOWS FLEE;

IN LIFE, IN DEATH, LORD, ABIDE WITH ME.

Maya Beiser(s) and her cello(s)

Maya Beiser plays an eight-part modern etude with seven copies of herself.

Very creative and beautiful.

The Decline of the Nuclear Family

Nick Bogardus:

"Perhaps the things that really need redeeming are the church's lack of a voice in what it

means to be a man or woman."

Read the rest here.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Love Divine

Bob Kauflin:

If you know anything about Wesley, you know he was prolific, writing between 6000 and 8500 hymns, depending on your source. As you might guess, every one wasn’t a classic. But more than a few were. And John Hartley and Chris Eaton have done a masterful job introducing some of them to a new generation through new melodies, some new choruses, fresh arrangements and tasteful production.

My Take:

This is a great album. You need to go get it immediately.

Worship leaders should find these songs easy to teach and incorporate into worship.

Very excited to see my friend Mark Roach was included on this album.

A Neat Way To Think About Setting & Achieving Goals

Is there something that you have always wanted to do and just haven't? Matt Cutts suggests trying it for 30 days.

Our Newest Son: Kingston Alexander

This is our newest son. His name is Kingston Alexander. He was born June 17th. He weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. He is such a blessing and a great addition to our family.

We received the pictures from the photographer today, so I wanted to share them with you all. The rest of the pictures will be posted on my facebook page.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Is Church Membership Biblical?

Came across this good post form Matt Chandler today. Read it here.

This Is Beatjazz

Onyx Ashanti demonstrates "beatjazz"-his music created by two handheld controllers, an iPhone and a mouthpiece, and played with the entire body.

After locking his beats and loops he plays a 3 minute song that shares his vision for the future of music.

Hackers Expose Flaw

Hackers have disclosed a bug in software from Apple Inc that security experts said could be exploited by criminals looking to gain remote control over iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices.

See article here.

The Way To God

Started reading through the D.L. Moody Collection with a friend of mine today. Today we read and talked about Moody's message titled "The Way To God: The Gateway into the Kingdom".

Moody talked about "the new birth" and how he considers it to be the most important doctrine. Moody says, "My experience has been this-that if a man is unsound on this doctrine, he will be unsound on almost every other fundamental doctrine in the Bible".

Lots of great thoughts in this 24 page chapter.

Here are a few questions from the study.

1. Are you certain that you are born again of the Spirit of God, and can you give a scriptural reason why you are going to heaven?

2. Do you look to Jesus on a regular basis for forgiveness and righteousness in your life?

3. What evidence in the events and blessings of your own life prove Christ to be your Shepherd?

Jury Finds Casey Anthony Not Guilty Of Murder

I would have never guessed this verdict a few months ago. I am very disturbed by this.

What are your thoughts?

Obituary for the American Church

Thought provoking article by Mike Breen titled "Obituary for the American Church".

Check it out here.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

The Fourth of July & Freedom

Happy Fourth. Here is a great quote for the day from Abraham Lincoln.

Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere.
--September 11, 1858 Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois

Competition For Ochocinco

It appears Chad Ochocinco may have some competition. Check out this celebration after a goal at the World Cup.

A Little Michael Jackson For Ya

Very cool video. Everything about it is done well.

(HT: Vitamin Z)