Happy Anniversary to me!

Twelve years ago, January 1, 2013, I officially started as pastor at Milford First Brethren Church. 

If my memory serves me correctly, I did go into the office that New Year's Day. A few days later, I started this blog. As you can see from that link, I was much more active back then with my blog posts.

Many things have changed with me, my family, and our church for sure. Through it all, God has been faithful and good. We have seen him at work in some special ways here in Milford. 

Today, I thought I'd share some reflections that have been sitting in the back of my mind for quite awhile but have only probably recently thought about connecting all the dots.

And they truly are reflections - looking back at God's hand in guiding and preparing me for these last 12 years. See, if you've ever read this blog before, you know the influence Christian music has had on my life. It's a favorite subject of mine - and while I am no longer someone who is on top of every new act or group, it is still an interest of mine.

And as I've reflected on God's guidance on my life to this point, I've realized that there were some particular songs that prepared me, almost subconsciously, for serving here in Milford. I was thinking about this awhile ago and realized there were 3-4 songs (plus one honorable mention) that were not big hits, but caught my attention in my college and seminary years where I was studying for pastoral ministry. Several months ago I wrote out my list and subsequently lost it but I rewrote it and will share it below. I feel compelled to say that I think my original list included another song that I just can recall.

But here are some Christian pop/rock songs that honor small-town ministry and being faithful in relative obscurity. These have always encouraged me lest I get envious or coveting greener pastures.

Music Mondays - The one about death

This past weekend, I did my 6th funeral/memorial service since last November and my 8th in the last 13 months. In a sense, I've been in a "season" of death. More accurately, I've been walking along side many others going through seasons of death. 

I believe that's why, after belatedly buying Needtobreathe's latest album, their song "Be Here Long" hit me right square in the heart.

I have heard good songs that dealt with what I can only describe as "the real stuff" of death. Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" and Twenty One Pilot's cover of "Cancer" are two stand-outs for their poignancy, even if the former doesn't match my theological convictions. And there are certainly scores hopeful Christian offerings, too numerous to even begin to link to. 

But what this song does is offer a glimpse into the raw struggle of grief. It never gives up our hope in Christ, but for anyone who has been devastated by the loss of someone close to them, these lyrics ring absolutely 100% true to life. 
As Christians, we like to say, we don't grieve as those who have no hope. Certainly true, but let's leave ourselves room for the grieving part of that equation. This song certainly does:

I know I can't keep it together 

but I know that you want me to

Oh, I'm swimming in the grief
And there's no anchor that could hold me down
I don't want any relief
'Cause I don't wanna let you go right now

Yeah, I know you found the promise land
But I'm still here and I'm missing you

I gave you the best of me
Loved you more than anything
But we don't get to be here long

For any of you who have read to the end, here's the studio version as a bonus:

Music Mondays - Best Covers Ever

Needtobreathe has become one of my favorite bands for a whole bunch of reasons. I love their arrangements, their sound, and the subtle ways their music is honest about the complex journey of faith.

Their cover of "Stand By Me" has been something they've included in sets for awhile but their unique twist on the classic song is just about perfect.

Here's a bonus video of them tying it on the end of one of their mellow original songs:

Music Mondays

"We wore the colors of our favorite little let down"

Those lyrics from this week's selection have always grabbed me. 

They seem especially relevant as we enter the opening weeks of football season. Now, I'm pretty sure "Tyrant Kings" is more about what's really important in life than football fandom. Based on one video, they explain that it's how we strive for our dreams at the expense of family and friendships (see the 5:00-7:00 min interlude of this video). 

But that lyric perfectly captures sports fandom, doesn't it?

Only one team will win the championship. Every season we wear the jerseys and hats and face-paint with the colors of teams that mostly let us down (Alabama football being the exception). 

Maybe the connection between this song and football season only makes sense to me. But it's a good enough excuse to post a video of the song this week. I have a feeling it will be a song that grows and grows on you because it sure did with me.

Music Mondays

Since I'm a big NEEDTOBREATHE fan, I'm morally obligated to share their latest single. But beyond obligation, this one's a cool song, featuring an accompanying "that's who that is" artist.

Andra Day was featured in the Apple Christmas ad from 2015 with Stevie Wonder that made everyone get all the feels. She's cut out a nice career for herself and the collaboration here is excellent. 
This is a song for those battling and persevering, for those who are realizing "change don't come without a fallout."

Music Mondays

It's clear enough to me
The ugliness I see
Is evidence of who I need

Give me the answer
Give me the way out
Give me the faith to believe in these hard times

Sometimes songs resonate with you more during particular seasons of life. As a pastor, I have seasons of excitement and joy. Other seasons are filled with struggle and helping people through the messiness of life. Currently I'm in the latter stage and this song has popped into my head as I see people yearning for answers and having to deal with the "ugliness" of this world. The wonderful truth is, it's all pointing us to Who we need.

There are other live videos that might be more visually interesting. But doesn't this simple lyric video delivers the goods?

Music Mondays - Faith in Tension (Part II)

Last week we began a countdown of the best modern Christian songs that express the tension of our faith.  Ok, they're really just my favorites but whatever.

The rationale and scoring system were detailed last week so I won't go over them again. Instead, let's jump right into the top 5 songs that honestly communicate the paradoxes and tensions of following Christ.

5. "Something Beautiful" - Needtobreathe

 (Total - 23. CT: 7, TD: 9, SQ: 5, Bonus: 2)

I remember liking this song upon hearing it for the first couple times. But I often don't always "catch" all the lyrics. When I figured out the part of the chorus that says, "I know that I'm in reach, 'cause I am down on my knees", it instantly became a favorite of mine and I realized this was a band that I needed to become more familiar with. The rest of the song explores the riskiness of faith with the metaphor of drowning, but that singular line gets me every time. Bonus points for the vocals and also sneaking in the band's own name into the song. 

4. "What If I Stumble?" - dc Talk

(Total - 23.25. CT: 10, TD: 7, SQ: 4.25, Bonus: 2)

The opening verse is the most startlingly-honest lyric written since Robert Robinson penned verse 3 of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". I know people who've toured the CCM circuit. My parents had a modest music/evangelistic ministry, traveling a lot when I was younger to different churches. The tension of performing versus ministering is a very real one. Even for a pastor that struggle is real...and then to consider what would happen if we faltered - heavy stuff. And this is at the band's peak of fame and popularity too! This live performance may be my favorite of all time - any genre any song any band. Great harmonies and tremendous use of modest vocal talent (with the exception of Michael Tait) to create a stellar performance.

Music Mondays

It's been a couple weeks. We took a mini-vacation to Gatlinburg on a Pastors and Spouses Retreat. It isn't necessarily warm in Tennessee this time of year. But it was definitely pleasant and a needed get-away. It proved to be the kind of scenario where one is refreshed by almost everything - the food, the fellowship, and the scenery.

That experience plus a curious case of deja vu led me to this week's highlighted song.

This is new single by Needtobreathe is just perfectly fit for retreats surrounded by nature and Spring's arrival (it's today!). It also has happened to be playing three consecutive Sunday mornings in a row as I've been getting ready for church. And of course I heard it again on my way to the office this morning. I began to realize that maybe I should be sure to "come to the fountain and be satisfied."  
I can't be certain - maybe it's a message from God, maybe it's random deja vu, maybe it's just the nature of Christian radio...whatever the case it has inserted a little joy into each of my mornings when I've heard it. 
 

Music Mondays

This week I'm featuring a couple things that popped up in my Twitter timeline over the weekend. 

The first features the greatest shooter of all time (with apologies to Larry Legend) getting some stage time at a Lecrae concert.

On the other end of the music genre scale is this SiriusXM video that featured NeedtoBreathe covering a couple songs seamlessly - almost like they wrote the selections themselves.

How good is that? A Jackson 5 classic along with a Otis Redding/Black Crowes song (I had to look it up).

Music Mondays

There's nothing too sentimental or overly deep about this week's selection. It's just the new music video of a really good song off of what is my favorite album of 2014-2015. 

For the uninitiated, two of the three guys who make up NEEDTOBREATHE are, in fact, brothers. So you have to think this song is coming from a very 'real' place. Mix in a little Gavin DeGraw and you have a recipe for this song to hit it big (at least I hope). 

I guess I have to get deep/sentimental/reflective for a minute because as the oldest child in a family who had to navigate the difficulties of a single parent home, I don't think I was always the best brother, but I feel blessed that us kids are on good terms and are supportive of each other. And I think that's the heart of this song.

Music Mondays

I was doing some heavy reading today in a local coffee shop/bookstore. It was detailed church history that traced the development of some movements before our nation was even a country. 

This kind of study has it's place and it's interesting how doctrine has developed. You can start to wonder why people acted the way they did - and then you turn around and realize the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

So as I was reading in this area, over the speakers came the following song, which helps give balance and perspective. It's all gotta come back to Jesus.

Bonus Video:

I was a week early last week - Needtobreathe has come out with their official video for "Multiplied", enjoy:

Music Monday

I had this song in mind for today's post. And then I heard it first thing this morning when I turned on the radio and I knew it was meant to be.

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name
 
God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/needtobreathe/multiplied.html

Music Monday - On a Tuesday

I've been slacking on what are to be weekly posts about music. Totally meant to post yesterday but the holiday threw me off.

So here's another Music Monday on a Tuesday. 

For the next few weeks, I'll just be sharing music I'm listening to right now along with some short commentary.

I've featured this group plenty on this blog, and their newest album was a recent iTunes purchase of mine.
This particular song has been haunting me a little ever since I first heard it on the radio. It's title and chorus seem to be some strong declaration. And then you get to the verses and realize it's lamenting false confidence and false belief in you having a corner on the Truth. At least, that's how I'm hearing it.

It's a song worth meditating on, especially for me as a pastor.

Music Mondays - Songs for the New Year

It's been a few weeks, but Music Monday is back!

I was flipping through our church's hymnal thinking of New Year's songs. After all, we just got through a Christmas season that has plenty of songs associated with it. 'What about New Years?' I thought.

There were a grand total of 7 listed. And I only had heard of 3 of them.

That's too bad, because the New Year holiday is a perfect time to celebrate what God's done for us. While not expressly a biblical holiday like Christmas or Easter, the themes of the New Year of new beginnings, starting over, resolutions, and looking towards the future perfectly fit with biblical principles.

So why not scour my iPod and come up with my own list of New Year's-related songs?

And that's what I did.

I will present them in ascending order starting with numbers 6-10 today and present #1-5 next week. Along with corresponding videos, I will also offer a short commentary on why it makes my list.

With no further ado, here we go:

10.  "Always" by Kristian Stanfill

Why is it on the list?
This song evokes many of the Psalms where David declares his absolute trust and dependance in God to vindicate and save him. Those aren't exclusively 'New Year's' ideas, but they are important perspectives to have as we look to what may lie ahead. No matter the good or bad 2014 brings, we can be confident in our great God.

9. "Valley of Tomorrow" by Needtobreathe

Why is it on the list?
This band just knows how to write great songs. And this one is a song of re-commitment to God no matter what:

Chorus:
Oh, this is the way I wanna go down
(This is the last time) I'm starting over with you
This is the way I wanna go out
(This is the last time)

Read more: Needtobreathe - Valley Of Tomorrow Lyrics | MetroLyrics

I also personally love it because it talks about seeing "the daylight breaks through the buildings of Chicago" and I've seen that very thing during my days recruiting for Grace Seminary. It's just a great, soulful song of re-dedication and listening to the Spirit's guiding whisper - totally relevant to us as we make our New Year's resolutions.

8. "In the Light" - dc Talk (nod to Charlie Peacock)

Why is it on the list?
It's an oldie, but a goodie. And to say that means I must be really old. Much like the previous song, this classic from the Jesus Freak album is a declaration of commitment to God and desire to pursue Him. If you're still reading at this point, you are probably sensing a theme. But along with the fitting lyrics, the music is fun, upbeat, and invites us to sing a long.

Songs #7 and #6 after the jump...

Music Mondays

This is Needtobreathe and their recent single "Keep Your Eyes Open". This group is a unique blend of styles, including Southern Rock and Country. This video feels to me like it was done by a professional, but one who didn't have a great grasp on what the song was about. 

Still, the song is catchy and inspiring, especially if I'm feeling down or struggling or lost. It's God's encouraging call to us to persevere and remained focused on Him.

After the 'jump', I have a controversial rumor to spread.