A Day to Remember

I've had a lot of memorable days in my life. Yesterday was definitely one of those days when even in the midst of it, I kept saying, "I can't believe this is happening! What a great day!"

Why was it a great day?

First, its a great weekend: my friend Lyzz (from the '09 Ride:Well Tour) is here to visit! She arrived on Thursday morning and didn't leave until tonight (Monday). That being said: yesterday was an especially stellar day.

The morning started by meeting my friend Anna for a coffee (straight espresso for me!). Then we were off to the occasion of the morning: The White House garden party. Evidently, the White House opens up its garden twice a year (fall and spring) to "special guests." By invitation only, the "general public" are invited into the White House grounds to see the gardens. My friend Anna is a senior staff person for a Senator, and through work she obtained tickets to this party and kindly invited me along - also saving a ticket for my weekend visitor. :)


Entering the White House grounds was surreal. As crowds gathered on the sidewalk two fences and a street away from the beginning of the grounds, we passed through security guards by simply showing them a slip of paper and letting them look in our bags. The next thing we knew, we were looking at trees on the grounds planted by presidents past. As we stood next to the East Wing admiring Jacqueline Kennedy Garden we saw a big fluffly black dog appear: sure enough! It was Beau - the first dog!

We took photos posed feet from the main door. We admired the Rose Garden as we wondered if Obama was sitting in his Oval Office only feet away from us. We decided such a question was answered when security suddenly seemed to double and one of Obama's senior staff persons walked past. :)

The grounds were beautiful and I am greatly appreciative of such an opportunity for a tour. The gardens, the flowers, the trees, the vegetable garden, the naval band playing, the incredibly friendly staff and volunteers - all of it - was great. A huge thank you to is in order to all the volunteers who put the event on: and of course to Anna for thinking of me as a worthy guest!

Leaving we kind of thought to ourselves: now what? How does one spend a day when we've already been on the White House grounds?

Back to Plan A, we decided. Originally, Lyzz came this weekend so we could go to the official dedication of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Memorial. The first memorial in DC to an individual who was not a president (and not white), this is an event that has been much anticipated since its original opening in August - when this event was canceled due to Hurricane Irene. We were late, but hoped it would be ongoing and decided to take our chances as we began the 2 mile walk to the memorial.

Fortunately, we arrived to discover it had not ended. As we drew near, Lyzz wondered aloud, "is that James Taylor? He can't possibly be playing live, could he?" She excitedly ran ahead and I caught up to her in time to discover: Yes! James Taylor.

Seriously: James Taylor? Does it get better than this? As we soaked in another song he announced it would be his last and we sighed as we realized we missed most of the set. Surely the event was over: it was nearly 2pm.

Oh, were we mistaken. On and on we went: we also saw short performances by Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and others. It ended in an encore of countless artists singing "Love Train" together. Only one word can describe this experience of singing, dancing, and celebrating together in a huge but not congested crowd: AMAZING

After a stroll through my favorite memorial (Theodore Roosevelt!) and then to see the new MLK Memorial, we eventually walked our way back through part of the national mall. We landed in a pub for dinner before finally making our way home where we had ice cream for dinner as we crashed lazily on the couch watching a movie.

Pretty close to a perfect day, if I might say so myself. Or at the very least, a memorable one!

Music

“Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard.” -Coldplay, "The Scientist"

That’s what I love about music. Its poetry with a beat that triggers something, that moves so deep inside you don’t know its hit you until you can hear the words echoing deep inside.

I love that lines which seem so simple on some days, are complex and life-changing on others.

I love the challenge that comes with words that speak truth into my life. Truth that was there all along, but that I needed help seeing and understanding.

I suppose that’s why music is so important. Why it serves as a lifeline. Why most significant journeys or moments in my life are memories triggered by the music that spoke to me during that time. For music has spoken to me in moments of great sorrow and pain, as well as great joy and celebration. It tells of heartache and it tells of struggle. It tells the story of overcoming and stories of new life.

Music tells stories. Stories of your life. Stories of my life. Stories of those we will never meet. Stories.

Who would we be without stories? Our stories make us whole. Make us human. Bring us together. Connect us.

In the end, its the stories that are said so well in lines like this one that draw us back to earth from wherever we are, be it drowning in muck and despair or high on a joyous cloud or joy. And when we are drawn “back to earth” - its there that we meet and encounter and share our stories with “others” - stories without which we would cease to exist. Cease to be human.

We were created for each other. We were created to share stories. Historically, music was used for this. Today, nothing much has changed. Music helps us live, understand and share our stories.

Today, I’m grateful for the music in and of my life.

Rocking The Daisies

First things first: Its 10/10/10!!! and its barely past 10:10pm. This only happens once a century, so we should celebrate it! :)

This weekend was GREAT. If you know me even a little bit, there are a few things you will already know. 1 - I love live music. 2 - I love spending time with people and in crowds. 3 - I love the outdoors and camping! 4 - I think it is important that we are mindful of the environment around us and believe we should find eco-friendly, sustainable ways to live.

Lisa, Amy & I appreciating the shade
away from the hot afternoon sun.

This weekend with a group of friends to Rocking The Daisies, a 3-day music festival that takes place annually just north of Cape Town. Our initial “reason” for going was to see Greg play with his band, Nomadic Orchestra. When I agreed to go, I literally knew nothing more about the weekend than that. Let me tell you: it was GREAT!

Ok, so to be honest it wasn’t entirely my scene. I appreciate the culture and energy of the vibe, but I’m just not a hipster: never have been, never will be. But it sooo didn’t matter. and I loved it anyway!

So we had hours on end of live music of nearly any type you can imagine. While I recognize I am biased, I must say my favorite act was without a doubt Nomadic Orchestra - trust me when I tell you that it is a music anyone will love, and anyone can dance to. What’s not to love about Balkan music?

To top of how awesome this music festival was, consider its mantra: “Play Hard, Tread Lightly.” They didn’t sell bottles of water, they invited you to buy a reusable bottle (for cheap!) and refill it with cold, filtered water for free the rest of the weekend. They had entire stalls made up of recycled material. Free t-shirts and bags were given away that were, you guessed it: made of recycled material. They had compost and recycling bins at the ready for use of the campers. They offered free tickets to anyone who walked to the festival instead of driving, and tickets were half price if you cycled. They really were creative in encouraging people to be mindful of ways to “tread lightly.”

So we’re camping. We’re listening to music. There’s lots of people. and they cared about the environment.

I’m home. I’m happy. I’m exhausted. Basically, it was a great weekend with great people, and I’m ready to do it again!

Wavin Flag

If we are friends on Facebook or you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed I’m a little excited about the World Cup. We’re one week, several celebrations, a few heartbreaks and many good memories in. It is a good time to be in South Africa, and I’m doing my best to be a part of the excitement.

If there is one thing that has been consistent throughout the past 12 or so years of my life, it is that I have been deeply tied to the music which surrounds me. For me, music isn’t just about a good beat to dance to or fun lyrics to sing along to (though I do enjoy both of these things), but often about the heart and soul that has been put into it. These aren’t just lyrics… they’re poems with powerful stanzas put to music that helps me to feel the words. Words on a page can be powerful… but there is nothing like the spoken (or sung) word.

I can tie most moments of my life to music. Or the reverse - when I hear songs from the last 15 years, I can usually tell you what year it is from simply by tracing the memories closely tied to it. Just like before, there are many songs that will forever remind me of this moment now - the World Cup. Earlier this week, two incredible young people in my life (7 and 11 yrs old!) gifted me a mixed CD titled “Prince and Pricilla’s World Cup Mix.” It has lived in our car since then, and I have probably heard it played 10 times over.

The second song on the CD (second only to Shakira and Freshly Ground’s Waka Waka!) is K’Naan’s “Wavin Flag” - the official World Cup anthem. I LOVE this song! It is overplayed, for sure, but it is so uplifting! Lyrics like,
    See the champions, take the field now,
    Unify us, make us feel proud!
    In the streets our heads are lifin’
    As we lose our inhibition.
    Celebration, it surrounds us,
    Every nation’s, All Around Us...

Hearing someone sing this song in South Africa is almost as common as hearing a vuvuzela being blown. Almost.

Earlier this week, I googled the full lyrics to this song. What I found was a huge surprise…

Did you know this isn’t the original song?

Evidently K’Naan was approached by Coke - they wanted to buy rights of this song b/c the chorus and beat would be PERFECT for the official anthem! But the lyrics? A little down and harsh, and NOT what they were looking for. Knowing what this could do for his career, he volunteered to re-write the song for them. What resulted is this song I love.

So what about that old song? I looked it up. and downloaded it. and what did I find? An intense, powerful, meaningful few stanzas packed with truth, pain, stories of survival and hope. Filled with harsh realities I’m not surprised Coke wanted to get rid of - who wants to think about realities of suffering in our world today when we are trying to focus on a global celebration and sports event?

I’ll leave space for your own criticisms for the many variables here. The truth is - had he not re-written this song, I may have never found the old one - and I’m glad I did.

The intense verses and deep, painful truths lined with hope in the chorus draw me into this song. Its a keeper, and one I will continue to reflect on in days (or more) to come. For now, I invite you to consider the “original” lyrics of the official song of the World Cup - a song that has been made into a song of celebration, and started as something very, very different. The music and chorus are the same… the other words are all (very) different.

When I get older, I will be stronger,
They'll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag,
And then it goes back, and then it goes back,
And then it goes back

Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
but Violent prone, poor people zone,
But it's my home, all I have known,
Where I got grown, streets we would roam.
But out of the darkness, I came the farthest,
Among the hardest survival.
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak,
Except no defeat, surrender retreat,

So we struggling, fighting to eat and
We wondering when we'll be free,
So we patiently wait, for that fateful day,
It's not far away, so for now we say

[Chorus]

So many wars, settling scores,
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor,
I heard them say, love is the way,
Love is the answer, that's what they say,
But look how they treat us, Make us believers,
We fight their battles, then they deceive us,
Try to control us, they couldn't hold us,
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers.

But we struggling, fighting to eat,
And we wondering, when we'll be free
So we patiently wait, for that faithful day,
It's not far away, but for now we say...

So Much More

During Missionary Training back in October, a friend introduced me to Brett Dennen. I have probably listened to the album "So Much More" 10 times, but today, the title track caught me off guard as I seem to have heard the words for the first time. Perhaps this is due to the recent tragedies, but it speaks words from the depths of my own soul all the same. I can't do these words any more justice than they do themselves, so I will save my thoughts and share the words with you for your own reflections...

“There is so much more"
      -Brett Dennen

When I heard the news, my heart fell on the floor
I was on a plane on my way to Baltimore
In these troubled times, its hard enough as it is
My soul has known a better life than this

I wondered how so many could be in so much pain
While others don’t seem to feel a thing?
and Then I cursed my whiteness and I get so damn depressed,
In a world of suffering, why should I be so blessed?

I heard about a woman who lives in Colorado
She built a monument of Saul behind her garaged door
Where everyday she prays for all whom are born
and all whose souls are passed on

Sometimes my trouble gets so thick,
I cant see how I’m gonna get through it
but then I would rather be stuck up in a tree
Than be tied to it

I know
There is so much more

I don’t feel comfortable with the way that my clothes fit
I cant get used to my body’s limits
I got some fancy shoes to try and kick away these blues
They cost a lot of money but they aren’t worth a thing

I want to free my feet from the broken glass and concrete
I need to get out of this city
Lay upon the ground, stare a hole in your sky
Wondering where I go when I die… when I die

Columbus Day

I have taken the posting of these lyrics from my dear friend Heather's blog, words that come timely as many in the US will celebrate Columbus Day on Monday. Many will also refuse to celebrate for countless reasons. I choose to use it as an opportunity to honor those we should truly be remembering on this day: Native Americans.

These are some lyrics from one of her favorite bands, show of hands

COLUMBUS DIDN’T FIND AMERICA
santa maria sailed out of the sun
warrior priests with crosses and guns
on a thousand tides and a million waves
they came carrying sickness, cattle and slaves

columbus didn’t find america
it wasn’t lost
it was always there
i won’t celebrate 500 years
of plundering wealth and scattering tears

alvarado and cortez,
amalgro, pizarro and all the rest
they raped the land and stole the sun
thieves and butchers everyone

columbus didn’t find america
it wasn’t lost
it was always there
i won’t celebrate 500 years
of plundering wealth and scattering tears

far a stretch from shore to shore
the water was clean and the air was pure
now driven from the land and living in slums
without names and without tongues

1492 columbus didn’t find america
columbus sailed the ocean blue
it wasn’t lost it was always there
now the new world sickens
and the old world grows fast
i won’t celebrate 500 years
might have been much better if the world was flat
plundering wealth and scattering tears

columbus didn’t find america
it wasn’t lost it was always there
i won’t celebrate 500 years
plundering wealth and scattering tears…

(Heather's blog can be found at http://holymischiefmanaged.wordpress.com/)

A Refreshing Ride

Today has been a considerably unproductive day. I spent much of it relaxing and listening to some Matthew Perryman Jones.

BUT.

The weather is BEAUTIFUL, and I decided to go for an evening ride before the sun disappeared over what could be the last nice day we have (that I have off, anyway). So I biked to Best Buy, where I picked up a new battery for my bike computer.

The weather was perfect. The path was amazing. And YES - short ride or not, it was my first - so I wore my Ride:Well jersey in honor of the team and all we accomplished this summer.

The freedom and joy and life I feel after going on a short ride - in town and then around the lake (just under 15 miles) - is amazing. I know I made the right choice in going through with a bike purchase. Its a new lifeline to "escape" the feeling of the city, even from within it. And its more eco-friendly than when I used to do so by going for a drive.

Amazing. Wonderful. God-filled. Life is good today.

(I just wish my papers were done before I began this week of midterms and working 40 hours...)

PS - I also learned a valuable lesson about keeping ones mouth (literally) closed while on a bike ;)

Nathan Lee "Still" Music Video

Such a powerful song...

Art*Music*Justice Tour

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to attend an event with my friend and neighbor (affectionately known as "neighbs"), Susie. We are both long-time fans of musician Sara Groves, so when we heard she was coming to town, we eagerly looked into getting tickets. Only to discover this was a large ticket of five artists, also including one of my favorite songwriters, Derek Webb.

When Susie and I arrived early to get the best possible seats for the price we paid (center seats of 4th row!), our biggest question was the order the artists would play in. However, as the show began with all artists on stage and they took turns playing one or two songs of their own at a time, we were moved from engaging with the individual artists into engaging with the Tour. We were shown videos and told stories in such a way that compelled us to engage with the cause, consider ways we can further the causes with our own action, and then consider ways we can financially help the cause. No buckets were passed, but they were readily available. The whole mood of the room shifted from beginning to end. We could sense the urgency in what they were saying without being burdened by it. They took time to pray in the middle of the show. They led the way by telling their own stories, by displaying in words and emotions on stage, by showing us - whether intentionally or not - how very much this campaign meant to them.

The Art *Music *Justice Tour is a music tour - a series of concerts -of five artists who are seeking to do something more with their stage. They are using the opportunity of these 22 shows (September 19- October 26) to raise money and awareness for worth causes: Food for the Hungry and International Justice Mission.

In a very small way, I felt a connect between Sara and this tour, and Sara and her role in the Ride:Well Tour. It reminded me of Tyler, Texas. It reminded me that even the smallest community can make unimaginable differences.

This tour is going to achieve great things and provide a great show to those present while at it. If at all possible, I highly recommend you go out for it.

An Amazing Weekend on Tour

The past few days have been the most amazing days of the trip for a number of reasons.

First, it was great to see Aaron and the Blood:Water folks. We were treated like royalty in Red Oak (I actually stayed in Cedar Hill) by the folks of Oaks Fellowship. I am not exaggerating. They were absolutely amazing. We were blessed beyond ways we could even have imagined or anticipated, and it was like heaven to have a sabbath day and the opportunity to rest in Paul's home with friends that have become family. It was sad to leave there... and we definitely still wish Paul and Candice could have joined us...

As if Dallas wasn't already too much, Tyler was astounding as well. We had riders join us for the day, a HUGE event including a Sara Groves concert, and raised $86,000 (and counting)! It was awesome to meet Sara and her husband Troy afterwards... I've been a fan of her music for some time, and it was a strange turn of events for her to come to where we were staying after the show because she wanted to meet us. I was later forwarded an email from Troy that concluded with, "Everyones gifts coming together for a greater purpose. The most satisfying night in our 10 year career." Absolutely incredible.

I look forward to the journeys ahead with great anticipation...

The Ride:Well Band

Gregg Mwendwa is our African Rider (from Kenya), and he is HILARIOUS and creative! He's posting TONS of blogs over on our ride:well site, so if you haven't been there yet, check it out! www.ridewelltour.ning.com

This is one of his latest creations. He didn't use the whole team, but most of us are here... with name changes and all, of course. I thought it was hilarious and creative, so he has given me permission to re-post it. You can find the original post here. Enjoy!

Disclaimer - Restarting the heart is usually not so hard and to avoid it, this is a work of fiction, any resemblance between the characters herein and real persons living or otherwise is purely coincidental.

This is the hidden side of the ridewell SHOW. When Aaron Smith was packaging this cast, little did he know that he had brought together a bunch of crazies who ride 85 miles to Roswell and drive at 45mph for 135 miles to go and sleep in Alamogordo, NM. They almost ate dinner at sunrise. The cast has shifted expectations, and everyone is worried that soon, all members may be evicted to go and chase solo career in music. The ridewell band was more like a joke in the beginning, but things got serious when Matt J. Williams was evicted because his fine bult muscles could nto help him to hold his breath for long while singing higher notes. However, I am sadden by this turn of events because he was better than Erin, who originally was considered a lead singer yet what she produces are simple croaks that cannot be considered musical at any rate (how she manages to stick in the band is simply a mystery, I guess people are afraid of her face – its has this sign “hot tears can under pressure”) but she has been given a new role anyway.

Van Boozie is the lead singer, having been voted enmasse from his album “Rhode Island” which got him a Grammy nomination (he turned down the offer on the excuse that he wanted to ride a bike across America). So far, it is not clear why the band doesn’t have an album out yet, some members of the band argue that he is only good at applying some funny cream on his noose, and stuffs some in the nostrils (it may be cream tobacco, we don’t know)

Grandpa Arrow, is the emcee. He equates to guys like Mc. Hammer and MC LARS. In his own unique way, comfortably rested on a swivel stool (he feels good not that he became a grandpa on fathers day), he calls for action and mass action. Never underestimate this guy, his energy or riding 50mph translates to a rare ability to address a 300 capacity hall without a microphone.

Dorn, ok. This guy has forced his was to the band, but he is retained because of his ability to make comic faces. He has 16 sets of glasses, some which are literally “shady”. But he is a guy to be with, he has send application to be teh bands clown.



Jean on the drums. Her strong built makes the drums weep, and insurance fees for the group equipment has been increased because of the weeping and wailing. We really don’t understand what happens to the van she drives across the desert.

Bangles is this absent minded man on the controls. It has been noticed that he likes it booming, and the band has already received a ticket from the sheriff because he boomed a “car racing” sound effects during a concert which convinced sheriff it was an over speeding truck. Sheriff has not been convinced otherwise, so the band has to pay the ticket.


Earring is the communications manager. She keeps in touch with the outside worlds and inside world as well. She has an assembly of phones with unlimited minutes. She is a busy girl, at times she has to shout, “Hold on, I gotta go pee”. She has offered to sing accapela during the concert at Dallas.

Mint was to be a stage manager, but as things have turned out, she may have to relocate or get evicted. When she auditioned for this role, she brought a dozen photos of her previous works. But this doesn’t seem to be working at all, she has issues arranging the equipment, see where she placed the guitar box!

Merge is the bartender. Her art of mixing cocktails in unmatched so far. She has this website (mixbar.com) where thirsty people can log on, search, vote and browse for drinks and cocktails, fortunately, this website also includes a bartender guide and cocktail forums. To this end, she may be the next World Bank – this lady makes enough money to email cocktails.

Jojo adores Tina Turner and consequently she is the messy bass guitarist. Well, it has not been well established what is the reason for her hype, but sources near her home city say that she has a litany of nephews and everywhere they go, she goes. Though she plays really well during practice sessions, the band has a couple times been caught off guard on stage when she broke the guitar wires. The doctor has recommended that she receives a dose of valium before performing.

Chiselda is still in charge of PR. She has had a couple encounters with the force of gravity, but she has not lost hope of regaining seating ability. Her status on facebook reads “asking prayers for her bum”, and truly she needs them. As you can see, her modeling agency sent her skirts to make the condition manageable.

We are waiting for the release of the first single – the ride well song.

The ridewell song©


With hearts full of love
From the pacific
Atlantic we will be
The days are weary
But the night is fairy
For Africa and America
We will…yes we will!
Rejoice – hallelujah

Every evening, the whole of me hurts
Every morning, its still another ride
The desert is hot, I get breathless
Am giving up every time I crank
Thousand miles from my comfort
I feel like I wanna go home…

You have called me to compassion
To surrender to you my character
To have courage and be selfless
To share in your suffering
I am a testament, of your faith

As the days get weary
Lord sent me comfort
When am giving up
Lord rescue me
When its frightening
Lord give me courage
We pray, we believe
Your will to be done

And when its comes to pass
May we know you
Share with the world
The power of your resurrection
May your light shine upon us
As we discover our soul
May we light up the world

Copyright – ridewell® records, 2008. No part or copy of this song may be produced, reproduced or distributed without prior permission from the mysterious “author”.

A Song For You

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Payson (dorms), to Show Low (church)

Most of the day today, I have had a song stuck in my head. What song, you ask? One written by two of our team members, Dave and Bargo. It isn’t the same as hearing it, but let me share the words with you:

Tires and Wires
…Don’t Mix
When your Tires Hit Wires,
…You Must Fix
Jessica Blockers
Tires Hit Wires
Now She’s a Crier
And we’re all Goodbyers
Cuz We gotta get Going
Down the Road (x2)
Down the Road, Road, Road!

I’ve been in a rut today. I think my extrovert has been on overdrive, and I am really needing to have some quality alone time. What really sounds good is community worship with our team, as we haven’t really had an opportunity to do so. Everything about this trip has been fantastic, through our shared struggles and joys and the huge obstacles we have already overcome. It has also been really busy, and incredibly exhausting. My prayer today is that as I work to re-focus on what we’re doing, how and why, I am also able to adjust my priorities and make sure that even though we’re running on so little sleep, my spiritual life is suffering when I take the free time I do have to sleep. Getting up a bit earlier or sacrificing a precious 30 minutes of sleep before bed in the evening will be worth every minute of devotional time. It will serve as the energizer I really need both for the present and in my faith journey that continues to stretch and challenge me.

Andy and the Andys

I'm in Nashville, and all is great. Really. Its been great getting to chat with Lynn a bit more- and finally for the first time in person!

We went to a show at the Rutledge tonight- and it was fantastic. It seemed like Lynn knew everyone there. Seriously. Leslie Dudney opened... I guess Lynn didn't know her, haha. But she did know the rest of the performers, and I met most of them. Then Christopher Williams played, followed by "Andy and the Andys." GREAT show. The Andys were hilarious, mostly because they kept cracking themselves up with jokes about Andy, lol.

Stage intro of the Andys was great: they all came on wearing zip-up sweatshirts. Facing away from crowd, sweatshirts came off. All in white T's, they turned around together for us to see that together, their 4 shirts wrote A-N-D-Y. Priceless. Only regret- the Andys didn't play many songs, and I would have loved to have heard more of their solo stuff. mmm and meet Andy Gullahorn too. That would have been fantastic. But Andrew Peterson was FANTASTIC, both in person (before) and performing (to close night) and I can't wait to check out some of his CDs. VERY good stuff!

One final random tidbit of info: I know that a lot of "important" folks will be at this event tomorrow night- the purpose of me coming to this wonderful city. Among others, I discovered tonight that the guest list includes Hanson. No joke. Try not to be too jealous, though ;).

God Loves That Guy

In the past couple of weeks, I've really enjoyed listening to some new artists I've recently discovered. One song I've come across that has really impacted me has been "That Guy" by Andy Gullahorn. We're doing a sermon series on "Changes" at church right now, and having the kind of love that song talks about is a change I would love to see for my life- for all of our lives. What a different place our world would be... Next week we'll be singing this song in church, and I can only hope the words stick with the congregation as much as they have stuck with me.

Since I first suggested this song, I've been asked several times where I found it. Long story short, I found it through The Square Peg Alliance (I wrote more on that here), though I knew I'd heard it somewhere else before, and just wasn't sure where. Then tonight I did a YouTube search to see if there were any videos out there with this song, only to discover that my friend Karl made a video to it (explaining why the song was familiar- I'd seen it on his website before). This is a great video with an incredible display of the sad reality of our world... and our great need to reach beyond the sins and short-fallings of ourselves and those around us and into the world God has called us to: a world of love.

Teach me to love like that.

A Great Musical Discovery

I just discovered something that has made my day- maybe even my month!

As you probably know, I *LOVE* music, and my life wouldn't be complete without it. Especially when the lyrics (I love those that make me think, are intense and/or in-your-face) match up all too perfectly with the music. It isn't about one or the other (lyrics or music), its about balance of the two.

One of my favorite artists is Derek Webb. From him, I've found a few Andrew Osnega songs I love, and from there, I've branched out to yet a few more. Its been a wonderful process of discovery of amazing artists. Yesterday, I was browsing Andrew Osnega's website and for the first time clicked on a peculiar link that read "The Square Peg Alliance."

The Square Peg Alliance may be my best musical discovery of the year! I know its early, but this is great! I followed the link to find that other amazing (many independent) artists have formed an "alliance" to support one another. In the description, the website reads:

That is why we are the Square Peg Alliance. Thirteen artists who might not fit perfectly into the traditional mold of the music business, but have found a home with each other.

About 2 weeks ago, I discovered a couple new acoustic artists- I don't remember how, but I have been VERY pleased with this new music and the incredible depth to it. One of those artists- Andy Gullahorn- is a part of this alliance. If that is any kind of tell, I think I may have just discovered an amazing "alliance" of artists I'm about to fall in love with. I can't wait!!! I'm going to check them out- you should too!

If Everyone Cared

I've come across this powerful video by Nickelback from their song If Everyone Cared

One of the verses:

...And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing, Amen I, I'm Alive...


What would our world be like if everyone cared? Surely the few modern heroes mentioned in this video cared and helped our world in monumental ways. There are countless others who have done the same... will you be one of them?