Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

As another year comes to a close, I am looking forward to the next one. An opportunity to make a fresh start... wipe the slate clean... follow the "right" path... discard bad habits and develop good ones.

I am struck by the "circle of life" that has played out in recent weeks: a baby is born; a cancer returns; a friend's father dies; a child celebrates his first Christmas; a group of teens is devastated when their friend dies in a car crash...

A new year and the ever-changing status of life got me thinking of the Switchfoot song "This is Your Life". My mind hangs on the haunting line - Are you who you want to be? - its the question that begs my conscience for an answer.

As we examine our desire (or need) to change our habits, whether as New Year's Resolutions or simply as a different approach to living, perhaps the power of this song will help us stick to them. Yesterday is dead and over. Today is all we'll ever have.

A New and Glorious Morn

Its Christmas Eve, the night divine. Tomorrow, as we wake up - or in my case, get woken up by excited children - it will be Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Jesus. There will be special treats, presents, laughter, pictures taken, presents, hugs and kisses, traveling, gatherings with friends and families, church perhaps, and did I mention presents....

I enjoy the thrill on the kids' faces as they see what Santa has delivered; the time spent with family and loved ones who I don't see often enough. There are times of near-chaos and times of blissful calm. All in all its one of my favorite days of the year.

Tonight will be all about music and church and the birth of Jesus. It is the Holy night. On Christmas Eve, my song choice is easy - its "O Holy Night" by MercyMe. Tomorrow is about the kids and loved ones. A new and glorious morn, celebrating the night of our savior's birth. In the midst of all the toys, sporting goods, clothing, electronics, candy, gift cards and wrapping paper; I pledge to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

In a challenging world there is still much to be thankful for - at Christmas and throughout the year. Merry Christmas, safe travels and warm wishes for a blessed day.

ps I hope you take a chance to watch and listen to Linus recite the Christmas Story, one of my absolute favorite scenes in any holiday movie or tv show.

King of Kings... Prince of Peace

I'm not sure if its the title of the CD or the artwork they chose, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Its "Handel's Messiah" by Relient K. With Christmas just a few days away, this classic piece, turned on its ear, sure puts me in the Holiday mood.

"For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth" just begs to be sung loudly. The Hallelujah Chorus - in my twisted mind at least - is the "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen, click to listen) of Classical/Church music. You have to sing along, you almost can't stop yourself from it.

I also wanted to pass along links to a few other interesting holiday songs I came across while looking for my weekly choices. They are: "Christmas in the Trenches" ; "Ave Maria" performed by Bono and Luciano Pavarotti; and the David Bowie/Bing Crosby classic "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" Enjoy.

Christmas Blues

This can be a tough time of year for many of us. Everyone else seems to be celebrating and sharing and preparing and having a great time - its almost an obligation to be happy. Yet somehow we feel like a misfit because we're sad or worried; lonely or afraid...

My song this week is for all of us, and especially those who may be struggling when everyone else appears to be in the comfort of the Christmas spirit. "You Never Let Go" by the David Crowder Band speaks of God's unchanging love and faithfulness, which holds us close in bad times and in good.

Better Late than Never

Hi and thanks for stopping by. The weekend Christmas SOTW was delayed due to technical problems - note the new "player" - but is back up again.

This weekend, I selected Away in a Manger from Third Day on their 2006 release "Christmas Offerings".

Not my original choice, but this classic childrens song brings out the simplicity and wonder of the season. As I became increasingly frustrated with getting this update to work - Are you kidding me??!! aarrrggghhh!! I have presents to buy!! - the song actually calmed me down.

This one almost always makes me smile, in part because I sang it as a precocious 4 year old, complete with memorized verses and a short post-performance comment. To my parents relief and my toddler pride, I pulled it off.

Simplicity, childlike wonder and happy memories... sounds like Christmas to me.......

Karma Catches Up

What a week for Karma!

Plaxico Burress, the over-indulged NY Giants football player is suspended for the year after "accidentally" shooting himself in the leg in a nightclub......

Republic Windows in Chicago tries to pull off a switcheroo in Iowa while blaming Bank of America for its closing......

The Wall Street Journal reports that Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain will request a $10 million bonus !!????!! - a company press release later states that the CEO and other execs will receive no 2008 bonuses.....

The Governor of Illinois is arrested for - among other corrupt schemes - attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.....

Johnny Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down" perfectly sums up these folks' experience. You can run on for a long time, but sooner or later God'll cut you down... Its encouraging to see that there are some "bad guys" (and gals) having to face consequences for their unethical, at times idiotic and always greedy actions. I'm not convinced this message is precisely Christian, but it just seems fair.

No Room at the Inn ??

So for the Christmas Season, I thought I'd add a Holiday song each week.... Just for fun.

For my first pick, I chose a song that I grew up on, with a contemporary twist. In what was a quasi-tradition, Dad sang this spiritual at the Christmas Eve service for many years. In honor of his 77th birthday today, I'm putting up "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" which has been updated a bit by Rebecca St. James.



"We made you be born in a manger." A simple reminder that Mary gave birth in a stable because there was no room for them in the Inn. Often makes me think of a message I heard several years ago about making room for Jesus in our lives. About clearing out the clutter of our hearts and minds so that when Christmas Eve is here we will have room for Him. I don't want to be the one whose life says that there's no room at the Inn .....

(In case you'd like to hear something closer to the rendition my dad offered up, click here.)

From the Minds of Babes

The other day, my daughters made posters supporting the theme "Keep Christ in Christmas". While they were coloring and drawing, I kept thinking: I can't believe it's Christmastime already; There's so much to be done; I could use some more decorations; What am I going to get for... My kids were creating reminders of the very oversight I was making - Christmas is about Christ.

My pick this week is "Devotion" by Newsboys - its not U2, honest. Leave it to the children to point out the plain and simple truth. A little more devotion to the child of Bethlehem is exactly what I needed.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving one and all. As we gather with family, loved ones and friends on Thursday - I offer this week's selection to acknowledge the grace and power of God. The song is "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin. (Check out another version - live w/video- here. )

Some of my favorite thoughts on Thanksgiving:

"Thanksgiving is a time for remembering and appreciating the special people in our lives.
Our home is warmed by the love of family and friends." - unknown

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. " - Gaertner

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." - H.U. Westermayer

"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns." - Anonymous

Safe travels and God bless.

I Passed by on the Other Side of the Road...

As the holidays get nearer, I've been thinking about how blessed my life truly is. Like all of us, I have some adversity to deal with - but overwhelmingly my life is comfortable and peaceful. When I heard Twenty-First Time by Monk & Neagle , it was a huge reminder of my own selfishness.

Everyday, I see folks who struggle with homelessness, illness, poverty and hunger. More often than not, I stare straight ahead or drive off to avoid interacting with them. No good samaritan, here.

Do these people need my help? Someone else, better yet - the government; or a church; or a shelter, they're all better equipped to give them assistance... right??? After all, I've got bills to pay; work to get back to; errands to complete... What have I done for the least of these?

I know its fashionable to help the needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas - here's hoping that fashion gives way to genuine year-round compassion..... for me and maybe for you, too.

Week #3 No news is good news

With all the grim economic news - another $40 billion to AIG; Circuit City filing bankruptcy; GM running out of cash; DHL closing US operations; American Express laying off thousands - I've been struggling to stay optimistic.

This week I chose "Everlasting God" by Lincoln Brewster. Its based on the passage that's probably my all-time favorite bible verse. (click Isaiah 40: 28-31 to see it) Brewster's young son, Levi, does a remarkable job of reading it at the end of the song.

For me, the most memorable and powerful message of this verse came from the movie "Chariots of Fire". The portrayal of Eric Liddell, the Scottish Olympian, showed that if we hold true to what we know is good and right, then God will lift us up and we will have the strength to overcome any obstacle...

Week #2

Whether you supported John McCain or Barack Obama in yesterday's election, we're all a part of a historic accomplishment.

I was overwhelmed by Obama's victory speech from Grant Park in my hometown - Chicago. Not only by his words, and the images of the crowd, but by the significance of a black man being elected president of the United States. I was impressed with John McCain too. He said all of the things we've come to expect from a concession speech, but this time I truly believed he meant the words he was saying - demonstrated by his quieting every negative response from the spirited supporters in the room.

So whats all this got to do with music? Well, it got me thinking about opportunity and healing and being united. This week I selected Big House by Audio Adrenaline. A good reminder that our father accepts everyone - regardless of race, status, wealth, position or political party....

Peace,

Mark

Halloween Fun

As I pondered my next selection, Halloween provided a choice that's just for fun. As the kids (and grown ups, too) get dressed up as their favorite characters, I thought you might enjoy "Cartoons" by Chris Rice.

Chris is probably best known for "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)" and "Go Light Your World" but since he's released over ten albums, I'm sure there are many others.

I'm not a priest, minister or rabbi - perhaps, at best, I'm a novice theologian. I don't vouch for the "biblical accuracy" or "doctrinal correctness" of any of the songs. I just like them - for what they say and for how they sound.

Thanks for your great feedback. If you'd like an e-mail notice when I update this posting, send me your request via comments or e-mail.

Happy Halloween and Howl-le-lu-jah!

My Very First Post

Hi and thanks for sharing in my first Blog experience.

For quite some time I've thought about ways to share the music that I find powerful, emotional, therapeutic, and uplifting. I am not a musician; a composer or much of a singer - these will simply be songs that have a personal impact on me.

So starting this week, I will publish my "song of the week" for your enjoyment. I hope you find them as powerful; or healing; or thought provoking as I do.

Where to start? There are hundreds of choices - great choices - but which should be first ? Given all of the nerves and self-talk about doing this blog, my choice was fairly simple - its "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns.

I am, undeniably, outside of my comfort zone here - but am choosing to listen to the voice of Truth telling me that this is for God's glory....

Peace,


Mark