There's More To Be Done

Happy Ash Wednesday. As many of us begin Lenten "sacrifices", I hope you got all of the sweets-eating, liquor drinking and swearing out of your system yesterday.

Why do we give something up for Lent? Why not add something positive to our lives, instead? (click for a discussion that makes sense to me) Whatever choices you make for Lent, including just living your life as always, we all face the challenges of temptation and sin.

Last week I was the poster boy for "I have sinned in my thoughts and my words. In what I have done and what I have failed to do." (Confiteor, here) I made some stupid choices which ultimately hurt me and especially hurt others who are close to me. Not exactly my shining moment. A blatant "opportunity" for personal (Lenten?) growth.

The song this week reminded me just how important it is to keep my eye on the prize, to remember who I truly am and to get up when I fall. It's "Stay Strong" by Newsboys, one of 2 new releases on their Greatest Hits CD. I hope it inspires you - as it has me - to face the trials in our lives (like the struggle of keeping up our Lenten commitments) by keeping focused on what we know is right and decent and true.

Peace, Mark

Let There Be Light

This week, I decided to put up an updated version of a classic "Camp Meeting" song - I Saw The Light by Bart Millard. (originally written by Hank Williams, Sr.)

So often in my life I've been in the dark, only to eventually see the light - or have someone show it to me. I remember a bonfire at youth camp where I first saw the light - literally and spiritually. The darkness of my doubt was replaced with the glowing light of belief. There is great comfort and optimism, for me anyway, in recognizing the wandering and worry are being replaced with faith and belief. Now if I could just stay out of the dark.......

You may recognize Bart's voice as the lead singer of MercyMe. This song is from his solo CD "Hymned Again" a second collection of classic hymns. To see a very cool YouTube performance of the song with Hank Williams, Jr; Chet Atkins; EmmyLou Harris; Randy Travis; Minnie Pearl; Ricky Skaggs and others, click here.

What We're Looking For

Inspired by Psalms 121, this weeks song is a great reminder of where to turn for support and answers. I'm always looking for direction, strength and help from somewhere....but not always from God. Even on this page I often look to the music to point me toward what is good and decent and right.

Bebo Norman's "I Will Lift My Eyes" really got me thinking about dealing with fear and turmoil; uncertainty and pain. I don't have to solve everything myself or keep my emotions bottled up inside me. If I lift my eyes (and my prayers) to God I will never face them alone.

Amazing What We Stumble On To

I warned you that these would be songs that I like...... This week's pick is a bit different than most of my previous choices. I came accross it while surfing the 3 "Christian" stations on my car's XM radio. (Click for YouTube playback)

I don't know if its in celebration of African American History Month or just plain divine inspiration, but the powerful Gospel performance just grabbed me. I've listened to it a dozen or more times already tonite and it keeps getting better. The song is "Jesus" by Shekinah Glory Ministry. The CD version is almost 12 minutes long !!!

Shekinah Glory Ministry is a performing group from a non-denominational church in suburban Chicago. (South Holland) Shekinah generally means the dwelling place of God, especially in the Temple of Jerusalem. (for a deeper discussion click Wikipedia's entry)

The repetitive, mantra like chorus stirs me emotionally and when she sings "but you loved me in spite of me" I want to raise my hands and shout "Amen" - ever so slightly out of character for this reserved blogger. Its one of those "can't stop singing it/can't get it out of my head" songs - at least for me. Enjoy.