Can I Borrow Those?

Wouldn't it be great if we could see people - all people - through Jesus' eyes? How much difference would it make for us to offer compassion and love as Jesus did? Imagine how full our hearts would feel and how uplifted others spirits might be....that's a pretty powerful image, isn't it?

My song selection this week is "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. I picked another of Brandon's songs a month or two ago, both are from his 2008 CD - What If We. Give Me Your Eyes is enjoying some commercial success - in fact its winning airplay and fan support on mainstream radio, at least in San Diego. (Click to see and vote!) I like this song because it asks for the power to be more loving, caring, compassionate and aware by seeing with Jesus' eyes.

I know that I often overlook people all around me, I don't really see them at all. Could they use a smile or a kind greeting, maybe a bit of understanding or respect - come on, who couldn't?!!? If I wore my "Jesus Glasses" with any regularity, I'm confident that I'd improve the life of someone hurting or tired or under-appreciated. Imagine the effect of ALL of us looking at the world this way ....

Who Are We Fooling ?

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.... Nobody's perfect... We all fall short... All great sayings to help us cope with our own faults. My personal pursuit of imperfection is summed up by Paul: "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." (Romans 7:19)

None of us need to work on our impatience or selfishness; we don't struggle with our generosity - these traits come to us naturally. As we experience kindness and love, it becomes easier - even desirable - to turn these into more giving, positive behaviors.

My song this week is "Perfect People" by Natalie Grant from her 2008 CD, Relentless. It reminds us that only God is perfect - perfect in his love for us. We may try to hide our short-comings from the world, but eventually the truth of our lives will come out.

God loves us and accepts us, just as we are, broken and scarred; wherever we are and wherever we've been. He'll take us dirty and flawed and turn us into people of true beauty. Kinda perfect, huh?

Good Ole Boys

What could two brothers, Bear and Bo, from Possum Kingdom, SC possibly know about big-time music?!?? Apparently quite a bit. The songwriters from Needtobreathe really hit a home run with me. (and not just because they're preacher's kids, too!) My pick this week is from their soon to be released CD called The Outsiders. "Lay 'em Down" has a great Southern feel to it.

The song has a nice message of hope and healing. All of us fall short, regardless of our "position" in society. When we carry our burdens and failings to Christ, he will bring us peace. (Psalm 55:22) & (Psalm 9:9-10). Isn't it nice to know that we have a safe place to release our troubles?

Enjoy the rest of your week. Peace, Mark

Magnification

One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford, who said: "If you think you can do a thing or can not do a thing, you' re right." I like his insight into the power that our minds and attitudes play in our successes. What we focus on, or magnify, becomes our reality.

My song this week is from Phillips, Craig and Dean, who have been performing together for many years. Interestingly, all three of the musicians are also pastors of churches in 3 separate cities. "Revelation Song", originally by Gateway Worship, led by Kari Jobe, is the first release from P,C&D's CD Fearless, scheduled for release in August. Proving my scriptural genius - "Revelation Song" gets its basis from, of all places, Revelation !!

I listened to an interview with the band about this song and was impressed with their comments about magnifying our problems and our fears or magnifying our savior. Our thoughts and perceptions become our reality- whether that reality is fear or triumph; darkness or hope. Jesus gives us the strength, power, conviction and ability to overcome any obstacle, why wouldn't we focus on him?

This is one of those songs that sticks in my mind. I find myself humming and singing it all day long. In these fearful times, I'm glad to have something so uplifting to fill my thoughts.

Don't Worry.....

I don't know about you, but I'm getting really tired of all the worrying. Job security, foreclosure, cost of living, the recession ......BLAH, BLAH, BLAH - enough already.

A good friend of mine is a huge fan of the Bible verses that this weeks song is based on. (Matthew 6: 25-27) Whenever a conversation turns to stress or worry, Tom is quick to remind us that "God takes care of the birds, so worrying isn't helping, just have faith that things will be ok." He's also one of the hardest working people I know, so he isn't saying to sit by and wait for God to provide. Just that worrying is a waste of time and energy. It keeps us from doing other more productive things.

My selection, Selah's version of the gospel/spiritual classic "His Eye is on the Sparrow" from their 1999 CD Be Still My Soul. It helped me put worry aside this week, so that I could focus on getting things done. Worry is a de-motivator, keeping us captive and in perpetual limbo. Letting that go frees us up to take action or to truly relax.

This 4th of July weekend, I wish you all great celebrations, safe travel and lots of worry-free time. Peace, Mark