Time Flies When You're Having Fun

A year ago I posted my very first Song Of The Week. Looking back, I recall how nervous I was - this was quite a stretch for me - putting my personal thoughts and choices out there for anyone to see. That first post had no pictures or artwork, no links to bands or scripture verses, just a few words and a very fickle music player. I signed of with: "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...."

I considered several different songs and types of songs for this "anniversary" posting. For a couple of weeks now I was pretty sure that I was going with this selection. While reflecting on my experiences this year and thinking about how much this blog (and the blogger) has grown, the choice became clearer. And when I re-read that very first entry I knew without a doubt that I had the right song.

To mark the first year of SOTW, I chose "To God Alone" by Aaron Shust - the 2007 Dove Award winner for Song of the Year and New Artist of the Year. His song is a humble reminder that the smiles and tears, comfort and inspiration, enjoyment and learning that may have come out of the SOTW were not my doing. My thoughts and these great songs were presented in the hope of sharing God's strength and mercy.

Thank you all for taking this journey with me. Your support, comments and feedback have been amazing, please keep them coming. Its been a great ride, so far. I'll keep trying to be who He wants me to be and keep posting these songs for His glory....

Peace, Mark

It's Your Life

In my life I've made some great choices and I've made some awful ones. Haven't we all? This week I selected "Its Your Life" by Francesca Battistelli if for no other reason than its just so fun to say her name. Her song pointed out the power of the simple everyday choices we make - how they become who and what we are.

Too often I make choices because I'm tired or annoyed; sometimes because of who's watching or listening; others come straight from the heart. Its Your Life reminds me that I have control - I make the choices that impact the quality of my life. I have the opportunity to be who I always said I'd be. Every day, I have the option to be an example for goodness. I really like that notion.

The Future Is Now

You know, when I lose 20 pounds my life is going to be great.... We're going to get along so much better once this work project is finished.... I can't wait to get a new car, then people will really see that I'm a "success"... I'm going to be a much better person - tomorrow, next week, next month...

We've all said or thought some variation of these promises. I, for one, am certainly well versed at living in the future. Maybe its just procrastination, but sometimes my life seems to be "on hold" - a step or two away from real meaning. Do you know the feeling?

The song I picked this week, "This Is Home" by Switchfoot helped me see that the future is now. The lyrics suggest that the song is about progress and being changed. Somehow, in the midst of hearing about searching and questioning, I was struck by the message of living in the present.

"I've got my eyes open wide, its not over yet...We are miracles and we're not alone... yeah, this is home...." For me it was saying - keep looking for more, don't go back to your old, less enlightened ways, but don't wait in limbo for "home". This is Home, here and now. Be happy where you are today AND where you want to be tomorrow.

Trying Too Hard

Ok... so the third time's a charm, right ? (Its either that or three strikes and you're out.) The song of the week was ever-so-slightly challenging this time around. Ultimately, I picked one that just wouldn't go away - "By Your Side" from Tenth Avenue North. (While you're checking out their website: watch Mike Donehey's video of the story behind this song; download By Your Side for free; get a coupon for $3 off the purchase of their CD "Over and Underneath". Any of which is well worth the visit)

I had some issues with gettting my blog together this week. My first idea, a great and somewhat lesser-known song, after much preparation, simply took up too much space for my music player. Next idea. Another solid pick, fit nicely on the player but I really struggled with my commentary - the message was too far removed from my actual experiences. Save it for later. Through all of this, By Your Side kept popping up. In the end I chose it because it pointed me in a good direction. I was trying so hard to "get it right" that I nearly missed a great song.

How many times did I feel like my mistakes - my sins - made it impossible for God to forgive me. I needed to do a few things "right" and then I could legitimately seek His healing love. The song reminds us that God is there for us wherever we are, that we don't need to do something good first - he accepts us however, whenever and wherever we come to him. To me that's very comforting and always worth a gentle reminder.... Hope this song brings you peace.