Make Your List, Check It Twice

The very first time I heard this song, I was hooked.  Kutless had successfully offered a "new" Christmas song - mixing in a couple of classics.  I immediately knew it was going to be a Song Of The Week. From the 2010 compilation CD "O Come All Ye Faithful", This Is Christmas is a call to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the production and commercialism of the season; to lose "the reason we celebrate each year".  As Charlie Brown so famously cried out "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about??!"  Linus and Kutless give the same answer - Christmas is about Christ!

So as we get into the holiday season, we will undoubtedly make our lists - presents to buy, cookies to bake, decorations to display, parties to attend, food to prepare.  Lets check them twice to make sure we add - keeping Christ in Christmas...  Peace

Not a Good Day to be My Pants

Kevin James' line about Thanksgiving gave me a good laugh, so I "borrowed" it for the title of this posting.  Today is definitely a tough day for waistlines all accross America. We'll have plenty to eat - it is after all a feast.

As in past years, I searched for some quotes to share in this Thanksgiving entry.  One of these - unlike my pants - really seems to fit.   "One act of thanksgiving made when things go wrong is worth a thousand when things go well." - Anonymous. 

In any situation there are good and not-so-good outcomes.  Despite being surrounded by those closest to us; enjoying our favorite foods; and pausing to give thanks for our many blessings - today might feel like "not a good day."  Certainly, preparing and cleaning up a huge meal; reeling from "Aunt Sally's" grating comment; or being Kevin James' pants - are all tough gigs.  But being thankful during difficult times shows our true spirit. 

This weeks song, "O Praise Him" by the David Crowder Band is a reminder to give thanks to our creator at all times.  Let's focus on being the belly AND having the mindfulness to give thanks when we're the pants.

I wish you all a happy, blessed, safe and relaxing Thanksgiving.

Some other Thanksgiving quotes that I like:

"It is therefore recommended ... too set apart Thursday.... , for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor ..."   - First Official Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 1777

"Real abundance is found when we join hands with those we love."   - Anonymous

"O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness."  - William Shakespeare

 

Is this a broken record ???

 I'm really starting to feel like I'm stuck.  Like an old album or 45 rpm record that keeps repeating itself over and over, ad nauseum.  So many of my posts over the past months are just variations on a theme - the on-going, continuous, broken record struggles with my own faults and short-comings.  Have I become the stereotypical "preacher" - so good at telling everyone else what they ought to do?  Do I even attempt to follow the words I offer here, let alone the words and example of Christ?  If I find such comfort and inspiration from these songs, what's stopping me from accepting forgiveness and DOING what I know to be right and good?  Do good intentions really count for anything?

My latest selection is "Come as You Are" by Pocket Full of Rocks.  The band's name takes me back to my early post-college days.  My friends and I had an oh-so-christlike phrase for people we felt were not so smart - "box of rocks".  Totally unrelated to this group, but it truly revived that memory.  My guess is that the band's name is inspired from Christ's words "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." - they admit their sins and refrain from judging others, hence their pockets are still full of rocks. I'll check it out and let you know if I'm even close. 

This song is clearly a blatant challenge to me (and perhaps to some of you):  Hear the sounds of love; Listen to a different story and Take my broken, lying, scarred, painful, disappointed, unworthy self to the gentle, merciful, open arms of Jesus.  So, I'm either a "box of rocks" who refuses to learn or I can be the nudge this record needs to play the rest of the music.  Lets pray for the latter.  Peace and God Bless. 

PS - A special thanks to several of you who have been encouraging me to keep this going.  I appreciate your patience and your kind words.

Turns out I was way off.  From A Pocket Full of Rocks Biography - "Pocket Full of Rocks owes its name to a song from its early days. "We wrote a song called 'Pocket Full of Rocks,' played it in a youth meeting and became known as the 'Pocket Full of Rocks' band," remembers Michael. Deeper meaning is held in the story of David—before he was ever a great king, he was simply a boy with a "pocket full of rocks," believing God would do something great using any of the small things he himself could offer."

Clearly Not on My Time

As some of you die-hard followers know, the "new" song has been up for weeks but my comments are just now being posted.   I picked Phil Wickham's "Safe" from his 2009 cd - "Heaven & Earth.  When I added the song, I was full of worry and self-doubt and Phil's lyrics comforted me. 

Just as our lives often come together in God's time - not ours - my song choice has developed some interesting meaning in recent days.  What a difference it made to wait, rather than hurrying to get my comments out at the same time as the song.    This YouTube video of Phil's Story Behind The Song would have been absolutely overlooked.  And here's the timing part - the story behind the song couldn't be MORE appropriate for my life right now.  Like "John" I've been so worried about bills and money and the financial future that I took my eye off the most important things in my life.  I was not completely broken down, but close to it, and this song has helped me re-focus.  What started as a comfort became a call to action.

I know that I needed these events to unfold exactly as they have - in God's time.  I received both comfort and a great message - "If we are faithful in the things we know we are supposed to be : to our partners and spouses; to our children and especially to our God; then He will be faithful to us..."  Safe, calmed, comforted, up-lifted, healed - couldn't we all use a healthy dose of that?

I know what I've been, but do I know what I am?

I'm stuck on forgiveness - or more acurately on accepting forgiveness.  You can see it easily from this strong case of the "yeah, but's" I've developed.  "God loves and accepts us as we love and accept our own children."  Yeah, but I really messed up....   and I did the things I swore I'd never do again....  "I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been, cause I'm forgiven"  Yeah, but I just can't believe I did that...  

Sound familiar at all?  God's ready to hold us in his loving arms and welcome us as we are, but we aren't quite able to accept his forgiveness and love.  Do we feel that we deserve more suffering or that (with apologies to Garth and Wayne) "we're not worthy" of acceptance?  I'm not sure.  Maybe its an excuse to stay where we are and not move back to a positive productive way of life? Hmmmmm.....  

Regardless, I like "Forgiven" by Toledo's very own Sanctus Real because it reminds us that whether we choose to accept forgiveness or to keep reliving our lives in the middle of the night - we are a treasure in the arms of Christ.   (Scripture #1 and #2)   His absolution is more powerful than our own self-doubt.

 So, if the son of God can love us in our imperfection, maybe I can accept His mercy and know what I am - forgiven.  

Same Old, Same Old.....

Who am I to presume that my thoughts - without the substance of my actions - are worth anyone's time?  Is it really honest of me to put out this SOTW when I have virtually no involvement in my church or its activities?  Am I really back in this lifestyle and frame of mind....again? 

To say that I've been a little frustrated with myself lately, might be ever-so-slightly understated. The missing entries here at SOTW reflect the hollowness of my faith and the distance I've moved away from God's love.

I chose "East To West" by Casting Crowns as the song to help get me back on track.  It has been around for a few years, but its message is spot-on for me.  "I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me"

There are many scriptures that fit the lyrics, but I chose two that I liked best. (Click to read them - first and second.)   I need to be reminded that God forgives AND forgets - that my sins are not treated as severely as my mind feels I deserve.  That God loves us no matter what - just as we love our children.  We can not be separated from that powerful connection. 

There is a Way

Hi there.  Perhaps I need to change this blog to Mark's Song of the Month!  Lots of changes and challenges - with countless more to come.  It's a time of transition for me and my kids.  Thanks to all of you for your ongoing support, prayers and friendship.

My latest song choice - "There Is A Way" by NEWWORLDSON, from their self-titled CD - gives me inspiration.  L-O-V-E is much more than a word, more than four letters in a row. It is the hope of a hand waiting for you... 

Time after time I've seen that outstretched hand: in your 'just checkin in" calls; with those encouraging texts; attached to your e-mails and facebook messages;  in the rides you provide to and from my kids' activities; and often quite literally as you shake my hand, pat my back or offer a friendly hug. 

Yet there are other times when I think that I've got to make it on my own and keep everyone out.  Odd how my mind works when I'm tired, anxious or fearful.  I'd like to say that my unswerving faith gets me through.  (maybe someday I will)  Lately, however I have to work really hard to see that outstretched hand - Jesus' Love - providing me a lifeline from my troubles.  Is there a place to lay down my worries?  Is there hope?  Will I get up again?

The answer of course is a resounding YES.  There is a way, there is ALWAYS a way.  I may not see it or feel it, but  its there, waiting for me with an outstretched loving hand.  The way, the truth and the life - Jesus, who sparks our hope, answers our call and takes on our burdens - is proof positive of the amazing power of L-O-V-E.

Its Good to be Back

Hello everyone, sorry I've been away so long. As many of you know, my former wife passed away on January 2, 2010 - after battling cancer for several years. The events and challenges of the past weeks have been - as you'd expect - daunting, even overwhelming at times. To each of you who have been praying or e-mailing or sending notes or calling - Thank You! Your support and encouragement have been more valuable than you may ever know.

Its so hard to see your children suffering. A hurt that seems totally unfair. A pain that will continue and deepen before it gets better. The most emotional times for me were when the kids were crying - or trying so hard to maintain their composure - the images bring tears to my eyes even now.

This latest SOTW, Let The Waters Rise by mikeschair, struck me when I heard it this morning for the first time. The lyrics seemed to fit my life perfectly..."Its like my worlds caving in and I try but I can't control my fear...sometimes its so hard to pray when You feel so far away..." These were the EXACT feelings and issues I've been feeling.

But then, almost immediately, mikeschair sang confidently of God's promise - He is in the eye of the storm, never out of reach - with love enough to pull me (and my kids,too) through. I had tried, at times and mostly half-heartedly, to accept this truth in the midst of our struggles. The song, however, gave me the quiet reassurance that I needed to renew a whole-hearted approach to trusting Him.

Our future is definitely clouded with uncertainty. There will certainly be times that the raging seas of life and grief may pull us down, but I trust that God will give me the strength to carry us to safety. I believe he will do the same for any of you as well...

Thank you and God Bless, Mark