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Salt and Light (Public Glory)

Dear [STATION],

Hello, I am a constant listener to [STATION], and I am happy you are there; however, I have a complaint. I just wanted to register with you that songs like “Christmas Shoes” make me feel awful.  I turn off [STATION] when songs like that come on.

The problem is not that it talks about death, but that it is manipulative. I love Steven Curtis Chapman’s song about his daughter. But other examples of what I am talking about are the 33 Miles song “One Life.” It feels very manipulative. It simply is neither uplifting nor convicting. It just makes it seem like our hope is in our accomplishing life well. It is not in Christ for forgiveness, or in God’s direction, but in not messing up so bad that you regret it when you get cancer.

Again, I like you all, and I hope you do well, but I wanted you to know that I, and other people I know, don’t like the death-manipulation songs.

Thanks for your patient ear, Luke Welch

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I sent this message to my local station today.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping on your nose, yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos.”  Everybody knows… the next line.  The Christmas holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the music.  Songs reminding us of love, hope, and peace fill the air and warm the hearts of listeners world-wide.  According to ASCAP, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) by Mel Torme and Robert Wells is the most recorded song of all time.

Other songs like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas round out the top five of most recorded Holiday songs.  Whether it is in the shopping malls, radio stations, in movies, the songs of the season add the finishing touch to most events. The rich history of holiday music goes way back.  Music was an early feature of the Christmas season and its celebrations.

The earliest chants, litanies, and hymns were Latin works intended for use during the church liturgy, rather than popular songs.  The 13th century saw the rise of the carol written in the vernacular under the influence of Francis of Assisi.  The word carol comes from the Greek word choraulein, meaning a circle dance performed to flute music.  In the Middle Ages, the English combined circle dances with singing and called them carols.  Later, the word carol came to mean a song in which a religious topic is treated in a style that is familiar or festive.  From Italy, it passed to France and Germany, and later to England.

Christmas carols in English first appear in a 1426 work of John Audelay, a Shropshire priest and poet, who lists twenty five “caroles of Cristemas”, probably sung by groups of wassailers, who went from house to house.  Music in itself soon became one of the greatest tributes to Christmas, and Christmas music includes some of the noblest compositions of the great musicians.

This year Country, Classical, Pop, and Christian artists have tried to reinvent the season once more with new Christmas music.  The following projects have a moving mix of classic tunes as well as newly written tunes, on their way to becoming holiday favorites.  Check out the links for the following CDs – they would make great stocking-stuffers and help to top off any family holiday party.

Believe - 33 Miles

Gold and Green – Sugarland

If On A Winter’s Night – Sting

This Christmas – Michael McDonald

The Irish Tenors Christmas – The Irish Tenors

These two songs have ministered to me so much this week, and I know that there must be someone else out there who is desperate for the message they contain. No fancy videos to go with them, just simple lyrics, packed with a message of salvation. Close your eyes and let His Truth wash over you today.

There is hope. There is life. You are not alone. The Lord Himself fights for you. Take courage, my friend…  He will never leave you or forsake you, even when all others fail you. Rest in His faithfulness today!

Hold On (33 Miles)

I’ve been there a thousand times,
I’ve felt the rain like a thousand knives.
And it hurts,
I know it hurts.
I’ve been there like a fighter plane,
Tryin’ to fly My way through a hurricane.
And it’s hard,
I know it’s hard!

Don’t be afraid,
You’ll make it through,
Just call out to Me and I’ll come running to you!

Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder.
Just give Me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over,
And I’ll be fighting for you.
Just give Me your hand and,
Hold on!

I’ll give you hope, I’ll give you faith!
And if it’s dark, I’ll light the way,
For you, for you!
By your side, until the end,
Until you’re standing tall again!
I’m here, I’ll always be here.
And if the tide, sweeps you out to sea,
When your strength is gone, and it’s hard to believe,

Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder
Just give Me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over.
And I’ll be fighting for you,
Just give Me your hand!

Ooooo so…
Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder
Just give Me your hand.
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over,
And I’ll be fighting for you!
Just give Me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!

Let the Waters Rise (Mikeschair)

Don’t know where to begin
Its like my world’s caving in
And I try but I can’t control my fear
Where do I go from here?

Sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where You want me to
God, I trust You

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
‘Cuz You’ll be next to me
You’re in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You’re never out of reach

God, You know where I’ve been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You’ll be faithful again
I’m holding Your hand

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I’m holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Så var det då dags för mig att skriva något i min blogg. Jag har funderat på vad jag ska skriva men jag inte kommit på något speciellt. Vanligtvis brukar jag gå till kyrkan på söndagar men idag har jag valt att stanna hemma. Jag har tittat på torpkonferensen online. Torpkonferensen är en kristen konferens där flera tusen möts i en stor lada.Ladan rymer 4-5000 personer men det finns säkert lika många om inte fler på campingen. När jag arbetade i kyrkan så åkte jag alltid till torp men på senare år har det inte blivit lika viktigt för mig. En sak med torpkonferensen är att man träffar många gamla bekanta. Det finns naturligtvis mer som är possitivt med att åka på konferens. Nog om det.

Jag har lagt upp en video med 33miles som heter There Is A God. Titta och lyssna.

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Hoppas att du får en härlig dag! Jag återkommer!

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33 Miles Band pop cristiana - Jason Barton , Chris Lockwood e Collin Stoddard – Una vita per l’amore’ ancora mi dà i brividi”, dice Jason. “”E ‘anche il significato dei 33Miles-l’idea che la vita può essere breve, che Cristo ha vissuto solo trenta-tre anni su questa terra. Pertanto, la questione rimane: che cosa fare e con le nostre miglia, con gli anni che ci sono stati dati? Diamo a Dio i nostri anni ed il nostro tempo e Lui saprà farli fruttare!!!! Bless In The Name Of Jesus

http://bologna.annuncia.it/Annunci-gratuiti/3-Musica/Musicisti/54179/Carla-Rivi-e-Dj-Mr-Fox-musica-cristiana-live-e-gospel-house.html

A lot of folks have asked me about the music I listen to.  Click on the link below to be taken to my personal play list.  Mostly Christian/Worship music but I’ve thrown in a few other types of music I like as well.  Enjoy!

http://www.playlist.com/thatbriguy

This song came on last night as I was falling alseep. It just spoke to me so much! I love it! Here’s the video & lyrics:

Verse 1:
What do you see when you look at your world today?,
Is it so full of clutter that you feel like your going insane
[( Sometimes it's like when I look at my life and my world, all I can see is the school, the relationships, the friendships, the family, the job, the messes. It's too cluttered. It does make me feel like I'm going insane sometimes.)]
But you can’t fight back ’cause you’re just too afraid
And it feels like the clouds in your sky don’t wanna change
You see theres always another story
Another side to every coin
But how you see your circumstance is all about a choice
[( Ah, what a sweet truth. I feel that I can't fight back, because I'm scared I will loose-and I probably will. And after weeks of the same trial, I feel done. I feel like giving up, giving in. I feel like it's never going to change-like the clouds will never leave! But here's the thing, there is another side of this coin. look at this picture:

That is the sky above a thunderstorm from a plane. *Credit to Klara Stumph* THat's beautiful. There IS another side. I may be under the clouds, so it seems dark. But if I can change my view, I can see the beauty in all of that mess.)]

Chorus:
When you see the rushing wing, feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
You’re blinded by the lighting
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying it’s okay?
[(So often the thunder is so loud, the wind is moving so fast and pushing me so hard, and the rain is pouring down buckets, and I neglect to stop, be still and hear that still, small voice. That voice, that voice is Jesus. He's there, He's talking. I was reading about having a conscious awareness of Jesus earlier today, and it reminds me of this song. Jesus, He's always there. Me, I'm not always paying attention. He can be right in my face and I close my eyes, trying to deny that He's there. My little sister used to close her eyes when she got in trouble because she thought that if she couldn't see you, that you couldn't see her. She was 2, and now we think that is just silly. But yet, I still do the same thing with Jesus. Guys, He's calling! He's saying it's okay, and it will REMAIN okay, alright? )]
You’re not alone, you may be scared to death
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling?
[( He wont let me go. I feel oh so alone, but He's there. I know He's there. And even when I don't know He's there, He is still there. He will not let me go. It's like a parent and child crossing the street. The child may let go and try to run, even if a car is coming, and the parent is not going to let go of that childs hand, no matter how hard it pulls. And frankly, the child's tug on that parents hand is not hard for the parent to hold-they're strong. The child may drop to the ground and throw a fit, like I often do when God doesn't seem to give me what I want, but the parent knows that was in the best interest for the child, even if the child doenst know that.)]

Verse2:
What do you see when you look at your world today?
Do you see a glimmer of hope or has it all turned to gray
[( For me, mostly gray. The whole hope thing seems to have gone down the drain, really. But that's okay. Because there is a remedy...Read on in the lyrics)]
Well start by counting you blessings opne by one
And I’m sure right there you’ll start to see the sun
You see theres always another story
Another side to every coin
But how you see your circumstance is all about a choice
[( Not only is there a different side to seeing your circumstances, but you can choose how you see them. So how are you choosing to see your life? Why? There's another story you don't hear. Pay attention. Count your blessings. You wont be able to stop, I'm telling you. Try it.)]

Tag:
Cause the darker the night, the brighter He can shine
[( I just love this quote all around)]

Hey Everyone – so yesterday our church continued in the month long campaign of “One Month To Live”.  The theme for yesterday was “Love Completely” – the 2nd principle from the book by Chris & Kerry Shook.

I put together a video for the service to the song “One Life To Love” by the group 33 Miles – I really think it is a great song – so I am gonna share it with ya.  Let me know your thoughts about the song and/or video!  Hope you enjoy!

You’ve probably noted that I have a serious passion for music. I honestly believe that our lives are not complete unless there is a soundtrack to go with it. How would movies be without the music in the background? What would long drives be without tunes to share the journey? Music catalogs my memories. It surrounds specific moments in my life. I can hear a song and take you directly to a snapshot in my memory. Maybe it’s a sickness, but I don’t know any other way.

So that brings me to the point of this post. What’s your lifesong? What is that song or songs that you would name as those that define a memory or how you want your life to be remembered. Need some examples? As you can imagine…I have several.

“Arms Wide Open” (imagine that) by Creed

“When All is said and Done” by Geoff Moore

“My Hometown” by Bruce Springsteen

These are just a few of the many that I have. I recently added another one. This one shot straight to the top of the chart. It struck me the moment I heard it. It has been on repeat for hours at a time today. There is something about the line “I want to be the same man that will serve you then like I serve you now“. Awesome.

The song is “Stand Amazed” by 33 Miles. If you don’t already have a “Lifesong”, then this might be a good place and time to start. I don’t mind sharing!

“Stand Amazed” by 33 Miles

You’ve probably noted that I have a serious passion for music. I honestly believe that our lives are not complete unless there is a soundtrack to go with it. How would movies be without the music in the background? What would long drives be without tunes to share the journey? Music catalogs my memories. It surrounds specific moments in my life. I can hear a song and take you directly to a snapshot in my memory. Maybe it’s a sickness, but I don’t know any other way.

So that brings me to the point of this post. What’s your lifesong? What is that song or songs that you would name as those that define a memory or how you want your life to be remembered. Need some examples? As you can imagine…I have several.

“Arms Wide Open” (imagine that) by Creed

“When All is said and Done” by Geoff Moore

“My Hometown” by Bruce Springsteen

These are just a few of the many that I have. I recently added another one. This one shot straight to the top of the chart. It struck me the moment I heard it. It has been on repeat for hours at a time today. There is something about the line “I want to be the same man that will serve you then like I serve you now“. Awesome.

The song is “Stand Amazed” by 33 Miles. If you don’t already have a “Lifesong”, then this might be a good place and time to start. I don’t mind sharing!

“Stand Amazed” by 33 Miles

I am thankful today for alot of things. First and foremost that I am a child of God and that in spite of all of what is going on the world today, I have a peace that passes all understanding. I am thankful for my family and the faith that they instilled in me from a child. I am thankful for my friends who are always there when I need them most. I am thankful to have a job and a job that makes a difference in people’s lives. I am thankful for each one of my kids that impacts me in their own special way. I am thankful for my church and the opportunity to learn and worship God each week. I was convicted the other day that I needed to be thankful every day, not just durning Thanksgiving. I heard this song on the radio and thought it was perfect for an occassion such as this.  Oh yeah….I am thankful for each person that I have met by blogging whether it is in person or on line. My life has defintely been impacted for good!

I have a feeling I am late on the bandwagon here, but I am becoming a big, big fan of the band 33 Miles! They just released their second CD which has the song “One Life to Live” on it. They deliver music that will have you celebrating our position in Christ one minute and moved by the emotion of the journey the next. There are several songs on both of their CD’s that are in constant rotation for me right now in the midst of some healing.

My good friend Jen recently asked me who I would compare them to. The closest I could think of today was Rascal Flatts. If you haven’t heard of them, take a few minutes to download either of their CD’s today. You’ll be glad you did.

To my friends…. To those hurting today…. Hold On.

You only get just one time around, you only get one shot at this
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t wanna miss
One day when it’s all said and done I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love
One Life to Love | 33 Miles

I really like this song. There are times when I simply like a song just because it sounds good, and there are times when take a break from singing it at the top of my lungs and just listen to the actual lyrics. Knowing and understanding the lyrics makes you appreciate the song so much more than you already do. But back to this song.. It’s one of those songs that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Not goosebumps like “ohh that’s scary.” Goosebumps like “ohh this song is sooo goood.” Does that make sense? But yeah, I love the lyrics of this song too. It’s the kind of song that makes you look at your life and think about what you’re doing with it. It makes you think about the ones you love and if you’re really spending enough time with them. It makes you think about who’s important to you in your life. Are you spending your time on earth wisely? Are you showing love to those around you, especially your loved ones? Just some questions that popped into my head. Because, yanno, thinking’s fun. But overall, I recommend that you listen to this song, if you haven’t already. I bet you’ll probably hear it on KLOVE every hour or so.

And so begins another week of school. Weekends go by wayyy to fast. This weekend was super fun though. Wooohooo for Harvest Festival! But yeah, this week.. Warriors regular season begins Wednesday! Halloweeeen on Friday. I need to write in this more often. And maybe post pictures? Okay, I’m getting sleepy. I shall think of more things to write as I attempt to get 7 hours of sleep :p

This one ride, one try, one life to love

Andrew chats with Jon McLaughlin about his new record Ok Now and Oscar performance and talks to Leeland about living “The Opposite Way”.

Also look for reviews of the latest releases from Bebo Norman, Jonezetta, Sonicflood, Krystal Meyers, Nevertheless, David Phelps and more, as well as a Q&A with Jimmy Needham and DecembeRadio feature.

And lastly, check out Andrew’s first ParentLife article, “Teach By Example” – an overview of grandparenting.

Read the articles by clicking on the links below or visit Andrew’s “Words” page here:

Jon McLaughlin, CCMMagazine.com
Leeland, CMCentral.com
DecembeRadio, CCMMagazine.com
Jimmy Needham, ChristianMusicPlanet.com
“Teach By Example”, ParentLife
Bebo Norman “Bebo Norman, ChristianMusicPlanet.com
Jonezetta “Cruel To Be Young”, CCMMagazine.com
Krystal Meyers “Make Some Noise”, CCMMagazine.com
Nevertheless “In the Making . . .”, CMCentral.com
Sonicflood “A Heart Like Yours”, ChristianMusicPlanet.com
33 Miles “One Life”, ChristianMusicPlanet.com
David Phelps “The Voice”, ChristianMusicPlanet.com
“Rendezvous”, ChristianMusicPlanet.com

So many things seem so important on any given day… but really, truly, honestly… most of it doesnt. =) But, God’s love matters and so does sharing it with others. And think of this also… it’s important to remember how much God loves each of us! We share his love as we show it to others, but don’t forget he has the same love for me & you. Soak it up, take it in… and hold it tight.

We are so blessed. He is so good.