Prayer of the Weak

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'm going to admit something here that I have never shared with anyone else other than my wife. Ready? Here it is:

I'm a closet Gaither music fan.

There I said it. It's out there. If it's on PBS, TBS, Mtv, VH1 or wherever, I'm usually watching it or flipping back to it if I'm also watching something else. Whew...I feel so much better now! Can we can move on.

So tonight I am relaxin' on the couch when I flip by this Gaither promo advertising one of their dvd/cd collections when the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" is being highlighted by the vocals of the Crabb Family singers. You can click here on the link to see the performance.

Well, I was completely surprised by the Holy Spirit in this moment to the point of tears. These lyrics by Rhea F. Miller and music by George Beverly Shea overwhelmed me and resounded in my soul. Here are the words:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

I so want these lyrics to be true of my living, breathing, and loving. I want my bank account to reflect these heart cries and realities. I want those around me - near and far from Jesus - to see these words in me. I want my values and behaviors to find soil in truths like this.

So for the next few days or so, this poem/song is going to be the springboard for prayer in the mornings as I drive to work. From there, may my life and, if necessary, words invite others to move deeper with Jesus and/or wonder what it means to "rather have my Jesus" than anything.

Youth MiniSTARS Music Video

All I can say is awesome! Kanye (kinda, but not really) meets youth pastor in this parody music video. When I watched this video for the first time, I'm 99.9% postive that whoever filmed this lives in, around, or in close proximity to West Chester, OH. Why do I know this? Because they filmed a scene from the video at The Cone (love that place!) which is right by where my sis, bro-in-law, and nephews live.

I see that Student Life produced the video. Any of my Cincy area peeps recognize any of the playaz in da vid?

Anywho...enjoy!



(bu to Tim)

Prayer of the Weak

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sign of the Apocalypse

Potbellies unite! Just when I started losing mine, the "beer gut" became hip. I was ahead of my time and didn't even know it. This clearly is a sign of Jesus coming back or at the minimum, Jenny Craig.

Here's a taste (pun intended) of the NY Times article:

“I sort of think the six-pack abs obsession got so prissy it stopped being masculine,” is how Aaron Hicklin, the editor of Out, explains the emergence of the Ralph Kramden. What once seemed young and hot, for gay and straight men alike, now seems passé. Like manscaping, spray-on tans and other metrosexual affectations, having a belly one can bounce quarters off suggests that you may have too much time on your hands.

“It’s not cool to be seen spending so much time fussing around about your body,” Mr. Hicklin said.

And so guys can happily and guiltlessly go to seed.

And here is a reaction from a woman's website:

If the New York Times says “it’s hip to be round,” it must be true. According to the paper of record, it is officially cool for dudes to “rock a potbelly.” I’ve always been a secret fan of a well-rounded pot, and I’ve seen several of these burgeoning guts this summer with my own eyes, jiggling in all of their glory around the hip streets of Brooklyn, New York. I mean, who am I to judge? I’m rocking my own little “hot pot.” The day potbellies become trendy for the ladies is the day that pigs fly. But, seriously, why are our dudes getting porky? The hilarious theories after the jump.

• Shirts are cut too small. Good point, but we know you’re buying a medium instead of a large to show off that pot!
• Men need to have that extra layer to metaphorically “protect” themselves from all the women in the work place. Not buying this one.
• In ironic opposition to the hotness of Obama. It’s true. It’s hard to live up to his superhero status. So, if McCain were elected, would our dudes be slimming down?
• The recession. Stress increases stomach fat. Comfort foods. All very possible.
• It’s too “metro” to be in shape. Kind of agree. I’m not really looking for a guy who spends more time at the gym than me.

How are you doing at rocking that apocalyptic potbelly?

Sadly True Sometimes

Sometimes this is uncomfortably true.

Prayer of the Weak

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Kings of Leon

Seems like I am always looking for new music, artists, and bands to keep me music library somewhat fresh and up to date given the fact that I am 37 years old. That's much easier said than done. But while I was in San Diego last week (more to come in another post), I finally heard someone talking about this band, Kings of Leon. I'd seen they were pretty popular on the music charts these days, but just hadn't talk with anyone listening to them.

I bit the bullet and downloaded the album, Only by the Night. Wow! Great album. Now I'll be the first to admit that I haven't disected all the lyrics, but music and vocals are right on. Just about every song on the album is outstanding. I've probably listened to it 3x a day, everyday since I've returned home from the west coast.

If you are in the hunt for some new tunes and dig an rock/alternative sound, check these guys out. If you are looking for the re-incarnation of Russ Taff (even though he's not dead) in a cool, hip new band (actually have about 4 albums), then Kings of Leon and it's lead singer are for you.

Prayer of the Weak

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.