2011

Sleeping at Last says it best "life without revision will silence our souls."

I've spent a good amount of time today looking back reflecting on 2010. There was so much.

Instead of writing about last year, I put together a video of pictures. You can find it on my facebook page.

But, 2011 is upon us. And while I mourn the end of this year, I can't even imagine what is in store for this coming year. What will my story be at the end of 2011? How will God move in this heart of mine? How will He lead me to a deeper love for Him? I'm nervous for the ways He may stretch my faith, but I'm ready.

As I tried to focus on a few goals for 2011, I wanted to be specific. However, what came out of my time here at Starbucks wasn't specific goals, but specific vision statements. Instead of focusing on the details of the vision, I'm just going to try to live in it daily and ask God to come along in the story.

There's no accountability in keeping these to myself, so I'll share them with you, and you can yell at me (kindly, please) when I'm not living them out.

My vision statements for 2011:

--To love my tribe. (family, friends, church)

--To care for myself. (with health and start hobbies)

--To learn. (read scripture, read books for self and spiritual life, and with youth ministry)

--To contribute. (write both in my blog and for publication, and to contribute and give within society-financially and with my time)

What will your story be in 2011?

A Prayer

I'm reading Tozer's "The Pursuit of God."

His prayer is my prayer for today (and always).

"Father, I want to know Thee,

but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys.

I cannot part with them without bleeding,

and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting.

I come trembling, but I do come.

Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished

so long and which have become a very part of my living self,

so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival.

Then shalt Thou make the place of thy feet glorious.

Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it,

for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there.

In Jesus' name. Amen."

Top 11 of 2010

I've heard it said that it's easier to critique than to create.

I try not to critique someone else's creation especially if I can't create it myself. Music is that thing I can't create. But I do enjoy it. All bands need fans, and I'll play the role of fan. But this year, I've been given the opportunity to be a music critic.

I don't necessarily like the term "critic" but Under the Radar has asked me to be a music critic this year and I've enjoyed it. Really I'm just a fan. I enjoy going to shows, hosting shows at The Underground, listening to great music, and generally just being a supporter of artists.

Music is a voice for the soul. 2010 has proven to be a year of much needed soul tending music. And it delivered. Here are my top 11 albums of the year. Among a panel of 9 critics (uh.. fans), we came up with a final list, but over 50 didn't make the final cut. To see the final albums chosen by UTR critics, click here.

Here's my top 11 of 2010:

1. Ben Rector “Into the Morning”

The first timeI heard this album, I was driving around Nashville with some friends. It was one of those times you say “I don’t want to forget this moment right now.” I couldn’t remember where we were going, only who we were listening to. What a great album that I love for it’s piano driven beats, smooth vocals, and honest lyrics. It wins my top spot for 2010.

2. Andrew Belle “The Ladder”

There are albums I only listen to in certain seasons, but “The Ladder” is one for all seasons and emotions. I love the album for all it brings lyrically and musically. Each song demands attention. The lyrics seem personal yet relatable and real, something I admire about Belle’s songwriting.

3. Seabird “Rocks into Rivers”

“Rocks into Rivers” is so much more than Seabird’s radio hit “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.” I think this album has been overlooked and deserves notice. Brothers Aaron and Ryan Morgan lead this band with soul and dedication and is evident in each track.

4. JJ Heller “When I’m With You”

Listening to JJ Heller’s album while sitting by a fireplace and drinking a latte makes a great afternoon. “When I’m With You” is like a great book that you don’t want to put down. This album is on repeat and contends with Sara Groves “Fireflies and Songs” on my iTunes top playlist.

5. Tenth Avenue North “The Light Meets the Dark”

I love Tenth Avenue North’s album for it’s thread of hope and redemption that weaves through each track.It seems very timely and prophetic for people today. Having seen this band live twice this year, playing through these songs, it was evident that the these songs are more than just words and chords. While “The Light Meets the Dark” isn’t “under the radar” it’s one of the best gourmet mainstream Christian albums of 2010.

6. John Mark McMillan “The Medicine”

While most people would recognize McMillan’s song “How He Loves,” it’s not just this track, but the other 13 that makes this album worthy of my list. An album of poetry and worship with honest lyrics begs you to decipher McMillan’s deeper meaning. Each song has a lyric you want to underline, highlight, and put on repeat.

7. Sleeping at Last “October EP”

I’m pretty sure that Sleeping at Last’s full 12 month “yearbook” will make my top list for 2011. Each month a new 3 song EP is released, with October being the first and will continue through September 2011. Each month I’ll be waiting for the new songs, but October will most likely stand out as the best one.

8. Jars of Clay “The Shelter”

From the title track, the lyrics plead “In the shelter of each other, we will live.” An album full of guest artists including Sara Groves, Gungor, Derek Webb, David Crowder, and others is yet another reminder that Jars of Clay continues to try new things musically. I love that “The Shelter” is a call to all of us to make a difference as a community of believers. It’s beyond pop and radio, giving us theme songs for how to live life.

9. Chasen “That Was Then, This is Now”

“That Was Then, This is Now” is a perfect album title for the boys from South Carolina. It’s clear that these boys are now men, using life and their faith journey as inspiration behind the new album. A great combination of rock, melody, worship, and true lyrics makes this album worthy of my list.

10. Robbie Seay Band “Miracle”

The Robbie Seay Band has gotten a bit more recognition this past year, and “Miracle” is the reason. Robbie Seay is a great songwriter. It’s difficult to miss the lyrics in the melody, playing off each other to make songs that are worshipful to the King. An undertone of love and a plead for being real in the midst of life is heard from track to track.

11. Derek Webb “Feedback”

“Feedback” is an instrumental worship album with a theme of The Lord’s Prayer. Each track focuses on a line from the prayer. I am a digital music purchaser, but I’m thankful I bought a physical copy of “Feedback.” The album comes with pictures depicting each line of the prayer, from 2 artist perspectives. Derek Webb steps out yet again to create an experiential worship album with “Feedback.” Take an hour to worship and pray through The Lord’s Prayer with with this album and the pictures. It will be worth it.

Honorable Mention:

--Mumford & Sons "Sigh No More" - It would have made my top list of the year, but it's specific to Christian bans who are "under the radar."

--Satellites and Sirens "Self titled"

Albums I'm looking forward to in 2011:

--Brandon Heath (January)

--Aaron Gillespie (March)

--Needtobreathe (July-ish?)

Celebrating You: Teens

I am constantly amazed by high school students. Their future is wide open and full of dreams. They create plans, ideas, and hopes that weave love, success, and a search of identity. They hope to combat fear and disappointment by finding their niche in this world. And they aren’t just seeking to make a difference in the future, they are doing it now.

My prayer is that their hearts ache for the least of these in this world, they seek justice for those who have no hope, that they seek their dreams with all that they are, and most importantly, I hope they find that their identity is in Christ.

So today’s blog is dedicated to celebrating The Underground students. Past and present.

It wouldn’t be fair to highlight one or two students in this blog today, for they are all worthy of a spotlight. And also, because I’m human, I know that if I write out each student, I’ll forget one or two. So instead of mentioning specific students, I’m going to mention qualities or things I’ve learned from them. Because even though I’m the youth pastor, I’ve learned so much from them.

Here are a few things I’ve learned from teenagers:

--Teens watch their parents and imitate them whether for good or bad. A few weeks ago I had a flat tire and a few of the guys in the youth group noticed and helped me. It reminded me of their fathers.. men who have servant hearts. They are instilling this in their children by imitation. Love it.

--Students have dreams, big dreams. They are fearless in attempting to reach their dreams. I’ve seen this in so many of my students, and I’m in awe of their childlike faith of fearlessness. I wish I was more like them.

--Students are not afraid to say what they think. End of story.

--They are talented. This week I will attend 4 choir/band performances at different schools. I’ve seen the hard work pay off and they strive to be the best at everything they do. Yesterday I witnessed our worship band listen to a song and then play it live. Incredible talent. God is so cool in how he wires us and gives us talents and gifts.

--They are funny. Recently I had a middle school student walk into my office. He had a very recent stain on his shirt. I asked him about it. He replied “Well I was eating a burrito and my dog attacked me. But I was too lazy to change my shirt.” These kids are funny. I think I noticed a bean from his burrito still on his shirt.

-- They seek to be better. Each day they are growing in knowledge, in life skills, and (hopefully) in faith. I know for the most part they are forced to grow and learn, but I see their attempts to learn and be better. Better at a sport, at an instrument, with their studies, with their relationship with God. They make me ask myself, “How am I seeking to be better?”

--They contribute to society. I've seen past students graduate from high school, go to college, graduate and are living the dream. They contribute to their community and are living models of faith. Current students are doing so many things in their community. They integrate their life of faith into society and are being a light in the darkness. Love this!

--Students give away their money and time. I’ve seen teens hold their hands open to giving up their allowance or earnings to give to those less fortunate. I’ve seen them give their time to serving in the community and on mission trips. An average student spends 7.5 hours in school, then between 2-4 hours studying a day. And somehow they still manage to do a school extracurricular (2 hours), do social things (2 hours) and serve at church (2 hours). How do they fit it all in? These kids give of their time and money. I love this and learn from them.

--Teens remind me to laugh often, wear my heart on my sleeve, and continue to search for meaning and significance in this life.

So today, I’m thankful for my students. I want to celebrate them often, brag about them, and learn to be more like them. I hope that their legacy will be filled with happy moments, significant faith moments, and a burning desire to know God.