Surprises in Store

We received the first of many surprises today. We found out our little one is going to be a boy. Practically everyone, including Jess and I, thought it would be a girl. So the first of many surprises has set in. This thing is about to be a wild ride if surprises keep rolling in like this. Everything looked good and our son appears to be healthy. I can't post much about it because I am still somewhat in awe. Think of it like this: pretend God said you are either going to get all the money in the world or all the things in the world. You don't know which you are getting but both would be great and both are very different. Then God gives you one of them, let's choose all the money in the world. You now own all the money in the whole world and you can't believe that it is actually yours even though you knew you were receiving it or something equally great. You just can't believe it. That is how I am feeling right now. I know it doesn't make much sense but its the best analogy I can come up with.

Different Tomorrow

It's weird. Tomorrow I will be different. I will feel different. I will have information that will change the rest of my life tomorrow. I am in the present an unknowing soon to be father. Tomorrow I will be a more educated soon to be father. But not just a little educated. I will find out information that will change the course of my life and really all eternity. One of God's plans will be revealed tomorrow. It's weird feeling this way....but good.

Darwin Award Rejects

Since it is Friday, I thought I would post some fun videos to start your weekend off right. All these videos are titled "Darwin Award Rejects" so I thought it was appropriate to post these with Ben Stein's new documentary just released, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" which takes a look at intelligent design and Darwinism. Anyway, enjoy and have a great weekend.











And my favorite...

Superstar!

So American Idol's Irish import left the show last night in a somewhat surprising reveal....or was it? Carly Smithson sang "Superstar" (from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar) in Tuesday night's show. During the performance, Jess stated that she thought the lyrics were a bit sacreligious. I assured her that they weren't and in fact, they were just the opposite. The lyrics in fact point out many of our questions, doubts, and unbeliefs that we as Christian face everyday. The song is about us questioning God's actions. The song is about our curiosity to know what God has in store and a demand to know what that is. The song is about our lack of understanding and our blatant distrust as the soul looks at the Father and says, "What were you thinking!?!?!?!" Of course its wrong as it ultimately stems from a lack of trust in our Father, but nevertheless, the song is an honest portrayal of many of our daily spiritual walks.

Alas, though, Carly got voted off the island by a bachelor trying to lose weight (whoops, I'm getting my shows mixed up again). I wondered about the voting on this. Could it be that non-Christians didn't vote for her because they thought she was taking a religious stance that they didn't agree with? Could the Christian viewers have not voted for her because they thought the song was sacreligious and that she was making fun of God? This theory is just that...a theory, and we will never know the answer as FOX does not poll the demographics of its voters. However, in an effort to at least clear-up any doubt that this song is sacreligious, I have posted the lyrics below along with Carly's rendition. Listen to her sing it and read through the lyrics. Just see if this amazing performance doesn't convict your heart with its rousing yet haunting words.

Superstar
Everytime I look at you I don't understand
Why you let the things you do get so out of hand
You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned.
Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?

If you'd come today you would have reached the whole nation.
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Don't get me wrong now. Don't get me wrong. Don't get me wrong.
I only want to know now....

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ, Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?

Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.
Who'd you think besides yourself's the pick of the crop?
Buddha, was he where it's at is he where you are?
Could Muhammad move a mountain, or was that just PR?

Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, or
Did you know your messy death would be a record breaker?
Don't you get me wrong...Don't get me wrong now. Don't get me wrong.
I only want to know.....

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ, Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?

Dove Awards 2008

Tonight is the biggest night in Christian music. Since my wife works in the industry and I am a fan, I thought I would run down some of the main categories in this year's Dove Awards and make some predictions. These predictions are of course based on months of logical scientific research conducted by third party unbiased consulting firms that calculated a prediction based on a 15th century philosopher's equation named Rambaldi. OR...its just a SWAG. Either way, here you go.

Song of the Year
-Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
-Bring the Rain
-East to West
-Give you Glory
-How You Live
-I'm Not Who I Was
-In Better Hands
-Made To Love
-Tears of the Saints
-Undo

The way I see it, Tears of the Saints and Amazing Grace are going to go head to head on this one. But two questions loom here: Will the GMA give the BIG award to a young band straight out of the gate? or is writing one chorus to a century old song good enough to garner a Song of the Year title? GMA members are probably hard pressed to decide which question they answer "yes" to. If they go with neither, look for East to West to be the underdog and take it. However, my sentiments are that even though it was just a chorus, Chris Tomlin's emotional addition to Amazing Grace will best the competition.

Songwriter of the Year
-Mark Hall
-Brandon Heath
-Bernie Herms
-Leeland Mooring
-Cindy Morgan

Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year winners tend to go together to the same artist (i.e., Chris Tomlin and How Great is Our God, Bart Millard and I Can Only Imagine, Mark Hall and Who Am I). But there is no way the GMA could nominate Tomlin for only writing a chorus in this category. So look for Mark Hall or Leeland Mooring to take this category and I am giving the slight edge to Leeland. But one thing is for sure, whoever wins this category has their chances skyrocket to win Song of the Year and upset Tomlin.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Tomlin
Gerald Wolfe
Jon Foreman
Mark Hall
Mark Schultz
Marvin Sapp
tobyMac

Is it just me or is everyone rooting for toby here? Unfortunately, the GMA is not going to give a "vocalist" award to someone that doesn't sing a majority of a song. That brings us back to the Tomlin vs. Hall debate once more. Given that Hall has been nominated in all three categories so far, he gets the win here. But let me just say for the record, that group front men should NOT be allowed to be nominated for these individual vocalists categories. If they are part of a group, then they should only be able to be nominated with the group. PERIOD.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Grant
Christy Nockels
Darlene Zschech
Krystal Meyers
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Sandi Patty

Amy did release a greatest hits and jump labels for the first time in 30 years and Sandi had her own comeback party with a new album in 2007 too. But these stalwarts aren't big contenders this year. Christy Nockels retired last year so that may give her a boost. Mandisa didn't sell enough to win here. So look for the reigning queen to reign once more and Natalie should accept the prize for the 3rd year running (?) 4th year running (?) I can't keep track. But kudos to Krystal Meyers for getting a nomination here. Well deserved.

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
David Crowder Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Hillsong United
Point Of Grace
Selah
The Clark Sisters

Crowder should win this category with one of the most electric albums of the year. But alas, the dude that was nominated in the Male Vocalist category will also win here only he has 7 other people standing beside him. Do you see how this isn't fair people?!?!?! OK, I am getting down of my soapbox now.

New Artist of the Year
33 Miles
Austins Bridge
Brandon Heath
DeWayne Woods
Group 1 Crew
Mandisa
Rush Of Fools

Rush Of Fools had the biggest hit of 2007 so that might send them the edge. However, I think Brandon Heath's songwriting abilities and cool, coffeehouse vibe gives him the edge here with the voters. After all, these are the same people that gave this award to The Afters...and where are they now? I think the GMA will take a year off from giving it to a band when they don't know if they will be around this time next year.

Producer of the Year
Bernie Herms
Ed Cash
Ian Eskelin
Israel Houghton
Nathan Nockels

Here is where Bernie gets his prize. Too many "artists" are competing for other categories he is nominated in. He wins here. Of course, 98.4273% of all artists work with Ed. He could be the darkhorse even though he has won for the past two years.

Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
Chris Tomlin
Natalie Grant
Point Of Grace
Skillet
The Clark Sisters
tobyMac

If toby has a chance in any of the big categories, its here. I mean, come on, there is truly not an "artist" listed here that can compete. Again, if everything starts going Mark Hall's way, look for C.C. to upset. But toby's Portable Sounds outsold everyone here and the GMA can't ignore that.

Well there you have it. If you don't have tickets, you can always watch the broadcast live on Gospel Music Channel tonight. Tune in to see just how wrong yours truly really is!

Christian the Lion

This is one of the best videos I have seen in a long time. It really doesn't help my affinity with lions but sure proves my point as to why I LOVE these big cats.

The following video synopsis is from youtube.

So these two people (still in the 70's evidently) raised this lion cub who they named Christian, and sadly he got too big for them to take care of so they decided to release him to live as a wild lion. Well, in this footage, a year has passed and it looks like Christian's adapted to living with a pride of lions when his old (70's like) friends come back to visit him. Watch closely and you can see the look of pure disbelief that dawns on his muzzle- it's awesome. ^_^ Next thing you know, we have a heart warming reunion. Not long after, members of Christian's pride approach and even they seem to accept Christian's human friends.

I think this video is such a wonderful picture of how God (the Lion and the Lamb) greets us whenever we come seeking Him. All we have to do is walk out into the wilderness and God shows up. Yes, its scary because we don't know what we will find or what reaction awaits us, but His gentle nature just propels Him to jump up on us and throw His big paws around our neck and give us every communication that simply says "It's so good to see you!"

I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.

Latest Music

There are two songs that are quickly impressing me more and more every day. The first song is "No Air" by Jordan Sparks featuring Chris Brown. Besides two great singers, what makes this song so special is the onomatopoeia associated with the word "air." When the singers sing "air" the melody is so light and wispy that the air is almost palpable. It is a great example of how songs and feelings can interrelate. I fully expect this song to receive a nomination for Record of the Year at next year's Grammy Awards to be held in February 2009.

The second song is "4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. Madonna has been impacting the music business (positively and negatively) for almost 25 years. Last month she was inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame for her contributions and is now releasing her latest single. However, what makes this song so hot is Madonna's choices and not necessarily her vocal talent. Her decision to include JT and Timbaland on this record reinvented her music once again. JT is the strong standout on this song and Madonna sort of washes into the background. However, with all the accolades this song is receiving as well as how fast it is climbing the charts, this song should garner a Grammy nod for Madonna for Best Pop Female Performance next year.

At the least expect both of these songs to show up in the Best Pop Collaboration category when the Grammy nominees are announced later this year.

In Open Hands

Jack and Many Miller led an amazing Bible Study lesson yesterday. It was a great reminder of how we make agreements with the enemy and subtley allow him to destroy our lives and bring us further away from Papa. Rob Dublin said something that has really stuck with me. He talked about giving control over to God. Lots of peple think that that means you will have to go to Africa and become a missionary but the truth is that God will just use you in a way that he has already equipped you. Rob said that in the area where you need to ask God, "what does it mean to give you control of this area?", that is the area you need to give Him control over. Rob said it much better than I can but it really started me thinking.

God wants us to hold everything He has given us in open hands ("In Open Hands"...there is a good song title Nasvhille...I own 5% of the song though). Whether it is our family, our finances, our career, our hobbies, our possessions, our past, our future, or ourselves, He wants us to hold it all in our open hands. It brings back a point Rick White at The Peoples Church made a while back. He reiterated a point in the Bible that says everything under the sun is God's. EVERYTHING. This includes all the categories that I just listed. So it is best to think of ourselves not as owners but as managers, financial planners, day care workers, etc. Then the challenge will be come clear that we hold all of these things in open hands and never with a closed fist. It is more difficult on us is God has to pry open our hands but very easy for Him to handle His possessions if we are holding them in open hands. That is a lot easier said than done but I think that is our challenge and when we look at it from an eternal perspective, it becomes easier.

Video Test Posting #2

The other funniest video of 2007

Video Test Posting

OK just wanted to test out how to post a video on this blog. So I thought I would post one of my all time favorites.

First Blog

I am creating this blog because so many times during the day I have thoughts that I want to share and ideas that I would like to put down just to share my life with others in community. Don't expect this blog to be a place of high intelligence or even gramtically correct. It will just be my thoughts as they spill out. Think of it as my own journal that you get to peek into. We will probably talk about all kinds of topics and I hope you join me in the conversation. I would love to hear your thoughts on a certain topic that I post about or any other thing that you are interested in discussing. This blog will be different from others because I want your thoughts and ideas too. I have learned in my life that I don't know it all (even though Jess will testify that I don't act like it sometimes) so I am open to hearing what you think of a certain subject. Who knows...you just may change my mind. There has to be a first time for everything ...right? My hope is that this is blog is cathartic for me and helpful to you. So with no further adieu......here we go!