Melodies and Lyrics that Feed the Soul

The last blog I wrote I recommended a song. This time around I am going to recommend an musical artist. His lyrics make you feel sick to your stomach, feel what it is to feel again, think a lot, and all the while you smile the entire time you are listening to him. Jon Foreman is the lead singer from Switchfoot. These past few months he has compiled 4 Seasons of melodies and lyrics that connect to the soul inside the temperature and new colors that each season brings. Recently, he released the last of his 4 CD set and I have made myself a mix of all his stuff.

It is so refreshing to here writing that blows your mind. The theology behind his hymns can soften the hardest hearts (they softened mine). His poetry makes me frustrated, think, love, hope, mad, and take a good look in the mirror. Here is a brief segment of some of his poetry.

"Instead of a Show" by Jon Foreman

I hate all your show and pretense
the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show

Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your
singing ‘em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood
of justice
An endless procession of righteous
living, living
Instead let there be a flood
of justice
Instead of a show

your eyes are closed when you’re praying
you sing right along with the band
you shine up your shoes for services
but there’s blood on your hands

you turned your back on the homeless
and the ones that don’t fit in your plans
quit playing religion games
there’s blood on your hands

Ah! let’s argue this out
if your sins are blood red
let’s argue this out
you’ll be white as the clouds
let’s argue this out
quit fooling around

give love to the ones who can’t love at all
give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all
instead of a show
I hate all your show

-----------------------

Get all of his stuff!

A Song that Needs to Be Shared

I have never recommended a song on this blog of disconnected thoughts. However, this is a song you need to listen to. It's lyrics inspire. It's an anthem of hope and motivation. It provokes action. Naturally, your hand will raise in a surge of passion and melodic motion to make a difference...and the coolest part about it is - we are not alone.


Angels and Airwaves - Secret Crowds

Tonight, I am once again reminded that I am apart of a movement.

Pondering Purpose and My Current State of Life

Currently, life has led me to a unique place. This past weekend my babe and girlfriend of 4 years took me to see the ring she has picked out. It is beautiful and on her finger it is even more amazing. I'm realizing more and more everyday how important commitment is to my everyday life.

Commitment defines purpose.
Purpose depends on commitment.

Not only in our relationships but in our jobs.
Not only in our thoughts but in our actions.
Not only in our strengths but in our weaknesses.

Our commitment does not rely on our potential.
However, our potential is measured by the commitment made.

Christ committed Himself to die for the sins of the world. Even in the midst of doubt - Christ trusted as He prayed in the garden. He committed Himself to the cause. He was committed to others. He was committed to the poor and oppressed. He was committed for the sake of others. He committed Himself in the desert.

He pressed through, broke through, and challenged.
He loved, obeyed, and freed.

All because of commitment.

A Pondering of Time After Time

I am 21.

I am one year away from graduating college.
I am one year away from the entering the "real world."
My heart sinks and leaps at thinking of these two facts.

I am growing.
I am living.
However, time is not stopping.

Lately, I have been reminded of past high school memories. I remember the people that have made up the years gone by. I remember the crushes. The love I thought I felt. The deep conversations. The short moments of my life I shared with someone I may never see again. I wonder what their face looks like now. The next dance. Next Friday's game. The innocence. The guilt. The regret. The forgiveness. The jammed lockers. The dreams.The passion and drive. The hopes of making life the best it could be. The drama. The gossip. The wonder of tomorrow. Pain was right around the corner as it is today. Hope was always tomorrows tendency. I wonder where those people are now.

Would they recognize me?
Would I recognize them?

We all felt those things. We fought for them. We lost the fight. Our parents were always right.

Friend -- wherever you are -- I hope you're doing great and the life you are living is everything you want it to be. I pray for you tonight. I pray God breathes fresh air into your lungs. I pray you see Him tomorrow when you run your errands. I pray you see Him when you look at your kid. I pray you look at the life you see before you and be the change you hope to see in the world. I hope you're not scared of running the opposite way. I hope you see the light that shines on the open road. I hope you know God is always with you.

I guess what brings these thoughts and feelings lately is the sense that I'm growing up. I've never felt more like a grown up these past few months. Traveling to NYC by myself began these feelings. Now, I am wrestling with an opportunity I have been given this summer. I have entered into a new world that is unfamiliar. I am not surrounded by the people that have surrounded my life for the years leading up to this moment. I am finding new faces and new hands to shake. I am asking new people the question, "How are you?"

Kinda weird...
Kinda exciting...

Life is in the rear view mirror.
Tomorrow is waiting for me
My alarm is going off.
I'm awake.

"Forgive them..."

Lately, my mind and my heart have been haunted by the words of Christ as He hung on the cross.

He declared to a nation that was divided among belief, race, law, oppression, riches, and power.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
- Luke 23:34

What does Christ mean when He declares this phrase?
He is praying and asking forgiveness for a nation that doesn't believe He is the Messiah.
This nation heard His claims.
They heard of things He had done.
They reject Him.
And Christ -- In His power and strength asks that His Father forgive them.

I will be thinking about this for a long time.