Flags

Brooke Fraser's new album, "Flags", was released recently. It's incredible...seriously, incredible. Go buy it and you'll immediately love it. In the meantime, listen to the song "Flags". So much Truth in this song.

Hymns

I love hymns. Like words can't describe how much I love them. I think there's something incredibly special about them...a connection to the body of Christ from many years ago. There's a comfort knowing that our ancestors who wrote these stunning lyrics loved, struggled, praised, cried, and went through very similar situations as we did during their walk with Christ. And while I value modern worship music, it often lacks the depth and clarity that hymns have in presenting the picture of the gospel. I especially love movements such as Indelible Grace, Red Mountain Music, Sojourn Music, etc that are writing new music to go with hymn lyrics from long ago.

In any case, we sang "Before the Throne of God Above" at church on Sunday. I don't think any other song paints the beauty of the Gospel as well as this song does. This is my ultimate love story. My long awaited fairytale. My Jesus desperately loves me...he has engraved my name on his hand, not just written, engraved. It's permanent. He claims me. I. AM. HIS.


(disregard the images...some of them are kinda strange)

Because a sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free.

It Is Well With My Soul

My roommate shared this video with me tonight. I've sung this song a thousand times. And I've always loved it. But I love it even more now that I know the story behind it. Our God is good and loving in all conditions at all times. Hold tight to faith. Cling to the love of Christ.

Love this song

Gosh. I love music. I love country music. I love the story it tells. And I love the purity of this song. It is sad, but I still love it. Take a watch. I bet you won't be able to listen to it just once.

What Matters More

So I've kind of gotten out of the habit of blogging, not because I don't have things on my mind, but because I have SO MUCH on my mind that I don't know where to start. And I don't feel like I have the words to express.

Anyway, I'm back. For today at least. And I'm loving this song by Derek Webb. I'm a huge fan. He calls it like he sees it. He's blunt. There's issues in the Christian Church that aren't being addressed, but he's addressing them...or at least bringing attention to them. Controversial? Definitely. But I'm learning that real faith is something that we have to wrestle with. We should constantly be questioning ourselves, our beliefs, our actions, our words. We have to in order to grow.

With all that said, listen to this song. It's from his album that came out last year, I believe. Yes, the lyrics are explicit. I'm okay with that. And yes, the issue is a touchy one. I'm okay with that, too. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on it. What are your thoughts on the topic? Let's dialogue. :)

What Matters More, by Derek Webb

You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
'Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn't silently consent when the liars speak
Denyin' all the dyin' of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it's about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin' the wind while the pendulum swings

'Cause we can talk and debate until we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he's comin' to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin' today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Knowing His Strength

When I listen to music, I usually become obsessive about a song or an album until I listen to it so much that I wear it out. I've gotten to that point with an album that was just released last week. Everyone should drop everything they're doing (okay...finish reading my blog post, first) and go download Audrey Assad's album "The House You're Building". Seriously, this might be one of the best albums I've listened to in the past few years. Her lyrics are incredibly insightful and pull at the strings of the heart. And her voice is amazing. Go to itunes now and buy it.

Anyway, she has a song on the album called "Run Forward" that I listen to multiple times a day. And there's a line in it, in particular, that I've really been thinking about over the past few days. It keeps coming back to me. She sings "You made me afraid, thank you. I've gotta thank you. Because now I know His strength." And the more I've meditated on that the more I've come to realize how true it is in my life. So often I find myself dwelling on the bad things in life, on the hard moments, on the things that make me sad, frustrated, confused, afraid. But as I stop to think about it I realize how far God has brought me from those things. How in absolutely every instance He has shown His presence (not always in ways I've expected) and made Himself known.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 it says:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We experience the power of Christ in our weakness. When we are strong we find ourselves relying on Him less and less. So as I reflect over the past 7 months of this year so far, I'm thankful for the hardships that have been tossed my way. I'm thankful that I have witnessed the power of Christ working in my own life. I've witnessed His healing grace, His neverending love. And of course, I'm also thankful for all the good times in life...they are all the more sweeter as I see now that they are a gift from my savior.

Anyway, listen to the song. And of course, buy the album.

Good, fun, Ohio.

Really, I love Ohio. And I love Columbus. And I love being a Buckeye. We're fun people.

Can we talk about how much I love music?

Free download from Griffin House. He's good. I promise you. (Although this song has a bit of an 80s feel to it...hmmm). Either way, it's free. Get it. For FREE (did I mention that already?)

Good music makes my heart happy

Good music makes my heart happy...especially when it's FREE. Today Amazon had a free download of a song from the new Matt Wertz EP. I'm a big Matt Wertz fan...I've seen him in concert 2 or 3 times and he never disappoints. Anyway, today's free download was "Sing My Lonesome Away". Here's a YouTube video of the song. It's good. I promise. Enjoy.

Christmas. Music. Nombres Quatre.

Honestly I wish it were Christmas all year long. Amidst the craziness of shopping and prep and such it somehow always feel peaceful to me. The Truth of Christ comes alive for me.

A baby.

Sent to save the world.

To die.

For me.

For you.

To fulfill the law.

And we don't deserve it. At all. But He loves us. More than we can ever fathom. He cares about our every step, our every breath, every hair on our head. He's not a far away God, but a real, personal savior.

It doesn't make sense. Why God would give his perfect son for a world of imperfect people. But he did. And all we can do is accept it freely.

This song really speaks to my heart...for reasons I can't totally explain. In any case...listen to it. And be reminded of the love of Christ for you.

Christmas. Music. Numero 3.

As I was in my car today, I had the local Christian radio station playing because they've been playing some pretty good Christmas music lately. I heard a new song and the lyrics just really hit me. I ended up buying the entire Christmas Album from Downhere (I've actually never heard of them before...hmm). The album is new this year and I definitely recommend it.

The song I really like is called "How Many Kings?" You can listen to the song on their Myspace page here.

"How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me"

Noise Trade

Music. It's one of my favorite things. You've probably caught on to that, right? I have many many musicians whom I absolutely adore, but I also really love discovering new artists. I also really love free music. Noise Trade is kind of the best of both worlds. There are a few artists on there that I know and love. As for the rest...it's like a treasure box of wonderfully amazing music. The best part--it's FREE!! All you have to do is email 5 friends every time you want to download an album/songs. And for people like me who like to share their music discoveries with others, that's definitely not an issue!! You can also choose to pay for the music...whatever you want! Brilliant. Anyways, tonight I downloaded music from 3 different artists/bands. One of the albums is a Christmas mix from Sojourn. And it's GOOD. So so good! I also downloaded Matthew Smith who is part of the Indelible Grace project (a fave!) and some music from Zac Hicks who I've heard of before but never listened to much. Check them all out. Visit www.noisetrade.com and browse around. I'm sure you'll find something to fit your tastes! And then you should email me as one of your five friends :)

And here's the link to download Sojourn (b/c it's an Advent album...and Advent is quickly approaching. So you should get it).

I heart this

I heart this song and I heart this music video. It makes me really happy. Enjoy.

Christmas. Music. Numero 2.

There will likely be many of these wonderful Christmas music posts. Have I mentioned that I completely love Christmas music??? I love the warmth. I love that so many of the songs have strings and trumpets and full choirs. I love the story that's told of the birth of Christ, families coming together to celebrate, peace on earth. So so much to love. And I love resting in the knowledge of the saving love of Christ--something Christmas music typically reminds me of.

Anyway. Here it is. My song for tonight. Click below to listen.

"Let There Be Light" by Point of Grace.

5 weeks until Christmas.

5 weeks and one day until Ethiopia. Want to give? (Please?) Visit https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips and click "Make a Donation". Be sure to enter my name into the top box. I'm only 28% to my goal and the trip is quickly approaching. Please give if you can. Every little bit helps. And if you can't give, please pray. Thanks friends. :)

Christmas. Music. It's time.

It's time. Yes, it's time. I gave in. Tonight. On my way to small group. It seemed appropriate. I was driving. It was calling out to me. I couldn't help it. I pulled out my iPod. And it was there. My Christmas playlist. My finger just went to it. And thus, the seal has been broken. Christmas music has arrived. I could give you a whole playlist. In fact, I probably will at some point. But tonight, I'll share just one song. I played this song over and over and over again. Anyway, I love Sara Groves entire Christmas album, but I particularly love this song:

It's True by Sara Groves.

Enjoy.

My Music Monday

I recently added some new albums to my music collection. And it's good (of course!). So check it out:

Dark Fades Into The Light by Sandrine--My fav song is "Where Do We Go?" but they're all fantastic. Pretty mellow, for the most part. But a few songs have a nice little upbeat sound.

Flying Upside Down by Griffin House--Favorite song is "The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is Out of His Mind." But then again, what girl wouldn't love this song??? Thanks Josh for the recommendation!

I And Love And You by The Avett Brothers--I know, I know, I know. I'm a little bit behind the game on this one. It's been out for a while now (heck, I think most of the albums I downloaded have been out for a while). In any case, this album is quality. I don't think that it's quite as folksy as their previous albums, but still plenty folksy which ya'll know makes me amazingly happy. My best friend, Katie, has been telling me for a while that this album is good. She doesn't lie.

Break Up by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson--Austina recommended this one to me and I know she has superb music tastes. This was proven once again.

If It Ain't Broke... by Matt Wertz -- It's his live album. It was free. I probably would have even paid for it b/c it's that good. I love me some good Matt Wertz music. And listening to the album and pretending I'm at the show--even better.

I've been given some other music recommendations, but haven't had a chance to check them out yet. I still need to listen to Muse, Bifrost Arts, The Almost, Angels and Airwaves, Spill Canvas, and Jack's Mannequin (which I've listened to before but need to give another go around).

Anyone else got more recommendations for me? Not that I could probably afford downloading any more albums...but still...

Music Wednesday

Two Blogs in one night. It's kind of crazy, eh? Hey now, it's about music...I think this is a topic I can explore endlessly. Anyway. Here's Music Wednesday for you. A friend and I decided to trade iPods for the week. The idea came about quite brilliantly, if you ask me. We kept telling each other about sweet bands/artists that the other needed to listen to. And we kept trying to play music for each other. But there were just too darn many good songs to be played. So, it just came to us (I don't actually remember whose idea it was, so I'm going to give us both credit). We decided to trade iPods and explore eachother's music tastes for the week. Let me just say I've discovered some lovely new artists. First, here are the list of songs that randomly shuffled through the iPod on Monday.

• All the Trees of the Field Will Clap their Hands -- Sufjan Stevens
• Myxomatosis -- Radiohead
• Bicycle Gasoline -- Delirious?
• Constellations -- Jack Johnson
• Fingertips (Part 2) -- Stevie Wonder
• Souverian -- Andrew Bird
• Two Points for Honesty -- Guster
• Tenor Aria/But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell -- Handel's Messiah
• Outside -- Ours
• Louder than Radio -- Delirious?
• Realize -- Ours
• Falling Through Your Clothes -- The New Pornographers
• The Creeps -- Rebel Saints
• Handjobs for the Holidays -- Broken Social Scene
• Awake My Soul -- Caedmon's Call
• All I need -- Radiohead
• Soon -- Like Summer
• Andvari -- Sigur Ros
• Hey Rabbit -- Fionn Regan
• Muzzle -- Smashing Pumpkins
• Per Te -- Josh Groban
• Clothes of Sand -- Nick Drake
• Days Go On -- Greg Laswell
• Cold Cold Heart -- Norah Jones
• The Boy from Ipanema -- Diana Krall
• Stumptown -- Nickel Creek
• The Prettiest Thing -- Norah Jones
• Execution Day -- The New Pornographers
• Mother of God, Here I stand -- Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
• Something's Missing -- John Mayer
• After the Curtain -- Beirut
• Sabra Girl -- Nickel Creek
• Hands Open -- Snow Patrol
• 42 -- Coldplay
• Cumulus -- Imogene Heap
• Another Kind of Green -- John Mayer Trio
• C'mere -- Interpol
• When in Rome -- Nickel Creek
• The Outer Banks -- The Album Leaf
• Boxcar Racer -- Blue Merle
• Weird Fishes/Ar Peggi -- Radiohead
• If You're Wondering -- Eisley
• Message in a Bottle -- The Police
• Go It Alone -- Beck
• Great Expectations -- Steven Curtis Chapman
• Everlasting God -- Spin 39
• Life's a Bitch -- Rock Kills Kids
• Oliver James -- The Fleet Foxes
• The Believer -- Chris Thile
• Heaviest Heart -- Magnet
• One Day/Slowly Floated Away -- Eisley
• Bones -- Syd Matters
• True Love Waits -- Radiohead
• Running Out -- Mutual Admiration Sue
• Daylight Robbery -- Imogen Heap
• Gold Mine Gutted -- Bright Eyes
• Alive Forever Amen -- Spin 39
• Fix You -- Coldplay
• Seven Years -- Norah Jones
• Layla -- Eric Clapton
• Love Song for No One -- John Mayer
• Sunrise, Sunset -- Bright Eyes
• Maddening Shroud -- Frou Frou
• Hallelujah Chorus -- Handel's Messiah (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Always in Your Mind -- Jennifer O'Connor
• The Dumbing Down of Love -- Frou Frou
• Just Called to Say I love You -- Herbie Hancock
• Buttons & Zips -- Elbow
• The Chimbley Sweep -- The Decemberists
• 12 -- Alexi Murdoch
• The Last Time He Saw Dorie -- Copeland
• You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will. -- Bright Eyes
• Ashes of American Flags -- Wilco

Second, these are some bands or songs I've decided I really like

Bands/Artists:

• Eisley
• Imogen Heap
• The Magic Numbers
• The Flaming Lips (I've liked them for a while, but I was just reminded today how much I enjoy them)
  

Songs:

• "Soul Sloshing" -- Venus Hum
• Hoppipolla -- Sigur Ros

Okay there is probably more, but that should give ya'll plenty of music for today.

Oh and PS--I've decided that Augustana and The New Pornographers are 2 of my all time favorite bands. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

Music Thursday

So today at work I was listening to my iPod (not really that abnormal of a thing). And I decided to put it on shuffle and just see what music would play--sometimes you forget what you have on your iPod. So. Here's the list of what songs I listened to today. There were some songs that I just couldn't bear to listen to so I skipped them and they aren't included here. But below is a slight glimpse into my eclectic taste in music. Enjoy :)

• I Want You Back -- Discovery
• Inaudible Melodies -- Jack Johnson
• Movin' Out -- Billy Joel
• At the Beginning -- Anastasia Soundtrack
• Carnival -- Natalie Merchant
• I Hate Everything (But You) -- Derek Webb
• In the Still of the Night -- DeLovely Soundtrack
• Fidelity -- Regina Spektor
• Q -- Carnival
• Call to Worship -- MercyMe
• I Go Back -- Kenny Chesney
• A Christmas to Remember -- Amy Grant
• Someone on the Road -- OAR
• Ellsworth -- Rascal Flatts
• Campus -- Vampire Weekend
• Altar -- Steve Fee
• Riu Riu Chiu -- Sixpence None the Richer
• You're the Top -- Cole Porter
• All Things New -- Steven Curtis Chapman
• Little Drummer Girl -- Alicia Keys
• How Sweet It Is -- James Taylor
• Dark Haired Darling -- Josh Bales
• Dance All Night -- Ryan Adams
• Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love -- Coldplay
• House of Memories
• Where Love Went Wrong -- Augustana
• Come On Over -- Shaina Twain
• Marble Halls -- Enya
• Handle With Care -- Jenny Lewis
• Where You Want Me -- Grey Holiday
• High & Low -- Greg Laswell (With Edison String Section)
• O Love That Will not Let Me Go -- Amy Grant
• Where I Stood -- Misy HIggins
• Dreamworld -- Rilo Kiley
• Heartbreaker -- Matt Wertz
• Second Nature -- Joy Williams
• A Consistent Ethic of Human Life -- Derek Webb
• No Good -- Kate Voegele
• Black Rock -- OAR
• Girl Like That -- Matchbox Twenty
• Wait for Love -- Matt White
• Destroyed By You -- MxPx
• The Sign -- Ace of Base
• Falling Out -- Relient K
• A Foggy Day -- Michael Buble
• Following Rita -- Train
• Summer Wind -- Michael Buble
• You Won't Be Mine -- Matchbox Twenty
• Medley -- Jewell
• Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa -- Vampire Weekend
• White Winter Hymnal -- The Fleet Foxes
• I Don't Mind Singing -- Josh Kelley
• Long Ride Home -- Patty Griffin
• You Move Me -- Natalie Grant
• Paranoia in Bb Major -- The Avett Brothers
• Come Home Same -- Liam Finn
• Going Down Swinging -- Y O U
• A Diamond and a Tether -- Death Cab for Cutie
• She Changes Your Mind -- Copeland
• For You I Will -- Teddy Geiger
• Caroline -- Old Crow Medicine Show

So there you have it. Good stuff. Good mixture.

Sidenote--Rascal Flatts is in the Hannah Montana movie?!? How did I not know this?? Strange...and Taylor Swift, too? Did all of Nashville take part in this movie?? Ridic.

Africa

Talking about the song this time...Check out this rendition by a Slovanian Choir. It is truly amazing.

It's a good life a good night to be alive

Last night Rachel, Rebekah, and I went to The Social to see Andy Davis play. He opened for Josh Hoge and was also joined on tour by Tim Brantley and Mikey Wax. The show was really great with 4 talented musicians. Plus, Rachel had seen on Andy's facebook page that he needed help selling merch, so Rach and I sold merch last night. It was a great way to see a sweet concert for free. We got to chat a bit with Andy as well and even take a nice little pic at the end of the night. Anyway, be sure to check out Andy Davis if he's touring around you. A talented musician and a quality guy. And while I'm plugging great musicians, you should also check out Matt Wertz, Dave Barnes, Gabe Dixon Band, Jon McLaughlin, and I can certainly give you more to check out if you'd like. :)