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Eyes Wide Open International

September 29, 2010 — 1 Comment

Last night I received a note on facebook from a college friend. After some discussion and prayer, my wife and I made a commitment to help as best we can. Thanks to the internet and social media, I have the blessing of being able to spread the word to each of you as well. Below are excerpts from my dear friend Nicolle’s note:

“My husband David has been volunteering, working and building relationships in Haiti since the earthquake hit on January 12. Just two months prior we launched a non-profit called Eyes Wide Open International fulfilling a life long dream to help widows and orphans locally and around the world. Right now we have two projects one in Romania and one in Haiti. Both projects are currently concentrating on getting food to those trapped in deep poverty. We also work alongside local ministries that do food distribution in Logan county.

I have been back and forth to Romania and Haiti over the past two years. In Romania, I have looked into the eyes of a 90 year old woman as she stirred a giant galvanized steel pan filled with clay to patch her house before winter. With a tear stained face she shared her story of hunger and loss. In Haiti, I saw the faces, heard the laughter and learned the names of more than 87 orphans. All of them have no food and no hope for food. It takes $2 a day to feed a Haitian Orphan and $4 a day to feed a Romanian widow. We are trying to raise money quickly to put food in their bellies. We have had two garage sales that raised more than $2,000 and we hosted a Golf Marathon event but we are $2,350 short of our goal.

David and I each committed to give $1 per hole for each hole golfed. David golfed 100 holes. We are looking for people who will consider matching our pledge. 100% of the profits will go directly to feed widows and orphans through the projects we are working on in Romania and Haiti. None of it will go to overhead or budgets.

Blessings,
Nicolle

I share this because I know the hearts of many of you that read this. I also don’t know who else reads that I might not be aware of. If there is one thing that Jesus was clear about it was helping the less fortunate, the orphan and the widow. We can argue about buildings, churches, philosophies and worship styles all day long, but Jesus made this one easy. We are called to be the hands and feet. We are called to help those that can’t help themselves.

To offer a donation to Eyes Wide Open International, you can do so (HERE)

To learn more about their ministry, you can do so (HERE)

May God bless each of you that can offer something. May God also richly bless the gift. I appreciate your support.

In Faith ,
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Review – "Ocean" by Bebo Norman

September 29, 2010 — Leave a comment

On Monday afternoon I opened my mailbox to find that my friend Lori at Overture-Media had sent me the newest CD from one of my favorite artists, Bebo Norman. The CD is called “Ocean” and is available now on iTunes or where you get your music. I have long been a fan of Bebo Norman. His last CD landed at a perfect time and season in my life. His lyrics are honest and true and often openly dialog the struggles of faith and failure. I will always respect him for the song “Britney” which was written from one artist to another (Bebo to Britney Spears). As the world celebrated her breakdown, Bebo extended grace through lyrics.

Continue Reading…

In Misc
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Review – “Ocean” by Bebo Norman

September 29, 2010 — Leave a comment

On Monday afternoon I opened my mailbox to find that my friend Lori at Overture-Media had sent me the newest CD from one of my favorite artists, Bebo Norman. The CD is called “Ocean” and is available now on iTunes or where you get your music. I have long been a fan of Bebo Norman. His last CD landed at a perfect time and season in my life. His lyrics are honest and true and often openly dialog the struggles of faith and failure. I will always respect him for the song “Britney” which was written from one artist to another (Bebo to Britney Spears). As the world celebrated her breakdown, Bebo extended grace through lyrics.

After having “Ocean” on constant play for the past 24 hours or so, I am no less impressed by Bebo Norman. This collection of 11 songs is as honest and real as all other Bebo Norman CD’s. He openly shares his struggles with fear and the faith we should all maintain at these times. There are a few songs that I just can’t seem to get enough of. If I would recommend any for immediate download it would be:

“God of My Everything”

“I Hope You See Jesus”

“Could You Ever Look At Me”

“We Fall Apart”

“The Middle”

According to Bebo Norman, “God of my Everything” is written “from despairing stories involving ‘people as close to me as anyone on this planet who had to rebuild their lives based on their identity in God rather than their own.’” Of all the songs on the CD I instantly connected with this one. “I Hope You See Jesus” is an incredible song written as an open letter to the outside world. It speaks to the perception many have of Christians and the reality of where our hope and our passion for truth comes from. The song “Could You Ever Look At Me” was written for his wife and “admits his weakness”.

Bebo’s personal favorite song on this collection is called “The Middle” and is a song written from the perspective of a mother searching to find her place in life after the children have become independent. Something tells me that this song will resonate with many that hear it. Bebo’s acoustic songs and his strong vocals tell stories like not many artists can. As the press release noted, he has a very “James Taylor-Like” sound. Those are big shoes to fill and there is only one James Taylor.

There is also only one Bebo Norman.

I give “Ocean” a 5 out of 5!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Overture-Media sent me a free copy of this CD as part of their music review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In Music, Reviews
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Review – The Day Metallica Came To Church

September 28, 2010 — 2 Comments

Wow I have wrestled with this post. I received the book “The Day Metallica Came To Church” by Jon Van Sloten well over a month ago. I usually “turn and burn” books and review very quickly but this one has been different. Given the title of the book, you might think it’s because I struggled with Metallica and Church being mentioned in the same sentence. If you’ve followed along here or know me at all, you know that is NOT the case. I actually embraced the title and couldn’t wait to read it.

If you comb through the archives of this blog you will find post after post where I have referenced lyrics from Billy Joel, Eminem, TLC, P!nk, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Creed and Gary Allen (to name a few) as devotional posts. The very backbone of a majority of my blog is built on finding God in the most unusual places and ways. I believe we can “hear from God” while listening to artists outside the usual Casting Crowns, MercyMe and Chris Tomlin. My iTunes is filled with artists that, sadly, have never made a faith proclamation (that I’m aware of). But this isn’t about me….

The book “The Day Metallica Came To Church” is based on one Pastors belief of what I just outlined in the above paragraph (thus my excitement to read the book). I thought we would be aligned and I would have found an author/Pastor that supports my beliefs. That’s why it was odd when I didn’t connect right away. I can’t say I disagreed with anything that John Van Sloten was saying or that I don’t support the way that he is building his church and reaching people. If he’s getting people saved and it works where he is then by all means…preach it brother!

For some odd reason I just didn’t connect. Based on other reviews I read, this one might just be a disconnect for me and not other readers. Maybe John Van Sloten and I think TOO much alike. His outlining of how he used artists, movies, finance, art, pop-culture as sermon outlines are pretty fascinating. Even to the point where his congregation is making “requests” on things for him to preach on. Again I say..preach it brother!

“The Day Metallica Came To Church” is a good read. It’s an interesting read. It’s not all about Metallica (actually a very small portion has to do with even that sermon series) and more about our need to expand our scope and see God in other places. We need to hold onto truth. We need to discern, but we also need to see outside our sanctuary to see that God can and will speak through amazing ways if we are looking and listening.

I give “The Day Metallica Came To Church” a 4 out of 5

In Reviews
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Review – The Least Among You

September 28, 2010 — Leave a comment

I recently received a copy of the movie “The Least Among You” from my friends at BookSneeze to review. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to review books and movies that it makes it tough when you have to write a bad one. With all apologies to BookSneeze and the makers of the film, I didn’t really care for this movie. The story…yes. The movie….no.

This, for me, goes to the age old debate of if we should call “Christian Films” good just because it had a good message and the acting was terrible (see also: “FireProof” and “Facing The Giants”). I’m actually not sure this was a “Christian Film” because it was clearly and I mean CLEARLY edited. There were several parts where the words that were mouthed and what was said were obviously two different things. I’m fine with that, but added to the lack of quality acting, it only made my review less favorable.

“The Least Among You” is inspired by the true story of Richard Kelly who was arrested in the 1965 Watts riots and had to attend an all-white seminary in order to serve his probation. The story is intriguing. What unfolds are the tough decisions that Richard Kelly must face and the mentoring of other people in his life. Though there were strong actors (Louis Gossett, Jr., Lauren Holly, William Devane), the acting was not strong. I would have almost rather have read a book about this story then watch it play out on film. While I feel bad doing so, I can’t really recommend “The Least Among You” as a must see film.

Overall I give “The Least Among You” a 2 out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Thomas Nelson Publishers sent me a free copy of this DVD as part of their bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In Reviews
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