Arms Wide Open

When the alarm clock went off at 6:30 this morning I thought to myself “you have GOT to be kidding me…it’s Thanksgiving morning”! After a few minutes for grumbling, we were dressed and stretching for The Flying Feather Four Miler in Dublin Ohio with friends. We had a few last minute cancellations due to the flu and conflicting schedules, but still had a great time (literally). I entered this race just looking to enjoy the run and not really thinking about a pace. Then the gun went off and we were surrounded in the pack. Before I knew it, Heather and I were bobbing and weaving our way through. I think that is when the adrenaline kicked in.

Before I knew it I was passed the 2nd mile and running a 7:45 pace. I think the last 2 went even faster. What a blessing to have such a good run this morning. We got done, got our medals and made our way back down to the “home stretch” to cheer on others as they finished. So proud of Amalie, Richard and Heidi for finishing the race this morning! This morning was also special for me personally as this marked the one year anniversary of my first race ever last year. What a difference a year makes!

One other VERY cool story was our shirts. We decided last night to wear shirts that had our churches name on them. We thought that since we were running in a neighborhood where the church is located, we might as well wear the shirt and spread the word. After the race, a complete stranger and her husband stopped my wife to ask where the church was, what time they meet and said “We’ll probably be there on Sunday”. Proving that when God prompts you do to something,  you had better do it. His plans are far greater than ours. We just need to be obedient! So who’s in next year???

I have learned when reviewing new CD’s to give them some time. Especially when it comes to Casting Crowns. The reason I have learned to wait is because if I just go on the music alone, I am quick to dismiss the CD as weak or subpar. I tend to give it a lower rating only to come back later and claim it’s one of my favorites. On Tuesday, Casting Crowns released their much anticipated CD called “Until The Whole World Hears“. I have had it on constant rotation all week and am now ready to call it as I see it.

Somewhere on the internet I read a quote that I thought was appropriate. It was something to the effect that Casting Crowns are a great group of youth ministry leaders with a heart for God but mediocre music. That is probably harsh (I think it actually came from a Christian Music web site), but at times pretty accurate. Lyrically, Casting Crowns just get it right. They have the ability to be relevant and timely in their message. Each CD has contained songs that seem to speak right to what I am going through or will go through. Knowing I am not alone in that struggle, tells me that Casting Crowns has a gift of creating music to reach the journey of believers where they are. The truth is that the music never seems to match the lyrics. It’s not bad, but it could be better.

I respect Casting Crowns in many, many ways. I quote them regularly. Lead singer Mark Hall’s quote that says “You can say what you think but you will live what you believe” has become my own personal anthem over the past few years. It is a constant reminder that talk is cheap but the walk needs to match the message. “Until The Whole World Hears” is also the first song on my half marathon playlist. It kicks off each run I go on and not only sets my pace, but sets my mind for that days journey (run).

All that to say that this CD has some real gems. Lyrically speaking, this is a very good CD. Specifically, I have connected with these songs:

“If We’ve Ever Needed You”
“Always Enough”
“Glorious Day”
“To Know You”
“Jesus Hold Me Now”
“Mercy”

Given that there are 12 tracks on the CD and there are really only 2 that I don’t care for, I would have to give this CD a high mark. Again, LYRICALLY, I give this CD a 4 out of 5. Musically, I give is a 3 out of 5. If you purchase CD’s for the lyric value, you will enjoy this offering from Casting Crowns. If you buy CD’s for the catchy tunes and music, you might be disappointed.

Until The WHOLE World Hears!

This is one of those posts that, in my mind, I know what I’m trying to say, but it might not translate to the web well. We’ll give it a shot and see what happens….

Have you ever been to the eye doctor and gone through the process of resting your head against this crazy looking contraption (officially called a Phoropter)? This is the one where the eye doctor says “better now…or now” or sometimes they say “A or B, B or C”. They keep turning dials and flipping lenses until you get just the right view. All the while you are looking at this chart on the wall and trying to read lines and letters.

I hate that.

I feel so much pressure when I am sitting in that chair. Determining which is better is all relative isn’t it? I mean what if I like things sharp and I they are supposed to be clear but not sharp? What if I screw up and get glasses or contacts that give me a headache because I didn’t understand what the eye doctor wanted to me to look for? What if I look at the line and just get lucky with the letters and he thinks I can see better than I actually can. It’s too much pressure.

I think that pretty well describes the life of a Christian sometimes. There we sit in that big ol chair with our future hopes and dreams in front of us. We don’t have the benefit of 20/20 vision (although one day we will) so we’re squinting to see that chart. The more we pray, seek Godly council and discern, we hear the clicks of the lenses and turns of the dials. We are forced to make decisions that are “better now…or now” and “A or B, B or C”. We grab the arms of the chair with white knuckles and hope we’re making the right decisions. Sooner or later, it all starts to come into focus.

And THAT is the part that is worth the visit.

When you start to see some clarity on Gods eye chart, there is nothing more exciting. There is something inside you that starts to know that you did the right thing by coming in for a “visit”. You are beginning to see with clarity what God is up to and how his plans for you are as clear as the chart on the wall. I am convinced that it is those times when our future comes into focus that keeps us coming back for more.

I love that.

“The question is not whether someone will lead the way in creating humanity’s future. The question is, will you be among them? It would be tragic if only those with the worst of intentions believed they could affect the future of humanity. What would happen if those who believe in love, hope, peace, and the value of human spirit also believed they could effect change in the world? We must embrace the creative process as our birthright.”

-Erwin McManus from the book “Wide Awake”.

“Even now the King of Pop must bow his knee to the King of Kings.”
-Prayer of the Pastor closing Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

The other night the family and I went to dinner at Chili’s. There was a wait to get in so we found our way to the seating area. From the position I was sitting in, I could see an electronic sign hanging just above the bar that said “We I.D”. The sign is constantly updated with a date which is 21 years from that moment in time. The date on this particular evening was:

July 3, 1988

It was those last 4 digits that caught my attention. You see, I graduated from High School in 1988. I started doing the math and couldn’t get over the fact that people that were born the year I graduated from High School are no legally old enough to drink (21). Ouch.

Was it REALLY that long ago?