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SubscriptionsSites I Read
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| piper on loveIn a chapter called Love Your Enemies--Pray for Those Who Abuse You in the book What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper covers how we should specifically pray for our enemies. Following a list of points expanding on how we pray the Lord's prayer for our enemies, he writes this:
It is pathetic to see love stripped of God. Even some Christians are misled into thinking you can love someone without longing for and praying for an aiming at the exaltation of God in the heart of their enemy. What is so sad about this is that it not only betrays the diminished place of God in the heart of the Christian, but also implies that there can be real love where we don't care if someone perishes eternally, as long as they prospered here on earth. It is true that our love and prayer may not succeed in wakening our enemy to faith in Jesus and to the hallowing of God's name. Love is the aim of our sacrifice, not its success. We may or may not succeed in the Jesus-exalting, God-hallowing transformation we aim at. But a heart that does not aim at our enemy's eternal joy in Jesus is not the full-orbed, robust love that Jesus demands. It is a narrow and pathetic substitute, no matter how creative and sacrificial and media-admired the labor is for our enemy's earthly welfare. Love prays for our enemy with all the aims and longings of the Lord's Prayer. | | |
| tmk dad's dayLast Saturday was Dad's Day for the pre-school my daughter Claire attends. It was a privilege to attend and participate in something my wife and my daughter are involved in weekly.
I've posted some photos from TMK Dad's Day on Lisa's Picasa. Enjoy. | | |
| we've really gotta stop meeting like thisMy friends. Thanks for putting with my with really poor blogging habits. Earlier this year, Lisa and I had an opportunity to go to India with a team of people from our church. Many of you were praying and many of you supported us financially, thank you for that. God was gracious.
We posted some of our photographs from the trip, on a web album. Some of these are courtesy of our other team members. I'm gathering my thoughts about the trip still and I'll be posting soon. | | |
| not newsIn case you are wondering who is the worst band in the world, Google has made it very clear. My only complaint is that Nickelback was not considered. Merry Christmas my friends. | | |
| 2008 albumsIt's the end of the year and I want to share my list of favorite albums released in 2008.
-The Weepies - Hideaway - Beautifully written lyrics with simple melodic hooks. The music is understated but very deep. Andrew Peterson says, "Their music is breezy, sweet, melodic and delightful, like what you'd listen to at the outset of a good road trip."
-Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken - Ampersand - EP - Another husband and wife duo. No surprise here. The first album of these two is easily the be work musically of either. Music fits in perfectly with the lyrics. This short album is all about love, so be prepared for the sweetness.
-Andrew Peterson - Resurrection Letters, Vol. 2 - It's hard to follow-up on two fantastic albums, The Far Country and Behold the Lamb of God so I was admittedly lowering my expectations about this album when I heard it was being released. I don't think it matches The Far Country, but it is close. Typical Andrew Peterson--brutally honest lyrics, the right cast of supporting musicians and a focus on hope, particularly our hope of resurrection. This is not a "worship" record, but I think you will be led to worship listening to it and considering its truth and the beauty.
-Ben Shive - The Ill-Tempered Klavier - Ben Shive has produced many of Andrew Peterson's more recent records and is his primary touring partner. Song of the best songs I've heard all year are on this record. Well-arranged, well-executed and sung pretty well. Ben Shive is another reason why I appreciate singer-songwriters. Inspiring.
-Sandra McCracken - Red Balloon - The second of Sandra McCracken's albums that are titled after the heart--fitting for such a personal and emotional song writer. The songs on this album seem to continue what we began hearing with Ampersand - EP, music based on the acoustic guitar, but throw in a few drum loops for some electronica flavor. With the new sound, there is no loss of authenticity, which since Gypsy Flat Road, has been a signature part of her music. I highly recommend this one.
-The Welcome Wagon - Welcome to the Welcome Wagon - Vito Aiuto is an ordained PCA Pastor, who actually pastors a church my good friend went to while living on the East Coast. Sufjan Stevens actually wrote and played a song at his ordination which was on his Michigan album. The Welcome Wagon is Vito and his wife Monique, playing hymns and other spiritual songs in a simple unique way. Their debut album is simple and bold, featuring a cover of Danielson, Lenny Smith and other hymn-writers. This album truly "hails to Lord's Anointed, great David's greater son".
-Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - I'm scared for Justin Vernon, the person behind the band whose title means, "Good Winter". The album is brilliant, and he has been all over the world touring and receiving awards and recognition for this. I just wonder if he'll have the time and focus to write something that even come close. Written after a series of difficult situations Justin Vernon went a remote cabin to get away from things. As a result, this album was born, recorded in that cabin. Whether the next albums will be able to match this, I don't know, but For Emma, Forever Ago is a fine work.
-Andrew Osenga - Letters to the Editor, Vol. 2 - A fine second part to Osenga's series of songs inspired by his fans. His best work yet. And it's free.
 
 
 
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