5 Songs That Impacted Me

I've worked at LIFE 100.3 for nearly 9 years now. From starting on The Slam, moving to middays and now doing the (early) mornings. Over those 9 years the sound of the music LIFE plays has changed dramatically. The music I listen to has changed dramatically!

One thing that has remained constant over those 9 years are the stories of how music has impacted people. Songs that came on at just the right time, or a line that cut through the B.S. and right to someone's core. There is no doubt God can use songs to help people through dark times or deliver a message that had been ignored up until that point in time.

Here are 5 songs from artists who share my faith, and that have made an impact in my life.

Ben Rector - Sailboat

This song echos my feelings and emotions the past year or two. Listening to it is still a spiritual experience.


Switchfoot - Souvenirs

I have a tendency to look into the future and often disregard the present. If you subscribe to StrengthsFinder philosophy, I'm a futurist. This song reminds me to stop and take in what is happening around me right now, to soak in the present. To remember how good life has been and how good it is right now. Again a spiritual experience when this song is played.


Lifehouse - Everything (excuse the lame lyric video)

In my opinion the best worship song ever written. I can have the worst day at work, throw this song on and sing it as loud as humanly possible, and 6 minutes later all is right with the world. Something about the building intensity and the sheer emotion.


Chris Tomlin f Lecrae - Awake My Soul

I never thought I'd include a Chris Tomlin song on a top 5 list, but this song is too good. Chris' part is ok, no complaints, but what makes the song is Lecrae. I love the spoken word/scripture halfway through. So powerful!

Eddie Kirkland - My Next Breath

Written by Hawk Nelson and it's another one I love singing in church.

Any songs you'd add?
What's one song that has impacted you?

Is Your Comfort Keeping You On The Sidelines?

Last year I was part of a group of guys that read through the Bible in a year, it was the first time I'd read the Bible cover-to-cover.

The group leader suggested we do it again in 2014, and to be honest I didn't want to do it. Some passages were so dull and a struggle to get through. I figured I could just go deeper with the sections I like, (Acts, Romans, etc)

He proposed we read the For The Love Of God plan, which includes a devotional section to go with the assigned scripture.

Here's what a part of the devotional for Ezra 2 said:

Naming these individuals and their families bestows on them an implicit

approval. Countless tens of thousands of Israelites never returned to the Promised

Land; they were too settled where they were, and the restoration of Jerusalem and

the temple was of too little importance to them to warrant such dislocation. Their

names have been lost; they are of little consequence in the sweep of redemptive

history. But these names are remembered and written down in sacred Scripture.

Read them slowly; they call forth our respect and gratitude.

The second chapter of Ezra is pretty much a list of names and numbers, pretty dry. However, this devotional section added some depth and meaning to the names and numbers.

I also was struck by the "they were too settled where they were" line. How often does that describe us?
We know that we should be creating environments that attract the 90% of people that don't attend church on Sunday, but we like church the way it is. If we change and 'target' the unchurched person we might not like it. We're comfortable with the way it is.

I don't want to be one of those people. I want to have my name be part of the redemptive story God is writing. I don't want my comfort to hold me back from being a part of what God is doing, because he'll get it done with someone else if I prefer to be comfortable.

So I guess the question we can draw out of the second chapter in Ezra is simply this: "Will your comfort keep you from getting in the game?"

Favorite Things Friday - November 29

Good Reads
The World's 18 Strangest Airports from Popular Mechanics
You're Not Invited from Dave Carrol
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook from Stephen Brewster

Journey Into Toyland


Hypnotising Dinner


Fixing Travel


Streetball in NYC


Millenial Response To Baby Boomers

So Much To Be Thankful For

I realize we Canadians had our Thanksgiving weeks ago, but in the last 24 hours it struck me just how blessed I am.

Those who are connected with us are aware of the difficult season Crystal and I went through this past summer/fall. At the time it felt like the hits were never going to stop coming, but I knew there had to be an end... eventually.

Well the last couple of weeks the tide has turned and things are looking up. We have hope again.

Last week we sold our house, less than 12 hours from posting on MLS to accepting an offer. (This may be a future blog post). And last night I had my interview for a position with the Innisfil Fire Department.

I was super nervous leading up to the interview. It's been nearly 4 years of trying to get on a volunteer department and I felt like this was my best chance. (Don't screw this up AJ) I shared this post from Jon Acuff yesterday because it resonated so deeply with me. It seemed to describe me and give me hope for what was to come.

As I made my way to the Innisfil Town Offices my phone kept dinging with texts from friends encouraging me and praying for me and my interview. It was quite overwhelming. I said a quick 'help me' prayer and made my way to the lobby where I took a seat next to a well-dressed guy named James. He was there to interview for a position as well. We chatted for a bit, wished each other luck and made our way into our respective interrogation interview rooms.

I walked into the room and as I passed threshold my nerves vanished. I took a seat in front of the 5-person panel and we were underway.

As they fired questions my way I found myself thinking "Oh, I have a story about how a situation in my life applies to that" and "I know the answer to that". I don't think I've ever participated in an interview like that before.

After my alloted 60 minutes had passed I shook hands with my interviewers and made my way out to my car. I looked down at my cell phone and there were more encouraging texts from family and friends. I started to cry.

At times I have felt alone in pursuit of this dream. Like a lone sailboat in rough seas. But last night I realized I have an army of family, friends and supporters behind me.

Thank you to everyone who has stood beside me through this journey. Crystal and Kai, my parents, siblings and in-laws.
Thank you Todd for the interview prep and coaching.
Thank you Marty, Julie, Brian, Hilary, Tim, Rosalyn, Linda, Dave, Barbara, Amanda, Dave, Kirk and everyone else who texted, prayed and offered encouragement. Your prayers really made a difference.

I can across this song while listening to WayFM, and it resonated with me at the time (and still does).

It's Thanksgiving in the U.S. but today I'm giving thanks for the people that God has placed in my life that stand beside and are on this journey with me.

I find out in a couple weeks if I 'passed' the interview, don't stop praying yet.

Favorite Things Friday - November 15

Good Reads
Is It Time To Quit? from Phil Cooke (or maybe not)
Sexy Christianity from Kyle Donn
Worst Advice In The World from Mike Rowe

Airline


Way To Eat An Apple


Display Of Athleticism


Talking To Animals


Audition Tape

The Face Behind the Facade

Ever notice how certain themes tend to pop-up in life?
The same theme/topic comes up in multiple unrelated conversations over a number of days.

I had an interesting conversation with a friend on Saturday night. We were talking about why we enjoyed certain tv/radio shows, and we discovered we like shows that have flaws.
Shows that don't pretend to be awesome.
Shows that make mistakes and don't downplay their humanity.

The conversation soon moved on to something else, and I didn't give it much more thought.

Then yesterday a video showed up in my Facebook feed. It's an 11-minute film, based on 30 Seconds To Mars song "City Of Angels". I like 30 Seconds To Mars, so I decided to give it 12 minutes of my day.

As I sat and watched, I found myself getting emotional. I was moved.
Maybe it was the cinematography.
Maybe it was the music.
Maybe it was because it's California.
I think it was because of the interviews with LA residents.

There is something to be said for authenticity.
That's why my friend and I like those shows.
That's why this short film/music video moved me.
That's why baptism stories are so impactful.

The facade is torn down and we get to see imperfections. Scars. Hurts.

Imagine the impact we could have as the church if we stopped pretending we have it all together.
If we stopped hiding our scars.
If we stopped pretending we don't struggle with our faith.
If we were honest about who we really are.

After all, honesty is the best policy, right?

Here's the video.

*NOTE: There are a couple swears*

Favorite Things Friday - October 25

Good Reads
Honest Slogans
Making Your Ideas Come To Life from Charles T Lee
How We Are Stealing Ambition From Our Kids from Tim Elmore

Adrenaline Rush


Creating A Church That Unchurched People Love To Attend


Lack Of Originality


Making The Impossible, Possible


Lip-Sync

How I Saw Jesus In A 16 Year Old Girl

Malala Yousafzai was named an honorary Canadian Citizen today.

Before yesterday I had no idea who she was. That was until a video appeared throughout my Facebook feed. When I saw it was from The Daily Show I expected it to be funny. I didn't expect to see Jesus in a 16 year-old girl from Pakistan.

The good stuff starts at 4:19


I feel like that is how Jesus would want us to react.

Don't push your beliefs on someone, but stand strong in telling them what you believe.
(We aren't pitchmen trying to sell Jesus to someone.)

I believe in a higher power
I believe in love
I believe in second chances
I believe in redemption
I believe our failure is never final
I believe you are a part of a much bigger story
I believe there is a God and he wants to have a relationship with you.
Now do with me what you will

I don't know about you, but I'm challenged.

The Book That Changed My Life

Wow! What a response!

This morning on The Wonderdog Show I asked for your input; "Other than the Bible, what one book has changed your life?"

Here are your responses:
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green by Melody Green
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul by John Eldredge
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Overcoming Through Jesus by Bill Liversidge
Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference by Max Lucado
The Saving Life of Christ by Major Ian Thomas
The Heavenly Man - by Brother Yun
Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller
To Heaven and Back by Dr Mary C Neil
Run Baby Run by Nicky Cruz
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
The Cross: Finding Life in Jesus' Death by Mike Cleveland
The Shack by Paul Young
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
The Beginner's Guide to Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels
Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen
Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who Speaks by Brad Jersak
Mamma Called the Doctor: A Mother and Child's Final Journey by Antoinette Romana
Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible by Steven Furtick

And the book that impacted me... The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin McManus

How many have you read?
What book would you add?

Storytelling

Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, Toy Story, Finding Nemo) starts off his TED Talk by saying:

"Storytelling is joke telling. It’s knowing your punchline, your ending, knowing that everything your saying from the first sentence to the last is leading to a singular goal – and ideally confirming some deeper truth about who we are as human beings."

What follows is 20 minutes of pure gold as he goes through what makes a great story, while mixing in some of his own story.

We're all story tellers.
As followers of Jesus we've been commissioned with the task of telling the redemption story.
Telling the story of a God that is alive and at work all around us.
Telling the story of a God who is in the restoration business.

Do yourself a favour and watch this.

The Most Helpless Feeling

At the cottage, teaching him to build a fire.

This past weekend Kyler had an intense case of "the runs", (I guess he caught some bug at daycare), which meant we ended up doing a lot of laundry. From all external appearances he felt fine, but once you opened the diaper...

I'll stop there.

The point is I felt so helpless.

I wanted so desperately to be able to fix it for him, (apparently I'm a 'fixer'), but couldn't do anything but wait it out.

It sucked.

I think having a sick child might be one of the worst feelings you can experience. Everything within you wants to help your kid. If there was a way to take the sickness on yourself, you'd do it in a heartbeat. Anything to make your kid feel better.

I guess I'm gaining a better understanding of what people mean when they talk about "a father's heart".

Ego, Ministry and Money

Let's open up a can today.

You watched the video, what do you think?

I agree that people in traditional ministry roles should be well compensated. I don't believe the student ministry/music/kids ministry director should have to work a part-time job to pay the rent. They already have an extremely stressful job that requires them to be "on" 24/7. We shouldn't compound the stress by paying them a "ministry salary" and trusting "the Lord will provide".

Maybe he wants to provide through a paycheque?

Back to the video. I realize it was produced to communicate a certain tone. Clips may have were likely taken out of context. But the ballin' rap video vibe still bothers me.

Money isn't evil. But I think (at least from this trailer) these fellas are walking dangerously close to the line between pastor and idol.

No doubt they are all great guys, (in fact I think I'd probably be friends with the tattooed skater dude), just with some flawed theology... Like me.

Curious to get your thoughts: Pastors and their big houses/fancy cars/flashy bling.

The Grammys, Facebook & A Jesus Juke

As I was scanning Facebook last night I came across a post that got under my skin. I'm sure the author didn't mean for it to irk me, but it did. The post was something along the lines of: "Home from church and I see all my Christian friends posting about the Grammys, makes me sad, I wonder where their hearts are at?" As if to say that as a 'Christian' you shouldn't be watching or posting about the Grammys. Maybe as a Christ follower all my posts on social media should be scripture verses, or cliche motivational sayings?

I doubt that was their intention, but it sparked something within me. I don't believe being a Christian means you talk exclusively about religion. In fact, I think that actually hinders you from living on mission.

Our mission as believers is to lead people into an encounter with Christ. That mean connecting with people on their level. If you approached a non-believer at work today and quoted them the 'verse of the day', they'd likely walk away from you, and maybe avoid you next time they saw you coming.  Instead, if you elect to talk to them about Saturday's Leaf game, the Grammys or Identity Thief they might continue the conversation and you tart to build a relationship.

A relationship which might allow you to talk about your faith, and how it impacts your parenting, relationships and work.

I think that is what it means to be "in the world, but not of the world."

Didn't Paul (like the Paul in the Bible) often make reference to Greek philosophers and gods (pop culture of the time) when speaking?

What's your take?
What doe it mean to be 'in the world, but not of it'?

Line Dancing With Jesus

We celebrated my sister's birthday a couple weeks ago. I asked her what she wanted, and she said: "I want you to come line dancing with me."

NICE! That's an easy gift to get her.

So, Saturday we made our way to Mississauga and planned on heading to Nashville North for some line dancing fun.


Wednesday nights they put on line dancing lessons, and Saturdays are line dancing nights. I didn't realize that the Wednesday beginners don't go on Saturday nights. Saturday nights are reserved for the people who know what they are doing.

I was not one of those people.

It was a little quite awkward being one of the only people in the building that didn't know the dances. I was bumping into people, straining my neck to try and watch the people around me to get a sense of where this dance was headed. It left me feeling uncomfortable and like I was invading their (the people who knew what they were doing) space.

Ever think of Sunday morning like that?

We know the steps to the Church dance.
When to sit, when to stand.
When to sing.
When to shake hands.

It might seem like second nature to those of us who attend on a regular basis, but what about the guy who is there for the first time? The guy who is bringing his kids and has no idea what the protocol is for checking his kids in to children' ministry. Who doesn't understand why it's called a ministry. Isn't that a government thing?

Fresh eyes see things that we miss, simply because we've been in the environment for so long. Just like you noticing things in a friend's house that they miss, a new person sees things and systems in a way that you might not.

If someone walked into your church for the first time would they feel awkward as everyone around them dances through Sunday morning with ease, while they stumble and struggle to figure out the next step?

How can we make it easier for someone to show up at church for the first time and join in as we line dance with Jesus?

Sticking To My Resolutions

I made 3 resolutions for 2013
1 - Read through the Bible in a year.
2 - Earn my NFPA seals by the end of the year.
3 - Paddle across Georgian Bay from the Western shore to the cottage by the end of the year.

I also have some things I'd like to do more of (goals), but not quite resolutions.
- Drink 2 litres of water each day
- Talk to my parents on the phone or in person at least once a week.
- Go to the gym 3 times a week

There's a group of about 5 guys that are reading through the Bible this year along with me, (or maybe I'm doing it along with them?), and we elected to do the chronological plan. We've read through the creation story, the flood and now we've arrived at Job.

Job? Before Moses and the Exodus?

Apparently.

I have found the book of Job to be pretty tough. It's a lot of Job complaining, and his friends pointing fingers at him saying this is God's judgement on his life. It's not a very uplifting portion of scripture. 

Full disclosure - I dread reading my Bible right now.

Each day I've come to praying that somehow God would speak to me through the daily passage, and he has. I can see myself in Job's friends. Searching for reasons why God is punishing him. Pointing the finger at every time Job missed an opportunity to feed a beggar or clothe a widow. 

If life sucks, it must be because of some unconfessed sin. 
You are a sinner, God's holding you at arms length.

Why do we assume God is this cosmic vending machine in the sky? We put in enough good deeds, enough acts of service, enough time in prayer and The Word, and then his blessings will flow.

Job asks why the wicked prosper, while the righteous suffer. We ask that question too don't we? 
Why does he get the promotion?
Why does God heal her mom of cancer, while my sister dies?
Why does he get to party and enjoy life, accept God at 60, and we both still make it to heaven?
We feel like we live a 'better' life than they do, so we should get the reward.

Romans lays it out pretty clear:
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. - Rom 3:23
So none of us deserve the reward. 
We all fall short of the bar.
And that's the beauty of grace.

I'm still sticking to my resolution, but I still can't wait to be through the book of Job.

Praying Boldly

We kicked off a new series at church yesterday, called BOLD. It's calling us a church community to invite more boldly, pray more boldly, and give more boldly.

To go along with the series, 3 weeks ago everyone at church was given a journal with 40 days of devotions, written by people who attend Connexus. We're about halfway through, and one thing has stuck out to me.

I don't pray bold prayers.

Sure I'll sing: "God you're big, you're massive, you're gigantic!" But I don't pray like He's as big as a job search or as big as a cancer diagnosis. I'll say: "God you're the author of life, you're all powerful, you're creative (I mean look at the narwhal)." But I don't pray like He is $20,000 big. He's maybe $18,000 big.
My prayers are always filled with meek disclaimers.

"Umm... maybe... if it's your will..."

"And if you don't want to... that's okay... sorry for asking..."

Read through the Bible and you won't see any weak prayers.  Perhaps God has been listening to my prayers and responding by saying: "Man Up! Grow a pair."

Daniel prayed bold prayers.

Joshua prayed bold prayers.

David prayed bold prayers.

It's time for us to start praying bold prayers. We serve a God that is bigger than a recession, bigger than a dysfunctional relationship, bigger than a medical diagnosis.

Let's begin to pray bold prayers.

Favorite Things Friday - Oct 26

This Week's Reading List
How To Guarantee Your Dream Fails
Two Different Spirits Guiding the Christian Church
Set Yourself On Fire

Favourite Marketing Campaign In An Elevator

Favourite Interview About Organizational Culture


Favourite Video Game Marketing Campaign


Favourite Musician Playing An Awesome Venue


Favourite Promo Video For An Item On My Christmas List

Food Fights, Bike Rides and One Crazy Weekend

I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend with a group of crazy grade 7 guys for Connexus' annual student ministry retreat.

What an amazing experience.

I've been a youth leader at the church since it started 5 years ago, and every year I'm amazed at the students that come through. This weekend we talked about God calling us to a life that is More Than This. Including conversations about 'how do you know what God is calling you to', 'can your calling change' and 'do you have to work for a church to do ministry'.

These kids are in grade 7!

A fun weekend, filled with epic food fights, muddy bike rides and some great bonding time.

Do you remember going on youth retreats? Any fun stories?

A Fork & 2 Paths

Have you ever been on Facebook, looked at your friends' photos, (from their summer vacation, trip to Europe, pub nights at college, etc), and had your eyes opened to the fact they are likely hurting, broken people?

When we encounter a situation like that, I think (as Christians) we can react in one of two ways.

A fork in the road, with 2 paths to choose from.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a deeply religious man who goes to the temple to pray. To his left he sees a tax collector and begins to thank God that he is not a cheat, a liar, an adulterer like the man off to his side. In other words, he begins to condemn the tax collector and by comparison believes he is justified before God. He sees the brokenness in this tax collector's life and looks down on him with a 'holier than him' attitude.

Contrast that to the story in Mark 6. Jesus had been so busy touring that he and his disciples hadn't even had time to eat. He suggested they get away to some place quiet so they could rest and recharge. But as they got in the boat to head out to Tranquility Island Resort & Spa, the crowd on shore began to follow them. His disciples told him to tell the crowd to head into town and leave them alone, after-all  they were tired from being preaching rockstars. The Bible tells us Jesus had compassion on the lost and broken people, so he got out of the boat and fed the 5,000 with some bread and a couple fish.

Quite the contrast. The first guy looked down on the lost and broken guy beside him, while Jesus had compassion.

So how about you? When you see those Facebook albums filled with evidence of poor choices, how do you see the person?

Do you look down on their behavior? Maybe even judge them?

Or do you look at those photos and feel compassion for a lost, hurting and broken person?

The Mystery Of "God's Will For My Life"

Last week the CRTC announced their decision in regards to the vacant 88.1 frequency in Toronto. Trust Communications applied for it, but the CRTC awarded the license to fellow Barrie broadcaster Rock 95.

Rock 95 applied for an indie station offering exposure to unsigned, local talent. I can't argue with that. It'd be nice to see ToTell, Bleeker Ridge, Jill Jambor and Bob Charters get some radio love in Canada's largest market.

Needless to say the vibe around LIFE was pretty dark once we heard the news. We believed this was our time. Christian radio was going to become a reality in Toronto.

Thousands of people prayed.

Scott felt God's hand and calling on this application.

People prophesied that Christian radio would happen.

So what happened?

Scott wrote a post questioning everything leading up to the decision, and asking a question I think we all wrestle with: how do you really know what God wants you to do?

I don't think there's an easy answer.

I'm in the middle of a stage where I'm asking the same question. God, what do you want me to do? I haven't received a clear answer, and in the absence of a clear answer, you begin to look for answers in all sorts of things.

You seek wise council and they encourage you to pursue it. During worship on Sunday you get a tingly feeling, that must be God telling me to go for it. You encounter a roadblock and you think to yourself: Is this a sign? Maybe this is God telling me to stop? Maybe this is just Satan trying to slow me down and get me to give up? You begin to look for signs in all  sorts of places and pray you get a burning bush moment, or that a voice wakes you up in the middle of the night to give you a definite answer.

No such luck.

So what does God want me to do with my life?

I think unless God clearly speaks to you in one of those miraculous moments, it doesn't matter what you do. We need more Christians who are plumbers. We need more Christians who are film-makers. We need more Christians who are police officers.

I believe God is more interested in who we become, than what we do as a vocation.

He has given you talents, passions and abilities. If you use those in a God-honoring way, I don't think it matters if you are a lawyer, carpenter or mechanic.

So how do you know if it's God or the hot wings you ate last night? You'll never be sure. All you can do is look at scripture, make sure it lines up, and go for it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I wish I had a better answer, but until I get my own burning bush that's the best I've got.

Thoughts? How do you know if it's God's will for your life?