Top Ten Albums of 2008

Some of these albums came out in 2008, and others I bought in 2008 and loved. These are in no particular order.

Angels & Airwaves – “I Empire”

Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken – “Ampersand EP”

Fleet Foxes – “Fleet Foxes”

Future of Forestry – “Advent Christmas EP”

Hammock – “Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow”

Ian Mcintosh – “Awakened”

Johnny Parks Band – “Break the Silence”

Mogwai – “The Hawk is Howling”

The Myriad – “With Arrows, With Poise”

Sigur Ros – “Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust”

What were your favorite albums?

Thoughts on Reading the Bible in a Year

I believe there is no greater discipline than reading through the Bible each year. To be balanced, we need two kinds of reading:

1. I love what Pastor Jeff Leake calls “Bible Wringing”. This is where you meditate on scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to impress a few verses on your heart and mind. Absolutely necessary.
2. Reading the Bible in a year. The problem with doing only “bible wringing” is you don’t cover much Scripture. We also need to  read a lot, and I recommend reading the Bible in a year.

For Christmas I received an ESV Study Bible. I am so excited to read through it this year.

I have heard many people say that they get bored reading the Old Testament. They love Paul’s letters, the Gospels, the Psalms, the Proverbs, but the OT is boring, they say. Here is what I am going to focus on this year and I want to encourage you to join me:

Behold the Glory of Christ throughout the entire Old Testament

Check out these verses:

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

“Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later” (Heb. 3:5).

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them [the OT Prophets] that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (I Peter 1:12).

Listen to the famous Puritan Pastor, John Owen:

“We cannot read, study, or become spiritually strong by meditating on the writings of the Old Testament unless we commit ourselves to considering the glory of Christ displayed in them.”

Read through the OT with a renewed passion this year. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the glories of Christ present there. All Scripture points to the crucified and now reigning Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Enjoy.

Free Ten Shekel Shirt download

The worship band Ten Shekel Shirt is back with a new album. Enjoy this free mp3.

“Near” Album now available on iTunes!

For those of you who have waited so patiently, you can now purchase my album on iTunes. Enjoy!

DS

Sufjan Stevens – “Put the Lights on the Tree”

Just spreading the Christmas cheer…sufjan style.

Picking out a setlist to the glory of God

Ever get totally burned out on picking music for your services? Sick of doing the same songs over and over? Do you constantly feel the pressure to impress your pastor, congregation, and band with your song choices? Most people probably don’t know this, but picking out a setlist can be a lot of work.

Our minds are filled with questions such as, “Will this one be the next congregational hit? Will people raise their hands at the bridge? Do the keys flow together? Am I doing at least one hymn? Am I doing at least one CCLI top 25?” Too often we pick songs mindlessly, without meditating on the truth they embody.

I propose a few questions:

• What if you transformed the way you picked out your setlist?
• What if you began to see the formation of your set with spiritual eyes?
• What if you allowed yourself to be changed by each lyric during the week?
• What if you meditated on the Scriptures that certain songs were written from?
• What if you prayed while you typed out chord charts – that God would use each song for His glory?

Try it this week. Yes, you have lots of administrative, logistical items to take care of. But do them in a spirit of prayer.

Allow your heart to be mastered by your setlist before you seek to master the arrangements.

Eoghan Heaslip – “Wonderful Story”

Most of you reading this have probably never heard of Eoghan Heaslip. The first question you are probably asking is, “How the heck do you pronounce that name?” It is pronounced “Owen” and I would love to introduce you to his music. I have followed Eoghan’s music for a number of years – from the independent “Deeper Still” to the live “Powescourt” album with David Ruis to the Integrity released “Mercy” and “Grace in the Wilderness”. There are a number of things I appreciate about his music: It’s saturated in scripture, contains unique phrasing, is very passionate, and his delivery is contagious.

Eoghan’s new album “Wonderful Story” is his first studio album in a number of years and contains the production wizardry of Nathan Nockels, most well-known for his production of the “Passion” worship albums. Nathan is the master of acoustic pop production in Christian music; some may even say he overproduces. I happen to love how well thought out it is – every instrument is tight and layered beautifully for a compelling ‘radio friendly’ sound.

Eoghan’s songs are really strong here. I’m finding myself challenged as I listen. There really is not a bad song here, which in my opinion makes a great album. I love the lyrical simplicity of the opening rocker, “This is Our Story”, which states succinctly, “This is our story…Jesus died for you, for me“. Most noteworthy is the deeply personal “What You’ve Called Me To”. Try and listen to this without crying – “This is going to take the whole of my life. This is going to take my every breath. But I know it’s true. There’s nothing to fear in what You’ve called me to.” This song really connects my heart with what I want to say to Jesus. I also can’t get enough of “The King Has Come”. Strong theological expressions of Christ’s reign with melodic phrasing that is really fresh. I can’t get enough.

Eoghan is currently the worship director for New Wine UK, and worship leader at St. Paul’s Ealing, London. This is worship music born from the battlefield.

For more info, check out his website. Head over to iTunes to purchase. It’s worth it.

Practical Pointers for Vocalists

FYI, just because I’m posting some tips for different instruments doesn’t make me a pro at everything. I’ve immersed myself in enough music and learned from some great people over my short life to know a thing or two.

As for vocalists in a worship setting, take these to heart:

• If you are a background singer, please sing like a background singer. Accent key phrases with harmony or simply serve to strengthen the choruses. You shouldn’t be singing all the time.
• If you are leading a song, engage the audience not only with your vocals but with your stage presence. Find the best way for you to relax and lead with confidence. This is key. If you are nervous you WILL make everyone else nervous. Not good.
• Work on your vocals like a pianist practices his scales. Your voice is a muscle and it needs to be worked to sound the best.
• Be sure to warm up before you sing every time! The shower is the greatest place. Your family may hate you for it, though!
• Don’t hype it up. Allow your passion for Jesus and the lyrics of the song to dictate your expression. Don’t just be hyped up because you are on a stage. This can be annoying to a congregation. People are inspired by genuine passion.
• Don’t be visually depressed. I always say worship teams are called to “go before the people” and prepare the way for encounter with God. We don’t manufacture God’s presence, but we discipline ourselves to worship first, drawing in those who are weighed down by the pressures of life.

Any others?

Cumulative Daily Decisions – Randy Alcorn

I was challenged by a chapter by Randy Alcorn entitle “Cumulative Daily Decisions, Courage in a Cause, and a Life of Endurance.” Some highlights:

• Endurance requires patience, because reward for today’s right choices will come, but it may be months or years from now, or not until we leave this world.
• Sin has become so common, so expected, that holy believers are either elevated as heroes or dismissed as legalists.
• If you’re going to endure, you must have a passion for Jesus that’s bigger than your passion for the cause.
• Don’t be a single-issue Christian.
• If you are not willing to be misunderstood and vilified, you won’t endure in any worthwhile cause.
• One of the greatest enemies of a long obedience in the same direction is the desire to be popular, whether with the world or the church. If your eyes are on anyone but Jesus, you’re not going to have the stamina to put up with criticism.
• It’s easier to raise a hand today than to make the kinds of choices day after day after day that result in a long obedience in the same direction.
• “You are going to be what you are now becoming” – Dawson Trotman
• Endurance requires a good plan, with clear and tangible steps that are taken one after the other.
• Don’t just let your life happen, choose what to do with it, or in the end you’ll wonder where it went.
• We are in serious danger of losing coming generations to shallowness, immorality, and heresy because they are not digging deep into Scripture and great books grounded in Scripture.
• Any gospel that is truer in California than in China is not the true gospel.
• What you keep will not satisfy you; what you give will loosen Money’s hold on you and help you experience the grip of Christ’s grace.
• Why not ask God to empower you to spend the rest of your life closing the gap between what you’ll wish you would have done and what you really have done?

Christmas Music I am listening to

A few glimpses of pure awesomeness:

Future of Forestry Advent Christmas EP – This is really fantastic. If you have not bought this yet, you need to. My only complaint may be that they didn’t include any originals. Then again, do you need original Christmas songs? With music this good, I don’t think so. My #1 holiday pick this year.

Sufjan Stevens Songs for Christmas – Pure genius. This music captures the wonder of childlike simplicity, love for Jesus, and hilarious randomness. Lots of music to keep you occupied here. This will become a great tradition for you. Nobody is making music like Sufjan. Go download a few free songs.

The Violet Burning Divine – For fans of the VB, this is a treat. Two words sum up the VB for me – rock and honesty. This is beautiful rock n roll. They’re giving it away for free on their website, or you can support them for $10. I’m a fan of that.

Sojourn Advent Songs – This is a beautiful recording. Sojourn is making great worship music that is very theological, stirring, and well done. Very fresh. Head to their site and download a few free songs as well.

Sleeping At Last – For the past few years SAL has been offering a free Christmas song around Christmas time. Head over here to listen and download. Sleeping at Last makes some of the best music out there. These Christmas tunes are gentle, nostalgic, and beautiful.