WHATCHA LISTENIN' TO??

I find it interesting to ask people what's playing in their CD/IPOD/MP3 Players. I think you can tell a lot about a person by what tunes they enjoy. I think that the type of music they are listening to at any one time could also be indicative of what's going on in their life. I know that, for myself, when I'm feeling contemplative I generally do not want music that is too energetic. And, when I'm feeling good...give me some loud, fast, fun melodies. These days I'm into:

...All the Stars & Boulevards-----Augustana
...Eyes Open-----Snow Patrol
...Oh! Gravity---Switchfoot
...U218 Singles---U2
...Me & My Gang---Rascal Flatts (I am very selective with my C&W--and I have to fast forward track #3.....too twangy for me!!)

I've also heard good things about the new Linkin Park CD--I have downloaded one song and it was good...maybe I'll check out the rest. Any other suggestions??

AnywayMartina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren (BMI)You can spend your whole life buildin'Somethin' from nothin'One storm can come and blow it all awayBuild it anywayYou can chase a dreamThat seems so out of reachAnd you know it might not ever come your wayDream it anyway(Chorus)God is great, but sometimes life ain't goodWhen I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it shouldBut I do it anywayI do it anywayThis world's gone crazy and it's hard to believeThat tomorrow will be better than todayBelieve it anywayYou can love someone with all your heartFor all the right reasonsAnd in a moment they can choose to walk awayLove 'em anyway(Repeat Chorus)You can pour your soul out singin'A song you believe inThat tomorrow they'll forget you ever sangSing it anywayYeah sing it anywayI singI dreamI love anyway

I'm not a big C&W fan--but I did enjoy hearing Martina McBride sing last week on American Idol. This song was good---great message. Sometimes when we pray God doesn't answer the way we think He should. But it's always right. And sometimes people don't act the way we think they should...love them anyway? Yeah..it's always right. Life isn't fair....but God is.

GRACE

"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others".--Colossians 3:13

I enjoyed a wonderful New Community service at my church last evening. We've started a new series on grace and, because God doesn't do anything in my life by accident, it has come at a most appropriate time. I listened intently to Dr. Bob share his struggles with growing up in a legalistic church and how his heart breaks when he sees Christians refuse to extend grace to fellow believers. My early church background was also one of "stepping over" the down & out brother--after all they should have known better. If I forgive them, isn't that the same as condoning what they have done? I guess it goes back to the popular question--What would Jesus do? The best way I can show my gratitude for the grace and forgiveness God gives to me is to extend it to others. It's been said that " hurting people hurt people". I need to respond in compassion to those who hurt me, quit trying to defend myself, and learn to love others like Jesus does. I'm anxiously looking forward to the rest of this series.

YUCK!!!!!!

Okay, America.....enough is enough!!!! You've had your fun!!! Do you really want this guy as your next American Idol!!!!!!! I BEG OF YOU.... STOP THE NONSENSE!!!!

TRUST

"We're following a guide we know nothing about. How do we know which side that bird is on? Why shouldn't it be leading us into a trap?"
"That's a nasty idea. Still--a robin, you know. They're good birds in all the stories I've ever read, I'm sure a robin wouldn't be on the wrong side".
Edmund to Peter "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

As I've spent much time praying for wisdom and discernment the past few months I've come to realize that I can't depend on the actions, words, advice, or counsel of others. Oh sure, those are all necessary in order to make good decisions, but when it comes right down to it, that inner peace you feel has to be from God. No one will understand it. I'm not sure I understand it. I think Job must have felt like that. Friends telling him to "hang in there". Family telling him to "curse God and die". What to do? All mean well. But who can he really trust? Who should he put his faith in when life looks bleak? I'll claim Proverbs 3:5&6--"Trust in the Lord....."