Psalm 98:1 O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things
Psalms 33:3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
It’s fun to look back at all the songs that have been sung in church since the “contemporary” movement started 10+ years ago. For example, Trading My Sorrows, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, Here I Am To Worship, The Heart of Worship, Come Now Is The Time To Worship, and many others. Some of these are still good today, but some are better left locked up in a vault somewhere. I love the new songs that we sing on a regular basis now, but I miss some of the old ones.
So, I’d love to have your help. What old songs are still “useable” and relevant in 2009. What old songs, in your opinion, are fine to never be used again? I would love to know your opinion!
Filed under: marriage
I spent my 4th of July getting punched. Click and go read it. It’s entertaining.
My wife Ashley puts up with a lot. Everyday I leave cabinet doors open, forget where I put my wedding ring, forget to take my lunch to work, forget to take my cell phone to work, leave clothes out, leave shoes out, forget to unload dishwasher, leave the lid up, and usually have trouble finding things on a daily basis. I also lost my first wedding ring that cost about $200. I have tried to lose my 2nd wedding ring numerous times, but it only cost $30.
For example, today I left my cellphone at home, so I called Ashley to bring it for me, and she graciously did. I soon after realized I left my wallet at home as well. I couldn’t ask her to make 2 trips, so today I have no wallet.
All this is to say, I love you Ashley. Thanks for being patient with me. I’m messy, forgetful, aggravating, annoying, and at times irritable, but you still love me, and go above and beyond every single day. In my 27 years of life, the best years have been the ones spent with you! Next time, please just try not to punch me so hard.
Filed under: Sunday Night Music | Tags: midtown fellowship, Sunday Night Music
Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
Always Forever - Phil Wickham
Hosanna – Hillsong
Beautiful Jesus – Kristian Stanfill
Kingdom Come – Hillsong
Everlasting God – Chris Tomlin
Saviour King – Hillsong
Be Thou My Vision
Only You – David Crowder
I Stand Amazed - Chris Tomlin
I’m no good at jazz piano. I wish I was. If I was, I would find a drummer and upright player, and play this song for my wife to sing.
might as well add this video as well. the video is pretty useless, but this song is by far my favorite norah jones song. the piano is perfect. the electric sounds heavenly. and everything is is just fabulous.
One more verse to share from Ecclesiastes 7.
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
I hate when people talk bad about me. I am by nature a people pleaser, and if I can make everybody happy, then that’s what I intend to do. In almost 27 years of life, by the grace of God, I have gotten progressively better in this area. But still, when other people are happy, I’m happy. And when people talk bad about me, it still hurts sometimes.
I was in Ecclesiastes a couple of days ago, and this verse has stuck in my head.
7:21
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
DANG!!! I know I’ve talked some crap about people more than I would like to remember, yet I still get upset when people have negative things to say about me behind my back. I get defensive, prideful, and angry. So thanks for the good words of wisdom Solomon.
Filed under: family
There’s some big news coming from the Wright family lately. If you haven’t heard, or read Ashley’s update, here is the news.
Ashley’s last day at Northeast Presbyterian Church will be August 31st. She has served there for 5 years. Basically right after we met, she started working there, and the time I was leading worship full time at another church. So, for the 5 years that Ashley and I have known each other, been dating, or married, we have really never gone to church together on a consistent basis. We’ve never been members at the same place. It hasn’t been an ideal situation (as some people have been quick to point out to us as if we didn’t already know that), but we 100% felt that each of us were right where God wanted us to be. We faced some criticism along the way, and I’m sure more than what we were aware of, but I never doubted that God had each of us in a special place. However, I can’t tell you how excited I am that Ashley and I will both be members at Midtown in September. We will ride to church together, lead together, sit together, and ride home together. It will be glorious!!
So, what will Ashley be doing? She will be going to Paul Mitchell cosmetology school starting in September. She will be in school full time for a full year. We are very excited about this new career for Ashley. It’s something that she loves to do and has been doing on the side for a while now. I think know she will be awesome at what she does.
We would highly value your prayers over the next few months. We will be living on one income for at least 12 months. Pray that God will give us as many odd jobs as possible to be able to fill in the gaps. Pray that we will put our trust in God to provide. I don’t doubt He will, but some days it’s easy to get a little anxious. Pray that Ashley will find favor at Paul Mitchell and that God would bless her time there. Pray that she will be able to share the gospel with the people at the school. And pray for whatever else comes to mind!
We’re excited about what is in store for us in the next couple of years. Thanks for praying for us!
Filed under: Sunday Night Music, music | Tags: midtown fellowship, Sunday Night Music
Your Love Never Fails – Chris Quiala
How He Loves – John Mark McMillian
You Never Let Go – Matt Redman
The Stand – Hillsong
In Christ Alone – Campus Praise Band
“We don’t obey to be accepted by God, we obey because we are accepted by God.”
Filed under: guitar, music | Tags: guitar, james taylor, john mayer, ron block, sean watkins, tony rice
Here are my top 5 favorite guitar players. The cool thing is that I’ve been fortunate enough to see all of them live in concert.
5. Ron Block
Ron Block is banjo and guitar wizard who plays with Allison Krauss and Union Station. He is equally amazing on each instrument. He can rip up a fretboard, but also plays incredibly tastefully. He has 2 solo albums that I love as well, but unfortunately most people can’t tolerate his voice. It doesn’t bother me too much, but I do understand. If I could take lessons from any one guitar player, I would probably sign up to take from Ron Block.
4. Sean Watkins
I was introduced to bluegrass style guitar playing by listening to Sean Watkins, the Nickel Creek guitar player, on their very first album. I’ve seen Nickel Creek multiple times, and he has a smooth flatpicking style and he writes some amazing lines. By far, his best work is done on his solo album “Let It Fall.” There is only one song with vocals (done by Glen Phillips), and the rest is all instrumental beauty.
3. John Mayer
I’ll never be able to play like John Mayer. Ever. He’s got some mad crazy skills, and when he’s playing, you know he could always play a lot more than he is. I really didn’t like John Mayer when his first album came out, but each one has gotten progressively more impressive. When I listen to him play, I really just don’t understand how you can do the things that he does.
2. James Taylor
As noted here on the old blog numerous times before, I have spent more time trying to emulate James Taylor’s style than any other guitar player. I believe that his playing influences my style more than any one else. Hammer on’s and pull off’s and learning how to use your right hand to pull everything together are just a few of the things I’ve learned from JT. I saw him in Charlotte a couple of years ago, and will always remember that. I really never thought I’d be able to see him in concert. He also plays an Olson, my dream guitar, which unless I win the lottery, I will never own.
1. Tony Rice
I have gone to see Tony Rice in concert twice, however he only showed up one of those times. The time that he did show up was without a doubt the most surreal experience I have ever had. Tony Rice is OLD. He’s been playing FOREVER. He just stands still and rarely shows any emotion, but he plays the nastiest acoustic guitar you’ll ever hear. If you hate bluegrass, but love guitar, you will still be impressed by his skill. There is no other who can play the way he does. Do yourself a favor and check his stuff out.
So, that’s it for this marvelous fantastic riveting series. I’d love to know who you would list as your favorite pickers.
