Sunday Morning Music: Caedmon's Call "Hope to Carry On"

It's Throwback Sunday! Great tribute to the late Rich Mullins with interviews and footage of Caedmon's Call playing with Rich.

Sunday Morning Music: Christy Nockels "Waiting Here For You"

Sunday Morning Music: Jason Mraz "I Won't Give Up"

Our senior high praise band performed this song for our junior high students a while back and I've loved it ever since.

Weekly Devotional: Lecrae "Don't Waste Your Life"

Lecrae has quickly become my favorite Christian hip-hop artist. Ever since someone told me about "Jesus Muzik" I've been excited about what he would come out with next. This latest offering from Lecrae will not disappoint. After spending time with John Piper (author/pastor) Lecrae wrote this song. Don't Waste Your Life is also a book title from John Piper.

How often we spend time on things that won't last. On things that are earthly. On things that don't really matter. How often we get caught up in working more so we can have the bigger house, the faster car, the newer version of ________. We call it pursuing our dreams but where did that dream come from? The 'American Dream' or a godly vision for expanding His Kingdom?

We, on the other hand, are instructed to store up our treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

There are so many great nuggets in this song that come straight from Scripture. Below you will find 1) the lyrics, 2) a snippet of an interview of Lecrae speaking about the new album and this song, and 3) the video itself.

Please take a look at all three and take note of the Scripture references I've added. God bless.

[Hook: Cam]Don't wanna waste my life

[Verse 1: LeCrae]

I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die

Couple of em thinking they'll be livin in the sky

But while I'm here livin man I gotta ask why, what am here fo I gotta figure out

Waste my life / No I gotta make it count

If Christ is real then what am I gone do about

All of the things in Luke 12:15 down to 21

You really oughta go and check it out

Paul said if Christ ain't resurrect then we wasted our lives

Well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive

Everyday I'm living tryin show the world why

Christ is more than everything you'll ever try

Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire / Ain't no lie

We created for Him

Outta the dust he made us for Him

Elects us and he saves us for Him

Jesus comes and raises for Him

Magnify the Father why bother with something lesser

He made us so we could bless Him and to the world we confess him

Resurrects him

So I know I got life

Matter fact better man I know I got Christ

If you don't' see His ways in my days and nights

You can hit my brakes you can stop my lights

Man I lost my rights

I lost my life

Forget the money cars and toss that ice

The cost is Christ

And they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.

[Verse 2: Dwayne Tryumph]

Armed and dangerous

So the devil jus can't handle us

Christian youth them a stand wid us

Livin' n driven

Given a vision

Fullfillin the commission he handed us

London to Los Angeles

Da rap evangelist

Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us

"I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac"

So are you ready to jam with us

So let's go, gimme the word an let's go

Persecution let's go

Tribulation let's go

Across the nation let's go

Procrastination bes go

Hung on the cross in the cold

Died for da young and the old

Can't say you never know

Heaven knows

How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em / Whaaaaat!

[Verse 3: LeCrae]

Suffer / Yeah do it for Christ if you trying to figure what to do with your life

If you making money hope you doing it right because the money is Gods you better steward it right

Stay focused if you ain't got no ride

Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive

The clothes you wear the job you work

The color your skin naw we Christian first

People living life for a job

Make a lil money start living for a car

Get em a house a wife kids and a dog

When they retire they living high on the hog

But guess what they didn't ever really live at all

To live is Christ yeah that's Paul I recall

To die is gain so for Christ we give it all

He's the treasure you'll find in the mall

Your money your singleness marriage talent and time

They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine

That's why it's Christ in my rhymes

That's why it's Christ all the time

My whole world is built around him He's the life in my lines

I refused to waste my life

He's too true ta chase

That ice

Heres my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ

If he's truly raised to life

Then this news should change your life

And by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.

Weekly Devotional: Ghost Ship "Mediator"

I don't believe that I could have picked a better song to start the year with my new classes. Ghost Ship has to be one of my new favorites right now. Very talented and their lyrics are so rich. Like this song, Mediator, they take the lyrics straight out of 1 Timothy 2:5-6 where it says,

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

I hope you love these guys as much as I do. I'd also recommend Orion, Son of David and Lion Man if you're interested.

Rich Mullins "Hold Me Jesus"

Rich Mullins probably had as much influence with my Christian life during my college years as anyone else. So it was tragic to hear of his death in the fall of 1997. There are few things I remember as clearly as the moment I heard the news from a friend as we prepared for our daily Ultimate (Frisbee) game. Yes, I said daily. And I said Ultimate. 
Rich had an influence on countless folks in his lifetime and even 16 years after his death, many people are enjoying the gift God gave to him. The ability to pen such powerful songs and to be so transparent. You'll see this transparency in the performance below. He didn't hold back. He reminds me in many ways of the Apostle Paul.
If you'd like to read more about Rich's life please visit his fan site page KidBrothers where you can find all sorts of good stuff about Rich. 

"Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins

Well sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
I'm singing hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace 

Phil Robertson's Faith

VOTA - Hard to Believe

Is it hard to believe that God even notices us? You know who God is right? Here's just a sampling.

He knows everything (Ps 139:1-6)

He is unchanging (Ps 102:25-27)

He has no limits (the heavens can not contain Him) (1 Ki 8:27)

He is holy (Ex 15:11)

He is righteous (Dt 32:4)

He is truthful (Ps 31:5)

He is just (Nu 14:18)

He is good (2 Chro 5:13b)

He is love (God = Love) (1 Jn 4:8)

He has all-power (Ge 18:14)

He is beyond our understanding (Job 11:7)

He is sovereign (Ps 135:6)

He is merciful (Ro 9:14-16)

He is always present (Pr 15:3)

He is self-sufficient (Acts 17:24-25)

He is eternal (Da 4:34)

Yet he loves me. 

He loves you. 

He loves us so much that He sacrificed His own Son to rescue us from eternal separation from Himself (Jn 3:16). What an amazing gift. 

What is your response to that? 

Joy? Thankfulness? Total awe? A life dedicated to sharing this amazing gift with others? 

It's unbelievable! Nothing else can compare. 

These guys agree. Take a look at both of these videos from VOTA:

Family Force 5 "Cray Button"

There's no way to describe Family Force 5 besides "FUN!" Maybe "CRAZY" would work too. I hope you enjoyed this video and want to watch it over and over like I do. Some have even suggested making their own "Cray Button." Do it! Go crazy. Have fun. Live your life. Know that you have JOY and HOPE that others don't because of your Savior Jesus! Let loose.

Jeremy Camp - Overcome

Not many 8 minute songs become very popular in today's culture. Back in the heyday of rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Boston, The Who, The Doors, etc. there were many more longer (6+ minutes) than even now. Out of the iTunes Top 200 there is only 1 song that is 6+ minutes in length. Yes. One. Going a step further, I can't think of many Christian songs that are 6 minutes or longer besides some (many) Hillsong hits. But this one from Jeremy Camp, which actually came out two years ago this month is an instant classic. I've been waiting for months to share this with my students and Jeremy finally came through with a video. And what a great video it is. I don't have a lot to share besides the lyrics you see below as well as the video itself. I think it speaks for itself. 

Lyrics
Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned but suffered as if He did

[Bridge]
All authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is Yours

[Chorus]
Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

Bridge + Chorus

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome (x4)

Chorus

Team Guate 2012

What an amazing experience. I just got back from a mission trip to Guatemala where we were able to team with Casas pro Cristo and build a family of 6 a home. I'll write more later when I have a chance to digest it all but it was the best trip I've ever been on. I felt like I was able to connect with this family, even through the language barrier, more than any other family I've been able to build for in my other trips that were similar to this one. Thanks to Pete Dockery, Derek Wilson, Shelley Woodward and her dad. Thanks also to Ann, Rachel, Jenny, Davis, Celine, Dylan, Parker, Megan, Jordan and Price. You guys are awesome young men and women. I pray this experience changes the trajectory of your life.

Team Derek & Jeff (and Pete) with Caesar, his family and their Pastor

I Can Only Imagine

I heard this song on the way to a wrestling tournament this morning. One of Macy's favorites. Thinking about her still and her big decision and what God has planned for my little girl. Praying for the Holy Spirit. Very thankful that I have a wife who love's the Lord more than she loves me. She knows that real treasure is investing in our children's lives and making sure they have heard the gospel. May the Lord hear our prayer for our little ones.

BTW, this song still gives me goose bumps.

Macy's Big Decision

As a father, I know that I want to be a part of the two biggest decisions that my children will make. The first one happened for my eldest, Macy, over the Christmas break (December 18th) and I can't wait for you to see her put on Christ in baptism. The second big decision she'll make of course is who she'll marry. So without further ado here's Macy's big decision.

Happy Birthday Jesus from the Harshes

My kids are so precious. I know most everyone thinks that and all parents say that but it’s really true for my kids! This year we (my beloved wife and I) asked our kids what they could do for Jesus, since He’s the reason we celebrate this holiday in the first place. We usually have some sort of birthday party for Jesus just to make sure our kids know why we have Christmas. 

Here are their responses for what they can do for Jesus this coming year.

Grady (age 3 yr 10 mo)

“Play nice and share my trains”

“Obey my mom and dad”

Mia (age 5 yr 11 mo)

“Obey Mom and Dad”

“God thank you for Mom, Dad, Macy, Grady, Nana and Paps”

“God, I love you”

“Thank you for helping us”

“Be helpful to others”

“Be thankful for what God has given me”

Macy (age 10 yr 9 mo)

“By sharing God’s word to others”

“By thanking God, in prayer”

“Going on a mission trip”

“By remembering Jesus’ birth, on Christmas and always”

“By obeying my mom and dad”

“And by being helpful to others!”

“Love you God!”

Honor God

My kids are so precious. I know most everyone thinks that and all parents say that but it’s really true for my kids! This year we asked our kids what they could do for Jesus, since He’s the reason we celebrate this holiday in the first place. We usually have some sort of birthday party for Jesus just to make sure our kids know why we have Christmas. Here are some of their responses for what they can do for Jesus this coming year.

Grady (age 3 yr 10 mo)

“Play nice and share my trains”

“Obey my mom and dad”

Mia (age 5 yr 11 mo)

“Obey Mom and Dad”

“God thank you for Mom, Dad, Macy, Grady, Nana and Paps”

“God, I love you”

“Thank you for helping us”

“Be helpful to others”

“Be thankful for what God has given me”

Macy (age 10 yr 9 mo)

“By sharing God’s word to others”

“By thanking God, in prayer”

“Going on a mission trip”

“By remembering Jesus’ birth, on Christmas and always”

“By obeying my mom and dad”

“And by being helpful to others!”

“Love you God!”

Sunday Morning Favorites

One of my all-time favorite songs by Rich Mullins. I was inspired by Donald Miller's Sunday Morning Music. Not a lot of comments. Just a great man singing a truly inspired song.

The Christmas Story

Luke 2 - The Birth of Jesus

 ^1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. ^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

 ^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

   Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.


 ^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.


 ^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

I'm Guilty - KJ-52

This is the final devotional/song for the school year (and has been for the last 5 or 6 years). I love having the opportunity to share my faith with young adults and hope that my time with them this year has helped them in their faith-walk.

We are very different, you and I. We may live in the same country (maybe not), live in the same state, same county or attend the same school. You may live in a house, apartment, trailer, mansion or be homeless. You may be a teenager, adult, or adolescent. You may be the same race/ethnicity but maybe not. You may speak a different language. Even if none of this were true we have one thing in common; we are both sinners. These following passages remind us that we are all sinners but we are bought with a price (Jesus). This is why I share devotionals with my students. This is why I share my faith with my wrestlers. This is why I live the way I do. It's all God. Please read the following and then please watch the video to remind yourself that you are a sinner and you are guilty of sin and ultimately the death of the Son of God. But we are given a gift, we are given an acquittal.

Romans 3:21-24
But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this.
Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.

John 3:16-18
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.