Reality Bites

So these past few days during the fast have been encouraging. Being one who constantly listens to music, (maybe too much), I find that sometimes I often use music to sort of compliment the mood I'm in–like a soundtrack to a movie–but I find that that isn't always wise or healthy for me to do. ha! The weeks where I've had a bad case of the Mondays I would easily just listen to something aggressive or loud to kinda "forget my problems" But reality sooner or later comes around and reminds me that my situations are inescapable and that it'd be best if I confront them and not try to brush them away.

Anywho, today two very anticipated worship albums are released. One album by the Australian band, Hillsong United called Aftermath.

I've heard one song that was absolutely rad––as in 80's rad. This is their second studio album. They have about 5 other records but they've all been recorded at live concerts. So I'm excited to hear this one.

Another album is by a church in Redding, CA called Bethel Live. Their new album is called Be Lifted High.
If you've heard of the band Jesus Culture, then you'll want to check these guys out. Lead singer Brian Johnson and his wife Jenn Johnson have uh-maaaazing voices! Take a listen to the album We Believe and you'll hear what I'm talking about. It's definitely one of my top ten contemporary worship albums.

Build A Fire Under You

I was recently at a youth group service in the SF Valley. There were a few friends I had came to visit that serve as youth leaders, and one of them being the youth pastor. At the end of the service he asked the students to pick out some tasks from an envelop that would challenge their commitment of their confession that they are Christ followers. They ranged everywhere from doing more chores around the house to fasting from "secular" music.

One of the students I was talking to was reluctant to accept the challenge. So I told 'em I'd take on a challenge–maybe that would encourage them to follow through with theirs. As I was picking one up from the envelop I said aloud, "please don't let it be the music one." Surely enough, of all the 50 pieces of paper with challenges I could've pick, I pick the one that challenged me to fast secular music so I can focus more on reading my Bible.

As much complaining I did, I knew in my heart this had been something I needed to do. In fact, I had just discussed with my step-dad, an audiophile himself, that lately I've been in this phase of listening to just "worship music."

Five years ago I could have easily defined secular music for you; I'd have a hard time now–I've had a paradigm shift about this topic since then. (I don't really want to get expand on this thought-at least not in this blog.) However I couldn't help it, I was already making a list in my head of what secular music I couldn't listen to during this fast. But my friend, the youth pastor, had encouraged me to not look at my loss but rather to shift my focus to what I would gain. He added that many times as Christians we focus too much on our losses that it overshadows the endless gains we obtain when we attempt to deepen our commitment to Jesus.

This gave me an excuse to listen to and explore new "non-secular music"...haha...I can't say that without laughing...anyway, so I'll be posting up artists/bands that I've been listening to for the next three and a half weeks.


Thursday, 02.03.11
John Mark McMillan: The Medicine
fav tracks: How He Loves, Dress Us Up, Skeleton Bones

Various Artist: Shine Like Stars
fav tracks: You Are Faithful, Come Away With Me, A Little Longer

George Frideric Handel
Good music to listen to when working on theology papers!