Monday, November 26, 2007

abide.

ABIDE
being fully present with
resting in the comfort of
dwelling together with
journeying beside Jesus.

brings --->

direction in life
desire to serve
discovery of our true selves

we must pursue a life of trust
(to follow an invisible God)

live as a {wandering disciple} as if God is beside, in front of, behind, over and under us.





inspired from the Journal of Student Ministries - July/Aug 2007 - pg. 8


Now playing:
Cranes - K56
via FoxyTunes

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

a playlist / a worship experience (how will you find God in the music?)












































You may or may not know that I am a Youth Pastor in Ohio. Every year - we take our group to some cottages on Atwood Lake for a Fall Retreat. This year's theme was H2o.
our goals being:
Hang Time with God -
develop Habits that'll change our Lives
discover Ordinary ways to connect with God.

I burned a playlist onto a CD and gave it to the youth a week or so in advance so that they could import it onto their Mp3 players. Then on Saturday morning - the youth were given 65 minutes (the length of the CD) to listen to the songs and work through a sort-of workbook that went along with the music. Each song had a page with pictures, scriptures, questions, comments and lyrics. They were encouraged to 'seek God' and to 'find Him' in the music.

Needless to say - this was the highlight of the weekend for most of the teens. It allowed them a time to creatively express their emotions and to connect the dots to see where God is in those moments that make up their complex, yet purposeful lives.

I truly believe that God uses unexpected things in order to speak to people. He spoke to Moses through a burning bush... to Balaam through a donkey...to Elijah through a gentle whisper. To many of today's youth - He speaks to them through the music... or through film... or through art. God is alive and kicking, moving and breathing life into the things that surround us.

Below are 14 posts that correlate with the 14 tracks of the H2O cd. Each image was created in Photoshop by me (sized 8x10 @ 180dpi). The pictures used were found in a variety of places... some were pictures that my wife or I took, others were found via friends on my blog roll... others were found randomly. I've tried to cite what I could and have provided links to assist in further study.

Enjoy them. Let me know how you find God... or how he finds you... in the music... in the images and in the lyrics.

God bless.

Track 1: Angels & Airwaves - Valkyrie Missile


















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Now playing: Angels & Airwaves - Valkyrie Missile
via FoxyTunes

Track 2: Sixpence None the Richer - Field of Flowers















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Now playing:
Sixpence None the Richer - Field of Flowers
via FoxyTunes

Track 3: Deas Vail - A Lover's Charm























further information found at YouAreBeautiful.


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Now playing: Deas Vail - A Lover's Charm
via FoxyTunes

Track 4: Stars of Track and Field - Say Hello





















partial idea from Embody - Moodify.



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Now playing: Stars of Track and Field - Say Hello
via FoxyTunes

Track 5: Muse - Butterflies & Hurricanes
























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Now playing: Muse - Butterflies & Hurricanes
via FoxyTunes

Track 6: UNKLE (feat. Ian Astbury) - Burn My Shadow

















(for added effect: Burn My Shadow video download QuickTime video or YouTube video
(thanks to Jonny Baker for the idea)




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Now playing: UnKLE featuring Ian Astbury - Burn My Shadow
via FoxyTunes

Track 7: Sixpence None the Richer - Bleeding





















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Now playing: Sixpence None the Richer - Bleeding
via FoxyTunes

Track 8: I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Today
















Taken from Moodify - by Embody.
More 'Happiness' practices found at Embody




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Now playing: I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Today
via FoxyTunes

Track 9: Future of Forestry - Sanctitatis




















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Now playing: Future of Forestery - Sanctitatis
via FoxyTunes

Track 10: Nada Surf - Always Love




















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Now playing: Nada Surf - Always Love
via FoxyTunes

Track 11: David Crowder*Band - Never Let Go




















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Now playing: David Crowder Band - Never Let Go
via FoxyTunes

Track 12: Coldplay - A Message


















check out Wise Traveller for more information.

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Now playing: Coldplay - A Message
via FoxyTunes

Track 13: Embrace - Out of Nothing




















Maid picture by Jonny Baker (blog) (flickr)



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Now playing: Embrace - Out of Nothing
via FoxyTunes

Track 14: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Salvation
























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Now playing: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Salvation
via FoxyTunes

Friday, November 02, 2007