Archives For General

Freedom to forget?

11.11.2010 — Leave a comment

It’s Veteran’s Day, 2010. A Federal Holiday where we are to reflect, as President Woodrow Wilson declared in 1919, “… the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

I was reflecting this week on the freedom we have here in the United States, and was once-again caught off-guard by how much I take it for granted.

I watched this week the news-reports of my brothers and sisters in Iraq being attacked as they worshiped together in their church. This, and countless stories before it – and countless that we’ll continue to hear after, remind me to be thankful for where I live.

And yet with this freedom, sadly, I believe there is another form of ‘freedom’ that comes. I’m calling it the “freedom to forget”. I don’t think I’m the only one who falls prey to this “freedom to forget”, on the contrary, I think most of us do. With the freedom scripted by our government and defended by our military comes a ‘disconnect’ on my part. It’s a false-sense, I believe, of safety that comes from not having much interaction with or knowledge-of the opposite of freedom.

I don’t want to live in fear, but I don’t want to take my freedom for granted, I don’t want to forget its worth, and I don’t want to only recognize my tendencies to do these things around Federal holidays.

And I’m also embarrassed to say that this ‘freedom to forget’ transfers into my Spiritual life, too. When is the last time we recognized what we’ve been freed from through the blood of Jesus Christ? Do we simply recognize and honor it on special holidays or a certain day of the week? Why is it so easy to become forgetful of the gift-of-love that gives us the freedom we have in Christ?

How do YOU remember and honor the freedoms you experience?

What are ways that WE can honor those who have sacrificed so much for us beyond the times where it is easiest and culturally ‘normal’?

How must we live to not fall into the trap of experiencing ‘freedom to forget’?

In General, Ministry
permalink

David Crowder Band’s SMS [Shine] Music Video

11.3.2010 — Leave a comment

The David Crowder Band has long-since been a favorite of mine – not ONLY for their musical talent and Christ-centered pursuit of worship, but also their creative-side and willingness to embrace social media as a way of keeping their fans updated and intrigued into who they are and what they are producing!

Recently the DCB released a brand-new music video for their track, “[SMS] Shine”. It is an incredible creation and includes an iconic toy from my childhood – the Lite-Brite! Check out the amazingly creative video:



Incredible, isn’t it?

Also, recently, the DCB released a series of videos documenting the behind-the-scenes creation-of this work-of-art. They are equally as entertaining and enjoyable:






If you haven’t picked up the David Crowder Band’s latest album, it’s available here at Amazon.com!

In General, Videos
permalink

Sunday Review | 2010.10.31

10.31.2010 — Leave a comment

Had a wonderful, unique service this morning at Shippensburg First Wesleyan. Friends of ours, Scott Troyer and Katie Nelson were here and led us in a worship concert this morning. Their testimonies and singing/playing made today much more than a performance, but rather a worship-experience.

I am grateful for their friendship and their willingness to lead and play with their whole-hearts.

It was also a special surprise this morning as people were walking into the sanctuary to see familiar faces from out-of-state! Upon my double or triple-take I realized it was my Uncle David and Aunt Bea from Washington, DC! We enjoyed lunch with them in Chambersburg before they hit the road back home to DC.

After lunch we ventured back to King’s Gap State Park to show Scott & Katie some of our beautiful surroundings!

Some great pictures from this afternoon:



In Family, General, Images, Ministry
permalink

Life’s for Sharing | Life IS for Sharing

10.29.2010 — 4 Comments

This is an incredible display of “planned improv” (I just made that up, of course). It’s a commercial for T-Mobile UK somehow and it features a select group of VERY talented voices gathered at London’s Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5).

Their display of love-for-strangers is catchy don’t you think?

You will want to watch this video, I can almost guarantee it!

Songs heard in this piece:
“At Last” by Etta James
“The Boys are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy
“Oh My God” by Lily Allen
“Comin’ Home Baby” by Michael Buble
“Return of the Mack” by Mo’Reese Marks
“The Passenger” by Iggy Pop
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by George Michael & Aretha Franklin
“Welcome Home” by Peters & Lee

In General, Linkage, Videos
permalink

Finally, Fall

10.29.2010 — Leave a comment

I love Fall the most of all the Seasons and if my assumptions are correct, Fall is most people’s favorite Season.

Here in Western Pennsylvania, Fall is in full-effect and it is wonderful. I’ve been loving having a terrific cell-phone camera built into my HTC EVO to capture some of the images of Fall that are happening all around me. I have kicked myself for not having my SLR with me at times, but then remember that I have a great camera in my pocket!

Below are some of my favorite shots that I’ve taken (and edited) right on my phone!


What is YOUR favorite Season? Vote in the poll and see if my assumption is correct that Fall wins.


In General, Images
permalink