Brian and Jenn Johnson: love came down

God longs to be near us. But, because of the thorns and scars in and on our hearts (our woundedness) there will be times where we will try to keep God at arm's length thinking to ourselves that He would rather be spending time with someone else. I can't tell you how many people I've met that believe that God loves us because He has to and that He actually doesn't really like us. He more or less just puts up with us (which couldn't be further from the Truth). Personally, the day someone told me that God actually really does loves me, that He actually really, really, really likes me as well and can't get enough of me and that He really, really, really, really delights in spending time with me has forever changed me (and I don't feel like I'm being overly dramatic here). I mean think about it, God gave up His one and only Son, Jesus, so that He could be near us and we could be near Him for all eternity (John 3:16). Do you really think that God would do this only to have to "put up" with us forever? Of course not! because He really, really, really does love and like us!!! This song helps to remind me that I belong to God and He loves spending time with me, period. 

Chris Tomlin: this is our God

Everyone has baggage when it comes to God which clouds the way we understand and experience Him. That's why I love this song because it paints a Scripturally accurate picture of Who God is. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this song over and over and over again because I needed to hear over and over and over again Who God is. My baggage, the wounds of my heart, fights against believing in the goodness and love of God. One of the hardest thing for me to do (and I don't think I'm alone in this) was to just receive God's saving grace. Even after coming to faith in Jesus, I still need to make a conscious decision each and everyday to receive the grace He has for me each and everyday. I've noticed that the more I do this the clearer and more accurate my understanding and experience of God grows. Maybe you need to listen to this song over and over and over again to help remind you of Who God is. "God help us to receive more of Your grace, in Jesus Name, Amen."

Straight Gate Church Choir: Breathe

What gives you life? There are two instances in the bible where God breathes. First, in Genesis 2:7 the Father breathes into Adam the breathe of life. Secondly, in John 20:22 Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit onto His disciples. What this says to me is that God is the Creator and Giver of life, both physical and spiritual, old and new. The bible also says that when a person comes to faith in Jesus, God pours His love into them by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), who comes to dwell within that person (1 Corinthians 6:19) and that person becomes a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). In that instant a miracle happens. I believe from that day forward as a person embraces more and more living, moving and having their being within God (Acts 17:28), Holy Spirit continually breathes new life into that person each and everyday. So, maybe the better question is: "When's the last time you felt God breathe in or on you?"

Pennies HEART

The guys at Phos Pictures never fail to move my heart towards hope. This video is especially endearing: who's heart doesn't break when they see kids in distress? I couldn't even begin to imagine what this family went through. The Scripture passage that comes to mind is "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us" (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NLT). God is the great Comforter, but He also empowers His people to comfort others. I love that a community of people gathered around this family and comforted, prayed and cared for them. For me that's a clear picture of the family of God: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35 NIV).

Rita Springer: WORTH IT ALL

This song always helps to ground and reorient me back to the reason I live the way I live, do the things that I do and suffer through the things that I suffer through. Simply put, Jesus is worth it. For me, the Christian faith isn't so much about Heaven (though I do look forward to being there), nor is it all about eternity (though I do look forward to living forever). No, for me the Christian faith is all about Jesus: knowing Him, following Him, becoming more like Him. From what I gather from Scripture, the blessed hope that the followers of Jesus get to look forward to is: the day that we all finally get to meet our Savior face to face. I think this video captures the essence of this song well. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for the sins of Mankind has earned Him all the praise and glory from all creation. Jesus is worthy of all our praise. The reason I live the way I live, do the things that I do and suffer through the things that I suffer through is because in my eyes, Jesus is worth it.

Tyson Ibele: HEMLOCK

I find this take on the fountain of youth interesting because it takes the old myth and incorporates modern man's pursuit of technological immortality. The rise of technology has given birth to a movement of "Transhumanists" who are obsessed with living forever through the merging of man and machine. Ray Kuzweil is one of the leading scientists in this endeavor and has coined this merging as the "Singularity."

 

In interacting with this notion, here are a couple questions to ask yourself:

• Biological: When does a human being stop becoming human?
• Metaphysical: At what point do we consider an entity to be conscious, to be self-aware, to have free will?
• Personal: How much technology would you be willing to merge with your body?

The 420 Prayer Movement: STORY

Do you believe God can transform a person's life? Well, God supernaturally changed mine. I was hopelessly addicted to drugs. But, God changed all of that. The Kingdom of God broke in power into my life and I was forever changed. What's your story? Share it here.

The 420 Prayer Movement: VISION

I'm pretty excited about where God is taking the 420 Prayer Movement. One of the next steps in this coming year is to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can read more about this here. Do you know someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction? The 420 Prayer Movement is dedicated to praying for all addicts and acoholics: http://ww.420prayer.com/ 

saying good-bye

Last night was a sad night for my brother's family. They decided to euthanize their 16 year old dog "Princess." It was a very difficult decision for them to make, but her quality of life was declining quickly. She had gone deaf and was almost completely blind. You could tell that her bones ached when she moved, she would walk into walls and she just recently began showing signs of senility; she would literally get lost coming in from the garage. Here are some pictures of them saying good-bye.

It's interesting how death can spark thoughts of something more. Princess' passing opened up conversations about Heaven. More specifically what does the Bible say about animals going to Heaven, even what does the Bible say about people going to Heaven. From my understanding, the Bible is silent on whether or not animals go to Heaven, but there are Scriptures (to name a few) that talk about creation waiting to be redeemed (Romans 8:21), that describe the new heaven and earth where "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD (Isaiah 65:25 NIV), and that describe Heaven as a place filled with creatures that praise Jesus, the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:13).

So though there is some conjecture about this, I would say that it's ok to say that all animals do go to Heaven. Let me explain, I don't believe animals have the capacity to willfully sin as people do. Sure, God frustrated creation by His will (Romans 8:20) and so all creation is fallen, but I'm not so sure that animals have the capacity for premeditated sin. They act more out of instinct than conscious thought. So, if one animal goes to Heaven (in which the Bible is clear that there are animals there), I would have to conclude in God's justice and fairness that all animals go to Heaven. But, regardless of my own thoughts and musings about this, at the end of the day, I put my trust in the Word of God and in His goodness and mercy when it comes to all things pertaining to salvation, redemption, healing and life.

Princess you will be missed!!!
(1994-2010)

Emma Thompson: Human Trafficking PSA

In Revelation 18, John describes the sins of the great city of Babylon, which simply put represents the world in rebellion to God. I know that there are differing views (preterist, historicist, futurist and idealist/spiritualist), but the common thread within all of the views is rebellion to God, whether a specific or symbolic world system or religion of the past, present or future. What I want to point out is one of the earmarks of Babylon which is human trafficking, the selling of souls. "She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and bodies—that is, human slaves" (Revelation 18:13 NLT). We shouldn't be surprised that human trafficking is happening, even on the rise. Be informed! Get the facts! Get involved! Begin praying! HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE FACTS 

WFJ: Wrestling for Jesus

What do you think? Personally, I think it's awesome that there are evangelist wrestlers that travel from town to town wrestling and preaching the Gospel. I mean Jesus tells us that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Luke 10:2). Well, this video is proof that the Lord of the harvest is actively sending out workers into His harvest field. In this case the wrestling lovers harvest field.

When's the last time you ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers? I'd like to invite you into a movement going round called the "Luke 10:2b" virus where people are setting their cell phone alarms to go off at 10:02 am everyday, in order to ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers. Let's join together in one voice and Spirit to begin begging the Lord for more workers! Set your cell phone alarm today.

Bob Lorrimer: SNAIL

Watching God's creation always makes me wonder in awe at the diversity of His incredible creativity!

Jonathan David Helser: ABBA

This song speaks to the deepest of my heart longings: to be unconditionally loved and accepted as a son. I can never be reminder enough of the Father's love for me, His child. He is my Abba, my Daddy, to whom I fully belong. Thank You Jesus for inviting me in Your family. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him" (John 14:6, 7 TNIV).

The Give

We all have a longing in our hearts to love and to be loved. I think it's pretty safe to conclude that every person ever born has this longing. I believe it’s because we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). God is love (1 John 4:8) and so He designed us for love. Love is a relational concept, so for love to be fully realized there needs to be a relationship in place. But because we have all sinned and fallen from grace the way we love has become distorted where the natural inclination of our hearts is bent towards a selfish and self-serving love. That's what I see when watching this video: the results of a distorted love that ended in heartache and betrayal.

françois vautier: ANTS in my scanner > a five years time-lapse!

I really enjoy time lapse photography. This one is particularly interesting in that François Vautier, installed an ant colony inside his scanner and scanned the nest each week for five years. It's interesting to see how decay and corrosion slowly, but steadily begins to literally overrun the scanner. I can't help but to think about times where I've allowed anger or bitterness or unforgiveness to fester within my heart and mind. I imagine my soul began to look much like this growing ant colony within this scanner. The more I just left my anger, bitterness and unforgiveness to stew, the more it corroded and suffocated my soul. Are you allowing anger, bitterness or unforgiveness corrode and suffocate your soul?

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back" (Luke 6:37, 38 NLT) 

John Mark McMillan: death in his grave

Recently, a friend played this song for me and I instantly became a fan. Thank you Jesus for being who You said You are and for accomplishing what You said You would accomplish. You truly have earned all praise, honor and glory! "In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'" Revelation 5:12 (NIV).

On Friday a thief

On Sunday a King

Laid down in grief

But awoke with the keys

To Hell on that day

The first born of the slain

The Man Jesus Christ

Laid death in his grave

Hillsong United: YOU

When the battle rages around me, this song helps remind me of Jesus' faithfulness. That no matter how dark my life may get or how great the difficulties, I will always be able to turn to Jesus for strength and love. That no matter what, He will always watch over me through the thick of it all.