I’ve been playing this song a lot lately.
Lifehouse – Easier To Be

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You make it easier to be
Easier to be me
It’s hard to believe
You make it easy

I went to see Lifehouse in concert earlier this month, and really enjoyed the show. Before the concert, I never really got into Lifehouse much. I do like the song they have out now, “Whatever It Takes”. But, before that song, a few of their songs have been overplayed in my mind, and thus I kinda tuned them out.

But, I gotta say, after the concert I went out and purchased both their old and new album. The new album is really great, and substantially better than the first IMHO.

But Lifehouse is not really the point of this post. The other night at CharlotteOne Dave turned on the house lights and asked people in attendance to stand up and speak about what CharlotteOne has meant to them. I’m not a good public speaker, and I’m definitely not good at speaking on my feet, so I didn’t volunteer to speak. But, after thinking about it for a moment, I realize what this year has done for me.

About 9 months ago I was introduced to a group of Christian friends. Christian friends are ones that I never had much of in the past. I always seemed to have one foot in church life and one foot out. But, these past 9 months have been different. I now have more christian friends than I know what to do with. At first I found this so overwhelming. Being the new kid in the group, I was constantly getting questions about myself, my personal life, my friends, my struggles, and daily life issues. I didn’t know how to adjust to all of this genuine interest. But, over time I did, thankfully.

Looking back over the past years of my life and comparing them to the past few months, I must say that living a better christian life is an EASIER life than before. The support group, the community, the friendships, the mutual desires and aspirations, and the diversity among my new friends are all things that really make a life full. Never having this, you really are unaware of what you are missing. But, now having it, I can’t imagine living without it. It truly is an easier life. The stress is less. The frustrations are less. Your friends, your community, and your confidants are there to support you and most importanly are there to reinforce the great promises and blessing of our God. Thanks be to Him!

Lifehouse – Storm

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
water’s getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I’d see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

Popularity: 5% [?]

I’m finding great comfort in this audio clip today.

My King. He’s the key of knowledge, wellspring of wisdom, doorway of deliverance, pathway of peace, roadway of righteousness, highway of holiness, gateway of glory, master of the mighty, captain of the conquerers, head of the heros, leader of the legislators, overseer of the overcomers, governor of governors, prince or princes, king of kings, and the Lord of lords!

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Popularity: 5% [?]

This is the first sentence proclaimed on a local church’s website. “We are a community of ordinary, flawed people who are pursuing our purpose on this planet.”

This does not characterize me. I’m more than this. I am a new creation! I don’t want to pursue my purpose, for it is the Lord’s purpose which prevails.

Popularity: 5% [?]

This goes back to my Rise up and Gather post. But, this is what I want from my church…

- Pastor prays to God: Let me feel you, carry you higher
- God says to Pastor: Watch your words spread hope like fire
- What happens when God inspires: Secret crowds rise up and gather
- What the Pastor should hope for his congregation: Hear your voices sing back louder

Popularity: 5% [?]

A friend sent me this link. Too funny, and just what I needed. The unoffensive pastor hits home way too close.

Popularity: 4% [?]

We’ve all seen the commercials. But, what does it really mean to “act like men”? I think that it has something to do with fulfilling your biblical duties. Not many people enjoy hearing what they are doing wrong, or being called out, or being told that they need to step up. But, I really feel God is calling on Godly men to step up, be manly, be unashamed, and to be bold. Speak the truth, and live life abundantly.

Many people will not like this sermon. But, if you put your personal feelings aside, this sermon speaks to the heart of the issues me and my friends are going thru. For us, the message of God is not being spoken, the leaders are not speaking the whole truth (or at least we are all desiring for more), and in return nobody is empassioned about anything. It’s time to start taking the challenge of listening to the whole truth. The FULLNESS of the Gospel. Not just the parts that make you feel comfortable. (Continue reading…)

Popularity: 5% [?]