My newest musical obsession is a country/folk group called The Civil Wars which is composed of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The duo won the 2012 Grammy for Best Folk Album and Best Country Due/Group Performance. I love their haunting sound and amazing harmonies, I have included a few of my favorites below, including the song that introduced me to them (Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars "Safe & Sound") and a fantastic remake of "Billie Jean"... hope you enjoy them!
A friend sent this email to me today, while I've seen things
like this before, it really struck a chord with me today. Too many times
we think we know what is right for our life and when things don't go our way we
question why... sometimes we just need to trust that there is a reason why
things happen the way they do. It's all about how you look at things.
Me: Promise you won't get mad.
God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Hmmm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet
in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!! Nothing
went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had
to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep
through that.
Me: (humbled): OH...
God: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on
your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't
want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok...
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going
to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you
talk to them so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see, God.
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to
throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to
be in the dark.
Me: I'm sorry God.
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good
and the bad.
Me: I will trust you.
God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than
your plan.
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything
today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I
love looking after my children.
I frequently think I was born in the wrong decade... the music, fashion, art, design, etc. from the mid to late 50's thru the 60's majorly appeals to me. Women were feminine and curvy. Men were dapper and oh, so smooth. :D Yes, I realize this is a romanticized, "Mad Men" era view of the time however I do think it was a prosperous and culturally (by this I mean art & music) rich era in the our history where family was still super important, cars were big and finned, the music was smooth, sexy and super melodic and the Rat Pack ruled Vegas.
I LOVE the Ultra-Lounge series released from Capitol Records - there are now 20 compilations in the series and they are full of kitschy, bongo and saxophone filled grooves that are perfect to mambo, mix martinis to or enjoy while snuggled up with your sweetheart in front of a cozy fire (hot toddy in hand, of course). Here are just a few of my favorites...
(Do any fellow Dexter fans recognize this from the show?)
I've been on a country kick lately. A couple of my current favorites are Little Big Town's "Pontoon" and Hunter Hayes' "Wanted" and "Storm Warning."
"Pontoon" just makes me think of summer - who would have thought a song about a floating apparatus would be so catchy? ;)
Hunter Hayes is an amazing 20 year old musician/songwriter - he plays the accordion, guitar, mandolin, keyboard, bass guitar, piano and drums on his debut album released in 2011. I love both songs that have been released so far...
Happy Birthday America! Whether we're black or white, gay or straight,
conservative or liberal we all have something in common today - we're
all a part of this awesome place we call home. God Bless America and
all her quirks! :)
"Home"
West, on a plane bound west
I see her stretching out below
Land, blessed mother land
The place where I was born
Scars, yeah she’s got her scars
Sometimes it starts to worry me
Cause lose, I don’t wanna lose
Sight of who we are
From the mountains high
To the wave crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days I know
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
Free, nothing feels like free
Though it sometimes means we don’t get along
Cause same, no we're not the same
But that’s what makes us strong
From the mountains high
To the wave crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days I know
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
Brave, gotta call it brave
To chase that dream across the sea
Names, and they signed their names
For something they believed
Red, how the blood ran red
And we laid our dead in sacred ground
Just think, wonder what they think
If they could see us now
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
It’s been a long hard ride
And I won’t lose hope
This is still the place
That we all call home
Lyrics to Dierks Bentley's song "Home" are property and copyright of their owners.
U2 is one of those bands who changed the music industry, not only are they amazing musicians and lyricists, they are advocates for numerous charities and are outspoken against AIDS/HIV, poverty and hunger in our world. They are also deeply spiritual and many of their songs clearly speak to the struggle of man dealing with the world around him and faith - be it in a Heavenly being or simply in mankind. U2 started the ONE campaign and Bono is currently the ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals (part of the United Nations)
One of my favorite U2 songs is "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - it speaks to my constant struggle with knowing God's plan for me and that feeling of knowing there is something more out there... (how fitting that the video was filmed in "Sin City"!)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...
Other favorites include "Beautiful Day", "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Walk On".
One of the coolest video's is "Where The Streets Have No Name." U2 filmed their video on top of liquor store in downtown LA freaking the police out and drawing fans in to watch by the hundreds. :)
U2
Lyrics to U2's song "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" are the property and copyright of their owners.
U2 music as a way to celebrate Christ's love? Sure, why not? On Saturday, June 23rd I attended a special "U2charist" service (spirituality+justice+rock and roll) that was brought to Resurrection Lutheran by our fantastic intern, Vicar Ray McKechnie, who will be leaving us in a few weeks after a year of awesome service... sad :(
Vicar Ray McKechnie - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide
The service was an inspiring combination of U2 music performed by our enthusiastic Resurrection Praise Team and messages about equality, justice, humanity and faith. It was a service based around the Eucharist (hence the clever name) which is also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and had a very thought provoking message shared by the Reverend Dr. Dan Brunner, professor of Christian History, Formation, and Earthkeeping at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.
The message from Rev. Dr. Dan Brunner and an audio clip of the Praise Team performing "Pride (In The Name of Love)" are available here for a limited time.
Please also check out Resurrection Lutheran Church's webpage as well for additional information about our ELCA based Lutheran church, our stewardship, ministries and events.
