Baby Son - John Mark McMillan

For all that do not know I am currently studying abroad in Singapore for the summer. This is the first time in the last four years that I have not lived with someone! It is strange but the one main thing I like about it is being able to listen to my music as I fall asleep. For the past week this has been my favorite song because it focuses on how wrong our expectations about Jesus truly are!

This trip has tuned my focus into the Son of God who came to earth as a sacrifice for the entire world! While at Tech I often get wrapped up in looking and acting like a good christian to impress or win the favor of those in my christian culture. Over the last few weeks I have enjoyed my masks falling off because I have no one to impress. I see the powerful relationship that is foundation to my life and that brings me so much joy. I also see a lot of crap that I wade around in daily because I have some serious issues to take before the King. During these weeks I see a very raw form of Paul and it makes me so happy because as I remove my masks I stop hiding my true identity and start to allow the transformation work of the Spirit in my life!

Our expectations of Jesus and our understandings of the Son of God are distorted and need to be reworked by the Holy Spirit. Take some time to sit at the feet of the King and ask some hard questions of yourself and of this world. Why did Jesus come? Did he actually come to this Earth? Who is Jesus? And do you actually believe what you say you believe? Are you living out of a Love for God and others or simply for yourself? Has your life been radically transformed by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus? Or is Christianity simply a culture that you live in because its familiar and safe? Is your Faith ever questioned? Who is Jesus?

We thought you'd come with a crown of gold

A string of pearls and a cashmere robe

We thought you'd clinch an iron fist

And rain like fire on the politics

But without a sword, no armored guard

But common born in mother's arms

The government now rests upon

The shoulders of this baby son

Have you no room inside your heart

The inn is full, the out is dark

Upon profane shines sacred sun

Not ashamed to be one of us

Without a sword, no armored guard

But common born in mother's arms

The government now rests upon

The shoulders of this baby son

Gloria, Allelu

Christ the Lord

We've longed for You

All is Well in Singapore

Paul Shackelford

Rise Again - Needtobreathe

I have been reading a book about the arts and Christians role in creating culture. Steve Turner, the author, asserts a major critique that modern Christian art does not speak about real life. The art created does not sound genuine or have any ties to real life that people outside the faith can connect with. While reading the book I listened through this album and I think that this song does a great job of breaking the mold. The members of Needtobreathe are all outspoken followers of Jesus but very little of the art that they produce mentions Jesus or Christianity at all. Instead they craft creative music, written from places of pain and joy. "Rise Again" steps through pain that occurs in life as we see relationships stretched and torn. The bitterness of broken hearts and friendships is then contrasted with the truth that we will get up from this pain and rise again. "I can see us moving on, I can feel that coming on strong", the joy that comes after the

Twenty-Four - Jess Ray

Lately I have been listening to lots of music and podcasts while working and biking to work. I was feeling a need for some new music so I turned to NoiseTrade to check out some new artists. My favorite thus far is Jess Ray because of the honest lyrics, tastefully simple musicality and overall enjoyable listening environment. While on my flight back to Atlanta I was struck by this song at first because of the drums that propel this song behind the walking guitar. If I were to add drums to a track like this it would have been done in a very similar manner. Once I got past the drums I was awe struck by the simple power of these lyrics, take a read below and follow the link to her blog to listen. To me it was not written for an outward expression of hope or encouragement but rather as a inward proclamation to the soul. As the psalmist often choose to sing, this song speaks inward in a call to stand up and be reminded of truth all to often forgotten. As I gear up for the star

You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Kraus

This song has so much power, even if you remove the lyrics. I just decided to take in the full potential of the song by turning the stereo all the way up and playing the song a few times. Before even looking for a video of this song I knew it was related to the Civil War and the separation that occurred between loved ones. This song starts out explaining the battle field and how the soldier has survived the terrors of war. As the song continues to build you can tell that the soldier wants to be with his love. They have been separated by this war and now he wants to be back with her. The last few lines portray his death and how he has been reunited with his "True Love". I believe that this song describes his "True Love" as God, our eternal True Love. He has returned to his maker after being killed in Battle and this song paints that picture so well. This song has tons of power in the music behind the lyrics, it adds so much to the meaning of this song!

Letters from Lilongwe

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