Worship Tunes I Am Enjoying Right Now

Son Of God - by Starfield (Canadian band, eh) - I don't listen to them - just this song - awesome
Unchanging - Tomlin
O Praise Him - Crowder
Hear My Worship - Jaime Jamgochin (just had her here in concert) - number 1 song on Christian radio
All I Need - Shawn McDonald (cool guitar stuff going on with him)
Hanging On - Everday Sunday

By The Way - I don't buy CDs anymore - except Caedmon's Call (my favorite band). I hardly listen to music - except to learn a new worship tune (in general). So I'm not up on all the new stuff.

What songs are you loving right now?

Education and Politics

I suppose it's dangerous to write about one's political perspective - or perspective on education. Even if you don't agree, it's good to think.

I really believe our education system is messed up - big time. One of my favorite modern-day authors / speakers is Dr. Walter E. Williams (of this link). He is an economist and is a amazing (he's black, too). I'm giving you a couple quotes and linking you to his argument for overhauling public schools.

Check out a couple quotes here from Dr. Williams.

"Of 17-year olds taking the test: 47 percent could not express 9/100 as a percent; only 5 percent could calculate the cost per kilowatt on an electric bill that charged $9.09 for 606 kilowatts; 26 percent did not know the U.S. Congress was part of the legislative branch of government; 43 percent of high school juniors could not place World War I within the period 1900 to 1950; 75 percent could not place Abraham Lincoln's presidency in the era 1840-1880"

"... if the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan wanted to sabotage black academic excellence, he could not devise a more effective way of doing so than the schools serving most black children."

I'm thankful for this great country we live in. Though not perfect, we are so blessed here - more than we know. There is also much that needs to be fixed. With my son now "in the system", I will be more passionate about this issue and others.

Benjamin's First Day Of School! - Dad's Perspective

Being a dad has its incredible moments. It's more than the icing on the cake in marriage. I love it. I'm so discouraged by how few fathers are enthralled with their children. But I am rambling off topic.

Benjamin is at school - first day of pre-school. This is tough for me. We agonized over the decision to send him to the public school or not. I really feel like I've put him into a spiritual lion's den - and I pray that God keeps the lions mouth's shut. He can do it.

More than learning the reading, writing, and arithmetic; more than learning to play with other kids; more than learning to respect and obey those in authority; more than learning about creativity and art; I want my boy to have a heart that is being bent towards Jesus. I fear for a hardening of his heart.

But I know my God is a big God. I know He is good. I know He is sovereign. I will try to rest in that. Pray for my boy (and his mommy and daddy). I pray this new way of life forces me to be more passionate for Jesus - and for my children's spiritual well-being.

Jaime Jamgochian Concert & Seminar

Jaime Jamgochian is performing at our Church (Grace E. Free Church - 1220 South Commercial Avenue in Eagle Grove) this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. She is doing a "Modest is Hottest" seminar in the afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 (nearly every girl in high school needs to seriously work harder at modesty). At around 5:00 there will be some food and fun for the young ladies who are interested in sticking around. This should be a great day and I just wonder how God might work.

I should add that one of her songs has just reached number one in the Christian Radio billboards. It's crazy that she's singing in our little church.

Did I mention that this is a FREE CONCERT. Though we will be taking an offering, we aren't charging people to get in.

Let me give a SHOUT OUT to Josh Hall and Hidden Acres for the help of a ton of their equipment. That's an incredible deal for us - cause we couldn't provide everything the band needed on our own.

You can listen to Jaime's music at her website, read her cool testimony, and just see how God is at work in her life. Take a minute to check it out.

If you go to any of this, tell me what you think about it.

Youth Group 2006-2007 Musings

Youth Group this coming year could be great. Here are some reasons:
- We have a bunch of committed seniors - and even some good young men in the group
- We have a large incoming freshman class - with lots of friends
- We have some great adult help
- Students have now known me for 4 years - this has many wonderful results
- Many of our students' unsaved friends know me from lock-ins and events
- We have a new building
- We have some pretty talented students
- We have students with positions of importance in the school
- Add your own reasons to the list

Now I'm scared. That is all the human perspective. God loves to use the weak and simple - and I hope that we come to this year lacking confidence in our own abilities, but full of confidence in God's abilities. We have a great God. If we can just trust Him, Wow!!!

May we humbly seek Him with all our heart this year.