[audio http://www.archive.org/download/CallingOutYourName/10CallingOutYourName.mp3]

Well the moon moved past Nebraska
And spilled laughter on them cold Dakota Hills
And angels danced on Jacob's stairs
Yeah they danced on Jacob's stairs
There is this silence in the Badlands
And over Kansas the whole universe was stilled
By the whisper of a prayer
The whisper of a prayer

And the single hawk bursts into flight
And in the east the whole horizon is in flames
I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

I can feel the earth tremble
Beneath the rumbling of the buffalo hooves
And the fury in the pheasant's wings
And there's fury in a pheasant's wings
It tells me the Lord is in His temple
And there is still a faith that can make the mountains move
And a love that can make the heavens ring
And I've seen love make heaven ring

Where the sacred rivers meet
Beneath the shadow of the Keeper of the plains
I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

From the place where morning gathers
You can look sometimes forever 'til you see
What time may never know
What time may never know
How the Lord takes by its corners this old world
And shakes us forward and shakes us free
To run wild with the hope
To run wild with the hope

The hope that this thirst will not last long

That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain
And I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

And I know this thirst will not last long
That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain
I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And with the prairies I am calling out Your name"

Collide Magazine posted an article on their site about the topic of, "Is Christian Music Dying?"

Since we have been talking about the Christian Music Industry over the last few days, I thought this article would interest many of you. 

You can view the article here.

Feel free to post some insight and thoughts.

Team IML

The "sadochamistic" claims derive from the host's request to "tap [her] ass" and "smack [her] in the way [she] want[s]", asking her to "be [his] b****".

The star admits having to use "Corey Worthington sunglasses" to shield media, and despite being asked repeatedly by media to apologize, denied to do so, with his sunglasses off.

Legal experts stated it was "unlikely" any criminal or civil action could be taken against the star, despite the rather sexually provocative video has been viewed by his predominantly-teenaged audience, with YouTube seemingly denying to take action. Family support groups who have approached Police have only met dissapointment.

Other analysts however, state the video however, has already taken precautions, such as bleeping the "b****" word, which is an example of "responsible decision-making", and refer to Jeremy's comments that he only "pretends" to be bad, but isn't "innately evil".

--

Krystal,

Wouldn't you love me?

If I was to ask you on a date with only me?

Krystal,

Let's go now and get married.

I'm one of 'em those Christian bad boys who really can't sing.

Let me know

If you can go

We can have some kids

You can be my b***h

[Chorus]

I would treat you really nicely

Only smack you

In the way you want

It won't be forgot

It will be just you and me and-

Tapping that ass

That would be radd

Come from above

Give me a call

This can be more.

--

Krystal Meyers' PR management has not responded to media claims, and Jeremy Shum was under cover as the controversial stars, who has been linked with the likes of Corey Worthington (also known as Corey Delaney), for his well known teenage rudeness, received death threats.

The star, who has publicly stated that he is Christian, couldn't be reached for media comment, but is seemingly sticking with the inherently "bad boy" image product placement.

It’s easy to lean on our own strength unconsciously. Pride so corrupts our nature that it is natural to look to ourselves to solve problems. When I hear a good sermon, or go to a good study, or read a good book, my first thought is always, “Now I must go and respond accordingly.” that in and of itself is fine. But what is the response? Too often it is, rather than prayer and seeking God, going and trying to change ourselves, to make ourselves better based on what we just heard. What we, or I, just need to realize is that we are incapable to do anything without grace.

When we try to do things in our own strength, we attempt to bring glory to ourselves rather than to God. I’m not talking being Pharisaic. I mean, when we do things in private without relying on grace. I find that often we feel that our reward will be greater that way, and secretly, we wish we would get some of the praise in heaven for what we have towards our own salvation. But God has engineered everything to work towards his glory. As Christians, that should always be our goal as well.

It is amazing how we look away from the sufficiency of Christ to ourselves. But really, come on, had we any strength, what is that compared to that of Christ? We do not have near sufficient strength to make it through this life, let alone buy our way into heaven. What are we compared to the one who made us? God has not lost control of Creation. We are still in his hands. We could never have anything greater than his grace. All that we can say is, “I know I have no strength of my own. I must have Christ. All I have is his.”

a song I like: whenever I am weed eating or mowing, I like to sing. Part of the reason is that no one can really hear me, so I can sing as loud and as badly as I want. Here’s one I had running through my head the other day:

Is there anyone that fails?

Is there anyone that fall?

Am I the only one in Church today,

Feeling so small?

‘Cause when I take a look around,

Everybody seems so strong.

I know they’ll soon discover,

That I don’t belong.

So I tuck it all away,

Like every things okay,

If I make them all believe it,

Maybe I’ll believe it too.

So with a painted grin,

I play the part again,

So that everyone will see me,

The way that I see them.

Are we happy plastic people,Is there anyone’s who’s been here?

Under shining plastic steeples?

With walls around our weakness,

And smiles to hide our pain?

But when the invitation’s open,

To every heart that has been broken,

Maybe then we’ll close the curtains,

On our stained glass masquerade.

Are there any hands to raise?

Am I the only one who’s traded,

In the alter for a stage?

The performance is convincing,

We know every line by heart,

Only when no one is watching,

Can we really fall apart.

Would it set me free,

If I dared to let you see,

The truth behind the person,

That you imagine me to be?

Would your arms be open?

Or would you walk away?

Or would the love of Jesus,

Be enough to make you stay?

(chorus)

Stained Glass Masquerade,

Mark Hall, Casting Crowns.

Like I've stated in a previous entry, Fridays are usually the busiest days of my weeks. Yesterday, I was tired. I was pushing boxes for a good part of the day and packing stuff in for the renovation. I knew that I had a lot of junk, but after trying to clear out my room, I realized I had a bunch of junk. Keep in mind, I don't really use bold or italics much. Yes, it's that serious.

One of the commitments that I made to God was to not listen to secular music for a while. It's cool to be on the hip tip, but this is for God. I researched a bit about fasting in regards to food and found that it was done in order to show devotion to the Lord. Jesus disparaged those who fasted yet displayed their zeal in public rather than privately and to the Lord (Matthew 6:16). That's a no-go. At camp, Jon Erick mentioned that he fasted off secular music. It seemed like a good idea to me.

I talk about this guy a lot, huh?

There's something very calming about Christian music. Its effect on me is very interesting. Whenever I tune into KLOVE, I do not speed. Whenever I'm listening to other stations, my foot becomes lead and I have trouble maintaining a good speed. I'm also a little indecisive when I'm listening to that hip stuff. Whenever Lincoln Brewster's "This is the Day" or Casting Crowns' "Every Man" (which has been getting a lot of airtime) or TobyMac's "Lose My Soul" comes on, it's like I go on cruise control. It's 65 mph all the way. It's curiously cool.

I always thought that fasting was done for sobriety. Food is good, no doubt about it. But, sometimes we're so full of it that we can't see what's going on. Sometimes we're so blinded by our riches that we fail to see where the wealth came from. It taints our true emotions. With secular music, it's the same thing. We're surrounded in Dolby Digital 5.1 with profanity, sexuality, and pride, enveloped in loud bass lines and intricate cadences. Because we constantly hear this type of music, it taints what God has in mind. Because it is always present, it is hard to discern what is really happening. It's only by the absence of it that I realized the difference.

I'm not saying that secular artists are not able to make decent music, though. They can. God has given us all gifts, but who we choose to use it for is the difference.

As I was driving to the youth Bible study, Jon paused the music to take a call. "Ashley, from Missouri" called in, requesting Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace." She said that it was her birthday and that despite it being her special day, she wanted to remind herself that it wasn't all about her.

It wasn't all about her.

That really warmed my heart. I literally went "aww" in the car. Her statement, though, should be a creed in the Christian way of life.

Yes, I am saved.

Yes, I am forgiven.

Yes, I am going to heaven.

What about your friends? What about your family? What about that boy bullying your kid? What about your brother who is in a bad way? What about your sister that has cut off complete communication with you? What about that guy who disrespected you in public that one night?

Remember: Jesus died for all of us. Not just you. Not just me.

The Bible says,

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble be it Jews or Greeks or the church of God--even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of the many, so that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Always keep that in mind, folks.

I just found this list of 4 Q&A with CP about the response he's had to the piece.

I didn't really write anything before and don't think that I need to now.  I read CP's book, Crossroads, when it came out 10 years ago and thought he was right on track then and think he's still on track.

If you care about such things, you might check it out.

My new hockey gear

My Mite A Travel Hockey season is under way!  The team held it's first official practice last night at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale. I was excited to see all of my teammates in the locker room. Everyone was so pumped up. I was really excited to run drills with my new line, we work really good together!

I tried out my new hockey gear. I wasn't sure if the new CCM Vector 04 breezers (hockey pants) would change my skating, but they were great. I love my new Bauer Vapor XVI Gloves. I just need to get the Coyote Decals for my CCM Vector V10 Black helmet and I am ready to go. Our practice jersey's are awesome, just like the pros wear!

We have our first tournament in two weeks, Labor Day weekend in Peoria. I will be playing against some of my friends on the Phoenix Polar Bears. That should be a fun match up.

I am looking forward to my first game as a Jr. Coyote!!

Do you feel that it is different than other secular organizations?

What impact does it have for the kingdom?

Does it really make an impact to missions around the world with the millions that it makes each year? 

Just a questions to see what everyone thinks.

Team IML

I placed a video on my blog by Phillips, Craig, and Dean. I did this because I have been encouraged by the words of one of their songs entitled, "Your Grace Still Amazes Me."

Sadly, we can all be guilty of not being careful in our selection of music, particularly when it comes to the matter of Contemporary Christian Music or CCM for short.

However, I was NOT aware that this group (made up of three full-time pastors) holds to Oneness Pentecostalism.

This teaching is heretical in several areas, not least of which is the denial of the Trinity. They also believe that experience is a necessary part of salvation, deny the eternal Sonship of Jesus Christ, deny that justification is by faith alone, believe that Jesus Christ is merely Jehovah God of the Old Testament evidenced in the New Testament, believe that healing was a part of the Atonement, and that the baptism of the Spirit must be evidenced by the speaking of tongues (either in church or as a prayer language).

Other well known individuals who hold (or held) to Oneness Pentecostalism are T.D. Jakes, Lee Greenwood, and Elvis Presley.

It is my intention of dealing with the matter of music in worship and what should be a Biblical response to the CCM movement. I believe this would be honouring to Christ to do so.

For those whom I have inadvertently offended by not being more careful in my selection of music video, I ask forgiveness. An offense was certainly not intended. We at Defending Contending are doing our best before the Lord Jesus Christ to warn others of the heresy and false teaching that is prevalent in the church today.

We have just as much a responsibility to warn of heretics in the pulpit as we do in our music selection. It is amazing that we would often allow through the medium of music things into our homes and churches that we would not allow those same individuals to stand and preach to our people about.

Learning Daily of Grace,
The Desert Pastor

I placed a video on my blog by Phillips, Craig, and Dean. I did this because I have been encouraged by the words of one of their songs entitled, "Your Grace Still Amazes Me."

Sadly, we can all be guilty of not being careful in our selection of music, particularly when it comes to the matter of Contemporary Christian Music or CCM for short.

However, I was NOT aware that this group (made up of three full-time pastors) holds to Oneness Pentecostalism.

This teaching is heretical in several areas, not least of which is the denial of the Trinity. They also believe that experience is a necessary part of salvation, deny the eternal Sonship of Jesus Christ, deny justification by faith alone, believe that Jesus Christ is merely Jehovah God of the Old Testament evidenced in the New Testament, believe that healing was a part of the Atonement, and that the baptism of the Spirit must be evidenced by the speaking of tongues (either in church or as a prayer language).

Other well known individuals who hold (or held) to Oneness Pentecostalism are T.D. Jakes, Lee Greenwood, and Elvis Presley.

It is my intention of dealing with the matter of music in worship and what should be a Biblical response to the CCM movement. I believe this would be honouring to Christ to do so.

For those whom I have inadvertently offended by not being more careful in my selection of music video, I ask forgiveness. An offense was certainly not intended. We at Defending Contending are doing our best before the Lord Jesus Christ to warn others of the heresy and false teaching that is prevalent in the church today.

We have just as much a responsibility to warn of heretics in the pulpit as we do in our music selection. It is amazing that we would often allow through the medium of music things into our homes and churches that we would not allow those same individuals to stand and preach to our people about.

Learning Daily of Grace,
The Desert Pastor

go get it here

With that said, Christian music just hasn't been the same. It's rare to find music that has both the lethal combination of Godly lyrics coupled with original music. Recent CCM albums I've heard are either blatant wanna-be's of secular bands or the "same old stuff". Maybe it's just 'cause I'm not listening to the right people. If anyone has suggestions, lay it on me. I want some Godly music that will not only speak the truth of the Gospel, but inspire me musically. Is that too much to ask? :)

Auch der christliche Singer-Songwriter Phil Wickham hat sich den heutigen Tag für ein besonderes Ereignis herausgesucht. Heute morgen hat er sein neuestes Projekt "Sing Along" exklusiv auf seinem Blog zum kostenlosen Download veröffentlich.

Es handelt sich dabei um den Live-Mittschnitt eines Konzerts, das er vor kurzem in Portland gegeben hat - nur er und seine Akustik-Gitarre und 3.000 textsichere Fans, die teilweise kräftig in die Lieder mit einstimmen. Was bei einem Worship-Konzert natürlich nicht ungewöhnlich ist und daher wohl auch der Name ...

Mir ist nicht bekannt, wie lange der Download verfügbar sein wird, aber ich kann auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung aussprechen. Und wer auch gerne mal eine Studioaufnahme von Phil Wickham hören möchte, der kann sich den Song "Cannons" bei WorshipMusic.com herunterladen!

There is also a very moving article by Janice Johnston and Emily Yacus on the ABC website. The article also contains the complete video interview.

Please continue to pray for the Chapman family.

The family will then appear in a live interview from L.A. on...

Read the rest of this post HERE.

"Revelation", das neue Album der Südstaatenrocker Third Day ist letzte Woche erschienen und kann momentan bei JesusfreakHideout in voller Länge und ansprechender Qualität (192kb/s) komplett gestreamt werden! Mein erster Eindruck: ein typisches Third Day Album, es wurde wenig experimentiert und sich stattdessen auf die Stärken der Band besonnen. Wer auf Southern Rock steht, wird an "Revelation" sicher seine Freude haben! Ausführliche Reviews gibt's bei JfH und ChristianMusicToday.

Von Jars of Clay gibt es "nur" eine EP namens "Closer", mit 3 neuen Songs, sowie 2 Remixes bekannter Hits. Auch diese gibt es komplett im Stream mit immerhin 128kb/s. (Review) Und als besonderes Bonbon gibt es den Song "Closer" bei JfH auch als Free Download!

In hindsight, it appears that the rejection was well-placed, for a variety of reasions:

1. I was to be leaving the team to serve my National Service, and such a post would have bode well for the writer after me, who might not have held the same views as I did;
2. The article itself was unmistakably cynical and slightly pretentious, as my writing about music is wrought to do. Not quite the type of writing suitable for a church congregation, some of which are as young as 13 and 14.

So instead, I'm placing this article here, as an archival as well as a way to get my thoughts out about CCM, or Christian Contemporary Music. If anyone after reading this next 400 words has any thoughts, he/she is most welcome to state your opinions in the comments section.

Thank you.

Just to set the record straight, I am not a “music elitist”, or a “anti- Jesus Music person”, or none of those things. I love music as much as the next person – well, except maybe for rap – and I am constantly on the lookout for new music, be it from the secular or from the Christian world.

So what do I mean, exactly, when I say that CCM, or Contemporary Christian Music, “sucks”? Of course, I’m not referring the musicians themselves. The Parachute Band, who came by PLMC once to play worship for service, have been one of the nicest people I’ve met. Naturally, they have to be technically proficient, for them to be able to have the financial and creative backing to create music, put it on CDs, and sell it in the marketplace for a competitive price. I’m also not saying they are in it just for the money – These people are the most devout people around. So what do I mean? The “suck”, in this case, is about how the music has become boring, overdone, and overcommercialised.

Think about it – How many times have you heard a worship song that seems too familiar to the one before it? Quiet verse, loud chorus, epic bridge, repeat ad nauseum – the template has been used for centuries, from the oldest hymn to the latest Hillsongs CD. While familiarity can be a good thing during worship, it can also be a detriment – Predictability, knowing what goes where, which section of the song has what elements, while invaluable in a mood of worship, will inevitably become very old, very fast.

What this section does not do is presume to give an education in “good” music – After all, music is subjective, with different people having different reactions to the same song. What this section is here to do, however, is to give you a choice. There are tons of Christian-themed music outside of Hillsongs or Planetshakers or the Essential Records catalog, and besides there are already reviews of those out on the Internet. We’ll discuss the more “outfield” releases, and some of the more interesting releases from the more known bands. Hopefully we’ll help you to find more good music.

Ps18:49 – “Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.”

In this series I go through old (or newish) bands you should absolutely know about, but either forgot about, were one-hit wonders, or broke up after one album.

All Together Separate.  I can't really find much about them, apparently according to wikipedia they were frequently comapred to "Earth, Wind, and Fire."  More from Wikipedia:

The group was formed at California Baptist University in the late 1990s, and first began playing for student conferences and retreats.^[2] Signing to Ardent Records, their first album was released in 1999, and was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Rock Album in 2000.^[1] In 2001, Ardent released a live album recorded at their home church, Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Guitarist Andrew Shirley became a touring member of Switchfoot in 2003, and a full member of the band subsequently.^[2]

That pretty much sums up my knowledge of them.  After 3 albums including a live worship one, they pretty much disbanded, and guitarist Drew Shirley moved on to bigger things: joining Switchfoot.  If you really want to know more about them, you may like this All Together Separate Fan Page, which includes some pics.

On to their music now, I seriously thought I had only heard one song by them, that's right, one song.

HEY ITS PLAYED BY AIR1, LIKE ONCE A MONTH.

THEN, after looking over the track listing to their worship album "Ardent Worship Live", I noticed the song "We know that you are God", and I remembered singing that all the time at our Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas (where I used to live).  According to this page they also wrote it.

Air1 was where I heard the song "Paradigm", and I liked it.  It has good lyrics like: "Everybody loves a rose But will you be thankful for the thorns? Love is easy when you're loved But do you curse another when you're alone" or "And sticks and stones do hurt When tossed from the tongue of mankind"

Go ahead listen to the song "Paradigm".  Comment and let me know what you think, especially if you heard any of their other songs.