Blogelemy

FM419 and Rock the River

I am so thrilled to invite all Middle School, High School and College students and youth & young adult workers to an incredible student evangelism training conference by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association called FM419.

John Maxwell has said that Billy Graham has communicated the Gospel to more than any other person in human history.  This student evangelism training conference will draw from this historical reservoir of experience in sharing Christ and will be relevant and fresh for the next generation.  See the details below and hurry to reserve your spot by registering online ASAP.

What? FM419 – student evangelism training conference from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Rock the River

When? May 15^th-16^th – Friday, May 15, 6:30-9:30pm and Saturday, May 16, 9am-5pm

Where? Grace Church – 9301 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

Who? Stellar Kart worship and concert, training by youth evangelists from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Cost? $15 includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday, t-shirt and wristband.  For every 10 students who register, 1 goes free. 

Seats are going fast.  They can’t guarantee a spot.  Register Today or ASAP online at www.FM419.org or cravegrace.com

You can also connect, keep up & spread the word with all the happenings of Rock the River in the Twin Cities at www.RocktheRiverTour.com and facebook, MySpace, YouTube and twitter.

The last several weeks I have been involved in a number of meetings and I am excited for what God is "birthing" in the Twin Cities for the next generation.  I alluded to this in a previous blog post.  (You can also read more about Rock the River and FM4:19 on the cravegrace blog).

 

The Afters: Never Going Back to OK

One of my favorite new songs is one that I've had on my iPod for quite a long time.  As a youthpastor I am constantly handed new music and sometimes I don't take a lot of time to listen to it thoroughly.  One time as the iPod was on shuffle the following song came on.  I really like the words and music to it.  I feel like it does a good job describing how disciples of Christ should never desire to go back to the way it was before they were in a committed relationship with Him.  Give it a listen!

Never Going Back To OK - The Afters

LYRICS:

It’s not the end but it feels like it is
I’m waking up like I’m back from the dead
I’m stepping out and it feels so free
But as long as I’m moving it’s alright

I feel alive and it hurts for a change
I’m looking back its hard to believe
That I was cool with the days that I wasted
Complacent and tasteless and bored
But that was yesterday

Chorus
We’re never going back to ok
We’re never going back to easy
We’re never going back to the way it was
We’re never going back to ok

This discontent, like a slap in the face
A mediocre I’ve had enough of this place
This party’s over and I’m moving away
From the frills of your Beverly Hills
That was yesterday

Chorus
We’re never going back to ok
We’re never going back to easy
We’re never going back to the way it was
We’re never going back to ok

We’re here to stay
This is our time
My only life
Our chance to live

Behind the Music: Misty Edwards

Misty Edwards is a worship leader from the IHOP church in Kansas City.  She has a fresh (kind of hippie) sound that I find myself listening to every once and a while.  I have been mulling over some lyrics from the song "See the Way" from the album "Always On His Mind" by Misty Edwards (you can listen for yourself at the end of this post.  Here are the lyrics (credit to lyricstime.com):

With just one word from your mouth were the heavens made
with just one breath from your lips the foundations were laid
with just one dream in your heart you have wanted me
with just one pulse of your heart you are wooing me

see the way he holds the stars in his hands
see the way he holds my heart

God is a lover looking for a lover
so he fashions me
God is a lover looking for a lover
so he forms my heart

with just one pulse of your heart
I'm in love

There is one line in the Bridge that says, "God is a lover looking for a lover so He fashions me".  I have gone back and forth on what I think about this lyric.  There is part of me that wants to pick a fight with this phrase.  I don't have a problem with her saying that "God is a lover...".  I fully agree with that. God in His very nature is all about love.  The next two phrases I struggle with , "...looking for a lover, so he fashions me..."  God by his nature is Triune and He is love.  Within the trinity relationship of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit there is perfect love.  So, I question whether God is looking for a lover.  In some ways this might imply that God needs us in order to be complete in and of Himself to which is heresy.  Although he did create us for His own glory.  And He did create us so that we would choose to love him. I imagine that Edwards is focusing on the fact that 1) God is love and 2)He is pursuing his creation with an undying love. 

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Switchfoot song in new Prince Caspian Film

My favorite band has a song for the new Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Film.  You can purchase the album on Tuesday, May 13.