Sometimes in life we need to hold onto a prayer. Sometimes it accompanies us for a season, sometimes for a lifetime (I think the Jesus Prayer will accompany me for a lifetime).

This past weekend at Rebound I was given a gift by Fritz Dale, Executive Director of National Ministries for the Evangelical Free Church of America. Really unexpected - and what a wonderful gift! He presented me with a book of Puritan prayers entitled, The Valley of Vision (how did he know I collect books of written prayers?!). Well the introductory prayer looks like it will be one of those accompany-ing prayers - it captures my current state, thinking, hopes, and fears beautifully. It really is a bouquet of all the stuff in my current state presented in a prayer to God.

Here is that introductory prayer written by the editor of the rest of the prayer manual, Arthur Bennett:

LORD, high and holy, meek and lowly,

AMEN.

From the first notes you know this is the david crowder* band. There is so much to enjoy and find and admire and yes emulate on this newest release, Remedy. It is probably a bit more accessible than A Collision. I can hear church’s, youth groups, and fellowships of all sizes putting there own spin on many of the tunes that Crowder and company have to offer this time round. (A Collision was a bit less accessible in my opinion - yet ground breaking in another sense - it clearly took “worship music” to a whole new level and experience.)

What I really find refreshing this time out with remedy…

This is corporate - you find very few references to “me” and “I” and tons of “we” and “us.”

This is a wonderful set of music that tackles both the transcendence and immanence of God. The music is filled with the reality and the implications of God’s presence. Wonderful stuff.

This is missional worship. Worship that helps us thank, exalt, lift up, praise and glory in our God who has come to save us. Worship that challenges and engages us in the part we have to play in the unfolding epic that God has come to save us.

There is hope filling and undergirding the message of Remedy. Check out these lyrics:
“…everything will change
Things will never be the same
We will never be same.” (from “The Glory of it All”)

“Oh surely we can change something;
Oh, the world’s about to change,
The whole world’s about to change.” (from “Surely We Can Change”)

I felt my whole being swell up with hope as Crowder sang “The whole world’s about to change” - the first time I heard it.

Yes there are plenty of anthems (youth rooms watch out- and they will have all kinds of new treats and feats of loudness in San Diego, St. Louis and Atlanta - YS!) There is also just quality stuff a great remake of one of Crowder’s first (and finest) tunes - Rain Down (from back in the UBC days); and a great song/psalm/prayer in the tradition of Francis Assisi’s Peace Prayer; and a beautiful re-working and amending to a “great Hymn of the church”.

[This release and it’s content also raises a question… so did I miss an announcement - is there going to be an “Everything Changes Tour” with Crowder and McLaren? This disc seems to drip with a message and a tone that is VERY consistent with McLaren’s new book (Everything Must Change).]

So what is the scoop? This is a great gift to the church - may we enjoy, use and celebrate with Crowder’s Remedy.

“Let us be the remedy
Let us bring the remedy.” from the song titled, “Remedy”

Brother Roger was the founder of Taize (a small ecumenical monastic community) which has become a regular gathering point for young people around the world to take part in prayer and reflection. I enjoy his prayer as he incorporates the powerful picture of Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

Dear Father,

Amen.

The following prayer is one used at Taize, so we can join in praying with the pilgrims at Taize, today…

Jesus, light of our hearts,
since you rose from the dead,
you have never stopped coming to us.

Amen.

I have been tagged by Sonja (mend well, lady!) for a confession meme. Seems a very fitting meme - one in which we would answer with care and sincerity; for those who follow Christ should be marked as being a people who confess and a people full of mercy. The rules follow:

1. Apologize for three things that Christians have often got wrong. Your apologies should be directed towards those who don’t view themselves as part of the Christian community. Alternatively, apologize for things you personally have done wrong towards those outside of the church.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.
3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.
4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.

Three Confessions:

I confess that I have experienced and even helped perpetuate a Christianity that was more consumed by “a love for power than the power of love” (a great couplet that captures my thoughts exactly stolen from Bishop N. T. Wright). Too often the church wants to be in the position of making decisions and charting the course, grabbing more influence and more and more; rather than assuming the posture of Christ - the posture of love. May the church repent and return that we might be known as a community of unconditional love.

I confess that the churches I have affiliated with have often been overly concerned about “eternity” and the hereafter; and too often only gave lip-service to the realities and horrors of everyday life (poverty, homelessness, AIDS, fair trade, genocide, war, violence, environmental concerns, etc.). This is not the way of Christ, as I understand Him. May the church repent and return to the values of Christ and be known as those who actively reveal a Kingdom of holistic-restoration.

I confess that too often the church is more concerned about “right thinking” (in all areas - sometimes which can be characterized as focusing on the minutia) and not equally concerned about showing “right behaviors.” I think our over-emphasis on orthodoxy sometimes to the detriment of orthopraxy has shown those outside the church a fractured, rancorous, too much bickering with too little action body. May the church repent and return that we might “be one, as God is one.” May we demonstrate the actions of Christ to the world around us and take to heart, “in the essentials unity; in the non-essentials liberty; in ALL things charity (attributed to Augustine see correction in the Comments).”

I tag the following folks to participate in this meme:

Chris Folmsbee
Matt Steen
Monty Stewart
Christine Stine
Mark Riddle

The author C. S. Lewis once wrote that, “There is all the difference in the world between reading a map of the coastline and feeling the spray of the ocean upon your face. People come to church, he said, not to be taught to read maps [about God], but to feel the spray.”

(Found in TAD, Pentecost 2003, in an article by Rev. Virginia L. Bennett)

Those who are in church leadership, must take off the tourist guide hats and drop the maps and tourist pamphlets and like “sherpas” begin to help our people journey into the deep that is God (or keeping with the sherpa metaphor; up the Everest or K2 which is God). We need fewer knowledgeable help desk tourist information centers and more trail guides or porters for the journey! Which of course would necessitate that as leaders among God’s people we must be less concerned with being able to provide right answers (and historical theology) about God and actually become acquainted with the person of God (a personal spiritual theology based on our personal encounter).

Stir in us a deep stirring, a yearning, a desire and hunger; may we learn to pray with Thomas Merton:

“My God I want to love You.
I want my will to disappear in Your will.
I want to be one spirit with You.
I want to become all Your desires and thoughts.
I want to live in the middle of Your Trinity
and praise you with the flames of Your own praise.”

(a litany from A Book of Hours by T. Merton p. 112 & 113)

Yesterday I had an internal meltdown. It came out of nowhere. The next thing I knew I was brooding, obsessing, reliving, rehashing, stewing, fuming, angry, frustrated, and thinking about what I could have said. I lived and relived in the past and was blinded to anything that was going on right here, right now. It didn’t last too long and then it subsided (I take heart that such episodes are less frequent and more short-lived).

It was interesting that in the midst of all these regurgitated bad feelings about bygone eras - I was able to “observe myself.” I was able to think, “hmm, where is this coming from? Why am I reliving and fuming about this? It really isn’t that big of deal. Why am I so angry?”

A low simmering anger and frustration that occasionally erupts and taking trips down memory lane are two of my not so pretty sides. It is a side I show to those I love most dearly - but seem to hide fairly competently from others. So yesterday, as I relived one of these petty incidents of the past I realized, I have a long way to go on the road of transformation. Yet I was also strangely encouraged, because although I am not transformed, I am on the right road.

For years (I have called myself a Christian or Christ follower for over 25 years) I thought transformation would result from my belief - correct assumptions and rightly understood certainties grounded in an orthodox theology. I thought it was my mastery of God and His revelation that would somehow enter my synapses and begin to change my behavior. You know for a while this did work - I began to think differently and some of my behaviors changed. But if I am honest transformation along that “right thinking” road slowed not long after I started trudging down it.

The road to transformation is a winding road that certainly includes our minds but it also must engage our emotions, our will, our relationships and our behavior. The road to transformation I have now found and am stumbling down winds through doubts, conversations and a realization that my attempt to “master God” is a climb up an infinite mountain (and one can be awed or despair in the frustration). Ahh, mystery - embrace it for at least on the road I am on - it is ’round every corner!! (Certainty is way over-rated, anyway).

The mysterious road to transformation is a road where we encounter doubts, set-backs, and frustrations, but also it is a road that slowly changes us as we engage in conversations (with soul friends), journey for a time with fellow pilgrims (enjoy community and hitchhike on the notes left behind by others who have been this way), encounter new ways of traveling (discover and try new spiritual practices), study the map (bad metaphor - don’t sue me!), and take new steps in the direction of the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

I am a person in need of transformation - but I am encouraged by the road God has helped me to stumble onto. I don’t have it all figured out - this soul stuff is weird. I trust God, He is good - so sometimes even though I feel like I am in the fog - I figure the cloud of mystery has merely enveloped me for a time! I take courage in the following quotes from Chesterton’s, Orthodoxy:

“Imagination does not breed insanity. Exactly what does breed insanity is reason. Poets do not go mad, but chess players do.” He elaborates on this observation by saying, “Poetry is sane because it floats easily in an infinite sea; reason seeks to cross the infinite sea and so make it finite.” Later, he adds, “Mysticism keeps men sane. As long as there is mystery, there is health.”

So, have you found yourself on either of these roads (road of “right thinking” or the road with mystery round every corner), or have you discovered some other roads that have led you into the ever evolving relationship with God?

Here are somethings that have garnered my attention of late as I have had a chance to wander the web.

I caught this on Sunday’s broadcast of the White Horse Inn - an interview with Anne Rice (author of Interview With The Vampire) - it was very interesting and a helpful look at what brought her back to faith in Christ.

Chris Folmsbee gets honest and challenges all of us in this post, entitled “The Highly-edited Version” based on a quote from Buechner.

Monty the Nazarene writes a wonderfully reflective (not to mention somewhat humorous) post on The Jesus Prayer at his well-written blog.

Mark Riddle poses a great question worthy of thoughtful consideration in this post on youth ministry.

Bob Hyatt (a blog I visit daily) has a great personal reflection on the value of “stepping away” and the need to “Be in the moment.” A very good post… don’t miss it.

Mike King shares an overview of the curriculum (entitled The Way of Jesus) he helped present at Youthfront South’s camp - this is GREAT STUFF! Thanks Mike!

Congratulations to my good friend over at Calacirian! On July 7, 2007 (7/7/7) she celebrated two years of blogging. What a great day to have begun sharing with us her thoughts, dreams, frustrations, hopes, triumphs and fears (by the way on 7/7/7 I was grooving to the greatest rock ‘n roll band too few have heard - the 77’s!). In her 2nd year anniversary post don’t miss a great quote and her declaration to write with honesty and a desire to be authentic.

My wandering ends with a call for those who meander by to be praying for the McCoy family (from the blog Reformissionary) as Steve’s wife undergoes surgery this week. I pray that God will encircle this family with His mercy, love, peace and healing touch. Over, under, in front, behind and beside may the McCoy family know the mysterious presence of the Almighty One.

———— this just in one more great FIND!!——————-

Check out Len Evan’s new blog - Youth Ministry Interviews!! His first interview is with Mark Yaconelli… great stuff! Excellent new blog!

So I have been tagged over at Calacirian. A meme (whatever that is) has been started to identify a list of 5 things you dig about Jesus. So I am supposed to list them and tag 5 more folks… (who then, if you would be so kind would then leave a link to this old post in their list and so on…).

Okay here I go, 5 things I dig about Jesus…

1. I like that Jesus overcame the power of His day through weakness (and demonstrated his power in weakness - through serving, healing, suffering, and dying).

2. I am completely caught up in the paradox of Jesus and His teaching (strength through weakness, living by dying, leading by serving, be first by being last, love your enemies) - He didn’t just teach it, he lived it.

3. Well I hinted at it (okay I flat out said it, but it bears repeating) - I dig that Jesus didn’t come merely teaching a philosophy or sermonizing to hear himself - Jesus modeled and lived consistently what came out of his mouth. Jesus was a complete message - attitude, lifestyle, actions, and words all converged in a beautiful symphony ushering in His Kingdom on earth.

4. I dig that Jesus lived a balanced life - one that took time for feasting and fasting; action and rest; ministry and solitude; laughter and tears; time hanging with friends and time for the lost, least and last; time for worship and time for serving; time with His heavenly Father and time blessing little kids… Jesus was so together, so perfectly balanced, so whole and always present in the moment for whatever was taking place.

5. I dig that Jesus is love. Love embodied. This quote has been attributed to Napoleon (don’t know if it is true)… but it gets at why I dig Jesus (the Prince of Peace).

“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” - Napoleon

so now I tag, the follow - what are 5 things you dig about Jesus, Hmmmm?

Dan Mayes
Friar Tuck
Mark Riddle
Monty the Nazarene!
Rustin Smith

and one more… Brian Eberly

Looking forward to seeing each of these reasons!!

This newest Prayer Book release is definitely going in my wish list for sure - this is great! I love the layout and comprehensive “everything in one place” value of Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours. Now a great companion for travel is released! Check out the promo and excerpt from the introduction:

This past month, Oxford University Press has published The Divine Hours™ Pocket Edition by Phyllis Tickle.

From the Introduction:

“It is important to remember, as pastors frequently remind us, that it is not the prayers we do not say, but rather those we do say, that matter to God.”

When Phyllis Tickle’s marvelous devotional trilogy The Divine Hours™ appeared, readers responded with gratitude, praise, and a great many requests for an edition of hourly prayers that they could easily carry with them—an edition that would make this ancient form of Christian worship compatible with the pace and mobility of modern life. Now, in The Divine Hours Pocket Edition,™ Tickle has gathered one full week of fixed-hour prayers, providing an ideal companion for travelers, office-workers, people on retreat or pilgrimage, as well as newcomers to this age-old spiritual practice. As Tickle writes in her introduction, “prayer is always a place as well as an action, and the daily offices are like small chapels or wayside stations within the day’s courses.” For all those who want to carry a “small chapel” of prayers with them, The Divine Hours Pocket Edition™ offers a convenient, easy-to-use, and deeply spiritual guide to a devotional practice that extends all the way back to Christ and the twelve Apostles.

ht to Jordon Cooper

Billy - 88 years old - has demonstrated a life-long pursuit as an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. He has proven himself an example of grace, compassion, and a desire to share the simple message of the Good News of Jesus. He was honored yesterday. A library was dedicated in his honor. I listened this morning to some of his comments after being honored by former Presidents and friends and family and it was classic Billy.

“The first words out of his mouth: ‘I feel like I’ve been attending my own funeral.’
The crowd laughed. ‘All these speeches,’ Graham said. ‘I know they all meant it, but I feel terribly small and humbled by it all. … My whole life has been to please the Lord and honor Jesus, not to see me.’” as quoted in the Columbus Dispatch

It made me think of one of my favorite songs in reference to Dr. Graham. A song coming from an unlikely source - the often cynical and controversial Swirling Eddies - the song is titled, simply “Billy Graham.”

Billy Graham
from the album “Outdoor Elvis”
Words and Music by Camarillo Eddy
©1989 Broken Songs

i don’t know about those other guys
there’s somethin’ in the back of their eyes
but billy, you’re the man
who don’t use slight of hand
ain’t wearin’ no disguise
i love you, billy

i love the simple things you say
and you never seem to get in the way
no one is quite like you
compassionate and true
“just as i am”, i say
i love you, billy

Through a somewhat haunting melody and sparse accompaniment the words of this song land purely and starkly on the listener’s ears and heart. The line that never ceases to garner my attention is: “you never seem to get in the way.”

Billy from his early days in Youth For Christ till his days as sage and author has always been a window pane through which you could see the love and grace of God. We could learn much if we listened to his life about how to avoid the pitfall of pride and reflecting to much of ourselves, eclipsing God when we stand up to speak as messangers of the Gospel. May our lives, like Billy Graham, open a window to the love and truth of God rather than becoming mirrors that merely reflect more of us.