"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." -Romans 14:23 (ESV)
"Non-Christians do not do "kingdom work." The phrase "kingdom work" is confusing and nonbiblical and probably should be jettisoned, but even if we grant its use, we should at least be agreed that it cannot be applied to good things that non-Christians do. When a non-Christian does a good deed, it is most certainly good (at a certain level), and it is an instance of God's common, evil-restraining grace on all mankind. It is a singular kindness of God that human beings are not as bad as we could be. But that those good works are "good" is all we can say about them. They are not "kingdom work" because they are not done in the name of the King (see Rom. 14:23b). C. S. Lewis was wrong. You simply can't spend a lifetime serving Tash (or even yourself!) and expect Aslan to be happy about it." -From the book I'm currently reading
What are y'allz thoughts on this? My leisurely Saturday morn gave me time to read, but reading has me puzzling over what the author says here. My gut reaction is to theologically agree, while going further. Even if all good works not proceeding from faith is sin, isn't the Bible full of instances of sinful actions being used for God's glory? Then I apply these thoughts to my department and all the work being done therein by non-Christians. Will not Christ use this for His glory? What are your thoughts on this topic, I'm still puzzling?
On a light note, I can't stop listening to this song by Ana Tijoux. so good.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Pilot Me
Download this album. It's FREE 99!!!
Josh Garrels is rather talented and his gospel-soaked lyrics have been refreshing me all week! Here's a sampling from my three fav songs off the album:
"Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I'm free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I'll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me"
-Josh Garrels, Farther Along
"Holy, holy, is the one
Who was, and is, and is to come
In a robe as red as blood
He comes forth
Ride like lightning in the sky
On the war horse he draws nigh
The same one we crucified
Will return again"
-Josh Garrels, Revelator
"I will arise and follow you over
Savior please, pilot me
Over the waves and through every sorrow
Savior please, pilot me
When I have no more strength left to follow
Fall on my knees, pilot me
May your sun rise and lead me on
Over the seas, savior pilot me"
-Josh Garrels, Pilot Me
Josh Garrels is rather talented and his gospel-soaked lyrics have been refreshing me all week! Here's a sampling from my three fav songs off the album:
"Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I'm free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I'll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me"
-Josh Garrels, Farther Along
"Holy, holy, is the one
Who was, and is, and is to come
In a robe as red as blood
He comes forth
Ride like lightning in the sky
On the war horse he draws nigh
The same one we crucified
Will return again"
-Josh Garrels, Revelator
"I will arise and follow you over
Savior please, pilot me
Over the waves and through every sorrow
Savior please, pilot me
When I have no more strength left to follow
Fall on my knees, pilot me
May your sun rise and lead me on
Over the seas, savior pilot me"
-Josh Garrels, Pilot Me
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Late to the Party...
...but here are my top 10 albums of 2011. Some made it due to amazing musicianship, some due to how they impacted me in a given phase of my life, and the best due to both.
10. Lucinda Williams - Blessed
"We were blessed by the minister who practiced what he preached...we were blessed by the neglected child who knew how to forgive...we were blessed by the mystic who turned water into wine...we were blessed by the forlorn, forsaken, and abused." from 'Blessed'
9. The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh
"As the blind walk the blind through the blackness of freedom, who writes the songs that we will all be singing?" from 'Golden Cattle'
8. Tom Waits - Bad as Me
I absolutely love Tom Waits and, both musically and lyrically, his new album further proves he can do nothing wrong.
"Time it don't mean nothing, money means even less. Don't bring nothin baby, you're better than all the rest. I wanna go get lost." from 'Get Lost'
7. Hello Seahorse! - Lejos, no tan Lejos
The perfect combination of electronic music and superb high-pitched vocals. I spun it for months; likely to resonate only with the musical tastes of select ears. Weird vid, but listen.
6. Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside - Dirty Radio
Heavily influenced by Tom Waits and Cat Power, Sallie's songs are lyrica
lly raw and pack the musical punches. The range of emotions from angst to sentimental reflections on love resonate with any listener. One of my highlights of the Newport Folk Festival (see photo).
"Just like they took away the polaroid picture, they're gonna take away everything that means something. Today I think I saw ten thousand cell phones but not one decent conversation." from 'Write me a Letter'
5. Dawes - Nothing is Wrong
Try to not learn 8 billion life lessons from Dawes. Amazing songwriting coupled with outstanding Americana rock 'n' roll.
"I think that love is so much easier than you realize. If you can give yourself to someone, then you should." from 'A Little Bit of Everything'
4. Gaby Moreno - Illustrated Songs
Blending her Guatemalan roots with her passion for blues, soul, and jazz, Gaby creates nothing short of a musical masterpiece. The opening track was my "go-to" song of the year when I needed a pick-me-up!
"Talvez disfrutas como nunca de tu nueva vida, Talvez no hay son ni canto que te pueda conmover." from 'Intento'
3. The Horrible Crowes - Elsie
See my previous blog post. Yes, from October.
2. Sojourn - The Water & The Blood
The intentionality and fervor with which Sojourn rewrites music behind old school hymns creates a rich worship experience every time this album spins.
"The lying tempter would persuade my heart to doubt your aid. And all my swelling sins appear much greater than your grace. Arise, Oh Lord, fulfill your grace while I your glory sing. My God has broke the serpent's teeth and death has lost it's sting." from 'Death has lost its Sting' (please watch)
1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
I will always associate this album with having a much-needed calming effect on me as I traversed the not-so-safe parts of Denver on random busses after midnight...
"And at once I knew I was not magnificent." from 'Holocene'
10. Lucinda Williams - Blessed
"We were blessed by the minister who practiced what he preached...we were blessed by the neglected child who knew how to forgive...we were blessed by the mystic who turned water into wine...we were blessed by the forlorn, forsaken, and abused." from 'Blessed'
9. The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh
"As the blind walk the blind through the blackness of freedom, who writes the songs that we will all be singing?" from 'Golden Cattle'
8. Tom Waits - Bad as Me
I absolutely love Tom Waits and, both musically and lyrically, his new album further proves he can do nothing wrong.
"Time it don't mean nothing, money means even less. Don't bring nothin baby, you're better than all the rest. I wanna go get lost." from 'Get Lost'
7. Hello Seahorse! - Lejos, no tan Lejos
The perfect combination of electronic music and superb high-pitched vocals. I spun it for months; likely to resonate only with the musical tastes of select ears. Weird vid, but listen.
6. Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside - Dirty Radio
Heavily influenced by Tom Waits and Cat Power, Sallie's songs are lyrica
lly raw and pack the musical punches. The range of emotions from angst to sentimental reflections on love resonate with any listener. One of my highlights of the Newport Folk Festival (see photo)."Just like they took away the polaroid picture, they're gonna take away everything that means something. Today I think I saw ten thousand cell phones but not one decent conversation." from 'Write me a Letter'
5. Dawes - Nothing is Wrong
Try to not learn 8 billion life lessons from Dawes. Amazing songwriting coupled with outstanding Americana rock 'n' roll.
"I think that love is so much easier than you realize. If you can give yourself to someone, then you should." from 'A Little Bit of Everything'
4. Gaby Moreno - Illustrated Songs
Blending her Guatemalan roots with her passion for blues, soul, and jazz, Gaby creates nothing short of a musical masterpiece. The opening track was my "go-to" song of the year when I needed a pick-me-up!
"Talvez disfrutas como nunca de tu nueva vida, Talvez no hay son ni canto que te pueda conmover." from 'Intento'
3. The Horrible Crowes - Elsie
See my previous blog post. Yes, from October.
2. Sojourn - The Water & The Blood
The intentionality and fervor with which Sojourn rewrites music behind old school hymns creates a rich worship experience every time this album spins.
"The lying tempter would persuade my heart to doubt your aid. And all my swelling sins appear much greater than your grace. Arise, Oh Lord, fulfill your grace while I your glory sing. My God has broke the serpent's teeth and death has lost it's sting." from 'Death has lost its Sting' (please watch)
1. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
I will always associate this album with having a much-needed calming effect on me as I traversed the not-so-safe parts of Denver on random busses after midnight...
"And at once I knew I was not magnificent." from 'Holocene'
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