The Mover

O Supreme Moving Cause,

May I always be subordinate to thee,
be dependent upon thee,
be found in the path where thou dost walk,
and where thy Spirit moves,
take heed of estangement of thee,
of becoming insensible to thy love.

Thou dost not move men like stones,
but dost endue them with life,
not to enable them to move without thee,
but in submission to thee, the first mover.

O Lord, I am astonished at the difference
between my receivings and my deservings,
between the state I am now in and my past
gracelessness,
between the heaven I am bound for and
the hell I merit.

Who made me to differ, but thee?
for I was no more ready to receive Christ
then were others;

I could not have begun to love hee hadst thou
not first loved me,
or been willing unless thou hadst first made me so.

O that such a crown whould fit the head of such
a sinner!
such high advancement be for an unfruitful
person!
such joys for so vile a rebel!

Infinite wisdom cast the design of salvation
into the mould of purchase and freedom;

Let the wrath deserved be written on the door of hell,
But the free gift of grace on the gate of heaven.

I know that my sufferings are the result of my
sinning,
but in heaven both shall cease;

Grant me to attain this haven and be done
with sailing,
and may the gales of they mercy blow me safely
into harbour,

Let thy love draw me nearer to thyself,
wean me from sin, mortify me to this world,
and make me ready for my departure hence.

Secure me by thy grace as I sail across this
stormy sea.


* from The Valley of Vision

Thursday is the Day

I know I'm always talking about Alex, his music, his band, blah, blah, blah. I am sure I annoy some. I know I sometimes embarrass him, but he's gracious enough to smile and call me "his biggest fan." So, that being said, here's more info about the NPR deal I mentioned last week:

The independent segment of All Songs Considered callled "Open Mic" is featuring Alex's electronic music.

Alex's Open Mic will be available as a podcast and to stream on Thursday, July 20. The page is usually up around 4 PM EST.

So everybody listen, please.

of Asaph - "Six Line"

Alex's band of Asaph made this music video about two years ago. For your viewing pleasure...

Photographs on Friday

Alex took this one. Check out other Friday Photos - Steve, Joe, Timmy, and Alex. Also check out Brent's Friday special of poetry (and sometimes music).

Alex's Music Featured on NPR!

Today, we got exciting news from NPR's radio show "All Songs Considered." They want to feature Alex's elctronic music on their independent segment called "Open Mic." This news is very thrilling for us! You can listen to Alex's music here.

b.m.b.c. - Falls of the Ohio Ride

THe Gospel According to Who?

NO WAY!

Photographs on Friday

Alex took this shot as we crossed the bridge from Savannah into South Carolina. Check out other Friday Photos - Steve, Joe, Timmy, and Alex. Also check out Brent's Friday special of poetry (and sometimes music).

Talkin' 'bout My Generation

My parents are amazing people. I love them more then words can express, and recently they have both made me smile with love and gratitude and appreciation. They have shown me that they love me by trying to understand my church community, and that means worlds to me. A few weeks ago my dad called me. He said, "Honey, I've been reading some things by Ed Stetzer and, oh, you know, that guy in Seattle. What's his name?" "Are you talking about Mark Driscoll?" I asked. "Yeah, Driscoll, that's right. You know, the things that they're saying sound really good. I don't know what all the controversy is about. It seems that they're just doing church in their cultural context." I was smiling from ear to ear as I listened to my Dad talk. I was so excited that my Dad got it! He understands or is at least trying to understand, and that makes me happy.

Alex and I went to visit my parents in Oxford, Mississippi for the 4th of July holiday. My mom had clipped an article by Ed stetzer out of one of the Baptist state papers. In this article Stetzer discusses the difference between Relevants, Reconstructionists, and Revisionists. My mom had circled the subtitle "Relevants." She held up the article for me to see and pointed to the word she had circled. She said, "I've decided this is what your church is." I smiled. My parents love me. They show me they love me by seeking to understand me and seeking to understand why I am a part of a church that is in many ways very different from anything they have ever seen before. I wish many others would follow my parents lead, would show their love for the younger generation by seeking to understand them rather than conform them.