Friday, December 31, 2010

BEST OF IN MUSIC - 2010

“My” Best of 2010: MUSIC

You’ll probably read several of these lists… So, since everyone else throws their hat into the ring, here’s my attempt at a “Best of List” in Music for 2010… Keep in mind, this represents “my best of” listI don’t know that these are actually “the” best music releases of the past twelve months, but I do know that I’ve really enjoyed them or been personally challenged by them…

What about you? What music releases really spoke to you in 2010? I would love to hear about the music that moved you…

Okay, for what it’s worth, here’s my stab at a “best of” in music for 2010:


The Medicine
John Mark McMillan

This is without a doubt my favorite release of 2010… Poetic, prophetic, artistic… Wow! Check out these lyrics from Carbon Ribs:

“I'm a dead man now

With a ghost who lives

Within the confines of

These carbon ribs

And one day when I'm free

I will sit

The cripple at your table…”


Or, how about these from Dress Me Up:

“Dress us up in your righteousness

Bring us in with a ring and a kiss

When you walk into the room you know we can’t resist

Every bottle of perfume always ends up on the floor in a mess”


This release is brilliant! Four stars! Two thumbs up! My favorite of the year!

Top tracks include: Carbon Ribs, Death In His Grave, Dress Me Up, Skeleton Bones… If you’ve not checked out The Medicine, the download is available over on Amazon for $5.00. Maybe the best of $5 bucks you’ve ever spent…


Beautiful Things
Gungor

Musically creative… Lyrically thought provoking… Not your average worship release… Not your average band…

Check out these lyrics from Beautiful Things:

“All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way?
I wonder if my life could really change at all?
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us”


Top tracks include: Beautiful Things, You Have Me, The Earth Is Yours, Call Me Out, Please Be My Strength, We Will Run…


Sigh No More
Mumford and Sons

My daughter introduced me to this band… Thanks, Caley! I’m not certain what to call their style: folk rock, folk and roll, new folk, indie rock… It doesn’t matter… What matters is that this is great music with consistently profound lyrics… Roll Away Your Stone always moves me…

“It seems that all my bridges have been burned,
But you say, ‘That’s exactly how this grace thing works.’
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive with every start…”


Top tracks include: Sigh No More, Roll Away Your Stone, Awake My Soul…

Warning: the song Little Lion Man does contain a pretty serious expletive that gets repeated often… Thanks to the folks at Amazon, you can download this amazing release for $5.00!


Flags
Brooke Fraser

Brooke is amazing! She has written some of Hillsong’s most meaningful worship tunes: Hosanna, You’ll Come, Desert Song and Lead Me To The Cross. She's still writing great worship music! While this is not a worship release, it does contain fresh, amazing music; terrific, often thought provoking lyrics; and Brooke’s incredible voice.

Top tracks include: Something In The Water, Betty, Who Are We Fooling…


The Suburbs
Arcade Fire

I know… This one is making everyone’s “best of” list… I started not to include it, because I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon… But the truth is, even though I don’t always agree with the world view of the principle writers in AF, their music challenges me to think… Fresh instrumentation… Thought provoking lyrics… A great release…

“You never trust a millionaire
Quoting the sermon on the mount
I used to think I was not like them
But I'm beginning to have my doubts
My doubts about it

When you're hiding underground
The rain can't get you wet
Do you think your righteousness
Can pay the interest on your debt?
I have my doubts about it…”


When and where have you heard lyrics that thought provoking and profound on a major “secular” release? City With No Children is just one of the amazing songs you’ll find on The Suburbs…


Rehab
Lecrae

I’m not into rap or hip-hop… For some reason, I had to check this release out… I’m really glad I did… Lecrae is not only an amazing rapper, this dude is also a first class theologian, writing some of the most theologically spot on lyrics you’ll find anywhere… Oh, and my 10-year-old girl and her friends love it when I put this one on in the car…

Top tracks include: Just like You, Used To Do It Too, Children of the Light, High and Boasting

By the way, Amazon has this download available for $5 buckaroos… Enjoy!


Band of Joy
Robert Plant

Buddy Miller produced this killer release from one of rock music’s greats, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin… This is not Zeppelin… According to Plant, he reached into the musical catalogue of Nashville for inspiration on this release… Sometimes foot stomping… Sometimes dark and brooding… It works!

Patty Griffin does a great job with backing vocals on a few of the numbers, especially Monkey… Wow!

Top tracks include: Falling In Love Again, Monkey, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Even This Shall Pass Away and Angel Dance


Honorable Mentions:

Awakening
Passion

I know… Some of you will think this is “too mainstream.” The truth is God really used a few of these songs in a big way in our church’s corporate worship experiences in 2010…

If you haven’t heard Christy Nockels, Healing Is In Your Hands, check it out today! Our church has also really sang: Our God and Where The Spirit of the Lord Is. Another solid release from the folks at Passion.


Defender
Chris McClarney

Chris is a worship leader in Nashville. His voice is amazing! His lyrics God-centered! This release? Well, it’s just terrific:

Top tracks include: Your Love Never Fails, Who Is This Amazing Love, Immortal Invisible, Across The Universe, Your Love Is Everything.


And If Our God Is For Us
Chris Tomlin

Again, some of you will think “too commercial.” All I can say, is that God is using this dude to write the music that the church loves to sing! Shoot, I love to sing it! It’s my prayer that Tomlin keeps writing it!

Top tracks include: Our God, I Lift My Hands, No Chains On Me, Awakening.


A Beautiful Exchange
Hillsong Live

The folks at Hillsong blow me away… God has used this church to revolutionize corporate worship around the globe… Even though they're half way around the globe, God is using the artists at Hillsong to write the songs the church loves to sing!

Top tracks include: Our God Is Love, Forever Reign, The Father’s Heart, Glorious One (DVD Only – Hillsong London), and Beautiful Exchange


Organic Family Hymnal
Rend Collective Experiment

I’ve really enjoyed this release from across the Pond… If you’ve not had a chance to check it out, it’s worth your time… Innovative and creative worship…

Top tracks include: God Is Near, Movements, You Are Love.


Wonder
Michael W. Smith

Yeah, I’m talking that MWS! This is one of his best releases ever! His cover of Save Me From Myself rocks! I’ll Wait for You will blow you away! When the gospel choir comes in, just get ready to have church! And the song, Take Me Over moves me – especially the orchestration at the end… An amazing release from one of Christian music’s best… Yeah, the download is available over on Amazon for $5.00.

Top tracks include: Save Me From Myself, I’ll Wait, Take Me Over.


Very Merry Christmas
Dave Barnes

This was without a doubt the most played Christmas release at the Goins house this year! Wow! I predict: a classic! While it’s still available over on Amazon for $5.00, you might want to snag it for next year…

Top tracks include: Very Merry Christmas, I Pray On Christmas, Welcome Home.


Guilty Pleasure:

Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time
Santana

I don’t think anybody would call this one of Santana’s best releases or one of the best releases of 2010... And I'm certainly not sure that several of these songs could be classified as "The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time"? Really? I think somebody was smokin' something when they came up with that title.. All of that aside, this release sure is a lot of fun! Santana and some of rock music’s top vocalists – Pat Monahan, Rob Thomas, Chris Daughtry, Scott Stapp, Chris Cornell take on some 70’s and 80’s rock with a Santana flare… The result? A ton of fun!

This is the release our family rocked out to on a couple of long drives over Christmas… You can’t help but go into “air guitar” mode on some of these tunes… Again, it’s certainly doesn’t qualify as one of the best, but it sure is a lot of fun! Enjoy!

Top tracks include: Photograph, Whole Lotta Love, Sunshine of Your Love, Dance the Night Away.


Well, that sums up my list... I would love to hear what made it on to yours... Have an incredible New Year!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

"GENTLEMEN, THIS IS YOUR BIBLE..."

There's a great story that gets repeated often about legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi getting so frustrated with the lack of progress he felt his team was making that he actually stopped a Green Bay Packers football practice, looked at a group of professional football players, held up a football and said something like: "Let's start at the beginning. This is a football. These are the yard markers. I'm the coach. You're the players..."

Lombardi believed that a basic necessity of having a great game plan and becoming a great team was a firm grasp on the fundamentals. I think he's right!

Isaiah 55:11 contains a power packed promise regarding one of the fundamentals absolutely essential if you want to develop a great game plan for spiritual growth. Here's the promise: "...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

According to Isaiah, God's Word is powerful! In fact, Hebrews 4:12 says it like this: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."

For the last several years one of the fundamentals of my personal GAME PLAN for spiritual growth has been setting a goal to read through the Bible each year... I've not been perfect in my attempts... Quite honestly, I miss a few days here and there...

When that happens, I've learned not to stress or attempt to play "catch up..." That's a recipe for burnout and frustration... I've learned that it's not about the amount of Scripture I read (like it's some kind of contest about who can read the most), but it's about how much I allow the Holy Spirit to work God's Word into the fabric of my heart and life...

With that said, there's a definable difference in several areas of my life when I make God's Word a priority. Areas like: my progress in spiritual growth, my level of peace and patience in the midst of adversity and setbacks, my desire to be conformed into the image of Jesus, my ability to overcome temptation, just to name a few...

The guys over at YouVersion.com have made a couple of dozen or so Bible Reading Plans available totally free of charge. You can check them out by clicking here... For the last two years, I've used the M'Cheyne One Year Reading Plan and I've really enjoyed it... Here's a blog post by You Version on how to get started with your own reading plan right away.

If you're thinking about a New Year's Resolution, and want to make one that has the potential to totally revolutionize your life, "This is a football! This is fundamental!" READ THE BIBLE! Check out one of the Bible Reading plans available via You Version and get started JANUARY 1!

Another cool thing about You Version is that you can download an app of You Version to your phone so that you can practically access God's Word anywhere! Once again, it's totally free! Check out the app download page by clicking here.

Further, we've also launched a You Version Group where members of the a2 Church family can share insights, prayer requests, access the message notes from the weekend, etc. You can join the a2 Church You Version Group by clicking here.

There's even a way to link your You Version account to your Social Media Networks like Twitter of Facebook so that you can share a passage of Scripture with your friends! I love being able to do this!

For those of you want other options or may prefer "hard copy" over digital... The ESV Study Bible (currently my favorite Study Bible) has several reading plans available. Further, when you purchase a hardcopy version of the ESV Study Bible it includes access to the online version of the ESV Study Bible. Again, I use this Study Bible every week and love it!

There are also a few hard copy One Year Bibles you can check out via Amazon or your local Christian retailer (Lifeway, Family Bookstore, Amen Corner, etc.) The One Year Bible is available in the NLT, NIV and ESV. There's even a download available for your KIndle.

If you want to get a glimpse of the order in which things occurred in the Bible, there's even a hard copy available of the One Year Chronological Bible that will give you that perspective...

Final thoughts:

1. Select a Bible Reading plan that works for you! Keep in mind, this is not a contest about who can read the most... It's about God's Word transforming your life!

2. If you miss a day, don't get frustrated and throw in the towel... QUESTION: Do you ever get really, really busy and miss a meal? When that happens, do you get frustrated and give up eating? I doubt it! Most of the time, we just eat really good the next time around... If you miss a day when it comes to reading the Bible, repent and move on... Don't let the evil one have a field day in your mind...

3. Apply what you read! The Bible wasn't given to us for information, but for transformation! It's great to read the Word of God, it's even better when we allow God's Word to "read us" and begin changing us from the inside out! So, as you're reading, put into practice the stuff you're reading! Let God's Word change you!

4. Find a partner to help keep you accountable! Ask someone to touch base with you weekly just to check in on your progress as it relates to reading and applying God's Word. This is probably essential, if you're going to keep this up over the long haul!

5. Don't procrastinate! Keep off your new plan on January 1!!!!

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Bible!"

Monday, December 27, 2010

DEVELOPING A GAME PLAN -SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK

This week (the week between Christmas and the New Year) is a great week for evaluation, prayer, reflection, planning and goal setting! In light of that, last week one of my good friends emailed me some great questions to consider as we "wrap up" 2010 and "ramp up" for 2011. Thanks, Jeremy... I've tweaked the questions a bit below...

So, as you prepare to spend some time in reflection and evaluation, why not consider these basic areas / questions:

My Spiritual Life

Am I closer to God today than I was on January 1, 2010?

What "key" spiritual "graces," habits or disciplines will I build into my life in 2011 that will help me grow closer to God and
become more like Jesus? What will my "spiritual growth plan" look like for 2011?

Will I honor the "Sabbath" and regularly set aside a day for resting my body, recharging my emotions and refocusing my spirit?

Will I become an active part of a life-giving local church and invest my time, energy and resources into accomplishing the mission Jesus has established for the local church?

What priority will I give to corporate worship and the local church?


My Emotional Life

Is there someone I need to seek forgiveness from?

Is there someone I need to forgive?

Will I become an active part of a small group in order to fill my world with life-giving relationships?

Where is there "clutter" in my life that can be eliminated? My garage, attic, storage space, home closet(s), desk, filing cabinet, computer, car, truck, etc.?
(Go ahead! Clean it out today!)

My Relational World

On a scale of 1 - 10 ("1" being "in the Intensive Care Unit and in desperate need of resuscitation" and "10" being "hitting on all cylinders / totally awesome"), how would I rate my marriage?

What practices will I build into my marriage in 2011 to increase intimacy and fulfillment?

What books will me and my spouse read or what marriage conferences will we attend in order to build intimacy and fulfillment into our marriage in 2011? (Book Recommendation: What Did You Expect by Paul Tripp)

On a scale of 1 - 10 (use the same pattern mentioned above), how am I doing as a parent? How would I rate the relationship I have with my kids? How would my kids rate the relationship we have?

What practices will I build into my family in 2011 to bring our family closer together and move our family closer to Christ? (Book Recommendation: Long Story Short by Marty Machowski - available at a2 Info Desk.)

Have I scheduled a date night with my spouse for the month of January? When? What will we do? Why not?


My Physical World

How much do I weigh?

For my body type, is that amount of weight okay? Am I honoring God with my body?

According to my age, how much do I want to weigh at the age of 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75?

Do I have a complete physical scheduled between now and March 31? (If not and you're above the age of 40 and it's been more than two years since your last physical, schedule one now!)

Do I need to change my eating habits? What healthy eating plan can I build into my life in 2011? (Book Recommendation: Body for Life by Bill Phillips)

Do I exercise? What exercise plan will I adopt in 2011 in order to honor God with the body He has given to me? (Book Recommendation: Body for Life by Bill Phillips)


My Financial World

Are my finances in order? Is personal debt strangling the life out of me?

Do I have a written budget? Have my spouse and I reviewed this budget and agreed upon it?

Do I have personal debt other than a reasonable mortgage? Is being debt free in 2011 a possible goal? What will we do to get there?

Will I make a commitment to attend Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University this year? If not, why not? (Book Recommendation: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey)

My Intellectual World

What books am I going to read in 2011? (Biography, Spiritual Formation, Classics, Fiction, Business)

What is my reading goal for 2011? How many books will I read each week / each month? How many hours will I read each day / week / month?

What seminars / classes will attend in 2011 to continue honoring God with my mind by using my intellect?


My Personal Calling

What do I do best and how can I do more of it in 2011?

What is my calling? What is my mission? Am I pursuing it? Why not?

Who do I know or who could I know in a similar field that God might use as a mentor in my life?

What caused me the greatest amount of stress in 2010? What am I going to do to fix that?


If you've not had the opportunity to check it out yet, John Ortberg has written an excellent article over on Christianity Today's website that will help you think through the process of developing a spiritual growth plan. You can still check it out by clicking here. (Also, if you've not read his book, The Life You've Always Wanted, I would highly recommend it to your 2011 Reading List. God has used this book in a profound way in my personal life. I highly recommend it.)

If you want to really dig even deeper into the evaluation aspect, the folks at Lifeway have provided a pretty intense Spiritual Growth Assessment tool you can check out...

Also, as you consider a Bible Reading Plan for the New Year, the folks at YouVersion.com have provided several Bible reading plan options worthy of your consideration. You can check out all the options by clicking here.

Finally, make plans to join us for GAME PLAN this Sunday! We'll be digging deep into several of these areas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

ESTABLISHING YOUR GAME PLAN FOR PERSONAL / SPIRITUAL GROWTH - 2011

The week after Christmas and before the New Year represents a great opportunity to spend time in prayer, reflection, evaluation and goal setting.

Most business men and women work hard to develop an annual "business plan," but what about a "spiritual growth plan?"

Here's the question: What practices, "disciplines," or spiritual "graces" will you build into your life in 2011 that will give you an opportunity to grow and become more like Jesus?

What books do you plan on reading?

What small group will you be a part of?

What priority will you give to corporate worship?


These are just a few of the questions you might want to consider at the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.

John Ortberg has written an excellent article over on Christianity Today's website that will help you think through the process of developing a spiritual growth plan. Check it out here. (By the way, John has written one of the most accessible books on the subject of spiritual disciplines you're likely to read... God has used his book, The Life You've Always Wanted, in a profound way in my personal life. I highly recommend it.)

If you want to really dig deep into the evaluation aspect, the folks at Lifeway have provided a pretty intense Spiritual Growth Assessment tool you can check out... (By the way, I haven't used the tool... I'm not certain my ego could handle it... But it does appear to be helpful, if not a little tedious...)

Also, the folks at YouVersion.com have provided several Bible reading plan options worthy of your consideration for the New Year. You can check out all the options by clicking here. (The plans at You Version have played a significant role in my devotional life over the last two years... And since I journal and write on my computer, the ability to copy and paste passages of Scripture directly from the You Version site to my journal, blog, FB page and / or message notes is really helpful...)

A couple of weeks ago our Wednesday AM Men's Small Group came across this passage.

"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." ~ Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

Pretty simple and straight forward... But the conversation that God ignited was important. As we thought about the importance of financial and business planning, we were all struck by our lack when it comes to planning for spiritual growth, a vibrant marriage, etc. The discussion challenged and convicted me.

So, I'm looking forward to Christmas! Can't wait to worship on Christmas Eve and spend some time celebrating with family and friends... But I'm also looking forward to taking some "down" time next week just to think through where I've been, what I've done, where I'm going, where I want to go and who I want to become...

Want to join the adventure?

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS


It was the night before Christmas and...

...you have the opportunity to begin your Christmas celebration with a sacred worship experience that is certain to become a Christmas tradition for you and your family!


Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship and Communion
Friday, December 24, 5 pm
a2 Church

An inspiring hour of worship featuring a full band, special illustrated Christmas message, Holy Communion and the "lighting of the candles" on what is considered to be one of the "holiest" and most sacred nights of the year...

This amazing one-hour Christmas-Eve worship experience will prepare you to experience the true meaning and message of Christmas. Invite your friends and family to join you on Christmas Eve @ a2 Church. A great way to begin you Christmas celebration.

And to top of your Christmas weekend worship experience, join us on Sunday, December 26 for a2 Unplugged: A special one hour, church wide worship experience for entire family.

Merry Christmas!

Chris, Janet and the Girls

Thursday, December 16, 2010

THE ORDINARY PEOPLE IN YOUR FRACTURED FAIRY TALES


Fractured Fairy Tales - Part 4
This Sunday, December 19, 9:45 am
a2 Church

Maybe you've seen the tag while out Christmas shopping? A store presents an incredible bargain on merchandise.... But if you look closely at the merchandise, it has a little tag attached... The tag always has the same two words on it: "AS IS."

It's a clever way of saying, "This merchandise is somewhat damaged... It's slightly irregular..."

Maybe it's furniture with a scratch or dent... Maybe it's a shirt that's missing a button... Maybe it's a zipper that won't zip... But the store wants to tip you off, "There's a flaw in this piece of merchandise... We're not going to tell you where the flaw is... But when you find it, and you will find it, don't come whining to us... This piece of stuff is sold 'AS IS.'"

I said all of that to say this, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a 'Truth in Advertising Law' for PEOPLE? Wouldn't it be great if dating services, single bars, or even churches required everyone to wear a tag that read something like 'Slightly Irregular, As Is, Flawed, Messed Up, Fairly Fractured Person?'"

This Sunday we'll talk about three ingredients that can transform the way you relate to the "slightly irregular, as is, flawed, messed up, fractured people" in your relational world.

Don't forget, you'll probably be having Christmas dinner with some of these "slightly irregular" people over the next few days... These ingredients have the power to transform your Christmas Get Togethers with extended family and your relational world in general...

Don't miss this amazing weekend at a2 Church featuring great music, inspiring worship, baby dedication and a message that matters...


a2 Church
600 Montgomery Highway, Suite 208

(Just above and behind Pet Supermarket)