Still for Haiti

My dear friend, Brandon Wells, a worship leader at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, posted this moving video of his recent trip to Haiti. It's a helpful reminder that when the media moves on, and serious issues become "yesterday's news", the facts still remain. There are still people, young and old - suffering from the tragic January 12 earthquake, "which killed more than 220,000 people, destroyed 60 percent of government infrastructure and left more than 180,000 homes uninhabitable", reports CNN.

If you are a member of my home church, Cedar Springs, you will be glad to know that even though you don't hear about it, there is still a lot of relief efforts, supported by YOUR tithes, going to Haiti. Our vision for the relief effort is found on our website's Global Mission menu, where you will read:

This relief effort will be a long-term one. Many organizations will be part of the first wave of response but, as humans, our memories are short. Cedar Springs, together with ProVision, believe that the impact on the country of Haiti will last for many years to come and, therefore, our engagement will have to be for the long haul.

Here's Brandon's video.

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Family Worship in Spurgeon's Home

Mr. Spurgeon, when bowed before God in family prayer, appeared a grander man even than when holding thousands spellbound by his oratory.

For more on this story, as well as sources and reading suggestions, go to The Resurgence
 
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Bike Humor.....

From my friend, Greg Collins, at defensivesolutions.com.

Aaron Keyes: Psalm 62, My Soul Finds Rest

My friend Aaron Keyes is a talented musician, songwriter and worship leader.  I've known him since we did a gig together when he was in college. He has gone on to achieve fame and whatnot, but his joy, humility and God-centered life still remain. I love what I see in this guy. This song is such an evidence of grace in his life. He wrote it with Stuart Townend. It's a beautiful song based on Psalm 62. Listen and be blessed! (If you're tuning in from Facebook, click below on View Original Post below.)

My soul finds rest in God alone,
My Rock and my salvation,
A fortress strong against my foes,
And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,
And lies like arrows pierce me,
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness,
I’ll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world’s temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I’ll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don’t set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.

I’ll set my gaze on God alone,
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul,
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever.

O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!

Free Download: A Place of Healing

I've led the music for Joni & Friends' Family Camp for a number of years now. And each year is an indescribable blessing.  There is so much to learn from those who deal with disabilities. Joni Eareckson Tada has set the example of dealing with disability in an "honest to God" kind of way that I think pleases Him.  Recently, Joni learned she now has breast cancer. In the late 60's she was paralyzed. Her new book deals with the mystery of suffering and the sovereignty of God. You can download the first hour of the book (being read by her) at ChristianAudio.com.  Read below for more detail.  

In this eloquent account of her current struggle with physical pain, Joni Eareckson Tada offers her perspective on divine healing, God’s purposes, and what it means to live with joy. Over four decades ago, a diving accident left Joni a quadriplegic. Today, she faces a new battle: unrelenting pain.

The ongoing urgency of this season in her life has caused Joni to return to foundational questions about suffering and God’s will. A Place of Healing is not an ivory tower treatise on suffering. Its an intimate look into the life of a mature woman of God.

Whether readers are enduring physical pain, financial loss, or relational grief, Joni invites them to process their suffering with her. Together, they will navigate the distance between God’s magnificent yes and heartbreaking no and find new hope for thriving in between.

Memorizing Scripture

Here's a humble, helpful video post from Desiring God Ministries & John Piper on how to memorize Scripture. I appreciate Piper's reality check that you'll forget most of what you memorize; that the best thing to do is review, review, review. I'm finding this to be true, true, true as I try to memorize large chunks of Ephesians.

Why are you on Facebook?

I was looking on Israel Houghton's Facebook page today, browsing around...wasting time. As I scanned, the thought had crossed my mind, Why is this here? What purpose does this serve? What dies it mean that "102,776 people like this"? Then I read his "Personal Interests" entry:

To apprehend the disposition of God's heart toward the broken; To look after orphans and widows in their distress; To see freedom and justice manifest in action throughout the world.

There's his answer. And it's a good one.  

Sometimes, I think it's good to ask that scary existential question, Why am I here? It will direct everything we do, even the "minor" stuff like Facebook.

I admire Israel on a number of levels...mostly musical. But this succinct summary of his personal mission is admirable.