Empty Me

Many of you American Idol fans will remember Chris Sligh from a few years ago. A great voice with a head full of hair. Chris has released a new CD. One of the songs, "Empty Me," has been played on Christian radio. This song speaks to me, challenges me, and causes me to examine my own life. Read these words:

I’ve had just enough
Of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
I’ve tasted my share
Of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Chorus:
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds onto
Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You

I’ve seen just enough
Of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, compared to You
‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, so I surrender all

Several lines of the song challenge me - the chorus especially.
There have been several mornings in the past few weeks that these words come to my mind when I wake in the morning. Is God trying to tell me something? Is this something which you need to be reminded? Because "everything is a lesser thing, compared to" God.

Join me in praying "Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You."

The Cage of Failure

I read this blog by Mark Batterson, Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Check it out.

Ike

I would ask your prayers for southeast Texas. The area has been ravaged by Hurricane Ike which has left many, many people either without a home or with severe damage.
There are others several hundred miles from the coast that are still without electricity after five days. I have family members and friends, some of which I haven't had a chance to speak with, that endured the storm. The ones I have talked with only had minor damage and loss of electricity as a result of the storm. They have been blessed by escaping the worst of the storm.
Here is a link to some pictures showing the devastation from the storm.

Hymns and the Next Generation

I was raised on hymns. I must confess I love hymns. They have been for generations the life-blood of the church. They teach theology. Many people know more about the Bible because of hymns they have sung.

I also love contemporary Christian music. I love to sing new songs that express the deep thoughts of individuals. It is refreshing to sing a simple tune to simple words like "I love you, Lord," in a moment of worship.

I also love contemporary hymns. Writers like Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend who have written some powerful songs like "In Christ Alone," and "The Power of the Cross."

I also love it when writers take an old, sometimes unfamiliar hymn, and write a new tune or chorus. People like David Crowder and Chris Tomlin are just two examples of contemporary Christian artists who have written some powerful songs that would fit into this category.

I also love it when a Christian contemporary musician releases a new album of hymns. Here is an article about MercyMe's lead singer Bart Millard, who has released a second hymns album.

A Sense of Destiny

When I was a seminary student I attended a church in Hurst. One of the members gave me a placard which said: "God is the blessed Controller of all things." I thought it was a good saying then, but the longer I live the more I believe it.

I was reminded of that statement the other day. I was reading Mark Batterson's new book "Wild Goose Chase." Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in D.C. Batterson writes about a conversation that he was having with a family member who was dealing with some issues. Mark finished their conversation by praying an unscripted prayers. He prayed, "Lord, thank You that You want us to get where You want us to go more than we want to get where You want us to go."

They stopped praying and started laughing because they weren't sure what Mark had just prayed. Later, as they began to decipher the riddle, Mark was reminded about this truth: "God is far more concerned about your future than you are."

Proverbs 16:9 says: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." I am reminded of another passage, one that has been a favorite for years, Proverbs 3:5-6. Solomon says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."