A child of God should never truly feel at home in a fallen world. Our efforts to find comfort in the things of this world only serve to drive us away from the One Person who can actually provide it.
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1. It becomes easier to say “I don’t know”: I think that children often assume that adults have all the answers; so as young adults, they feel as though they should have an answer for every question. As we get older, it becomes painfully obvious that we don’t have all the answers and easier to admit that “I just don’t know”.
2. What we look for in a mate seems to change: As a young man, I seemed to lack a lot of the qualities (e.g. bodybuilder physique, cutting edge style, movie star good looks, a fat paycheck) that girls seemed to be looking for; but when I suddenly became single in my thirties, I found that what women (my age) seemed to be looking for had changed dramatically. At that point, being clean cut, friendly, respectful and dependable seemed to trump those other features (which I still lacked).
3. Peace becomes of greater value than excitement: I think that younger folks believe that older folks just lose their sense of excitement; but I’d submit that we simply come to recognize how much more precious and rare true peace is. I’ve found that life can often become a lot more exciting than I’d like and in those times its clear that excitement is generally overrated. Eventually most of us come to see that a quiet walk on the beach, with someone we genuinely care about, is a lot better than a house full of beer swilling friends and loud music.
4. We become more excited at the thought of our kids (or grandkids) having success than by visions of our own success: This may not be true for people who never have kids, but for those of us who do, it’s almost an absolute truth. As a dad who’s watched many a ballgame, dance recital, play, school program… I can testify that watching my kids shine is far more exhilarating than anything that I could accomplish at this point in my life.
5. It gets harder to use words like “always” and “never”: They say that life is a great teacher and one of the things that life tends to teach is to expect the unexpected. As such, it get’s harder to come up with examples of things that are “always” this or “never” that. While children seem to use these kinds of words frequently (e.g. he never has chores, I always have homework…), experience makes it harder to find a context for them.
6. Character tends to become more important than personality: I’ve noticed that younger people are often more engrossed in an individual’s personality than in what kind of person they might be; while older folks seem to reverse that pattern. I believe this is probably bore out of experiences like being deceived, disappointed and/or damaged by people who initially seemed highly attractive.
7. It becomes easier to be patient: Please note that I didn’t say it becomes “easy” to be patient, just “easier”. Learning patience is a long and painful process, but a reality of life is that it often makes us wait and after awhile, we know to expect some of that. Though the process doesn’t get any more pleasant, it does become easier to predict.
8. We realize that it’s easier to look 10 years younger than it is to feel 10 years younger: This is probably a no-brainer, but a fresh coat of paint doesn’t make the barn stand any straighter. While we can have things nipped, tucked, banded, suctioned, airbrushed… it doesn’t do anything to actually preserve our youth. Things like exercise and eating right are disciplines that have to be practiced regularly to have an effect; and ultimately, our overall well-being extends beyond the physical, to the emotional and spiritual aspects of our life as well.
9. Our concept of love tends to change: I think that young love tends to flow closer to the surface, where the waves make for an exhilarating and sometimes treacherous ride. While old love tends to move in the depths, where the winds of a passing storm are barely felt. Though some might see that as less exciting, many of us see it as being more substantial and meaningful.
10. It gets harder not to wonder about the meaning of this life and whether there is anything beyond it: As we get older, we inevitably face the passing of acquaintances, friends and family; and as we ponder the meaning of their lives (and/or deaths), it’s hard not to do the same for our own. In those times, the permanence of death naturally causes us to wonder about, and maybe even hope for, something beyond this life.
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“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked;
who can know it?” (Jer 17:9)
I say that I’m one of Your sheep
But how well do I know Your voice
I say that everything that I have is Yours
But am I willing to take the test that You gave Job
I say that I am Your follower
But am I willing to wait for Your direction
I say that I am a new creation
But can there be a resurrection if there has been no death
I say that my hope is in You
But how is it then that I am so easily discouraged
I say that I trust You
But am I willing to put my Isaac (i.e. the fulfillment of Your promises, my hope for the future…) on the altar of sacrifice
I say that I’m in Your Army
But can I really be of service if I don’t know how to wield a sword
I say I want Your will to be done in my life
But am I really like the prodigal son, trying to demand and spend my inheritance on my own terms
I say that I want to see signs and wonders for Your glory
But how wicked and perverse can a generation become before no sign will be given
I say that You are my Savior
But is that possible if You are not also my Lord
I say that I want to be like You
But am I willing to be a man of no reputation or a man of sorrows who is acquainted with grief
“Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(Ps 139:23-24)
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This article is not intended to be a list of the “most distinctive voices of the rock era”, because with all due respect to folks like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Axel Rose, Janis Joplin, Bjork… distinctive is not necessarily synonymous with high quality. This also isn’t a list of the best vocalists of the era, though a couple of these might qualify for that one as well. Instead it is meant to highlight some truly unique vocalists who made a mark on the music of their era.
1. Roy Orbison (solo, The Traveling Wilburys): Few could boast the vocal range of this rock pioneer, whose natural baritone was perfectly capable of reaching into the high tenor range. Though best known for his classic, “Oh, Pretty Woman”, hits like “Crying” and “Only the Lonely” were an even better showcase for this special vocal talent.
2. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, solo): Despite being known as a hard rock vocalist, Plant has shown himself to be equally adept at singing the blues (e.g. “Since I’ve Been Loving You”), folk (e.g. “That’s the Way”), pop standards (e.g. “Sea of Love” w/The Honeydrippers) and even bluegrass (e.g. the “Raising Sand” LP). Regardless of the genre, he makes every song uniquely his own.
3. David Gates (Bread, solo): Though the radio friendly pop ballads of his band “Bread” aren’t necessarily esteemed in rock circles, few would argue the tender, expressive quality of David Gates vocal delivery. Decades later, his body of work continues to find an audience through Oldies stations around the world.
4. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival, solo): Though it’s tempting to group Fogerty’s raspy vocals with the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, his voice actually had a sturdier and more musically credible quality to it. Undoubtedly, his unique delivery was a key element in creating some of the most memorable records of that era.
5. Steve Perry (Journey, solo): While the pop leanings of the rock band Journey were likely a turn off to some purists, they still managed to produce a string of highly listenable and memorable albums. Though the band boasted a roster of notable musicians (e.g. former Santana members Neal Schon & Gregg Rolie), it was Steve Perry’s pristine vocals that ultimately distinguished them from the rest of the pop rock pack.
6. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel, solo): Blessed with one of the purist voices in pop music and partnered with the amazingly talented Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel was a part of several now classic performances. One listen to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” will tell you all that you need to know.
7. Brad Delp (Boston): Though (guitarist/keyboardist/producer) Tom Scholz’s often talked about studio wizardry was the basis for Boston’s unique brand on rock and roll, it was Brad Delp’s soaring vocal style that ultimately defined their sound. After more than 30 years, there is still nothing that’s come close to duplicating this combination.
8. Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees): Though all of the Gibb brothers possessed unique vocal talent, Robin’s quivering falsetto could at times be described as otherworldly. Early recordings like “I Started a Joke” or “Massachusetts” and later disco hits like “Staying Alive”, are prime examples of his one of a kind vocal delivery.
9. Annie Lennox (The Eurhythmics, solo): Though much of pop music from the 1980’s was set against a backdrop of synthesizers and outlandish fashion, it was the timeless quality of Annie Lennox’s vocals that elevated her work above the din. Incredibly versatile, her voice was at times deep and sultry (“Who’s That Girl”), at other times haunting (“Here Comes the Rain Again”); sometimes playful (“Would I Lie to You”), sometimes soulful (“Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves”) and even at times, emotionally raw (“Why”).
10. Michael McDonald (The Doobie Brothers, solo): After breaking into the music business as a backup singer with the band Steely Dan, McDonald had the good fortune of being asked to join the already popular Doobie Brothers. His arrival ushered in their most commercially successful years and set the stage for what has been a long and fruitful career as a solo artist. His distinctive brand of blue eyed soul has continued to resonate with audiences into the new millennium.
Posted in Entertainment/Music/Sports, Lists, Opinions | Tagged Annie Lennox, Art Garfunkel, Boston, Brad Delp, Bread, Creedence Clearwater Revivial, David Gates, John Fogerty, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Michael McDonald, Robert Plant, Robin Gibb, Roy Orbison, Simon & Garfunkel, Steve Perry, The Bee Gees, The Doobie Brothers, The Eurhythmics, The Traveling Wilburys | Leave a Comment »
1. ABBA Songs: Quite possibly the guiltiest pleasure of all, much of ABBA’s music was kitschy and light weight; yet irresistible nonetheless. Though never to be mistaken for high art, these songs still sparkle and dare you not to sing along. Favorite – S.O.S.
2. Three Dog Night Hits: This bands eclectic catalog and shifting vocalists made them hard to pin down; but their knack for producing catchy songs, that get stuck in your head, is undeniable (e.g. Joy to the World, One, Celebrate, Liar, Shambala, Mama Told Me Not to Come, Never Been to Spain, Black & White). Favorite – Liar
3. Electric Light Orchestra Records: Despite their progressive rock trappings, ELO was first and foremost a pop band. Jeff Lynne’s penchant for Beatlesque hooks, combined with a group full of genuinely talented musicians, produced a bowl full of ear candy that’s still fun to dip into. Favorite – Evil Woman
4. Bread Ballads: Though the lovelorn themes of their ballads could be a little overwrought at times, David Gates expressive rendering of these songs makes them hard to resist. Favorites – Everything I Own & Guitar Man
5. Michael Jackson Hits: Though dubbed “The King of Pop” and posthumously hailed as some kind of pop culture martyr; few of Michael’s songs could actually stand on their own merit lyrically or musically. Ultimately it was his genius as a performer that breathed life into them and rendered them unforgettable. Favorite – Off the Wall
6. Pre-Disco Era Bee Gees Hits: Arguably, songs like “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”, “Lonely Days” and “Run to Me” were the ultimate showcase for the collective vocal talent of the brothers Gibb. They possess a timeless quality that their later disco era hits often lacked. Favorite – To Love Somebody
7. Karen Carpenter’s Voice: There is no doubt that Richard Carpenter’s musical acumen was a huge part of the group’s success in the 1970’s, but it is those same production elements that make their catalog sound so out of date today. Even so, the transcendent quality of Karen Carpenter’s voice remains a timeless pop music treasure. Favorite – Superstar
8. Journey Records: Although their lyrics were largely standard pop song fare, Journey consistently created well produced and highly listenable records. Whatever they may have lacked in the lyrical department, they more than made up for with outstanding musicianship and the impassioned lead vocals of singer Steve Perry. Favorites – Lights & Send Her My Love
9. Eighties Synth Pop Hits: In the early eighties, bands like “The Cars” and “Blondie” ushered in a new wave of young artists, many of whom were armed with state of the art synthesizers and other techno gear. This produced a dazzling array of new sounds, as bands seemed to appear and evaporate on a daily basis. Though the wave seemed to ebb rather quickly, it left behind a rich cache of pop gems that are still worth listening to. Favorite Bands – Tears for Fears, The Pretenders, Til Tuesday, The Eurhythmics, The Cure, INXS, Depeche Mode
10. Garth Brooks Songs: Though disdained by many country music purists, Garth Brooks clearly has a way with a song and knows how to connect with an audience. In the end, we all would probably admit to having “Friends in Low Places” or maybe even to being one. Favorite – The Dance
Posted in Entertainment/Music/Sports, Lists, Opinions | Tagged ABBA, Bee Gees, Blondie, Bread, Depeche Mode, Electric Light Orchestra, ELO, Garth Brooks, INXS, Journey, Karen Carpenter, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, The Carpenters, The Cars, The Cure, Three Dog Night, Til Tuesday | Leave a Comment »
In Your eyes, I am a child
But like a child I am prone to wander
From the safe harbor of Your perfect love
I often wade into a pool of anxious thoughts
Until waves of fear threaten to overtake me
Despite the abundance of Your provision
I often catch myself counting the cost
Doubting that my loaves & fishes will ever be enough
Even though Your yoke is easy & Your burden light
I often find myself buckling beneath the load
Weighed down with things You never gave me
In spite of Your amazing grace toward me
I often encounter my lack of patience for others
So quick to throw up my hands & walk-away
When I look to the past
I feel shame
When I stare at the darkness
I feel its pull
When I glance in the mirror
I feel weak
When I see the world
I feel its chaos
But when I look to You
A river of peace spills over me
You are my hope
And in You I am complete
O that my eyes would remain fixed upon You
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Dearest Lord Jesus, as this new day begins I confess my utter dependence upon You
Without Your grace I would not have the breath to speak
Indeed this is the day that You have made
and
I do rejoice that I may be a part of it
But Lord, I pray that this would not be just another day, like so many others in my life
A day filled with my own thoughts and lived under my own power
I confess O Lord that I have been like Abram, afraid for people to know who I am
And that I have been like Jacob, a manipulator, trying to gain my own life
That I have also been like Simon, bold in the safety of your presence, yet weak before men
And that I have been like Saul, enacting judgment on those whom You love
Come Holy Spirit and rise up within me
Consume the darkness of my nature
I have heard your words Lord, but my heart has not fully grasped them
I need your heart, for my love is a pitiful, small thing
I want to love like You love, gently, patiently, unconditionally
Without You Lord, I have nothing to give
I have no wisdom of my own,
no power of my own,
no righteousness of my own
All of these are Yours
It is only by Your grace that I partake of them
You have said that You’ve destined me to be conformed to Your image
Lord I pray, come quickly and do Your Holy work in me
Change my name Lord
Like Abraham, give me a heart full of faith
Like Israel, fulfill in me the promise of a great nation
Like Peter, give me a heart of boldness for You
Like Paul, remove the scales from my eyes, that I might live by Your truth
Lord I want to disappear into Your Spirit
Until all the world sees is You
I pray my life would be an invitation to You
A pleasing aroma in Your nostrils
That You would be blessed and glorified in it
Change my heart
Change my name
Change my life
Amen
Posted in Heart of "The Father", Prayers | 4 Comments »
Bjcorbin's Blog 
God Said
September 1, 2010 by bjcorbin
As I have endeavored to share the things I’ve discovered along my spiritual journey, perhaps nothing has stirred up more resistance than the use of phrases like, “I feel like God told me” or “I feel like God said”. It seems as though the concept of direct communication from God tends to make people uncomfortable; even Christian people. To some extent, I understand their concern. When I first became serious about a life of faith, I began to hear people using this kind of terminology and I remember thinking, “You hear God speak?” Though I’d grown up with the idea of praying, I’d not run into many people who claimed to have heard something back. My initial reaction to such people included a healthy dose of cynicism; but as I began to read the scripture, I was confronted about my unbelief. Despite the fact that I’d heard some doctrinal teaching that seemed to want to make a case that God doesn’t communicate directly anymore, I found the written evidence in the Bible compelling in its case that He does. This was a difficult conclusion to draw, since as far as I knew, I’d never experienced it myself. Once I resolved that God does in fact “speak” directly to His children, I began to pray that I would hear from Him. Though it took some time, I slowly became aware that God was in fact communicating with me and came to the realization that He had been for quite some time. I guess I expected a booming voice from heaven, not a still small voice from within. It was confusing because His voice filtered through my spirit sounded an awful lot like a thought in my head. I guess it shouldn’t have been all that surprising since that’s how the voice of the enemy works. Its taken years, but I’ve learned (and am still learning) to differentiate between His voice, my voice and the voice of the enemy. Since they’re all filtered through my soul, they all sound like me, but I’ve come to understand that His voice is very distinct in how things are expressed; there is a perfection and a resonance that my own thoughts and expressions lack. His voice always substantiates the things He’s said in His word and they always move me closer to Him.
There are those who would rightfully point out the danger in this. I remember some years ago, hearing an internationally known Pastor say that he wasn’t comfortable with “God said this” or “God told me that”. He shared stories of the outrageous things that people had claimed to have heard from God. His conclusion was that the whole idea that we’d act based on something we thought God told us was too dangerous and that we just needed to make our decisions based on scripture. While I certainly wouldn’t argue the application of scripture, I found myself somewhat appalled by the idea that we’d ignore the voice of God. One need only watch the nightly news to hear stories of people who claim that God told them to shoot an abortion doctor or to drown their children; but are we to live our lives in fear of this, or by what the word of God says. Jesus said that His sheep know “His voice”, that they listen to that voice and that they follow it. He says that “He who belongs to God, hears what God says”. He goes on to say that, “The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God”. These are pretty strong statements, but they’re right there in the Gospel. Sure there is a danger that we may wrongly discern what God is saying, but it is no greater than the danger that we will wrongly interpret His written word. There are whole main-line denominations making a mockery of His written word and yet we’re not tempted to discount personal Bible reading in response to that problem. While I have no trouble in acknowledging the danger of misinterpretation or manipulation of Gods words, I would submit that there is even greater peril if we don’t hear His voice. In the book of Revelation, we see God confront the end time churches, as He repeatedly says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul warns that in the end times people will have a form of godliness, but that they will deny the true power of God. It would seem in these perilous times, we need to hear His tangible voice more than ever.
It is amazing to ponder what happens when God does speak. In Genesis we see Him speak the world and mankind into existence. When the Father sent His Son, He said that He was the embodiment of the “Word” of God. While on earth we see Jesus speak healing to the sick, peace to the raging storm and life into His dead friend. When Jesus left this earth, He promised that the Holy Spirit would be our Comforter, our Counselor and teach us all things. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us through the scripture, it once again becomes the “Living Word” of God. It seems that across time God has continually endeavored to communicate with His people and He never changes. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”. John the Baptist used a parable of a bride and a bridegroom; he said that the friend of the bridegroom listens for Him and is filled with joy at the sound of His voice. If we are the Bride, then how much more joy should there be for us at the sound of His voice. Let us remember that, “Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts”.
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