Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Lumineers - Ho Hey - Video & Lyrics

Heard this band on NPR today and really vibed with their songs and style. Interesting and simple and catchy. Hard to beat that.



[Verse 1]
(Ho!) I've been trying to do it right
(Hey!) I've been living a lonely life
(Ho!) I've been sleeping here instead
(Hey!)I've been sleeping in my bed,
(Ho!) I've been sleeping in my bed (Hey!)

(Ho!)

[Verse 2]
(Ho!) So show me family
(Hey!) All the blood that I would bleed
(Ho!) I don't know where I belong
(Hey!) I don't know where I went wrong
(Ho!) But I can write a song (Hey!)

[Chorus]
1,2,3 I belong with you, you belong with me in my sweet heart
I belong with you, you belong with me in my sweet (Ho!)

(hey!)
(ho!)
(hey!)

[Verse 3]

(ho!) I don't think you're right for him
(hey!) think of what it might have been
(ho!) If we took the bus to china town
(hey!) I'd be standing on canal
(ho!) And Bowery (hey!)
(ho!) She'd be standing next to me (hey!)

[Chorus]
1,2,3 I belong with you you belong with me in my sweet heart
I belong with you, you belong with me in my sweet heart

[Bridge]
The love we need is now
Its hope for some
Cause, we're bleedin out

[Chorus]
I belong with you you belong with me in my sweet heart
I belong with you you belong with me in my sweet (Ho!)

(Hey!)
(Ho!)
(Hey!)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

10 Questions for husbands to ask their wives

From Practical Shepherding


Here are 10 additional questions that husbands can and should be asking their wives if they desire to study, learn, and understand how to best love and care for them.  You will notice some are more specific for a pastor and his wife.

- What can I do to make you feel loved and appreciated by me?
- What can I do to make you feel like I enjoy being with you more than anyone else?
- What are some things I can do to encourage you, spiritually?
- What can I do to help relieve the stress of life responsibilities?
- How can I best serve you in dealing with our children?
- What can I do to heighten your desire for physical intimacy?
- What can I do to make you feel our family is the priority over ministry?
- What can I do to help you grow in a love to serve our church?
- What kinds of moments when our family is together do you cherish the most?
- What do you love most about serving in ministry together?  Greatest challenge?

Husbands and pastors, I hope these questions provoke much helpful and fruitful discussions that will lead you to a greater love and enjoyment of the wife of your youth as well as to equip you to love her in such a way that she feels loved and care for.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Book Review - When Work & Family Collide - by Andy Stanley

When Work & Family Collide - by Andy Stanley.

Typical (excellent) work by Andy Stanley.

For many years and in many places Andy Stanley has been beating the drum to keep your priorities straight in all areas of life.  God, family, finances, work, everywhere.  This come out in many of his books, in most of his sermons, and almost all of his conference speaking.  This book holds true to that form.

The book is quite short, but packed with examples that hit closer to home than you really might want.  But they get at a truth nearly all of us need to hear, including this pastor. 

We only have a limited amount of time in life, it is our most valuable commodity.  Stanley points this out repeatedly, and then move from convicting us of a need to change and rearrange our priorities to practical wisdom that finds much of its foundation in Scripture in applying this all to our lives.

Many people would say their family is their priority, but most of those same people repeatedly do things to undermine that belief.  In this book is the path to move away from that pattern and through that, improve our families, our marriages, and our lives.

Really a book nearly everyone would benefit from, even if you work from home or are a stay at home parent.


I did not purchase this book, but was also not paid for my review.  Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group gave me this copy without obligation.

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

What writing a sermon every week is really like

Kevin DeYoung shared this on his Gospel Coalition blog and it is too close to true for comfort.



What Sermon Prep Really Looks Like

Monday – I’m so glad it’s my day off. Yesterday’s sermon was terrible. Maybe this week will be better.

Tuesday AM -  I better get some emails done and get the blog lined up. If I can check a few things off my To Do List I’ll really be able to concentrate on my sermon.

Tuesday PM – I wasn’t expecting the lunch to go so long and for them to stop by. I’ll guess I’ll get to my sermon tomorrow.

Wednesday AM – Man, more emails. I need to make a few phone calls too. The agendas also need some work. Sermon prep soon.

Wednesday PM – I forgot–staff meetings all afternoon. I got to buckle down and start on this sermon tomorrow.

Thursday AM – Okay, here we go. Let’s get the paper and pencil out and open my Greek Bible. Darn, made the mistake of checking my email and leaving my door open. Got to take care of a couple more things.

Thursday PM – Finally started on my sermon. Working on translation. Making notes. So thankful to be a pastor. What a privilege to study God’s word. I’m getting a little sleepytrhough.

Friday AM – Excited to work on this sermon and think about preaching. So much to learn. So much to study. Never saw that before.

Friday PM – What a mess. I don’t see three points anywhere. Better pray. What is this sermon about? Where I am going? Need an outline before I go home. Brain don’t fail me now.

Saturday AM – It’s quiet here. Need to stop fiddling around with emails. Need some better illustrations. What is my application? These three points could be worded better.

Saturday PM – Praying for help. A few good thoughts I think. That section will preach. The introduction is so-so. Conclusion needs work. Have to push through and finish this. If I push print I can go home.

Saturday extra-PM – I’m sure this is too long. Needs pruning. I’m excited to preach this, but boy it doesn’t feel like much. No time left except for prayer. Should be in bed already.

Sunday before preaching- I can’t believe I get to preach. Stay humble. Pray for unction.

Sunday during preaching – What a joy to teach God’s word. And a challenge. Am I getting through? Am I getting in the way? Need to trust God. I must decrease, he must increase. I think I see a cloud the size of a man’s hand in the distance.

Sunday after preaching – That was too long…again. Trying to smile and talk to people while wondering if that made any difference. A lot of polite hello’s. A couple critiques. Several people seemed genuinely helped. I’m getting hungry and may need to use the bathroom.

Sunday evening – Crazy day. Get the kids to bed. Talk to my wife. Call my mom. Thankful for a good day. Glad it’s over. Not sure what God did, but I’ll trust him for something. I love my church.

Monday – I’m so glad it’s my day off. Yesterday’s sermon was terrible. Maybe this week will be better.