intersections

Pray

What do you pray for?

As I was praying this morning and reflecting on the Psalms I read this from Psalm 20.

The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
   The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
² May he send you help from the sanctuary,
   and give you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your offerings,
   and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices.

May he grant you your heart’s desire,
   and fulfil all your plans.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory,
   and in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfil all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
   he will answer him from his holy heaven
   with mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
   but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
They will collapse and fall,
   but we shall rise and stand upright.

⁶⁷⁸

I distinctly remember reading this Psalm on the morning of September 11, 2001 and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. But that's another story for another time...

This morning as I read this words I was reminded of another contemporary psalm, written and performed by one of the most authentic Christian singer-songwriters I've ever met, Kendall Payne. I hope she doesn't mind me including the song here...

Pray - by Kendall Payne

Below are the lyrics to this song.

I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn't not ask for more than what you've already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me
May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of human insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true
I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak
As the way wanders on I'll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me.

Doubting Thomas

I'm sorry I haven't written much. There are many potential excuses, most of which are not suitable to write about. The main reason is that I haven't had much to say. Perhaps you can relate. But allow me to break my silence and share something personal that perhaps will connect with your journey as well.

A few weeks ago I was driving back to Los Angeles from the Central Valley where I had just attended my 20th High School reunion. I was listening to Nickle Creek on my iPod. On came this song, "Doubting Thomas". I've heard this song dozens of times without paying attention, but it really struck me this time and I've been thinking about sharing here for a while. Here's a video of the song (not an official music video). Lyrics are after the jump.

The lyric that has given voice to my prayers recently is this:

Can I be used to help others find truth
When I'm scared I'll find proof that it's a lie
Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbs
That prove I'm not ready to die

I'm a doubting Thomas
I'll take your promise
Though I know nothin's safe
Oh me of little faith

I guess that's where I'm at. "I'll take your promise / though I know nothin's safe. Oh me of little faith." I think it's enough. In fact, this is faith, right? Faith, in some sense is defined by doubt. Without doubt there is no faith. And so much of our doubt is wrapped up in fear. The calm realization that nothing is safe, that we are incurable vulnerable, is a bitter-sweet realization that can set us free for reach out in faith.

Moby: Pale Horses

One of my favorite artists releases a new music video! Enjoy!
Pale Horses, by Moby

apocalypse: the revealing of GOD

Join us this Summer for a journey into popular culture as we search for glimpses of God's kingdom. Click here for more info. Download poster here.

Aaron Beaumont - A review

My friend, Aaron Beaumont, is playing again at the Hotel Cafe (does he own the place yet?) this Friday night and L.A. Weekly is promoting the show. What's great, though, is that the music editor for L.A. Weekly gave him a really glowing review. You can read it here.

You can buy Aaron's amazing new album on iTunes.

Dear Mr. President - P!nk

My friend Kori told me about this song this afternoon. Yeah, I apparently live a sheltered life. Take a listen (and a look).

Obviously one man is not responsible for all the problems in the world, but he sure bears a great deal of the responsibility. I heard one speaker recently say that George Bush should be remembered as the president who revoked generations of law protecting prisoners, suspended habeas corpus and authorized the use of torture. How can he sleep at night?

Frankly, I think this is a song for any president. Just because we have a new president taking office in just a few days, the same questions must be asked. Hopefully the answers we get in future will be more humane.

Finally, we all need to hear this song addressed to us. We are culpable by the choices we make. How can we sleep at night?

Cobalt Season kicks off Hollywood concert series

Ryan Sharp of The Cobalt Season talks with members of the Hollywood Adventist Church (click to enlarge) Photo by Kathy Khoo.

We had a great time with The Cobalt Season on Thursday night. About 50 friends and strangers gathered in at the church for a wonderful concert. For more pictures check out the church's Picasa album. All photos are by Kathy Khoo.

We were also graced by two songs from Corrinne May, to open the night. Corrinne will be playing a full concert (the second in our series) on May 29. Stay tuned for more....

Weekend Wrap-Up

Aaron Beaumont at the Hotel Cafe

On Friday evening a large group gathered to hear Aaron Beaumont play his unique style of "piano rock" at the Hotel Cafe with proceeds going to ADRA to buy goats, as Aaron said, from the Really Useful Gift Catalog. Aaron's a great artist. You can hear some of his music at his MySpace page. But you really need to see him in concert to appreciate the music fully.

California Poppies galore
Here's my wife amidst the poppies at the Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, California.

It was just meant to be. My friend, Scott Arany, went on Sabbath. So, on Sunday morning I was thinking about what we could do with our kids. I looked at the front page of the Sunday LA Times and there were the poppies. We braved temperatures in the low 60s and winds gusting in the 30 mph range.

Aaron Beaumont in concert

A friend of our community, Aaron Beaumont is having a concert on Friday night. Check out his music on his MySpace page and come out and support.

Accelerate

Yesterday I went to Amoeba Music here in Hollywood with a friend to buy the much anticipated new release from R.E.M. called accelerate. I've been waiting for this one for a while. Everyone agrees that this is R.E.M.'s best album in more than a decade.

Accelerate is the first studio album by that post-Berry stage band, and it is one of the best records R.E.M. have ever made. - Rolling Stone

R.E.M. was my favorite band during high school. Those were the days of their 1987 release, Document. I had their lyrics taped up all over my room. This album is so reminiscent of their early energy, passion and seriousness about their art.
They are playing at the Hollywood Bowl on May 29th. Anyone want to go? Tickets go on sale April 6th.