What's Your Soundtrack?

Snippet

From the eight-track tapes my parents played in our station wagon to my stack of vinyl records from the 1970''s to my mix tapes of the 80's and 90's to the I tunes playlists on my computer, my life has a soundtrack.  And the songs from that soundtrack can stir memories and provoke emotion in me like nothing else.  Bren'e Brown The Gifts of Imperfection pg 119

Scripture

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to God, giving voice together,I’m singing my heart out to God—what a victory! He pitched horse and rider into the sea. God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation. This is the kind of God I have and I’m telling the world! This is the God of my father— I’m spreading the news far and wide!God is a fighter, pure God, through and through. Pharaoh’s chariots and army he dumped in the sea, The elite of his officers he drowned in the Red Sea. Wild ocean waters poured over them; they sank like a rock in the deep blue sea. Your strong right hand, God, shimmers with power; your strong right hand shatters the enemy. In your mighty majesty you smash your upstart enemies, You let loose your hot anger and burn them to a crisp. At a blast from your nostrils the waters piled up; Tumbling streams dammed up, wild oceans curdled into a swamp.  Exodus 15:1-3

Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U

A long, long time ago 
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile 
And, I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance, and... 
Maybe they'd be happy for a while 
But, February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver 
Bad news on the doorstep - I couldn't take one more step 
I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride 
Something touched me deep inside the day the music died 

So, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

Did you write the Book of Love and do you have faith in God, above? 
If the Bible tells you so 
Now, do you believe in Rock and Roll? Can music save your mortal soul? And... 
Can you teach me how to dance real slow? 
Well, I know that you're in love with him, 'cause I saw you dancing in the gym 
You both kicked off your shoes - man, I dig those rhythm and blues 
I was a lonely, teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck, but... 
I knew I was out of luck the day the music died 

I started singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

Now, for ten years we've been on our own and moss grows fat on a Rolling Stone, but... 
That's not how it used to be 
When the Jester sang for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean 
In a voice that came from you and me 
Oh, and while the King was looking down the Jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned - no verdict was returned 
And, while Lenin read a book on Marx the quartet practiced in the park, and... 
We sang dirges in the dark the day the music died 

We were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

Healter Skealter in the summer swelter - the Birds flew off with a fallout shelter 
Eight Miles High and falling fast 
It landed foul on the grass 
The players tried for a forward pass with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast 
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume while the Sergeants played a marching tune 
We all got up to dance, oh, but we never got the chance 
'Cause the players tried to take the field - the marching band refused to yield 
Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died? 

We started singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

And, there we were, all in one place - a generation Lost in Space 
With no time left to start again 
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick - Jack Flash sat on a Candlestick, 'cause... 
Fire is the Devil's only friend 
And, as I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage 
No angel born in Hell could break that satan's spell 
And, as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrificial rite, I saw... 
Satan laughing with delight the day the music died 

He was singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

I met a girl who sang the Blues, and I asked her for some happy news 
She just smiled and turned away 
I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before, but... 
The man there said the music wouldn't play 
And, in the streets the children screamed, the lover's cried, and the poets dreamed, but... 
Not a word was spoken - the church bells all were broken 
And, the three men I admire most: the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, they... 
Caught the last train for the coast the day the music died 

And, they were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die 
This'll be the day that I die 

They were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie 
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry 
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing... 
This'll be the day that I die

Sentence Prayer

Father let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises

forever. Jesus, Spread your protection over the children of faith. Holy Spirit

may all who love God's name may be filled with joy.  Create in me a

soundtrack that shouts God has thrown the Horse and the Rider in the sea!

May my sound track not be filled with whiskey and rye, but the filling of your

Spirit and freedom!  May you give me a song that causes the world to rejoice

in God's love.  Amen!

Dark Shadows

Snippet

Evil was brazen, because you did not want to believe it existed.  

Dean Koontz Darkness Under the Sun

Scripture

You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.  All this will be because the mercy of God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace. Luke 1:77-79 LB

Song

Ghosts That We Knew by Mumford & Sons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-EUSvJchI

You saw my pain, washed out in the rain

Broken glass, saw the blood run from my veins

But you saw no fault no cracks in my heart

And you knelt beside my hope torn apart

But the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view

And we'll live a long life

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light

Cause oh they gave me such a fright

But I will hold as long as you like

Just promise me we'll be alright

So lead me back

Turn south from that place

And close my eyes to my recent disgrace

Cause you know my call

And we'll share my all

And our children come, they will hear me roar

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light

Cause oh they gave me such a fright

But I will hold as long as you like

Just promise me that we'll be alright

But hold me still bury my heart on the cold

And hold me still bury my heart next to yours

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light

Cause oh they gave me such a fright

And I will hold on with all of my might

Just promise me that we'll be alright

But the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view

And we'll live a long life

Sentence Prayer

Father, creator of all that is good without shadow or turning, speak into existence all that is good and right. Jesus may your blood was away the dark shadows of my life!  Holy Spirit Seal my heart with your holiness, bring a dawn of righteousness to my heart.  Give me the courage to speak the truth Evil exists, but God’s love is greater.  Give me righteous anger so I may boldly step out of the shadows and into the light.  Amen!

Fill er Up!

Snippet

Some time ago I read the story of Dwayne and Bonnie Wheat, whose lives changed forever on February 22, 1991, when a police office awoke them in the early hours with the tragic news that their daughter, Charla, had been murdered.  Bonnie later testified that it was the power of memorized scripture that kept her from going insane during the days that followed.  "In those days I could not read the bible and focus on it long enough to for it to make sense,"  she said, "but it was God's word that was already in my heart that ministered to me.  I am so thankful for that, it was things like, 'Be still and know that I am God,' and 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. . .'  God used those scriptures to show me that we just had to be still and let God be God."  (Dan Marting, "Pastor, Wife Share story of their Daughters Murder."  Baptist Press (October 15, 1988))

Scripture

Song

Voice of Truth Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLFOtBP1KU

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win! '
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win! 
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
I will choose to listen and believe

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth

And I will listen to You... You are...

Sentence Prayer

Jesus

To whom shall we go?

You have words of eternal life,

and we have believed and have come to know

that You are the Holy One of God.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

King of endless glory.  Amen!

(Celtic Daily Prayer PG. 18)

I Love

Snippet

You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth.”

― William W. Purkey

Scripture Psalms 92:1-8 NCV

It is good to praise you, Lord,

    to sing praises to God Most High.

2 It is good to tell of your love in the morning

    and of your loyalty at night.

3 It is good to praise you with the ten-stringed lyre

    and with the soft-sounding harp.

4 Lord, you have made me happy by what you have done;

    I will sing for joy about what your hands have done.

5 Lord, you have done such great things!

    How deep are your thoughts!

6 Stupid people don’t know these things,

    and fools don’t understand.

7 Wicked people grow like the grass.

    Evil people seem to do well,

    but they will be destroyed forever.

8 But, Lord, you will be honored forever.  

Song  I Love by Tom T Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNXewPeHXA

I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks, slow-moving trains, and rain

I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, Sunday school in may,

And hay

And i love you too

I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels

I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass and i love you too

I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions

I love winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when it's good, and life

And i love you too

Sentence Prayer

Father, it’s not quite spring, but open my eyes to the new life around me; little baby ducks, babies and wobbly calves.  Open my eyes to your goodness, so fill my heart with love that I burst with praise!  Amen

Lost Boys

Snippet From The  Movie Outsider

Johnny: Ponyboy, I asked the nurse to give you this book so you could finish it.The doctor came in a while ago but I already knew it anyway.I keep getting tireder and tireder.Listen,I don't mind dying now.It was worth it. It was worth saving those kids.Their lives are worth more than mine,they have more to live for.Some of the parents came by to thank me and I know it was worth it.Tell Dally it was worth it.I'm just gonna miss you guys. I've been thinking about it,and that poem , that guy that wrote it , he meant you are gold when you're a kid,like green. When you're a kid everything is new , dawn. It's just. When just when you get used to everything it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's Gold. Keep it that way, it's a good way to be.I want you to tell Dally to look at one. He'll probably think you're crazy , but ask for me. I don't think he's ever really seen a sunset. And don't be bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There's still alot od good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows. Your Buddy, Johnny

Scripture Prodigal Luke 15 Message

Then he said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’

“So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.

 “That brought him to his senses. He said, ‘All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father.

 “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’

 “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.

7 “All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, ‘Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.’

 “The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!’

“His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’”

Song  Lost Boys  Greg Holden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmnbom5Hcrs

I left my home still as a child

I walked a thousand soary miles

To wait for my father, to gather up his truth

He said my boy you've got to run

Don't wait for me, don't wait for mum

We'll come get you, when it's safe for us to move

So I waited many years,

held back the pain behind my tears

For my father, to come find me like he said

And in that time I was alone,

so many years without my home

I made brothers of a different kind instead

[Instrumental break]

And in the time I didn't know,

just how hard the wind could blow

Towards disaster, and the things that I would see

I never found my father,

I never found my mother

Even would I know in my lifetime I will be

A  hero into the masses,

to those born without chances

There's a freedom that everyone deserves

I know there's greed and there's corruption

I've seen death and mass destruction

But I'm telling you, and I hope that I'm heard

And I will not be commanded,

And I will not be controlled

And I will not let my future go on,

without the help of my soul

And I will not be commanded,

And I will not be controlled

And I will not let my future go on,

without the help of my soul

And I will not be commanded,

And I will not be controlled

And I will not let my future go on,

without the help of my soul

I will not be commanded,

I will not be controlled

And I will not let my future go on,

without the help of my soul

Sentence Prayer

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/season/sunday-lent/4c.html

How easily we leave your side,

Lord God,

for a place far away.

We are blind in our darkness,

so open our eyes to our sins.

Unless you strengthen our spirits

and create our hearts anew,

we cannot make the journey home.

Guide us to your welcoming arms;

to the music and the dancing,

for we are easily lost,

and only you, our Father,

can find us.

Fish out of the Water

Snippet

The fish and game are the essence of life.  I was not brought here.  I was put here by God.

(Sign by pond at Lazy 7 Ranch Aspen Colorado)

Scripture

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards[a] off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:3-14 RSV

Song

"Fish Out Of Water" By Mudvayne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HWABDBCVbQ

I'm a fish out of water,

Kill me and choke on the bones

Nothing seems to matter anymore,

Gotta get back to the reason,

Gotta get back to the hole

Someone throw me an anchor,

Gotta drown this disease

No one seems to matter anymore

Gotta get back to the meaning,

Gotta get back to the score

Buy my soul, so you can sell me

I don't need this, I don't need you

Trust your lies, then you betray me

I don't want this, I don't want you

Up the creek with no paddle,

Through the oars of a board

No one seems to carry at all anymore

Gotta get back to the meaning,

Gonna break backs of the poor

Let me tell you a secret,

So you can tattle and leave

No one holds to their honesty anymore

Gotta get back to the stealing,

Gotta take back from the hoard

Buy my soul, so you can sell me

I don't need this, I don't need you

Trust your lies, then you betray me

I don't want this, I don't want...

... you. I don't want to change

Who do you wanna be, the summit of integrity

Or the bottom, the filth, the dichotomy

All these fallen angels,

Skeletons of what they once were

Hanging in the closet for the world to see

Another fallen angel,

Faced by demons on their judgment

Hanging from the gallows for us all to see it

Buy my soul, so you can sell me

I don't need this, I don't need you

Trust your lies, then you betray me

I don't want this, I don't want you

Sentence Prayer

Jesus, forgive me for trusting in Satan’s lies, that have choked and poisoned me.  Open my eyes to the truth without your love I am a fish out of water.  I praise you because only you provide true food.  Help me grow up and fish for souls.  Amen!