Commentary on "10,000 Reasons"

It's not often that there's an open commentary on a popular worship song. Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons," which I first heard recommended from fellow worship leaders at a conference in Charlotte in 2011, has been making the rounds. 

"The first time I heard Matt Redman’s '10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)' on the radio, I knew I was listening to a song that would soon be sung in churches across the United States. The plaintive melody perfectly suits Redman’s paraphrase of Psalm 103, and the chorus was singing in my head the rest of the day.

"According to CCLI’s biannual list of 25 songs reported by churches across the country, '10,000 Reasons' is now the most-often sung contemporary worship song in America."

I wouldn't mind more a little more open commentary (esp. musical) on the composition of worship songs. What are your thoughts on this idea and/or Trevin Wax's aforementioned review?

Annoying Things in Worship Songs

Well-written editorial. Are we comparing corporate musical worship to the Psalms or something else, such as our own tastes?

Don't feel I can preview it without spoiling it, so check it out here.

HT: Justin Taylor

"I Should Be Philip Seymour Hoffman"

Powerful meditations and testimony here.

I've seen every movie, read reviews of every play, studied the way he would prepare for a role. I wanted to be Philip Seymour Hoffman.

My friend Zach, an old college roommate from theatre school who moved to New York after we graduated, would often talk about serving him in the bar he was working at. I'd always ask what he was like. "Just a guy, really,” he’d say. “A normal guy, maybe a little eccentric. Wore a baseball hat, ordered a beer, but nothing strange."

Of course not. What would be strange about the most amazing actor in the world just ordering a beer? He was a local in his neighborhood and he worked a ton. Multiple movies and plays all going on at once.

In 2008, he told The New York Times, "I try to live my life in such a way that I don't have profound regrets. That's probably why I work so much. I don't want to feel I missed something important."

As the news of his death flashed on my phone this evening while I lay in bed with the flu, I felt a bit of my heart breaking. But not before it started to race with anxiety and fear. While I wanted to live Philip Seymour Hoffman's life, I realized that I came very close to dying his death.

HT: Blaine Hogan

Friday Fun: How "The Phantom Menace" Should Have Ended

It's been almost 15 years since my eagerly hustled my 9th grade, Star Wars-loving, model-building, Rogue Squadron-playing (go N64!) and movie-marathoning self into the 7-theater cinema in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to catch the debut of Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

So much has happened since then. There's been more Star Wars movies, TV shows and toys, and now there's going to be an Episode VII, directed by (gasp) the same man who helmed the two recent Star Trek movies. Also, what's happened after nearly 15 years since The Phantom Menace is that the humorous writers of HISHE have produced its episode. Star Wars fans will enjoy this.

Violence and Poverty: IJM's New Book

Yesterday, a powerful, challenging-yet-hopeful Christian-penned book about global violence and poverty and what you can do about it made some small ripples in cyberspace.

The book is entitled The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence, and it's penned by Gary Haugen (International Justice Mission) and Victor Boutros (U.S. Department of Justice). With endorsements from QIdeas and others, and a good review by TGC, you might want to check this book out.

Gary Haugen, IJM's founder and president, has spoken at my undergrad's chapel. The Gospel is the reason he does what he does. Below is the trailer.

You can buy it on Amazon here. More info is available at www.thelocusteffect.com.

3 Questions to Ask When Planning a Worship Service

Wise words here from Ed Stetzer:

1. What does the Bible say to include in your worship?

2. How can I engage in biblically commanded worship in culturally appropriate ways?

3. What will help people in this culture and time worship in Spirit and Truth?

Click here for his explanations.

Modern 10 Commandments?

Are we slacking on the 10 Commandments? It sometimes seems that our version is more like below:

1. You shall not have too many other gods besides Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself too many images or dreams that you serve or to which you bow down.

3. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain too often or in ways that are too obvious.

4. Remember the Sabbath morning to keep it holy or if not, at least catch livestream or a podcast of a sermon. The rest of the Day you shall do whatever you want.

5. Tolerate your father and your mother. Try not to embarrass them too much so that they will tolerate you.

6. You shall not literally murder. Slander is ok, though.

7. You shall not commit adultery unless you are  in love or at least really like your partner.

8. You shall not steal too much; unless you steal from those who deserve to have their stuff stolen.

9. You shall not bear false witness in ways that are obvious. Unless you are a blogger.

10. You shall not covet, whatever that means.

Read the rest here.