What do you do when you are snowed in?

Many of you have asked me, "Kyle, what do you do when you and your family are snowed in?" To this I tell them- "Double Dream Hands." Check it out:

What message do you sing?

I have to admit that I love me some hymns. This has not always been the case. I used to think they were outdated and irrelevant, but the more I grow in my knowledge of Christ, the more I love these age-old songs. There's something different about the hymns. And no, it's not that they are different because they are boring or lame. That may be your opinion. The hymns are different because they have a lot of depth. If it's true that 80% of the congregation's theology comes from the songs that they sing, then it's important for our songs to be Biblically accurate and to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the most popular songs on Christian radio ("Safe for the Whole Family") may be catchy, but many of them are not Biblically solid or Gospel-declaring. Sometimes this kind of a music-culture can create people just like the songs- catchy and fun, but not very well-grounded and rooted in the the Scriptures.
So, what's got me thinking about this today? A hymn called "Jesus Saves" (written in 1882). The tune just somehow popped into my head and I've been reminding myself today that Jesus saves. See that it so wonderfully declares the Gospel- the Gospel that says we've been saved by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that this good news will not only redeem Christians but all of creation. I can't think of a better message to sing with the Church.

Here are the lyrics:

We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea; echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom, when the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free; highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Philippians

Trip Lee- To Live is Christ
I have a lot of respect for Trip Lee and Lecrae for being gospel-centered and even expositional in their rap/hip-hop music. From what I understand, their concerts are an awesome testimony to the power of the Gospel. Check out the vid:

Psalm 32- the best Psalm ever written?

It is told of Martin Luther that one day being asked which of all the Psalms were the best, he made answer, Psalmi Paulini (Psalms that have an Apostle Paul flavor), and when his friends pressed to know which these might be, he said,

"The 32nd, the 51st, the 130th, and 143rd. For they all teach that the forgiveness of our sins comes without the law and without works to the man who believes, and therefore I call them Pauline Psalms."

-Luther's Table Talk

A Christmas to Remember

Hudson decided to surprise GiGi, GiDaddy, Joel and Nanny on Christmas day- as we were supposed to be there on the evening of the 26th. We drove all night (10 hours) on Christmas Eve to surprise them (without getting shot entering their house at 6:15 am). Here's a snapshot of our Christmas . . . one that we will all remember for a long time. It's a bit pixelated, but I think you get the picture.

A Social Network Christmas

Creative video highlighting how the key players must have felt on that first Christmas.

The dance of sermon prep

This walk, this dance;
Holy & sacred, joyful & true;
Weaving through the Word-
Loving every moment, loving You.

Praise You for Your faithfulness!
Valleys, hilltops, shadows & light;
You have not remained silent!
You have proven your might!

Use me. Use this-
Reading, meditating, seeking Christ out-
To build Your Church;
To make You proud.