You need to listen to this song!

       As I have begun working on my sermon for June 5th the song, Pray, by Kendall Payne came to mind. I am assuming that most of you have never heard of Kendall Payne, which is why I want to encourage you to listen to this song.  I had the opportunity to hear Kendall at National Youth Workers Convention and the lyrics to this song blew me away, and challenged my ideas of what we should be praying for.  It reminded me how often we pray for the American dream not the Biblical dream, and the two are vastly different dreams.  Here are the lyrics....

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 strenght 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 each 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 eever 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

You can watch her perform this song here....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdrRSCL-EL4

You might not like this one...

      You might not like this post, but I am going to write it anyways.  When I turned on the news this morning, I quickly found out that Osama was killed.  The news talked about it, and it was even the leading story on ESPN this morning.  As I jumped on facebook I quickly noticed that the vast majority, though not all, of my friends who were commenting on the situation were rejoicing.  Sadly, I fear that many Christians in America will see this as God using his chosen nation, America, to purge the world of evil.  I struggle with the idea of rejoicing with the death of anyone.  Jesus said, we are to love our enemies, and love is not rejoicing in their death.  Love is actively desiring God's good for their life.  The ultimate good for Osama would have been a relationship with Jesus Christ and forgiveness of his sins (even though he would still have received many consequences on earth for his actions).  May we as believers be careful how we talk, think, and live during this time.  We as followers of Jesus are not to be like everyone else.  Maybe instead of rejoicing in the death of Osama, we should be mourning that in all likelihood, Osama has been ushered into an eternity without God.  Lastly, the thoughts of one of my seminary professors came to mind today,  "Osama has killed thousands, but we in America have killed over 35 million of the most innocent by abortion.  Maybe someone should attack us."  Food for thought.