EVERLASTING GOD.

I learned this song a few weeks ago, and I can't get it out of my head - I love it. Here's a clip of the songwriter, Brenton Brown, talking a little about it and teaching you how to play it. See you soon.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
(Everlasting God, Brenton Brown)

BÜX: PRAYER: FINDING THE HEART'S TRUE HOME

I just finished up this book tonight. In short, this book is the Celebration of Discipline of prayer. I've read a lot of his work, including the aforementioned Celebration of Discipline and The Freedom of Simplicity, and I just picked up his book Money, Sex, and Power: The Challenge of the Disciplined Life from the thrift store over Thanksgiving break - awesome!

As I've read his work, I've been deeply moved and convicted by the compassionate warmth of his writings, as well as his ability to deal with his subjects comprehensively and compellingly, while maintaining a prophetic edge that makes you uncomfortable, but in a way that draws you closer into life with God. My experience with this book was no different - he dealt with the subject of prayer from a variety of angles, organizing them intuitively and sprinkling them personal anecdotes that both convict and comfort. Looking back on the book's scope in the final chapter, Foster reveals his thesis for the book:

We saw some of the ways God's loving friendship draws us inward into the transformation we need: changing us, molding us, forming us. We were invited upward into the intimacy we need: adoring God, resting in God, listening to God. We heard the call outward into the ministry we need: healing the sick, suffering with the broken, interceding for the world. (p. 255)

If your prayer life feels shallow, meaningless, or devoid of life, as mine often does, I'd recommend this book to you; I hope the joy that Foster reveals in the privilege that we each have to come confidently before God in prayer will put a smile on your face and breathe life into your prayer life. If you've read this book, let me know what you thought in the comments. See you soon.

HONEYMOON PICTURES UP.

I uploaded the pictures from our honeymoon to my Picasa page. Check 'em out. See you soon.

WOW - PT. III.

Saudi Prince Buying "Flying Palace" Jet

Reading through the news this morning, I came across an article that reveals that Prince Alaweed bin Tabal of Saudi Arabia is purchasing an Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane just recently unveiled. It holds 853 passengers in an economy setting, but the prince is having the seats stripped to customize it according to his desires, which may include a movie theater and a gym. The price of with plane, with customization, could be close to half a billion dollars. Here's a quote from the article:

"'It's like buying a new car or a new TV,' Velupillai told The Associated Press. 'One wants something bigger and better.'"

The prince is already the only private owner of a Boeing 747, the "world's most spacious plane" prior to the A380. Wow. May we be weary of the grip that the love of money can have on our lives, and see the opportunity and call upon each of us to give with reckless compassion to those who have nothing. See you soon.