Another one of these folksy songs from DNC that just sticks in your head is a song called “Good Day Every Day”. Of course when you get that thought in your head, it’s always going to be just that!
So check it out here, and sing along today as we have a good day, every day!
24 The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:24 New International Version (NIV)
Since, I was in college I have always enjoyed the music of Drivin’ ‘N Cryin’. After listening to their stuff again a few weeks ago, I decided I would have DNC week on the DB. However, it seems that will actually just be DNC 3 days. So over the next three days, it will be simple observations from some of good ol’ Kevn Kinney’s lyrics.
I thought I would start off with the song Scarred But Smarter. I like this particular part of this song:
There’s always a chance to get restarted to a new world, new life, Scarred by Smarter!
It’s such a story of redemption and forgiveness. It’s screams the idea of learning from the past, leaving it behind and moving forward. It’s something we all can think about as we start each day anew.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3
My oh my, these day’s just keep coming. I can’t figure out who creates these things, but they are great fodder for thoughts. Evidently today is “International Tongue Twister Day”. I guess that means I should write about Peter and his pickles or some girl on the beach, or a certain wood chuck. Evidently the world’s toughest English tongue twister according to Guinness is
“The sixth sick sheikh’s sixth sheep’s sick.”
But I actually think the world’s toughest tongue twister is actually found in the book of James – which incidentally I find so difficult that I occasionally just tear it out of my Bible.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
I had read this lots of times, but a few years ago I read it again, and then I realized how much I use my tongue to praise the creator, and to tear down his creation. I think I am not alone in that struggle. That my friends is quite a tongue twister!
So, get out there and impress your companions with your vocal talents as you tell tales of witches and their wishes and sailors who set out to sea. And if you need to test yourself today, you can find tons of international tongue twisters here and here. But at the same time, be reminded of how you are using that twisted tongue when you address those who are created by the same God you praise!
This has been a week were I have often referred to silly ‘mathy’ things about the date. I ‘figured’ I could continue that for one last day, especially after ready Seth Goodin recent blog entry.
Mr. Goodin is an author of, I guess motivational and leadership books. Several of which are quite famous. Anyway, his blog is a pretty neat resource for ideas and thought leadership. This week he posted a short and simple entry on the differences between arithmetic and mathematics.
I found this really fascinating for a few reasons. First, it’s because so many times when my boys are struggling with homework in their math classes I tell them, once you get the concept down this is just arithmetic – it’s should be really easy for you. And that is usually the case, as we all understanding arithmetic – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It’s the mathematical concepts that trip us up.
The other reason is that I can relate to him on so many days. At work, and even in life it seems at times that all I am doing is the repetitive aspects of arithmetic – but missing the creative, risk taking, mathematical parts of the day – both in work and in life.
And I think this is also so clear in our spiritual lives. How good are we at doing the basic redundant things – smiling, saying “I’m good”, appearing to have it all together but we are missing the risky parts of live. Things like solving the problem in a relationship, getting to know someone, growing ourselves, stepping out on faith, thinking about our thinking?
It’s a pretty interesting thought for a Friday – especially from a very short blog post. Make sure you read it.
1 Ship your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.3 If clouds are full of water,
they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
Well, I missed it again! Yesterday’s date was a palindrome – 11022011. I can’t believe I didn’t see that before I posted yesterday. I am sure today has some of significance if you take the hexadecimal version of it or something. Well, at least I did get a second chance to tell you about it after the fact.
Speaking of second chances, I found this really cool website last week. It’s call the People of The Second Chance, and its tag line is Overthrow Judgment, Liberate Love. It’s a very interesting site that focuses on new beginnings and forgiveness. I especially like their current campaign that’s asks the question ” Who would you give a second chance?” and shows this picture:
That’s a really great question, and one that unfortunately we all probably could answer like this – “Everyone!, Except this person ______ (fill in the blank).” But that is the challenge for us, isn’t it? We all like second chances. But sometimes, we don’t like to allow others to have them.
Take a moment to explore that site, and check out their blog – there is a lot of good content over there, but most importantly, stop and think about the way you dispense forgiveness, grace and mercy.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-23New International Version (NIV)