2020 End of Year Playlist on Spotify

 Spotify does a fun thing every year where they give me a list of my most played songs throughout the year. Last year they even shared my artist of the decade (if you know me you have a pretty good chance at guessing that one). 

This year's #1 song is one I first heard last year. We were blessed to see Greater Vision in person when we went to the Collingsworth Experience with my folks in fall of 2019. 

My Name is Lazarus by Greater Vision

My second most played song for 2020 is one of my favorite songs by the indubitable Matt Redman, Blessed Be Your Name.

Third on the list is You Lead by Jamie Grace, with my favorite line, "My God is my God and He's got my back".

Fourth on the list won't surprise anyone who knows me, a high energy upbeat song from my pregame playlist, Horsepower, by my artist of the decade, Chris LeDoux.

In fact, a high number of songs from this list are from my Pregame Playlist. Pretty much every morning this summer I played basketball at our local park, and many of these are what you could hear (along with the swish of the net of course). 

Here are a few of those:

5. Tequila by The Champs (I can still hear the high school pep band playing this as the home team takes the court).

6. This one I found this past year when we started watching Deputy, Go Faster by The Black Crowes is the theme song for what has become one of my favorite TV shows. The song itself is a lot of fun as well.

9. Can't have a workout or pregame playlist without the classic Eye of the Tiger by Survivor!

I also have a compilation of favorite Christian songs that we play at the Haven during food bank or when we're working on projects, and another playlist called "Strength", which Paul listens to a lot. There are quite a few songs from those on the Most Played Compilation. 

Some of these include Trust in You by Lauren Daigle, some of the songs I've already mentioned, Red Letters by David Crowder, Game On by Disciple (on both playlists), and He Saw It All by the Booth Brothers (also a great part of the Collingsworth Experience).

When I am playing music at the park, or at the Haven, or instrumental study music in my classroom, I have this really great speaker which I found on Amazon. I bought one for me, one for Paul, one for the house, one for at least one of the girls...It has good sound, it pairs easily, and it's very durable.

Sunday, February 21, 2021

 

WW 1984

 

Yep, go watch it. NOW. 

Definitely a good movie worth watching. 

I don't know how much to share without getting into spoiler territory, but there are lots of great lessons and illustrations throughout the movie.

And, like many of today's movies, you do not want to leave the theatre when the credits roll...no spoiler here because I'm not giving you details, but STAY PUT!

Sunday, February 14, 2021 - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

 

Cinnamon Bread

 Loved this easy Cinnamon Bread Recipe from Dear Crissy. The only problem I had was that I kept forgetting to pour half the batter and then sprinkle the mix and pour the rest of the batter, so I ended up just pouring it on top and stirring it into the batter right in the pans.

It was absolutely delicious, moist and full of flavor, rave reviews!

Pastor Paul Page February 2021

 

Matthew 11:1-5 ¹And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.² Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,³ And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

 

John the Baptist was at a tough time in his life. He was in prison shortly before his execution, and he was struggling. He was sitting in prison getting ready to die and he was confused. He sent out some disciples to double check and make sure this really was the Savior.

 

John baptized Jesus in Matthew 3. He saw the heavens open, he saw the dove descend, he heard God say that this was His beloved son. And still, even after seeing and hearing all of this, John struggled with his faith.

 

We have problems and difficulties in life, and we always will. Just because we accepted Christ doesn’t mean everything is rosy and will be easy.

 

The first thing we must remember is that Christ is real. He gave us salvation. If we’ve trusted Him as our Savior we have a guarantee that our salvation can’t be taken away.

John 10:27-30²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:²⁸ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.²⁹ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.³⁰ I and my Father are one.

 

He also promises us that someday He will return.

Hebrews 9:28²⁸ So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

He has also promised He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Deuteronomy 31:6⁶ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

We absolutely need to trust Him, to turn everything over to Him, lay it down before Him, and just let Him have control.

Proverbs 3:5-7⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.