Creation Museum: Photos Galore!
Here are the photos of my recent trip to the Creation Museum, near Cincinnati.
Click here for a slideshow of all the photos! For the lazy ones, here’s a few thumbnails to whet your appetite 
Overwhelmed with Gratitude
I generally don’t want to post this sappy stuff on my blog these days, but I recently quoted the phrase “overwhelmed with gratitude” and accidentally attributed it to Boyz II Men, when it wasn’t them who said it. Thus, here I am to set the record straight, giving credit where credit is due 
The quote is actually from the song “Thank God I Found You“, sung by Mariah Carey, featuring 98 Degrees and Joe.
I would give up everything, before I’d separate myself from you
After so much suffering, I finally found unvarnished truth
I was all by myself, for the longest time, so cold inside
And the hurt from the heartache would not subside
I felt like dying, until you saved my lifeCHORUS:
Thank God I found you, I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream, Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight, completed my whole life
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude
Cause baby, I’m so thankful I found youI would give you everything — there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
To ensure your happiness, I’ll cherish every part of you
Cause without you beside me, I can’t survive — I don’t want to try
If you’re keeping me warm each and every night, I’ll be alright
Cause I need you in my lifeBridge:
See, I was so desolate before you came to me
Looking back I guess it shows that we were destined to shine
After the rain to appreciate the gift of what we have
And I’d go through it all over again to be able to feel this way
I don’t like fruitcake… but apple jam on a breakfast biscuit is enjoyable
She Knows and She’s Figured Out
We were just arriving at the coffee shop the other day and this classic happy song was playing on the radio! Crazy For This Girl by evan and jaron:
She rolls the window down
And she
Talks over the sound
Of the cars that pass us by
And I don’t know why
But she’s changed my mindCHORUS:
Would you look at her, she looks at me
She’s got me thinking about her constantly
But she dont know how I feel
And as she carries on without a doubt
I wonder if she’s figured out
I’m crazy for this girlShe was the one to hold me
The night
The sky fell down
And what was I thinking when
The world didn’t end
Why didn’t I know what I know nowBRIDGE:
Right now, face to face
All my fears pushed aside
And right now
I’m ready to spend the rest of my life
With you
Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now
You don’t have to make your mind up
I just wanna take my time with you
If that’s alright, it’s alright
Oh forgive me if I get too shy but
maybe you’re the reason why, love
I’m feelin’ butterflies
Somethin’ bout the look in your eyes
Oooh it just makes me feel so right
When my mind’s void, you’re my joy
You’re the dream when I sleep
And hey I’m for ya yeah I adore ya
you’re everything that I need
And I love how you love me
If I’m made for you, you’re made for me
It’s too good to be
So tell me what we’re gonna do now
Yeah tell me what we’re gonna do now
yeah yeah
Oh right now
See I love how you make me smile
Don’t leave please stay awhile
Let’s make this happen
I don’t care how
Right now lets stay in the present
Can’t worry bout tomorrow cause today is a blessing
The world in a state of aggression
I find calm in you, I see my mom in you
It’s like a feeling in ya stomach
when you want it so bad
If we keep keeping it fresh it ain’t gonna go bad
I’ve been through the valley of love
Rode through the shores of Cali just to find peace of mind
Looking to the sky asking for at least a sign
Beautiful you came at such a decent time
When we combine it’s like good food and wine
Flavorful yet refined — you remind me of the divine
So easy
Love can be lost and then found, like Stevie
I just love having you around
you wearing the gown, I’m wearing the crown
pound for pound, we the freshest couple in town
Ooh tell me what we’re gonna do
Joss Stone - Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now
All The Miles That Separate
You gotta watch this — it’s a classic!
A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don’t think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I’m dreaming of your faceI’m here without you baby
But you’re still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you baby
But you’re still with me in my dreams
And tonight it’s only you and meThe miles just keep rollin’
As the people leave their way to say hello
I’ve heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we goEverything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
And when the last one falls
When it’s all said and done
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
3 Doors Down - Here Without You
I Don’t Know
When you know that you know who you love, you can’t deny it.
Or go back, or give up, or pretend that you don’t buy it.
When it’s clear this time you’ve found the one, you’ll never let her go
Cos you know and you know that you know.When you feel in your skin in your bones and the hollow
Of your heart, there’s no way you can wait till tomorrow.
When there isn’t any doubt about it once you come this close
Cos you know and you know that you know.You can feel love’s around you like the sky ’round blue
This is how love has found you, now you know what to do.And it’s time you come in from the cold.
Haaa…
And you know that you know.
Shawn Colvin - When You Know
Gravity
Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do,
I’ll still feel you here ’til the moment I’m gone.
You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much,
Than to drown in your love and not feel your rain.
Set me free, leave me be.
I don’t want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall,
Just the way I’m supposed to be.
But you’re on to me and all over me.
You loved me ’cause I’m fragile,
When I thought that I was strong.
But you touch me for a little while,
And all my fragile strength is gone.
I live here on my knees, as I try to make you see,
That you’re everything I think I need here on the ground.
But you’re neither friend nor foe, though I can’t seem to let you go.
The one thing that I still know is that, you’re keeping me down… oooh.
Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
Written by Sara Bareilles
Love Wash Over a Multitude of Things
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
–The Apostle Paul, to the Corinthians (1 Cor 13:7)
When it was over and they could talk about it.
She said,
“There’s just one thing I have got to know:
What in that moment when you were running so hard and fast
Made you stop and turn for home?”
He said,
“I always knew you loved me even though I’d broken your heart
I always knew there’d be a place for me to make a brand new start.”
Oh love wash over a multitude of things
Jesus save us from a multitude of things
And make us whole
When it was over and they could talk about it
They were sitting on the couch
She said,
“What on earth made you stay here
When you finally figured out what I was all about?”
He said,
“I always knew you’d do the right thing
Even though it might take some time.”
She said,
“Yeah, I felt that and that’s probably what saved my life.”
There is a love that never fails
There is a healing that always prevails
There is a hope that whispers a vow
A promise to stay while we’re working it out
So come with your love and wash over us
Here’s my heart, on my sleeve
I’ve been much more private with these issues in the past few months. So, here’s a small glimpse of my heart on my sleeve as of late:
Umbrella: Christ Mix
Thanks to my sister, she linked me up with this video - a remix of the song made popular by Rihanna, Umbrella:
Leona Lewis: the next big thing?
Leona Lewis is a 22 year-old English singer-songwriter and winner of the third series of The X Factor (UK version of American Idol). Lewis recently broke records as she is the third UK female artist of all time to reach #1 in the US with a debut single.
She recently made her American debut at the Clive Davis Pre Grammy Awards Party, and is set to make it big in the US with her debut album “Spirit“, being released April 8. (Current singles include Bleeding Love, Better in Time, and Footprints in the Sand)
Check out Leona on her YouTube video channel, or her MySpace page. (Thanks to my sister for telling me about Leona!)
2008 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY party
Leona Lewis with Clive Davis and Carrie Underwood
If I Were a Sailboat
Thanks to a certain PhD student, I am really digging Katie Melua and this song right now!
If you were a cowboy I would trail you
If you were a piece of wood I’d nail you to the floor
If you were a sailboat I would sail you to the shoreIf you were a river I would swim you
If you were a house I would live in you all my days
If you were a preacher I’d begin to change my waysSometimes I believe in faith
But the chances we create
Always seem to ring more truth
You took a chance on loving me
I took a chance on loving youIf I was in jail I know you’d spring me
If I was a telephone you’d ring me all day long
If I was in pain I know you’d sing me soothing songsIf I was hungry you would feed me
If I was in darkness you would lead me to the light
If I was a book I know you’d read me every night
Free Delirious download!
The much anticipated new studio album from Delirious? titled Kingdom of Comfort is slated for release April 1st of 2008.
In the meantime, the band is offering an exclusive FREE download of their song “God Is Smiling” from the new album right from their website. Visit www.delirious.co.uk/livingroom to sign up for the free download and also gain access to more exclusive content and secret tour info! Stay tuned to the website for info regarding the new upcoming album and tour dates!
(HT: WorshipTogether.com)
5 free iTunes downloads
If you are one of my faithful blog readers, you are in for a treat today!
Join the Ticketmaster Live group on Facebook, and receive 5 free iTunes downloads!
(After logging into Facebook, join the Ticketmaster Live group, and then click on the “REDEEM FREE MUSIC” link to get credit for 5 free songs.)
Who ever said Southern Baptists are opposed to the evil iTunes who has a monopoly on the music downloads market?! Prove them wrong — download now!
(If you don’t have iTunes, download it here)
Freebie expires November 15, 2007 (according to my Facebook page)
** Spread this ‘good news’ — but please link back to my blog post here! **
huiou theou
Music Monday:
I’ve been reciting Mark 1:1-15 over and over in my head for my NT1 midterm, and as a result, I’ve been humming this great song of praise in my head the past couple days! ~smiles~ I love the lyrics… so Christo-centric
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Son Of God
Performed by Starfield with Chris Tomlin. Written by Jon Neufeld, Tim Neufeld, Ed Cash, Gordon Cochran.
Lyrics here:
(more…)
Music Monday
Here is an older worship ballad that I have loved since it first led by Chris Tomlin shortly after 9/11, titled “Enough“. It speaks about the sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior — He is everything we could ever want in life, and so much more:
Lyrics here: (more…)
Music Monday
Here’s one that is all about evangelism, an older, acoustic cut of Tim Hughes‘ God of Justice (We Must Go)
This song deals with the theme of social justice and the call to expand our worship actions beyond just singing to include taking the love of Christ to the poor and hungry. It’s a well crafted song that is written from the congregational point of view (employing “us” and “we”) bringing the congregation into unity as the lyrics are proclaimed. The song is no doubt worshipful and should fit well into a worship set.
Lyrics here: (more…)
Music Monday
Today’s Music Monday features Jordin Sparks — the season 6 winner of American Idol. At 17, this makes her the youngest winner in American Idol history. She has a good vocal range, but of course, nothing compared to my dear Carrie. I’ve been playing her first single, “This Is My Now“, from my old Top 100 playlist from June, and I admit, there’s good reason for her to be the current reigning ‘Idol.
Time will tell if her music is as good as and different from my the other American Idols I have on my iPod: Carrie, Kelly, and Katharine. I have never really watched a full episode of American Idol in my life, but I confess now that I am a fan — at least of the female winners/runners up:P (That means for you guys out there, you gotta step it up!)
Lyrics here: (more…)
Music Monday
Robbie Seay Band’s new album, Give Yourself Away, features progressive melodies and raw, insightful lyrics rooted in Jesus’ call to service. The first single, “Song Of Hope,” was the second Most Added on R&R’s Christian AC Monitored chart for the week of August 3, and was also one of the Most Added on R&R’s Christian CHR chart for the week of July 20. The single had 11 adds in its first week and has been picked up by 21 stations in three weeks.
Check out this free Acoustic version of the song, courtesy of WorshipTogether.com:
(It’s really catchy! I’ve played this track over a dozen times in the past week )
Together we stand
You’re not alone, together we stand
I’ll be by your side, you know I’ll take your hand
When it gets cold and it feels like the end
There’s no place to go, you know I won’t give in
no I won’t give in
**
Keep holdin’ on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through–we’ll make it through
Just, stay strong
‘Cause you know I’m here for you–I’m here for you
There’s nothing you can say, nothing you can do
there’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through, we’ll make it through
(more…)
Music Monday
Robbie Seay Band is a Christian rock / worship band located in Houston, Texas. The band leads worship at Ecclesia Church in Houston where Robbie’s brother, Chris Seay, is the teaching pastor.
Here’s a new song titled “Eternal One” from the Robbie Seay Band that would be great as an upbeat praise tune for congregational worship:
Get their new album Give Yourself Away via iTunes or pre-order the CD online (shipping Aug.28).
Music Monday
Here’s an old one, from Canadian worship/rock band Starfield. According to Wikipedia, Starfield is a multiple Covenant Award winning Christian music worship group from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
This track, here in acoustic format, has been a popular song in the past at my home church back in Toronto:
Filled With Your Glory written by brothers Jon and Tim Neufeld.
Lyrics here: (more…)
Music Monday
It’s been a memorable first day of seminary! I had one class this morning, Systematic Theology I with Dr. Russell Moore. Memorable because Dr. Moore made some direct comments about how all of theology should be focused around the central motif of Christ — and not just “God’s glory” in an abstract sense — as well as his mentioning of Rob Bell and Tony Jones as persons in the church today who are having an adverse effect on the Christian faith because of their theology. (Amen to that!)
Thus, since we should all be Christocentric in all we do, today’s Music Monday features Steve Fee’s “All Because of Jesus“. It’s an upbeat worship song that speaks of the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ, and recently has been used at the New Attitude 2007 conference. Check it out:
Lyrics here: (more…)
