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Glenn Beck thinks I'm a Nazi

Glenn Beck recently advised his listeners to leave their churches if they hear the words 'social justice' and 'economic justice'.  Beck claims that these are code words for Nazi or communist activity.  I don't know that I've ever used the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' from the pulpit, but that's not because I don't believe that the Gospel preaches that Christ makes ALL things new and that God is reconciling ALL things to himself through Christ.  Mr Beck - I believe in justice in all spheres of life and I believe that God is a just God.  I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.  A pastor from Denver has posted a thoughtful and thorough response to Mr. Beck here.

book review: Make Poverty Personal by Ash Barker

Make Poverty Personal by Ash Barker is an absolutely critical read.  This became real to me when it was sitting on my desk and somebody walked in, saw it, and said, ‘That’s your problem.  You think about the poor too much.’  First, I didn’t know I had a problem.  And second, I feel compelled to live like Jesus did – at the intersection of community and compassion.  By following the arc of the Biblical narrative, from Exodus to Eschaton, Barker leads a sweeping expedition that will inspire and challenge.  In addition to the sound Biblical exposition, Barker’s personal experience and deep conviction appear on every page.  He is not an academic speaking from a distance; but he and his family have served the poor with their very lives.  He is not only responding to urgent and overwhelming needs; he’s thinking about what the Bible really has to say.

the younger son (sermon from Lent 2, Luke 13:1-9)

You can hear my sermon from Sunday here:

The Younger Son

This is a sermon from Sunday's lectionary reading in Luke 13.  But I'm using it as a lens to view the character of the younger son in the famous parable of The Prodigal Son.  Tune in next week to encounter the father.

the older son (sermon from Lent 2, Luke 13:31-35)

You can hear my sermon from Sunday here:

The Older Son

This is a sermon from Sunday's lectionary reading in Luke 13.  But I'm using it as a lens to view the character of the older son in the famous parable of The Prodigal Son.  Tune in the next two weeks, to encounter the younger son and the father.

friday listening party: Gungor

I have so much music in me and so much music to talk about.  I was at Recreate last week, a creativity-and-faith think-tank and conference in Nashville.  I enjoyed and was exposed to so much music, old and new, classic and progressive, familiar and emerging.  But today, all I have on my mind and in my ears is Gungor.

I first heard of The Michael Gungor Band when a friend of mine, Brian Smith, who works in PR in Nashville, gave me their CD in 2007.  Good stuff.  Strong songs.  Gives voice to the church.  Doesn't fall into worship cliches.  Then I heard of them again when I found out one of my neighbors from Colorado Springs, who is a pastor at New Life Church and one of the drummers with Tribe, Daniel Grothe, plays with them.  But when I saw them on the itinerary at Recreate, I had no idea what to expect.

I knew that as I listened (and watched!) their performance, that I was witnessing a turning point in corporate worship.  Written as a symphony with movements and motifs, the album that released this week, 'Beautiful Things', is indeed beautiful, as well as provocative, intriguing, deep, and singable.  Luci Swindoll had spoken to us just prior about Pictures and Tears, about how people cry in front of a great piece of art because the art is either too full or too empty.  Gungor filled the room and their were tears and laughter all around.  I can't even describe the experience.  You just have to buy the record yourself and do everything in your power to see them live. 

I'm doing everything I can to see them live.  My parents are watching our kids tonight and we're taking an overnight date to Cincinnati to see them at The Underground. 

Here are three videos of Gungor.

This is their EPK about their new album...

This is an 8 minute clip of the live performance that I experienced last week.  You'll see me to the left of the pillar at 7:05.  haha.

And here is a video from their previous album, Ancient Skies.  The song is called 'White Man'.

love songs

Sunday was Valentine's Day.  We didn't really go all out in celebration - we just enjoyed a low-key afternoon and evening together and with our 3 little kids.  But this weekend, we'll go all out.  We're taking an overnight date to Cincinnati to see Gungor, a band I had heard of before, but really experienced last Thursday at Recreate. 

In honor of my wife and my love for her, I wanted to share 2 songs with you. 

The first one is Julieann.  I wrote this in June 2001 on the long drive from Ocean City, MD to Marion, IN after we met for the very first time.  I knew I'd marry her, and this song is how I told her (read: proposed to her) in August of that summer.  I recorded it with Aaron Zink and Chad Flanagan in the Spring of 2002 just before our wedding, and then we used the track for our first dance.  I hope you enjoy.

Download Julieann

Sleepless nights and the days of dreaming
The Spirit's song in my ears
The years of waiting for you
Have led me to realize that this love story really should not end

Maybe it's the atmosphere
Maybe it's the thinning air
Maybe it's your blue eyes
Maybe it's the nighttime sky
Maybe it's Jesus in your smile

This love story really should not end
This love story really should not end
Julieann, Julieann, Julieann

I apologize
For I realize
That I need you around

Julieann, Julieann, Julieann
This love story really should not end

The second song was written in the Winter of 2001/2002 as I anticipated our life together.  It was recorded with Ben Sisney sometime between 2004 and 2007.  Not sure when Ben and I got to this one.  It's original title was 'Begging the Metaphysical for Some Explanation,' but come on, really!?!  So it's called 'Love Child Love'.  I hope you enjoy.

Download Love Child Love

She slides into my room
Like a ship sailing softly over broken blue glass

Dressed in dazzling white silk
Salt-sea breezes are slipping, dripping from her fingertips

Wearing you like long sleeves
I can feel you breathing, our lungs are so full

Will you take a chance on me?
Will you share a dance with me?
Oh, love, child, love is the strongest language

Will you spend some time with me?
Will you drop a line for me?
Oh, love, child, love is the softest language

She moves inside of grace
Lives inside the place between sunbeams, or so it seems

Love, child, love is the saving language
Your love, child, love is the saving language
Your love, child, love is our saving language, yeah

You can here more of my music here.

join us for Ash Wednesday services

At UALC: The Church at Mill Run, we will be having two Ash Wednesday services.  Today begins one of the most significant journeys a Christian (or spiritually curious person) can take: into and through the wilderness... with and toward the new life of Jesus that makes ALL things new.

Please consider joining us tonight for one of our two services, at 6:30 and 7:30.  We will celebrate communion and impose ashes at both services, but the 6:30 service will be more kid-friendly.  There is childcare for children birth to five years old.

To see more opportunities to join us on this journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, go here.  

the transfiguration (sermon from Transfiguration Sunday, Luke 9:23-48)

You can hear my sermon from Sunday here:

The Transfiguration

Fishing Stories (sermon from Epiphany 5, Luke 5:1-11)

You can hear my sermon from Sunday here:

Fishing Stories

In Nashville for Create conference this week

Monday morning I'm driving with Brodie Taphorn to Nashville. We're attending the Create 2010 worship conference and think tank. Check back often for updates. Also, follow me on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/danieljclark and find me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/danieljclark1 for tweets and updates from the conference.