Mighty Is The Power of The Cross

Reflecting on the work Jesus accomplished on the cross for you and me.....

Knowing You...

Every Sunday in Lent I am posting something that spoke to me throughout the week....

If you have 4 minutes to spare, take time to read this post by Ann Voskamp (a real author, lol), "The Secret to Fasting in a Lent that is Failing." I love her definition of her Lent and fast, " Letting go of more of the world, to lay more hold of God." It's what Lent is all about, but really, it's what our lives should be all about.

This morning in church we sang, "All I Once Held Dear." One of my favorite church songs! =)
"Knowing You Jesus... There is no greater thing" Those words speak truth. There is nothing greater, nothing more satisfying, no higher joy than knowing Him....

Happy Sunday!

Advent - "Coming"

We are in the advent season, awaiting the "coming" of the Christ. Things have been pretty quiet around here since Thanksgiving. We did make a trip to San Angelo and had a wonderful weekend just spending time with family and friends, staying inside since it actually felt like "winter"! But other than that, the Mr. is on Christmas break from classes and we are just spending our days together, sticking to our routine, relishing in these days before our little one turns ONE, and counting down until Christmas.

We are doing the Jesse Tree advent devotional book countdown by Ann Voskamp, an amazing author. We do them after dinner, before the bedtime routine, and Wyatt is usually running around with spatulas in both hands, squealing, so we read and pray while giggling but it makes for good memories! Of course, he doesn't understand the meaning behind our countdown or even why there is a tree in the living room and lights all over the windows, but we "teach" him the reason for the season anyways =)

"How Many Kings" is a song that I listen to over and over during the Christmas season, and sometimes throughout the year too. It is truly amazing that the Creator of the universe would reach out to us, individually and personally, by sending His Son in the most unlikely way... as an infant, in a stable, among farm animals.. literally becoming the least to love, serve, and save all people.

The chorus says, "How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? .... Only one did that for me."

What a story it is!

So the blog is quiet in December as we countdown to His birth day... we are also preparing for the Mrs.'s family coming from Georgia to spend the entire week of Christmas with us! And finishing up the details for Wyatt's 1st birthday party.
Merry Christmas! I'm sure we will have lots of pictures to post at the end of the month! =)

David Crowder* Band Concert

Our David Crowder* Band concert was awesome!! Just as we suspected it would be. Funny story... On our way to Austin I was looking at the tickets and I noticed there was no seat/row number. It just said General Admission. We were like, hmmm, that's weird, well good thing we are getting there early! And we already knew it was at an outside amphitheater. So we're standing in line and after about 45 minutes (and still 30 minutes before doors open) the lady behind us is talking on the phone to her friend and she says, "Well, it's all standing only so it really doesn't matter what time you get here." We looked at each other like "whaaaaa?!" Standing only?! Sure enough, the opening night of The 7 Tour was at Stubb's Bar-B-Que in downtown Austin at gravel outdoor venue. But it was a blast!!

The line started at that blue tent that you can hardly see... It went all the way to the corner..

And down this street..

And then before doors opened, it turned and started going down that service road!

 Chris August .. Love his songs, "Starry Night" and "Seven Times Seventy"

Gungor.... they.were.amazing!! Take some time to check out some of their songs!

 David Crowder!!

David Crowder* Band

Now for some video footage!! Warning *This is horrible video footage.. remember, standing only, people everywhere* HA

Make sure your speakers aren't up to loud on this one..

They played one of the Mrs. favs, O Praise Him (this is just the end of it)...

We had such fun a time! There were a couple fun things they did but we don't want to spoil anything for the Mrs.'s family who is going to see them in November in Panama City, FL! 

(Wyatt did just perfect going to bed for his Gammy and big Thank You to her for coming down and watching him for us =) )

-Mr. and Mrs.

David Crowder Band Tribute Part 2 from the Mrs.

The Mr. failed to tell you that the reason we are sharing The David Crowder Band with you is because we are going to see them in concert in 6 DAYS!!!! We bought tickets several months ago for the show in Austin not even realizing it is opening night of their last tour together as a band!! And it's sold out. It's going to be HUGE! We saw them in concert for their Church Music tour in Tampa, FL and it was a.maz.ing. One of the funnest nights we've ever had. And we've had a lot of fun. ;)

One of the things I love about David Crowder (other than how hilarious he is) is that I see him more as a worship leader than a recording artist, especially having experienced a night of worship with him. He wrote a book called "Praise Habit, Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi." If you haven't read it, go pick up a copy this weekend.. it's pretty short and a quick read. But he writes about how the goodness of God is found in ALL things and we were created for the sole purpose of praising Him. And what it looks like to live a life where praise is a habit. His writing style in the book (much like his songs) is so unique and his way with words is unlike anything I've ever read.

"O Praise Him" is one of their older songs, but it's one of my all time favorites... (lyrics are below)

Turn your ear
To Heaven and hear
The noise inside
The sound of angels awe
The sound of angels' songs
And all this for a King
We could join and sing
'All to Christ our King!'

How constant
How divine
This song of ours will rise
Oh, how constant
How divine
This love of ours will rise
Will rise...

CHORUS:
Ohh praise Him!
Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy!
He is Holy!

Turn your gaze
To Heaven and raise
A joyous noise
Oh the sound of salvation come
The sound of rescued ones
And all this for a king
Angels join to sing
'All for Christ our King!' 

CHORUS {x2}

Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la... laaa laa laa laaa!

CHORUS

How infinite and sweet
This love so rescuing
Oh how infinitely sweet
This great love that has redeemed
As one, we sing...


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
He is Holy, 

He is Holy

-Mrs. 

David Crowder Tribute Part 1 The Mr's take

Everyone has their favorite band. You could even say that most couples have their favorite band. Are they ever the same? In our case, that is me and the Mrs, yes they are.  So you're asking who is yall's* favorite band, ha, what other band could it be than The David Crowder Band!

Who is the David Crowder band and where did they come from? What type of music do they play? Etc. Etc. Hey calm down people, I'm gettin' there.**

Here's a quick rundown; pulling from a hazy memory so don't quote me here...
David Crowder and a handfull of his college buddies starting a college church in Waco, Tx. Can't remember the year but it's not important. Moving on, so being a talented musician Crowder naturally takes the lead as the music director/ praise band leader guy. Crowder puts together this praise band*** with his buddies and play electric rock (not techno rock). Then the praise band starts to become popular for their songs and they begin to branch out from their church with local concerts and gigs. This popularity grows exponentially until they become who they are today, the same guys just with lots more fans.

So, a typical music band story right? Ya you could say that but the characters in the band are far from typical and their not-so-typicality comes out in volumes in their music videos. Here take a look...

  

So you probably picked up a little "craziness" from these guys huh? They are definitely a high energy bunch, but the coolest part is their message, Jesus Christ! So here they are today, infinitely popular while staying true to their message and their style (straight weird and quirky). 

Now, to answer the question rattling around your head, why a random post for these guys? 

Unfortunately, the answer is a sad one. The David Crowder Band is calling it quits this year. The band members all have different reasons but their seems to be one central them among them all which is to go back to college and/or spend more time with their families. This is a reasonable desire considering none of them set out to become super popular and tour the entire country all year long. All they originally set out to do is start a church, play some music, and bring people to Christ. I'd say they did all that and a lot more. 

Thanks David Crowder Band for all the great songs, awesome videos, and more importantly all the souls you helped bring to Christ's Kingdom. God Bless all of you on your future endeavors.

-Mr. 

*Ya I'm from Texas, yall is a word down here.

** I talk to my self in third person a lot, sorry.
***Just felt like adding three stars here for no reason, well more like in honor of David Crowder's quirkyness. Read some of his blog and you'll see what I'm talking about.