I’m reading a book right now called Give Praise to God.  It’s a pretty good book.  The best thing about it is all of the good quotes on corporate worship. 

Here’s one by Calvin that I thought was so cool.  I love the imagery of weight and majesty.

“….we know by experience that singing has great force and vigor to move and inflame the hearts of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. Care must always be taken that the song be neither light nor frivolous; but that it have weight and majesty…”

Isn’t this an amazing song.  And what a great idea to play some songs in Central Park.

We’re with a bunch of my family this week so I’m hoping to get a little bit of time to read. Not sure how much time I’ll have since we have a one week old….. but i have a few books that i’m pretty pumped about.

The first is What is the What, by Dave Eggers. It’s an autobiography of one of the lost boys, told by Dave Eggers….who is an amazing writer. I’m about halfway through this one and love it.

The other is a book by a guy i heard on NPR. I know that makes me pretty nerdy, but it sounded really interesting. It’s called Foreskin’s Lament (yes, it was awkward to ask the lady at Barnes and Noble where to find this book) by Shalom Auslander. It’s a memoir of a guy who grew up in a really legalistic Orthodox Jewish home. I’ve only read a few pages, but I already like how funny/witty he is.

Have any of you read either of these books? Did you like/dislike them?

Also, I’ve listened to Viva La Vida about 8-10 times now, and absolutley love it. I love CDs that are put together with themes. I like knowing that intentional musical and lyrical decisions were made in putting the whole thing together.

I woke up feeling a little sick this morning, so Danielle picked me up some meds from the store and brought them by Providence. She also surprised me with Viva La Vida (the new Coldplay CD) to which she added her own sharpie artistic edit. She thought the lady would look better in a three-quarter length shirt. haha

Have any of you bought it yet? What do you think?

I really like it, my only thought is that their musical influences really come through….a lot more than on their previous stuff. I hear so much of the Beatles, Radiohead and U2 in these songs. But i’ve only listen through a few times. Still a wicked good CD.

Oh and still no baby. I’ll let you know.

Well the weekend came and went and still no baby. There were a few times that we thought contractions might be starting….but then they would go away.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bennett and I were able to go to the David Wilcox show in Durham on Friday night. Didn’t hear “How did you find me here”, but it was still a good show. I’ve never understood what people mean when they say, “so and so is an American singer-songwriter.” Seems like a really weird category to me. But I think I kind of understand why people would say that about David Wilcox. He had so many songs about what it means to grow up in rural America and about what Americans seems to find valuable. And he’s one of the best guitarist I’ve ever watched. I always want to write a song in DADGAD after I hear his music.

Here are a few pics from the show.

Just found out about this. We’re going to try to go if it’s not too hot.  Maybe “how did you find me here” will compel this baby out of Danielle.  haha

Anyone else in RDU going to be there?

I love this guys voice.

When Adore and Tremble first came out, I had this idea to contact a few people, who have interacted in the worship genre a good bit, that I thought might consider reviewing my CD. One of the guys I wrote was Aaron Niequist. He has served at some really well known churches, recently as the worship leader at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids Michigan. Aaron was so gracious to write a really nice review for Adore and Tremble. It meant so much coming from such an accomplished artist.

About a month later, Aaron released a CD, and I was able to get a copy of it. I had the intention of writing a review for it then, but got so busy finishing out the school year that it just didn’t happen. So I thought I’d take this Positive Post Tuesday to talk some about Aaron’s CD.

The CD is called “With Broken Fists.” It’s a collection of songs that Aaron has used for corporate worship for the last few years at Mars Hill. There are even a few songs on the CD that were recorded live at the church (”All Sing Hallelujah,” “Bend my Knees”).

The cool thing to me is that this CD sounds nothing like any other worship album that I’ve ever heard. It actually really reminds me of a indie rock album….like The National or something (actually a lot like The National, except for the deep voice).

The songs have these elements that you never see coming, like horns on “Already Here” and “Here are my Hands”….almost Sufjanish. One of my favorite things about the CD is the choir vocals that come in on the bridge of the opening song, “Resistance.” It is a beautiful song about the struggle that Christians find themselves in. We’re a part of a world that is fallen and hurting, but we have these glimpses of hope that remind us of a future with Christ, when things will be made right. This seems to be the message of the CD… that in Christ we have been changed and see a small glimmer of change happening around us. But this change in us causes us to look at all the hurt around us and say “how long.”

The first four songs have such longing to them, so when you get to the fifth song, “Changed,” it’s like you’re ready to go over a hill in a roller coaster. “Changed” has such a beautifully accessible melody….my favorite of the CD.

Aaron does a phenomenal job of expressing expectant hope. This is certainly a bold CD, considering the type of music that most worship songs are set to these days. Aaron is a great writer and musician, and I’m excited to hear how these songs find their way into corporate worship.

You can buy With Broken Fists on itunes, and here at CD baby.

Also, go check out Aaron’s website and blog.

*This post is a part of Positive Post Tuesday

This guy did an interview with Coldplay in their studio….pretty interesting stuff.

Hope you enjoy.

This melody is killer.

The best part of the video is the mandolin player at 1:45. He seems utterly engulfed in whats happeing.