A POST NOT STRICTLY NECESSARY

Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment “as to the Lord”. It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received. C.S. LEWIS, The Weight of Glory

My new work assignment hasn't been giving me the greatest hours for blogging. Not even in the brackish borderland of work and play. But thanks to contemporary music that keeps me from having a ‘cubicle fever’. Here are some of my picks (I believe Christian music publishers are not that greedy so I highlighted portions of the lyrics here) :

"Plenty of Paper" by Eisley. The title is perfect to the Dilberts of the world cramming for powerpoint presentation. An irresistibly perfect song that can be easily mistaken as Sixpense-non-the-Richer album cut but this one is more poetic - full of playful imagery and fanciful narratives. You will get tugged along by the gorgeous melody.

I cut the moon in half

And stuck a piece to my hair

It made the back of my head glow

Golden yellow and then I took

Ten stars on sticks and placed them in my small metal

Bucket and I gave the other half of the moon to you

Ooh, so you wouldn't forget me while I'm gone…

And wouldn't we be attractive

Riding in our shiny motor cars

With eyeglasses full of stars

And plenty of paper for scenery paintings

“Not Alone” by Seabird /  "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real. These piano-driven /melodic songs  about forgiveness and hope/marriage and parenthood are intertwined lyrically. Perfect for baby Sam's arrival.

At arms length you held your spouse and children
Your lack of grace, so nearly killed them…

Back home to find the garden as you left it
Roses in full bloom, so glad you invested
So you found this room couldn’t hold you down
Step through these walls and listen for the sound/

 So Father, give me the strength to be everything I’m called to be

 Oh, Father, show me the way to lead them

 Won’t You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can’t

Don’t want to leave them hungry for love

 Chasing things that I could give up

 I’ll show them I’m willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

 So we can call this a home

 Lead me, ‘cause I can’t do this alone  

Father, lead me, ‘cause I can’t do this alone 

 "True Faith" by Anberlin / "Redeemer" by Kutless . Both are cover songs of well-known classics but these are the best versions so far.  Perfectly done and  fitting backdrop for the Lent.

"What Faith Can Do” by Kutless.  Reminds me of a Kris Allen song but this pleasantly melodic song is more profound and very encouraging.

Everybody falls sometimes

You gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you’re stronger, stronger than you know

And don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

You may decide to take that step

Out on the water

But it’ll be all right

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

Overcome the odds

When you don’t have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It will tell you that it can