Two great recent "Stuff Christians Like" posts

If you aren't following Jon Acuff and his Stuff Christians Like blog, you need to be. It's the perfect blend of humor and spiritual challenging. Two recent posts caught my eye recently. On February 1st, Acuff wrote "When Lil' Wayne defines the gospel". See, Lil' Wayne spent some time in jail recently and apparently among the things he did to pass the time, one was reading the bible "cover-to-cover".

“It was deep! I liked the parts where some character was once this, but he ended up becoming that. Like he’d be dissing Jesus, and then he ends up being a saint. That was cool.”

What a great description of the gospel. “Some character was once this, but ended up becoming that.” I was lost, but now I am found. I was once blind, but now I see.

Certainly that's not the best explanation of the gospel I've ever heard (no mention of sin or whether Lil' Wayne recognizes his own need for forgiveness). But I like Acuff's point!

I’m saying that I love it when God gets an unexpected shout out. And that I could crush Lil’ Wayne at UNO.

This wasn't the old and tired "I thank God for this award" stuff you hear out of celebrities. Lil' Wayne, in his own way, was speaking of how Jesus changes lives from the inside out.

The next post that caught my eye was also about a music artist, the teen sensation Justin Beiber, or "the Beiber" or "the Beibs". Apparently the dude not only has a movie but a Bible study to go with it. I'll let you read the rest for yourself.

Music Videos for the week of 10/03/2010

"Lift Up Your Face" by Third Day:

"Background" by Lecrae featuring C-Lite

"Fly Away" by Rhema Soul

Classic: "Wonder Why" by PFR

Artists come together for world charities

In a project called CompassionArt, several of the world's best worship leaders and song writers collaborated on 15 songs and all of the proceeds from record sales, royalties and even church performances will go to charities. Coming from a variety of styles and backgrounds, the writers met up in Scotland in 2008 for one week to hammer out the songs. The group was Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin and Anna Smith, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin and Darlene Zschech.

Check out this CNN piece where they interviewed Houghton about his experience:



CompassionArt is truly a unique album in that it mixes worship and social injustice. It's a perfect blend, as they make the case that since there is no poverty in Heaven, there shouldn't be any here. Not all of the tunes talk about poverty or social issues but even when you are singing along with a straight up worship song off this album, you can't help but think about it.

Another unique thing is the DVD that accompanies the album. It features a documentary on the process of writing the songs, and seeing all these people working together is quite amazing. Also, chord sheets and lyric sheets are included so you can perform the songs in your church. Remember, all proceeds from that also go to the selected charities so you can't go wrong there.

Additional artists came in for the recordings including Kirk Franklin, TobyMac, Cece Winans and Amy Grant.

All the songs are great but my personal faves are the first 4 tracks, "Come to the Water", "Shout Praise", "King of Wonders" and "Lead Me to the Rock".

This is one where you need to get the physical album to get the full deal! And give one to your worship pastor!

Listen to Don Moen's new CD for free

For the coming week, you can listen to Don Moen's new album for free at NewReleaseTuesday.com. It is titled "I Believe There Is More".

Moen has written several worship songs you've likely heard and sang in your church such as "God Will Make a Way", "Give Thanks" and "Shout to The Lord". Unfortunately, you have to listen to the whole album as one long stream but everything I've heard so far is great.

Make your "Motions Resolution"

Over at MatthewWest.com you can make your New Years resolution known considering the theme of his song "The Motions". Are you willing to say "No more going through the Motions!"? If you are visit The Motions mini-site and let your voice be heard. West says

I know what a "Christian" should say. I know how to act. I know how to put up a spiritual front, even if I'm not passionately seeking God. That was the inspiration behind my song, "The Motions". I was tired of settling for a stale faith. God is a God of PASSION. His true plan for our lives is anything but boring. Every day, The God of adventure beckons his sons and daughters to quit going through the motions, and walk into a life filled with passion and wonder.