Note: I wanted to look at popular modern day culture for different examples of our Lord in the world we live in today that I see. I hope you see them too and can take these examples and let the Lord embrace your life!
We've had an awesome year of films. From independent gems to big screen Hollywood blockbusters. One of these was the continuation of the Marvel series of films and during summer they introduced Captain America to the big screen.
Captain America, whilst being called the first Avenger, was not actually part of the original line up. The Team found him in the fourth comic and from there, he became the leader of the team. His name is Steve Rogers, just a normal name, for a normal man. He has no superhuman powers but was turned into a 'perfect human specimen' due to the Super Solider Serum. No longer a frail man he becomes the icon, the leader, the one that is looked up to and leads the way. Not to the pleasing of everyone though, even members of his own team had doubts about him! Sound familiar?
Jesus was born in a simple stable but was destined for massive things from the start. He was and is the son of our God and his purpose in life was to bring people to God, the only way was through him! He is the leader, people follow, people listen to his word. He was frail, he was beaten and nailed to a cross. He was the perfect human specimen without having to go into a lab and be injected with special serums. Jesus wasn't and still isn't believed in by everyone, and even his disciples turned on him!
The Cap was also lost and frozen alive during a war. He was eventually found after years of searching however everything had changed. The same for Jesus, he died, and came back! Everything had changed then too, as he came back, defeating death to save us all from sin, preparing a place in heaven so that we can have eternal life.
Finally, take a look at what Captain America uses to protect the word with, a shield. His iconic shield is made of strong stuff and is indestructible. Jesus' love for us is indestructible and covers us, protects us from all things bad, from sin. He died for us and his sacrifice created a massive shield that we carry with us every day! Captain America's shield even has a massive star in the middle of it! He literally shines like a star just like our Lord. Do the same.
Next time...Iron Man.
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Monday 28 November 2011
Song of the Week | Phatfish 'And Can It Be'
Died He for me who caused His pain - he really did, he died for each and every one of us!
Monday 21 November 2011
Saturday 19 November 2011
Expand
It's true that quite often your day can turn itself into a decent blog post, he's one for you.
Today I finally cracked on with something that's been waiting to be sorted out since we moved into our house! I got the can of expanding foam out the shed (way at the back of the shed!) and started (without reading the instructions of course) the job at hand of getting rid of the gap under our front door. I am no good at DIY. I'm below average, holding onto the bottom rung of the DIY ladder.
The outcome today looks OK and I'm sure it will help to keep the draft out. The amount that I got on the carpet, and on the door, and on myself, I can vouch that it 'expands more than you think' like it states on the can! Nightmare! Make sure when you are filling your gaps you do it with the help of and for the Lord. Our house is built with bricks and mortar, but the gaps that were letting the cold in, now have been filled with God's protection to keep us warm and dry!
I know that the love of our God can expand even more than that stuff I used today, help it expand!
Today I finally cracked on with something that's been waiting to be sorted out since we moved into our house! I got the can of expanding foam out the shed (way at the back of the shed!) and started (without reading the instructions of course) the job at hand of getting rid of the gap under our front door. I am no good at DIY. I'm below average, holding onto the bottom rung of the DIY ladder.
The outcome today looks OK and I'm sure it will help to keep the draft out. The amount that I got on the carpet, and on the door, and on myself, I can vouch that it 'expands more than you think' like it states on the can! Nightmare! Make sure when you are filling your gaps you do it with the help of and for the Lord. Our house is built with bricks and mortar, but the gaps that were letting the cold in, now have been filled with God's protection to keep us warm and dry!
I know that the love of our God can expand even more than that stuff I used today, help it expand!
Monday 14 November 2011
Song of the Week | Matthew West 'Strong Enough'
Through God, with God, in God - we are all strong enough.
Wednesday 9 November 2011
MikesChair Interview
Hello Mike Grayson from MikesChair. How are you doing? How’s 2011 going so far?
2011 has been an amazing year so far! We put out a new record this year and have been traveling all over America.
If people don’t know MikesChair, how would you describe yourself?
We are a group of guys who are passionate about writing music that conveys the heart of God. We don't do what we do to be rock stars, we consider ourselves a ministry. We have a ton of fun and are blessed to get to do what we do.
How was the band & the name of the band created?
It all began one night when Grayson was writing a song with a friend and Jesse Hale, a Tyler, Texas native who lived across the hall, asked if he could bring his violin and join in. The group slowly expanded as Sam Tinnesz heard Hale and Grayson recording a tune they’d written and soon joined in. Tinnesz is an Air Force brat, who had been living in Atlanta before moving to Music City. Grayson, who grew up in Orlando, was the only member who lived on a different floor at Belmont, but he could always be found hanging out, making music in his friend’s room. The guys in the band went out and got a chair for Mike and the rest as they say is history.
You're perhaps most well known recently for the 'Someone Worth Dying For'. What's the story behind the track?
This song was in part inspired by a quote I read from C.S. Lewis that says "Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for, to make them worth it." There is nothing in us that deserves what Christ did for us, but he established our worth the day he chose to die for us on the cross. I dont know about you, but I need that reminder almost daily.
If you had to pick your favourite track of your own, which would you pick?
Thats like asking me to pick my favorite child. I like them all for different reasons otherwise they wouldn't be on the record. :)
What message do you want to give through your music?
Our goal is to hopefully draw people into the presence of God so that they can encounter a very real God who is alive and loves them.
Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?
I started out singing in a boys choir and then by the age of 12 starting playing guitar and writing music. I have always had a passion for music
Where do you find influences?
Everywhere, the Bible, my friends, stories, fans.... etc
How do you write music, how does the process work?
It's different everytime. Sometimes a song starts with a melody while other times it starts with a lyric. Thats what I love about songwriting, there is no formula
Who would you love to perform with, past or present?
DC Talk love thos guys. Delirious, I would have LOVED to play with them.
What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?
We have loved playing with artists like, Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Britt Nicole, Building 429, Sanctus Real, Fireflight, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North...... man there are so many!
What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?
I am currently listening to the new Coldplay record.
God's Earth is a huge place, where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?
I have loved visiting the west coast here in the USA. I have also loved going to Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. We as a band have gone on a mission trip together out of the country for the last 3 years. We love getting to experience different cultures.
Best live performance you’ve played?
One of them was playing at the Dove Awards last year.
What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?
My BED!
Any plans to play the UK?
Not yet, but we would love to.
How does it feel to be in a position to inspire so many people, including young people to turn their lives to Christ?
It is such an honour. I never thought I would be in this position and am so humble that God is using me in this way.
If MikesChair was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?
Not sure, I dont really eat Jelly beans haha.
Some quick fire questions:
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Summer or winter?
Summer
Superman or Batman?
Batman
Mac or PC?
MAC!
Bread or Wine?
Bread
Favourite passage from the Bible?
1 Cor. 13
What’s coming up in 2012 and next on the agenda for MikesChair?
We are hitting the road!
And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?
The love of God is unconditional! No matter what you have done, He is there with arms wide open.
Thanks Mike, have a blessed day!
If people don’t know MikesChair, how would you describe yourself?
We are a group of guys who are passionate about writing music that conveys the heart of God. We don't do what we do to be rock stars, we consider ourselves a ministry. We have a ton of fun and are blessed to get to do what we do.
How was the band & the name of the band created?
It all began one night when Grayson was writing a song with a friend and Jesse Hale, a Tyler, Texas native who lived across the hall, asked if he could bring his violin and join in. The group slowly expanded as Sam Tinnesz heard Hale and Grayson recording a tune they’d written and soon joined in. Tinnesz is an Air Force brat, who had been living in Atlanta before moving to Music City. Grayson, who grew up in Orlando, was the only member who lived on a different floor at Belmont, but he could always be found hanging out, making music in his friend’s room. The guys in the band went out and got a chair for Mike and the rest as they say is history.
You're perhaps most well known recently for the 'Someone Worth Dying For'. What's the story behind the track?
This song was in part inspired by a quote I read from C.S. Lewis that says "Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for, to make them worth it." There is nothing in us that deserves what Christ did for us, but he established our worth the day he chose to die for us on the cross. I dont know about you, but I need that reminder almost daily.
If you had to pick your favourite track of your own, which would you pick?
Thats like asking me to pick my favorite child. I like them all for different reasons otherwise they wouldn't be on the record. :)
What message do you want to give through your music?
Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?
I started out singing in a boys choir and then by the age of 12 starting playing guitar and writing music. I have always had a passion for music
Where do you find influences?
Everywhere, the Bible, my friends, stories, fans.... etc
How do you write music, how does the process work?
Who would you love to perform with, past or present?
DC Talk love thos guys. Delirious, I would have LOVED to play with them.
What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?
We have loved playing with artists like, Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Britt Nicole, Building 429, Sanctus Real, Fireflight, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North...... man there are so many!
What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?
I am currently listening to the new Coldplay record.
God's Earth is a huge place, where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?
I have loved visiting the west coast here in the USA. I have also loved going to Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. We as a band have gone on a mission trip together out of the country for the last 3 years. We love getting to experience different cultures.
One of them was playing at the Dove Awards last year.
What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?
My BED!
Any plans to play the UK?
Not yet, but we would love to.
How does it feel to be in a position to inspire so many people, including young people to turn their lives to Christ?
It is such an honour. I never thought I would be in this position and am so humble that God is using me in this way.
If MikesChair was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?
Not sure, I dont really eat Jelly beans haha.
Some quick fire questions:
Tea or coffee?
Summer or winter?
Summer
Superman or Batman?
Batman
Mac or PC?
MAC!
Bread or Wine?
Bread
Favourite passage from the Bible?
1 Cor. 13
What’s coming up in 2012 and next on the agenda for MikesChair?
We are hitting the road!
And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?
The love of God is unconditional! No matter what you have done, He is there with arms wide open.
Thanks Mike, have a blessed day!
Monday 7 November 2011
Song of the Week | MikesChair 'Someone Worth Dying For'
Faith is a tricky thing really. It's hard to keep faith constantly, 100% of the time, always. Even the best minister, the clearest of church speakers or the holiest of worship leaders have times where their faith wavers.
If you ever feel down, if you trust in our Lord starts to drop, if you feel worthless, remember, Jesus died for you! Yes, you! You are worth everything.
If you ever feel down, if you trust in our Lord starts to drop, if you feel worthless, remember, Jesus died for you! Yes, you! You are worth everything.
Sunday 6 November 2011
Past & Present
As we come up to our first year's anniversary of crossreferences.co.uk I thought i'd give you all quick links to the interviews we have conducted over the past 12 months (and what a 12 months it's been!)
As always we are on the look out for more bands and artists to interview for the site so if you are part of a Christian music band, please contact us!
Philippa Hanna
Superhero
Sanctus Real
Roo Walker
Phatfish
Meredith Andrews
Sonicflood
Juan Devevo from Casting Crowns
BeBe Vox
Janne Marie
Rob Halligan
Sidewalk Prophets
Chip Kendall
Above The Golden State
GoldDigger
LifeGiver Band
We hope to bring you lots more over the next 12 months & into our future. Blessings.
As always we are on the look out for more bands and artists to interview for the site so if you are part of a Christian music band, please contact us!
Philippa Hanna
Superhero
Sanctus Real
Roo Walker
Phatfish
Meredith Andrews
Sonicflood
Juan Devevo from Casting Crowns
BeBe Vox
Janne Marie
Rob Halligan
Sidewalk Prophets
Chip Kendall
Above The Golden State
GoldDigger
LifeGiver Band
We hope to bring you lots more over the next 12 months & into our future. Blessings.
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Weight of the World
We may often feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, stressed out beyond belief, with work, household chores, social commitments, being a parent, being a teenager, being a person. We can though, take comfort in being free. We live in this world that has free will. The majority of us we can wander the streets when we want, nip to the shops for a load of bread, do what we like within the law of our land. That is a fortunate position to be in. Imagine not being able to do that?
Imagine being captured, held against your will because of who you are? Having a crown of thorns stuck in your head, being whipped, physically whipped so that you skin splits, being mocked, having your hands and feet pierced with nails which ultimately pin you to a cross, pin you to the place you will die. Torture, beyond any fragment of imagination that we can think of. Now, with all of that, imagine that you are carrying the world's sin, not just your own, not just for today, not just for the years leading up to now, but forever. Now that is the weight of the world.
We are lucky enough to have been forgiven our sin because Jesus died on that cross for us. Appreciate it, thank him for it, he died for all of us, he died for you! When you get stressed at work, when you're ultra-busy, perhaps you are struggling with something personally and it feels so overwhelming and unbearable. Maybe you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, your responsibilities are huge and you aren't sure what to do? Remember Him, remember his pain and suffering. If he can set the world free from sin, imagine what you can do!
Imagine being captured, held against your will because of who you are? Having a crown of thorns stuck in your head, being whipped, physically whipped so that you skin splits, being mocked, having your hands and feet pierced with nails which ultimately pin you to a cross, pin you to the place you will die. Torture, beyond any fragment of imagination that we can think of. Now, with all of that, imagine that you are carrying the world's sin, not just your own, not just for today, not just for the years leading up to now, but forever. Now that is the weight of the world.
We are lucky enough to have been forgiven our sin because Jesus died on that cross for us. Appreciate it, thank him for it, he died for all of us, he died for you! When you get stressed at work, when you're ultra-busy, perhaps you are struggling with something personally and it feels so overwhelming and unbearable. Maybe you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, your responsibilities are huge and you aren't sure what to do? Remember Him, remember his pain and suffering. If he can set the world free from sin, imagine what you can do!
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