The Story Behind Naming My Son Keane

Last May I drove with my soulmate and music lover Marisa to our nations Capital to see Mat Kearney and Keane in concert. With the GPS guiding the way and tunes coming thru the iPod it was a lovely drive down the highway to our first destination of the night, Ebenezer's CoffeeHouse, which is part of National Community Church, started by Mark Batterson, author of Wild Goose Chase and Primal.

It is a crazy cool coffee house with great coffee and free wifi! Seriously they need to franchise it and get one in PA.

Making our way from Ebenezer's to Constitution Hall was no easy task in the midst of DC traffic, let alone finding a parking spot.

We found a garage that was closing but the guy said it as ok to park there anyways. (That will come into play later...)

Mat Kearney opened before Keane, and drew the audience in for heartfelt show. It was a special night for Kearney as he released his new CD "City Of Black & White" on that day as well. Watching him tell his stories of faith and friends by means of guitar and solid band behind him, it was as if I was watching a young Bruce Springsteen about to break through. As he closed the set the crowd stood to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.

I've been to a lot of concerts, I have never seen that happen before.

We then made our way to meet him and get an autograph and a picture. It was chaos as the crowd surrounded the singer/songwriter, we pushed through the crowd and got our autograph and picture, and even a little more. I thanked him for a great show and said keep writing great music, and he was very humble and gracious.

As I shook his hand I said God bless you, and he looked me in the eyes and said God bless YOU. It was one of the loaded statements, that communicated much more than words. I can understand why God has blessed him.

As my wife and I were buzzing from meeting Mat, Keane was about to take the stage. It was a brilliant show, and being third row from the stage, just added to the amazing experience. Thanx Ris ;-)

I think what really separates some bands from others is playing with passion and love for music, and these Brit boys have it.

Following the show we decided to hang around and try and meet boys from Keane. After all its my wife's favorite band, and we've seen them numerous times, but never met them. We hung out by their tour bus, and the crew was very accommodating and allowed us to hang around to meet the band.

Tim was the first to come out and was so kind to take pictures and sign autographs and even take time to talk to the crazy fans. We got a chance to talk with him and thanked him for a great show he asked if we were musicians (my wife fav part of the story) and we talked about music. So flattering to hear an accomplished musician ask us that, very flattering indeed. We told him of the time that we drove to Kansas City to buy a Piano (Yamaha CP-70), the same piano he uses in the band. That particular type of piano is very hard to find today. We also met the rest of Keane, Richard the drummer, and I talked about drums, music, sports, and social justice, we seriously got along like good friends (or as the say the UK Good Mates). Tom came out, the lead singer, and Marisa was totally star-struck, it was pretty cute to see.

We made our way back to the parking garage at 12 am-ish in the morning, was shocked to see the garage...closed...steel gate and all, with our vehicle in sight, but out of reach. I reached in my pocket to make a phone call, and wouldn't you know, my cell phone is dead. Marisa had her phone fully charged, but fully charged and in the car. We saw a security guard from the local college, and asked if there is any way to get in the garage. He said you can use your ticket, to open the gate, but like Marisa's phone, that was also in car. Staying cool of course, we asked if there are any hotels around. He said there is one about a mile away, and gave us directions.

Getting ready to walk to the streets of DC to a hotel, he said he could give us a ride. And just call us in as college students from the campus. That was fine with me! We made it to the hotel, and wouldn't you know...no room at the inn. The security guard was nice enough to wait and made sure that we found a place to stay, he told us of another place and we made our way inside. I asked the bellhop, who was an older gentleman, if they had any rooms. He said they had possibly one, and he asked his nephew who was behind the desk about rooms for us. They were sold out as well, but they had one room, it was a conference-room with a bed. We took it! It wasn't that bad at all, even had a TV in the room with the bed. I really started to get an idea of what Joseph and Mary went through. They charged us half price, and we had a nice, safe, place to spend the night.

I got up first thing in the morning to pick up my car in the garage. I walked in, and they asked me for ID and what I was doing, I told them that we got locked out of the garage last night. He said just take the car and have a good day. I didn't pay for parking, but I did pay for a hotel, not exactly an even trade, but Im not complaining. I picked up Marisa, got some Starbucks, checked out and made our way back to York, PA thanking God his grace.

The interesting thing, is that the Security Guard, the Hotel Bellhop and Manager, as well as the Garage Attendant were all clearly foreign, and probably of a different religion. And they all treated us with compassion and sense of brotherly love. As a Christian, it was humbling for me because how often do we treat the Muslim, the Homosexual, the African-American, the UnChristian different than how we treat someone else who believes likes us and looks like us. I want to treat people the way those men treated me that night.

One prayer that has made it to the front of my list, is a pray for favor. As Christians, we need to have favor with the world around us. Abraham and Sarah had favor with Pharaoh, Daniel had favor with the government of his day, and Joseph and Mary had favor with the Inn Keeper. What would the Bible be like if these pillars of faith did not have favor?

Since we felt God's hand strong on our lives that night we wanted our son to have that same blessing be said of his life as well. So we named him Keane, which to some may mean a brilliant Brit-Pop band, but to us it means a life marked by the unusual and unexpected gift of favor.

(Left, Me, Marisa & Mat Kearney at CD Signing)

(Right, a giddy Marisa, Tom Chaplin of Keane, and Me after the show in DC)

Top Ten Albums Of The Decade... 2004 Keane:: Hopes And Fears

First off let me just say that 2004 was an amazing year in music. The Killers debuted with Hot Fuss and new-wave throw back to bands like Duran Duran and Depeche Mode. Arcade Fire came out of nowhere (Canada actually) with an eclectic sound that was totally original and inspired. Hey, they even made violins cool, sorry Yellowcard, you guys are still not there. Franz Ferdinand had the catchiest guitar lick in the song Take Me Out that made even British people want to dance. And speaking of dancing, Kanye West changed Hip-Hop in College Dropout, infusing spiritual lyrics, playful pop elements in Rap as well as brightly color polo's with popped collas.

Even the 90's had a revival of sorts with Green Day's American Idiot, an epic punk-rock opera ala The Who. Gwen Stephani of No Doubt debuted her solo effort with a music fusion of pop, hip-hop, and reggie sounds in Love, Angel, Music, Baby.

Gwen is cool, Lady Gaga notsomuch.

And we can't forget the supergroup mash-up of Scott Weiland, Slash and the boys of GNR in Velvet Revolver. Oh yeah, not to mention little known band called U2. Who had a dizzing hot album in How To Dismantle an Atomic with slick songs like Vertigo and City of Blinding Lights, and not to mention the heart-felt Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your own.

What a year for great music, it reminds me of the year 1991, with such creativity and diversity.

It was really was an unforgettable year, especially since that was the year that I married my friend and beautiful soul-mate Marisa.

For me personally, a gem of an album that might have fallen thru the cracks on the billboard charts was Hopes and Fears by Keane. A piano-pop band from Sussex England that fancies vintage instruments like the Yamaha CP-70 piano. A traveling piano with electric pick-ups that had a run in the 70's and 80's before companies could perfect the sounds in the modern keyboard. Many bands now use this type of piano since Keane brought it out the musical closet.

My wife loves the music of Keane and the unique sound of the CP-70 piano, as we traveled from York to Kansas City and back to purchase this vintage piece; 2000 miles in 1 1/2 days. Yeah, I'm not joking either, you should've seen the Avis attendant's face when we brought back the car. (Unlimited milage indeed.)

We have seen Keane numerous times throughout the years and even got to meet them this past year in DC. They are humble down to earth group of musicians who love music and don't take their fans for granted. They even had a contest this year for fans to create a music video from the album Hopes & Fears. The winners received a signed copy of the special edition of the CD as well as other exclusive goodies from the band.

Check out this cool fan-made video that features everyone's favorite avatar game The Sims.

I Love My Wife. I Love My Son. I love My God.

I have not written in awhile because I am now a DAD! It is so amazing and all the cliches they say are true. Words cannot describe the emotion of seeing your wife give birth. Especially for how big our son is... and how small my wife is.

Women are truly the stronger sex.

I have so much love and admiration for my wife and how she already is such a great Mom and goes thru so much for our son Keane.

Just to give you an idea...

She was not allow to eat anything for close to 24 hours so they can induce labor properly.

Two epidurals, because the first one didn't take. (I was praying AND the nurse was praying, and that was even a miracle that she had it because of her low blood platelets )

During delivery they had to suction Keane out while giving her an episiotomy.

And to top it all off on our first night with our son they had to take him to the NICU.

The doctors had to give him a spinal tap because his vitals where not reading well and he could have developed meningitis if not treated properly.

It was a crazy couple of days.

It was crazy to see your newborn hooked up with wires and IVs.

Through it all this miracle of child birth has brought us closer together as a family and closer together to God.

Don't get me wrong, Harrisburg Hospital is an amazing place.

This facility is up there with Pittsburgh Hospital for the most births in the state.

Harrisburg's Hospital averages about 400 births a month, thats right a month!

That equals to about 4800 births a Year. (yes a I used a calculator for that number)

What brings me the most comfort each night while our son is still in the NICU is knowing that Holy Spirit is staying true to his name... "THE COMFORTER"

I'd rather be going thru this with God's presence and power guiding us thru, than everything being perfect and having no sense of peace from the PRINCE OF PEACE.

The amazing thing that I didn't not expect from this week (amongst my son being a huge little dude at 8 1/2 lbs 21 1/2 inches long) is the prayer and support of friends and family via Facebook and Twitter.

It was so encouraging to see my cell phone blown up with updates from people praying for us and giving tweets and comments to lift our spirits and feel the power of prayer in action.

This is what the body of Christ is all about!

I am a man who is humbled.

I am man who is blessed.

I am man who knows God... is Powerful God.

I look forward to taking Keane home from the NICU on Saturday, and I look forward to see how God is going to move thru our son's life, because if God is moving this much already I cannot wait to see how God is going to move in his life in the future.

Advent: Joy

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
-Mother Teresa





My son Keane always smiles.

To say that he is a happy baby is an understatement.

He can turn a bad day into a brilliant day.

Life gets busy, the ministry can be discouraging, and people can let you down, but he doesn't care about that. He just loves me and wants me to love him too.

You might say he is too young to understand the concept of love, I don't believe that is so.

I think love is the first thing babies learn (after all the first time he smiled is when I held him in the NICU and asked him if he knew I loved him, he smiled).

He doesn't care about how much money is in my bank account.
He doesn't care about what I look like (especially when my hair is a fro).

He wants me.
To be in the moment.
And notice him.

The biggest curse that is upon America is the curse of being busy.

When you are busy you miss the moments.
When you miss the moments you lose your joy.

Jesus understood the importance of the moment...

"9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15.9-11 NIV

Did you notice that Jesus says remain three times.
Actually he uses the phrases "remain in my love" three times...then you will have joy, complete joy.

People smile when they are not busy, they remain in the moment.

Jesus is always in the moment, we are the ones that miss it.

Jesus is never to busy for me, he has all the time in the world. He smiles.

And so does Keane.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Moment

When you hear people talk about their kids and how it changes them, they are right. Whatever they said they are right.

I have become a more forgiving and understanding person since I have had my son Keane. I do not say that to say, I am this awesome person, if that is what makes a person awesome.

When I look at him (stare really) there is this picture of how I want people to treat him, how I want to be towards him all the time. One word comes to mind.

Love.

I want people to treat him with compassion, to always give him a second chance, to see his potential and not his flaws (which at this time seems to be his adverse response to the word NO).

I want people to see the best in him, because I will always see the best in him.

In the midst of that, I am learning to see the best in others.

Even the people that have really screwed me over in the past, which seemed to be alot in the past year or so.

Thats ok, in the words of Tupac, "I ain't mad at ya."

We had "a moment" yesterday, well, to be honest I had the moment, he was just happy to be playing with his favorite thing...THE BALL (any ball really).

This ball happened to be a soccer ball, (he's Italian, soccer is in his blood, GOALLLLLL!)

I digress, back to "THE MOMENT."

In the midst of washing dishes, I had Pandora playing in the background (because no one really enjoys doing dishes), and my wife was playing with Keane and the Soccer ball. I was trying to get a few kicks in between the dishes.

The song "How He Loves" came on, it was as if time slowed down, and all I could see was my son's smiling face...

Boom.

Moment.

What happened next I will try my best not to sound super-spiritual or cliche, but I will say it and you can decide.

I felt God say to me, "As much as you love your son, you have no idea how much I love you."

Maybe I got carried away with "the moment."

Maybe I got to much Dawn soap in the bloodstream.

Maybe I am just a guy who is starting to learn about love.

I want to love the way God loves me.

There have been so many times I have blown it.

It's really amazing how much patience my parents, my college (VFCC woot!), and my wife have had with me thru the years, (put up with me really).

Speaking of my college years, I was just sharing a story with my wife, about something I never knew until recently.

I had lunch with the president of VFCC Dr. Meyer, and he shared how proud he was of me and we talked about my college years. Definitely some highs and lows.

He shared with me something I never knew, in the midst of my dismissal for a semester, (see the full story here), I almost did not make it back into VFCC.

It was one teacher, one teacher who I did not get along with, Daniel McNaughten, that gave me a second chance and spoke up in my defense.

He never told me, he just believed in me.

Love that I never knew, but Love that made an impact.

It's a love that steps into the Sandals that John was not worthy to carry.

Love that covers.

Love that forgets.

Love that believes.

That is the type of Love I want to have for others,

the type of Love I want my son to know I have for him.

Always.

Brave

Father and Son HHI 2011

"When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."
-Billy Graham

Growing up in Philadelphia you would think that I was a tough city kid.  I wish I was the one who won the fights and got the girl.  I wasn't much of fighter, and rarely ever got the girl.

In middle school, I was the kid in jogging pants and a Phillies jersey, not exactly the bad the boy the popular kids wanted to be around.  Actually, I like to think of middle school as a layer of hell found somewhere in Dante's Inferno.

There were moments where I found my self standing up to the class teacher more than the class bully.

I wanted to be brave.

As a father I see many of my qualities echoed in my son.  Some good, some not so good.

One quality I think he gets more from his mother than me is the ability to be brave.

This week we have the privilege of vacationing with my In-Laws at Hilton Head Island.  We can see the beach from our window and there is nothing like being at the beach.

This is definitely a step up from the Jersey Shore, but than again, I think most things are a step up from the Jersey Shore.

Going to the beach with a toddler who is 18 months old can be an adventure.
The ocean can be a very scary especially to someone who can barely see over the kitchen table.  However, making the most of the vacation time we headed for the beach the first day of the week.

As we came to the beach where the sand meets the water Keane had fun splashing and watching the waves come to shore.  That is until one of those waves knocked him over.

 Tears soon replaced his smile.

No one likes to be knocked down, no matter how old you are.

As Keane ran back to the shade of our umbrella and comfy beach chairs, I thought his day in the sun was over. A few moments later he was making his way back to tackle the waves again.

So we faced the ocean together hand in hand.

He got knocked down again, but he got up.
He no longer cried because of the waves,
He would now shout at the waves.

Watching my son I felt inspired to tackle my own waves in life.
It can be easy to turn your back on your fears and go where it is safe,
whether it be the shade of the umbrella or the comforts of the suburbs.

There is so much I want to teach my son,
to never give up and to persevere in tough times.

To have him learn from my example and be brave.

This time I found my self learning from his life,
This time I learned to shout at the waves.

Soundtracking the Bible Pt. VI Ezekiel - Amos

The genre transitions from wisdom literature to the writings of the major and minor prophets.

The prophetic writings fit together to connect the Old and New Testament like a Swiss watch who's value comes in the intricacy and complexity as numerous parts work together to create seamless movement.

These are books that can be easily passed over because of the cryptic writing and bizarre visions. However, underneath surface lies the inner workings of the gadgets and gears that keep the bible in time.


25. Ezekiel - Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin 

One of the most controversial songs and yet popular of all time is Stairway to Heaven.  Surrounded in rumors of mysticism and backward masking,  the original message was about materialism and inspired themes by Tolken's Lord of the Rings.
Ezekiel is a prophetic book that a good portion of the theology of Lucifer is derived and end time prophecy.  The core of the book is God's faithfulness. How he would rather forgive than judge.

(Check out this amazing cover at LCBC a church Central PA)




26. Daniel - Ring of Fire: Johnny Cash

More than just a play on words as Daniel was thrown into a "Ring of Fire," he is a character that stands for integrity and truth.  Written during a time of the Israelites being in captivity, the main theme throughout is how God's love remains faithful even though His people may not. 
Ring of Fire echoes that same theme of faithfulness.  Written during a time of addiction for Johnny Cash, his wife June Carter wrote this song to her husband.   The title may seem ominous but it is actually a song about falling in love.

(The song takes a more tender tone performed by June Carter)




27.   Hosea - Pretty Woman: Roy Orbison 


The life of Hosea plays out like a modern love story as the song of the same name was featured in the movie "Pretty Woman" about a man who falls in love with a prostitute.  Hosea was also a man that fell in love with a prostitute despite her cheating ways.  The picture of being faithful to the unfaithful mirrors God's love that is the same for us.
The song Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison was about his wife Claudette and has a similar history to Hosea as well.  Written when Orbison and his wife had a falling out.  She cheated on him and filled for divorce but Roy's loved never failed and the couple remarried.



28. Joel- Is It Any Wonder? : Keane

Often thought as the "Prophet of Pentecost," because of the connection with v. 2.28 and Acts 2.16 and the outpouring at Pentecost in the New Testament.  Digging deeper into the book you find a people struggling under a corrupt young king Joash and manipulated by his father.   Joel had a mind like a chess player seeing a couple moves down the line and brought a message of judgment but also promise.
The UK band Keane pens a similar note in the song "Is It Any Wonder?" Tim Rice-Oxley, the main lyricist for the band, said in article for Q Magazine, "It articulates something that a lot of people have felt over the last few years: being powerless and totally misrepresented." The song is also said to have have another message of a trouble relationship between two people, much like God and his people in the book of Joel.



29. Amos - Get Up Stand Up : Bob Marley 

This book is a response to the social injustice of Amos' day.  Amos speaks of how God has a special interest for those who are poor and exploited, as the northern kingdom was oppressing the people of the southern kingdom.  The message of Amos is a timeless one as their are still volatile social issues today when it comes to racial minorities, social classes, single moms, and even the elderly. 
Bob Marley was voice much like Amos speaking to the injustices of his day.  "Get Up Stand Up" was a song about taking action against the oppression in his country of Jamaica and Marley transcended generations as a voice fighting for respect and acceptance.



Next week will close out the Old Testament and the remaining books of Minor Prophets. 

The Girl, The Force, & The Car: 2 out of 3 Ain't Bad

Growing up I have always had a love for cars. I do not know if it is an Italian thing, a guy thing, or just a me thing.

Wherever I would go I would carry a small bag full of Matchbox and HotWheels cars.

I loved naming cars on the road and playing that game with my dad.

Cars capture my imagination.

When I was in my late teens early twenties there was one car, or should I say one commercial that left me spellbound.

The commercial was brilliant. The music told a story just as much as the images of a man or groom presumed to be late for his wedding.

Turns out he was late for a wedding but not his.

I do not know if I wanted to be the guy or wanted to drive that German automobile.

Even when I would cruise around in my little beaters (had a Dodge Horizon once in college, ouch) I always had an eye out for that particular VW and that brunette.

Well, turns out that commercial hit kind of close to home for me.

I got the girl...never really did get that silver Jetta.

Fast forward almost ten years.

Married to a brunette (even cuter than the one in the VW spot).

Still don't have a Jetta.

And another Volkswagen commercial captures my imagination... again.

It features a pint-size Darth Vader roaming the house using "The Force."

You never see the boys face under the mask, but I think that is the point.

Every time I watch this commercial I kept waiting for him to take off the mask and find my son's smiling face.

I want to be that Dad who comes home, arms wide open, waiting to see this son who he raised well on ways of The Force.

My son is only 12 months old. We haven't gotten to movies yet, but this commercial gives me a glimpse of what it might be like for Keane and I.

It's a clever spot with charm and wit by which the dad in one brilliant press of the button, not only starts the ignition, but starts a boys imagination.

Whether the ad men at VW intended this, but not only did they make a silver four door sedan seem cool, but a family of four as well.

I may never get that Volkswagen, but that's ok, I have someone just as cool.

Our Story to Valley Community Church

"Find Hope in the Valley"

"A person, who never made a mistake, never tried anything new."

- Albert Einstein 

It all started when I was a Youth Pastor back in York, PA praying for one of my students at a Youth Conference.

I was praying for him and I felt God speaking to me.

"Transition from youth ministry in two years to plant a church."

The next staff meeting we had, the Pastor announced he was going to retire in two years.

I think God was up to something.

The process began as we applied with our District to become church planters, which included a week long "Boot Camp" training and a thorough interview that lasted 5 hours.  We learned a lot and made some great connections.

My wife and I really hit off with the Pastor that interviewed us, Rodney Murphy.  We talked about planting a church outside Baltimore, MD and some of the creative things we wanted to do there.

The next year would prove to be a wild roller-coaster of emotional highs and lows.

We transitioned from Youth Ministry to step out in total faith to raise support for the church plant.
Our son Keane was born and he is such an amazing little guy. So full of life.
I was excited to speak at my alma mater Valley Forge Christian College for a chapel service.

We even ran into Rodney Murphy that day at VFCC and he mentioned if we ever change our minds about Maryland to give him a call.

It was not easy trying to raise support and raise a family, but sometimes faith doesn't aways make sense.

That idea would prove to be true as the church plant in Maryland faced many obstacles and challenges that could not be overcome.  The plug was pulled before we ever had a live service.

We had to make a phone call.

Our District informed us that there was a team of three pastors who raised support and were looking for a church planter.  One of those pastors turned out to be Rodney Murphy.

The same person that interviewed us to plant a church
would be the same person to help us plant a church.

After a number of interviews and trips up to the Valley between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton we fell in love with a small town called Drums.

The dream of Valley Community Church began...

Where God can turn failures into faith.
Where God can turn second chances into new beginnings.
Where God can bring Hope in the Valley.

My Confession

I have been teaching the Gospels this year for Elevate Ministry School, and it has been an interesting journey sharing about the early church fathers. There was one historical figure who struck a chord and I liked what he wrote and I could relate to his life.

“How late I came to love oh Beauty so ancient and fresh, You were in me when I had gone outside to seek you, and always You were with me, but I was not with You. You called, You cried, You shattered my deftness, You sparkled, You blazed, You drove away my blindness. You shed your fragrance and I drew in my breath and I pant for You, I tasted and now I hunger and thirst. You touched me and now I burn, longing for Your peace.” -St. Augustine

St. Augustine is known for his works Confessions and City of God, he was a large influence on theology especially on western Christianity. He had an amazing conversion experience and his approach to Christian thought and writing would look a lot like modern Christian worship songs; a rare idea in his day.

This week I had an "Augustinian-Moment" if you would want to call it that. I was driving home with my wife, she was sleeping in the passenger seat and my son was asleep in his car seat, as I was listening to Hillsong United on Pandora.

We were almost home when I prayed a short prayer, "God please give me the energy to be a good dad and husband tonight." It was then when I heard that audible-but-not-so-audible voice of God, "That was the first time I heard you pray for your family like that."

It was as if time slowed down (or I was at a traffic light) and I started to think to myself that I need to pray more prayers like that.

We then pulled into the driveway and it was back to the routine; change and feed the little guy while Marisa prepares dinner.

I didn't think much of my "moment" in the car that evening, not even when my wife thanked me for spending so much time with Keane and helping her out throughout the night.

No, it didn't hit me until I was sharing a video to the class about the life of Augustine, that I remembered how God answered my prayers and gave me energy to be a better dad and a better husband that night.

How many prayers have I prayed to get,

when I should have been praying more prayers to give.

Top 50 Non-Worship-Worship Songs

I grew up listening to music.

Driving in the car with my parents listening to songs from The Beatles to Dylan and even some Motown thrown in because my Mom liked to dance.

I grew up listening to Christian music.

Driving in the car with my parents listening to songs from Michael W. Smith to Petra and even some Amy Grant thrown in too, because even her "crossover stuff" sounded pretty Christian.

Thus lies the frustration of many Christians growing up in the 80s and 90s.

Music was not based on style, it was based on what radio station it was played on.

If you were like me, maybe you have thrown out some CDs and probably bought back a couple of the same CDs, or downloaded them. (I seriously think that is how record companies made there money in the 90s from Christian kids buying back albums).

If you are Christian it didn't matter if it was good music or bad music. Christian music was the only thing you could play on your Walkman (ask your Dad what that is).

Whether it was the music they sold in Christian bookstores or the music they played in church that was it. If you didn't like it, you were to watch "Hells Bells" (yes this is for real) and forced to sit in the back of the youth van with the smelly kid.

There was Secular Music and there was Christian Music and there was no debate.

I think Rob Bell is on to something when he said "Christian' makes a poor adjective."

Why can't music be just music.

Based on truth and excellence.

One of my favorite quotes is by Author Holmes who said, "All truth is God's truth."

So couldn't music if it had truth, honesty, brokenness, redemption, love, (sounds like Psalms of David to me) and rising guitar solos and soaring vocals be Worship.

Could Non-Worship (secular) Songs be Worship?

It makes me think of the movie Sister-Act because the whole movie was based on this concept of taking "Secular Songs" and making them "Worship Songs."

Whoopie took a dead empty church into a lively packed church because of music being a bridge. (check out the clip from movie here)

Maybe Whoopie was on to something... (kind of scary to think, I know).

So Here are 50 Songs (because it started with 10 and turned in 50) that I could hear being played in church or on an iPod.

Songs 50 - 25 (Some songs could be open to debate but you got to start somewhere)

50. Arms Wide Open: Creed: One of the best New Years I ever had was when my brother and I saw creed (yeah I don't know if that says much of my New Years experiences). It was one of their last live shows. And we truely felt like we were in a worship service. And don't hate you know have a Creed song or two on your iPod (commence Christ pose now).

49. Landslide: Smashing Pumpkins: Fleetwood Mac originally did this song, but this version has special meaning for me. Check out a previous blog of mine for the story behind the song.

48. Come As You Are: Nirvana: Simple and complex would describe Curt's lyrics but this idea of coming as you are would be welcomed idea in many churches for sure.

47. Pocket Full of Sunshine: Natasha Bedingfield: She originally got her start with Hillsong London church; those roots go down deep. I saw Natasha perform this song on American Idol one year and it was pretty moving, so we did it in our youth group and students loved it.

46. Dead and Gone: T.I. & Justin Timberlake: T.I. wrote this song after he got out prison and if this is not a song about repentance and redemption I don't know what it is. This song is honest and stirs me. "So I turn my head to the north, swallow that pill that they call pride, That old me's dead and gone but the new me will be alright."

45. Him: Lily Allen: This is actually a song about God. I love to hear songs from people who are wrestling with what they believe. She asks alot of interesting questions in the song, but this is my favorite line, "I don't imagine he's ever been suicidal His favorite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival."

44. 3am: MatchboxTwenty: I listened to this song a lot in high school. I don't know if it was the opening acoustic guitar lick or the fact that it played on the radio all time. I later found out the song was about his mom who had cancer. I think some of the most spiritual moments come from the most broken moments.

43. Better Life: Keith Urban: I am not a fan of country music, but I like Keith Urban. Hey he is an Aussie, so he gets a pass. He has written much more spiritual stuff than this, but I love this song because it reminds me of my first year of marriage. It gave me faith during the tough trials my wife and I faced.

42. Snowed Under: Keane: This band means so much to my wife and I. You can read the blog why. The lyrics speak of hopes and fears and looking at things from a positive perspective and getting over your hurts. That can preach.

41. Under the Bridge: Red Hot Chili Peppers: Is this a song about drugs? Yes. Is there something more to this song than drugs? Yes. Anthony Kiedis has always wrestled with his demons but also had a soul that was searching, I'd love to have coffee and conversation with a guy like this. "It's hard to believe that there is nobody out there, it's hard to believe that I'm all alone."

40. Porcelain: Moby: This song has few lyrics, but my soul is lifted by the beautiful arrangement. It is sad and and uplifting at the same time. I like that delicate balance, maybe that's why it's entitled Porcelain.

39. What I've Done: Linkin Park: I guess you could call this Linkin Park's "U2 phase." They had the same producer on this song, and in the video Chester was doing his best Bono impression. That being said, this is a great song about confession and repentance. We also did this song in our youth group, and it always made an impact, plus the drum lick is sick. Love the line, "Let mercy come and wash away what I've done."

38. Are You Gonna Go My Way: Lenny Kravitz: The opening guitar pulls you in and never lets go and would definitely get Sister Christian to dance in her pew. Heavily influence by the sounds of the 70s and it comes thru strong here. It is clear that Lenny loves Hendrix and both of them love women...and Jesus. "We must engage and rearrange/ And turn this planet back to one."

37. Fake Plastic Trees: Radiohead: Let's be honest this song can be about the gloss and legalism that can bind the church juxtapose with the fake and gloss of the world and relationships. This song reminds me of the importance of being real.

36. Kings and Queens: 30 Seconds to Mars: Jared Letto and boys did something really interesting with this song and the album This Is War (didn't Petra have album with that title). They recorded the voices of their fans to sing over parts of the songs throughout the album. What you got was a album that sounded very much like a Hillsong worship album. Move Along by All American Rejects has a similar approach as well and could easily be in this slot too.

35. I'll Stand By You: The Pretenders: Chrissie Hynde wrote a moving love song that is full of emotion and has lyrics that anyone in love could relate. The line, "nothing you confess can make me love you less." To me that is what the cross is all about.

34. The Cave: Mumford & Sons: These lads from across the pond wrote an album in Sigh No More that is full of hope and religious imagery, with lyrics like "I will find strength in pain, and I will hold on hope/ You can understand dependence when you see the Makers hand."

33. Time of Your Life: Green Day: This song was everywhere in 1998. It was the swan song for Seinfield and it was a breakup song that wasn't a breakup song. It is simple with strings and acoustic guitar, "it's something unpredictable but in the end is right." I think that is a pretty good way to look this Christian life.

32. Chasing Cars: Snow Patrol: I don't know what it is about Brit-Pop that makes for such moving music, but here is another song from the UK. The soaring chorus into the build at the bridge would be the template for many Worship songs of the decade. "Those three words I said to much but not enough," I think is the lyrical equivalent of what Paul said in Romans 8.

31. Omaha: Counting Crows: This band is known as much for Adam Duritz voice as for his dreads (whether they are real or fake remains to be seen). However, this album, especially this song, is loaded with spiritual imagery in a melancholy-hopeful kind of way, and I kind of like that.

30. Who Will Save Your Soul: Jewel: The title says it all, but Jewel said this song was crafted over years on the road from traveling and sleeping in a van. Her voice is perfect and broken as she strums her guitar and asks a question that many pastors seem to leave out of their sermons.

29. Message in a Bottle: The Police: A three piece band that was full of drama, but also full of great pop songs. There are a number of songs that Sting wrote that could fit into this category especially "Every Breath You Take," but I like the simple, hopeful, almost evangelistic tone to the song. It also rocks on Guitar Hero!

28. Time After Time: Cindy Loper: An 80s wild child of sorts (think Katy Perry minus the um, whip cream), but it was her softer side that came through in this song. Later it would be modernized by a one hit wonder band of the new millennium, Quietdrive. The words to this song are full of grace and redemption, "If you're lost, you can look and you will find me, Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting, Time after time." This is a song that stands outside of time and is always relevant to our lives.

27. Love Story: Taylor Swift: Yes, I know this probably where the list hits zenith for the ultimate cheese factor. That being said, this is a brilliant pop song about love, so brilliant, it can have a Song of Solomn aspect to it. It could be a song about a Romeo it can be a song about a Romeo named Jesus. "Romeo save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel/This love is difficult, but it's real."

26. Starlight: Muse: If there is one word to describe Muse's music it would be glorious. The arrangements, the mix of classical, and vocal harmonies, takes you places without ever leaving your living room. Also their music is a bit apocalyptic and Christians always dig the apocalypse.

Songs 25-1 (Some of these songs are open to no debate)

25. Changes: 2Pac: With a sampling from Bruce Hornsbey's That's Just the Way It Is, 2Pac lyrics are like that of an urban poet, and sometimes prophet. It's erie to hear the foreshadowing in this song from his death to a Black President. His words are spiritual, raw, and honest. "We gotta make a change...It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live and let's change the way we treat each other."

24. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Simon & Garfunkel: The picture that the song paints is one that I like to think my savior, Jesus, is like. I remember facing some difficult circumstances in college and this song came on the radio and I literally just sobbed; it was as if their words were Jesus' words. "When you're weary, feeling small,When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;I'm on your side. When times get rough And friends just can't be found, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down."

23. Don't Look Back in Anger: Oasis: They were not The Beatles although on this song, they sound pretty close to it. This song is all about forgiveness and moving on; about not looking back. Something Lot's wife should've done. When I think about the people who maybe got one over on me, I just play this song.

22. Shine: Collective Soul: Lost in the shuffle during the 90s and falling in between the cracks of Nirvana and Pearl Jam you had this jewel of a band from Atlanta (or Hotlanta as the kids say). Their music was always catchy, well crafted, and full of spiritual imagery. If This Little Light of Mine, was for sunday school, Shine was a song begging to be played across youth groups in the 90s (Yeah!).

21. The Adventure: Angels & Airwaves: This is Blink-182 (minus Travis and the other dude) all grown up and wanting to be taking seriously, or as seriously as U2. The guitar in this song is pure joy, and the lyrics are meaningful and empowering. "Any type of love - it will be shown, like every single tree reach for the sky. If you're gonna fall, I'll let you know, that I will pick you up."

20. Jesus Walks: Kanye West: I will never forget working at the mall during my college days (for one reason or another) my boss was atheist but he loved this song. He was so excited to play this for me because he knew I was Christian and thought I would like it. Only music can do that. "I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers, The way Kathie Lee needed Regis that's the way I need Jesus." Best rap line ever.

19. Lightening Crashes: Live: Can a song that mentions the placenta be meaningful? Yes. Everyone had this album and played it the summer of 1995. The song is about how death and life can come at the same time. We didn't always know what Ed Kowalczyk was talking about but we knew it was something spiritual.

18. Alive: Pearl Jam: Sometimes I think just the way a song is arranged can have just as much spiritual impact. The quiet-soft verses opening into anthemic soaring chorus would be the template for worship in the years to come. The lyrics could be about a broken family life or a broken love life, but the chorus is says it all, "I'm Still Alive, OH I'm still alive..." The lyrical equivalent of Jesus words "In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world."

17. Use Somebody: Kings of Leon: It is no accident that sons of a preacher would have a song like this. The album Only By Night would be a welcomed departure for new fans with arena rock melodies, but for the hard-core fans of KOL this was a sudden change. I actually heard this song played in a church recently, and it seemed to fit into the worship flow seamlessly.

16. You Raise Me Up: Josh Groban: I don't know if it is the subtle use of bag-pipes throughout the song that reminds me of Braveheart (thus having youth pastors across the country raise their William Wallace sword in their office like warrior poets). The song does just as the title suggests raise you up. Plus it played at my wedding during the ceremony and I almost yelled "FREEEEDOM!" at the close.

15. Bittersweet Symphony: The Verve: It is not an accident that the title to the album on which this song made a hit was titled Urban Hymns. The song talks about the evils of money, and the brevity of life. The lyric, "Well I never pray But tonight I'm on my knees yeah

I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me" reminds me of C.S. Lewis' words "God whispers in our pleasures but shouts in our pains."

14. God Only Knows: The Beach Boys: Songs by this ultimate American band would be characterized by summer, cars, and girls. However, on Pet Sounds, they boys of summer take a turn from the outside to look on the inside. This song and album was ahead of its time of how arrangement, production, and introspective lyrics could affect one's soul and 3 minute pop song.

13. I Walk the Line: Johnny Cash: The man in black was as much as a rebel as he was a man of spiritual integrity. He was always honest about his struggles and was good friends with Bill Graham, so that definitely assures entry pass St. Peter and the pearly gates. This song was written about his love for his wife on the road, but also can translate toward our love for Christ on our own road. Also check out Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails Hurt it is haunting and moving.

12. Rebellion Lies: Arcade Fire: If you could put a beat to the book of Lamentations this is what you would get. The bands style and approach is almost too important for the label of Indie-Rock. The songs unfold on this album like curtain being drawn on a stage of love and loss; faith and despair. If I could I would put the whole album on the list, but Rebellion... is the climax to the the album Funeral, plus it makes my wife cry.

11. One Love: Bob Marley: When you think of Reggae you think of one name, Bob Marley. Who was a voice of hope and inspiration for his homeland Jamaica. There is a beautiful balance of love and judgement that comes thru in this song as he talks about "a Holy Armageddon" but in the same breathe shares about "giving thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright."

10. Hallelujah: Jeff Buckley: Originally written by Leonard Cohen, however, it is this version that leaves me speechless. Buckley's voice is unmatched and his tenderness and tone to which he croons thru the song tells a story as much as the lyrics. There is biblical imagery throughout the song of King David and Sampson of mercy and grace as well as failure and faith. Sometimes the only thing we can say is Hallelujah.

9. In Your Eyes: Peter Gabriel: Raise your hands or raise your stereos it a powerful moment. This song made Say Anything, more than chick that John Cusack was pining for. The chorus could be played in almost any church, and the old timers would still get goose bumps.

8. Don't Stop Believing: Journey: This song can go hand and hand with More Than A Feeling, by Boston, but Glee's revival of the song took it over the top. There is something magical about Steve Perry's voice (as well as those awesome four chords that find their way into many pop songs) that would make any worship pastor jealous. No matter what kind of day you have, as soon as you hear the chorus you will be singing and believing.

7. Living On a Prayer: Bon Jovi: How can you not like Bon Jovi. He has an awesome voice, awesome hair, and he is pretty awesome guy (even if is from New Jersey). The message in this song is universal, we all can relate to Tommy and Gina. It's hard to have faith at times, even harder to hit some of the high notes that Bon Jovi hits. Sometimes it really is all about a well timed key change.

6. Fix You: Coldplay: The lyrics may be a bit predictable and cliche, but its ok, because its Coldplay and we love Coldplay. We all want our lives to be fixed. We all want that sense that in the end its going to be ok. That there is a moral to the story and a lesson to be learned, even if we don't hear a driving guitar solo in the background, everybody wants hope. Chris Martin sends this message in spades.

5. What's Going On: Marvin Gaye: It possibly one of the most important pop songs ever written and recorded, and it almost did not make it onto Marvin Gaye's 1970 album of the same name. Berry Gordy (the producer of Motown) felt it was uncommercial. You can almost hear Jesus saying these words, "For only love can conquer hate," He was always asking the Pharisees "What's Goin On?"

4. Where the Streets Have No Name: U2: This song is heaven in 4 minutes. The opening of a soft organ to The Edge's iconic guitar echo, into Bono's crooning vibrato. This was the I Am Free of the 80s. It was never played under a steeple. but at every concert these four Irishmen had church. This is the band/song that will be the model for what worship will become over the next twenty years.

3. The Times They Are A Changing: Bob Dylan: Where would this country be if it wasn't for Bob. He was the voice of a generation and for many to come. "The line it is drawn/The curse it is cast/ The slow one now/Will later be fast." Dylan had many songs with biblical imagery even before his time in the 70s that produced three albums influenced by his faith in Jesus. I love the simplicity and truth of this song. It is a proverb. It is prophetic. It is timeless.

2. You Can't Get What You Want: The Rolling Stones: There is better theology in this song than in many sermons I've heard over the years. This song was definitely had a gospel influence in the production. An original approach for the Stones although, released after Hey Jude. Jagger and Richards always seem to follow Lennon and McCartney's heals, and they do on this list as well.

1. Let It Be: The Beatles: The song is a prayer. The song is a confession. This is how The Beatles do gospel. Some of the best lyrics McCartney ever composed with an epic chord structure that rises and soars giving the listener hope and peace albeit whatever circumstance. This song has special significance for me, my Aunt passed away because of breast cancer my freshman year of college. One night my brother, her son, and myself were playing pool and this song came on the radio. Let it Be gave me peace, because truth is truth, and in these whispered words of wisdom, there is worship.

You may agree with some of the songs on this list.

You may disagree with some of the songs on this list.

I hope you may have thought some of the same things I shared on in this list. That even in cars, subways, or even pool-halls there was worship.

Keep the conversation going, let me know what songs you think should be on the list that I left out.