It Is Well

So I really do enjoy a variety of music. I am all over the place, and constantly looking for new suggestions. Thanks to working with college students, I am not just stuck with my past music favs. Iron and Wine along with Arcade Fire are just two of the bands they have exposed me to. Of course, I try to share with them, but they can't seem to wrap their heads around hair bands (their loss).

So i was browsing around looking for music, and I found a worship cd from Kutless titled It is Well. Now, I'm very selective about praise and worship music, mainly cause I grew up jamming and not really listening to words. Yes, I can slow down and listen to the likes of Charlie Hall or Chris Tomlin, but generally for me music needs to rock. And although Christian artist have come along way since the 80's/90's (Petra anyone?), sadly some CCM bands lack musical talent. Not Kutless - they are phenomenal- and they can slow it down as well as rock out too! My personal favorite off of the album is the title track - It is Well. Here they have taken a classic hymn and modernized it. Give it a whirl and tell me what you think.

Who's getting the best of you?

So I'll want to share a passion of mine - MUSIC! I absolutely love the way music speaks, shares and transforms. And I like almost all genres of music - from worshipful Christian to 80's Hair Bands to rap to Phantom of the Opera, and most points in between. One of the cool things about ministering to college students is constantly being introduced to new groups and songs.

One of my favorite groups is The Foo Fighters, fronted by Dave Grohl (former drummer of Nirvana, another fav). I've watched all of the specials I can find about this group, and just thoroughly enjoy the passion and musicianship of the band. If you are a fan of songs written with deep emotion, as well as some really funny videos, I would recommend Foo for your listening pleasure.

Dave wrote the song Best of You, and it is a painful song. It's been said that Dave wrote this song in response to a hurtful relationship that his sister was in at the time of writing. Was she being abused? Was she addicted to a harmful substance? Regardless, as someone who cared for her, you hear the pain he feels while being on the outside, unable to help her affect a healthy change. Click here to listen to an awesome live version of Best of You, and click here to view the lyrics.

My point to all of this rambling is this - does someone have the best of you? Does anyone have control over you? Better yet, have you let someone (or something) take complete control of your life and emotions? In 2 Corinthians 11:19-20 the Apostle Paul writes "After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools. You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face." Wow - strong words, but how true.

So what's the answer? Give everything over to God. Let Him have control (Jesus Take the Wheel comes to mind - thanks Carrie). Romans 8:6b tells us "But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace". If you wanna know true peace, it only comes from Him. Give it a try - I can guarantee it's worth it.