Photo Credit: Lott Shudde, http://www.thirdday.com
Powerful. I went to a Third Day concert Saturday and it can hardly be categorized as a “show.” Yes, the band performed but what they performed was heart and soul surgery. We were led. We were led to The Throne and sent forth to continue the worship in our lives. The album is Lead Us Back and the tour is Soul on Fire and if you don’t get to any other concerts this year, do try to make this one. I would feel this way even if I weren’t already a Third Day fan. I went to this particular concert to meet up with almost 70 other fans (the Gomer Family) for pre and post-show gatherings and we had joked about how nice it was of Third Day to provide a concert for our party. I thought I was going to serve cake and meet up with friends I seldom see in person but have been blessed to get to know and love.
What I found out was I was there for conviction. We have struggles here at the Fecher abode, just like everyone else. Sometimes we need slapped upside the head by the Spirit. God bless Third Day for their anointed ability to slap people upside the head through their music. Your Words, Our Deliverer, Victorious – powerful. Worship is a verb, a frame of mind and a lifestyle. It’s music like that found on the new album that challenges us to look inside ourselves and take inventory of what’s missing and what’s there that shouldn’t be. I was prepped before attending this concert that this would not be like the typical rock-your-face shows that we are used to. I was expecting “mellow.” Mellow is not the word. Nope, nope, nope. Powerful is the word. Lead Us Back is their first worship album since Offerings 2 in 2003. I hope they won’t wait that long til the next one. Music speaks to us in ways nothing else can. Sometimes it’s fun, silly, beautiful, obnoxious, danceable, etc. but something we need a regular dose of in our music intake is, in case you missed it, powerful worship.
Get thee to a show: Third Day Tour Schedule
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
March 3rd. March 3rd. March 3rd. Lead Us Back, Third Day’s newest album is out MARCH THIRD!
Now, repeat it back. What day does Lead Us Back release? This is just review. There will be a test. If you are new here, I really, really love Third Day.
We were able to preorder ours awhile back and…..IT JUST CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!!! WOOHOO!! I started writing this post before we received this so timing couldn’t be more perfect!
We were also able to sing along with the first single, Soul on Fire, at a concert this fall before it’s release and it had me hooked from the first listen. It’s like a rally cry between myself and God and it comes with the attitude that the victory has already been won and I have the confidence that I WILL be a soul on fire.
The members of Third Day do seem to “get it” and by “it,” I mean the battle is won. It just so happens that “Victorious” is another song from the new album and “Victory” is on the “Miracle” CD.
I can’t help it; I wish Soul on Fire had come out before “Catching Fire.” It would have been an amazing theme song for Katniss. Can’t you see it? No? Okay, so load this video but don’t play it, yet, and turn the Youtube volume all the way down:
Okay, now load this Soundcloud:
Play the Soundcloud then start the video.
Am I right? Just sayin’.
Yes, I sometimes play around too much….I’m tho thilly.
Here’s the OFFICIAL Soul on Fire Lyric Video:
And Victorious:
I’m listening to the CD as I type and I have goosebumps.
And here’s where to preorder your Lead Us Back CD or CD Bundle (click that yellow tab with the plus sign down on the bottom right):
Looking forward to seeing them next month! They are amazing live and we get to meet up with precious friends we’ve met through this awesomesauce band. A Third Day concert isn’t just a show; it’s worship and a taste of Heaven. I hope you’ll join me during this Soul on Fire Tour as we worship together as we “Run to His heart till we are souls on fire!”
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
I come from a long line of complainers on one side of the family and a long line of critical hot-heads on the other. I’m not worried about any family reading this because they will either know I am right or complain and criticize no matter how gently I put it. Left to my own devices, my mouth is a going concern. I am a complainer and have been critical of others. I have let expletives escape and I, man, can I gossip.
My mouth has been getting on my nerves. That realization occurs whenever I notice that other people’s mouths are getting on my nerves. I hear their tone or talking smack of others and ask myself, “Self, is that what you’ve been doing? Do you speak in that tone to YOUR kids?” When the answer is yes, I sometimes reel it in or I criticize and complain about the people who aren’t controlling their mouths. You all do it, too, you know it.
God gave us mouths for his purposes and to eat pizza and chocolate. Our mouths should be used to encourage others, share what God has done in our lives, teach, pray and sing. However, God did not make us robots and will not control our mouths for us. A lot of people blame God for all the evil in the world. Do you know how we know? Because they used their mouths to tell us so. If God put a muzzle on every critical complainer, folks wouldn’t have the freedom to be atheists or mean, verbally-abusive husbands or foul-mouthed gang members making a drug deal in a back alley or the church leader persuading his followers to believe a falsehood as gospel. Blame God all you want, it’s our choice to control what comes out of our cakeholes and it ain’t easy.
James 3:3-5 says, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
When I think about how this comparatively small muscle covered in taste buds and used to make goofy faces and lick ice cream can steer what direction the rest of me turns toward, it makes me a little nervous. A lot nervous. This thing we use to sing lullabies to our baby we also use to lie, cuss, and manipulate. I came across a pile of MEMLOCK cards this morning. Memlock is a Bible verse memory system we use with our kids. It uses cards with “trigger pictures” on them to help you remember the verse. Anyhoo, the card on top read as follows, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
Here’s the trigger picture:
SO, when I hear my kids’ mouths doing their thang, I tell them to eat a “Let Donut.” Finding these cards on the tongue was a smack upside the head. I’ve been letting my mouth do the thinking for me much of the time. There are several other verses in this pack of cards categorized as “TONGUE.”
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
You don’t have to be a believer for these verses to make sense! There are so many more but suffice it to say that the very BEST way to get control of our mouths is to use it to pray for our mouths. For me, I want what comes out of my mouth to steer me in a direction that blesses others, helps the hurting, encourages, empowers and, to me, most importantly, leads my children closer to Christ each day. I want to be an example worth following and I’m not sure I’ve been that.
How could a Third Day song NOT come to mind? Nothing At All was the first song my husband heard from this awesomesauce band and drew him in. The pictures used in this video certainly depict what I’ve been talking about (click HERE for lyrics):
Then, of course, we can’t forget Thumper:
My admonishment for the week – “What did your FATHER tell you? Eat a LET DONUT!”
Be blessed,
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Yesterday, I heard the news about the church bus that overturned in Indy and the lives that were lost in the accident. The grief must be unbearable. I don’t even know these people but as I prayed for the family and friends of the young, expectant couple who died leaving a toddler an orphan and the mom of 5, I cried. There are so few words that can be said. When my brother died at 16 from a gun accident, many words were said with good intentions but made it more painful none-the-less. The words that did get me through, though, were from those that were honest and told me that they don’t understand, either, it won’t make sense to us but God loves me and is there for me. So I went to Him over and over again. He doesn’t mind when we raise our fist and ask Him, “Why?” David did it. He was called a “man after God’s own heart” and God, while He called David out on a lot of stuff, didn’t rebuke him for expressing his fear, anger and sadness to God. When Scott died, I went back to college and the friends who knew what to say said very little. They held me, let me cry and told me to give it to God because He’s the only One Who knows what to do with it.
My Isabelle was admitted to the hospital at 4 weeks old the day Katrina hit. Having nothing else to do in a hospital room with an infant, I watched the news in horror. We were there 5 days as I watched my baby girl struggling to get and keep nutrition in her then turned to the TV screen to see people lose loved ones and suffer. It was then my favorite band decided to release early the following single from Wherever You Are to be an encouragement, to direct people to World Vision for donations and as a benefit for relief efforts. There has been so much tragedy in our nation and world. Catastrophe hits everyone at some point and the disasters and calamity will only increase as the world descends more and more into decadence and greed. Scripture tells us this. So what to say when friends and family are hit? Cry out to Jesus. For the families hurting so close to home in Indy, that’s all I have. I am so sorry.
This song is one of many Third Day songs that has blessed me and helped me through tough times. So many have been heartened by this. If you haven’t heard it before, I hope it blesses you. If you have, I hope it blesses you again.
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
“Where words fail, music speaks.” I don’t know who said that but it’s true. There are no words that can adequately express the heartfelt sympathy so many of us wish to offer to the families and friends who have had their worlds shattered on Friday. My heart is turned inside out. Our family has been praying.
My favorite band, Third Day, releases their newest album, Miracle, tomorrow. We were tickled to get a preview in July when we went on the Third Day Alaskan cruise and have been anxiously awaiting the release! When the song, I Need a Miracle, was introduced on the cruise, we were given the background that inspired the song. I cried, my friends cried, those who didn’t choked back the tears. There are folks whose struggle is so great, they buckle under the pressure. Without hope of a miracle, they (we) lose sight of the miracles surrounding us and the promise that God will bring us through. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” God provides. We just need reminded. I am grateful the men of Third Day, and others like them, allow God to speak through them to give hope.
Here’s the story behind the song, I Need a Miracle:
And, grab your tissues, the song:
Yowza, right?
Having listened to the new CD in its entirety…many times….over and over again, let me do the decision-making for you – you are gonna want to get a copy and a few for Christmas gifts. In my best “Radio”, “Dat’s a good one!” www.thirdday.com
“Where words fail, music speaks.”
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Being as that this Friday will find me in Indianapolis at the Old National Deluxe Theatre then on Saturday in Fort Wayne at the Neon Armadillo, AND being as that I am completely stoked about meeting up with friends to see Mac Powell doing his country thang at said venues, it is my responsibility, nay, my privilege to encourage the listening to of his incredible debut country cd, the purchasing of said cd and various fanphanalia, and attending a concert or two. I already know that I can anticipate concert excellence since Mr. Powell is the lead singer of my favorite band, Third Day, and I have been attending shows since 1997 so trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
Joining Mac as the The Backlsiders are Jason Hoard, Brandon Coker, Heath Balto, Andrew Amerson and Matthew Bailey. (BTW, Jason has been touring with Third Day and is one of the most gifted musicians and one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet!) After watching videos from this past weekends kick-off shows, I’m even more excited!
This gets me “right there.”
This isn’t on the cd but I love Tom Petty & I love this!
I would love to post videos for all of the songs I REALLY like from the CD but this post would become REALLY long so just one more. I REALLY, REALLY like Mississippi! Wearing this one out!
I was going to stop there but this is one of my favorite songs….ever:
June Bug, This Ain’t No Hobby, Julia Ann, Saturday Night, Do You Love Me….folks, I am pretty picky about the country I listen to. I can’t leave a country radio station on for long because most of it is lame IMHO. Even if I weren’t already a fan of Third Day, I would love this music. IF I had the chance to hear about it, that is, because, from what I understand, radio stations have this thing about the musicians they play being on certain labels or whatever. To that, I say, “Whateva!” If the music is good, you should play it and quit wearing out that generic nonsense. I’m just thankful I DO know about this awesomesauce country music and I’m sure others will appreciate finding out what their new favorite country artist is, too, so spread the word. That is all. You’re welcome.
Go to the website… NOW:
Concert dates are on the site – you’re welcome again.
Have a great Monday!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Day 1 provided adventure enough but Friday brought more as well as the first wave of friends to hook up with. The pre-cruise anticipation was heightened by having Gomers arrive to meet up with.
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| Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox |
This has A LOT of pics, I know. I’ll try to do the others in smaller bites. There was just too much fun going on!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Visit HERE for Part 1.
So…our kitchen took me back to the days when my walls were plastered with posters of my favorite bands.
Work commences on the “Revelation PRS”:
Got saw fit to add a couple of plates to the collection I was already spinning so rather than watch them all come crashing down, I had to take a few down so I could keep all of my plates spinning. One thing that had to go was this blog. I’ve posted more than once about how I want to get busy writing again but business and/or tiredness kept pushing the writing aside. Just when I thought I was back in the groove, I committed to something else. At least this time, it was a conscious decision to set the blog aside while I focus on the project at hand rather than plain ol’ procrastination. That mission was accomplished so I’m back trying to pick up where I left off but it’s been awhile! Other things that had to go: laundry staying caught up, planned menus, and sleep. I was drinking coffee to stay up late and so it would wake me up in the early a.m. So, trying to kick it back in gear is like starting from scratch. For now, I’ll just share what I’ve been up to that’s been so time-consuming in addition to being hit hard with some freak health condition that left me laid up. Our working theory is that some new meds triggered gout or arthritis or whatever-itis. I’m still going through tests so we’re not sure what’s going on. But what satan meant for evil, God used for good. Just when I was down to a deadline, I had no choice but to sit and git r dun – it hurt to move! Heck, it hurt my finger to click my mouse! (And, I confess, I have been quite the whiner). Point being, I needed to focus on the task at hand and the many hats I wear that often distract me were held at bay.
The project I needed to complete was a 100 page scrapbook with entries from about 50 folks from all over the country and one or two from Brazil. It was a privilege to be able to compile this:
It took three months to complete but it was a whole heck of a lot of fun, too! Using CD covers for backgrounds with the Gomer “trademark” orange making its appearance throughout gave plenty of inspiration. If you’d like to peruse the pages, you can check out this link.
You’ll have to register and log in to see the scrapbook. If you’re reading this and you don’t know what the scrapbooks were for, you don’t know me very well or you’ve been hiding under a rock. The scrapbooks were for this.
I’ll post about the adventure we had as soon as I’m able. Besides catch-up on my blog, I’m catching up on laundry, businessy stuff (bills, quotes, marketing, website, etc.), housecleaning, etc. Thanks for checking to see if I’m still breathing in the blogosphere. I hope to be back soon! What’s not shared is lost, Michelle
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Recipe For A Wild Thyme 