New music today

Switchfoot fans, here it comes.

Sparrow Records/Columbia Records will release Oh! Gravity., the eagerly-awaited sixth studio album from the multi-platinum-selling San Diego-based rock band on December 26.

In anticipation of the release, Switchfoot will hit the road for an extensive U.S. fall tour, including a stop at Denver's Ogden Theatre Oct. 23. A first peek at new album material with the song “Dirty Second Hands” is available on iTunes starting today.

Also hitting iTunes (and stores) today is sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records’ lead-worshiper Chris Tomlin’s fourth studio album, See The Morning, Check out the album’s e-card at http://www.seethemorning.com/ for samples of the music, a slide show, tour itinerary and more.
Good stuff!

Shelters—update on lessons from the stye

Yes, the stye is gone. And I’m even following my own advice by making an intentional effort to spend time attending to what’s going on inside and do what makes me come alive.

I said “no” to teaching yoga and starting massage therapy classes in January. Though it saddens me not to be starting something new, I’m excited to embark on the adventures that await.

Last night our pastor taught from Luke 9:28-33. He built a blanket fort and compared it to the church. He asked, “Are we withdrawing, seeking shelter from the world, rather than seeking ways to redeem it?”

Interestingly, the same morning in my Beth Moore Breaking Free Bible study, she emphasized, “When opressed, the children of God have a tendency to prepare shelters for themselves rather than do what liberty demands. These shelters can easily turn into strongholds.”

I don't know if I explained the connection very well--but it made sense to me. It's funny how God will emphasize a point in several ways in one day--just to make sure we're paying attention.

I no longer want to shelter myself with busyness or pride in various accomplishments.
I want to use my uniqueness to make a big deal of God (see next post).

Use YOUR uniqueness

My wonderful mother flew to Colorado to visit me and attend the Women of Faith conference. Besides my time with her, some highlights for me:

Lisa Smith brought tears flowing from my eyes that not any of the polished speakers or singers could evoke. A beautiful girl with Down Syndrome signing during Sandi Patty’s performance. Such passion, gusto, and grace Lisa displayed as her hands flickered and twirled. Head thrown back and body swaying, worshiping with child-like reckless abandon. It amazes me how God uses the weak to shame the strong.

Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." --1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (The Message)

Max Lucado’s main message: “Use your uniqueness to make a big deal out of God every day of your life.”

Lisa perfectly displayed using one’s uniqueness to make a big deal of God. No credentials or bio in the program, she didn’t need to try to impress anyone—yet she brought nearly all the 17,000 attendees to their feet. Her sweet joyful spirit impressed upon my heart that it’s not those who are perfect that can be used by God. I’ve never seen such poetry moving from hand to hand. No pretenses, no performance, just praise!

Sad Starbucks and spinach news

Sadly, effective Oct. 3, Starbucks is set to raise beverage prices by five cents.
Starbucks spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said that rising business costs, including health care and raw ingredients, prompted the price increase.
O please, don’t they make enough off a $5 latte? In even sadder news, I will still be purchasing my pumpkin spice lattes there.
The saddest news of all: U.S. restaurant chains removed spinach from their menus last week after the leafy green vegetable was linked to more than 100 cases of E. coli. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat fresh spinach until further notice. The vegetable was linked to 109 cases of E. coli infection in 19 states, including one Wisconsin adult’s death.
However, spinach-hating children everywhere rejoice. “Mommy, I told you spinach can kill you!” Those of us who actually like the raw leafy-green delight mourn its demise.

Hiking Pikes Peak

It was a blast—literally, mixed in with miserably cold and memorable.

Though this was my third time hiking to the summit, I’d never trekked up the back side, and never tackled it with blasting winds and frigid temps--all this after only FOUR hours of sleep.
Please read Katie’s excellent account of our adventure.

Like her, I felt tempted to focus on how cold and miserable I felt. Can you see in the picture I look like I’m going to cry?

And I did my share of feeling sorry for myself and my friends. But when I realized that pity wouldn’t make us feel any better, I chose to be thankful. One of the things I was most thankful for was the promise of a hot bath when I got home. I knew without doubt that rest would come.
Though I couldn’t change my painful circumstances in the moment I could find joy in the journey.

Ever tried Diet Coke and Mentos?

Mix together and you have a fun explosion. Check out www.eepybird.com for an extreme experiment video!

What is it about reading a book?

What is it about reading a book in a bookstore that makes it so much more captivating?
I dare not buy one lest I take it home and set it on my night stand with the piles of others waiting to be finished. Sure they’re attended to occasionally, but usually as I’m falling asleep or distracted. But I can think of few indoor stationary activities that revive my soul and inspire my spirit more than ingesting the contents of a bookstore.

I turn first to magazines to warm up my page-flipping fingers and truth-searching eyes. Then meandering for deeper longer-lasting meaning, I wander to the book rows. I settle down on a sofa chair with a stack in my lap. I can sit for hours, absorbed as I sink into the chair and deeper into a good volume. I typically trust myself to take nonfiction works off the shelves. It’s what I find closest, most applicable to my life. But perhaps I don’t stay long enough. I let my eyes skip over pages trying to find the truth in short snippets or snapshots.

Regardless, I’ve come to a connection with the author, this world, and find a place that reflects an otherworld where time goes by unnoticed, where forever isn’t long enough.

Telluride pics

Desert vs. Mountain

The desert has much to teach—lessons of bareness and brokenness. But in the mountains beauty flows forth from flowers and foliage all around. From a waterfall through rivers, vigorous life-giving water flows freely. In the desert there’s little moisture. Where there’s green you stop to pay attention to it. You notice more of the dead details—rocks, driftwood, dust. The dryness allows you, prompts you to call out for help. You would not linger long lest you be burnt by looming sun. Whereas a mountain’s shadow invites rest or conquest.
I’m thankful for seasons—whether it’s dry like the desert or lush like the mountains, He’s still present, still active.
I felt like this trip brought me full circle. Last year I visited Moab with my parents, a wonderful time of exploration and connection. Since then God has brought me from the desert to a green valley, up on a mountain, and back.
He brought me blessings to make my heart sing and trials to make my character stronger. This trip with friends Jenny and Kjersten revealed how much I’ve been blessed.

Moab pics

I lift up my eyes

to the red jagged cliffs of Moab. Where does my strength come from? It comes from the Rock, my firm foundation, tower above all else. He made the rust-tinted rocks, the desert-green trees, the cooling breeze, and everything in between. In the midst of all this natural glory, He created us to add to the beauty.

Check out Agia Sophia

The best local coffee shop/bookstore/hangout I've yet to experience in Colorado Springs.
Thanks to Kjersten for telling me about this place. If you'd like to learn more, click here.
A friendly barista greeted me and took my order. I wandered upstairs and discovered a priest chatting with another man next to a mountain-view window. I browsed the "Athletes of Prayer" books, sat down on a comfy leather sofa, then enjoyed my scone and Thai spice latte (which the lovely barista brought up to me) while taking advantage of free wi-fi. I'm considering having my writing group meet here at least every other week. Don't you think small independent coffee shops and book stores should be supported? Check it out!

And the winner is...

my friend Jess with her "Dean of athletics," tying in both previously unrelated photos. How about Jars of Clay's new CD, Good Monsters?
After tucking in James Dean I realize there are many more intense pranksters out there. Mr. Dean points to Katie who "made" us get all muddy (and took the great action shot). Anyway, this was basically an exercise in posting random photos and seeing what you could come up with. Thanks for playing!

OK, here are some clues...

What the...?

What is going on here?
Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Most creative (yet appropriate) answer gets a prize.

Refreshing

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!
Proverbs 25:13 (The Message)

Lessons from the stye: Sometimes faith means saying “no.”

A stye, an infectious obnoxious little lump, has taken up residency in my eye. As you can see, it’s ugly. You probably can’t see how badly it hurts.

I tried to cover the red puffiness with eye makeup, which actually is quite effective. The only problem with this method is the cover-up prevents me from treating the problem (by inserting antibiotic cream-goop and placing warm compresses on my eye six times daily).

I have to choose between looking pretty on the outside and healing the inside. In this case I can’t do both, so I’ve gone without makeup this week.

If only I could treat healing of the heart the same way. It’s so easy to cover the wounds, the pain, the hurt, the soul infection. What would actually happen if I left them uncovered and did the work of treating the “root” of the problem? The pain often gets worse before it gets better. The infection has to keep swelling until it comes to a head before healing starts.

There are many ways in which I cover my heart-wounds. One primary way is busyness. If my life is filled with activity I will feel loved, useful, needed, important. If I’m busy, I won’t have to take the time to deal with the painful pangs my heart is feeling.

Will you do this? Will you do that?
Yes, yes, yes, I aim to please!

So much so that my days and evenings and weekends are filled. When I don’t take the time to attend to what’s going on inside (let my heart heal with rest and time with God) the inner-infection builds. My heart and soul start to die when I don’t do what makes me come alive (for me, being creative and enjoying God’s creation).

So I challenge myself to say “no” to some things (even “good” activities), which just fill up my time, but don’t fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
I challenge you to do the same. Feel what your heart is beating. Allow time and space in your life for healing. Pretending your wounds aren’t there wont make them go away. Do the work to heal the problem, rather than covering up the symptoms.
My eye is healing, my heart is feeling, and I’m believing God that sometimes faith means saying “no.”

Disclaimer: I reserve every right not to follow my own advice. After I decided I’m too busy, I said “yes” to a freelance editing job. In addition, I’m planning to start back with the Thursday-night writing group, get certified to teach yoga in October, and start massage therapy classes in January. I’m working 12 more days at Peterson Air Force Base. Oh did I mention I work full-time? And try to maintain friendships, attend a Bible study, and a small group. I like to sleep, eat, and exercise occasionally too.

It takes two to tango.

I learned the basics of the tango at the Mercury Cafe (my favorite urban hangout) this weekend in Denver.
Argentine tango is known as the dance of passion--to be danced with extreme connection and focus on your partner. However, no partner is required for lessons, and even if you bring a partner, you're required to switch every fourth song.
As a woman, this means you must listen to man--not with the ears, but with the arms. We were required to shut our eyes and our mouths the majority of the time.
According to my instructor, this dance is all about the embrace. It's strong and sexy, but respectful. The woman must not allow the man to walk all over her, nor does the dance work if she leads.
Dance has so much to teach about relationships.
After all, you know the saying...it takes two to tango!

Loser interviews Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell

Click here for an interview with Brian Littrell, Backstreet Boy turned-Christian music soloist.

I first met this pop-superstar in April at the Gospel Music Assoc. Week. His publicist asked me to interview him and I reluctantly agreed. The magazine I work for doesn’t typically print interviews, which is why I felt hesitant to waste his time.

However, I met an editor from Christianity Today at a Provident dinner. We got talking and I found out his interview with Brian was cancelled. We agreed that I would sell my interview write-up to CT.

What followed seemed a complete disaster. I almost turned down the story because I couldn’t get it completed (parents in town, writing a feature article at work) by the deadline they requested.
Then I couldn’t get a hold of his publicist to schedule a follow-up. Then I discovered Brian told me in about the exact same words what he tells every other media outlet. Then the interview was too short. But there was no way of getting a hold of him and asking more questions. I hear from CT they’ll pay me, but not as much as we agreed (I accept this—it’s my fault the interview is short). Then nothing. I assume they’ve decided not to publish it. Finally, I hear from my friendly editor it took “a while to get a few questions answered and get the interview to where my boss was satisfied.”

So now three months later it’s online. This is just to say you win some, you lose some.

I felt like a complete failure/loser during this entire process, but I pray God has used/is using it SOMEHOW for His glory.

Listening to...Blue on Blue

Two years ago Leigh Nash bottomed out. It wasn't due to any of the stereotypical rock dalliances involving substance abuse or lavish spending. Instead, Nash found herself face to face with the dark underbelly of the protestant work ethic - when giving and giving doesn't equal getting what you always imagined.

Sixpence None the Richer, the band she had been a member of for nearly half of her life, thirteen years all told, was contemplating calling it quits. Nash and high school sweetheart Matt Slocum had formed the group as teenagers, touring in sedans and cramped vans, slowly building a career.

In spite of the colossal success the band enjoyed with ubiquitous pop singles like "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes," the group was continually plagued by the business woes of the trade and finally decided to split ways amicably. Disoriented by this major change, Nash and her husband left their Nashville home of ten years and moved to Los Angeles.

"It was a major life change for me because I had been with Sixpence since I was fourteen. I was 27 at the time, and I didn't know what I was going to do. So, I started writing songs," says Nash.

While in L.A., Nash penned a batch of songs that would eventually comprise her first solo record, Blue on Blue, a sweetly understated collection of musings on love and motherhood due out August 15 on One Son Records, Nash's own imprint label through Nettwerk Productions.

A few months after Sixpence None the Richer parted ways, Nash welcomed her son Henry into the world, along with a new sense of creative vitality. Nash explains that her songs were not intentionally centered on any one concept, but admits her newfound maternity was a source of inspiration.

With Sixpence behind her and a two-year-old son along for the ride, Nash is back in Nashville, prepped to return to music even though she never really left. Now perhaps a bit more career-conscious and business-weary, Nash reveals that tired edge without losing her dainty charm. Because of this, Blue on Blue is not just a carefree jog through the present but a vividly felt exercise wholly informed by the past.

Check out more from Leigh Nash at:
www.leighnash.com
www.myspace.com/leighnash
www.nettwerk.com