The Phil Files

If we are going to tune our hearts to live out of God’s mission for us, then we’ve got to walk with the Father each day through prayer and reading of Scripture. In my heartlight article this week, I focus on Jesus’ actions in Mark 1:35-45 and seek to learn some key principles about how live in God’s will. But I’m also interested in how you appoach this subject.

How do open your heart up to God so you can be tuned by the Holy Spirit to live out your mission in the world?

How do you decide whether to “go somewhere else” or spend time with the folks clamoring for your attention and service?

What are some Scriptures you would add to this discussion that can be used to form us into the people God wants us to be?

I’d love to hear from you

This past Sunday, I asked the congregation to submit names of their favorite songwriters. There were about 1500 in attendance counting the children. I was surprised to receive over 420 responses to this voluntary survey of writers of secular and sacred songs. Incredibly, there were 225 or so distinct entries with King David, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Fannie J. Crosby, and Michael W. Smith topping the list with 12 mentions each — I’m sure Stephen, Fannie, and Michael would be honored to be in such company. If you look at the list below, you see they span the gammut of taste and style.

This gives me pause and deep humility as I think about the diversity of tastes that all meets together in one place and serves one Lord. It also reminds me of the incredible challenge worship in the heart language of each person truly is in our assemblies. When we come together, it truly is about blessing someone else, because there are so many different tastes, perspectives, and preferences. It’s also about praising God who made such diversity.

Rather than us splitting our churches and making enemies over “my style not yours,” let’s remember that God created such diversity and we’ve got to learn to appreciate, value, and celebrate it if we want to keep from limiting our view of who He is and how vast and glorious He is. If all us are created in His image, then we’ve got to learn to deeply value the differences if we are to ever get a handle on the vastness of our God!

(Spelling is the “preference” of those who submitted the names!)

3 Decades
30 Coin Ransom
Aaron Shust
Aaron Watson
Alan Jackson
Albert Brumley
Allison Krause
Amazing Grace
Amy Grant
Amy Lee/Evanesence
Amy Stroup
Amy Winehouse
Andrew Peterson
Avril LaVigne
Axel Rose (Guns-n-roses)
Barry Manilow
Bebo Norman
Ben Lee
Berry Gibb & BeeGees
Bernie Taupin
Bill & Gloria Gaither
Billy Joel
Bob Dylan
Bob Marley
Bono (U2)
Brad Paisley
Brian Wilson
Britney Spears
Buck Owens
Buddy Holly
Burt Bacharacht
Carol King
Carrie Underwood
Casting Crowns
Cat Stephens
Chad Higgins
Charlie Pride
Chris Carabba
Chris Rice
Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlinson
Chuck Mangione
Colbie Caillat
Conway Twitty
Corrine Bailey-Ray
Dallas Holme
Dan Fogelberg
Danzig
Dave Matthews
King David, son of Jesse, who wrote many Psalms
David Crowder
Dennis Jernigan
Derek Webb
Dolly Parton
Don Henley
Don Williams
Dottie Rambo
Dustin Kensrue – Thrice
Eddie Murcury (Queen)
Elliot Park
Elton John
Elvis
Enya
Eric Clapton
Fall Out Boy
Fannie J. Crosby
Fergie
Fernando Ortega
Francis Scott Key
Frank Sinatra
Frankie J.
Freddy Mercy – Queen
Garth Brooks
George Bennard
George Strait
Ginny Owens
Glen Frey
Goo Goo Dolls
Gordon Lightfoot
Hallal
Hanna Montana
Hobie Lister
Hollard-Dozier-Hollard
Holly Dunn
Hutton Jones
Hyward
Imogen Heap
India Arie
Irving Berlin
J.J. Heller
Jack Johnson
Jackson Browne
James Blunt
James Brown
James Taylor
Jars of Clay
Jason Mraz
Jennie Owens
Jeremy Camp
Jewel
Jim Croce
Jimmy Webb
Joe Beck
John Denver
John Foggherty of Credence Clearwater Revival
John Lennon
John Mayer
John Cougar Mellencamp
John Newman
John Newton
John Schlesinger
Johnny Cash
Johnson Oatman Jr. (1895)
Jon Foreman(Switchfoot)
Jonathan Larson “Season of Love”
Joni Mitchell
Josh Turner
Joshua Raudin
Journey
Jump 5
June Carter
Keith Lancaster
Keith Urban
Kelly Clarkson
Ken Young
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Loggins
Kent West
Kids Praise
Kris Kristofferson
Lennon/McCartney
Leonard Skinard
Lionel Richie
Mac Powell
Mariah Carey
Mark Lowery
Mark Schultz
Maroon 5
Martina McBride
Mason Jennings
Matt Redman
Matt Thiemisen – Reliant K
Matthew Thiessen (Reliant K)
Max Collins
Mel Holt
Mercy Me
Michael Card
Michael Martin Murphy
Michael Unger – “Wrap Me In Your Arms Lord”
Michael W. Smith
My Mother
Neil Diamond
Neil Finn
Neil Peart
Nicholle Nordeman
No Mercy
Norm Whitfield
Pat Benitar
Pat Green
Patty Griffin
Paul Anka
Paul McCartney
Paul Simon
Paul Stanley
Phil Collins
Phil Vassar
Phil Wickham
Pink Floyd
Pretenders
Priscilla Owens
Puccini
Randy Gill
Randy Rogers
Randy Travis
Rascal Flatts
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Stegall
Regina Spektor
Rich Mullins
Rob Thomas
Robert Arnold
Robert Earl
Rod Stewart
Rodney Griffin
Ronnie Milsap
Roy Orbison
Ryan Adams
Sammy Hagar
Sarah Evans
Sarah McLaughlin
Secular
Sergi Rachmoninoff
Shane & Shane
Shaun Groves
Shawn McDonald
Skillet
Skip Ewing
Slim Elliot
Snoop Dogg
Sonny Burgess
Stephen Speaks
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Perry
Steven Tyler
Swift, Taylor
Sylvia Rose
T.J. McCloud
Taylor Swift
Tennesee Ernie Ford
The Beatles
Tillet S. Teddlie
Tim MCGraw
Toby Keith
Toby Mack
Todd Agnew
Tom Petty
Tom T. Hall
Townes Van Zandt
Travis Ball
Tupal
Twila Paris
Vasquez
Wesley Putnam
Wilco
Willie Nelson
Yellow Card
Zoe Girl

I have an electronic brain — not in my head, mind you, that gray matter brain doesn’t have enough RAM to hold the information I need to store. My electronic brain is a phone and pocket pc combo. It is used more than any other thing in my life, including the RAM limited gray matter brain. While I don’t like to admit it, without my electronic brain, life is full of all sorts of malfunctions. The only problem is that my RAM limited gray matter brain has to remind me that I need to sync my electronic brain to my calendar or the electronic brain is no better than my RAM deprived gray matter brain.

So this week, because I’ve forgotten the sync deal a couple of times, I’ve run around dazed and confused. Well, really, I’ve run around delighted that I had such an open schedule because my electronic brain didn’t show any appointments. Unfortunately this was short-lived: I soon found I really didn’t have an open schedule, I had just forgotten to sync my electronic brain to my calendar. Sorry about that John. Poor John and I had to re-schedule an appointment for fun 5 times before we got it straight!

If you’ve seen me this week with a confused look on my face, that’s why. If you see in future weeks with a dazed look on my face, just remind my RAM deficient gray matter brain to sync my electronic brain to my calendar … or at least call Donna and find out where I am supposed to be and when.

I’d like to think this is not an aging problem, but when I can hear correctly — and that’s another blog story for later — I’m told I’m more forgetful these days than I used to be … at least I think I remember someone telling me that … no did I write that down in my electronic brain? Who said that? Hmm?

Oh well, on to the next thing. Now where did I put that electronic brain?