iPhones

I always wondered what the hype was about iPhones. When they first came out, it seemed to me the only real tool it had (as a phone) was the internet, and I figured everyone already had laptops the size of a book, so I didn't think that was all that revolutionary. Definitely not worth the price.
Music always persuades me though, and this app changed it all. How cool would it be to just be walking to work, listening to some music, AND playing along with it? I've always wanted to play the guitar, and since apparently I'm not good at teaching myself, I now know I just didn't buy the right instrument! I think I want an iPhone now!

Premature

I don't think I'm going to vent, maybe just complain. Several months ago I explained my iTunes ritual of surveying the free, weekly music. This week brought an unexpected treasure. Well, I guess you could call it that. Aside from a 15 year old (albeit he looks 9) singing about love and "spending every last dime" (I remember those regrettable days) for some equally young woman, it does have a catchy tune. If you do choose to follow the link, maybe listen to the song without watching the video first. Should you choose to watch the video, you will be immediately transported back to the melodrama of a high school party and most likely recall some situation in which you thought the world turned around you and if you didn't get this one girl of your dreams, life would be over. It also ticks me off, just a little bit, that they've disabled the embed feature on youtube. Whatever. If you want to watch it, go HERE!

I'm a Doubting Thomas

My wife blogged about this song the other day, but I can't help but mention it myself! I first heard this song when cHOOSe performed it two years ago, but I had no idea that Nickel Creek wrote it, and that the original was soo incredible! I've been trying to get the guitar down ever since I got back from Germany and I think I finally have it, albeit a bit slower than the recording. Anyways, I've been playing Doubting Thomas by Nickel Creek, repeatedly, for 4 days. OK, maybe not 24 hours a day, but I wouldn't doubt if it is in my top-10 of all time on my iPOD now :)

I think I love the song so much because it addresses the conflict within my own heart. Trust. Which has a powerful neighbor known as Faith. Who kind of has a stick-in-the-mud neighbor who goes by OBEDIENCE. I want physical sustenance and security to ensure my plans won't be thwarted. Before I get a little risky, I want to know, and I mean KNOW, that there is some type of pre-nup or plan B that can serve as my emergency eject button to salvage some value. In science, we like to know the result and have the data before we even do the experiment (aka, grant writing). But I think we both know that when Abraham was walking up that mountain with Isaac, they were alone. Moses went to Pharoah with nothing but his bumbling-tongue. Such faith is easy to stare at and watch, maybe even stir our own hearts, but hard to shoulder.
The chorus is on FIRE. I took a promise, I get to be friends with my maker, and Christ saved me so that I can have as much or as little relationship with God as I want. Yet my actions show my desires to be south of heaven. I choose to play games with 'what-ifs' rather than give Him my heart and hands. The song goes on to ask for forgiveness for wasted timed mulling around. I hate to think I've wasted what little time God has granted me. All this being said, check out the song. The video is random, but the song is...

"I'm a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith..."

The BEST band in the WORLD

Hillsong United. They are music to my ears, seriously. Just say Hillsong and I can't help but bust out into song...and hence the music to your ears. I don't think I'm the only with this opinion either.

I had no idea when their next album was coming out until yesterday, I found their advertisements on my blogging routine. NEXT WEDNESDAY they are releasing their new live album. Now some people might shy away from such shenanigans- live music, really? This would be the biggest mistake of your life! I've seen them live and that's how this whole love affair began....when they plain blew my socks off. It wasn't a concert, it was a worship-fest. I think it was probably the most powerful experience I've had in worship. I know worship isn't about me- EXACTLY! You might think I'm exaggerating with all the exclamation points and talking about how they have, in part, changed my life- so watch and see for yourself!

Apparently they are not only music geniuses, but advertising geniuses. It seems they've released several videos to stragetic people (who happen to blog) to post/advertise throughout the week and spread the word. At the end of each post, they suggest the blog for the next release on the next day.

It started here and here.
Today it moved here (and posted below).
I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds....which just might be the point of all of this....

Hillsong "Hold Me Now" from Ben Arment on Vimeo.

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Now playing: Desperation Band - Amazed
via FoxyTunes

What are you listening to?

Last week I plugged my iPod into my computer to let it charge and upload several song and sermons but instead of just going to the song I was craving at that moment.... I took a detour and decided to explore a little bit. I was a bit surprised by my top 10 songs. I was definitely shocked to see that I hadn't even heard the #1 listened to song in the last six months. I would highly recommend any of these songs if you haven't heard them!

	Title	Artist	Played
1	How Great is Our God	Chris Tomlin	97
2	In Your Freedom	Hillsong	93
3	Divine Romance	Phil Wickham	87
4	Don't Wait	Dashboard Confessional	78
5	Samson	Regina Spektor	78
6	Blessed Be Your Name	Tree63	74
7	The Call	Regina Spektor	68
8	All Creatures of Our God and King	David Crowder Band	65
9	Romeo And Juliet	Brown Derbies	63
10	Beulah Land	Hope's Call	62

Just for clarification, Romeo and Juliet made the top ten list because Jordan has listened to that song non-stop for the past month. She single-handedly listened to that song for probably 75% of the plays. Anyways, you should check out some of these songs! Also, this version is the Dire Straits version, not the Brown Derbies' a capella version... What is the numero uno song on your iPod?


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Now playing: Matthew West - Next Thing You Know
via FoxyTunes

Just how I remembered it...

Since Regina came out with a new album yesterday, I've been reminiscing quite a bit. You know how they say smell triggers memories and somehow a scent can link you to a distant memory. Well, music works the same way for me. Certain songs, unfortunately, take me straight back to high school- or even worse, middle school. Other songs remind me of awesome concerts I've been to.

But back to Regina. I first heard her best song two days before my wedding. During the credits of Prince Caspian, The Call comes on and just melts your heart away (or it did mine). I liked it so much I even considered making it our first dance at the reception after the wedding in two days. With such a sweet melody and spiritually-loaded lyrics, I couldn't help but buy it the moment I got home and every time I listen to it I immediately sync to May 22-May 25, 2008 and bask in the excitement of the rehearsal dinner and wedding. It's also easier to enjoy that time without suffering the food poisoning that I did during that same time :)



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Now playing: Starfield - Son of God
via FoxyTunes

God: What now?

I take so much for granted. And as defensive as I get and try as I might to pretend that I am entirely appreciative, I don't think I really grasp that I really am just a few bad decisions or serious scenarios away from my worst nightmare. So, I like being reminded how just how lucky and blessed I am. Regina always surprises with her playful style yet hauntingly real lyrics. It helps being reminded from unexpected places, it's like a whisper in an empty room. I hope you enjoy her new album! She is so different, but I love it...





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Now playing: Regina Spektor - Laughing With
via FoxyTunes

Jesus is MY Friend

I don't know if you know this, but iTunes selects several songs to give away for FREE every week. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes they make me want to rip my ears off. My habit is to check the free stuff, and then see what's new in the Christian/Gospel section. That's when I found Sonseed. They are incredible, I hate that I didn't live while they were around (or are they still?). Only when I found their video on iTunes did I realize that someone else had posted a video of this group a while back, and it blew my mind so bad- I forgot about it! Anyways, enjoy it- my goodness, have things changed....





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Now playing: Hillsong United - More Than Anything
via FoxyTunes

As I was writing this very title, I made a decision....

So, considering most weekends are filled with long naps, long runs, and extended stays at work, I just decided that my posts on Sundays will be videos. OK, I know I put a video up yesterday, but that was too perfect to pass up and I JUST made this decision.



Today, I want to share this video that I came across (probably through another blog) a year or two ago. Kim Walker is covering Mr. John Mark MacMillan but performs it really well. Actually, I like John Mark below her if you are interested and want to hear his story behind the song. It is an INCREDIBLE, heart-moving song, and I have trouble not getting emotional when listening to it. I know, me?? YOUR creator and MY designer loves us so much that He turns green with jealousy because how he loves us so. He has the power to move mountains and change lives, but he anxiously waits for us to turn to him, even as we choose this world over him.

Anyways, great song, talented artists!
Just FYI- my favorite lyrics of the song are in the second verse, they rock my world almost every time I hear the song.

"So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way… HE LOVES US!"