Thursday, February 21, 2008

Words to Speak

Sometimes a few lyrics seem to frame what's on my heart and mind better than I can, and that's the case with this song I heard recently by Aaron Shust:

Give Me Words to Speak
Calloused and bruised/ dazed and confused
My Spirit is left wanting something more
Than my selfish hopes/ and my selfish dreams
I'm lying with my face down on the floor
Cryin out for more
Cryin out for more

Every night, every day/ I find that I have nothing I can say
So I stand here in silence, awaiting Your guidance
I'm wanting only Your voice to be heard
Let em be Your Words
Let em be your words

Give me words to speak
Don't let my Spirit sleep
Cause I can't think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe You my life
So give me Words to speak
Don't let my Spirit sleep
(full lyrics here)

I really appreciated that Aaron has posted a few journal notes about the story behind each of his songs. As I listen to these lyrics, an image of an altar comes to mind, where the children of Israel gave back to God what he had given to them. In asking for words to speak, that is my prayer also - something to give back to God.

By the way, just wondering if you iPod or mp3 users have migrated away from CDs and gone to just downloading music? I haven't but am wondering if it doesn't make more sense. The only place I really listen to CDs anymore is in my car, and I could always burn a few favs onto a CD if need be, right? Besides, do we ever love every song on a CD?

Lately I've been listening to Pandora through IM Radio (a feature of MSN). It allows you to create your own radio stations, based on your favorite artists or songs. You don't have control over what it plays other than to give songs a "thumbs down" but it's been nice to listen to at work. I have several radio stations created: a worship one, an easy listening (John Tesh, Enya, etc.) one and my "Weird Mix" - anything from Chicago to Bread to BJ Thomas (like I said, weird!) 

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I got an iPod for Christmas and immediately downloaded my CDs on to it. But since then I have been truly inspired by 2 worship songs and I did not want to buy the CDs just to get those 2 songs (separate artists).

My 17 yr-old son told me to just buy them on iTunes and I was so leary. I am C.H.E.A.P. for one thing. And nervous about techy stuff. He asked me how many times I buy a pack of gum, a drink through the drivethru, or a magazine at the grocery checkout line. I told him ocassionaly. He said if an iTune song that I loved appeared at the checkout line in a grocery store I would not hesitate to grap it and pay $1 for it without thinking.

He was right of course. I just did not want to use the credit card for a silly purchase. So he showed me how to do one, and I have since done 2 more. $3 in a month is not a bad idea to keep my worship fresh. And they will be there forever. We rent a movie for over $4 and use it once :)

Go for it. I can send my 17 yr-old over to help you if needed :)

Unknown said...

Forgot to say that Cds are going obsolete. They are going to be phased out shortly for the whole iTune approach. Makes sense. No waste. No postage, no gas, no packaging, no problem.

Unknown said...

Forgot to say that Cds are going obsolete. They are going to be phased out shortly for the whole iTune approach. Makes sense. No waste. No postage, no gas, no packaging, no problem.

Unknown said...

Wow! You got me three times for the price of two. Make that four for the price of three. sorry!

Unknown said...

I've had my ipod for over a year now. At first I thought, "I will still buy CDs, because that's the way music IS." It took me a while, but unless there was some sort of great deal on a CD somewhere, I'm good with going through itunes. Like you, I realize that I can burn a CD if I want one.

I do like the idea of no packaging, no discs etc, but I'm kind of sad for the loss of an "album." I think that some people will still buy the entire CD, but many many more just pick the songs that they want. I love the feel of an entire project--especially Christian music which often seems to have a theme from song to song within an album.

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I still buy CDS -- even though I immediately rip them and put them on my iPod. I like the covers, having the lyrics right there, etc. I have downloaded a kids' CD or two directly from iTunes, because I don't get quite the same joy from the cover of those CDs. But I'm not quite ready to give up my grown-up CDs.