Road Trip Music

Music is an important aspect of any road trip. I traveled with the youth choir to Orlando yesterday and came to the conclusion that most music teenagers listen to drives me crazy after 30 minutes. I also found that they love their music very loud (I know I sound old). So I wanted to offer my opinion on the top 5 road trip CDs.

5. Indigo Girls 1200 Curfew
4. Jimmy Buffett Greatest Hits
3. Bill Mallonee Audible Sigh
2. James Taylor Greatest Hits
1. The Allman Brothers Band Greatest Hits and The Fillmore Concerts (Tie)

The Indigo Girls offer some classic songs plus their trademark ones in great live performances. Jimmy Buffett and James Taylor are just two classic songwriters and singers. Bill Mallonee offers his signature vocals on songs that capture the Americana, road trip experience like few artists. Just about anything the Allman Brothers produce is road trip material, but the greatest hits provides an early career sampling while the The Fillmore Concerts offer arguably the Brothers best live performance before the loss of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley. Any of these are worthy of a listen this summer on your road trip.

The Comfort of an Old Friend

I have written about Bill Mallonee and his music many times before, but I want to take the liberty to do so again. I was first introduced to his music in high school and became a devoted fan in college after driving to Athens and Atlanta to see him in concert. His music has always been a powerful influence in my life. I heard this song the other day while I was working in the yard. The song is really about that first kiss with someone and the awkward excitement that it brings, but this verse speaks volumes to the reality of the gospel in our lives.

Crescent Moon by Bill Mallonee

stumbling when i come
tripping over my dumb tongue
for God's sake don't these
momma's boys ever grow up?
much too easily hurt
life is coming to grips with what you're worth
when God says one thing
but your heart says another

Oh, how I wish that I would remember that the gospel is not about how I feel about myself or view myself, but about how God views us! I talk to people weekly, if not daily who genuinely struggle with realizing the goodness and grace of God in their lives as expressed through Jesus Christ. May each of us be agents of grace to those around us.

The Divine Conspiracy

I recently finished a book by Dallas Willard entitled The Divine Conspiracy. This book is definitely not an easy read, but it holds great rewards for the reader who finishes it. Willard challenges Christians to through off the mediocre living that so many of us find ourselves in and renew our commitment to be disciples of Christ. Few books have challenged my beliefs and behaviors in the way that this book has. I was trying to thing of a favorite passage, but the broad theme of the book is so challenging that it is hard to reduce the book to a select passage or two. I'm still going to give it a shot though.

"Invest your life in what God is doing which cannot be lost. Of course this means that we will invest in our relationship to Jesus himself, and through him to God." p. 205.

It doesn't get much simpler than that, but I find in my life that this is one of the hardest things about my day.

Dinner at Bella's Cafe

Friday night we took my mom to dinner for her birthday at Bella's Cafe.
Bella's is a cozy little Italian place located on Habersham Street in Savannah. I remember going there in high school and college with friends and on a few dates with Cyd. They are known for their delicious breadsticks and fresh herb butter. They have the traditional Italian offerings including great homemade pizzas. We each got something different: lasagna, spinach fettuccine alfredo, cheese pizza, and baked ziti. Everything was wonderful, the service was great, and the conversation was delightful. If you are in the mood to try a new restaurant check out Bella's, you won't be disappointed.

Mom's Birthday

Well today my mom hits the Big 6-0! When I called to wish her happy birthday I told her that the scary part was that her turning 60 means I am that much closer to 30, wow, where has the time gone? It's a great day to celebrate her birthday, but most importantly birthdays are a reminder to celebrate life! Living life each day to the fullest is one of the most important things we can do. Are we doing that? Does each day of life see us impacting the world with the gospel and realizing the present reality of the kingdom of God? I hope so!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Love You!!