Hoo-rrrraaaayyyy, the Foos return!

Brilliant, finally got to listen to the album last night. Whats even better if you go to their youtube channel you can listen them play the album live (how exciting). It is pretty heavy, here is a lighter offering....

Matthew 9 - More faith

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.


I have been reading Matthews account of Jairus’ daughter for a few days now, and it has taught me so much. Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum, a position that would have undoubtedly brought much regard in the community, so to see someone of this status kneel humbly at Jesus feet shows the effect that Jesus was having on the people of this region. Jarius believed that Jesus had the power to heal his daughter, although some in their interpretation of the passage might question whether Jarius’ faith was as strong as the Roman centurions’ in chapter 8. He in turn believed that rather than touch, the mere command of restoration from Jesus was enough.


The personal application resounding throughout has to be that when you compare and contrast the two incidents, you can find yourself being critical of Jarius’. In retrospect of chapter 8 I found myself saying - Jarius, all you have to do is ask, Jesus doesn’t even need to see your daughter to restore her, his power is far greater than you can ever imagine. Then I compare and contrast this to me, I think of the many times where I have questioned, not either the power or authority of Jesus but rather if my asking for intervention in a situation through the power of prayer can have the impact I hope for. Oh me of little faith, I have already learned that Jesus has the power to do so much more than I can ever imagine, so why even bother to doubt. I think I need to pray for my faith to grow with much strength.

old school 90's flashbacks

I was sitting listening to some old school Newsboys and it reminded me of my love for contemporary Christian music during the 90’s. So I decided I would define a top 10 from the 90's, here they are.....the memories are priceless, the songs are possibly a little bit cheddareee but priceless none the less.


D.C Talk – In the light/Day by day
Audio Adrenaline – hands and feet/It’s over
Newsboys – Take me to your leader
Third Day – I’ve always loved you
Jars of Clay – Love song for a Savior
Delirious – Deeper
Steven Curtis Chapman – Lord of the dance
Caedmon’s Call – There you go
Bebo Norman – Walk down this mountain
Sonicflood – I want to know you


Here is a little Audio Adrenaline that just crept in, released in '99

Not quite as good...but good

I dont think it matches the original but its such an amazing song. A female voice adds a great twist.

Fasting, the old and the new...Matthew 9

Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”


Do I fast? No. Should I? Yes. That was a pretty easy lesson learned. However I should also remember to do it in the right way. Many around the time of Jesus ministry acknowledged that the Pharisees fasted, but rather than use the practice as a spiritual discipline to grow closer to God they did it so that they would be celebrated for their achievements in the public eye. It was carried out in order to impress.
I pray that I can explore the process of fasting, understanding how it can be done with a humble heart and used to grow closer to God. I also pray that I can investigate my spiritual practices in order to make sure that what I do is not done out of any intention to impress others but carried out for the glory of God.


Much can be discussed regarding the sewing new patches and pouring new wine. I understand it to mean the new covenant in Jesus, how it didn’t come to repair the old, but bring something fresh and new that not only fulfilled prophecy but it went beyond the old regime. It also makes me think about current church practices, I have no definite conclusions, yet this passage reminds me that Jesus is saying what is old, quiet or sleeping often cannot be transformed into something it was never intended to be. God may well use something new to carry out his work; we need to be open to that in building his Kingdom.

We also need to pray for discernment so as we don’t disregard that which is already established and bringing Him glory.

The heart strings

This is a great tune from Sucioperro's new album, THE HEART STRING & HOW TO PULL IT! I havent listened to the whole album yet but they worked on it (as it seems they have on previous albums) with Chris Sheldon who has mixed for the Foo Fighters and Biffy, so it should be a good listen.