a psalm, a video, and an update

Two things are happening simultaneously:

One of them you’ve already read about; the van breaking down.

Since that’s happened I’ve just been stuck on this one particular psalm…Psalm 86.

here are some highlights in the NIV, NKJ, NAS, and the message translations:

Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.

Be gracious to me, O Lord,
For to You I cry all day long.

Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.

You’ve always been great toward me—what love!
You snatched me from the brink of disaster!

Turn to me, and be gracious to me;

give your servant the strength to go on,
save your dear, dear child!

Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

I know…I know…David was probably writing this psalm as spears are flying overhead, or he was sleeping in a cave with the sound of Saul’s army searching for him…and John Ray is right…I can tend to sound like a ‘drama queen’. We all do, don’t we? When it’s our skin on the line?

But it has been a tough week. Let me just say this: I have an enormous amount of respect for anyone out there who has been into a bank recently looking for any kind of loan…auto, small business, etc…and has been rejected for one reason or another. It’s an exercise in humility…and when you’re not home…on the road…you’re basically sitting around waiting for a phone call that may or may not come.

That having been said. I believe we may be close to getting a new vehicle for us to travel in. We’re just, you know, waiting on a phone call.

I’d also like to say, How amazing everyone has been. Everyone in the band is getting phone calls, emails, facebook comments from all over…and it’s how people are praying for us…people are asking what they can do to help…there has even been a check sent to us, HERE, in Hebron, New Hampshire of all places…towards helping us with our situation. And it was sent by people who I know are giving from their need…not from an abundance. Just, you know…Unbelievable.

We just want to say, Thank you. It’s amazing.

Here’s the other thing happening simultaneously. Our times of singing these worshipful tunes have been getting better and better. If I’m singing, “every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, when the darkness closes in, Lord…still I will say, ‘blessed be the name of the lord’.”…it just feels more authentic, I guess. We’re up there on stage…and we’re singing this stuff…and it’s raw…like an exposed nerve…and these really young kids, many of them who are not used to our ‘style’ of worship- music are joining in with us…and it’s pure joy. We get done and I’m exhausted, but refreshed…that’s a contradiction, I know…but that’s what’s happening.

Here’s a video to show you what I’m talking about:

So, there you have it. Tonight, we’re in New York…Long Island…getting ready to sleep. Got a concert at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle. We’ll keep you posted.