Word of Life Church Podcast

Mercy Please The Whistles and The BellsIf we are what we eat then my future it is scary For I have been scarfing down the pages of the devil’s dictionary In my veins there’s a potent cocktail of fear and worry That will show in my soul when the test results return from its autopsyI need just a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more mercy please A beggar at your door, a beggar at your door I will always beWhen the henchmen of midnight march me up to the gallows and I stand accused with a noose around my neck in the shadows and my crimes fill the dark as the ringleader barks and he bellows And the whisper of hope cuts the burlap rope And steals all the ghetto king's gustoI need just a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more mercy please A beggar at your door, a beggar at your door I will always be

Leon Bridges claims to be "just a kid from Fort Worth, Texas." This kid, who is 25 years old, brings a sound and a soul from 60 years ago. His vintage sound and soulful songs on his first album "Coming Home" lead us to its concluding track entitled "River." Leon brings a message of light to the world as he shares from a heart that longs for redemption in the waters of baptism. It is the very Baptism of Jesus that inaugurates New Creation and calls us to join in what God is doing to set all things right. Let the justice of God roll down like a river.

The Strumbella's song "Spirits" has been growing in popularity because it taps into the age-old cosmic battle between good and evil, the light and the darkness, Superman and Lex Luthor, Jedis and the Sith, "spirits" and "guns." From classic Greek mythology to modern film, these themes have been played and replayed time and time again. The "spirits" are the things that give life and the "guns" are the things that destroy. Both of these reverberate in our heads, battling it out and keeping us frustrated. The moment we put the guns down and turn to the Spirit, that’s when we say: "Maybe we don’t wanna stay the same." This movement opens us to the possibility of real change.

Rolling Stones magazine claims Lucius is the best band you've never heard of. They bring an honest lament in the beautiful vocal driven "Dusty Trails." Each of us has been told that everything will be ok in midst of our sorrow, but what do we do when everything is not ok? What happens when we arrived in a place of doubt, despair, and disappointment? This track explores how we might live in the honest tension of lament and laughter, doubt and faith, confusion and confession.

I Will Be There Eric ClaptonWhen times are hard and friends are few And you need someone to help you through Just call my name and I will come running to your side Don't be afraid, don't be afraidI will be there I will be there I will be there I will be thereWhen morning comes and nothing's changed And the world outside plays the same old game Just call on me and I will ease your lonely heart Don't be afraid, don't be afraidI will be there When you are lost in the night No where to turn I will be there Don't be afraid, don't be afraid I will be there Don't be afraid I will be there When every one that you believe still lets you down I will be there Don't be afraid, don't be afraid Will be there Don't be afraidJust call my name And I will come running to your side Don't be afraid, don't be afraidI will be there When you are lost, lost in the night No where to turn I will be there Don't be afraid Don't be afraid Don't be afraid I will be thereWhen everyone that you believe still lets you down I will be there Don't be afraid, don't be afraid Don't be afraidWhen you are lost, lost in the night No where to turn Don't be afraid Don't be afraid Don't be afraid

Burn The Witch RadioheadStay in the shadows Cheer at the gallows This is a round upThis is a low flying panic attack Sing a song on the jukebox that goesBurn the witch Burn the witch We know where you liveRed crosses on wooden doors And if you float you burn Loose talk around tables Abandon all reason Avoid all eye contact Do not react Shoot the messengersThis is a low flying panic attack Sing the song of sixpence that goesBurn the witch Burn the witch We know where you live We know where you live

Her Mercy Glen HansardWhen you're kneeling through the hours, And you're doubting your given powers, And when you're ready for her mercy, And you're worthy, It will comeWhen you're sneaking round the back door, And she’s waiting for you no more, And when you're ready for her mercy, And you're worthy, It will comeWhen the birds are just tuning up still, And the dawn breaks on your windowsill, And when you're ready for her mercy, And you're worthy, It will come It will comeWhen you're broken, When your heart is finally open, When you're down, Down and troubled, When you're lost among the rubbleWell, there's sugar on the old spoon, Let’s do that two-step around your front room, And when you're ready for her mercy, And you're worthy, It will comeMercy, mercy, coming to you, Feel her beauty flowing through you She will unbind you, set the word free. Mercy, Mercy

The story the Bible wants to tell is the story of a good God who created a good world that went horribly wrong. Ever since, God has been at work setting right his good world gone wrong. His plan from Abraham through Jesus was to work through his people as King to make things right. King Jesus is changing the world in particular through the holiness of his people. How we live and how we love is the Jesus way of changing the world.

Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king. First the trees said to the Olive Tree, "Be our king!" But Olive Tree refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then they said to the Fig Tree, "You be our king!" But Fig Tree also refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then the trees said to the Grape Vine, "You be our king." But Grape Vine refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my wine that cheers both God and men, just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then all the trees finally turned to Bramble Thornbush and said, "Be our king!" And Bramble Thornbush replied to the trees, "If you truly want to make me your king, come and put your trust in my shadow. But if not, let fire come out from me and devour the Cedars of Lebanon." (Judges 9:8-15)

When we are at critical crossroads in our lives and we are faced with two doors and we are unsure which way to go, the truth is there is not a “right” door in terms of the will of God, as if God is only behind one door. One of the surprising things about following Jesus is we discover God is behind every door. Even if we walk through the door bearing a sign saying: "Sin and Destruction," we can find the love of God there. There is no place where God is not.