I’m typically not a sap for these types of things. But after seeing Ingrid Michaelson perform this song with the kids of Sandy Hook Elementary School on Good Morning America, I decided it was $1.29 I’d happily part with.

Proceeds benefit the Newtown Youth Academy and the United Way of Western Connecticut.

Today’s feature is a slightly different twist on a traditional hymn. It appears on the “December Vol. 2: Songs of Advent” EP by the Robbie Seay Band.

I really enjoy it when a band gives a well known song a new coat of paint while keeping the song’s basic structure intact. In this case particularly like the subtle use of banjo and the extra punch they give the guitar parts at key moments in the song.

One of my favorite musical discoveries of 2012 was JD McPherson. His ’50s rockabilly meets ’40s R&B style sent me searching for more new artists making vintage sounding music – and boy did I find plenty.

That’s why I’m happy to have this upbeat number kick off this year’s “12 Tunes of Christmas Countdown.”

I just love the feel of this song. It’s like a rockin’ favorite you’ve heard a million times but never get sick of. It could have easily been in any number of scenes in Home Alone. Pure Christmas gold. Enjoy!

The man in this photo is Karl Wallenda. The great-grandfather of today’s stunt man. He performed his stunt in May of 1976. I was two months old. I have no recollection of this event.

But it took place at Silver Stadium. The Rochester Red Wings former home ballpark. It took place before a paltry crowd of about 2,500. No cameras. No national media. If you didn’t read the paper that morning, you probably didn’t know.

He was untethered. He was also 71 years old.

In about a half an hour, I’ll be unimpressed. #rochistory

Jason, a lifelong friend, and his wife Christie should have been enjoying time with their newborn son at home. But instead they were there at the hospital, fearing the worst for their child.

Doctors discovered a hole in Gavin’s tiny heart shortly after he was born. The only thing that could save his life would be for him to undergo open-heart surgery; a terrifying procedure at any age but especially risky for newborns. Even more so for a newborn who had also been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

All anyone could do was pray for a miracle. So we did.

Today that little miracle is a rambunctious and vibrant two year old boy who grows bigger and stronger each day. While he and his family still have to work hard every day to manage his Cystic Fibrosis, including the occasional stay at Golisano Hospital for treatment, his heart is strong and full of love.

Gavin has been identified as one of the Miracle Kids for this weekend’s fundraising activities for the Golisano Children’s Hospital. There is no doubt that Gavin is here today because of the skill and expertise of the doctors and staff at Golisano. And this weekend we have an opportunity to give back to this vital community asset.

My son Josiah and I will be running in the 16th Annual Golisano Children’s Hospital Stroll for Strong Kids 5k. We each have a sponsorship page with a modest goal of raising $50 to support the people who have given our dear friends more than money could ever repay. We’d be thrilled if you would consider helping us reach our goal.

Josiah’s page (Pssst.. Please help him reach his goal first!)
Shane’s page

The truth of the matter is that I don’t know how to best help people in Uganda. That Joseph Kony guy is a real douche and it would probably be a good thing if he was hunted down and brought to justice.

But all that really bad stuff he did happened a few years ago, long before he fled Uganda and went into hiding. And now he’s got the U.S. military’s Special Ops on his tail. I don’t know that I can do much to help that. Those guys are way buff and a lot smarter than me.

What I do know is that there are quite a few people working to make life better for people who live in Uganda today.

The Ugandan Water Project is a group of people here in Rochester who spend every waking hour of their day trying to bring more clean water to people throughout the region.

Later tonight my wife will be getting together with some friends to cut patterns of denim to ship off to the folks at Sole Hope. These materials will then be turned into shoes which will help keep harmful parasites from infecting children’s feet and provide skills training and jobs to people in Uganda who would have no hope of economic upliftment otherwise.

I could donate $30 to Invisible Children and get a “Kony 2012 Action Kit,” wear a t-shirt, post some videos, etc. Or I could donate that same $30 to help bring clean water to people who desperately need it, or save some child’s foot from being amputated. They’re all valid choices, and they all have merit.

As a person who has seen enough killing and bloodshed in his lifetime, and as one who believes Jesus pretty much hated that kind of shit, I have much more peace about contributing to the later. And will continue to do so.

If you’re anything like me you probably started this fast off all gung-ho and rearing to go. On Ash Wednesday I got up early, took the dog for a walk before sunrise and then got right to business doing the readings and spending time in prayer. I felt great throughout the day as I ate my rice and beans for lunch and meditated on what I had read that morning. I even took some time away from the office to attend an Ash Wednesday service at an Episcopalian church in town.

Then Thursday came. I woke up late, scrambled out the door, hurriedly did  my reading during a break at work and really gave it no further thought until I repeated the process the next day.

I had found a great rhythm on the first day and the whole thing was shot by day two. You may have even noticed that I neglected to share my thoughts here for the past several days as well.

Perhaps your experience has been similar. Maybe it’s time for a reboot.

In the discussion questions for the second DVD segment it asks the following. I think this could be a good jumping off point for the next few days of discussion.

What are some places you feel closest to the Lord? During the 40 days, what scheduling adjustments could you make to spend time in these places? What might you do in these places?

Hopefully this Lenten season will be one of great reflection and renewal for those of you who are on a faith journey.

If you’re anything like me, one of the ways that you connect with God the most is through music. There isn’t a moment of the day that I don’t have music playing. (Unfortunately this has been known to drive my wife crazy on occasion.)

Here are a few playlist recommendations to accompany you on your journey:

Songs for Lent – New York Hymns

Songs for Lent is a collection of 20 songs based on the stations of the cross. It was released on Ash Wednesday of 2011 by a group of 26 musicians called New York Hymns.

The album features new arrangements of classic hymns written by the likes of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, as well as a number original songs.

You can download the album for free at NoiseTrade, though perhaps you’ll consider leaving them a tip. All proceeds will be donated to Plywood People, a unique not for profit that creates jobs for refugees in need of income.

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross (Station 11)

Feedback – Derek Webb

Feedback is an experimental instrumental worship offering by Derek Webb. It is based on the Lord’s prayer and is presented in three movements.

I’ve recently revisited this album after having it in heavy rotation several months ago. It can be a bit abstract at times, but I find the swirling melodies and ambient moments to be very peaceful.

You can download the first movement of this album here. The full-length version is available on all the digital download sites.

Our Father in Heaven

Rich & Poor – Robbie Seay Band

The Robbie Seay Band has been one of my favorite Christian bands for a number of years. I really appreciate their lyrical depth and sound. Rich & Poor is their latest release. The title track could easily be the soundtrack for his brother’s (Chris Seay) book which I’m using as my devotional this year for Lent.

The production quality is really great. I think that it might be their most complex and best engineered release to date. You can purchase the album directly from the band here.

Sing to Jesus

This afternoon I did something that I have never done before. During my lunch break I slipped into St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, NY and participated in their Ash Wednesday service.

For a few moments I was the only one there. It was so peaceful to sit there in silence surrounded by the vastness of the sanctuary. It truly felt like a sacred moment.

It also made me disappointed that, having been raised in a small evangelical church, I haven’t really attended very many big beautiful churches. There’s just something that feels “organic” about sitting in the midst of a large sanctuary constructed of wood and stone. It’s much nicer to look at stained glass and woodgrain than painted drywall.

Our journey begins!

The above video is the first session of the A Place at the Table companion DVD. If you don’t yet have it I highly recommend ordering it. It’s perfect for small groups or even family or personal study. This is the only session that Chris Seay has made available on his Vimeo account, so future weekly posts won’t have the extended video presentation.

From here on out the book is basically a daily devotional that will guide you through your fast. I’ll create a new post each week (or so) that includes a brief summary of each day’s reading along with a few words from Chris.

I’m really looking forward to what the next 40 days has for us all. I also want you to know that I’m praying for each of you. May God bless you on your journey.