"Lights, please..."

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

-

In our staff devotional time this week, we heard from Dave O about being completely in the middle of something but completely missing that something. Christmas is definitely one of those times when we can do all the "things" but miss what we are remembering.

2 Peter 1:16-17:

"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased'"

God Came To Us.

studio stuff

only in the blogging world is "no news is good news" not true. in an effort to keep my blog from being discontinued from lack of use, or at least to keep that one faithful person that actually looks at my blog happy...here's a little update -

smb has officially started the recording process for our next project due out in March. here are a few pictures from our trip to Texas...

still writing...

yeah...she's playing...

the loudest drum known to man...


the coolest drums known to man...



can you count how many mics are being used??



the cutest trick or treaters...look how scary!

a thankful heart

ok, this is what you've all been waiting for! lower prices on gas, and a new post from me. I know it's been a while, and you've all probably quick checking my blog for updates by now...or maybe you still check it every day, only now you're just really frustrated with how I have a blog but don't update it...

Either way.

I've recently been reading through the Psalms. Today I read Psalm 10, and it truly encouraged my heart. I was able to just sit and read. Then meditate and think. Psalm 10:16 says:

"The Lord is King, for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
You hear the, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry..."

So many times in my life, I struggle with perspective. I fight and battle with my sin nature. I reason with it, instead of putting it to death. Then I end up questioning the providence of the Lord, and I say dumb things like "why are you far off from me?" I need to have the right perspective. His perspective. He hears the desires of the afflicted, and He encourages. He listens to our cries.

I'm so thankful for that. We have a God who is not far off from us. He's near, and He whispers gently to us. He listens to our cries, and encourages our hearts through His word. I'm thankful for the things that He's been working out in my life, but I'm so thankful for Him today. He has brought me near to Himself.

Are you thankful for Him today?

strengthen one another to run

Maybe it's just me, but recently it seems that I'm more and more aware of how easy it is to slip up. I go from one moment of reading scripture and praying, to the very next where I'm letting my flesh get the best of me. I'll have what seems to be a great quiet time, followed by a great time of prayer, to leaving a coffee shop and getting frustrated about a driver that shouldn't have changed lanes. Can you relate to this?

I'm finding that I am so quick to take my eyes off of Jesus. It's like I'm in a race and I'm running towards the goal and all of the sudden, I look to the side and start running in that direction. When I look back towards the goal, (and this is the part that I'm growing so weary of), I realize the complete foolishness of my running in the wrong direction. I want to run towards Christ. I long for the day when there won't be any more running. No more stumbling. Just resting. Just knowing and being known.

I'll end with a song that's been my prayer for the last few days. It's simple and I've found myself just playing it over and over, in hopes that I'll remember when I'm faced with sin, or at least out in traffic.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace"

God has given us the body of Christ so that we don't run alone. Let's encourage one another this week to keep our eyes turned towards Christ.

new site

i'm changing my blog over to my new, super cool website:

www.mikepassaro.com

check it out...

these guys were ready...

When playoff hockey time rolls around, all of the players get superstitious about beards, and jerseys, and not washing their socks because they think it gives them some sort of edge. Glen Wesley and Cam Ward are different though. They were asked about the reason for the hope that was in them, and they gave answers...

"My eternal salvation is far more important to me - it's more important to have that eternal security and one day be at the feet of the Lord than to be at the foot of the Cup," he said. "Life here on earth is temporary, and Heaven is eternal."
- Glen Wesley, Carolina Hurricanes

"I don't think it's been difficult to keep my faith this year," said Ward, Carolina's first-round pick in 2002. "That's something that's aside from hockey and really comes first."
- Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

Can you imagine this interview? Reporters asking loads of questions...some of them in "mocking, you can't be serious about this" tones...but Cam and Glen respond with that...With the almost non-challant answers of "I would rather..." and "my faith comes first". These guys are on one of the biggest stages in the world. What they say will be heard and read by millions and they had no problem sharing their faith. Who will hear you today? Are you sharing the hope that comes from knowing Christ?

Matthew 6:25 - 34

I found out this week that my job is ending. A job that I've had since college, that was perfect for traveling and doing music ministry, and coming back and picking up where I left off. This safety blanket, inspite of its ups and downs, will be lifted today. I know...short notice, but I can't do anything about that except trust in God's faithfulness. I can trust that when he inspired Matthew 6:25-34, He wasn't just making up stuff that sounds good. He wasn't trying to give his followers a false sense of security. No, He really does keep His word. So when He promises,

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

...I can believe Him because even though I was surprised to find out about my job ending, He wasn't. He knew. He planned. He is working that plan even now. So for now, I wait, and trust.

In the meantime, I'll be starting my studio. alightonahillstudios.com is coming soon...

alright already

holy smokes! i'm gonna update this mug soon! if you would like to see this blog improve, donate money so that I can buy this:

2 Timothy 2:4

I know I haven't posted in a while, so to prove that bloggers are slaves to the masses...here is a new post for your viewing pleasure. Recently SMB played in Annapolis, MD at the US Naval Academy. We got to take a fiew friends with us which made the entire trip really fun! (and they were really good musicians...

we took Joel with us...he's pretty good at the drums. the cymbal on the far right (reader's right) sounded so bad that it persuaded him to use it...

steve miller played electric guitar and he had lots of pedals
he is well versed in how to rock.

when you rock like he does, you don't follow rules.
even federal government rules.

we got to tour the "yard" in our free time...every friday they have "noon meal formation". They have to wear those super serious looking uniforms and go through this intense process where someone gives commands and they all just stand there and do things. I hope I didn't offend the guy by asking him ..."hey, is this just a glorified lunch line?"

We had the honor of being able to eat with the midshipmen in their mess hall. It was definitely cool to see them feed 4200 people in 15 minutes. Before they eat, they always have an anouncement time and the day we joined them they had Marine veterans from WWII. Right as the guy finished introducing them, the marines in the group yelled "Sempre Fi!" at the top of their lungs and the place erupted. It gave me chills. The academy has a lot of history.



We got to play music and worship with the people that are training to protect our country. It was so great to be able hear their stories and encourage them in the Lord.

The Blood of Christ: Free and Costly

Consider these verses:

"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
-Hebrews 9:11-14

"And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
-Hebrews 10:11-14

I just love the language of Hebrews 9 & 10 because it seems so clear: If we could have cleansed ourselves by our own sacrifices, we wouldn't have kept offering them! But Jesus offered a sacrifice once. Done. Clean. Chapter 10 continues with instructions in light of Christ's sacrifice. We are to draw near, with assurance and spur one another on to love and good deeds.

My heart is compelled to worship because of what Christ has done. I'm working on planning another worship set for April, and I keep coming back to the blood of Christ and these verses that I read in a quiet time recently. I'm already planning on singing these Hymns:

On Christ the Solid Rock
Nothing But the Blood

Feel free to comment in and add a song that focuses on the cleansing power of the blood of Christ.

Logging? Anyone?

I've decided that rather than post inconsistenly about nothing, I should post inconsistently about verses that I've read that I'm not good at living out. I don't think this will be hard, but I do think it will be productive. As this idea gets going, I hope that this becomes a place where I will be forced to remind myself of the Gospel, and that you will also be reminded.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Brian Frost says that this passage is quoted most often in our culture, but it is understood the least. This verse is not telling us to turn a blind eye towards unrighteousness, or sin that is present in peoples' lives, but rather to not judge the motives of peoples' actions. That responsibility belongs to the Lord.

Consider this verse, which happens to be my theme verse in life right now:

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you"
-Eph. 4:32

God, through Christ has forgiven me of all my sin. He didn't have to, but He did and now I have the opportunity to model that same forgiveness in relationships. So why do I still judge others' motives? Why would I think that God is pleased with my heart when people sin against me, and I say I forgive them, but I'm really holding onto that sin as a cause for thinking less of someone? Is that Christ-like forgiveness? Is that the way he looks at me? (Psalm 103)

Why would I think that it's OK to look at specks of dust in the eyes of others, when I have logs in mine? I think I need to be reminded of the Gospel.

I do have a point...

Goal Leaders: Mike Passaro 14 Robert Doring 13 Gino Giangreco 13 Bryan Paynter 11 Doug Betherick 10 Bob Olsen 9 Doug Nickel 8 Jay Paradowski 8 Chris Young 8 Brian Hooks 7 ...view all

Assist Leaders: Mike Passaro 13 Robert Doring 13 Gino Giangreco 11 Doug Nickel 9 Bob Olsen 8 Keith Andes 7 Leroy Lee 7 Jason Campbell 6 Mike Cassetta 6 Keith Cramer 6 ...view all

Points Leaders: Mike Passaro 27 Robert Doring 26 Gino Giangreco 24 Doug Nickel 17 Bob Olsen 17 Bryan Paynter 17 Doug Betherick 14 Chris Young 14 Jay Paradowski 13 Tim Hesse 12 ...view all

I play in a hockey league on Saturdays and this year I capture the points title, despite having played 2 less games than the guy that came in second. Just in case you're wondering, in hockey you get 1 point for a goal, and 1 point for an assist. We started the playoffs today, and my team advanced to the championship game which will be held on March 18th.

I also take special offense to Allison's comment about my blog having the odor of favoritehood. I've been blogging consistently, and my last few posts have received considerable comments. I've also been active on the commenting boards. I've been published at whattomsays, shellyeve, and nickroark. And now the favoritehood comment? Favoritehood hasn't been updated in like 8 months...I would go there to check, but I can't stand to look at it anymore...think about it...i've got points here...

words and phrases

I've been on a kick recently to examine the words and phrases that we use all the time without even thinking about it. Feel free to comment in with your favorites, but here are a few of mine:

1. Under the weather = Everyone knows that it means to be sick, but it came into use when sailors would be sick. They would go below deck and be "under" the weather.

2. Mind your P's and Q's = People say it when they want others to mind their own business, but most people don't know that it comes from the pubs when drinkers would get out of hand. The bartender would tell people to mind their Pints and Quarts...

3. On a kick...

4. Boil it down...

5. Up to par...

6. people use "literally" when they really mean "figuratively"...but you never hear anyone say, "i figuratively spent an hour on hold!"

On another note, I was thinking the other day about what "a ton" is. When I was a kid, I used to think of "a ton" as the biggest measurement known to man. I guess I was really suprised to find out that "a ton of people" (..."wow...there's a ton of people here!") is only 8-12 normal sized adults. whoda thunk...

i'll be adding more later, as we continue to use idioms in sentences "all the time"...

just to clarify

Isaiah 40:8

...maybe I should make myself clear. The last post was a sarcastic post. I was not in any way really trying to end my singleness by getting any girl in the world to accept my stolen rose picture. But I do appreciate everyone stepping into the pulpit to help me see that the internet is not the place to order ...i mean...find a wife.

From now on, I will post Bible quotes, pictures from other peoples' blogs, and puritan quotes.

(more sarcasm)...

be mine...

be mine is such a valentine's phrase, but I don't like it. it's too needy and self centered. it says "give to me." which i don't like to much. So this year, i'm going to do it a little differently.

Daniel, and some of my other church leaders think that I need to jump on the "get a girl" bandwagon. In fact, they'll suggest any single girl so that she can "be mine". They also think that I'm being too passive about my singleness. SO - instead of hunting down any single christian girl i figured I would start with at least a valentine.

so - here's my first gift, to the first single christian girl that will accept :)

Do You Tremble?

It's been brought to my attention that my blog needs updating before it reaches "favoritehood" status...so, before I post a lame few paragraphs about how not much is going on in life :) I had to find a picture. (people with digital cameras have the advantage in blogging)

So here's my update: Shelly and I recently had the chance to go to Dallas to record a song for a Wes King tribute CD. He is battling cancer, and a bunch of artists teamed up to record his songs and sell the CD to raise money for him. Shelly and I recorded his song called "Do You Tremble". If you haven't listened to Wes's music, you're really missing out on some great lyrics. I'm posting the lyrics below, and you can go to www.wesking.com to listen to a clip of the song we did, and songs that the other artists recorded.

Have you counted the stars in the heavens
Have you walked the circumference of the earth
Have you measured the boundaries of the universe
Do you tremble at the Word of God

Have you uncovered the souce of the thunder
Have you tamed the crashing mighty sea
Have you defied the force of gravity
Do you tremble at the Wod of God

CHORUS:
The wise will hear Him and obey His word
Long and blessed will be their days upon the earth
The fool will perish in the folly of his ways
Do you tremble at the Word of God

Have you considered the scope of eternity
In the light of unwavering truth
Have you regarded the works of a strong and mighty hand
Do you tremble at the Word of God

Oh, the LORD loves those who fear Him
Oh, the LORD loves those who fear Him

Thy Mercy, My God

This week is pretty exciting for me because I get to lead worship on Sunday morning for all three of the main services. I love the opportunity to lead others, but I think I love the preparation time just as much. I thought I would share with you what I have prepared for Sunday, in hopes that you would meditate on these verses and songs and come full on Sunday morning.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
- Eph 2:1-10

Read a few lines from each song that we'll sing and hear sung:

"Let me at Thy throne of mercy, find a sweet relief. Kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief - Savior! Savior! Hear my humble cry! While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by - Trusting only in thy merit, would I seek Thy face? Heal my wounded, broken spirit. Save me by Thy grace!"
- Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

"Tis mercy all, immense and free. For, O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou my God, should die for me!"
- And Can It Be?

"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise - and to know 'thus saith the Lord'"
- 'Tis So Sweet

"I will not boast in anything. No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ - His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer!
But this I know with all my heart - His wounds have paid my ransom"
- How Deep the Father's Love For Us

"Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
and the covenant love of Thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit, whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine!"
- Thy Mercy, My God

I'm praying that everyone who reads this would meditate anew on the great mercy of Jesus. His mercy, shown to us, is a great reason to celebrate and worship Him! May we do that more and more...

24

quote of the night:

"the only reason you're still conscious is because I don't want to carry you"
- jack bauer

i think i'll get hooked on 24 this spring.

From the Rising of the Sun...

"From the Rising of the Sun to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised..."

He is worthy, so some very awesome people go to the ends of the earth to make him known so that the nations will praise Him. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

One of the first mornings...wow

I'm not a good photographer, so I just angle things and take pictures.

This guy gave "very good price"

Downtown at the Harbor, in the Castle District.

"...to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised"