Thought Quotient

Here are some audio highlights (MP3) from the Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert in Franklin TN:

Joanna Martino talks about ‘the road less traveled’

Julia of Everlife introducing a new song they wrote about a girl they met in New Orleans in July

Sarah of Everlife describes how the hurricane devastation looks like a third world country

Rachael Lampa introduces the song ‘Blessed’

Rachael sharing a recent story from a trip to the gulf coast…

Seventh Time Down talks about God’s plan for our lives

Photos from the event can be found here:

TQ Flickr page
TQ Photo Gallery

This past Sunday’s sermon talked about how God’s will is so amazing for us, and how we should not miss out on His best for us by being disobedient to His word and doing things on our own. God knows and wants what is best for us. Yet, we miss out by not seeking the wisdom of His word, and we do things our way - and often yield to the temptations of this world. We make poor decisions. We get hurt. We get in over our head. We can get to the point of no longer being able to do anything about it - even wanting to give up. But don’t ever believe the lie that you’ve gone too far. Just cry out to God for help and he’ll be there for you, whether you’ve messed up for the first time, or the hundredth time.

Are you feeling like you’ve messed up too much? Do the scars of your past keep you down? Just remember that Jesus has scars too. And by His wounds we are healed…

Healed - Nichole Nordeman

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Switchfoot’s much anticipated follow up to ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ has just debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 bestselling albums chart with first week’s sales of 131,000. That’s the band’s best week’s sales and highest charting album position to-date. The new album - “Nothing Is Sound” - is available now as both a traditional CD and as a DualDisc featuring the entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound plus exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the band on-the road and in the studio.

Look for Switchfoot on the CBS “Early Show” on October 1. They will be kicking off their tour shortly. Here are the dates:

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I saw the following quote in a recent Travel the Road newsletter update. I thought it was worth sharing…

Eph. 5:14-17 “For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.’ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Are we making the most of our time? If not, we must awake and arise from the dead for time is short. What will it profit us if we live a life according to the standards of the world, but yet neglect the calling of God? Regret for wasted time will burden a soul and trample future dreams, so we must look to the cross and see the newness of life in Him. Even if we have missed opportunities we know that we have a loving Father who will guide us if we only yield to His voice. Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” So if you feel you have missed an opportunity in life do not regret it any longer but run boldly into what God has called you to do.

I sat in the middle of a field at the festival yesterday and talked to a dear friend of mine who�s wrestling with brokenness� it was so good to have camaraderie with her in that� heavy-heartedness. I�ve been there. I am there. I was sharing with another friend this morning that I�m reading �The Ragamuffin Gospel� by Brennan Manning and listening a bunch to Derek Webb�s �Wedding Dress� and how those two things seem to sum up where my heart has been� knowing that I�m so messy� such a ragamuffin� and yet God�s love for me is so much more infinite than what I could ever hope� that it covers me, even in seasons of wandering.

- Bethany Dillon

Check out Bethany’s online journal on her website for more thoughts from her as she logs in from the road. She is currently on the Restored Tour with Jeremy Camp, Tree63, and The Afters.

In church today, one of the worship songs we sang was ‘Your Love Is Extravagant.’ The lyrics were on a projection screen as we sang. We got to the bridge which contained these words which seemed to jump off the screen…

Spread wide in the arms of Christ
Is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known
Than You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again