Thought Quotient

While Barry Lynn and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) sound fairly confident that they did the right thing by taking IFI and Prison Fellowship to court and having a judge subsequently rule that the program must stop, I am concerned by their actions. On one hand we have a statement by the AU that mentions political figures, government funding, and government programs - nothing about the inmates who are the subjects of the program. Doesn’t their welfare mean anything? Also, why must they take people to court instead of meeting with them and reasoning with them? Are they interested in changing hearts and minds or winning court cases? Think back to history. Were the Pharisees interested in working with Jesus and learning where He was coming from - or did they just want Him to go away?

Read the full AU press release here:

• Federal Court Strikes Down Tax Funding of Iowa Prison Program - Ruling Is A Sharp Rebuke To President George W. Bush’s ‘Faith-Based’ Initiative

Meanwhile, here’s what Barry Lynn and AU are in effect putting a stop to:

• Transformed IFI Graduate Reconnects with Some Old Enemies

• New Man in Christ

• InnerChange Kansas Inmates Refurbish Wheelchairs for Disabled

Related Links:

• The cost of following Jesus

• Special Report - IFI ruling page

as seen on www.somethinglikesilas.com

FUTURE OF FORESTRY
The end of Something Like Silas and the beginning of our new band have been caused by the many changes we have experienced over the past year that have moved us into a new creative direction with our music. With Nick and I (Eric) being the only original SLS members left it only seemed natural to rechristen this current cast of players. Over the past year, Luke Floeter (Bass), and Spencer Kim (Drums) have been essential in the direction of our music, and their roles have naturally led to a rebirth of sorts.

This bittersweet news entails much sentiment and nostalgia for us and for many of you as we bring Something Like Silas to a close. It has been an emotional process as we reflect on the significance of six years as Something Like Silas. We are looking back with such gratefulness to each of you for making those years as wonderful as they were. Concurrently we excitedly enter the new season as Future of Forestry. Musically, lyrically, emotionally, and relationally we feel a new passion. We are venturing into new territory, more territory to talk about God, about His love. We want to continue to let the power and emotion in music bring people to spiritual experiences with deeper understanding in their lives.

The other big news we have to announce is that Future of Forestry has already found a label home, Credential Recordings. Because Credential wholeheartedly supports our passion for sharing excellent and creative music that reflects a deep spiritual experience with the world, we could not be more excited about this new chapter and relationship with them.

We are thankful for your companionship so far and look forward to sharing the next part of the journey with you. Hear a Future of Forestry song for the first time on our new page! It is our pleasure to invite you into the music and mores of Future of Forestry.

Eric Owyoung

Learn more about Something Like Silas, their music, views on worship, and Malawi at Thought Quotient

Why is there such a temptation to live our lives worrying about what is going to happen in days, weeks, even months ahead of where we are now? We live in the present. Today is the day when decisions are made, not in the future.

Sittin’ in my room staring at the wall
Wonderin’ about the meaning of it all
Why is it this thing called life has got me goin’ crazy

So I open up your word and let it speak to me
The purpose and the plan that you’ve designed is clear to see,
And I believe

I’m gonna live for today
I’m gonna follow in your way
I’m gonna let my little light shine like there’s no tomorrow
I won’t worry about the past
I know my future is intact
So I’ll choose to live my life one way
I’m gonna live for today

You told me not to worry about what lies ahead
So I am gonna focus on today instead
Making every moment count and counting every single blessing

Natalie Grant - ‘Live For Today’

Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“The Logan Show” welcomes Sparrow recording artist Starfield to this week’s show. The band’s critically acclaimed sophomore recording, Beauty in the Broken, made big waves at iTunes when it released in May. The album landed at the #1 spot on the iTunes Inspirational chart, #15 on the iTunes Alternative Top Album chart and #54 on the overall iTunes Top Album chart, amidst such acclaimed bands as Coldplay, Keane, Goo Goo Dolls and Madonna. Starfield had earned a loyal following playing more than 200 dates a year, and their 2006 tour schedule includes Youth Specialties Conferences, Dare 2 Share events, LifeWay camps and more.

To find out when and where The Logan Show is airing, check out this link:

• The Logan Show: Where to Watch

DAVID CROWDER BAND has been selected as one of five artists to be considered for MSN’s July Artist of the Month. Artists being considered in addition to DCB are Nelly Furtado, Frankie J, Busta Rhymes and Neil Young. You can vote for your favorite at http://music.msn.com/music/artistofthemonth.

Here’s what MSN has to say about Crowder:

In only a couple of years, David Crowder and his band have single-handedly redefined what contemporary Christian music should sound like. While Crowder is unafraid to make direct and straightforward pledges to his Savior, he seems extremely restless creatively and tries his hand at any style that suits him. Even Crowder’s fans in the Christian music community had to be blown away by the album “A Collision or (3+4=7),” a literate, pensive and complicated album about death. It won the Dove Award for Best Rock Album, and has even secular fans wondering what’s up next.

Yahoo Premieres is featuring Superchick’s “WE LIVE” video on June 14th. See it all at http://music.yahoo.com/premieres .