Lead Me

Ok, I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but I just heard Sanctus Real's song "Lead Me" for the first time a few days ago...and man did it blow me out of the water!

Funny because recently we did our traditional family New Year's "areas I want to grow in" chart. It is basically 4 circles labeled: Spirtual, Emotional, Mental, and Physical.

In each circle we write the things we want to improve in or change about ourselves for each category. In the center of the entire diagram is a small space for us to write one central, over-arching thing that we want to work on for the year that impacts everything else.

Mine just happened to be: "Be a better leader".

Imagine the impact of hearing the song after that!

Here are some of the lyrics and links to find out more if you haven't yet heard the song...

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

LEAD ME LYRICS - SANCTUS REAL

Listen on Playlist.com

The Story Behind the Song

I Did Not Save the World Today

Ok, it's pretty obvious that I did not save the world today. Did I even think I could?

It sounds silly to say, but sometimes I think in the back of my mind I think I should. I've even caught myself saying it as a response to my wife and her innocent inquiry into how my day went:

"How was your day, honey?"

"Well, I didn't save the world today...."

Sometimes I live my life like I think it is possible...

Sometimes I think it is required of me: being the best husband, father, friend, coach, church member, employee, etc., etc., etc.,

The reality is there is only one Savior of the world...and He has already done it. Any echo of that in me, is Him in me!

Here's a song by a Christian folk singer I just discovered (and now love!) that really hit me hard..."up side the head" hard. He pretty much sums it up. Make sure you listen to the chorus. This one's going on my iPod!

Did Not Save the World Today | Allen Levi Song - Yahoo! Music

Warrior's Hand Store

I finally "went commercial" and set up an Amazon store.

Really, I'm setting it up not because I want/expect revenue from it, but because I thought it would be a nice place to have an easy-to-navigate list of books & movies that have been meaningful to me in my journey through manhood and fatherhood.

If I make $1 off of it I will be surprised! If it helps one person find the right resource, I will be satisfied!

Warrior's Hand Store

Cinderella

If you have a daughter, you need to listen to this song. I have always liked Steven Curtis Chapman, even though I'm not a huge fan...but this song is really touching. The lyrics are below:

“Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Leader Of The Band

I'm not a huge Dan Fogelberg fan, but I was saddened to hear that he died after battling cancer.

One song of his that touched me was Leader of the Band. Right up there at the top on any "best of father/son music" list along with Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle, this is one of those songs that can give you a lump in the throat the first time you hear it, and can make you stop and think almost every time you hear it.

Here's the lyrics with my emphasis added. See the link at the bottom for more on this singer/songwriter.

Leader Of The Band

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline-- a thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand
(Chorus)
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and have come to know so well

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough
(Chorus)
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

Dan Fogelberg