There was a monkey named Gaspar,
Who lived in the jungle
Making friend with snakes and crocodiles
Elephants and kangaroos were also his play buddies
And all of his friends made him smile
In fact there is no animal that Gaspar didn’t like
And don’t you think that’s how it should be?
We should all love each other as one big happy family
Cuz you’re the same kind of different as me
Hey hey hey heyeeah (3x) Ohhhh
One day Gaspar walked along
And saw a big tarantula
And said, “Hey, fuzzy spider, won’t you be my friend?”
And then he saw a scorpion
And wanted to go cuddle him
And said, “Hey, little guy, won’t you be my friend?”
One day he met a hungry snake
Who swallowed him just like a cake
But then the snake missed Gapars warm kind smile
So he spit him up and that is how
The snake and Gaspar became pals
Yes love will change our hearts after awhile
Hey hey hey heyeeah (3x) Ohhhh
There is no animal that Gaspar didn’t like
And don’t you think that’s how it should be?
We should all love each other as one big happy family
Cuz you’re the same kind of different as me
I remember years ago hearing Brennen Manning for the first time. I had a tape of his talk Ruthless Trust which later became a book. My favorite quote from the book:
“The splendor of a human heart that trusts it is loved unconditionally gives God more pleasure than Westminster Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony”, Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”, the sight of 10,000 butterflies in flight, or the scent of a million orchids in bloom. Trust is our gift back to God, and he finds it so enchanting that Jesus died for love of it.”
So, do you believe you are loved unconditionally?
What if you just shot up with cocaine? What if you just had sex with a prostitute or looked at porn? What if you just got drunk? Does he still love you?
Brennan had to believe it. He had to because he struggled with alcohol. He remembers binges where he would literally end up in the gutter. In spite of his failures he still believed in the love of God.
So, I have had to believe it too. I have habits and struggles with what we call addictions. Please pray for me! I haven’t been or behaved as someone I am proud of or even happy to be. I have been selfish and stubborn and most of all absent (even though I was there).
I still have to read An Open Letter to a Shitty Husband to wake me up to what a donkeys butt I’ve been (an ass squared) – so I can change. And ultimately, that’s what I’m ready for now. I lost a day of productivity today because I drank too many beers last night. I had nausea and a headache all day. I’ve also developed a new theory about puking.
And yet, in spite of it all and worse I really do believe God loves me. I believe he gently receives me back and holds me in his lap and says, “Let’s talk. I want to help you not to hurt yourself anymore. Do you trust me? Let’d do this together!”
I believe. And in spite of the nausea I also feel a tingle of Holy Spirit joy in the back of my head and a bright hope for the future.
Why? Because my God is a Good Good Father.
He greeted me this morning with one of the first songs my wife and I wrote together called Faithful God. Putting together the following video was about all I managed to do today… beside loving my wife (like really-best-friend-loving-my-wife-for-real!) which, so help me God, is going to turn into a very pleasant habit. Out with the old and in with the new.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
This also means that we don’t stay drunks or porn addicts. We grow into and toward God’s unconditional love that makes us holy. Here is my talk and my song for you:
Do we really trust God? What would our lives look like if we went through life trusting and listening and following the voice of God? I got a glimpse of that the other day when I was hanging out after a concert playing piano for a while. This was the day I filmed this video about the hope Jesus gives!
Then I “heard” the Lord say, “Hey, why don’t you go to Voyager Park?”
OK. So I went down there and looked for a parking spot in the shade for the sake of my guitar. As I got out of the car, not really knowing what I was going to do, I saw a couple of guys fishing and felt impressed to go down and talk with them… so I did. They had guitars down there with them and both of them turned out to be believers. One guy named David had on his guitar case written, “Sing for Jesus” and a cross.
David then shared a “surrender to Jesus” song which was awesome! Then Tony was working out parts for his song and he plays awesome. He said he was man of God too! Well, as it turns out I think I am going to join them at the Cup O Joy this Friday night for the open mic night. I think I may bring my daughter(s) down there to sing a song or two.
So, because I listened and followed through with the Lord’s leading I made a couple new friends who I actually want to work with musically (they are that good!). What will our lives look like if we “keep in step with the Spirit” and “walk by faith” every single day?
Enjoy this new song called “Trust Me”:
Further thoughts:
I was thinking about the man who penned the following words:
Solomon, except for Christ, was the wisest man who ever lived and here is his advice, (this coming from the one who knew the most and understood the best):
“Trust God and DON’T lean on your own understanding…”
I thought about what an ignorant and dependent position God has placed most of us in. We lack wisdom. We lack understanding. Sometimes we think we have a clue and therein lies our danger. We depend on that instead of on God’s wisdom.
In the end perhaps Solomon ignored his own divinely inspired advice which led him to worship and served other “gods”. Even he was no match for the clever deception of the enemy. Perhaps he was intrigued by the “new age” philosophies of his day. As he also wrote, “nothing is new under the sun”.
Isn’t the “new age” of today just recycled old ancient doctrines of demons? The enemy has perfected what works and is leading people towards a one world religion that brings unity and “love” and consciousness and manifest your own destiny and “you are a god so make a better world” message that is becoming so popular.
I can testify how tempting and alluring some of the new age philosophies are. In my curious spiritual seeking I was being slowly indoctrinated myself. I only got set straight when I would spend time soaking in God’s word. For example I would listen to the whole book of proverbs while washing dishes, or a huge chuck of the New Testament on my Bible app while cleaning the house, etc.
God’s word renews our minds from the deceptive and empty (yet very tempting at times) philosophies the devil offers.
I was SO blessed to come across Steven’s Youtube channel last night. I subscribed and watched all 4 of his videos so far. You have to watch his testimony for yourself!
Bottom line: We have a greater and higher and more pure wisdom than Solomon ever had.
“The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here–but you refuse to listen.” ~ Jesus
We have access to Wisdom himself. If you are a believer you have Mr. Wisdom living in you.
“But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24
He gives wisdom to all who ask him.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
This song was meant for Mothers day so… here it is. Happy belated Mothers day! I hope you were/are blessed!
I want to dedicate this song to all you amazing moms and on behalf of your children I say, “Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do for your children. You make the world a better place by all you do. You are the often unsung heroes.”
Well, I’m going to take a moment to sing for you all! I’d like to dedicate this one to my wife who is an amazing mom. I tell her that often. She sacrifices so much (her sleep mostly these days as we have a 3 week old) and loves our children well.
I’d also like to recognize my own mother who helped me be who I am today. (I credit her for all the good and take personal responsibility for any of the bad.)
My day:
It has been a crazy day around here. I got to lead worship for the 11 am 2nd service fellowship at United Methodist Church in Neenah. That was a really blessed time and I really enjoyed sharing music with them.
Then the whole family got together for birthday celebrations and Mothers day. I had a little trouble joining in the fun. Why? Because I was disappointed with myself. I wish I talked more and related better with people. So often I just simply don’t know what to say or how to show these people that I love them. Ever feel that way?
It just felt like a missed opportunity for something more, something better, a deeper conversation or connection or something. I thought about how that could have been the last interaction I had with them. I thought about how it isn’t guaranteed that any of us would make it home alive. We may not have another chance at this. “Seize the day”, right? What will that look like next time?
So today I have a song I want to share with you that really had a profound impact on me years ago. This song served to remind me that Jesus has promised never to leave me or forsake me. This promise has helped me to overcome depression. If you are going through it, I trust this song will speak to you:
Come Around Again
I’m all messed up and I’m feelin down
Down so low I have bottomed out
In this cavern where my heart is found
Just know I am here when you come around again
You mop all my blood in every circumstance
I can’t shake you off you are in my glance
And though I try so hard sometimes against the flow
You know, I am here when you come around again
It’s the difference that makes the earth move
Under our feet
And frustration allows a heart to twist until it breaks
It’s the difference that makes the earth move
Under our feet
And frustration allows a heart to twist until it breaks
And I’m breaking for You
Update with the mouse! The cat caught it and put it on the bed and was pouncing on it. My wife freaked out and shortly after the cat and I cornered and captured it and removed it from the house unharmed.
Daniel Lovett 