My Top Ten Artists 2009

Okay here is my much anticipated top ten artists of 2009. Okay so you might not have been waiting but your here now so check it out. This is by no means my top 10 all time favorite. It is just what has kept my attention this year. Remember this is just my opinion, but it just happens to be right. :-)

1. Blind Pilot- These guys were late comers in 2009 but they went to the top of my playlist like a rocket. Very melodic and mesmerizing. These guys should be around for many more albums.
Three Rounds and a Sound youtube video
Band´s Website

2. The Avett Brothers- From Charlotte NC. One of the greatest places on earth to be from. These guys just keep getting better and better. I have to admit that they were not always my favorites to listen to. I have known them for a long time but now I have become a big fan.
St.Joseph´s Live- Youtube video.
Band´s Website

3. Trevor Borden- OK I know your saying who??? Trevor Borden is from Tanzania and he is quite simply put the brightest future of indie folk rock. His music is some combination of Ryan Adams, Connor Orberst and the writing of Bob Dylan put in a blender and given a spin. Trevor has the talent to go the distance. We will see what happens, either way he has been a pleasant constant in my itunes this year.
50/50- Youtube video

4. M Ward- Matt Ward has become a prolific writer and producer. Working with artists such as Neko Case, Jim James, Bright Eyes and Lucinda Williams. M Ward is one of my all time favorites. In my happy place, there is a midget riding a pony and m ward playing in the background. Uhhmmm did I just talk about my happy place. Sorry that was a bit to much information.
Fuel for Fire- Youtube
Website

5. Bon Iver- Great song writing. Very easy to loose your self in an afternoon of Bon Iver. If your up for it check out one of his earlier projects Volcano Choir.
For Emma- Youtube
Website

6. Sufjan Stevens- Sufjan has been my #1 for many years now. I am waiting for a new album to push him back to the top.
Casimir Pulaski Day- Youtube
Website

7. Kimya Dawson- Kimya became well known for her work on the Juno soundtrack. Kimya is one of my favorites. She makes simplistically weird music and I absolutely love it.
"Lullaby for the Taken" video
Website

8. Ryan Adams-Ryan Adams makes great albums and I like to listen to them.
Two- Youtube
Website

9. Chet Baker- As my itunes can verify I love Chet Baker. His 1969 live from Germany. WOW! It rocks my ear holes. If you dont know Chet Baker you should.
Autum Leaves- Youtube

10. Flobots- I like people who live what the preach. These guys are social justice all stars.
Rise
Website

Learning to Love

My heart has been stretched of late. I have been asking God for sometime to teach me how to really love people. I don´t mean the ´whats in it for me´ kind of loving people. I am talking of really loving people. Finding out their needs, their desires, their wants. Finding out who they really are. Not the person on the surface but the person deep in side that they don´t show to just any one. This type of love requires patience and time. More importantly it requires trust. I am learning that without trust the deeper levels of love just never seem to come. So with patience, time and trust I have begin to love those around me. The stretching part for me comes in the form of vulnerability. When you really love someone, you can get hurt. They might hurt you if you let them in. I have come to the realization that for so many years I have kept people at arms length. I think mostly out of a fear of getting hurt. I have started to let people in to the real me. It is scary and I know I can get hurt but the up side is the being loved and the loving is so much better and more fulfilling. This year we meet two American teenagers who were here training in Iceland. They quickly became part of our community and a big part of our hearts. Loving them was easy and letting them into our lives even easier. But now the down side of really loving them is the sadness of seeing them go. The up side though is sending them away knowing that there was a real connection, that will last a life time. And a knowledge that I am a better man for letting others love me and for truly loving them. I am thankful for the relationships that are beginning to grow here in Iceland. We stopped trying to grow some ministry and just started getting to know people and love on them and start a community. The relationships are incredible and this community of friends is becoming family and I am excited by what the future holds for us here.