Cover of Andrew Peterson's "While Shepherd's Watched"

Merry Christmas!

Cover of Larry Norman's "The Great American Novel"

This is a cover of Larry Norman's 1972 song. Well, actually, it's a cover of Steve Camp's late 80's cover of Larry's song.

This has come to mind quite a bit during this strange season. I resonate with some of the questions and most of the heart cry in this song. And I must admit, I can't offer more than Larry does in the way of a solution.

A Coffee Stained Prayer

This is a prayer book that I think I stole from my Dad. I don't really remember how I got it but I remember it on his bookshelf and it was always attractive to me. It's called "Everyday Catholic Prayer: A Little Office Book," compiled by Angela Tilby. I like little books.

It's quite a simple (and ancient) idea. To mindfully read through some passages of scripture, to read them as prayers, to meditate on scriptural phrases and set your mind on the best things...love, forgiveness, truth, peace, rest, Jesus.

At some point in our life and work together, we began praying the "little office" before going to 9th Street. Over the years, the spine has broken, you can see a coffee stain there on the first prayer. At one point we had two copies. I don't remember what happened to the other one (do you have it, Jimmy?)

I was looking at the coffee stain today before the café and thought of the people we go to meet on 9th Street and what our little café really is, what we truly desire it to be. It's a coffee stained prayer for a broken world.

We go twice a week to meet with people that are living unbelievable lives, people who suffer through some of the worst things imaginable, people who are holding on to some of the thinnest strands I know. The #NinthStreetCafé is a coffee stained prayer that creativity and compassion can make community even in the most difficult of places.

​Come pray with us. ywammodesto.org​

The Heavens Proclaim - A poem by Chris Whitler

Inspired by Psalm 19

This shaft of light 
Warming my face
Has come millions of miles
Through the darkness of space

Its a word in season
Spoken to me
An apple of gold
To a heart that’s weary

And morning by morning
His mercies are new
He awakens my ear
To what my heart knows is true

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

And galaxies turn
And gravity pulls
And pushes us on
Further up, further in

And the suns collapse
Falling on their face
And they rend their clothes
And the fabric is pierced

And worlds collide
Mighty cataclysm
And storms recite
The great catechism

Day after day
Pours forth speech
Night by night
Secret knowledge is preached

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

And the strings dance
“Let there be”
Is still resounding
Inside you and me

And particles spin
The stuff of stars
The heavens proclaim
In my very heart

All of the cosmos
Is traveling on
Riding His wave
Riding His song

Who kindled the flame?
Who taps the baton?
And the universe plays
And is singing us home

Oh the heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The heavens proclaim
The glory of God

A new song - Thanksgiving

An unorthodox thankful song. Feel free to download and share.

Monday Morning Music: Evidence of Good

This song was inspired by Paul's message to the people of Lystra in Acts 14. They saw the wonderful things the Christians could do and began to call them gods. In The Message translation, Paul, to convince them otherwise, says, "...He (God) made a good creation, poured down rain and gave bumper crops. When your bellies were full and your hearts happy, there was evidence of good beyond your doing.” 

 In JRR Tolkien's "The Silmarillion", he talks about water and how people still get quiet around water as it still carries with it traces of the song of creation. That rings true to me. 

 Enjoy this song! It's a part of my album Rushing Waters (produced and musically enhanced by my very talented friend Jimmy Sustar​). The whole collection of songs is teasing out different ways we can hear the voice of God. Available for a free download at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhitler

Monday morning music: a new take on Psalm 23

This psalm has been interpreted so many times into beautiful music. Just adding my take here. Some of the phrasing was inspired by the Roman Catholic daily mass lectionary.

You can listen here and, if you want, download too! You can hear and download my two original albums at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhiter and go to http://soundcloud.com/chriswhitler for demos, fun stuff and archives.

Psalm 131 - Chris Whitler

I've always loved the simplicity of scripture in song. As a teenager, I discovered the beauty of John Michael Talbot's music. Simple, pure and both ancient and new. I wrote this song years ago, inspired by those early scripture songs. This was my first attempt at setting a tune to a passage.

My Dad talked about once seeing John Michael Talbot in concert. He told me of a simple, humble man coming out with a guitar and starting to sing. He said you could almost hear evil running in horror from the room.

And that is what the Kingdom of God is like. Strength and power is not with the strong. This is an upside down kingdom where strength comes through weakness. Where the still, small voice is the one we need to hear.

More and more, I have the desire to leave the great things of this world to the great ones of this world. The call comes to still and quiet ourselves. That's the place from which truly great things can happen.

You can listen here and, if you want, download too! You can hear and download my two original albums at http://noisetrade.com/chriswhiter and go to http://soundcloud.com/chriswhitler for demos, fun stuff and archives.

Pillar of Fire - Chris Whitler and Christianne Buehler

This is my sister, Christianne, and I singing one of my songs in her living room in Owensboro, Kentucky.

My sister breathes harmony and I love singing with her. She's got such a beautiful and unique voice. I'm glad to say I've been singing with her my whole life and look forward to more in the years (and ages) to come.

You can download this track at https://soundcloud.com/chris-whitler/pillar-of-fire

Cover of "Your Love Broke Through"

I'm posting this on Epiphany 2016.

Epiphany just means "revelation." Specifically today, the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi coming from the east to worship Jesus.

But I've been thinking of epiphany or revelation as a life long pursuit. There are many times we drift and need waking up. This song has been on my heart and mind approaching Epiphany and I thought I'd take a stab at a cover.

This was written by Keith Green, Randy Stonehill (two of my favorite singer/songwriters in the world) and Todd Fishkind. It was recorded by many Jesus Movement artists in the early days of CCM. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

“The Lord bless you and keep you!

The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

-Numbers 6: 24-26

This is the blessing that came right from the mouth of God for the Old Testament priests to use for the people. This blessing was God’s idea. This is His desire for you and me…to bless and keep us, to let His face shine on us, to be gracious to us, to look on us kindly and to give us peace. How comforting! This is a blessing we can claim, speak over one another and hear Jesus, our great high priest, speak over us.

This is God’s heart for you.

Happy New Year!