Lent

Lent, a somewhat odd spiritual practice of some of the more liturgical denominations, has come around again and I have decided to partake of it this year. I decided this year would be a good year to give up pop, more specifically caffeine, and see if I can go 40 days without it. I have admitted to myself several times that I am a caffeine addict and lent has given me an excuse to try and get over my addiction. The hardest part in all honesty is going to be after lent is over. I am fairly certain I can go 40 days without a pop, but it’s the time afterwards, what do I do with pop now that I’ve gone without it?

I know I’ll still enjoy pop and a large part of me is sitting here waiting for the Monday after Easter to come so I can go buy a Dr. Pepper and enjoy it like I never have before. But is that really what I want or should be doing? Lent is a time where we reflect on life and see how something that we physically do can interfere with our relationship with God. If I have gone through the practice properly and I see that pop for whatever reason is interfering with my relationship with God, should I really go back to it after Lent is over? Am I giving it up for the right reasons?

Lent really is an extended fast from certain things. I don’t agree with some of the weirder rules about not having to fast on Sunday’s and such. Fasting really is a time where you can remove something from your life and focus instead on God. But what happens when you discover that that thing really is interfering with your life?

I think in an ideal world you would be able to completely give it up. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world. I know for me personally, I don’t think pop directly interferes with my relationship with God but it can indirectly affect things. It can cause me to gain weight and not be as healthy as I could be. Not to mention, spending money on pop is not the best way to spend my money. How better could it be used? Could I use it for things like tithe for church? Maybe put it in savings? I’m sure I can find much better uses for money I would normally spend on pop.

So here’s to 40 days (or more) without pop. I am excited to see what God will show me about myself as I go through this journey.

Posted on February 20th, 2010 by | 2 Comments »

Why do I write?

There are days when I wonder, why do I write? What purpose do my words have? Who reads them?

From the lack of comments on some of my posts, I have a feeling that very few people actually read this, which is OK. I’m not maintaining this blog for the comments or the glory of knowing that people are reading my thoughts. I’m not seeking to get puffed up about my writing.

What I am seeking to do is to get into the practice of writing more. I want to write because I want to get in the habit of writing often. And not just blogging and putting a stream on conscience on paper. I wanna be able to write poetry and music and stories; maybe some day an actual book. Writing is not my passion but I enjoy having a place where I can speak my mind.

What my passion is though is music. I am discovering that I enjoy music and I enjoy making music. I want to get to the point some day where I trust myself enough to not only write words, but to share them. And not these words, these are just thoughts in my head but I want to be able to write about my deepest intimate thoughts and feel safe sharing them with those around me.

It is a very scary thought to sit down and share music or words that I’ve written down with people. It’s a vulnerability I know all too well. While I’ve never done it, the fear alone of sharing words paralyzes me into not even putting words on paper. I am working on it though. Nobody likes be vulnerable in front of people and I am no exception. In some cases I think of myself as the spokes person for not being vulnerable and trusting people.

I hope to get over that some day and this blog is helping. So, that’s I think the heart of why I write. I think God has blessed me with thoughts to be shared with those around me and He’s blessed me with a heart for music. I hope to someday be able to be vulnerable in front of people and I hope and pray that it turns out OK. Anyways, that’s all I’ve got for now.

Posted on February 11th, 2010 by | 1 Comment »

MercyMe – All of Creation

So some people know how much of a mercyme fan I am. I honestly didn’t realize it until I went to my third concert and sang along to all of their songs. I’ve become an even bigger mercyme fan since I realized just how much they like to tweet. They’re currently getting ready to release their next latest CD and I am extremely excited for it.

The CD is called, “The Generous Mr. Lovewell.” Bart Millard, the lead singer, explains a little bit more about the idea behind the CD:

It’s an interesting concept and I think one of the first “concept” albums from the group.

To help generate interest in their new CD, the guys from MercyMe went on a country-wide radio tour sharing their first single “All of Creation” with radio stations all over the USA. This first single is a great song of worship talking about every part of all creation bringing praise to God. Bart expands on this more here:

It’s an awesome song and is a great reminder of just how awesome God is. I love it! Here are the lyrics for the song. Feel free to comment and leave you’re opinions on the song.

Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved

chorus:
and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice and lay your burden down
and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound

Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worhip the king

chorus

the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

chorus

and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one.

Posted on February 11th, 2010 by | No Comments »

How do you measure a year?

I just received from my Netflix queue a dvd of the final performance of Rent on Broadway. It is AMAZING! I love this show. The most famous song from the whole show is called “Seasons of Love.” It’s a stirring anthem asking the question, “How do you measure a year?” In daylight? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? These lyrics remind us of how important it is to take advantage of each moment, living life to the fullest each moment of each day.

How does that apply to my life as a Christian? I think it applies really well. Living each day to the fullest for HIS glory is a great creed all Christians can and should live by. Am I relying 100% on Christ? Is His life, lived through me, reaching those around me? Have I shown Christ today? Have I seen Christ today?

Even moreso than just living a life dependent on Christ, are we, as Christians, experiencing the fullness of life in Christ? Are we enjoying ALL the blessings of being a part of God’s chosen family?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 (NASB)

Are we having life abundantly? I know I am learning what it means to partake in the abundance of life in Christ. I hope to someday figure it out but I don’t think I will ever completely figure out. I believe that it one of those things that we won’t know until we reach glory. What a glorious day that will be.

I leave you with “Seasons of Love.” Enjoy!

Seasons of Love
Words and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes – how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? How about love? How about love?
Measure in love. Seasons of love.

525,600 minutes! 525,000 journeys to plan. 525,600 minutes –
how can you measure the life of a woman or man?

In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he burned, or
the way that she died.

It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let’s celebrate remember a year in the life of friends. Remember
the love! Remember the love! Remember
the love! Measure in love. Seasons of love! Seasons of love.

Posted on February 8th, 2010 by | No Comments »

Employed!

So as of 2:00pm PST this afternoon, my long streak of being unemployed came to an end! I was officially offered a job at Best Buy as a member of the geek squad. I still have to pass the drug test and the background check but I don’t think that’ll be a problem.

It’s nice to know that I have work now and that I have something that will start bringing money in again. Having to rely on Theresa’s single income has been rough but knowing that I’ll finally be able to contribute again is a good feeling. I am not certain the exact amount of hours I’ll be working but I’m assuming it’ll be sometime between 25 and 30 hours.

I also think this is a good job for me to have because it plays to the skills I have while I’m gaining new skills in music. I’m really glad to finally have a job again. Hopefully I won’t get overwhelmed with work and school. Pray for me for that please!

Posted on February 4th, 2010 by | No Comments »

Free time?

I have nothing to do today… This is a really odd feeling. There is nothing that has to get done today. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself… Maybe I’ll watch a movie or play a game. Heh, I might just take a nap. That would be awesome. Anyways, I’m going to stop spending my time in front of the computer and find something enjoyable to do with the rest of my night.

Posted on February 3rd, 2010 by | No Comments »