profound...maybe not

forget this place

2005-07-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I recently discovered My Space on MSN and it is sooooo much easier to use than this place. I think I'm going to switch. Blogger.com has been good to me thus far, but now, I will put more energy into my MSN Space. You can find me at http://spaces.msn.com/members/chadisrad. I have cool photo albums and such that will make you want to move to the beautiful Northwest (if you don't already live here!). Anyways, maybe I'll be back here and there... but mostly over there. So you can change your links to my new one. Thanks. You're rad!

: : my mommy says I'm special : :

2005-07-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

Special Ed maybe. My sister sent me a shirt that says what the title of this entry is. Boy, do I feel special! I've worn it twice now and I always get some sort of remark from it. Things like:

"I think you're special too..."
or
"Your mom's the only one that thinks you're special..."

I think I like the first one the best. At least the shirt is a good conversation starter.

Well, I have neglected this blog for quite sometime. I'm not promising that it will get any better, but I'm going to write stuff on here, even if it is pointless or has no point. Because, honestly, what's more fun than complete and utter randomness? Nothing.

Randomness begins here.

This morning I woke up thinking I slept in longer than I wanted to. So I hopped int he shower real quick, got dressed, brushed my teeth, let my dog out and headed off to work. While backing out of my driveway, I glanced at my clock (which has been screwed up since I bought my car) and then looked at my watch and realized that it was 8:00am, not 9:00am. I woke up an hour early and didn't even realize it until I was on my way to work. The good thing is that I didn't even feel groggy or anything. I actually felt pretty good, which is unusual for me in the morning. Anyways, being that early allowed me to finally take a couple of pictures of the billboard I designed that has been up sine January (I'm a slacker... what else can I say?).

My humidor I won on ebay is supposed to be shipped to me tomorrow, but I won't be home to receive it. What a crock!

passion

2005-05-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

So I came to a realization the other night:
I've been living with a passion for life. Too bad it's not the passion that I should be living for. well, let me explain.

A passion for life isn't a bad thing, unless you are neglecting what should be your first passion, Christ.

I've been living with the thought that I don't want to die. I want my life to go on. I mean face it... sometimes life is hard, but really, life is pretty good. I've got good friends, good family, good job, a good car, a good place to live, etc. I mean yeah, I can complain about the fact the I turn 26 on Tuesday and have no wife, or girlfriend for that matter, but if I look past that, I'm really in a pretty good situation.

But through all this, I have been missing the big picture. I should be enjoying life as I seek out my number one passion, pleasing and living for the God that will one day judge my life. This should be the most important thing in my life, and I have been neglecting it.

I'll be honest... I have a hard time finding pleasure in reading and studying God's Word. It's always seems more like duty than delight for me. And that's actually been my prayer recently... that I would find delight in living for God and reading and studying and applying His Word to my life. The Bible says to know what God's Word says and not to follow it, is a sin. And it's a sin I've been struggling with. If you think of me sometime this week, will you pray that I would find delight in Him and reading His Word? I'd really appreciate it.

Anyways, I think it's time we all re-evaluate what our passions are and realign them appropriately. Make Chirst our first love, our prime passion.

I'm tired and have a headache, so my mind is done now. Peace out.

birthdays everywhere

2005-05-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today is Sean Aaron Taylor's Birthday. He is turning 27. He's probably my closest friend right now. I get the joy of working with him. Smoking fine cigars with him. Talking about life with him. He's an amazing guy, has an amazing wife and child and I'm glad that he is my friend. :) So happy birthday Sean!

Tomorrow (May 19) is my dad's birthday. He'll be 49. He's really not very old. I have tone of friends who's parents are even past their 50's. So I guess my dad is relatively young. He still likes playing volleyball and wallyball, so he's stull pretty active. My dad was the dad who went to all of his kid's sporting events that he could get to. He has always been very supportive of me and my siblings. He is a loving husband (30 years this December - they're going on a Caribbean Cruise to celebrate) and a loving father. I love him and am so glad that he is my dad!

Tuesday (May 24) I turn 26. I always thought that I would be married by now, but I guess God knew otherwise. I mean jeesh, I don't even have a girlfriend. I can say that I'm glad it's in His timing and not mine. Anyways, I have a few goals for my 26th year of existance. I hope to find out if I would ever be able to afford to buy a house (the median home price right now is around $250,000). My bank has a pretty neat first time home buyers program that I hope to join... I'm thinking I'll probably wind up with a condo if I can afford anything. That's fine. I can build equity that way. Other than that, I hope to go on another mission trip or two. I have the opportunity to go several places: I could go to Haiti in November (somewhere I've never felt called to...but I want to be open to going where I'm called to...if God calls me there...) or I could go to Belgium in September (I've always wanted to go to Europe and what better reason than to go with a mission team?). In the spring of '06 I could go back to Mexico or possibly even back to Guatemala. I had such an amazing time on both trips that I would love to go back to either. So those are the things that aren't completely self-centered. I have other things I'd like, but I won't go into that.

I saw that Stacey did it and it seemed to work pretty well...if you want to send me something...a card, a gift, a care package, lots and lots of money...then you can send it to me at:
8079 Emery Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
But don't feel pressured to do so. I mean it's only my birthday...another one will come next year. Anyways, back to the birthday lists...

I know several people with a birthday on the 26th of this month...so Brent, Sean and whoever else it was I was talking to that had a birthday on the 26th...Happy Birthday. I'm out.

: : pretty colors : :

2005-05-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

So the weekend of April 30/May 1, I was asked to play in a softball tournament. I love softball, so I obliged. I played on a team that called themselves the "Sex Panthers." I hear it comes from the movie Anchorman, but I never got to see the whole movie, so I never saw that part.

Anyways, the tournament was goig anlong pretty well. We played the first couple rounds of round robin and did fine until we got matched up against a team from a higher division. They beat us. But it was round robin, so it didn't matter. We played in the semis for our division and won. Sweet! We're in the finals...against a team we liked to call the "Angry" team. A few of their guys tried starting a fight with one of the upper division teams. What a bunch of morons. Anyways...we get to play in the finals. So we're going along in the game. We were winning. Then we were losing. Then it happened. I was playing third base. In the three previous games we played I had only gotten like two balls hit towards me. And in this final game, I got one more.

The batter wasn't huge in stature, but he was a good sized guy. He hit the ball HARD down the line. I think the ball skipped, not bounced (therefore keeping it's momentum) maybe two or three times as I moved to position myself to get in front of this routine grounder...because it was moving so quick, I didn't get all the way square to it before it got to me, missed my glove and went directly to my ankle. It didn't pass go or collect it's $200, but instead it smacked right into my ankle and then rolled over to the fence by the dugout. I chased it down and the guy made it to second as I attempted to throw him out.

At first the ball smacking right against my ankle didn't hurt. But then reality kicked in and the adrenaline was gone and it started to hurt like a mother...But get this, I played on. I sucked it up and continued to play. We lost the game. Took second. Not bad. Not the winners though.

Anyways, it's over a week later and my ankle is still swollen and black and blue and purple and yellow and all sorts of pretty colors. I went to the doctor last week Monday just to make sure it wasn't broken or anything (it's not). It doesn't hurt much anymore. Just feels like a bruise...with a big lump in the middle...perfectly circle...like it got hit with a ball. So yeah, check out the picture below. Nice, eh?

Have a good day. Stay out of the way of a fast moving softball!

2005-05-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ball...meet ankle...ankle, meet ball

: : down the crapper : :

2005-05-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

I fell down, into a burning ring of fire...

Johnny Cash. RIP.

Well, I'm a slacker. I know it, and you too, probably know it. It's obviously been a while since my last blog (but I did try to add one but when I told it to publish it went to an error page and then disappeared...I was so mad and tired that I didn't even bother re-writing it). So here now am I to explain the title, down the crapper. There are two reasone I titled it that: 1) the girl I mentioned in the last post, has gone down the crapper. 2) I'm doing a 10 day body cleanse and I have a lot of stuff going down the crapper.

1) Well, she didn't really go down the crapper. She is still an amazing girl. I've had plenty of time to think about what happened and even while it was happening I could see how it played out according to my prayers and the prayers my friends were praying for me.

Before I came into the picture of her life as someone who had an interest in her, she had been hanging out with a different guy (I found this out when I was about to ask her out...so it prolonged that a little bit). She had come to the realization through much prayer and conversation with God, that she wasn't at a place in her life where she didn't feel that God wanted her to be in a relationship. (Plus I heard the other guy was a bit of a jerk, but I don't think she would tell you that) And then I come along.

I've known her room mates since high school. And since about November or December of last year I started noticing her more. Things about her that I was looking for. Things about her that would make awesome qualities as a wife. I noticed her spunk. Her style. Her love of worship. And I thought to myself, what a wonderful girl. If you know me at all, you know I am pretty much afraid of girls that I like. I want to talk to them, but it scares the bageebees out of me. But, it became known by some of her friends that I was interested in her. And then after her decision with the other guy, she became aware that I was interested in her. And then her friends starteda sking me when I was going to ask her out. And so, I finally got the gull, the spine, the intestinal fortitude to swallow my pride and ask her out. I was very sincere and creative about it (it's along story, but shortened...I was given $100 by a person at church, to be a "date fund" so I took $20 of it and put it in a card and left it for her at work saying that we should be creative and use the money for something fun...she said it was soooo sweet and creative and that she would love to do that).

Conflict number one arises. She goes to work about the time that I get off of work. Well, this is no good. But, we find a time where we get to go out for about two hours. Two hours ain't much in trying to get to know someone, but we took full advantage of it. She's an awesome girl. That's all I have to say.

Anyways, I go to Mexico and when I get back I want to try and find time to hang out with her, but I get no return calls and no return text messages. She calls me on Wednesday and leaves a message saying we need to talk about some stuff. My heart sank into my chest and I knew it was not good. I returned her call, left a meassage and then she called me back. She told me the story of the other guy and then I came along and she was all confused, like "God, what are you doing?" So she had spent a lot of time in prayer about it and had come again to the realization that she wasn't in the place where she felt she should be in a relationship. (coincidentally, this is not the first time I have been told this...in fact it's not the second time either...) And me, being the kind, considerate one, I understand. Does it suck? Absolutely, it sucks. But who am I to say no to what she feels is God's calling on her life? (on the plus side, she did tell me that I am probably the nicest guy she has ever met...BONUS!)

All that to say that I am glad it happened that way, because all my friends and I were praying for was that we would seek God's will through the whole beginning of this relationship. And even still, I am seeking His will in it. I don't know if in the future things will work out between us. I personally hope they do, but if they don't, God has someone way cooler than her for me. I'm trying my best to not get hung up on it, but it's hard seeing her at church every weekend and still being like, "DANG! This girl is HOT!" Anyways, enough of my girl stories.

2) I'm on a ten day body cleanse and I think it's going okay. The thing that is killing me is the bloody diet. I have never been, nor will I ever be, a good dieter. I was a wrestler. We don't know how to diet properly. We sweat weight off and starve ourselves...and spit into bottles...

I'm not allowed to have carbs, sugar or fat. That means no cheese, no pasta, no potatoes, no beef, no alfredo sauce, no sour cream...loads of other stuff...but I'm supposed to be eatting lots of veggies. I have never, in my life, eatten lots of veggies. I'm struggling. All I want right now is a bag of peanut butter M&M's. And a can of Coke. Yes, that sounds nice.

Well, this thing is a novel that no one will read in the first place, so off I go, into never never land.

I should fire myself

2005-04-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

Well, since I last posted...a long time ago...a lot has happened.
1) I moved.
2) I met a girl (well, I met her a long time ago...but now there may be a new horizon...).
3) I went to Mexico.
4) I got fat. Well, I continually get fatter since the day I graduated. I have just began to feel more out of shape than ever and it makes me sick.

Softball season starts in three weeks and I am stoked about that. Even though my wrist is still screwed up from playing so much lst year, I'm still looking forward to playing. I think it may either be carpal tunnel or tendanitis. Either way, it hurts a lot at times, and not at all at other times. Weird. Anyways, first game is April 22. It's time!

This Saturday I am going to the Mariner's game. It should be pretty fun. They're playing the Rangers. The thing that will make it so fun is going with Sarah. She is neat.

Now to the things that have happened since my last post.
1) I moved. Well, if you read my last post, you knew that I was moving. Well, I did and it is neat.
2) I met a girl. Her name is Sarah. I am taking her to the Mariners game. It will be neat.
3) I went to Mexico. It was an amazing trip. Life changing really. It's funny how you go to build a house for a family and hope to bless them, but in return you leave feeling more blessed than they are. Awesome. The only bad thing about the trip was the 36 hour van ride down and the 36 hour van ride back. 72 hours of my life spent in a 15 passenger van with 15 passengers in it, that I will never get back. Oh well, it was still an awesome trip. Maybe one day I'll put a few pictures up.
4) I got fat. Well, self explanitory I guess. If you don't get it, try sitting in front of a computer all day and don't excercise any, eat junk food and watch a lot of TV.

One last thing, then I am done. Someday Soon, my band...well, I just thought of another thing...back to my band...we're actully going to play a worship event that has nothing to do with my church or any of it affliliations! It will be awesome. We're playing at Christian Life Assembley in Langley, B.C. on Friday night. It will be an awesome night of worship for their youth group called Revolution. Neat-o.

The other thing...I found someone who is going to back my clothing line venture I have dreamed about for a few months now. It will be awesome. God has been giving me some cool t-shirt design ideas. It should be exciting. I'll let you know when more stuff develops.

Well, that's it. Have a happy day!

: : News Update : :

2005-02-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I have news of a few items.

1) My mouse, Axle, is dead. He died this weekend. He is no longer. He is in mouse heaven (actually, he's in the garbage can outside). Fun stuff. I am now just down to a dog. Hooray for my dog!

2) I have officially been asked to leave the house I am living in. So, that dilema I had a month or so ago, it is no more. I am actually pretty relieved. While it still feels awkward to know that I was aked to leave, I know it's all good. Really it came down to the fact that the two of them are pretty busy and have some stressful stuff going on, and they really just need their privacy, and I totally respect that. I mean really, I'm surprised it didn't come sooner.

The good thing is, I have a place to move into. He'll even let me bring my dog. Now I just have to find a way to keep her locked up so she doesn't run off and get hit. I think I'm going to get a run line and keep her hooked up to that so she can run during the day. She's a cattle dog (that means she's a bundle of fricken energy...go, go, go, go, go, go...). So, being able to run all day will be good for her.

Anyways, as I type this, I'm getting pretty excited to get out of the hairs of the couple I have been living with. It also means that I really have to watch my spending. More gorceries, less eatting out. I also will have the freedom to cook whenever I want. All together, this move will be good.

3) Next Monday is Singles Awareness Day (a.k.a. Valentine's Day). I will be one of those singles wishing the day was never brought into existance (not really, I just think that Valentine's Day is a crock...men should treat their women like royalty everyday, not just one day a year...). Anyways, all that to say that I am 90% sure that I will be heading down to Cannon Beach on Singles Awareness Day. I will be taking a short, but needed vacation. I found someone to even go with me. My buddy Seth...the guy I suppposedly lived with for a month, but he was never home...yeah, it'll be cool. I love that place and I love the ocean. The hotel I'mm be going to is called The Inn at Cannon Beach. Nice place from what I can tell.

So there you go. You're all caught up in the life of Chad. Thank you for your support.

: :are you anithell: :

2005-02-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

With the lack of anything good to say right now, I thought I would pas on some info about a cool Christian clothing company that I discovered the other day. Antihell Clothing. Check them out. Very cool. Buy stuff. Support Christian artists.

Speaking of which, I have had a good (well, good in my mind) idea floating around in my head for a Christian "skate" style clothing line. I only have one design idea though. But, that could easily change. I cannot divulge to you the name of the clothing line, for fear that the name will be taken and someone may take my awesome idea. Really, the only idea I have had is for a hat...but still...it's my idea and I don't want any of ya'll taking it! Now, if only I had the money to devote to getting this idea off the ground. Anyone up for a small business venture? Maybe I could sell my stuff on representwa.com. That's my buddy Jeff's website. It's cool. Check it out too. Seriously...anyone want to fund my clothing line?

"Do you have anything to give to her?"
"No. Not unless she likes fish."

knocked down, tossed around

2005-01-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Ever have those days where you feel taken advantage of? Used and abused? Unappreciated? You feel like you put so much into certain areas and get nothing in return. You get thanks, but don't feel that they are heart-felt. You spill your guts and feel like the situation you shared wasn't really heard. You just want to quit it all and walk away and find a new place to belong...

That's been me the last few days. I think it's time I got away. I'm not talking about quitting. That would be silly. In fact the whole idea that I'm not appreciated is an attack of the devil on my soul, and I got to say, he's been pretty successful at beating me up this week. He's left me wanting to quit my band, quit my church worship team, and maybe even quit my job.

I know deep down that I am appreciated here at work. I am appreciated in my band. I am appreciated in my worship team. But, I'm the type of person that needs to be told that I am appreciated. I need to be affirmed when I do something good. I need the emotional support to know that I am a valued member of the team. And honestly, I haven't been getting much of that lately.

It sucks. I hate this feeling. That's why I need to get away. I think I want to go on a road trip to Cannon Beach. I just want to drive for hours and then spend time walking up and down the beach spilling my guts before the Lord. Seeking His face and findoing my value in Him. Not that I can't do that here...I just need to get away from my usual surroundings. And Cannon Beach is a place I went a few years ago and I know that I can just take it in and see God it His best through His creation down there. I'd almost just like to go alone, but know that if I did that, I would get bored out of my mind. I cannot entertain myself for more than a couple of hours. I need to find someone to go with me who I can share with, pray with. I have a good idea of who that could be. (If I had a woman, this would be easier to find someone to go with... :))

Until then, I will seek the Lord to help me keep my chin up. I am valuable in His sight, even when I feel un-valued (is that a word?) in my everyday situations. Praise God!

the Gospel

2005-01-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

What is the Gospel that the Bible talks about so much? Jesus always taught about living out the gospel. So what is the gospel? Was Jesus the gospel? Is the gospel grace and love through Jesus Christ? If you had to explain the gospel in one sentence, what would you say? Think about it (this is where you close your eyes and think about what you would say).

Fred Markert, a missionary through YWAM, amongst other things, is here in Lynden for a bunch of speaking affairs. This man has a pulse on what God is doing in this nation, and around the world. He has been to over 200 countries and has first hand knowledge of events going on in the world today. Tonight he is speaking about the war in Iraq and all the events in the Middle East, and whether you like George W. or not, God has His hand on the whole thing. I'm excited to hear it.

Anyways, with him (Fred) in town, the pastors and staff have been able to have lunch with him, have some Q&A times and such. I did not get the chance to have lunch with him yesterday (I wasn't invited...I think it was pastors only), but I have heard a bit of what he talked about. This is where the aforementioned question comes in. What is the gospel?

It's really quite simple. Paul put it this way:
Galatians 3:8-9 - What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

Basically Paul says that God blessed Abraham and through His blessing upon Abraham, nations will be blessed. The gospel is that God will bless us and through our blessing from God, we are to bless the nations. It is our calling. We have been blessed and we are to share that blessing.

So yeah, I thought that was neat. I'm sure I'll have more to post after I hear him again tonight.

pharisee

2005-01-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

Luke 18:9-14 - Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t sin, I don’t commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”

I heard this story again this weekend. It's really a very simple parable. But I came to a realization. Too often I pray the same type of prayer that the Pharisee prayed. You know the type of prayer where, say you're flipping through the channels and you come across a show like The Bachelor, or the Bacholerette, or Elimidate...stuff like that...and you think to yourself, "Thank you Lord I am not like these people that seek worldly pleasures like them..."

Is that not the same thing the Pharisee prayed? How humble is that? Not very. Not in my opinion. I think too often we say things like that, when really we should be thankful, but we should be praying for these people. Whatever they may be into, or whatever they do, it's important that we pray for the souls of these people and that they may see the light that can comfort them so much more than the things of this world. that they may find true hope and joy in the Lord.

It's time to go before the Lord and realize that we are not even holy enough to look up to Him, beat our chest and cry out to Him and confess our sins. The beauty of being humble is that God shows you that through His grace, when we come before Him like this, we are allowed to be in His presence and take in the sweet goodness that is God. There is nothing better than knowing that God loves you and cherishes you and forgives you when you call out to Him.

I'm tired of being so proud. It's time to take the plank out of my own eye before I judge the speck in someone elses eye. Will you join me in humbly crying out to God?

Reflections of Worship

2005-01-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

So...The blogs I usually read haven't been updated lately, except for Stacey, so I started searching for other blogs I could dig into and read. I found one, apex worship...I put a link on my side bar too... Anywhow, on one of his posts he wrote about worship and I found it very thought provoking. So, to cheapen the fact that I don't really have anything to write myself, I'm going to post what he said. Here it is:

Rob made a point on Sunday that really got me thinking. This is what I wrote down:

"I can't help but worship. Worship to the Christian is like breathing to the body. Ceasing to worship is like holding your breath. Just as your body fights against you when you hold your breath, the Spirit fights against you when you cease/fail to worship."

Just thinking about when you used to hold your breath as a kid. You thought it was so funny, but your body was saying "knock it off you idiot! That's your life-force your messing with". Then eventually, you'd open your mouth and gasp for air. As the air would flow back into your lungs, for a little while, you could still feel the effects of the lack of oxygen. Light headedness, intensified heartbeat, that panic feeling in your stomach. The Holy Spirit does the same thing when we cease to 'put our magnifying glass on God'. He reminds us how necessary it is for us to constanly seek who God is and what He does. We'll still remember those feelings and situations of our desperation, but mainly as a reminder of the beauty of true breath...or worship. It's funny, if you hold your breath long enough, you won't die, you'll just pass out. Passing out is basically just the body's way of saying "I won't let you kill yourself". Sometimes God has to knock us out in order to save us. How many times have we had to hit rock bottom in order to see the light?

I just thought that was an interesting parallel.

So, I thought that was interesting. If you like it, you shoul dcheck out his site and leave a comment on this post. It's called "Reflections on Sunday." Well, have a terrific day.

holy jeez!

2005-01-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

Dang...this is a lot for one week! But this one will be short and sweet.

This is a band announcement.

Someday Soon will be playing the Outpouring this Sunday night at North County Christ the King Community Church (that the full name of the church). :) If you would like to come and participate in an evening devoted to meeting with God through worship, enjoy communion and take time to pray in agreement over our church community, our county, state, nation and world...then this event is for you!

Someday Soon at
The Outpouring
Sunday, January 9 - 7:00pm
North County Christ the King
123 N 17th Street
Lynden, WA

breathe in

2005-01-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

take in a deep breath...breathe...in through the nose, out through the mouth. Please don't hyper-ventilate...it is real. I am posting twice...IN THE SAME WEEK! Holy smokes...I can't believe it...Chad is posting something new...it's the first time there has been a double posting in like four months! Oh man...what happened? Well, let me tell you.

I've got a bit of a dilema here. I've been living with a couple from church since August. Here's the story. I decided in June that it was time to get out of the house and finally get back out on my own. I lived in Bellingham for one month with my friend Seth. His job ended, he moved home...it was expected that I would only be there for a month...not expected that he would move back home. So, this couple, that I play softball with, is building an apartment in their basement. Basically the place was as far as it was when they showed it to me the previous year. Walls framed, that's it. Well now, five full months later, the walls are framed and the plumbing work is done. Well, not the finish plumbing, just the water and sewer lines. Gas lines and electrical would be next in line. Then sheeting and insulating the walls and ceiling. Then cabinetry, countertops, floors and all the finish work. So, one would thing that in a five month time period that that would not be too tough to get done. Well, it's not.

Anyways, they told me I could stay there in one of their spare three bedrooms upstairs until they got the apartment finished. They've been totally gracious (I haven't had to pay rent) by allowing me to stay there and I totally appreciate it.

Here's the dilema. I feel a bit like a bum living there. I feel like I should help with stuff around the house...which I have been doing more of lately...the problem is that when I do clean up, it winds up being back in the same state by the next day. Just a bunch of little things that keep piling up. It's starting to drive me nuts. You know, if it was my own mess in my own place, it would then be my mess to clean up and I would be the one responsible for it. But right now I'm not. I don't want to be "that guy" that is constantly bugging them to get working on the apartment...and if I knew anything about building an apartment, I would totally help. It's also hard to have friends over when you feel bad because the people you live with have such a messy place.

So, I know this guy that just got a job in Olympia working for the Republican caucus. He lived with a guy that I always said I would move in with way back a couple of years ago. Matt took up two rooms at the house because he worked from home when he was campaign manager for a few different people during the last election. Anyways...he just moved to Olympia. So, those two rooms are now open. So...give me some advice people. Should I stay in the current place or move in with Chris, and start paying rent and be responsible for my own mess and the mess around the house? Right now I'm thinking the latter of the two. And if I do that...how should I go about telling the people I live with? (one advantage of where I'm at is that my dog has the company of another dog...and while I'm at work, she stays in the garage which has a lovely little doggy door with a fenced in back yard) To go to Chris' place, there is not that amenity. I'd have to put a runner line up for my dog and bring over my dog house so she can stay covered if it rains. So, I'd appreciate any advice, comments, questions or concerns. thanks.

today I make my resolution

2005-01-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

Holy crap...I'm writing on my blog. It's a bloddy miracle! Hooray for me! Well, time to get down to business...

My New Year's resolution. Well, I've decided not to do the same old boring "lose ten pounds," "work out more" shallow resolutions that everyone makes every year. It's crap. No one ever sticks to those plans. Yeah, I'd like to lose 10 pounds...heck, I'd like to lose about 30...but, why should that be a priority in my life? Am I going to be spiritually better by losing 10-30 pounds? No. Should I work out? Yes. I mean come on...softball season starts in 3 1/2 months...not that I'm counting or anything...and I really should get in shape for it this year. Moving on.

I started reading a book this week called Dangerous Wonder by Michael Yaconelli. It talks about childlike faith. While I really haven't gotten that far in it yet (I read really slow...and not often), I have been challenged already. What would our walk with God be like if we were to have a childlike faith? Not a childish faith, but faith like a child? The days where anything we dreamed could come true. The day where I pretended to be Optimus Prime and run around the playground making the transforming sound that the Transformers made. The days where you could clearly hear God speaking to you. When did those days stop? Why did they stop?

One of the reasons he says they stop was because of what he calls "Dream Crushers." He tells several little stories of how someone's dreams were crushed. And the one example he gave out of the Bible was the Pharisees. They were dream crushers to the apostles. They basically tried to take away the freedom that Jesus gave then to try to get the apostles to obey the "laws" of religion. That's not the kind of God we serve. We serve a God who wants us to seek Him with a child-like faith.

So, back to my New Years resolution. This year, I choose to live my life with a child-like faith. To make my pursuit of Christ a "dangerous wonder." 2004 was a good year. Wait, check that. 2004 was an awesome year and I know that 2005 will be even better.

Things that made '04 great:
Huehuetenango, Guatemala (and all the wonderful friends I made on that trip)
Finding my real fit in ministry (a litte something we like to call Someday Soon)
Friends (and new friends I made)
Family
Work
Truly growing in God and knowing that HE has plans beyond what I could ever ask for or imagine.
So much more that I'm drawing a blank on...

So, in 2005 I seek to make it the best year of my life. I seek to follw God with a child-like faith. To take more time to just listen to Him. More trips to the beach or mountains or nature in general to experience God. That's it...that's what life is about...to experience God and spend my life in worship to Him. To share His love with those I meet. To live my life to a standard that is holy and pleasing to Him. That's what I want to do.

May 2005 be the best year in your life too. Take time to experience God. Soak Him in. Let His light shine through you.

still kickin'

2004-11-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

I am still alive and kickin'. I think I hit that blogger wall, where I don't really feel the need or desire to post. I don't know if it's a passing fad or what. I guess it's just kind of frustrating to me to sometimes write something I find very substantial and maybe even profound, and all I get is a couple of comments (Thanks Amy and Robyn). Makes me wonder if anyone really reads this. Well, do you?

in the desert

2004-11-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

On Monday night at band practice, I had some time to reflect on how God has been working in me lately. Here I was thinking that I was kind of in a lull right now, but I realize how much God has been working in me and blessing me. I know that He is preparing me for my future, whatever it may hold for me. It's an exciting time in my life right now. I have nothing that should cause me to complain, because in the bigger picture, God is taking care of me, even in the times where I don't necasarily "feel" Him, or feel close to Him. That's a good feeling and I take peace in that.

At the same time, I know people that have been in a bit of a "lull" themselves lately. We were talking about it on Monday and I had an epiphony, a profound thought, if you will. We were talking about those times when you feel like you're not close to God and you have a hard time rejoicing in Him. It's as thought your thirsty and you can't find that drink of water that you so long for. How painful it can be. How it's like walking in a desert and being exposed to the heat of the sun with no protection and no refuge. (These were not my profound thoughts...)

As one of my friends was speaking, God put this on my heart...What if in those times of "dryness," in the times of thirst for God, in the times of nothearing God's voice, God was really trying to teach you something. What if He was allowing you to go through these times so that you know how an unsaved person feels on an everyday basis? What if He wanted you to feel the pain that someone searching feels? And through that pain you get the sense that these people that feel this pain you are in, are the people we should be seeking to find to show them how to find the peace and hope and joy that you so regularly know through the love of God. And through this pain, in your search for the Lord, you find extreme comfort and there is nothing better than feeling the loving comfort of our Father after going through a hard, painful, dry time.

Wow God. You blew me away by putting this on my heart. I've never even thought of it this way. This is what I'm talking about. God has been moving in me. He gives me things like this to be able to comfort the people I know that are hurting right now, and He does it at just the right time. He gives me the right words to say. The Spirit of God is in me and man, am I ever thankful for it. Another way I know He is working through me is that I am starting to finally get the compassion thing. I've been starting to hurt when people hurt. I've been overwhelmed lately by the fact that when I see people hurt, it grieves my heart. I would say that compassion has never ben one of my spiritual gifts, but I can see how God is working in my life to change me. I'm excited.

Through this valley in the desert that I have been on before and know people that are on it now, and knowing how God works in people during these times, I got inspired to write another song. (Of course with me, it has no music yet...although I did try last night, but found nothing I liked yet). But I thought I wold post it to 1) maybe give a glimpse of hope to those in the "desert" of their life and 2) just share my heart. I hope you like it. I call it:

Overflowing

Where do I go from here
I want out of this desert
In a dry and weary land
Where I can’t feel You

Fill this cup
Quench this thirst
Give me love overflowing

Walking through this desert
Let me feel the dryness
The weariness without You
So I know the pain of the lost

Touch my heart with Your healing hand
Let Your love shine through me
Fill my cup to overflow
To share Your healing touch with all

it's been a long time coming...

2004-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess I haven't posted for a while, and really I don't feel I have anything fun, interseting, profound, logical, etc. So, I guess I can fill up space by telling you about my week-ish.

Monday I got the chance to hang out in Seattle and be a "tour guide" or so to speak. It's too bad that everything "used to be" different than it is now. I guess I've ben out of the city for thre and a half years or so and so much seems to have changed since i last spent quality time down there. So places aren't there anymore. Some places have changed. I guess in a big city like Seattle, things change quickly and if you're not there to see them, then you don't realize how much has changed. In many ways, most of it is the same, but in a lot of ways, so much has changed. I miss the days of living there, but at the same time I am so glad that I don't live there anymore. God has truly blessed me to be in the position that I am in now back home, where I belong. So anyways, it was nice to be able to take a day off from work, besides the weekends...when I don't do any real "work." It really was refreshing. I'm thankful for that.

So the rest of the week was kind of mundane. Same ole stuff...different day. Then on Thursday, a partial work day, Sean and Matt came in for a few minutes to pick up a projector. Sean said they were going to watch all three LOTR movies...in a row. Well, turns out we only watched one. It was almost midnight before it got over. No one wanted to pull an all nighter...and MAtt had already slept through half the movie. So, the next two were put off until the next night. So yesterday I spent about seven hours of my life watching LOTR. It was cool though. It was huge. Sean hooked the projector up to the DVD player and displayed it on his whole wall. It was cool.

Today I took another trip to the Seattle area for The Case for a Creator conference with Lee Stroebel. He had a group of scientist give their cases for "intelligent design." It was very intriguing. I recalled why I went to art school. I on't like science. Never have. Never will. You can't make me. But it still was very well presented. The basic idea is that the likelyhood of all creation happening by chance or necessity is pretty much ridiculous. One of the guys talked for over an hour about the molecular structure of a protein...all over my head. Anyways, if you feel loke checking any of it out...it really is fascinating...go to www.discovery.org.

So there...a blog about me and my week. :) I may choose to go into some more depth about a thing or two from the conference that makes me think. Until then, be happy with who God has made YOU to be. Seek His heart to know that He has you right where He wants you. Peace.

My U.S. travels

2004-11-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

Because Amy did it and I thought it was cool, here is where I have been in the U.S.

create your own personalized map of the USA
or write about it on the open travel guide

I have some disclaimers to make on a few of the states though...I was in Arkansas for about 10 minutes...I wanted to say that I had been there...we drove across the border and then back. We did the same with Mississippi. So I've never really stepped foot in either of those two states. I've been to Texas numerous times, but I have never been outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston airports. And one last one...I went to Alaska when I was 18 months old, so I have no recolection of ever being there, but I have so BACK OFF! :)

I'll write more later.

I hate politics, but...

2004-11-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

I just want to remind people to vote wisely. We need Godly leaders of this country. We need to support those who uphold the law of the Lord. I just got this Mark Twain (which you may remember, I am related to him...) quote that I thought appropriate to post here. I'll leave it at that too...

"Whenever a Christian votes, he votes against God or for Him, and he knows this quite well. God is an issue in every election; He is a candidate... His purity and His approval are there, to be voted for or voted against . . ."
-- Mark Twain, Collier’s Magazine, September 2, 1905

sand is overrated...

2004-10-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

It's just a bunch of little tiny rocks...

I just saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind today and I must say that I thouroughly enjoyed it. It was a very wel thought out movie. I think that I will go and buy it eventually. There are a few movies I would like to go out and buy...here's a short list: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Eternal Sunshine, and Garden State when it comes out next month.

I feel that Eternal Sunshine and Garden State are very similar in the way they are portrayed. They both have a funky little love story. Both pretty dang good movies.

I went and saw the movie Saw last night. It wasn't really that scary. It was pretty suspensful, but not really scary. It had a killer twist at the end of the movie though. It was pretty crazy. Would I pay to go see it again? Probably not, but it was a decent movie to keep me entertained for the evening.

I really have nothing insightful to say now, but I am just posting to post. I hope that makes you happy Amy. My senseless blogging.

Did anyone see the lunar eclipse the other night? The night the Sox won the series...I took pictures, but they're not very good.

2004-10-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm talking about! It's been a long time coming...and I'm no bandwagon Sox fan...my Red Sox hat is dirty, grimey and old...I'm a tried and true believer. Who's this Babe Ruth fellow? Oh, the best sign I saw after the game was the one that said "We Forgive You Bill Buckner" ...that's awesome!

live with it

2004-10-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not as web savvy as I had hoped I was...well, I am, I just don't know how to...nevermind...forget about it. So basically, to you lovely young ladies that made the sly comments about not knowing where to comment...I have two comment areas. LIVE WITH IT! :) It just gives me the opportunity to have more people share their love for...errr, I mean with...uhh...YES I'M AWESOME!

2004-10-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Whoa, hey there partner...you part of the California Highway and Interstate Patrol? (this picture is to test to see if I did my comment setting properly...)

top five list of the day

2004-10-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

So, because everyone else seems to do it, and I never really have, I'm going to make a list of the top five things I am greatful for today. It goes lika this:

1) I'm thankful that I got to go to Seattle with my family last Sunday to go see Riverdance...mock me if you must, but until you've seen the show live, you have no idea what you are missing. It's not often that I get to be with most of my family (my parents, my brother and my dads parents) and go on a short trip like this. Even through the long drive I had a good time. My brother and I spent most of the trip home singing along with my Best of Five Iron Frenzy CD that I made shortly after their final show I saw in Seattle last year. But just the good quality family time without bickering was a blessing.

2) WORSHIP. It's wonderful to be able to listen to music as I work and today I was blessed by the Offering II CD of Third Day. There are just some tasty songs on there...and I have worship practice tonight for the weekend services. Even though we're not doing a song that I thought we were going to, I am free to sing praise to my God whenever I want...I'm so glad God gave people the gift of music...especially to sing praises to Him. :)

3) The Boston Red Sox. What the heck? I thought they were toast for sure. But winning three games in a row to take it to game 7? AMAZING! Plus, Curt Schilling professign his faith after the game and saying that his effort last night was all God's grace...that's awesome! (I must hurry, I htink the game is on right now...)

4) Ruffles with the Ruffles Ranch Dip. So addicting...I've been munching on them since lunch time.

5) Random packages in the mail that make me laugh and smile. I love getting mail and packages and stuff. And this one made my day. :)

Okay, I must go catch game seven before I go to worship practice...have a glorious day/night and remember that you are free to worship God any time you want...don't waste your days not glorifying His name...

Lord of the Flies

2004-10-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so after many (one) requests to actually update and write something of substance on here, I am doing so now.

So Robyn had written about comparing our lives to the life of a spider. Well, i have never compared my life to one of a spider. I have, however, compared my life to the life of a fly. It was a warm summer day in June of 2003 and I needed a break, so I went to my "spot" at Boulevard Park and I took in God. All the while I had a fly buzzing around me and sitting on my knee. I looked the thing in the eyes and realized that we aren't much different...besides size, and the fact that we don't have wings, tons of eyeballs, puking (or maybe it was pooping) every time they land, etc...I wrote it all down and now I shall divulge to you what I was thinking...hang in there with me...it may be a stretch...

So, I've been sitting here thinking that our lives are like flies. In our eyes, flies have a very short life expectancy. They come, they fly around and bug people, they live off of trash and then they die. Whether it be by our hands or because they lived out their total life expectancy, they still die.

How similar are our lives to a fly's life? In God's eyes and from an eternal viewpoint, our lives here on earth are to us like a flies life on earth. Now flies also have this terrible tendancy to go after things that they shouldn't. Say for instance, a headlight on a car. What happens when that fly goes for the light? It suffers the consequences. Just like in our own lives when we go for the things that we shouldn't, we suffer from the consequences God has laid before us. If we spend our lives going after the things God doesn't want us to have, and we never seek after His will and His way, then we are just like that fly hitting the front end of my car.

And just like a fly lives off of garbage, if we don't follow God with our lives, we too may as well be living off of garbage. God's will is for Him to give us His best. And in our short earthly life, why should we seek out to live off of garbage?

I today, choose to live off of the sweet nectar that is God and to seek after His best for me. My life here on earth is short, so why should I waste it? I live to please God both now and forever.

still can't think...

2004-10-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

It's true...so here, have the lyrics to Chris Tomlin's new song Indescribable.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of Fall to the fragrance of Spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings, all exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God (You are amazing, God)

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the Sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night, none can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God, You are amazing, God

Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
Incomparable, unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God, You are amazing God

It's such a wonderful song, I'm going to go home and learn it right now. I swear I'll post something from my brain soon...

Nothing Without You

2004-10-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

This is a Bebo Norman song that has just really touched me in the last month or so...and without being able to thing of anything intelligent to say on here, I thought I would just post the lyrics to the song. It's called Nothing Without You.

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
See, I have nothing, I have nothing, without You

And take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing, without You

And all my soul needs is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see that I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing, without You

And all my soul needs is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see that I have nothing

That I love You, yeah, with all my heart
With all my soul, with all my mind, and all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth and let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing, I am nothing without You

May this song bless you and touch your heart.

waiting for the best surprise

2004-10-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

My heart has grown weary. I do it all the time, even when I say that I'm not going to, and my heart has become weary because of it. I'm sick of searching on my own. I'm sick of searching, period. It's time to let go and totally give it up. I'm now waiting for the ultimate surprise.

Maybe you know what I'm talking about...maybe you don't. I'm 25 years old. I have been single now for over two years. Before that, it was three years. I'm not the type to "date" various people. I'm looking for "the one." It has obviously never worked out. My whole family has married young (my dad was 19, my mom was 18 - 29 years this December - my sister was 19). My brother is not yet married either, but he is only 21. I live in a town that marries young. I'd be willing to bet that close to, if not more than 50% of my class is married. It makes my heart sad to see all these kids getting married that are my brother's age or younger. I went to a wedding last month of a couple that are 19 and 20. Makes me wonder what I've done wrong. Then I remember that it's all in God's timing.

I've gone on for years meeting girls and thinking "are they the one?"..."is this finally it?" Nope. Apparently not. So, I've come to the point in my life where I have decided that I'm going to try (I'm always "trying") and not think this about any girl(s) anymore. I'm going to let God surprise me. I want Him to totally catch me off guard. So what's that mean? Well, I think it means that I'm not going to be the typical male pursuing the girl. It's either going to just happen some how, or some girl is going to come after me. I have this line from a song that I need to put here..."I don't believe it, but my friends all say it's true. They say you should sit back and let the women come to you. I'm on the look out but I haven't found her yet. I'm an only lonely Romeo and I can't find my Juliet." (500 points to anyone that can tell me who sang the song)

I hate writing about my personal love life like this. I don't know what to expect, but whatever. It's out there. Maybe you know too much of me now. Oh well.

So, someday soon, God will reveal to me my wife, and it shall be glorious and wonderful and exuisite...did I spell that right? I'll sweep her off her feet...sing her love songs, buy her flowers, walk down the water front with her holding her hand as we walk off into the sunset...

and after all...you're my wonderwall

2004-09-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'll post a new blog someday soon...

the soundtrack of my life...high school through now

2004-09-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

So, after much consideration and thought, and after reading Amy's soundtrack for herself, I have decided that I should try and make a soundtrack for myself. This may take a while. It's mostly going to be off of my memory. It is now 10:13 PM. We'll see how long this really takes. Here we go:

High School...1993-1997
Welcome to the Jungle - GNR
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
No Rain - Blind Melon
Unforgiven - Metallica
Enter Sandman - Metallica
Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana
Nice Shot Man - Filter
Come as You Are - Nirvana (first song I learned how to play....well, just the opening riff, on guitar)
Plowed - Sponge
Roselia - Better Than Ezra
Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
Shine - Collective Soul
She Don't Know - Grammatrain
Flood - Jars of Clay
Teenage Politics - MxPx
To Be Awake - Poor Old Lu
Hope for Always - Poor Old Lu
Punk Rawk Show - MxPx
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
33 - Smashing Pumkins
Tonight Tonight - Smashing Pumkins
Rhinocerus - Smashing Pumkins
Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumkins
Zero - Smashing Pumpkins (sorry...they had a lot of good songs :))
Everything Zen - Bush
Vortex - Soulfood 76
Threshold - Stavesacre
Flowery Song - Five Iron Frenzy
My Name is Jonas - Weezer
Undone - the Sweater Song - Weezer
Sorry...high school was four years...there was a lot of music in four years...

The College-Aged Years...1997-2001
If I Had A $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies
Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies
Most Precarious - Blues Traveler
Bus Driver - Caedmons Call
April Showers - Caedmons Call
Never There - Cake
Slow - Collective Soul
Heavy - Collective Soul
Why Part Two - Collective Soul
What's This Life for - Creed
With Arms Wide Open - Creed
Higher - Creed
Blue Comb 78 - Five Iron Frenzy
Dandelions - Five Iron Frenzy
World Without End - Five Iron Frenzy
Lay It Down - Jennifer Knapp
Smile - Outsiders
Angel - Pep Squad
Fishy Song - Philmore
Livin' On A Prayer - Philmore cover
Pipedream - Project 86
One-Armed Man - Project 86
Me Against Me - Project 86
Angel - Slick Shoes
Fight the System - Squad Five-O
Gold and Silver - Stavesacre
Sinner - Ten Times Fast (my buddies band)
Come Down - Toad the Wet Sprocket
The Devil is Bad - The W's
That was approximately a four year perid too...and I was looking through my CD's...the luxeries of using my roomies laptop...

The Latter Years...2001-now
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
Our Love is Loud - David Crowder
Intoxicating - David Crowder
O Praise Him - David Crowder
Building a Better Me - Dogwood (my number one song of late 2001)
Calmer of the Storm - Downhere
Far, Far Away - Five Iron Frenzy
Cannonball - Five Iron Frenzy
Every New Day - Five Iron Frenzy
On Distant Shores - Five Iron Frenzy
Oxygen - Sean Hall
Water - Sean Hall
Everyday - Sean Hall
103 and Other Things - Late Tuesday
To Not Be Let Down - Late Tuesday
How Great is Your Love - Mercy Me
I can Only Imagine - Mercy Me
Spoken For - Mercy Me
Word of God Speak - Mercy Me
The Love of God - Mercy Me
Homesick - Mercy Me
Undone - Mercy Me
Great Light of the World - Bebo Norman
Nothing Without You - Bebo Norman
Wire - Third Day
Scarlet Letter - Sick of Change
Hero - Superchic[k]
Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
Healer - Ten Shekel Shirt
Unashamed Love - Ten Shekel Shirt
Holy is the Lord - Chris Tomlin
Your Beloved - Brent Helming (Vineyard)
Make a Joyful Noise - David Crowder
Wonderful Maker - Chris Tomlin
Worthy - The Worship Room
Come Though Fount - The Worship Room
Holy Moment - Matt Redman

I think that's all for now. I could probably make just a worship list from the latter years...Anyways, it is now 11:10 PM. That list took list took almost an hour to make. I'm kind of hungry and tired, so I shall make my triumphant exit now...oh yeah, I just bought the Garden State Soundtrack tonight. So far, so good. Laters people. Peace

a meaning behind the name

2004-09-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

I was impacted by the words that I heard today from Pastor Mark Warren, Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, and author of the best seller The Purpose Driven Life. He was talking about when he moved to San Diego to start a church, he thought he was going to come and be profound. Then he realized that he didn't have to be. He realized he can be simple and still get the point across. He said there is no need to be profound if you have no way of explaining it.

That made me think that my blog name, not so profound, is simplistically beautiful. It reminds me of what one of my teachers at the Art Institute told me: "Simple is beautiful." In a world of confusion and people's deep thoughts/actions/ways, it's so difficult to pull off being simple. We think we have to make it sound "smart" or make ourselves sound smart by the depth of all our words. The truth is that the same point can be made by sticking to the simple level of what you are doing. The way it applied to me in school was the fact that in the world of design, designers sometimes tend to go overboard and want to add so many elements to one piece of work that it becomes to busy and a jumbled up mess. That was something I never strived for in my design, therefore all my stuff was simple and basic, but done well. It's funny how under appreciated simple can be.

Some simple truths that I know:

One. The simple plan of our lives is to glorify the name of God in all we do and in all we say.

Two. Our daily goal should not be to go make money in our day to day mundane jobs. If you love your job, if you hate your job, if you sit infront of a computer or a copy machine all day, it doesn't matter where you work, do all these things for the glory of the Lord.

Three. God has a plan for our lives. We don't have to worry about it. "As long as you're living out God's will for your life, you're never really going to know what comes next." (Thanks for sharing that Amy)

Simple. Sometimes life may not feel it, but in God's scheme of things, it really is simple. In our simpleness we can be profound. Peace.

the real top five side one, track one songs of all time...

2004-09-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

Well, after I was asked what my real top five side one, track one songs were, it took me a little while to compile a list. I came up with more than five, but I also did this in my office, when I am no where near all of my CD's. So, this was off the top of my head, with a little bit of research to refresh my memory. so, in no particular order, my top five (seven) side one, track one songs of all time:

Artist - Album - Song

Chris Tomlin - Not to Us - Everything
Late Tuesday - Remember We Forget - My Nice-Friend Face
Poor Old Lu - Sin - Complain
Stavesacre - Friction - Threshold
Five Iron Frenzy - The End is Near/Here - Cannonball
Nirvana - Nevermind - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Poor Old Lu - Straight Six - Lie, Lie, Lie

So there, Amy, my top five...I'm sick of typing that out...you get the point! :)

I played softball last night (I love playing softball!) We only have one week left, but last nights games were great. We won both of them. The second team is the one I really wanted to beat. They were a little too sure of themselves and it's always nice to beat a team that gets a little too headstrong. They've got some good ball players though. It was a good game that we came from behind to win. Nothing like come from behind victories.

Well, it's just about lunch time. I better see what's happening for lunch today. Peace

top five side one, track one songs of all time...

2004-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I have officially written a song and recorded it. I didn't do it to publish it, I simply did it to get it down and have a place to go from. I believe the word for the recording is called a "scratch track." So, I have my first scratch track. Yah for me. Well, not yah for me, but more of yah for God! He has blessed me so much in the last couple of days with being able to create music for this one song and write and create music for another one. I am truly blessed.

Last night was my band's (Someday Soon) second worship gathering. It went pretty well. I think that people really were able to connect with God on a deeper level of worship than what is usually allowed for in a church setting. We weren't confined by time, or by a small set list. That's the thing I love about what it is we do. We create that sort of environment. Anyways, my mind has gone blank. I'm done. Peace.

Just going over it...

2004-09-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with my last post, but I was just browsing through my archives and I found a post that I wrote in July about a classmate that committed suicide. I had listed all the classmates I've had that have died. Well, I guess that I never posted that another one died on September 5th. Two within five weeks of each other. And, another one taken in a motorcycle accident (that makes two out of the four taken by motorcycles). Anyways, I don't want to depress anyone, but I just thought that I should keep the death count current. (That sounds really morbid) My class of 97 hasn't been doing so well as of late. My dad graduated in 74 and he says that he's only had three classmates die, that he knew of...That's life for you I guess...you never know when you're going to go. Live life to the fullest. Pursue only the things that glorify the Lord. Okay, that's all.

It is done...

2004-09-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I put my song that I posted, to music. It doesn't happen often, that I write words to a song and actually add music to it. So LAY OFF ME. Just kidding...It probably took me about an hour to get it down solid, and I must say that I like this one. Now, if I can just find someone to come into the church and help me get it recorded so that I don't forget it...I could try it on my own, but then it would need to be edited. I don't have any music editing programs, so that ruins that option. Anyways, after I was finished putting music to that song, I wrote another one! Man, God blessed me with some good inspiration yesterday. So, I don't have much else to say, so I'll put this new song on here. I hopes you's enjoys it. :) I call this one...

Awesome God

Your love is incredible
Your faithfulness, unforgettable
My joy is uncontainable
Your grace is unexplainable

Awesome God, never changing
Amazing friend, always loving
Loving me unconditionally
Promising me eternity
Awesome God, never changing
Amazing friend, always loving

Peace...

Garden State

2004-09-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

So I went and saw this "really wonderful," (as I heard it quoted as I left the theater) movie again last night. It's not often that I go and see a movie more than once, but this one just stirred me the first time I saw it. I got a better chance to digest it this time seeing how I went by myself. (Nothing like seeing a thought provoking movie on your own when you have more time to process what you thought about it).

Man, this movie really fits with the way I have been feeling lately. While I've never been highly medicated on lithium and all the other perscription drugs Large was on, I realized that I have been feeling "numb" to a lot of things in this world. I also felt the same way about the quote he made about home...You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? That idea of home is gone. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place. Dang...I know that feeling. In the three years I spent in school, I got the chance to go home, but it just never felt the same. and then when I graduated I never expected to be back in the house for three years. BUt during those three years, it never felt like it was where I was supposed to be. More on that later...The scene when they are in the quarry really hits me in the heart. It made me want to go outside and stand in the rain and shout at the top of my lungs. Okay, I think I want to go a little deeper on the things I just brought up.

1) Feeling numb to the world: Man, this is something I have struggled with for a while, but I never fully realized it until I "connected" with Largeman. Like I said, I've never been medicated the way he is, but I sometimes do feel just as disconnected. I wander around feeling pity for myself and my situations...I don't make enough money, I'm 25 and still single in a town where everyone marries very young, I lived at home for three years, and the biggest kicker of them all...I have always felt numb to what happens when I die. I know that trusting in God and living my life for Him will pay off in the end, but the thought of eternity scares me. Never ending time. Forever and ever. I think I've grown up (since I had a high school buddy tell me forever is a really long time) just trying to ignore the fact that one day I will die a physical death. I've tried to live my life for God, but always been afraid of what comes next. This movie made me realize that I need to take life as it comes and not be so numb to what goes on in the world around me. I need to take claim of God and that i have future secure for me in the presence of the Lord. And when I die, I will forever be in His presence, even though my human mind cannot comprehend an eternity and the greatness of it and the greatness of God. As I was driving home from the movie, I was listening to one of my Passion Worship CD's and this song came on that just brought tears to my eyes. I don't know if it was the song itself, or just the realization that I have been so numb to everything. Man, I could sure go deeper, but I don't want this post to turn into a 250 page novel of my life...

2) You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? That idea of home is gone. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place. The home I grew up in has not been my "home" since I first moved out six months after I graduated. I was on to bigger and better things...even though I was stocking shelves at a grocery store from the hours of 10PM-7AM. While I am always wlecome back home, it will never feel like my "home" again. Three years on my own, then three years back in the house I grew up in and now, finally back on my own. Well, kind of. I still feel like I'm not really "out." I have a longing in my heart to be in a place that I can call my own, and it's not going to happen any time soon. Unless the Lord blesses me with a large sum of money, I can't afford to even get an apartment of my own...not with all the deposits and such...man, I'm beginning to ramble. Blah...

3) Letting it all out in the rain by yelling at the top of my lungs into the "unknown abyss." I guess this is kind of my yelling at the top of my lungs here...letting out some stuff that has been built up in my for far too long. I want to go spend time outside and write music. I've been feeling a longing in my heart to sit down and write really heart felt music to God. I want to write God-honoring music. Songs that just adore God. Not songs about me and my circumstances. Songs about how great He is and how much I love and adore Him. I'm sick of songs that are so wordy. Songs that tell stories. I just want to worship God for who He is. So, I feel called to write more songs that do just that. I believe that this will be my form of "exploring the unknown abyss."

If you have yet to see this movie, I really encourage you to go see it. And, as my new blog buddy Robyn wrote, there are some scenes not appropriate for all audiences. I have heard mostly all positive feedback about the movie. It is really well down, and really well cast. Zach Braff and Natalie Portman are wonderful together in the movie. Anyways, they also have a really great website here. The whole movie fits how I've been feeling lately. Kind of obscure and artsy. Anyway, this is way too long and I'm sure you're sick of reading this by now. Have a blessed day. Peace...

Faithful

2004-09-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Some people have told me that I haven't written much lately. It's true. My mind hasn't been functioning or thinking much about writing. And when I do want to write, I am too busy to get the chance. So, to keep your interests peeked, I'm going to put one of my songs that I Wrote in here. I would love feedback on it too! (Just a side note though, there is no music for it. See, I write a lot of stuff, I've got notebooks full, but I don't put music to much of it) So, here you go:

Faithful-

My God is faithful and true
My God will never leave me
He loves to love me
For that I am thankful

This is my psalm of thanks
For the faithfulness of my God
I thank you with my life
I thank you with my all
My faithful Father

I want to proclaim Your love to the nations
I want to sing your praise to all
You are the faithful Lord of the nations
You are the faithful Lord of all

You are proclaimed above the heavens
On me let Your glory and fame fall
My faithful Father

rollin with my homies

2004-09-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I feel officially cool now. I am the proud owner of a new 43" B-Line Diesel Longboard Skateboard! Check it out here: http://www.gearguys.com/900068.html. I have been trying to figure out a faster way to get to work without having to drive or ride my bike, which I do ocassionally. I mean, it's only four blocks, and walking doesn't take that long, but now I can cruise in style. I dress the part, now maybe I can officially fit the part. Knowing my luck, I'll fall and break my wrist. Here's to hoping that that doesn't happen. Besides, I'm not going to be trying anything stupid, like ride it down Alabama Hill or anything...that's just plain moronic. Plus, I've always wanted one because they're so much fun. Now I can go down to Boulevard and cruise the strip and still enjoy the scenary. Now...if the darn rain will just hold up...

2004-09-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

A co-worker made me this lovely sign...I'm protecting my name from ya'll though...

it tastes like burning...

2004-09-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Rarely do I get too offended, but I was pretty offended by an article I read today. Some guy from GQ wrote an article about him living in the "Christian culture." He took himself out of the secular world, and devoted a week to watching more of the Christian influenced shows, read Christian news, and listened to Christian music. It all sounds like a pretty good idea, maybe even a good way for someone to maybe experience the goodness of God.

Too bad I got caught off guard by what he said about the Christian music industry. (if you want to read the article yourself, go here: http://www.klife.com/resources/staff/media/GQ-WWJD.html) He was talking about listening to the Extreme Days soundtrack and was mentioning bands like POD and Pax 217. Here's what he said:
"They're not that bad. They're not bad at all, in fact. Because their lyrics are mostly unintelligible, there's no way to know they're even Christian, really. And yet, in the same way one sensed that groups like Abba were singing in a language they didn't speak, one detects a certain falseness in these bands' sound. They're trying too hard, somehow. They have the formula but lack the flair. They're straining at carelessness, but deep in their hearts they do care, one suspects--about their fans, their message, their authenticity. Bottom line: They sound a bit like foreigners--highly talented Asian prodigies whose governments have equipped them with guitars and trained them in some elite punk-rock academy.
These new Christian bands rock like Americans play soccer: skillfully but somehow not convincingly."

It steamed me up so much that I couldn't even finish reading the article. It is such a low blow to the Christian music industry, and to me personally, a Christian musician who sometimes writes his own music. I know that he is specifically pointing to POD and Pax, but he has no right to say that they are trying to hard and not doing a good job. First off, their music is God inspired, as is most Christian music. God blessed them with the talent they have. Who is to second guess them? Arg!

Here's something else that urked me:
"Or maybe it's the power of suggestion that makes the stuff seem counterfeit to me. At the Family Christian Store in Bozeman, Montana, the multimedia spiritual emporium where I bought the CD and my other Ark supplies, a poster above the music racks matches name-brand acts from secular radio with their closest sanctified equivalents. For the atheist teen who has suddenly been converted and wants to carry into his new life as many of his old attitudes and tastes as he can safely manage, such a chart would prove helpful, I imagine, much as a cookbook of sugar-free recipes might help a chocoholic with diabetes. For me, though, the chart confirmed a preconception that Christian rock is a cultural oxymorona calculated, systematic rip-off, not a genuine surge of inspired energy."

Excuse me?! A cultural oxymorona calculated, systematic rip-off, not a genuine surge of inspired energy? That stikes me to the core man. That flat out pisses me off. I know for a fact that people in Christian bands don't set out to emulate the secular bands. That, like he said, is a preconceived notion. Because, if you think about it, all music is a rip-off of someone else. There is no "original" music. Just like there is no original art. Everything has been done before. The difference here is the fact that these bands are put on this chart simply to help people get into the Christian industry. They aren't purposefully setting out to be like the other bands. Yeah, Kutless' first album had a bunch of songs that sounded like Creed, but I don't think that was their purpose. Everyone is inspired by other artists, and unless they're a cover band, I don't think they set out to be exactly like them. Okay, I think I've exhuasted that point now.

Okay, obviously there are Christian bands out there that stink. I know it. I admit it. But who is this guy that he can trash talk Christian musicians solely on his preconceived notions? I woudl hope that Christian musicians' music is all God-inspired and God-breathed, and I hope that God is pleased by the music that Christian musicians are making.

I know this now: I need to get over my anger towards this man and his secualr view comments. Ultimately the truth is this: God loves him and he has just yet to realize it and then see the truth and message behind the music. Now, I may have gotten a little off track from what the article was really about. Honestly, I didn't read the entire article because I got so distracted by those comments. Maybe, if I get over it, I'll finish the article and see that, maybe, he had something intelligent to say. But until then, I'm working on getting the anger towards him out of my heart.

God moves many people through music. No matter what any uneducated, non-Christian man may say about it. I know my life would not be the same were it not for the Christian music industry and bands like POD and MxPx (old MxPx...when they sang about God). Of course, as I age, I lean more towards the quieter, more worshipful music. That's not to say that I don't still like the heavier stuff, but I love bands like Mercy Me and Bebo Norman, etc. There is no way you can tell me that they aren't inspired by God. God uses music and worship to touch people's lives. That's all I have to say. Peace.

have you ever...

2004-08-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt the presence of the Lord moving at any given time? Well, I have. And the latest time it happened was at our worship gathering on Saturday night. I don't think that I would be the only one that would say that God's Spirit was moving through the building that night. It was just incredible. It was a great setting for God to get the things that needed to be done, done. He definately worked on people's hearts, but mine especially. I realized that the whole time I have been a part of this group, I have been completely selfish about it (what's in it for me? How big can we make it?). But, during the song The Heart of Worship, that line where it says it's all about You, it all about You, Jesus, made me come to the realization, that it's not about me. We don't worship to please ourselves. We didn't form a worship band because we want to become big and famous. We started this group to make a worship environment where the time spent can be all about God. Not all about me. Not all about Someday Soon (our decided band name...I'll get to that in a bit). Man, it was just so powerful. I pray that over the life span of this group, that we will always remember that...It's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus.

In other news...yes, we have for the most part decided upon a band name finally. Someday Soon, or maybe Some Day Soon. I don't know if it's supposed to be one or two words. But, it's funny how it came about. Sometime last year, we were jamming, way before we officially formed, and we were talking and all of a sudden someone said something, and the response was someday soon, and we all just looked at each other and were like, that would be a great band name! But then when the official formation came about, we were stumped upon a band name. We threw Someday Soon out there, but didn't know if would really fit with what we were trying to do with this group. The name Roots came up, but that was never really anyone's favorite choice. We were stumped, so we decided to stop trying to come up with a name. We knew that God would provide us with a name when the time was right. And, apparently, the time was right. Joel decided to make an email address to keep people in contact with us, and in creating an account, he used someday soon. So, if you want to know what the happenings of our band are, click here to email us.

Speaking of happenings, I'll give you the new info for our next event.

Someday Soon
Saturday, September 18 - 7:00 PM
Word of Life Youth Center
1986 Main Street, Lynden

That's all for now. Have a great day! Peace.

spread the word

2004-08-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hello out there. Just a reminder of the Worship Gathering coming up this Saturday night. We practiced for it this past Tuesday night and we are all very excited. We know God is going to move and touch people's hearts during this evening dedicated to meeting with Him. So, for those of you that forgot, or want the info again, here it is:

The WORSHIP GATHERING
Saturday, August 28
7:00 PM
North County Christ the King
123 N 17th St

I hope to see many of you there. And, by all means, feel free to bring people. Christian or not. This is an oppportunity to show the love of God. If you have any questions, or need directions, call me...if you know my number that is. Or, you can look at the previous post about the night...it has directions too. Peace.

on Gibsons

2004-08-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

Gibsons, BC. That's where I spent my weekend. The thing I loved the most about the weekend was the refreshment I found there. My life has been go, go, go, for a few(+) weeks, and I've been feeling really run down. Just really sick of doing the same old thing every day. I needed repreave. I needed refreshment and I found it in Gibsons.

It's odd how something you love doing, feels like it's starting to turn into duty. Take for instance, playing on a weekend worship team at my church. I love playing worship, but, as Tobey pointed out, sometimes it feels like duty, rather than serving. Especially if you have to play every three weeks, and you have to play for three different services. Sometimes it just wears on you. Or if you love your job, but have to wind up working on one project for a matter of days or even weeks, you just want it to end, and by the time it's over, you want a break. That's right about where my life is right now. I've been going in certain areas for so long, that sometimes I just want a break. Although, often times, it's hard for me to leave work for more than a day or two because I have no one to cover for me. I'm pretty much the only person that knows how to do what I do. Therefore, I rarely get to get away.

That's whay the trip to Gibsons was refreshing. We got the opportunity to go up there and minister to CTK Gibsons through our worship. It's really neat when you find out that the things you do, that you just naturally do well and love doing, impacts so many people. It's amazing. Here's an example:

After doing our sound check/practice before the service, I told Joel to play the little intro for U2's song, Where the Streets Have No Name. He played it and we all just started jamming on it. Little did we realize how well it would come off. Oh, my, goodness. God is great that way. We decided that it would be cool to play it as people were dismissed after the service got out. And so we did. There were a few people that stayed in a listened as we played. One guy in particular, sat upfront with his head in his hands the whole time. Other people we rocking out to it with us. It went over pretty well. As we were tearing down, and mingling with people, the guy that had his head in his hands came to Joel and told him how much the song impacted him, and that he hadn't been going to church as much as he should, and that he was going to start coming more. Cool right? Well, there's more. Upon Joel telling this story to Kris (the Pastor), Kris told Joel that during the alter call at the end of the service, this guy had raised his hand! Praise the Lord! It's huge to think that we were able to play a part in bringing this guys heart back to the Lord. It's awe-inspiring.

So, this past weekend has had a huge impact on my heart. It was refreshing. It was a chance to serve and to not have it feel like duty. It was also refreshing to have a bit of a "worship room" at Kris and Sue's house the night before the service. We just sat around their living room and sang praises to our God. It was just an overall refreshing weekend...then I came back to work...but I won't go there right now. :) Well people, I hope that you can find time in your busy lives to go to a place to be refreshed. Whether you go to a park, a hike in the woods, down to the water, whatever. Find a place where you can silence your heart before the Lord and find refreshment in Him. It's a beautiful thing. So are you. You are His, and He loves you. What could be more beautiful than that? Peace.

and I'm spent...

2004-08-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days. You go to work thinking that it's going to be a good day. Busy, but good. Then, you get whacked over the head by reality. WHAM! This day is going to suck and be drawn out as long as humanly possible!

Ever get something to work on and then get the supposed "new" version of it, only to find out it's the old version of it and you just did it completdely wrong? Yeah, it happened to me today. Not to mention a bunch of other things getting added to my plate that I don't have the time to do. So is it my fault then that I didn't get a calendar drawn on a white board? Is that really part of my job? I'm sure I'm not the only one that knows how to draw lines with a permanent marker.

Blah! I should just stop complainig though and make the best out of it. Like my supervisor said today: "Hey, it's job security..." Yeah, and if I don't get it done, it's the opposite. Hmmm, funny how that works, eh?

Speaking of eh, I'm looking forward to getting away for the weekend up in Gibsons, BC. I'm always up for a ferry ride to a beatiful coastal area. On the beaches up there, they actually have sand! Can you imagine what the beaches in most of Washington would be like if there was sand on them? So yeah...time to leave work before I punch my computer in the face. I need to nap before I go take tickets at the fair for the Doobie Brothers. Too bad I don't get to watch them...just hear them from outside the fence. Jesus is just alright with me, Jesus is just alright, oh yeah...

hello out there...

2004-08-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

I feel so behind on so many levels right now. I'm behind on blogging. I'm behind on keeping in touch with my friends. I'm behind on some big projects at work. It's time to step up and do my job! So...

Hi friends, glad you could come and join me here. Sorry it's been so long since we've seen each other. I guess the summer has just been really busy for all of us. It will be nice to have summer over so people aren't so stinking busy. I appologize for my lack of contact. I've also not been feeling like I have much to say lately, thus neglecting this here blog site. I had such "wise" words to say before, and I feel like I haven't had much intelligent stuff to say lately. And still, I'm going blank. But, here I am. Take me as you will.

I want to update ya'll on the band happenin's. This weekend will be neat...most of us are going up to Gibsons, BC, to lead worship at the Christ the King up there. Kris, their senior pastor, just dropped off the ferry tickets, so we're good to go. But the "Worship Gathering" I have once spoken about is happening. The date will be next week Saturday, August 28 at 7:00 PM at North County Christ the King (that's in Lynden for all ya'll that didn't know that). It will be a time to just come and meet with God through worship. It should be awesome and we would love it if any or all of you came. Be prepared to be encouraged in worship and encouraged to take your worship life to the next level. It will be rad, and I hope you feel that too.

Okay, so I'm listening right now to the song Hero by Superchic[k}...the Red Pill mix, and man, what a touching song. I've always liked the song, but the red pill mix adds Matt (the bess player) rapping on the end, and it brings me back to seeing them this year at Creation and how intense he was during that song. We have responsibility as Christians to show love to the unloved and to the poor. The time is now to impact someone's life with the love of Christ. That is sooooo important in this day and age. If you get a chance, listen to the song, Hero ont he album Regeneration (I think that's what it's called...I never bought that one).

Okay, so I think I'm out of words right now. Besides I need to get working. :) So I'll leave you with this.

The WORSHIP GATHERING
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 - 7:00PM
NORTH COUNTY CHRIST THE KING
(if you're coming from B'ham...take the Guide to Lynden, hang a right at Front St...marked by the cemetaries on both sides...follow Front St until you hit Fairway Center...the church is in the Northeast corner of the shopping center...come on in!)

PEACE

without love

2004-08-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving." - Mother Teresa

What is the Christian life without love? Without love we have nothing. As Christians aren't we called to be like Christ? And doesn't Christ do everything in love? God is love. Therefore we are to exemplify Him, by showing love. Love for those who persecute us. Love for those who hurt us. Love for those who don't know how to love. Love for the people that don't believe in the one true God. Love for those living in a lifestyle of sin. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

It's pretty simple, really. We can be examples of Christ's love by showing love to everyone we may encounter throughout our days. And who knows...through that love we show them through Christ, they may turn and make that life-saving, life-changing, life-giving decision to be a follower of Christ. Man, Mother Teresa nailed that one on the head.

So my friends, love everyone the same way that Christ has shown His love to you. You never know how it will affect someone that feels unloved. Blessings.

haloscan

2004-08-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

I believe that I have installed Haloscan now too. So, you don't have to be a blogger to comment. Anyone and everyone can comment now. So please, tell me what you think of my stuff. I'm anxious to hear from you peeps. :)

2004-08-09T17:22:00.002-07:00

Mt Shuksan and Picture Lake

2004-08-09T17:22:00.001-07:00

A lake on the drive to the upper lodge of the Mt Baker Ski area.

soaking up sun

2004-08-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

good afternoon to the few that may read this. How was your weekend? Mine was good. Of course as I look back, I can't remember much of what I did. Especially Saturday. What the heck did I do all day? Ah, whatever. I remember Friday. I had a pretty good day. Got some good stuff done. I got 60-some pictures scanned for an upcoming wedding. That was time consuming, but I made decent money doing it (which I have yet to see). I also got a bunch of CD's printed and burned that are chalked full of pictures from my trip that I took to Guatemala back in March. It's was an amazing trip, and it's enjoyable looking at the pictures. It takes me back and makes me, coincidentally, want to go back. So yeah, the CD's look great all printed out. If you want to see some of the pictures, or a lot of the pictures from that trip, check out Justin's website here. There are a lot of awesome pictures.

So anyways, the reason I started a blog today, was to talk about my trip up to Mt Baker yesterday (Sunday). Nothing exciting, just a long drive on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A long beautiful drive on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It's really my favorite kind of driving...curvy mountain roads, with tons of great scenary on the entire trip. Anyways...I was blown away. Can you believe the scenary my God made? Could I be more fortunate to live in this amazing area? I love the mountains, but I also love the water, and there is no better place to get the best of both worlds. If I want to go to the mountains, their a short trip away. If I want to go go the water, it's an even shorter trip. I couldn't be any more lucky. Thank you God for putting me in such a beautiful place. What a beautiful creation. I'll just have to put a picture or two in here to show ya'll what I mean. Enjoy, and please be nice with my pictures. :)

2004-08-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Mt Baker, framed by trees.

My life has reached it's pinnacle...Joe's letting me close the store tonight.

2004-08-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, after all the years of being a child and wanting desperately to drive a Bobcat/Skid Steer, I finally, after 25 years, got to drive one today. My life is now complete. I have reached all my goals in life. I can die happy...oh wait, I haven't reached all the goals in my life...not even close. It's just one thing I have wanted to do since I was a kid, and it has finally been done. I could drive one of those things all day long if I had to. I feel like a real man now. Sweet. Moving on.

So I'm thinking about doig this Master Cleanser thing. It's a liver purifyer. It's a drink with water, lemon juice, pure grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper (to flavor). It dissolves and eliminates toxins and congestion that have formed in any part of the body. It cleanses the kidneys and the digestive system. It purifies the glands and cells. It eliminates all unusable waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles. It builds a healthy blood stream. And it relieves pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries and blood vessels.

I know a guy (Bill, from iambillpower.com) that did it, actually, he used to do it all the time, for a bit and he lost a bunch of weight, and it totally cleaned him out. If I were to do it, I would have to fast for one to two days, and I would have to take two natural fiber laxatives a day, but I would also have to do it while I was at work, or knew that I wasn't going to do anything on that particular day, because I'd be spending a fair amount of time on the can. I know, I know, too much information. Well, we all do it, so get over it! :) Anyways, if anyone wants to try it with me, let me know. I may have talked Rob, our worship Pastor, into trying it with me. I'm always down to shed a few pounds. Oh, to be in the day where I weighed under two dollar bills.

Empire Records...what a great movie.

why, oh why...

2004-08-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Why, oh why, must my PC hate me? What did I ever do to it? All I do is try to use it as a tool for my design work, and it treats me like I'm just a lousy piece of garbage. Why, PC, why?

I wish I had a Mac. They don't have weird little glitches in my Macromedia programs. They run smooth. So smooth and powerful. If only, when I had asked for a Mac, I got one, then, perhaps, life would be just grand. And probably easier too.

The problems I have had today (with just my computer):
a) Freezing when trying to burn a CD. Not just freezing...hard locked. Nothin doin nothin.
b) When I go back to correct something in Word, it erases all the letters in the specific spot, thus having to re-type it all. SUCK!
c) Printers not wanting to print PowerPoint outlines. And then upon restart, prints the one I don't want.

I probably have had more, but that's all I can remember right now. I hate PC's. I firmly believe that PC stands for Piece of Crap, not Personal Computer. But, just my personal opinion.

On a good note: I was able to find a place to buy a needle for the record player I was given! Who would have thought that all I had to do was ask Radio Shack. Well, Radio Shack, God bless you for carrying the specific needle I need for my record player. There is nothing more relaxing to me than laying on my floor, listening to old classic rock records. You know, the good stuff, like Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, John Denver (not so much rock...not at all rock really) and Simon and Garfunkel (musical geniouses, if you ask me). So, thank you Radio Shack for saving my record player. If only you kept them in stock so I don't have to wait for a whole week. Eh, c'est la vie. Au revoir.

Not to toot my own horn...

2004-08-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Soundtrack
Mercy Me - Undone; Sarah Kelly - Take Me Away; Third Day - Wire; Justin McRoberts - random songs

Not to toot my own horn, but I was just called amazing. What a good feeling to know that the work you do is appreciated. Especially when sometimes you feel like your work is inadequate. I've often wondered if the work I do here is portfolio worthy, and if it could ever get me a job in a design firm. I guess I haven't tried since I got this job. Nor have I really wanted to try. I love my job here at NCCTK. The only thing I ever have the issue with is the fact that I make ministry salary. Yes, it is enough to get by on. But, it's hard to build up savings with what is left after paying all my bills. That's another topic for another day.

Today I found out from my best friend, who lives in Notus, Idaho (a little po-dunk town in the middle of no where), had his second child. He had another boy, which, when I talked to him a couple hours ago, they had yet to name. He was born this morning. What a precious gift! I have found lately, from other people of course, that having a child, and the love you have for that child, and the willingness to do anything for that child, brings you to the realization of how God feels about every single person. It truly is amazing.

I guess for me to have a child, would first require having the perfect women that God entrusts to me (He's preparing her for me right now). Of course I, as a human, think God is moving a little slow on the whole woman situation. How selfish am I? It's not up to me. He's got everything perfectly timed out. Why wouldn't He? His timing is perfect. Always has been, always will be. So if my dream girl that God is preparing for me is out there, reading this...How you doin'? Wink, wink... :) Just kidding. Well, I don't have much else to say right now. Later.

where do we go from here?

2004-08-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

It's always hard going to a funeral. Especially when it is someone your own age. Today I got the opportunity to go to the funeral of my classmate, and do my part by showing his family support. It's still tough to think of what makes a person take their life into their own hands. And quite frankly, I may never know, at least until I go to heaven and find out from God. Is it a sickness that clouds your own judgement? It just doesn't make sense to me.

The one thing I rest in is the fact that I now know that this was a man of God. But still, I struggle to know what really happens to someone that takes their own life. Is it a sin that God forgives? Or is it something that is unforgivable? I wish I knew so that I could rest easy. Suicide is such a tough issue. I wish I could see what was going through his head. Was he crying as he chose to do this? Did he contemplate it for a while? Was it a split second decision? Did he think about his family and the pain this would bring them?

I thought about this earlier today. If he would have died of natural or accidental causes, it would have been easier to accept. That is not to say that it would be easy to deal with. Death never is easy to deal with. Especially when it is someone your own age, or especially if it was someone that you were very close to. The death of Andy, my other classmate was not easy. It still is tough sometimes. The hard part of this one is all the questions everyone is left with.

This is tough, and I think I am done with it for now. This is by far my shortest real blog entry. But it's also the hardest. Anyways, may God be with you in every endeavor of your days. Take time to thank Him for your life and the impact you have made on your friends and family. Whether you think no one appreciates you or not, take comfort in the Lord and He will give you peace. Via con Dios.

What goes through your head?

2004-07-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

So for my third post of the day, I focus on a subject that has just affected me today.

I graduated from Lynden High School in 1997. My class size was around 160. There were very few people in my graduating class that I didn't know. So it's always hard to deal with things when one of your classmates dies. I have now had three officially die (officially die? what is that? When your dead, it's official).

Anyhow, Denton was shot and killed my junior year. I was never really close to him. He had dropped out of school before that had happened. A somewhat troubled kid that was starting to turn himself around, shot and killed by a 13 year old kid. Tragic. Even more tragic, his fiance died a few months later in a car accident.

Andy died in a motorcycle accident. that one was a little harder for me. I knew Andy since we started wrestling together in seventh grade. I didn't really get to know him until high school, especially our senior year, when he was my tennis doubles partner, and I wrestled with him everyday at practice. the hard thing about that one was the fact that I lived in AZ when it happened. So, I didn't get to attend the funeral, or see any obituary or anything, so it almost seemed sureal. It's still hard to see pictures of him, five years later.

Today I was struck with the awful news that another died. This one just doesn't make sense to me. How can someone be so selfish as to do the act I'm told he did? This guy had a lot going for him. He was getting married soon, he made it pro in his standout sport. (I'd like to protect his identity...it doesn't need to be spread around). So it just baffles me. It's not like he was one of those guys that you would typically hear about that decideds to take their own life. He wasn't one of those guys that was picked on all the time. He always seemed to be happy (at least to me...a guy that didn't know him too well). Of course I only knew him best through playng football and baseball with him. Overall nice guy. It just doesn't make sense. He obviously had some undealt with issues. You've really got to be in a low spot, where the devil has his grips on you.

It's one of those issues where all I can do is wish that I would have known him better and could have been there for him. But then again, would that have even done any good? I guess I will never know. All I can do now is pray for his family and be at the funeral to support them. I wish I knew how to go about finding out when that will be. I'm sure I'll hear it from somewhere.

No matter how low my life may get...feeling like my friends don't like me, whatever, I could never resort to that action. The place it leaves your family after that is just horrible. Plus I know, that no matter what bad happens in my life, I have a God who loves me and comforts me. If I seek Him, I should never be so low as to take my life into my own hands. Wow...such a tough subject to deal with. Would you please pray with me for his family. For comfort and healing. Thank you. God speed.

I am walking on a wire...

2004-07-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am persuaded by www.iambillpower.com, a guy I knew in Seattle. While some of his beliefs may be different than my conservative (thanks Lynden) thoughts, I am inspired to have blogs similar to his. So, in an attempt to be cool, I am going to do a few thigs here that he does.

1) Sound Track of the Day (He always has who he has listened to during that day)
Third Day - Wire, Falling Up - Crashings, Daydreamer - Worship (that's it so far)

2) About Section (He has a section all about him...I thought maybe I'd do that so y'all know all about me...side thought, I'm not from the south but I've been using y'all a lot lately...kind of random)

MY FULL NAME IS
If I know you, you know...if not, you can call me Chad :)

I WAS BORN IN
Bellingham, WA

MY BIRTHDAY IS
May 24, 1979

WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR BLOOD? (In Bill's words)
I am one of the biggest mutts you will find. But to name a few...Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, Finnish, Greek, Digger Indian and Osage Indian (you'd never be able to tell with my pasty, pasty skin)

SIBLINGS
I have a sister that is two and a half (or so) years older than me (Tracy), and a brother about four years younger than me (Brad)

I CURRENTLY AM LIVING IN
Bellingham, until tomorrow when I make the move back to the peaceful tranquility of Lynden :)

MARITAL STATUS
Single since August 2002

I HAVE ALSO LIVED IN
North Bellingham (4 years), Everson (15 years), Lynden (8 months), Tempe, AZ (5 months), Seattle (2 1/4 years), Everson again (3 years), Bellingham (1 month)

PAST JOBS (IN ORDER)
Roofing w/ dad since I was like 8, Ondeck's Berry Fields (on the raspberry pickers), Subway, The Fair Market, Oshaman's Supersports, Finish Line, The Sunglass Hut, Red Robin, The Fair Market/Food Pavilion

MY CURRENT JOB IS
Director of Publications at North County Christ the King Community Church

EDUCATION
Lynden School District, K-12, Al Collins Graphic Design School (never go there), The Art Institute of Seattle

BANDS I HAVE BEEN IN
Lighted Candles, and my currently un-named band

FAVORITE COLORS
Blue (preferably darker), maroon and green (also darker)...black isn't a color, otherwise it may be on there too

FAVORITE DRINKS
Vanilla Coke, Coke (never, ever Pepsi), Sprite ReMix, water, Gatorade or Powerade, Raspberry Ice Tea

FAVORITE FOODS
Thai, Mandarin, Mexican

FAVORITE LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Sports, guitar, going to concerts, listening to music, taking in God's wonder at Boulevard Park, Homestar Runner, singing, photography (with my digital of course - HP Photosmart 735)

FAVORITE SPORTS
To participate in: Softball, volleyball, wrestling, bowling (although some would argue it's not really a sport), tennis, football (flag or rough two-hand touch)
To watch: Football, baseball (best live, like at Safeco Field), basketball (because I suck at it, it's best to watch), hockey

FAVORITE STATES
Well, I only have liked living in Washington, Arizona was too hot and flat. But, I do like Oregon, especially the coast

COUNTRIES I HAVE BEEN TO
Canada and Guatemala (which I would love to go back to)

SOME OF MY FAVORITE MUSIC
Stavesacre, older MxPx, Five Iron Frenzy, Poor Old Lu, Mercy Me, Collective Soul, Caedmon's Call, Sean Hall, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, whoever I'm into at the moment...changes often...right now, Sarah Kelly, the Worship Room, etc.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS
Well, the only author I have read more than one book of, besides childhood books, is Max Lucado. But I do like Louie Giglio and Matt Redman's books on worship

MY DREAM JOB WOULD BE
Professional musician or MLB player (for the Red Sox or Mariners)

Well, that's all I have for now. I will try to emulate Bill more often. Do you think you know enough about me yet?

What happened to the passion?

2004-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

I spent $30,000 plus on my education. I spent three years eduacating myself in the world of graphic design. I became good at what I do. But, in the process of going to art school, I lost my passion for art. What is the deal with that? I used to love to draw. Drawing was the reason I chose in fourth grade that I was going to be an artist when I grew up. Well, I growed up, and look at what happened...I'm an artist! I got to thank my grandma who encouraged me at a young age to keep up the art. She's been gone now for 15 years and I still recall her looking at my art. She was a great woman. Now God gets to enjoy her company. :) But, as I was saying, I have lost my passion to draw. While I still enjoy it, I really have no desire to sit down and draw, and when I do want to draw, I go blank, so I begin reverting back to the all popular flames. Hooray! $30,000 to draw flames! What a great investment!

I long to be able to go back to the days where drawing was fun, and I was pretty good at it. I miss using my airbrush and making things come to life. I miss my rapidiographs (those are very expensive drawing pens). Maybe I'm not geting pushed enough in the position I am in. Maybe I just got burned out having to be so creative during school. But I want to get back into it. Anyone want to take an art class with me? Maybe even a ceramics class? I did that in high school too. That's a blast.

It's kind of funny though. In my dwindling passion for drawing, I have other passions that have been emerging. I love playing softball. A few weeks ago, I played two tournaments, two weeks in a row. 15 games of softball in a matter of two weekends. And I'm proud to say that we took second in both tournaments. I know, it's not first,a nd it means we lost in the finals both times, but common, second place is pretty stinkin good. Considering the second tournament we were in had twelve teams, to get second is a great accomplishment! Oh yeah, don't forget the two day tournament we are playing in this coming weekend...and yeah, I said I would play fall ball for city league, and possibly coed church league too. Yeah, I live for softball right now.

The greatest passion that has replaced drawing is worship. God has planted it in my heart...of course He did! We're called to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. It's what we were born to do. But more than a passion for worship, I have a passion to lead people into worship. That's why I am excited about my band that I am lucky to be a part of. While I don't get the chance to be up front and center, I still get to lead by example while playing my bass. That's something God has been working with me on...I don't need to be the one singing and leading all the songs. I don't need to be the center of attention. I can still praise God while playing my bass and singing backup vocals. I just have a huge passion for music, and God is using it to glorify Himself. What a great gift!

So what do I do about losing my passion for drawing? I really don't know. I have tried taking my sketchbook with me to places I like to go to be inspired...but ultimately, I don't draw much, or very well. I want to draw what I see. I want it to look realistic. But, I am my own worst critic - at least that's what one of my teachers told me. He didn't point me out specifically...it was more like "You are your own worst critic." When you do stuff yourself, you see the flaws in it that no one else will see.

Anyways, it's lunch time. I am hungry. To food I must be gettin'. Have a blessed day in God's glory.

Long winded

2004-07-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

I honestly didn't think that in starting a blog, I would have so much to say. Guess I have a lot of stuff to say that has been in my head for a while. I hope you can all deal with that. I am curious though...how many people actually read this stuff? If you read these, let me know by commenting, or by emailing me at chad@ncctk.com. Ok, have a blessed day.

Dancing with myself...

2004-07-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that feeling that your friends have abandoned you? I do. It's not that my friends have really abandoned me, it's just that it is summer and everyone is busy working. But, here's what I mean.

When I lived in Lynden, no one ever came out to visit me (well there was the group that came out to my softball game one week...there was a missed communication somewhere, and they showed up with about five minutes of my game left...oops). Of course, I was still living at home and didn't really want to invite my friends to come over and watch a movie with me and my parents...how lame would that be? But I was often told that Lynden is too far away. Too far away? And driving to Bellingham from Lynden is closer than driving from Bellingham to Lynden? Well, no, it's not. My major frustration was that fact that when I did invite people, that was their complaint. So it was okay for me to drive to B'ham to see them...anyways, I think you get the point.

During all ofthis, my friends kept telling me that I should move to Bellingham so that no one has to drive very far. So, the perfect opportunity came up when Seth's room mate moved out. He needed someone to move in and help him finish out his lease. I obliged for two reasons. 1) It was a great chance for me to finally get back out of my parents house (after being there two years and 11 months longer than I had planned...I planned for one month). and 2) I could finally be close to my friends and not have to complain about no one coming out to Lynden to visit me. So all is well, I move to B'ham and all of the sudden, I am completely alone. Seth is out of town camping, and I am left to sit in my place alone. Then Seth gets back and we hang out around the apartment for a little while. The next morning I woke up for work, saw him and then didn't see him again most of the week. (He didn't have a job so he was gone a lot)

My friends knew that I had moved to Bellingham. I'm sure I told most if not all of them. Have any of them called me to hang out and do stuff? Nope. And the times I call them to do stuff, they're busy. So this month of living in Bellingham has been awfully lonely. I've played a lot of X-Box and watched a lot of channel 12, KVOS, until Seth's old room mate came back to get some stuff and stole my little 10 foot coaxial cable. Now we get no channels. Who would steal a 10 foot coax cable? And a Gatorade? Anyways, I've ben alone about 100 times more than I thought I would be.

I think through it all, God has been showing me that it's those times when I'm alone that I need to just sit and talk to Him. Get my pain off my chest and take comfort in knowing that He is always there for me, even when my friends are not. But still, it depresses me to know that when I go home tonight, I will be all by myself, again. (Seth got a job where he is out of town Mon-Fri, and his lease ends on Saturday...therefore, he is moving back home, because he doesn't want to pay rent when he's only going to be home for two days a week). You would think that these times alone would be good times of worship and talking to God, but in my own humanness, is that what I do? No. I play X-Box, or try to watch a DVD. What will it take for me to willingly go home to be by myself and meet with God? I guess my problem is that I have a hard time doing that for so long. I'll be fine for an hour or two, but then I seem to get bored, and want to be around my friends. It's a vicious circle.

So, Friday is my day off. Friday is now moving day. I am moving back to Lynden. Hooray! I really am excited about this. It may seem kind of weird at first because I am moving in with a married couple. See, they own their house, and they have a full basement that they are converting into an apartment. This apartment is no where near completed, but until it is, they are going to rent me a room in their upstairs that is not in use. The nice thing about their place is the fact that it is only about 4 blocks away from work, which is awesome. I will now begin walking to work (I'm not going to start up my car to drive four blocks...that's not good for your car). I can also bring my dog with me, because they have a fenced in back yard for their dog. That is neat.

My hope is that moving to Lynden will put me back in a place where I can see my friends out here more often. The people I know will keep me busy. Keep me out of trouble. But realistically, it may not be any different than when living in Bellingham.

So this part of my life, God is having me experience loneliness, so that I will understand that I am not supposed to be lonely. In my times of craving to have human contact with someone, I am supposed to reach to him and let Him fill me and hold me close. What is so hard about that? He created me, formed me, and yet I have a hard time turning to Him when I seek attention? What is the problem with me? I guess I'm only human, and make mistakes.

Of course I'd like to think that having a significant other would help solve this loneliness, and to a point it would. But, I think God is showing me that until I am content in Him, I can never be fully content and satisfied with a relationship with a woman. I long for that day.

Okay, fo rme not thinking I had anything to say today, I wrote another stinking novel. I hope I have not bored you to death. I seem to have lulled myself to a half conscious state at my computer. Time to wake up and get some more stuff taken care of. Peace.

2004-07-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite picture of myself taken in Guatamala. What an awesome trip.

Dangeresque One: Dangeresque Too?

2004-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

As I promised, fun stuff about my band.

We had a fantastic practice last night. We learned a couple new worship songs that are both very cool. One slow, intimate song (Your Beloved) and one celebratory song (I don't remember the name of it though). Anyways, things are coming along just swell.

For those of you that don't know, I am in a band that has a heart passion to lead people to God through worship music. Worship is a time where you can lay all your burdens down and truly open yourself up to meet with the Lord. It has been a passion of mine to lead worship for a couple years now. It's funny how God will gift you in one area, and how He has a plan to use you in that area. Case in point: I've been a worship leader for some sort of youth minstry and college minstry for the last three years or so. God really put a passion in my heart to play and lead worship. Be a lead worshipper, if you will. I knew that God was calling me to do something more than youth worship.

So I began seeking out to find out what this was exactly. Was I supposed to go to school in Memphis (Visible School) and go through their worship leadership program? Was I supposed to take on an internship at Bellingham CTK? Was I supposed to be a worship team leader at the INN? Was I supposed to be a worship coordinator for Elevate? These were all things I started to look into and pray about. Then I was having a conversation with the best guitar player I know, Joel VanMersbergen, and he had shared with me that after he got married, he was stepping down from youth minstry at his church because he felt God calling him to do something greater with worship. I told him that that was right where I was too. Come to find out, he had talked to Tobey and Aaron about this too, and God haad at one time or another, planted the same vision in our hearts. God had done the same thing for our keyboard player, Erica, too. Like I say, it's funny how god has plans to use you where He gifted you, and it's funny how those plans come together. It's divine.

Of course, we weren't without our snags once we got started. There have been some issues, but we've all worked and prayed through them, and now everyone is on the same page. The mission of this "project" is to "Lead people to God through worship." What a simple and beautiful thing to do. It's what God has called us to do, and we are all so excited about it. We know it has a huge potential of becoming something really great. As to what that is, no one knows, but we are trusting that God will do good things through us and with us. It's super exciting.

So, with that in mind, we are pressing on. We have tenatively slated a date to have our first "event." Of course, we have no name, and we don't have a place to play yet, but we are excited to know that God will provide both a venue and a name that really hits the mark with what our mission is. So, with all that said, anyone that reads this is invited to join us as we come together and seek to meek with God in a time of worship. The tenative date is August 28. If anyone knows of a place around Lynden that would be a good spot, we'd love to hear your ideas.

We want people to be excited to come and worship God. We are excited, and we have supporters that are excited to see what will become of this. Would you, the reader, help spread the excitement we share? Would you invite people to come to this event? We're not doing this for the glory of anyone but God. We don't seek to becoem rich and famous through this. We have one desire...to lead people to God through worship. If you long to find a time of worship to the Creator of this world, we would love for you to come. I will post more information as soon as we find a venue and a band name. Any ideas? Let me know.

One last thing, will you keep us in your prayers? Because this is a God ordained thing, we have all experienced some sort of attack from Satan, and we need constant prayer support. Thank you so much. Stay tuned for more info...

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

2004-07-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

I know this post will have the potential of offending someone or making someone upset, but it's something that has been on my mind for a few weeks now and it is something that just needs to be said. I'm talking politics today, and the role that we as Christians shhould be playing in them.

Please don't get your preconceived notion that I am a republican that is going to be bashing the democratic and other parties. That is not my goal. I don't care what party you think you represent. It's not the party that is the important issue.

Did you know that as Christians, only one third of registered Christian voters actually vote? That is proposturous! We as Christians should be taking charge and voting for the people that support the Word of God and adhere to the laws set before us by God. We need to get over our preconceived notions that so-and-so is a bad person because he did this and that...there are more important issues than the fact that our current president took us to war. Get over it. The fact of the matter is that we have a president right now that is a man of God. He and his staff every morning pray together as they set out to be the leadership of our great country. I'm not saying that W is the best president ever...he is certainly no Ronald Reagan, and yes, there are some steps he should have taken as far as foreign policy go. Okay, I'm done with the president issue. That is not what I wanted to talk about here.

As Christians, we should be supporting the candidates that uphold the Word of God. That means that we as Christians should not be supporting candidates that support things that Christians should not be supporting. Take for instance abortion, or the hot topic of the year, homosexual marriages. We as Christians should be studying and researching what the candidates support and what they oppose. If they are supporting something, like abortion, that Christians should not be supporting, the thing to do is simply not vote for them. (You can get packets mailed to you if you go to www.cc.org) It's time that we stand up and speak out the Word of God on our country. We can't sit on the sidelines anymore and say that our vote doesn't count or that we'll let someone else do it for us. We can't let the press tell us what we think, or fall under the popular belief. Find it out for yourself. Stand up for the Lord, and for the men and women that are working to uphold the Law of the Lord in our country. America was founded on Chritianity and the belief of Christ. We can no longer be pushed around and let people tell us that our founding fathers we athiest. It simply is not true. Out of all the people that signed our Constitution, there were only three that were not Christians, and a great majority of the others had gone through seminary. (I think most of that information is correct.) If you want to know where I got my facts, you can listen to the amazing sermon my pastor gave on the Fourth of July. Find it here. It's a rather large mp3 file, so give it some time to download. It will be worth your while. Trust me.

I'm stepping down off of my soapbox now. I've just been needing to get that off of my chest. That message moved me so much that I cannot be silent about it anymore. Please, please, please, just listen to the message I linked you too.

Like I said, I know that this could possible offend soem people, but it needed to be said. Please don't hate me. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, I would be more than willing to listen/read them. Stand up for what you believe in.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord - Psalm 33:12

PS...I may be back later today to talk about my band and the happenings with that. :) Stay tuned...

Look who thinks he's clever Dan.

2004-07-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought after reading my friend Stacey's blog site, that it may be fun to post one of my own. I am not quite the literary type person that she is, so mine may not be anywhere near as clever as her's, or as profound. I just thought I need a place to write down my thoughts, quibbles (do I really know what that means?), and things that I am learning. So, there you have it.

I shall start with something I learned while at Creation Festival 2004.

It was the first night of CW ot' 4, and we had just finished a wondeul worship set led by none other than Chris Tomlin (amazing, by the way). I had been looking forward for a long time to see the speaker of the evening (Rob Bell). As I thought he would, he gave an amazing talk that kept me intrigued and stimulated. Now, I'm the type of person that will hear a sermon, be moved by it, but a few hours later, completely forget the major points that were made. But, my friends, I did remember one point he made, that I find true and thought provoking.

We've all heard people say, "Yeah, I was at this great event, and God really showed up..." Did God really show up? Or is it more like God was always there, and He just showed Himself to you bigger than you could think or imagine? If we think about it, God is everywhere at all times. He is sitting with me right now in my office as I type this. He is at our church worship services. He is also there when you are hurting and at your wits end. The main point being this: God was there the whole time. He just made Himself more obvious to you when your heart was more open to Him. We can't go through life hoping God will show up when He is always present in every situation of every day. We need to open our hearts to Him daily, and He will daily reveal Himself to us.

That's a comforting thought to me. I know that God is always present in my life. I don't need to wait for Him to show up. Wow. That's comforting.

As far as the rest of Creation went, I over all, had a great time. It's always good to be able to get away for a few days and focus your full attention on God and spend time worshipping, and hearing His Word. I saw many good bands, but few really stood out to me this year. I will list the ones here that I really enjoyed: Superchic[k] (always a fun show), Chris Tomlin, Big Daddy Weave, Audio A, Delirious, Jeremy Camp, and the one that suprised me the most was Sarah Kelly. Man, she really just put it all into her worship. It was awesome, and her CD is realy good too. Anyways, if you get the chance, you should check her out.

Well, I think that is enough for my first post. I don't even know how many people will read this. It's just a place for me to write down stuff that is floating in my head. Sometimes it may be profound, but sometimes it may just be silly. That's all.