soli deo gloria

Road trip

2007-07-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

The past week brought a 4-day trek to Dothan, Alabama. One of my lifegroup guys, Sean Shrewsberry (i prefer shnozberry), and myself went to meet up with my worship leader friend Josh Hilliker for me to play a camp.

6 1/2 hour drive. Did I mention the most horridly boring scenery on this huge creation?

No matter, it was a great time of fellowship, food, and fun (the three f's i like to call them). I was doing what I was put on this earth to do, and building some great new relationships. Sean was meeting new people, hanging out, having fun, and selling merch like a madman.

I got awesome alone time with sean: plenty of great conversation and relationship time. I love that guy.

It was by far my favorite road trip ever.

If I could do some sort of that --meaning playing, traveling, serving in that manner-- for the rest of my life, I would be completely in the zone. I pray I get options to serve in many different ways and places, trust me. Whatevers in my plan, I'm game.

I find myself contemplating this quite a bit since this morning. I taught our sixth graders about the Body of Christ, specifically the section in 1 Corinthians 12:12. It amazed me as I read aloud to them the simplicity in understanding that through Christ we are saved, we are connected in this huge body of believers, and all specifically and uniquely placed with our gifts and passions to help serve one another and glorify God.

What a wonderfully structured plan.

I simply find no greater joy than worshipping God through music, and in awe that such a sinner and unworthy as myself can tap into and be a part of something so huge that my petty words cannot even near begin to touch it.

soli deo gloria

le District de Columbia!

2007-07-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

This city is full of shapes.

And washingtonians. Quite impersonal, quite rushed.

Surprising how allowed [and common] homelessness is here, as they reside where they please. Very nice, though distressed, people I've run into living on the streets.

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People without faces,
Streets, lines, shaping
All that is and will become
High rise boxes, sleeping strangers.

Sidewalks made homes,
Homes made silent,
Everything stays
Nothing relying

On anything bigger than itself.

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I wish I knew how to fix things like this, rather, how to react. I'm not speaking of tossing change at them.

I only know to show love, build relationships, and depend on Him to interfere.

It's all I have to fix my eyes upon.

We must serve, if we are really doers of the word. That's what I'm really saying.

James 2:14-17.

I didn't see it coming

2007-07-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

I hit a deer tonight.

However, my viewing of the new Harry Potter movie has surpassed all negative emotions, making it very difficult to be upset about it. I've killed deer with guns before. Several times. I'm not sure why he jumped out at me. I was driving on my side.

I took a sweet picture of the road while I was driving this morning in black and white. I was trying to capture the lightning shooting around me, but was not successful. It was quite an "ah hah" moment, I'll say. The clouds were low, the city lights aiding their reflection above me. The lightning spread about the sky orange. In the backdrop, you could see an almost transparent crescent, outlined in deep red.

My first thought: How are You so marvelous, God? How can these things above, around, beside, and underneath us be so perfect? He created it all. From his mouth. He spoke it into this world. I find myself wanting to ask "How did you do it?" I hesitate, though, for I know the mystery creates this inner-excitement, full of child-like wonder and amazement at the things He molded and formed and made happen. I don't want to know how He did it. I'm quite content with knowing only that it was Him, and for these things I am thankful. Such a loving Father it takes to give us joy in Him and His creations.

It's funny how we're reminded us of things so often, yet I'm not quite sure how often I notice them.

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." // Jeremiah 32:17

p.s. the deer merely nicked my right side. i'm completely expecting it to be running amuck as we speak alive and healthy. just saying.

Inconsistency

2006-10-31T23:46:00.000-08:00

It might as well be my middle name. I will forget about this blog often. I will be "too busy" to summarize my thoughts into a synopsis of sometimes menial words that no one will comprehend except myself.

No one may actually read this. I don't know.

For now I will end with this, for it best fits my thoughts lately:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -- Matthew 11: 28-30