My thoughts are not your thoughts. . .

New Blog

2007-09-25T21:38:00.000-05:00

www.bringyourlife.wordpress.com

that's the new blog. be checking that from now on as this one will no longer be updated!

Google

2007-09-15T07:36:00.000-05:00

My Google account has somehow become quite unuseful--everytime i want to log into blog it will not let me and then i have to go through a 4 step process of resetting a password...only to have to do the same thing everytime i log in.

but do not worry.

i'm working on creating a new and improved blog through another host. I'm exctied, i think it will give me more opportunities to be creative with layouts and pages. i'm hoping to have that up and running within the week, i will post the link here when it's finished so that you guys can all get the new web address!

The Story

2007-08-26T22:34:00.001-05:00

So here's a breif explanation of the events around the time of the "incident."

i turned it on and it came up with a flashing file folder with a question mark. like a good apple person i went to apple support and followed their steps for disk utility and alas, we find problem #2. the hardrive is not mounted. regardless of their suggestions, the drive will not show up even in disk utility in order to repair. Shortly following, the online support suggests readers to call via the phone if these steps did not fix the error. So I called. after brief discussion with some fellow by a first name that began with the letter "g" he says that they will most likely need to set me up for repairs...in which all of my data will be lost and therefore i should seek a third party to access my data before calling again and setting up a way to get it back to them.

a frantic e-mail was sent to my steve, who kindly made time to work on my computer that evening, though all we were able to realy ensure was that we couldn't fix it.

if you did not already know, there's apparently a mac-certified service location in north canton, so i went by there wednesday morning to see what they could do. although they service macs on-site, they do not do repairs to my exent there (including fixing the plastic) so they shipped it out to the big apple service center. that is, the same one that compusa or the apple store would have shipped it to.

a guy with the a name coninsidentally again starting with the letter "g" said they do over-night shipping back and forth, and the earliest he's ever seen one come back is friday when sent out on wednesday but to prepare for about a week of computer-less time. (my ears apparently skim the last part of people's names when they tell them to me)

much to my delight, i recieved a phone call friday early afternoon informing me of my computer's safe return. they replaced the keyboard/palm area, the entire top case, hardrive, and logic board. earlier this summer applecare also replaced my battery. thus my weekend has been full of sorting through old photos and reloading applications...and of course backing everything up on a hard drive i couldn't possibly ever completely fill up.

Poor Corydon.

2007-08-26T06:53:00.000-05:00

My computer died last tuesday. fortunately, to my delight...i was able to send it out to apple on wednesday morning and recieved it back friday early afternoon. thus my lack of updating...i have been frantically tring to recover and get things set for school to start this week (i lost everything on my computer). luckily, most of my information was backed up in various places such as external hardrives, flickr, ipods, etc. I did still lose some things though. I'd guestimate that i'll probably be able to access about 75% or so of the things i lost through those means. unfortunately, anything that was not backed up somewhere i lost. so pictures, artwork, and anything to do with rivertree is gone. i will update more later...but for now i'm heading off to rivertree for services this morning.

Books?

2007-08-10T19:57:00.001-05:00

Does anyone know of any hiddent treasure local bookstores around? It's not exactly the easiest thing to gauge online, so i figured suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

The Believer

2007-08-09T19:27:00.000-05:00

Last night i watched the movie "the believer." I'm still not sure how to process the film actually. I love films like that because they leave you with this with this unexplicable unsettledness. it's not that there isn't a resolution either, it's just that it leads you to continue to think about it even after it's end.

the movie is based in modern new york and follows danny, a 20-something struggling with the dissention between his beliefs and his heritage.

this movie probes the questions of religion, family, and self-hatred and it's an examination into the forces of religion and intolerance both within the individual and for society as a whole. Danny is torn as he processes how to live in light of his jewish heritage and how he observes religion and faith in the world.

God is Green

2007-08-05T20:13:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to a few podcasts lately, one of which is the Mars Hill podcast. Many of you have probably heard of that church, or atleast Rob Bell before i'm sure through noomas and the books velvet elvis and sex god.

the past few weeks they have been challenging listeners to think more about the envirionment and the christian responsibility to really be the church. not necessarily dealing with the environment, but one thing that was discussed that really struck me was that we often give money and donate material things to organizations that serve people. why do these organizations exist? perhaps, according to their suggestion, it is because the churchis not really caring for people the way it should. what do you guys think?

we have accountants, educators, and engineers. aren't these the same people that our donations go to support? so we are choosing to give our resources to people to do a job we can do in the church? should we be doing these things to further the kingdom rather than to promote celebrity.

what do you guys think about this? moreover, what are the practical implications for us. you and me. the people living in USAmerica? check out the one titled "Do you realize how far we are?" from June 3rd.

Rob Bell makes a great statement..."why do these agencies get to have all the fun?"

Pretty

2007-08-04T21:20:00.000-05:00

Wow. I'm not even going to try and give some lame excuse for not updating my blog (though the work one from the previous post is truly quite honest).

Just some updates in my life as of lately. I'm working a lot. House-sitting a lot. Summer is flying by and i don't even know what it is that i've been doing. I'm designing my own shirts...that's probably one of my most intriguing endeavors this summer. nothing extremely complex, but just things that will make people think a little hopefully.

the whole inspriation for this was birthed sometime in the spring. not necessarily the clothing idea, but rather, what lies behind it. in a way i feel a little contradictory saying this because i work at old navy...but then again...i don't by much printed clothing from there. anyway....i've become sick and tired of how people (sadly often including myself) have fallen into the american trap that you have to look and be a certain way to be beautiful. this is just overall...i don't think it's a bad thing to want to look nice, but i'm tired of someone telling me what it means to be beautiful.

i think we need to redefine what that means. it might be doing something that is "trendy" it may be going against the grain. you know what....it's not even going to be the same for every person. be beautiful. be who you were created to be.

work, work, work...

2007-06-24T21:32:00.001-05:00

Basically the last week of my life has been ridiculously crazy. I have a part-time job this summer....yet i've worked/will work 8 days in a row and over 35 hours. i know this is all part time still, but add in alive, rivertree (youth and main services), and trying to manage a social life. i'm just not sure if it can be done. i don't even know what to do to relax at this point. i work tomorrow at 6am again.

i've been listening to azure ray today. a few of her lyrics today completeley hit me. she seems to get it.

this never ends.

Faithful

2007-06-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how God has proven himself so faithful in the past few months. absolutely mind-blowing.

moreover, who thought the agent of this to be a car insurance company?

God works in mysterious ways...far beyond my comprehension.

The Tree.

2007-06-05T13:48:00.001-05:00

i've been home about a week now from vacation. i've been working a lot at old navy and getting myself established into a summer schedule. the trip was awesome! we had a blast staying down there and relaxing for the week. the only thing that really made me think a lot while i was down there is how missionally forgotten tourist areas seem to be. I mean, even myself went down there to vacation rather than to serve. i mean, these people literally served us day and night...who is serving them? shouldn't we be? i kept an eye out for churches but probably only saw 2-3 the whole time (minus university boulevard, assuming that the mexican universities may be somewhat affiliated with Catholicisim). I feel like i've got to many ideas and not enough resources to be proactive in the matter. yet i know we live in one of the most resourceful places on the earth. it's all a little paradoxal if you think about it.

but to keep catching you up on life....

Old navy has been going great. i really enjoy working there, especially doing shipments when you're in the store before it opens and just working away. i was there from 6am-11am today.

Also, i'd highly suggest if you have a little spare time on your hands (about 30 min or so) to take a listen to the sermon from last week at the Tree. This is not about the church, it's about the Church. it's not about us, it's about us all together. i cannot believe that i am able to be a part of a church that is pursuing and seeking out how to live in a way to really be the Church. that's a lot of church talk.

Vacation

2007-05-19T04:04:00.000-05:00

I'm leaving for vacation in about 30 min. i shall return on saturday evening at some point! have a great week guys!

School's Out.

2007-05-15T15:47:00.000-05:00

In an effort and as the school year came to a close, i sort of neglected this blog for a while. here's been what's up lately. I just got a job at Old Navy, which is very relieving because i was beginning to get worried about getting a job. I'm going to be staying around Canton this summer (i say that as if i've left in the past, haha) and working at RiverTree and Old Navy. I start training/orientation on friday at old navy, and then leave on saturday for vacation with my family. i'm really looking forward to getting away and relaxing for a week cause it will be the first family vacation we've had in a few years. It's really just going to be a continuation of what i've been doing lately though cause i've really just been relaxing around here and job-hunting. Thus far i've read a lot of books that i slowly gathered during the semester. my plentiful pile of "to-read" books seems to be shrinking at an incredible speed.

interestingly enought, it seems as if i'm being unintentionally presented this summer with two sides of a postmodern argument. i realized that out of the books i've collected at random to read, many of them are advocating either the embrace or rejection of the church's embodiment of culture. i'm not sure exactly where i fall on that yet, moreover i'm not sure if a person needs to be on one side or the other. my question is this...is there room in the Church for both the embodiment of aspects of culture for the proclamation of the gospel as well as and overall rejection of culture in other cirlcles for the spread of the gospel? i would love to hear you're thoughts on this.

as this year has closed and i've finished up my classes i've reflected a lot on what i've learned this year. as that previous question asserts, i've realized how central the idea of unification is in my personal theology. literally everything i hear, read, or see, all comes back to the question of "how is this dividing or unifying the church?" i've been really encouaged to explore some writing this summer and am going to hopefully write a paper or two this summer. two specific topics have sparked my interest thus far.

An Apology

2007-04-29T14:36:00.000-05:00

Sorry about that last post guys. i didn't end up being by myself last night actually. :)

i realized a lot last night. about me, about myself. it was a good night. an encouraging night.

look at the library thing i added on the right, it's a cool little thing i found off of JR's site. (he alwasy has cool programs on his) I'll talk to you all later!

mALONE

2007-04-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

Finals have been nasty this year. I've sitll got 2 left. on monday, one tuesday. Summer is more than quickly appraoching. I've put in a few applications at several places loooking for a second job, i've still got to do some follow up with those to see what's going on with them though.

I had a few days to rest last week before reading day, which i actually read on. i, similar to mo, am excited for school to be over mostly so that i can have the time to read again. just in these few days i had off i read almost 3 entire books. (not any particularly long ones though)

i feel like i could literally fall asleep right now...but i'm at malone, so i really don't have any place i could go to nap for a while. i'm actually starting to wonder why i drove out here. sometimes i just get discouraged cause i'll make a point to try and be around people and i just end up sitting around by myself all day.

Worship

2007-04-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Feel the power
In your hearts and souls and minds.
Listen to the cries and shouts of joy.
For the Lord has defeated death
For my Lord has brought brought me new life
I will sing
A song of triumph

I will feel it
In my car
Yes
In my car

Portage Guy

2007-03-29T19:51:00.000-05:00

So I was driving home from school today like normal. no big deal, nothing out of the norm. these days driving has been quite a different task. this year i decided to partake in lent. so, for the past 5ish weeks i have not listened to music in my car at all. i know. it seems kind of small and minute...and indeed, it is. but music is a huge deal to me. it's been weird, and it hasn't necessarily gone as i thought it would, yet it's still been good. for the first week or so i realized how much i would literally separate myself from the people around me while i was on the road. for the first few days i remember driving down the normal streets but seeing new things. it's like i never even looked at what was around me while i was driving. anyway, there's a reason for all of this.

these past few days have been especially cool because i've had my windows down. i'd be driving and hear all the things around me that i wouldn't normally hear. the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the wind is blowing. you can just feel Him all around you. but something happened today, in the process of seeing and hearing all of this...i witnessed the cruelty of the world. You guys know portage guy right? you know, that guy who stands at the 77N-Portage exit. he's there anyday it's not freezing cold. same sign. same clothes. "Stranded" it says. stranded from what? stranded from who?

you pull up. look over his way. he won't make eye contact. he's got it figured out. most people probably don't want to make eye contact with him. so today was different. i pulled up and was first in line. stopped at the red light again. he was there. to my left. do i look? i don't have money. then i hear it. i hear it because i have my window slightly down. something that broke my heart. a car drives by on portage and you hear a yell. a voice. insulting this man. this one that's there everyday.

i sat there. comepletely shocked. how do i love this man? i prayed. right there. "Help him know that you love him and that he is valued, even when the world tells him otherwise"

So how do we respond to this? i'm completely baffled. how do i show this man that God loves him...am i just as at fault as that person driving by that yells at him if i don't say anything at all?

Happy Birthday

2007-03-28T07:18:00.000-05:00

As of today, my blog is officially 2 years old. I figured I'd reminisce through some of the old posts....it's cool to see how God has worked through my life. Keep an eye out cause that'll be posted soon!

David Crowder

2007-03-21T15:35:00.000-05:00

Yes....word is out! David Crowder and Co. are back in the studio recording for their upcoming cd. No word on when it's due out yet, but I can't wait! I'd suggest maybe keeping an eye on his blog or the dcb website...recording times are always particularly amusing becuase of the ever-so-immanent blog world. haha.

so check out his blog here and the official website here.

This next month has the potential to be a lot of different things for me. For those of you who don't know yet, the youth sunday services are taking a 6 week break this spring for a few logisitcal reasons. April 8th is easter, so we will not have service that week, then the following four are the "pure sex" series in the big-service. Specifically, we really want to encourage everyone to go be a part of that service and engage in the important messages taht are being taught those weeks. That series actually concludes with guest speaker Mike Foster from XXXchurch. Then the following week is mothers day--i'd say that's a notable day to stress being with your family. So that's that. For 6 weeks i will not be leading worship in the student ministries. However, I'm hoping that this may be an opportunity for my involvement in the downstairs services to increase this month as well as simply just being a part of services. In addition to those, I will basically be living on my own for the next month. I am house-sitting for a week, home for 3 days, house-sitting somewhere else for another week, home for a week (with grandparents in town), then they (including my parents) leave for 10 days. I think it will be nice, but strange to be home but not really "home" for a whole month.

The one thing that is quickly approaching is April 1st. No, not in the sense that it's april fools day--but that Shane Claiborne is going to be in the area. First at First Christain on Sunday then Malone for Chapel on Monday. I will definitly be making the first hike over to the new "Johnson Center" for the year since I haven't had to attend chapel all year. As with Rob Bell's new book Sex God (which is phenomenal, by the way), Shane Claiborne's book (Irresistable Revolution) is the other one that i read over the first part of spring break. He really challenged a lot of contemporary thinking and i loved it. Do I 100% agree with everything he said? Well probably not....but i sure do respect what he has to say. he's got some great insight and vision for some of the things that are really starting to hit home for me. One of which is some of the financial (and dare I say hypocricial?) choices of the Church today.

Well, I must return to the ethics paper. Talk to you all later.

As I Promised

2007-03-07T00:52:00.000-05:00

Things have been great thus far for spring break. I've basically been able to do a lot of reading and hanging out and relaxing that i don't typically get to do with school all the time. I read sex god in two sittings--yes, i thought it was that good. i'd highly suggest it if you're looking for a book to read or have some spare time. I'm going to have to start working on some schoolwork soon though, i've got to get some done or else i'm going to be going nuts with papers when school starts again.

the stuff i was talking about in the last blog really isn't even all that defined. i mean, there are a lot of things going on recently, but i've just felt this strange feeling like god is going to be doing something soon. i've said over and over again that i feel like i've been put in a position at malone and rivertree to basically be a sponge and learn everything i can, and i think i'm starting to feel that it may be time, or that i may have an opportunity to begin to apply what i've been learning somehow. i have no idea what that looks like or what is going to happen...if something is even going to now.

well i'm beginning to dose and i've got a meeting rather early tomorrow morning...well early for spring break that is.

goodnight world.

Break Yet?

2007-03-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

3 exams tomorrow.
I'm kind of nervous
not because i dont' know it
well atleast i think i do
mostly because it's just so many

i need to fill you guys in on some stuff
some ministry stuff
about worship
and jesus
haha
could i be more vague?
probabaly not

okay
study time
again.

goodnight.

Hello Again

2007-02-21T19:07:00.000-05:00

Well as of this past monday i'm back at home. I'm happy to be home but i kind of sad that i'm not out there on my own anymore. I'm at muggswigz now though. I haven't been there in almost 2 weeks! That's a ridiculously long time for me to go without muggswigz! It was partly cause i didn't feel like making a ton of trips back and forth from the house and back to Canton everyday. Though i love the smell of wednesday nights...it's when they roast the coffee.

it never ceases to amaze me the kinds of people that end up down here. not bad..but just realizing how everyone has thier own story. i think too often we get too wrapped up in our own self-centeredness, that we forget that just like us, everyone else has a story that encompasses hundreds and thousands of people that you don't even know...or in some freakish way everyone can connect to on another. There are people studying, others reading, others on a date, and yet another person sitting here on the phone setting up trust funds for their children "just in case."

A part of me wonders if we all live too much wondering and worrying about that "just in case." everyone has a story and yet we are so focused on our own. but in reality it's not even our own. our own is such a small fragment of the world. it's like sometimes we can't see past our own and realize that there is a world of people not even connected to us or that we don't even know.

Snowy Days

2007-02-13T15:23:00.000-05:00

Classes at malone were cancelled today. well not all of them, i still had theology and ethics...all classes in the afternoon were cancelled though. that was pretty sweet. it's not too often that college classes are cancelled. i was actually contemplating skipping anyway. haha. Today was a good day though, i've been having a lot of great days lately.

I cancelled creation and worship for the night too, so i'm just hanging around here for the evening. i should probably do some homework or reading or something. i think i'm going to try and start working on my theology paper this week. i'm house-sitting, so i was thinking of taking advantage of the alone time to write and think. the paper is basically a 15 page statement of faith. well i'm going to get some reading for romans done. goodbye!

Live Music

2007-02-04T17:20:00.000-05:00

So, i've been listening to a lot of live music lately. I'm not always a fan of it because the audience annoys me after awhile...but i love the creativity that stems from a recording of a live concert. it's when you can really tell how talented an artist is. i guess i've also been really amused at listening to the crowds more too. i love that as soon as they figure out what song it is they all go nuts...but it also makes me laugh more because it usually takes them much longer than it should if they really know the music of the performer. haha. or maybe that's just me. my thought processes are so strange sometimes. i mean, if i were going to go see my favorite artist, i'd know waht thtey were playing as soon as they hit the first note. haha. Okay, sorry, that was just something i felt like sharing. have a good day!

Blogger

2007-02-02T16:57:00.000-05:00

Well....i officially did an overhaul of my blog, after all, it has been quite some time. Unfortunately, it was not by choice. I upgraded to the new Google/Blogger account and it screwed everything all up. Fortunately though, i was able to keep all of those cool add-ons and interesting things that i've discovered blogging over the past few years. You may want to take a gander around again, seeing that i did loose some things completely, so i've uploaded new "fellow bloggers" and "links" as well as deleted some. I'm hoping i can find everyone's blogs again, but we'll see how that all goes.

I did a ton of school work today. I'm actually pretty happy that i got it finished. it'll be nice so that i don't really have to worry much about things this weekend, alhtough I do still have some homework to complete.

Superbowl is this sunday, i'm not sure what i'm going to do yet, frankly, i'm not even that interested. I mean, i'm not even that excited about the half-time show. But then again, they're probably not trying to cater towards me as an audience. haha. Okay, I'm thinking i should keep working on some schoolwork. Have a good day!

Damien

2007-01-28T23:35:00.000-05:00

I really like the new damien rice. More than that. I really like music with emotion. I feel really dumb saying this, but I know it's not. There is just so much power and feeling that can be captured.

Melodies
Pitches
Tempo
Style
Tone...

The list literally goes on and on. I guess i'm completley blown away with how much human emotion can be felt by just hearing a song...and hearing the real emotion that a writer feels. I guess it's not even just about the song...it's about what the person was feeling when they wrote it.

Muggswigz

2007-01-27T22:55:00.000-05:00

I'm at muggswigz. again. haha
is there something surprising about that?
it's saturday night.
today was nice. i spent the day at my hosue just hanging around my house. i watched a movie in my room and relaxed. i haven't don't that in a while. and i've been in a movie mood lately.

i really don't have much to talk about today for some reason.

have a good night.

Home

2007-01-18T23:15:00.000-05:00

I didn't feel like going anywhere today. It was nice for once. I just stayed home and relaxed, talked to a few people online, and studied for my Greek exam tomorrow. I mean, i know we often just end up at someone's house or muggswigz...which i love...but i'm pretty much never home...so it was nice to be at my house. home. But I'm hoping i'll remember everything i need to for tomorrow, it's all those little words like "as, or, but, therefore, and thus" that keep getting me. well i figure if i wake up early and review a little i should be fine.

so i have another music recommendation, definitly look into the new Damien Rice cd. it's pretty awesome. hence the video on the site.

i think one my favorite classes thus far is my ethics class. specifically, it's business ethics. i'm really enjoying taking a look at different ethics theories and playing into how people define truth and describe how things "should" be done. Should, of course, is in quotes because today we just talked about the ideas of Kant. i think i just like the fact that there's actually some philosophical thought and reasoning being brought into business, which is nice instead of just projects all the time or textbook readings or something.

I know it's not all that late, but i am beat tired tonight. i'm going to get up early to workout and study tomorrow anyway. i should get going. goodnight.

Random Thoughts From My Head

2007-01-07T23:59:00.000-05:00

i'm not tired
i should be...i need to sleep for school tomorrow
it's the first day of the new semester
i'm technically a junior now....
but only credit wise.
i'm taking a lot of hours again
i think it should be fine though.
or at least i hope so

mewithoutyous is a great band.
listen to them if you haven't yet.
they're very poetical
that's why i like them
you have to think about the music to get it.

i haven't been remembering my dreams lately
i'm kind of sad about that
i like dreaming
sometimes i wonder...
i wonder what the dreams are that i don't remember
cause i heard that you dream every night regardless
or maybe that's just a lie

speaking of lies
well actually this has nothing to do with lies
i was just looking for a segue.
i'm a dork
anyway
i updates some stuff
look around
probably nothing new to most
a few more pictures on flickr
new music/current readings
new profile picture.

interesting thing is this...
i wish there was a good story to go with it
that is, the new profile picture
there isn't
there was nothing going on at the time
no emotion
deceiving isn't it?
i just wanted to take a picture and play with effects one night
i still like it though.

goodnight.

Reminder

2006-12-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

Well, the worst has come to an end. Last week I had 3 presentations, 2 tests, 3 quizzes, and 2 papers. It was pretty nuts. This week is technically the week of finals, but I only have 2. one on wednesday and one on thursday. I'm kind of excited for wednesday afternoon for John though because we're doing a 2 hour study of as much of the Johannine Epistles as we can get done.

Well i did a crash course in Christmas shopping this weekend too. I'm pretty much finished everything except for a few last minute things i have to pick up. I'm pretty excited to just take this next month off and read and hang out with people. School has been so nuts lately that i feel like i'm constantly on the run.

In case you've forgotten about the david crowder song that i remind people about every year at about this time...go down to my links and click on o come o come emanuel. it's amazing.

Sorry for so many random thoughts. I'm still collecting myself from the craziness of last week. haha. catch up with you all a bit later!

School

2006-12-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

21 Credit hours of school has caught up to me. so be gracious as these next few weeks proceed. i have a week of classes and then a week of finals left then i can rest easy!

Updates!

2006-11-26T01:10:00.000-05:00

As i'm sure you guys have noticed, i've updated some stuff in the past few weeks on here. I hope you guys like the new layout and stuff. In addition, I uploaded some new pictures to my flickr account, so it may be worthwhile to check that out too!

Reflections.

2006-11-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

Wow, this past month has flown by! Somehow, taking 21 credit hours is beginning to catch up with me...not that i didn't think it ever would. basically most of my nights are spent laboring with some tea and coffee over books at muggswigz (and the occasional computer too ;) haha...and socializing too of course) Currently i'm just hanging out at muggswigz by myself for a bit working on editing a video for tomorrow morning. Right now i'm just waiting because it's ripping the dvd to my desktop right now. Well all that is besides the point.

There has been a lot of learning and living going on lately too. I've really been discovering a lot about my calling and reasons that God has placed me where i'm at and is directing me down the path i think he's put me on. mainly, the question was raised the other day in theology, "what are you going to do after you leave here." not really a new question for me. people ask me that dang question all the time, and unfortunately, not everyone completely understands what i'm doing and why...i mean, sometimes i don't even get it. but basically the question was posed...."could you be happy anywhere else?" and i realized my answer is no. I think this is why i've been kind of procrastinating getting a second job (besides the academic reasons) is that i don't want to. i don't want to work anywhere other than the church, because that's where i feel called to work. i don't think i'll be ok being anywhere other than the place God has told me to be, and that's the church. Let me try and explain using a conglomeration of things from a marketing paper i wrote and a subsequent journal entry that expounded on it....

First the marketing paper, then the journal follows:

"Many people strive to graduate from college and enter a prestigious business firm or other highly reputable business; however, I seem to fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. The organization that I would like to work for is, simply put, the local church. This may seem a little contradictory, but I feel that I have a great responsibility to learn basic business principle and integrate them into the Church. This does not mean that we should sell Christianity as a product or run some "faith-based" Christian business like Berean, but there are too many churches that have been devastated because the finances are entrusted to people who have no idea how to best allocate funds. The Church, similar to any business, should run most efficiently and effectively to serve the community around it and lead people into a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. Instead of seeking a profit for personal gain, the church seeks to return that to serve the people around the world......

"i don’t think i could ever possibly feel like i'm really following God's calling for my life unless i were to work at the church. even with the whole business thing. a lot of people joke about me opening up an affordable berean or something, but i really don’t have the desire to do that either. i mean, it’s a good idea, and i’m sure it’s someone’s passion to offer goods at a cheap price....only enough markup to cover the cost of running the place...but i really don’t have the drive or passion for that. i mean, it would be cool and all, but it’s not my passion. i need to do something that i’m passionate about. and i’m just so passionate about the local church that i know i couldn’t leave it. i need to be a part of it."

That's merely a reflection on the business aspect, hopefully that clears up some of my thinking on the subject matter. The worst part is, this is only the business aspect of things...i can't even begin to go into my heart for worship.

Wess Stafford talked a little bit about callings today at church today too. I am here to do God's great work. Whether that be worship or business. Mabye both?

Atlanta

2006-10-13T19:46:00.000-05:00

Atlanta was a blast. There were so many great speakers there. my favorite, by far, was donald miller. i'm actually still in the process of journaling and processing everything from the trip still in fact. I've been journaling on my computer a lot more lately, so i've had all my catalyst stuff with me for the past few days, but i'm still taking my time getting everything in there. I can't believe that it was exactly a week ago since we got back. I've got some greek homework to do though. I'm hoping to keep this thing more updated as school is starting to settle down and routines are beginning to be formed.

2006-10-04T11:25:00.001-05:00

Atlanta here we come!! :)

I shall fill you in upon my return friday night!

The Last Kiss

2006-09-17T22:37:00.000-05:00

Well, yes...it has definitly been a while. School is in full swing and we all know how that goes. Well anyway, tonight i went and saw the movie The Last Kiss. I kind of slated it "the next version of garden state" before seeing it because it has Zach Braff and whatnot. I really like it. See, as opposed to Garden State--which was all about feeling and emotion in life...the Last Kiss was all about not the feeling anymore, but the action. Here's a quote that I couldn't quite move on from once I heard it...

"What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to those you say you love that matters."

So here's my thoughts I guess: In all of our realtionships--specifically those in which we love, or are supposed to love the other person, what are we doing to them. Is it more that just that feeling? Are we living a life where we are activiely showing our genuine concern and care for their lives? Regardless of who it is: friend, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, family...or even just those people we have daily encounters with in life. If we are claiming to love the world and those around us, are we actually doing it?

Done.

2006-09-01T23:16:00.000-05:00

Well, the first week of school is finished. I'm glad we get a nice long weekend though. My MWF aren't that bad. I've got a few bible classes and then management, then my TH are more stressful. Altogether I'm taking Greek, History of Christian Thought, Theology, Marketing, Management, Communications, and I'm sitting in on The Gospel and Epistles of John. I was kind of feeling distraught because it seemed like it was going to be a really tough semester, but it doesn't seem too bad yet. Though it is only the first week.

I'm really excited for Greek though. We're already reading and pronouncing pretty well, so I can't wait until I know what I'm saying! haha. Muggswigz seems to have become the place of choice. Not that it wasn't before, but some of us are going there to study and whatnot. Wednesday was really fun. We were there basically all afternoon/evening actually working on school work and just hanging out.

So this weekend my family is gone. Nick is in Chicago visiting Rachel and my parents are camping down at Atwood lake. I'm probably going to go join them for a day or something just because I think it'll be nice to get away for a day. But it's kind of weird being home by myself. I mean, its not that bad. It's weird because although I never really talk to my family a whole lot I know they're still around. It was weird coming home tonight and knowing that no one was here...nor was anyone going to be here. And I'm not tired at all...but it's funny because it's late I instinctively tried to be quiet when I got home...then I realized I could be as loud as I wanted because no one was here. haha. I'm really looking forward to eventually moving out and whatnot. I just can't afford it right now though. Someday.

Yikes! School Starts Monday!

2006-08-23T15:32:00.000-05:00

Well I'm just kind of hanging out here at the church for a bit. Bible by the pool is in an hour. I was going to go work from Muggswigz today, but I opted not to.

I'm taking the next few weekends off, but I'm going to try to atleast make it to one of the youth services on sunday cause I'd like to see how it goes. nate is leading this week actually. Speakinf of the boys, their new stuff is pretty sweet....I'll listen to it. :) But then the following weekend i'm going to go camping with my parents probably. well most likely not the entire weekend, but part of it atleast. It will be nice to kind of take it easy for a little bit since school is starting up. I cannot believe that it starts on monday. In fact, the freshman moved on today. That is so weird. I'm not sure what this year is going to look like for me because i'm going to be doing a bunch of stuff here at the church like normal, but i've also this summer made a lot of really good friends that don't go to malone...but they know people there...so i'm not sure if i'm going to be around campus more because of that or whatnot. I just realized how much of a homebody I kind of am. I was just thinking about what this school year would look like if i lived on campus or was there a lot. I mean, I wouldn't hate it, that's for sure...but there would be an element of just relaxing at home or down at coffee shops that I'd miss. I don't think I could do the whole constantly in motion life. I mean, it's been a few days since I've had some low-key and indepth conversation and hangout and I actually miss it.

These past few months have just been so crazy lately. I think it's seriously just been one thing after another. not that they were all bad...it just seemed like there wasn't much room for rest this summer. A lot of travelling and being out of town at the beginning of summer with CIY and worship team camp and such...then there's just been a lot of events and things going on here too.

All together thoug, I'm pretty excited about it all. School is starting and I guess I've got to be ready regardless! haha. Well I'm going to get going! Have a great day!

Jack is here!

2006-08-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a few weeks. I honestly haven't been intentional about not blogging...I just haven't gotten around to updating it much lately. It seems like all my days are the same lately. I get up, go for my walk, shower, work, journal for a bit, then make it to a coffee shop for the rest of the evening. I actually haven't been on AIM much lately either. But honestly, there's almost nothing better than being around the people you love to be around most just hanging out outside while we can this summer. I mean, pretty soon it's going to start cooling down.

School is starting soon, and needless to say, I didn't get around to reading that Grudem book like I wanted to. Oh well. I've been doing a lot of thinking about other stuff lately. Actually, although I haven't been writing on here much, I'm almost all the way through my journal. Probably about 3/4ths the way through actually. That's pretty exciting. I don't think I've ever managed to keep anything like that going this long. I'm excited to go buy a new one too!

Oh, and for those of you who didn't know...my second nephew was born on Friday, August 4th. His name is Jonathan (Jack) Bryan Snavely. I went up and saw him the day after he was born, but I haven't gotten a chance to drive up there since then. I'm hoping that they'll be able to make it to family night on Monday so I can see him there. Here's a picture of the family.

Dog.

2006-07-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

So, here's a funny story. I was out this morning with Christy walking, just like any typical morning. Anyway, as I'm walking in the neighborhood across from mine there are a couple dogs that always bark and annoy the crap out of me. So this morning, they begin to bark like normal and I just sped up a little to try and get them to shut up, then I realize that one is not barking anymore, it is full out howling. Then, in the distance, I literally start hearing the dogs all around the neighborhood barking. It felt like a movie or something. haha.

So I know what you're thinking now, "great story leanne." and I shall respond..."yup" :)

On another note, a few nights ago we went and saw Rob Bell at the agora. Let's just say there was so much to process and think about that it took 6 typed pages in my journal. That's what I do when I know I'll have a lot to say, because I typically can't write as fast as I think unless I'm typing. Anyway, he pretty much spoke out of Genesis 1 the entire time. It was awesome. An hour and 45 minutes of Genesis 1.

One of his big premises was that we, as a people are right in the middle. We are 100% physical while we are also 100% spiritual. We can sometimes get so focused on everything having to be one or the other, but sometimes we don't realize that it is indeed both. For instance, something in 2D can be a square or a circle. It cannot be both. However, take an object in 3D such as a marker, or any cylinder for that matter, and it can be both a square or a circle. We humans are sometimes like the people stuck in the 2D world. We can see either this or that, but we cannot comprehend both without there being an element of faith involved.

I felt like I was in science class for awhile too. But if Rob Bell is the one teaching science, then I'm ok with that. haha. But yeah, he took quite a while to explain all these big elements of creation that allow for life on earth, then he went onto talk about a bunch of little elements of creation that allow for life. It was really cool.

He also talked a lot about that one day of rest. Sometimes we just get so caught up in life that we don't rest. And when we do rest, we feel guilty because we feel like we're being lazy and such. The emphasis on that seventh day was to remind the Israelites that they weren't slaves in Egypt anymore. They are free. Their worth is not determined by how many bricks they make a day.

Bell

2006-07-21T11:58:00.000-05:00

Well, things are finally beginning to settle down. Right now I'm waiting for marci to wake up...but that may be a challenge, becuase her away message said something about how she was still up and it was 6:15am. So yes, it may be a slow lunch for us. haha.

Anyway, i'm pretty excited about next thursday night. Rob Bell is speaking at the Agora in cleveland, so a bunch of us are going to go up there and hear him speak. I, eventually, would like to take a road trip up to Mars Hill...but that's being a little too ambitious for right now.

This weekend is also my weekend off. I think i'm going to go to starbucks, read, you know... Then I'll probably head down to massillon. I'd like to check out how things are going down there lately. They recently brought in some new worship folks, and switched over to doing the video digitally. I keep hearing good things about changed lives and how everything is going in staff meeting, so i figured I'd go check it out on a day I was able to.

Oh! Marci is awake! I've got to go finish getting ready! I'll continue this later!

The Way I Was Made

2006-07-15T00:42:00.000-05:00

"New York City is quite a place. You can hear almost every language in the world on the sidewalks there. And along with Boston, New York is at the hart of college life in America--I'm told there are 900,000+ college students within a seventy-five-mile radius of Times Square.

"We had wanted to take a Passion Movement worship even into the heart of the city for a long time. Of course, it's one thing to take worship events to college towns in the south and Midwest. These days you know you'll probably get a crowd. But New York is different. It's a world away from the Bible Belt, for one thing, and it's a ton more expensive.

"We prayed, planned, and waited. But the doors to New York remained shut.

"Until one afternoon last April. My band and I walked out of the Newark airport and took a cab to uptown Manhattan. We were headed for the legendary Beacon Theatre, on Broadway and 74th, where the next day we were going to be part of putting on our first-ever worship event for New York City college kids.

"At 8:00 the next morning, when we went back to the beacon to set up, kids were already lining up. Curious drivers going on by Broadway were slowing down for a look, backing up traffic. By afternoon, the line wound around several blocks. And the doors didn't open until seven!

"You have to wonder what other New Yorkers were thinking. An MTV special? A release party for some hot new L.A. Band? No, just students who couldn't wait tot proclaim to their city the splendor of the Lord.

"that night eh place was packed. Thousands of students--so happy to be there, so hungry for God, so ready. And as soon as Charlie Hall opened, it was clear that the crowd knew the songs, and they wanted to sing.

"Loud!

"After Charlie was finished, Louie welcomed everyone, then we broke into small groups for prayer time. Everybody praying at the same time, out lout, for their campuses, for their city. I tell you, that's a beautiful sound.

"Then our band came on for a fourty-five-minute set. What can I say? Wish you coulda been there! It was so powerful. I felt as if the crowd was saying 'Hey Chris, just start the songs. We'll take it from there!' It was a worship leader's dream. I think those students sand better--and with more heart--than any place I've ever been. In fact, Joey, our video guy, told me later, 'that was the first time I couldn't hear you play, Chris. People were so loud!'

"Louie's message that night was about shining a light in the world. But it is a light that isn't our own. 'Be the moon,' he challenged. 'You don't have any light on your own. We only reflect the light of Another. But when you and I get in the right place, Christ shines on us.'

"When the David Crowder Band came on to play the closing set, a theater manager who had been standing backstage came up and wanted to talk. 'I've never seen anything like this,' he said. 'I had to step outside and call my dad.' Turns out his dad runs the theatre, and the guy had worked there for years. 'I just had to tell my dad that in all our years we've never had this kind of show. All the drug-filled concerts that come through here--they cant' being to light up the place like this!'

"He leaned closer. There was something else he wanted to tell me. 'Man, I just went out in the crowd and sang!' he said, grinning self-consciously. 'Course, I don't' know any of the songs. But I just felt something in my heart.'

"Two days later, John Leland of the New York Times wrote a feature on the event. He called it 'Christian Musics' New Wave Caters to Audience of One.' 'The worship gathering for college students reflects a groundswell both within churches and in the Christian music marketplace,' he wrote. 'The musicians--who call themselves 'worship leaders' rather than performers--sing not about God, but to God. The audience sings as much as they do.'

"New Wave? Old Wave?

"Ask Jehoshaphat, or Paul and Silas, or the angels gathered at God's thrown from the beginning of time. I think it's the real music of our past an d of our eternal future, and it's happening now."

B Collision.

2006-07-13T22:17:00.000-05:00

I feel so relieved. It's nice. I like it. I hope life goes back to somewhat normalcy...I don't like drama. I seriously feel as if a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

On another note, you should all check out the new DCB cd. It's good. I like it. That guy is my hero. He lives my dream everyday.

My Hope

2006-07-10T08:42:00.000-05:00

Here I am again in this raging sea
On my knees again deep calls to deep
I feel I'm drowning
My arms are just too tired to swim
I feel I'm sinking
On my knees again
In the roar of your waterfall
In the storm of you
May you find me holding on
May you find me true

Wash me clean, set me free
Hold me close, and cover me.

Journal

2006-07-03T15:16:00.000-05:00

So I've been spending more and more time writing down my thoughts in a journal. I like it...it's challenging, but I like it. Like I've said here before, it's really cool to look back and reread stuff and see how God's been moving in my life, and even noticing undertones that kind indicate when other things have happened in my life, but it's been really freeing to just put everything down. No undertones. haha.

Anyway, yesterday was the big outdoor service at the Massillon stadium. It went kind of roughly, to say the least. But what can you expect when it's been raining all morning and ther has been no sound checks at all, let alone a single song runthrough or anything. But overall it was really cool. My heart is the unity of the church, so regardless of sound issues or logisitical nightmares it was by far an extremely cool thing. One of the coolest things was before everyone came, probably around 8:30ish, when the vocalists realized there probably wasn't going to be a full rehearsal they decided to warm up underneath the bleachers accapella. It was awesome. At that point, I was convinced that no matter what happened, that one moment of untiy that happened was worth all the running around in the rain and crazy events. God was there. Therefore, it was cool. :)

We had pulled an all-nighter the night before, which was fun. Basically it was an extended time of normal hanging out because we basically just ended up at muggswigz and then ihop. haha. We got to the church around 4:30 to start getting things ready and over to the satdium, and help with set up. I, however, was really confused yesterday after I woke up from my nap, because I kept thinking it was already monday! Well I must get going! Have a splendid day!

Wonderwall.

2006-06-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

So recently I stumbled upon oasis's song "wonderwall" in my itunes. A couple weeks ago actually. I was packing for CIY and I couldn't get it out of my head. Well, even more recently I've stumbled upon the Ryan Adams version of it. There's something that just really attracts me to that song. I've known it basically forever...you know how many times i've heard it covered at muggswigz? probably millions...but something lately just makes me love it a lot.

Home.

2006-06-25T14:53:00.000-05:00

I am home. Yes...finally home. I went to CIY for a week, then came home for less than a day, did my laundry and left for camp with the worship team. Hindsight of the week, it was a really great week, but it was still extremely trying. That's the best way that I think it could be worded.

However, there were some really awesome worship experiences last week. One of which was on tuesday night. We walked down to a creek and the speaker invited students into the creek to symbolically represent the cleansing of Jesus as he wipes away all of our blemishes. The worship team lead with a couple acoustic guitars. It was really cool.

On thursday night, there was a big storm approaching as we began worship. One song into our set, the power was shot. Instead of freaking out and freezing up though, we just kept going. Josh and Ryan went picked up the extra acoustics. It was especially cool because we had been doing this experiential thing with candles anyway, so when the power went out we still had light and it was really cool. It's nights like those that make me look past all the strenuous things that happen when it comes to putting trips and camps together.

So yeah, I'm happy to be home though. I've really missed some of my friend here. I've thought about how cool it would be to intern with CIY or an organization like that over a summer, but then when I think more seriously about it, I know that there would be almost no way I could do it. I think I'm just tied down to Ohio. Not in a bad way, of course, but I just mean that I'd be really nervous to leave everything and everyone I've ever known. Things just wouldn't be the same when I came home...I guess that's what I'm most frightened of. I'm not removing any possibility of being called away from here eventually...but I know, without a doubt, this is where I need to be right now.

(oh, and keep an eye out on the flickr for a bit...I'm going to be putting up CIY and Camp pictures here pretty soon!)

Picture

2006-06-10T20:55:00.000-05:00

I took this picture a couple hours ago here at muggswigz. I really like it. I think I'm artsy at heart. :)

Leaving.

2006-06-10T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I leave tomorrow for two weeks. Or no, I leave in two days for two weeks. I feel like its tomorrow though. I'll acutally be gone for a week in Indiana for a week then I'll be home for a day and then leave for another week to go down to elkhorn valley with the senior high worship team.

This may sound kind of wierd, but I'm really excited for the 7 hour bus ride. It's going to be amazing. 7 hours of forced nothingness. No work to do, no phone calls to make, no more philosophy class, nothing. Just me, SHers, some books, and some music. Perfect.

I have a feeling I'm going to get lonely though. For some reason, the times when I feel most lonely are the days when I am in crowds of people. It's like the typical movie shot where you see a person and everything else around them is blurred and the sounds are all echoed. You should know what I mean...it's the perfect picture of what I feel.

Change.

2006-06-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

Last night was the art show at muggswigz. It was fun...crowded but fun. Anyway, I've just been around and workin on philosophy today. I read a dialogue on knowing today. It was interesting. What do we know? That is the big question. I've found that I don't necessarily hate that class or the reading, it just takes some concentration. The final is on Friday though.

I'm really excited for this summer. For some reason, I'm really dying to switch things up a bit. No vacation with the family this year though. I am, however, going to Anderson for a week then to a camp with the w-team for a week too. I think that'll be a blast.

I realized that last night though. I'm kind of tired of going to the same two places. Starbucks, muggswigz, starbucks, muggswigz...and now panera thrown in there due to the free wireless internet too. haha. What else is there to do? I'm lost. Either that or I'm just a super boring person. I do, however, really like the environment at those places. You feel so free. Talk to people you would never talk to. Build friendships with those you'd never see. I like it. So, I guess I'm not that tired of the routine after all. I'm switching things up a bit tonight I think.

We'll see...

Confusion

2006-05-28T23:19:00.000-05:00

Things can never just be sorted out in my head.
There's always a whirpool of thoughts.
Some good.
Others not.
Mostly just wondering why things are.

I need things to be conclusive
No questions
Just answers
Specifically the answers I would like
But then again, that may make things too easy.

Obligated.

2006-05-26T23:47:00.000-05:00

I feel the need to update since it's been over a week, but I really don't have anything to say. I really liked when I did that thing a while ago, so I shall do it again...it seems to be the easiest way for me to share my thoughts when I don't know what else to talk about...

I'm discontented.
I don't know why.
Something is going on.
But I don't even know if it even concerns me.
I bet if I could figure it out, I'd know if it was something I needed to worry about.
Life is confusing sometimes.
But why do I always need to have it all figured out?
It's pretty obvious that I'll never get it all.
So why do I keep trying to make sense of the world?
Like trying to figure out why some love and others don't?
Why some....well love is the only think I can think of.
I think people want to be in something bigger than themselves.
Love does that.
Not just boy love...don't get me confused with "that girl"
Just love.
It's bigger than us.
He's bigger than us.

A Little Refresher.

2006-05-19T17:52:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got the internet working over here....of course, now that I'm going home tomorrow. haha.

The new MacBook came out on Tuesday. I'm excited. I'm going to order mine this weekend sometime. (hopefully sooner than later). I'm excited not only because it's super nice, but because it's really going to help me work. That sounds weird. I mean, since I've been at the church it's just been a weird waiting game. I just can't wait to get everything up and running. (I heard they even smell good!)

I realized the other day how much potential this summer has to be the most amazing summer ever. It could even top the "white-shirt" year...not that I'm measuring or anything. haha. For some reason, I remember JR saying once how it felt to (figuratively, of course) walk into work everyday hand-in-hand with his best friends. I think I get it now. I was sitting in the offices the other day and that really just hit me. I mean, we all just kind of fit together. One person's weaknesses are the others' strengths and so forth. Can I just say...if all goes well...this summer is going to be pretty sweet. God is moving already.

Again. . .

2006-05-15T11:47:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been so long. I'm house-sitting again...so I haven't been around and online a lot lately. She doesn't get home until next sunday night. I'll try and make a better post later if I get the chance. My mom just got back into the workroom so I've got to get going! Have a great day!

Quaker Steak!

2006-05-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

Last night, some of us drove up to Quaker Steak and Lube to go have a good time and eat wings. To our surprise as we rounded the corner, it may have been the largest bikers night I had ever seen. In light of nearly being toppled by several bikes and intimidated like no other, it was a great time! As usual, I whimped out on eating the atomic wings, but I got a few good pictures of the eventful task of everyone else eating them. (go check out my flickr!)

This week has been quite enjoyable. My parents are out of town, so the house is kind of quiet. Honestly, it's not really that big of a difference than normal because I typically am not around or am up in my room anyways. But the biggest difference is that I'm not working with my mom this week either, for the obvious reason. Which sucks financially, but it's been nice to take a week off before things at the church get super crazy and I start my summer class and stuff. Well, I must go get ready for the day, seeing that I've got some errands to run, lessons to teach, and small group down in Malvern tonight! Have a great day!

A Literal Translation Of My Thoughts.

2006-05-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

I just finished my last exam.
I can't believe school is done.
I am excited.
I needed a break.
Summer is awesome.
It's really nice outside.
I'm going to go on a walk.
I went biking yesterday in Canal Fulton.
I'm going to go again today.
Sometimes I like quiet.
I left my cell phone at home too.
On purpose.
It was nice.
No calls.
But quiet makes me lonely.
I just looked up "lonely" in the thesaurus.
I look up words in there often.
But only when I want to make a point.
I stress the word with it's synonym or similar meaninged phrase.
I don't think "meaninged" is a word.
Anyway.
A synonym for it is "without a friend in the world."
That's interesting.
Actually kind of sad.
So should I use that term?
Do I feel like that?
Probably not.
But maybe.
So I'm going on that walk.

2006-04-25T23:20:00.000-05:00

New pictures in my flickr account! Go check them out!

Beauty.

2006-04-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know this is a little after the fact, but I haven't had the chance to load up the pictures or anything...which some of which are up above. Anyways, there's a story I've got to tell you all. Last Saturday night was really cool. See, I had just led worship at the church and a lot of cool things were announced there. (i.e. the new mosaic stuff) Well anyways, I ended up going to muggswigz, but it was on the drive there that was so awesome. See, no matter what I looked at, the only thing I could see was beauty. I'd look at the most run down house in Canton, but somehow see the beauty of the vines all over it, or a street sign that just looked cool, or how about a field of dandelions...weeds nonetheless...but still strangely still enough to awe. It was awesome. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that we live in a beautiful world...yeah we do, yeah we do...

Passion.

2006-04-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Well, for those of you who didn't know, the new Passion cd came out a couple weeks ago. I just finally broke down and bought it a couple days ago and it hasn't been out of my cd player yet. I like it. I love that everytime I get a new worship cd I fall into this awesome obsession with worship. Not that don't care at other times, but I just get so much more passionate (pun not intended) about it when I hear new stuff. I think for me, and a lot of other worship leaders out there, that sometimes it's not always good to only listen to worship stuff. I know for me, when that was all I listened to it became hard for me to worship because they just became "just another song" that I listened to all the time. So I guess all this to say that I love when new stuff comes out because it renews (ah...that's the better terminology to express it!) my passion for what I do....what I'm meant to do. Like the other day I was driving home from starbucks in a really awkward mood and I had one of the best worship times ever. In my car. Alone. With God. Amazing.

I know this sounds weird, but these past few weeks I've felt the power of Christ's resurrection so much. I think a lot of times it's easy to get too focused on studies and all that equally good stuff...but to miss the big picture. God. God REIGNS. Christ. Christ is ALIVE. Holy Spirit. Lives IN US. We have power over death...think about that...we have power, through Christ, over the one thing that can stop even the most talented, strong, athletic, rich, powerful, famous, and influential people in their tracks. We are alive. I am awestruck.

Flickr

2006-04-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

Hey, just an FYI...I just put up some new pictures on my flickr account, so you should go check them out!

On a different note...today was really sweet. Jesus is awesome.

Baby!

2006-04-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the day! We joyfully welcomed little Hudson Andrew Snavely into the family at about 7:45 last night. I scurried over to the hospital right after class...but I had plenty of time before he decided to make the move, haha. But because I was sick (still am?) I couldn't really get to close or hold him because we didn't want to take the chance of getting him sick. Well, that was one family night to remember!

Hmmm.

2006-04-08T10:17:00.000-05:00

It's been a while...over a week actually. That's because it's been one heck of a week. In the midst of everything that's been going on I also am managing to get sick...again. This is frustrating. I feel like things are just hitting me from all directions...like I can't rest anywhere. So, I thought this house-sitting thing would be cool that way I could spend some time by myself relaxing and kind of getting refreshed I guess...but to no prevail I've found that without people around I get kind of lonely.

One Year and 2 Days Ago...

2006-03-31T13:18:00.000-05:00

Well, as of 2 days ago, my blog has been existence for 1 year. What I figured would last only a short time has been here for so long already. You all have read my thoughts over the past year as many different events have unfolded in my life. I just wanted to let you all know how much I really do love you all and thank you for loving me. Don’t worry though, this thing isn’t going anywhere!

On a different note: Today was pretty sweet. 4 of my 6 classes were cancelled, so I went in to school late and got out early. It was nice to have a half day I guess…there’s just been so much going on lately it’s been crazy! I’ll be house-sitting next week starting Thursday, so I’ll have to see what I can do about getting on and updating this!

Coldplay

2006-03-25T00:34:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I last wrote. This has been a crazy week. Last weekend I played for the Ruth Graham event, which made for a long day, but it was still kind of cool. On Monday was coldplay, which was AMAZING. I swear I like them more everytime I see them play. I've got some pictures I'm going to put up on flickr sometime soon...possibly as soon as I'm done writing this...so make sure you take a look.

It's About The People, Stupid.

2006-03-18T00:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we all just need a little reminder that it's about the people...not the task...and most definitely not us.

Caring

2006-03-11T01:21:00.000-05:00

So I guess I've been wondering...

The love that we have for the people around us...does it ever get to be too much? Ok, that sounds really bad...because it makes it sound like we can be too loving at some point...but that's not what I mean. What I mean is this: Is there a point in which we care so much for others that our worry takes too much of a toll on ourselves or that overburdens us with sadness? I guess maybe this is similar to the compassion that God shows for us....and the same kind of heartbreak that he has everytime we turn away or people reject him. Interesting thought....

Writing

2006-03-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

You know what I've come to realize? I guess lately I've been experimenting (if you want to call it that) with writing. I guess my hopes are that one day I'll be creative enough to actually write songs well....but that might be awhile becuase the last think I ever want to be is some mediocre singer/songwriter chick (we all know that girl I'm talking about...haha) who plays nothing but GCDC the whole time. I fear I may be going backwards by writing lyrics first, but in my opinion, the music is what draws me in...but lyrics keep me coming back. (haha, cheesy metaphor yes, I know) I'm just a lyrical person I guess. So we'll see...maybe when I get my laptop eventually it will be a catalyst because I'm hoping to get a Mac with the mbox and protools and stuff I think. I'm still somewhat up in the air on exactly what I'm going to get...but I think a laptop will be a wise investment, especially for school and music and whatnot.

Real Community.

2006-02-26T19:45:00.000-05:00

Here's a comment (I expanded it a little bit here) I left on someone's blog earlier...and this stuff has been on my mind lately anyways, so I thought I should share it on my blog as well...

When I was at catalyst, I heard a guy speak and one thing he said really stuck out to me. Interestingly enough, he was talking about how the "younger generations" are infatuated with this idea of community...yet we have absolutely no idea of how go get and live it. He said that, but then I was thinking that if we are so impressed with the idea, then the desire for such a tight-knit community is obviously there. Rather....here's a better question. I think that community exists everywhere, but what we, as Christians, desire is the REAL community through Christ. So maybe this idea of community isn't necessarily having a bunch friends, but it's an interconnection between believers through Christ on a completely different level. It's not about having a million best friends...it's about having brothers and sisters in Christ and the connection that you have with each of those people. Honestly, one of the places where I feel like I experience the most authentic Christian community is a place where, in a worldly sense, I do not belong. Nevertheless, the desire to know God permeates the group and none of those worldy classifications matter anymore.

Hidden Thoughts

2006-02-26T15:58:00.000-05:00

So, my blog has been existence for nearly an entire year! I cannot believe it. I seriously thought that this thing would be abandoned within a month after I made it. Anyways, recently I've been reading back through some of my old posts because I'm going to do a recap soon...which will be fun. My point, however, is that as I've been reading back through these, it's been really cool to see how some of the things I was really worried about have panned out. Even more interesting is how I, as the author of them all, can look back and really read into what I was saying to figure out what I was really feeling or realize when I found out somethings but I wasn't really able to talk about it. For instance, I can tell down to the week or so when I was asked to step down from the worship team with the intent of possibly returning in the Fall to lead. Anyways, I realized how cool this all was because this is one of things were trying to do by studying the Bible. You know...figuring out what the author was thinking right then and there and what their purpose is (theologically and contextually).

There's a part of me you'll never know
The only thing I'll never show.
--Muse "Endlessly"

Normality Please?

2006-02-23T15:31:00.000-05:00

Life has been a little crazy lately. I feel so busy because I'm never home...but then I realize that what I'm doing really isn't that stressful...it's just a lot. Like going to muggswigz or starbucks or stuff like that. (which I NEED to stop spending money at if I ever even want to attempt to save for a laptop) So you know how I was talking about how my voice was getting better and such? Well, that apparently was a lie...because then I got a massive stuffy nose and now that that's better, my throat is bothering me again. This is so frustrating. It's definitely been over 2 weeks.
So, Josh is leading this week...and I'm taking another week off from singing. I hope things get back to normal soon...

Maybe I'll have some time later tonight to let you guys more into my world...other than talk about my not being well. There's been a lot going on, but I've got to run teach a piano lesson...so i'll expand later.

I miss the way you sing low
So I can't hear your voice over the radio in my car
But you know every word they say
You knew you just the right thing to say
--Copeland "California"

Bored

2006-02-18T22:15:00.000-05:00

So this weekend has been a strange one. Obviously so...it's only 10:15 and I'm home on a Saturday night. It's actually kind of frustrating. I have no one to call, nowhere to go....I'm going nuts. So, I used to put lyrics at the end of each post...and I'm not sure why I stopped, so I'm going to start doing that again I think. Yes...I am going to start doing it again.

It's just beyond those trees...
The place I've been dreaming of.
Will you follow me?
--Sleeping at Last "Trees (Hallway of Leaves)"

A Voice Returned

2006-02-14T22:51:00.000-05:00

My voice has finally almost completely returned. Thank goodness. It wasn't that I had this massive sickness or anything, but my voice was just gone...completely! I was just really frustrated because I know that there are just some things that I know I'm meant and wired to do, and it's frustrating when you aren't able to do those things. I don't know, I tried to make the best out of, you know, not talking and singing but it was really hard. I guess you realize how important things are to you once they're taken away. Wait, that's a lyric...hmm...oh yeah, it's Damien Rice. But it's interesting how we get reassurance from the weirdest things.

Oh, and in case no one told you yet...Happy Valentine's Day.

The Stress Is Over...And The Fun Has Just Begun!

2006-02-10T15:57:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a week and this is probably the first opportunity I've really had to sit down and take a break. I had that big John paper and a big New Testament workbook all due today...even though Watson cancelled class so it really wasn't due today. I'm pretty excited for the weekend though...I'm not sure what's going on tonight, but tomorrow morning I'm practicing with a band for this big "women's event" thingy...then tomorrow I'm leading worship for JH then heading over to the Palace to see the boys play. Then Sunday it's Sigur Ros! That's going to be an awesome time! I can't be any more intellectual today, I used up all my intellectualness for the week writing my John paper last night, haha. I'm glad I got that done though. It was my only paper I had to write all semester...so that's going to free up some time I hope. I've been kind of overwhelmed this week researching and reading like crazy for that. This has been quite the week. Have a good one.

I really do...and that's what rips me apart.

Relationships

2006-02-03T18:48:00.000-05:00

You know what's been hitting me lately? This idea of genuineness and being real with people. I think sometimes we, as Christians, feel like we have to have it all together all the time, and people aren't stupid. People can see through the fake facade that so many people put up. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The people who are "happy" all the time...because they don't think they're allowed to be anything else. But more than that I've been thinking about not our genuinness in how we view or see ourselves, but our realness in how we love others. Loving them for who they are, brokenness and all.

What if our ministry could just radiate from our lives. We don't need to be in a building or have a designated time-slot for ministry....we are the body. We are the Church. We are the people whom, through the work of Christ in our lives, can show the world hope. People aren't always looking for a building with good music or good "programming." I believe that the church is indeed very necessary...but I think the things that people desire most are relationships...real ones. People within the church and outside the church...they want real relationships. So we, through our relationships with others, should (or at least try to) be showing people the reality of the ultimate relationship with Christ.

Home

2006-01-29T21:43:00.000-05:00

It's not that I didn't like being gone for the week....but it's nice to finally be back home. Well, mostly because not only was I gone all week, but I pretty much was gone the whole weekend before as well. I'm kind of overwhelmed with this whole John paper I've got to write. It's really not even supposed to be that long (7 pages) or that in depth I don't think, but all the sources he wants me to read total up to more pages than I could possibly ever read in less than 2 weeks. I guess that's the part I'm overwhelmed with. But honestly, I've only got one paper to write this entire semester...which is pretty good. I'm doing well with keeping up on school work and reading and such as well too. Well, sorry there's nothing too intriguing here today...I'm just sort of worn out from the week. Have a good day.

Let's Help

2006-01-20T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well, this semester is treating me fairly well so far. Nothing too unbearable yet...but I guess that's what everyone always says in the first couple weeks of classes. Haha. My Mondays and Wednesdays can be a little overwhelming...but I love Fridays because there's no chapel and one of my classes is MW only. I kind of stayed home a lot this week to catch up on a bunch of reading that I put off over the weekend. Now I'm almost all the way caught up in everything! (even the read the bible in 4 months deal!) I think next week will be good for that as well because I'm going to be house-sitting over at the Kohler's (which is going to be a blast with Kaity!)

It seems like there has been so much going on lately with all different stuff...and I've been learning a lot and trying to put it all into practice. I've found that's hard to do. I can "know" everything and what i'm "supposed" to do...but a lot of the time it's actually doing it that is the tough part. But that's the beauty of christian community...we have eachother to rely on in order to help eachother put things into practice. So here's...well....I'm not sure if it's a request or just a statement but...let's help eachother be what God's intended us to be.

What A Weekend

2006-01-17T23:24:00.001-05:00

The ski trip was great. I love my friends. There is nothing I'd rather be doing.

"You've captured my heart again."

Gone.

2006-01-12T18:38:00.000-05:00

Oftentimes the Christian community has sent the message that we love people and build relationships in order to convert them to Christian faith. So there is an agenda. And when there is an agenda, it isn't really love, is it? It's something else. We have to rediscover love, period. Love that loves because it is what Jesus teaches us to do. We have to surrender our agendas.

"The Outpouring"

2006-01-12T17:46:00.000-05:00

I thought this picture would be appropriate for the blog. Think about it and see if you come up with the same thing as I do...

Well, So I'm finally getting around to really learning how to mess with pictures and such on this thing. Take a look around...there's some new stuff and some not so new stuff...that is if people actually come here...who knows...I'm probably just talking to myself most of the time. haha.

An Old Theme Revisited

2006-01-11T00:15:00.000-05:00

I really don't know what to think. I just got home from Starbucks....it was great conversation...but during so I realized something is wrong. I've allowed myself to forget....I had forgotten the intense passion (and hence sometimes my frustration) for the Senior High ministry. I'm just not sure of what I should be doing different. I guess sometimes as a "leader" I can say something or try to exemplify the idea that I'm trying to get across...but that's all I can do. I can't force things to happen, but I feel like it all rests upon my shoulders in the end. It's not about me or what I'm doing at all...all the "doing" that needs to be done is giving myself to God and allowing him to use me in this ministry....so do whatever You want with me...for You are God and I am not.

"' For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways' declares the Lord" --Isaiah 55

A Good Day

2006-01-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

So today was a great day. It was the last day for me to sleep in before the semester starts on Monday...so I did. Then I spent the morning/afternoon reading, listening to 'reading' music, drinking chai, and having good conversations on the phone. I wish life was always that relaxing and carefree. It was good to have a day off before things get back to normal here in the next week or so. I seriously don't know where my break went. I had a whole month off...and I can't believe all the school craziness is about to begin again! Well sorry I didn't have anything particularly intriguing to say today...goodnight.

(oh, and if you haven't already, read my last post and check out the pics via flickr!)

Flickr!

2006-01-06T00:10:00.000-05:00

Well, now that I've started aquiring some pictures on my phone, I created a flickr account where various pictures are posted. Look for the picture banner on the side of my blog underneath my previous posts. (not the link that says flickr....look lower!) It's also right above "some interesting stuff."

I've been enjoying my break. Still working at the church a lot, but not nearly as much as last week. Tomorrow I'll probably be there the majority of the day cleaning and such for the "preview" on sunday. Yes, you heard it right, this Sunday will only be a preview of the room. Unfortunately, we did not get all the pieces/parts of the room all pulled together (mainly one big piece that we're still waiting to be deliverd...but what it is is classified information! haha) before our deadline so this week will be considered a "sneak preview" then the following week (atleast the SH) will be in New York for the ski trip and then everything will be done by the following week. Today I went and purchased my books for next semester...it was still pricey, but it was somehow nearly $200 less than my first semester. (which was an outrageous $500!!) Anytime I go into a place with books I am seriously like a little kid in a candy store....and it's even sadder that it was all textbooks. I guess I still just excited about the fact that I am required to read books that I actually look forward to reading for my classes. I put some the stuff I got up in my "interesting stuff" thing if you want to check them out.

Well, it is nearly 12:30 now and I must get going. I've committed with a group of people to read the entire bible....cover to cover....in 4 months and I have not completed the readings for today yet. That sounds bad. It sounds as if it feels like a chore...but it isn't. This is something that I want to do....and it's just that I haven't had the time yet today to sit down and start. I'm excited. I think sometimes, especially with taking Bible classes and all, it's really easy to fall into a trap allowing your academic studies to become your personal studies...so I'm reading....just reading. I'm not looking for something to write a paper on or searching for some incredible theological revelation. (not that that can't happen naturally of course) But I'm reading to read....to look at the Bible as a whole. To feel the same passions and emotions that the authors felt. And to experience God without the formulas and agendas of our own making.

It's Coming Along...

2005-12-31T12:42:00.000-05:00

I'm working on setting up an account somewhere so that I can share some of my pictures with you all. On another note, the room is coming a long quite nicely. I will not divulge any information about what is going on in there other than that it's going to be awesome! Today is the first day all week that I have not been there...I figured that I could use a day to just rest and not have to worry about the room. Have a good day!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Has Come!

2005-12-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

Well, Merry Christmas folks! It seems like this time of the year always seems to come and go quickly...either that or we just don't slow down enough to realize it's been here all along. Sometimes I wonder how we got from the celebration of the birth of Christ to trees and presents...and to the extent that those things seem to be overbearing the original cause for the season. (If you still haven't listened to the best song ever...which is quite fitting since it is Christmas and all...go here)

Ok, so there's a point to all of this....One thing (or rather several things) that I asked for this year for christmas were books. Needless to say, I got four of them....and I've already got one finished. So here are a few things I pulled from "the barbarian way" by erwin mcmanus:

"Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, and civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and sould of a humanity without God. It is time we hear the barbarian call, to form a barbarian tribe, and to unleashe the barbarian revolt. Let the invasion begin..."
"The original call of Jesus was so simple, so clean, so clear: "Follow Me." He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardship, and disappointment, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the world minus Him. Have we forgotten this? Have we become so refined and so civilized that the benefits of our faith have become more precious and more valuable to us than the Benefactor of our faith?

So here's what I'm wondering...Have we become too concerned with music, worship, services, programming, and all the other stuff that comes with "church" and "christianity" are more important to us than God himself? Or have we been too concerned with our relationships with others that we have ingored our relationship with God? Do we love the benefits more than we love Him? But then again music, worship, service, and programming aren't bad...it's when they become more important than God that we need to realize that there is a major flaw in priorities. Moreover, what about allowing Him to live his life through us? Some people have missed the point. It's not about us! It's all about Him! Even if we had everything we could ever want, it would be nothing, vanity, meaningless, empty with out Him.

Quite A Strange Stream of Thought

2005-12-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I know it's been awhile, but so much has been going on. Let's see, I got my new cell phone! That's pretty exciting. Oh, and today we started the youth room....or atleast some of us did. We spent the day tearing down the sound system so that we wouldn't have to do that when a million people are there on thursday. (ok ok, I may have just been exaggerating) So today was exciting...the room is pretty plain how it is right now...I took "before" pictures (conveniently on my new phone/camera/anything else you'd ever want in portable device, haha) and I'll take some after picture and post them all up here when we're done. I got to the church at 10:30 and left only for an hour or so to get my hair cut and then didn't leave until like 8:15ish. I was there forever, yet still my day was not as long others'. Oh, and today I got my hair cut. Whatever that chick put on my hair was so ridiculously potent it was giving me a headache (and still kins of is)...and she cut it kind of short too...oh well, it's just hair.

So you know what I just realized....I was thinking about hair and how meaningless it is. Ok, I'm stretching this analogy here, but stick with me. So then I started thinking about the youth room and how it looks and if it has a stage or lights or whatnot and how that will ultimately not really matter because it's just a room. We need to be living in the spiritual realm of life (even though a cool room can be a great outreach and ministry tool) where we realize that these seemingly "huge" worldly things are really nothing. Ok, so I have weird streams of thoughts sometimes...but I also just bought the Robbie Seay Band CD today too...which I've been wanting since I found them online last winter but have never bought....anyways, just as I was contemplating the meaninglessness of hair and stages the lyric said "life is fleeting" hence the prompting of the retelling of this whole story. Wow, I'm wierd sometimes. I've got a headache....I'm going to stop staring at the screen...I don't think it's helping. Well, have a good night!

Wait For It.

2005-12-13T23:37:00.000-05:00

I really don't even know what to say tonight. I have not purpose for updating this, I just felt like updating. I guess because I know it's getting to be late but it doesn't matter because I don't have to be over to Malone until 1 tomorrow. Today I had my lit in society and old testament exam...I think I did alright on them. I think I got over-concerned about the whole thing. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Anyways, tonight was worship team and then some of us went over to muggswigz afterwards for "open mic night."

Anyways, you know sometimes when there's something that you know...but you just have the hardest time doing...or convincing yourself to do it. (haha, I'm kind of being a little general here) Specifically, I've just really been thinking about God's will for me and more holistically the ministries and situations that I'm in. I guess sometimes we can fall into knowing where we'd like things to go...and then try to convince ourselves that that is really God's will. But then we go on rationalizing things again (which we ultimately cannot fully understand anyways) and realizing that it really isn't your will that ultimately matters, it's God's. In the long run, I'd definitly have to say that God's plan is much better than ours could ever be...so why is it so tough sometimes to just stick it out and wait? But I guess that's the beauty of it all...we can't do it...we can't just 'stick it out and wait' because that would remove our dependence on God. So I guess by waiting and depending on God to reveal His will for us, or just waiting for that will to unfold....we are infact serving, obeying, and loving Him just as much as if His will was already unfolded within a certain circumstance because we are depending on His guidance even more when we dont' know what's going on.

Wow, that all just came out of nowhere. But I think things are making more sense to me now. I'll just wait and trust His judgement because He knows best anyways.

Break Has Nearly Arrived

2005-12-10T01:13:00.000-05:00

I found this picture online and did a little photoshop action to it to make it look cool for the shakespearean sonnet I had to write and present in my Lit class this past week. I like it...thought you guys might too.

Anyways, classes are over. I am happy...and sad. A bittersweet moment...haha, I'm so cheesy. Only 4 finals to go next week and one "assesment" for models. It should be a good time. None of my exams are going to be really difficult either (atleast I hope not). Just macroeconomics on monday, then on tuesday I've got Old Testament and Literature in Society, wednesday I've got my models thing, and on thursday I've got my accounting exam. The only ones I've really got to buckle down and study a lot are the ones on tuesday. I'm almost home free. I'm pretty pumped for next semester already. It's going to be a highly business-related semester for me, so Watson is letting me sit in on his Epistles of Paul and I'm taking New Testament.

Well, until next time...have a great day/night/evening/morning/afternoon! (those options are soley dependent on what time of the day you're reading this! haha)

Winter Is Here And So Is Christmas!

2005-12-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

I took this picture not too long ago out in my back yard and for one of my projects I did a little photoshop action and this was the product. I never do stuff like that anymore. I will again I think though because I'm getting a new phone in the (near) future which will probably have some sort of camera on it. Then I'll be able to take as many pictures as I want. It'll be cool too because hopefully I'll actually have pictures of stuff I do. Like this last summer I went to tons of concerts and had tons of fun...but I don't have any pictures because my mom wasn't following me around anymore with a camera. (that, in case you were wondering, is a good thing) I want to remember the experiences I've had. Like yesterday my drive to school was probably the most enjoyable one I've ever had. The sunrise was astonishing...I could barely take my eyes off of it (only to drive of course, haha). God's creation is so amazing. Long story short...I like that picture and I can't wait until I get to have my own camera to play with.

I just finished the last of my papers for this semester! I'm quite relieved at this point. All I have left is a test on Friday and then four exams next week...which isn't too bad. I'm actually pretty pumped because I'm finally going to have some time to get some reading done that isn't for school (not that I didn't like reading that stuff or anything). I've had a few books that I've been wanting to read, but haven't been able to get around to it like: Mere Christianity (I started it, but stopped when I realized I wasn't remembering anything because I was too busy trying to read all this other stuff), Velvet Elvis, and some other good ones. (haha, I say that they're good and haven't even read them yet)

Anyways, I'm pretty pumped for Christmas break...there's going to be sooo much happening. But at the same time I'm going to have lots of free time to...well....to do whatever I feel like doing. The worship team and I are going to be working on the youth room over break too since service is cancelled for 2 weeks, which means we have 3 weeks where the room will not need to be presentable. So, we're going to fix it up...and finally finish it. I don't think I can even count the number of times that people have started stuff in there and it's never gotten done...just makeshiftedly (is that a word?) thrown together because it wasn't done by Sunday. Well...I'd better get going. Have a wonderful day!

Show Them The Way

2005-12-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

"God, don't let them forget that I'm here, moreover...You are there...just waiting. Remember, as far away as they go, they can just take one step back...or even just one glance back, and You will come sprinting after them. My heart crys out for them and my eyes are not dry. I'm desperate for them to see what I see, feel what I feel...You're so real. You'll sweep them into Your arms and comfort them when they need comforted and make them whole again. Soften their hearts and lead them back to You."

Let's Be Radical

2005-11-30T21:11:00.000-05:00

God has really been afflicting my heart with so much passion for the ministries I'm in and the ministries that I see around me...not only at RiverTree, but at churches across the area...and I just want to proclaim out to the Church..."let's be radical!!" I'm not saying there's a formula or a specific programatic way that this needs to be done...but God's been showing me that He needs to be the center of a ministry, no matter its size or stated "importance" within a church, and that will in turn reflect upon our approach to the ministry...so...

So let's be radical--

Let's be centered in You...
Let's lead them to You through worship...
Let's show them Your truth...
Let's give them something to talk about...
Let's show them something better than what the world thas to offer...
Let's be genuine...
Let's be loving...
Let's be deep...
Let's be a community...
Let's be transparent...
Let's be different...
Let's be real...
Let them see You...
Let them experience You...
Let them be in love with You...
Let them be filled with Your Spirit...
And let them know You.

What's Subscribing?

2005-11-26T01:23:00.000-05:00

Just fyi--in case you didn't notice...not the last time I changed a bunch of stuff, but the time before when I added a bunch of stuff to the right side of the screen, I also added a "subscribe" option. This makes it very convenient for you, the more deticated readers, to be notified of a new update on my blog. Just put in your e-mail and you'll get a nice reminder e-mail everytime I add a new post. So no more checking my blog to see if there are updates; let the computer do the checking for you! You should do it! Be a subscriber folks!

A Cool New Look

2005-11-24T01:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I kind of got tired of the old template (and some stuff was majorly screwed up) so I decided to go ahead and find a new one....so welcome to my *new and improved* blog! So tomorrow is thanksgiving, or rather, today is thanksgiving. I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly. I've only got two more weeks and then exams and I'm done for the semester! For those of you who aren't currently residing in Ohio, the first big snow was today. The Holidays are here...I love this season. It comes in a close second with fall and all the changing colors. Life is good....God is good. Honestly, who would have thought to make the leaves turn an amazing color or to have water freeze into intricately made flakes (while sometimes annoying when you have to scrape them off you car) which glisten in the sun and coat the grass? I know I'm definitly not that creative, haha. He is amazing. Well it's getting rather late, so I'll probably update more thoroughly later when I'm not so tired. Have a good night!

Lovely Ohio

2005-11-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

Alright, this is a picutre for all of you who are always complaining about how Ohio sucks so bad. I took this picture a while ago out in my backyard and am just now finally getting around to posting it up here. Anyways, that's not my point. This semester is quickly coming to a close. I've got 2 days next week and then thanksgiving break...then only 2 weeks left! So needless to say, the end-of-the-semester madness is almost in full swing. Luckily I think I've been keeping up pretty well. Andrew and Rebekah move into their house tomorrow, which is exciting. We've been over there constantly helping them paint and get things ready. I probably should have gone over today so that I could help out clean or something since I can't be there tomorrow, but I'm getting a head start on some of these papers due within the next few weeks. Tomorrow should be a fun day though. We've got church in the morning, then we're having worship team practice so that we can go to Ryan and Josh's show on Tuesday, then "the gathering" is tomorrow night.

The gathering is the tri-church event that's happening with Rivertree, First Friends, and First Christian. I think it's awesome that, even though there have been some struggles putting these together, that these three churches are making and effort to connect with eachother. It really saddens me that so many churches are at war with eachother instead of realizing that they are all part of the body of Christ. How awesome would it be if everyone could for once forget about their "church" and truly become the Church? No church wars, no feelings of superiority, no hatred, and no divisions. What if, for once, we saw churches combine instead of divide, and work together instead of against eachother? Then people could really see the unity and love talked about in the Bible coming from the Church.

The Health and Wealth Gospel

2005-11-14T14:37:00.000-05:00

Well, sorry it's been so long. I was house/kid-sitting last week so I didn't really get a chance to update or anything. Really nothing different has been going on, I can't believe semester is over in only 4 more weeks!

So, I went to Faith Family Church (formerly known as CCF) a couple weeks ago just to check it out. It seems that a lot of people don't really like it a lot, so I figured that I would just have to go see it myself before I was to go around bashing the thing. It was a perfect example of a church that has all of the resources in the world, but doctrinally is terribly unsound. I still want to go check out their college service sometime, just to see if it's the same way...and Josh insisted that I must see the youth room all set up. I glanced in, but didn't get a good look or anything.

Well, I'm going to get going...Crowder put up some chords/tabs on his site, so I think I'm going to dig into them. Man, he has the best job ever...touring the country and leading worship...amazing!

Christmas

2005-11-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

I know it's not really Christmas time yet (not that that means we can't listen to some specific songs just because they've become associated with Christmas) But anyways, I was just in the mood to listen to this song tonight. I think I forgot how much I love the words and the lyrics and the sweetness of David Crowder*. I'm even going to go out on a limb here and say that this is probably my favorite song of all time. I've seriously just been hitting "refresh" on my browser for the past 40 minutes listening to the same song over and over again. You've got to listen to the whole thing, because it gets awesome at the end...just saying it over and over. It get's intense in a David Crowder kind of way.

*In case you didn't know Crowder released it online in 2003 after the release of illuminate that year.

Sorry It's Been So Long

2005-11-03T19:39:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been quite the week...or I guess it's been more than a week since I've updated. It's been pretty crazy with tests and papers galore. I'm still managing to do pretty well in most of my classes though, which is good. I need some chai or something, I'm so exausted tonight. (and it's only 7:45!) I was up pretty late last night writing an Old Testament paper on the Domumentary Hypothesis and then studying fo accounting. Old Testament is surprisingly interesting. It just gives you such a more complete understanding (not that your understanding of the Bible is ever truly complete) of the New Testament when you can see how all these things are so inter-connected.

So, I've been having a hard time understanding how that thing at David Crowder's church could have happened on sunday. Moreover, what in the world would I have done if I were there. I didn't even know him, and I was somehow overwhelmingly saddened and affected by the news. It just doens't add up.

He Is.

2005-10-24T13:56:00.000-05:00

So, I was just writing some responses to a worsheet for one my classes when I realized something....

In the Geiblestudy last week someone brought up the whole concept of "The Dark Night of the Soul." Anyways, I knew that I had heard some stuff about it before, and it was kind of a side-track from the holistic idea of the biblestudy, so I didn't think too much into it until it resurfaced today. The whole idea of the dark night of the soul is that we tend to rely on “feelings” in order to witness God within us even though we know that we constantly have the fullness of God within us. So, this “Dark Night of the Soul” is not God withdrawing himself from within us, but rather, it is God withdrawing the emotions from us so that we can rely more fully on Him and give Him our entire selves. Anyways, I was more hung up on the idea of knowing that God is there even when we don't "feel" that He's there. And I really began applying this to my life right now. Sometimes I don't "feel" like God is there on Sundays when the team is leading worship...but then it occured to me...I have the fullness of God within me, so even when I don't think like He's there, He is. When I don't think He's leading through me, He is. And when I don't think the students get it, He's still there.

Break Has Arrived

2005-10-21T08:40:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Fall Break! Let's see what's been going on...

On monday I went the bible study down on 31st street because John Geib was leading it. It was pretty great. He was discussing the "exchanged life" concept. A couple of us are doing this drama thing on Sunday for the JH service that is sort of based on one of the ideas that we talked about. It's that everyone you meet, including yourself, will fall into one of four categories: Pagan, Infant Christian, Worldly Christian, or Spiritual (wo)Man. It should be kind of cool. Needless to say, the biblestudy was definitly life-changing.

Tuesday was the normal. I had the whole day full of classes, meetings, lessons, and worship team. We ended up at starbucks after worship team (like normal) and Josh and I had a great conversation about some stuff about the worship team and such. I'm excited to see how things are going to get going.

So amid the craziness of my life, I was also smacked with two exams (hermeneutics and macroeconomics) on wednesday back-to-back. It wasn't too bad though. I think I did pretty well on my hermeneutics and I got an 85 on the macroecon exam. Hopefully I'll be able to pull that up to an A or A- by the end of the sememster though. I've got to go meet with my advisor sometime soon though because I'm pretty much changing my entire schedule. The way they set it up for me, and the professors they chose, are definetly in need of some change.

Yesterday was the first day of break. I slept in really late (like noon!)...later than I think I've ever slept in. (well other than when we got home from catalyst at who knows when in the morning) Anyways, I pretty much just hung around the house and taught some lessons and ended up with Kristen. We went to muggswigz and then back to her place so I could re-string her guitar.

And today is Friday, the best of them all. Why you ask? Well, tonight I have the opportunity to play with some folks from RiverTree at a church out in austintown at their once a month contemporary service. It's going to be a great time. I realized that I kind of miss not leading if that makes sense. It's just nice to know the pressure is not all on me to be up front and well...leading. Plus I love playing different instruments...and I'm going to be playing bass and keyboard. I haven't played those in a long time since I'm always usually playing acoustic. I think I'm going to be switching up the SH worship team a bit...you know, letting some other people step up that way I can kind of have a break (well atleast of leading) some weeks. Plus it's going to be cool because Benny, Jason, and I are looking into getting some of the stage stuff back out in the youth room and Adam and Nick are going to work on some lighting stuff in there once Massillon gets more up and running.

So that's what's been going on. Thank's for caring enough to read and have a great day!

Almost Fall Break

2005-10-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

Fall break is this week...which means it's only going to be a 3 day week! Sadly though, I've still got a paper and a couple big exams though. Sad day. So anyways, it's going to be a good time to be able to rest up over the extra long weekend. This Friday I'm playing at some church in Youngstown with some guys from RiverTree...I think it's going to be a good time. I really enjoy playing in bands and stuff like that--to bad I'm not good enough to be David Crowder though, haha. Anyways, last week was pretty hectic school-wise too with midterms and such because of the break this week and everything. On Friday Kristen and I went out thrifting and I got some sweet coats then we hit up muggs. Then on Saturday, I spent the day beginning to work on my lit. paper so I wouldn't have to do it all Monday since I've got tests to study for too. But that night I "jammed" with Kristen and Cameron in the youth room...it was a good time. Then I met up with Lauren, Danielle, and Emily since they're all home for the weekend cause their fall break was a week early. It's good seeing them again, but seeing them always makes me realize that I really do miss them. I think I'm going to go up and visit Lauren sometime since she's not too far away. We'll see...but for now I'm going to get going...Geib is going to be speaking tomorrow in chapel, so I'm going to get up early and go.

Some New Stuff

2005-10-10T13:14:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't yet noticed, I just finished spending some time doing some cool new stuff to the site...so check it all out!

Oh...and by the way, I got an "A" on my first hermeneutics paper!