Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Check It Out

My old roommate from college, Travis Lawrence ("Stanton"), and Heather Coleman (who's like a little sister to me) recorded some music on YouTube. Sounds pretty good!!!



This one is much more serious. :)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Ingenius Idea from DCB

This video is pretty sweet. This guy is Jeremy Bush, the drummer for the David Crowder Band. He's smart.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Political "Parties"

I think someone should change the phrase "Political Party." Neither group seems to be "partying" in any kind of fun way. I'm rather cynical and apathetic when it comes to the political system. I am a voter, but I don't really think most people are in politics now that truly want what's best for the country. I am open to the possible reality that I am wrong, but this is what I feel after watching the process closely over the past 10 years (the length in which I've been a voter).

The other day, I started realizing that both parties spend the majority of their time explaining their enemy, rather than honestly discussing why they are the best person for the position.

If I were to just listen to both parties talking about their "enemy," this is what I would conclude:

The Republicans are at war with the media. The media never portrays them in the right light and always presents the news with a slant towards the Democrats or liberalism.

The Democrats are constantly being lied about by this underground, incredibly huge Republican machine. Somehow, this faceless group of Republicans is taking everything that is said and spinning it into some sort of lie that makes the Democrat a demon. This isn't directed directly at a person, but rather at a scheming group, i.e. the "machine."

Here's how I think a great political race would look like:

Instead of each candidate/party spending MILLIONS on advertising, campaigning, and politicizing, each candidate would take all of the money donated for their cause and begin giving it to areas where they feel it is best needed. Instead of talking about about how the other candidate doesn't care about the homeless/poor, they would demonstrate how much they are concerned with this problem by financially contributing to organizations that are actually dealing with this problem right now.

Instead of talking about how they would fix education, they would begin working with the people they feel are making strides towards a better education in America and actively working on them before they are elected.

Instead of merely discussing how the other candidate doesn't know how to handle problems overseas, they would contribute to world relief organizations and volunteer in refugee camps and serving through grass roots efforts to actually affect change in the world.

I would think, that if a candidate were to actually live out these things, they wouldn't have to spend a dime on advertising as the media would cover every moment because he/she would actually be doing something that is news worthy, instead of just attempting to destroy others' character.

Just some thoughts from a cynical, apathetic, twenty-something dude.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wipe Out


I think my favorite show right now is "Wipe Out" on ABC. This show is hilarious! I can't control my laughter most of the time that I'm watching. Ever since I first saw it, I thought it was the show that I'd want to go on and compete.

So, after a little researching, I found out that you can't go on the show unless you "currently live in California." Can Texas be annexed for a few months?

I'm totally bummed...

Monday, September 8, 2008

Jesus Is My Friend

A friend of mine, John, posted this and it left me speechless. So, I thought I'd share it on my blog as well.



What do you think?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Letting Go

I'm a pretty laid back guy. A lot of things don't bother me, but when they do, they really do. I thoroughly enjoy being around people and just love connecting with others. Relationships are crucial to me. I truly value deep, sincere relationships and love getting to connect on a deep level with people.

For the past few years, there has been one relationship with a guy that has been a huge struggle for me. The dynamics of this relationship didn't start out as personal, and we never really reached the level where I could call it a friendship. For the most part, the only thing I could really describe the relationship as is hurtful, disappointing, and dysfunctional.

One of the biggest problems, from my perspective, is that he has no clue. I've tried communicating it with him on several occasions, asked for his forgiveness for how I've treated him, and tried to just move on. All the while, I never received any acknowledgment from him that he did anything (good or bad).

This summer it all kinda came to a head. I walked around for about a month with bitterness oozing out of me. It not only affected my relationship with him, but it affected how I viewed other things as well. I could "smell" the stench of bitterness almost flowing out of my pores.

Finally, a few nights ago while I was running, I released him. I knew that Christ in me had already forgiven him and loved him. I didn't wait for the feeling of forgiveness to rush over me and for a warm feeling to lead me into releasing him, I chose to agree with my spirit, which is in perfect union with Christ, to forgive him.

I don't do this often, but I spoke it out loud. There was something in hearing my voice say, "I release _______ from all the hurt, bitterness, and resentment that I've held towards him. I choose to forgive him in my soul as Christ in my spirit already has. I know that the most natural thing for me to do is forgive as I've been given the mind of Christ, so I choose forgiveness."

I am thankful for this process and through it have been shown several areas in my own life and through this relationship where I was wrong. I was practically living as though I had unmet needs and was hoping he would meet some of them. Thankfully, in Christ, I am complete and satisfied. No need is unmet in Him. Also, through this, I'm reminded of how much I am blinded by what I can see physically or what I feel emotionally, instead of the deep reality of who I am in Christ, and who Christ is in me.

Thank God for this relationship! Through it, even though it's been incredibly difficult, I've been able to see the beauty and reality of His life, His work, and His love in and through me.

So, I've let go and I choose Christ. As I choose Christ, He lives His life through me, which will always lead to extending grace, forgiveness, and love to others, regardless of how they have treated me.