Saturday, May 15, 2010
Wedding Solo
I had a rather interesting evening. A very dear friend of mine, Meghan, got married this afternoon. I had 4 folks that were going to go with me and other things came up, so I was going to attend this celebration solo. I have never attended a wedding where I knew no one other than the bride, groom, and the bridesmaids before. I was a bit nervous and extremely hesitant to go. But guess what. Weddings aren't about you. They are for the bride and groom. So, I got myself dressed and drove down to the oceanfront for the beachside nuptials alone. I arrived a few minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin, so I was in a bit of a rush to make it to the sand. As I got out of my car and headed towards Atlantic Ave., I noticed 3 dudes slightly dressed up going in the same direction. I'm rarely intimidated by strangers, so I turned around and said "Are you guys going to a wedding?" They said yes. "Shane and Meghan's wedding?" "Yes." "Sweet, me too." An original solo affair ended up as the 4th addition to the three amigos. I haven't had that much fun at a wedding in a long time. Those guys were so great and you would have thought I had known them for awhile. They were friends of the groom, so they were asking me to tell them about the bride. They had not met her before. By the end of the evening, they asked me to introduce them to her. So, I took them over and said, "Meghan, these are my friends John, George, and Dan." HA! Going solo isn't so bad after all...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Possible Pet Poll
I need to stop living just for me and rather than pick up a homeless man on the side of the road for 'companionship', I am considering a furry friend. Not that the homeless man wouldn't be furry, I'm thinking more four legged though. So, I'm asking you, my friends and complete internet strangers for your suggestions. Tell me cat or dog and why.
I'm looking for a low maintenance, starter pet. I like cats because they are clean. I like dogs because they can be trained/controlled. I would enjoy a running partner, but that isn't a deal breaker. I have a small space so nothing large. I did recently fall in love with an American Bulldog, but he is the perfect size now...at 4 months. He will be freaking HUGE soon. Don't think I can do that.
Anyways, tell me what you think. Your opinion matters.
I'm looking for a low maintenance, starter pet. I like cats because they are clean. I like dogs because they can be trained/controlled. I would enjoy a running partner, but that isn't a deal breaker. I have a small space so nothing large. I did recently fall in love with an American Bulldog, but he is the perfect size now...at 4 months. He will be freaking HUGE soon. Don't think I can do that.
Anyways, tell me what you think. Your opinion matters.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
When Life Gets Hard - The Soundtrack
A few years back, I was trying to explain my faith to someone. He loves music, as do I. So, the only way I knew how to explain Mindy, the Christian was to make him a playlist and just explain each song and why it struck a chord with me. Sometimes things you want to explain find meaning and emotion in a song much better than a casual conversation.
Over the years, when life gets hard I listen to the playlist. Each song has a memory of something that I overcame or a moment of worship victory. Well, as life would have it, I'm listening to that playlist once again tonight. Although I no longer have the letter that originally accompanied this playlist, I thought it would be refreshing for me to share with you a little bit about it. And hopefully something will strike a chord with you, too!
Welcome To Delaware - Watermark
I was introduced to this song in college. Originally it was just a fun tune that I liked and I would do crunches while it played at night. In fact, Amberly would give me such a hard time at bedtime, "Are we going to Delware again?"
It was this song that God used to tell me to move to Virginia Beach. As strange as it sounds, I was listening to this song driving home from Myrtle Beach after leaving Mur and Berly and I heard something in my spirit that I don't know that I have heard so strongly since. The chorus says something about how things won't be what they use to be but all you will have there will be God. Of course, it is much more melodic in the song but I recall emotion overtook me as the Lord told me to leave all that I had known most of my life and get uncomfortable. It has been the most satisfying and rewarding decision I have ever made. I like remembering that hard God decisions mean joy and reward. That's what I need to know tonight.
Lead of Love - Caedmon's Call
This song talks about how we go through life with struggles, but those struggles really help to see the beauty at the mountaintop. "Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. Looking back I see the lead of love." It's pretty awesome to trust that even when life is pretty crappy or things go entirely different than you wished, you will make it to the mountain top and be in awe of the beauty of what you see and proud of the trip there. And to know that it was love that brought you there, the love of a Heavenly Father that longs to give good gifts to His children. Out of His love for us, we struggle but only to build character and testimony. Out of that leading is a pretty awesome view. I'm trusting in that tonight.
Phobic - Plumb
I actually didn't really get into Plumb until I had moved to VAB. My sister turned me on to them and this song really struck a chord with me. It's a pretty awesome song about grace. "Phobic, don't be. Grace means a little more freedom." I put this originally on that playlist to communicate how awesome grace is with a nice little beat and soothing vocals. "Phobic, don't be. Love means room to breath." So many times people view this whole God's Grace thing as something to be terrified of. Totally unnecessary! I'm pretty into freedom. So, I'm pretty into God's Grace. I'm trusting in that Grace tonight.
You are Good - Jeff Deyo Band
I bought this album only because I learned Jeremy McCoy was playing bass for this dude pre The Fray days. Then I learned that Jer helped to write this one, so naturally I enjoyed it more. It brought on new meaning when Mur used it at her wedding when she walked down the aisle. Well, she almost didn't use it thanks to Rob Varnell, but we will not even go into that story. Nonetheless, she did and it was beautiful because if know her story, this was from her heart. Of course, a wedding is a celebration so naturally you would scream how awesome God is at such an occasion. I find that I only listen to this song when life is not good. It is a good reminder that even in the depths, He is there. And even when we think he is absent, He is there. "You are Good. And your love endures forever." This is an awesome reminder of who God really is. Good.
Who Can Satisfy? - Lee University Campus Choir
This is both serious and humorous. I mean, if you went to Lee you know all about this song and could make bets how many times you were going to hear "There is a fountain!" during chapel when this song was going. As we alum laugh about it now, I think we can all agree that that song has brought you to your feet, arms stretched heavenward, and tears streaming at least once. Sure, there wasn't a shofar involved on this one, but when Doc would get them wound up. You know what I'm talking about. All kidding aside, there is something powerful in this song that I can't even explain. Probably the reminder that He really is our Rock and Strength. I need that.
How Could I Ask For More - Cindy Morgan
I like this song because it fondly remembers various stages of life and in that reflection she says "How Could I Ask For More?" My favorite line of it all is "So many things I thought would bring me happiness. Some dreams are realities today. But such an irony of things that mean the most to me, are the memories that I made along the way." I want to not only make memories, but savor them. I want to cherish every step of the way with no regrets. I want to proclaim at the end of every chapter of my life "How could I ask for more?"
Jesus, Lover of My Soul - One of the Passion Albums
If you were a Christian in the 90s, you know this song and this music series. I love the melody and the guitar strumming but more importantly the message. "It's all about you, Jesus...It's not about me. As if you should do things my way..." What a hard pill to swallow and how many times I have choked myself on that one. It's a nice song to put life in perspective especially when you don't understand why things happen when they do and the reason they occur. God is quite a bit bigger than we are. I can only predict what the week will hold in my little pink planner, but He's got it scheduled for eternity. If we knew what He knows, we'd understand. It's over time when you begin to see how things unfold that you can be thankful he does things His way. I'm trusting in that.
What I Thought I Wanted - Sara Groves
This song talks about how we want things a certain way or in a certain time but that's not always the case.
"...What he thought he wanted, what he got instead Leaves him broken and grateful..."
"...What I thought I wanted, what I got instead Leaves me broken and somehow peaceful..."
"...About what it is he wanted and what he got instead How to be broken and faithful..."
The broken part sucks, but it's part of it. I want to be grateful, peaceful, and faithful. Those are products of brokenness. I can deal with that...I hope.
Over the years, when life gets hard I listen to the playlist. Each song has a memory of something that I overcame or a moment of worship victory. Well, as life would have it, I'm listening to that playlist once again tonight. Although I no longer have the letter that originally accompanied this playlist, I thought it would be refreshing for me to share with you a little bit about it. And hopefully something will strike a chord with you, too!
Welcome To Delaware - Watermark
I was introduced to this song in college. Originally it was just a fun tune that I liked and I would do crunches while it played at night. In fact, Amberly would give me such a hard time at bedtime, "Are we going to Delware again?"
It was this song that God used to tell me to move to Virginia Beach. As strange as it sounds, I was listening to this song driving home from Myrtle Beach after leaving Mur and Berly and I heard something in my spirit that I don't know that I have heard so strongly since. The chorus says something about how things won't be what they use to be but all you will have there will be God. Of course, it is much more melodic in the song but I recall emotion overtook me as the Lord told me to leave all that I had known most of my life and get uncomfortable. It has been the most satisfying and rewarding decision I have ever made. I like remembering that hard God decisions mean joy and reward. That's what I need to know tonight.
Lead of Love - Caedmon's Call
This song talks about how we go through life with struggles, but those struggles really help to see the beauty at the mountaintop. "Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view. Looking back I see the lead of love." It's pretty awesome to trust that even when life is pretty crappy or things go entirely different than you wished, you will make it to the mountain top and be in awe of the beauty of what you see and proud of the trip there. And to know that it was love that brought you there, the love of a Heavenly Father that longs to give good gifts to His children. Out of His love for us, we struggle but only to build character and testimony. Out of that leading is a pretty awesome view. I'm trusting in that tonight.
Phobic - Plumb
I actually didn't really get into Plumb until I had moved to VAB. My sister turned me on to them and this song really struck a chord with me. It's a pretty awesome song about grace. "Phobic, don't be. Grace means a little more freedom." I put this originally on that playlist to communicate how awesome grace is with a nice little beat and soothing vocals. "Phobic, don't be. Love means room to breath." So many times people view this whole God's Grace thing as something to be terrified of. Totally unnecessary! I'm pretty into freedom. So, I'm pretty into God's Grace. I'm trusting in that Grace tonight.
You are Good - Jeff Deyo Band
I bought this album only because I learned Jeremy McCoy was playing bass for this dude pre The Fray days. Then I learned that Jer helped to write this one, so naturally I enjoyed it more. It brought on new meaning when Mur used it at her wedding when she walked down the aisle. Well, she almost didn't use it thanks to Rob Varnell, but we will not even go into that story. Nonetheless, she did and it was beautiful because if know her story, this was from her heart. Of course, a wedding is a celebration so naturally you would scream how awesome God is at such an occasion. I find that I only listen to this song when life is not good. It is a good reminder that even in the depths, He is there. And even when we think he is absent, He is there. "You are Good. And your love endures forever." This is an awesome reminder of who God really is. Good.
Who Can Satisfy? - Lee University Campus Choir
This is both serious and humorous. I mean, if you went to Lee you know all about this song and could make bets how many times you were going to hear "There is a fountain!" during chapel when this song was going. As we alum laugh about it now, I think we can all agree that that song has brought you to your feet, arms stretched heavenward, and tears streaming at least once. Sure, there wasn't a shofar involved on this one, but when Doc would get them wound up. You know what I'm talking about. All kidding aside, there is something powerful in this song that I can't even explain. Probably the reminder that He really is our Rock and Strength. I need that.
How Could I Ask For More - Cindy Morgan
I like this song because it fondly remembers various stages of life and in that reflection she says "How Could I Ask For More?" My favorite line of it all is "So many things I thought would bring me happiness. Some dreams are realities today. But such an irony of things that mean the most to me, are the memories that I made along the way." I want to not only make memories, but savor them. I want to cherish every step of the way with no regrets. I want to proclaim at the end of every chapter of my life "How could I ask for more?"
Jesus, Lover of My Soul - One of the Passion Albums
If you were a Christian in the 90s, you know this song and this music series. I love the melody and the guitar strumming but more importantly the message. "It's all about you, Jesus...It's not about me. As if you should do things my way..." What a hard pill to swallow and how many times I have choked myself on that one. It's a nice song to put life in perspective especially when you don't understand why things happen when they do and the reason they occur. God is quite a bit bigger than we are. I can only predict what the week will hold in my little pink planner, but He's got it scheduled for eternity. If we knew what He knows, we'd understand. It's over time when you begin to see how things unfold that you can be thankful he does things His way. I'm trusting in that.
What I Thought I Wanted - Sara Groves
This song talks about how we want things a certain way or in a certain time but that's not always the case.
"...What he thought he wanted, what he got instead Leaves him broken and grateful..."
"...What I thought I wanted, what I got instead Leaves me broken and somehow peaceful..."
"...About what it is he wanted and what he got instead How to be broken and faithful..."
The broken part sucks, but it's part of it. I want to be grateful, peaceful, and faithful. Those are products of brokenness. I can deal with that...I hope.
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