Markchop's Blog

Happy 1st Birthday Mr Bubba Bo Jangles!!

2011-01-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrated Caleb Andrew's 1st Birthday! Even though his birthday was a week or two ago he got to indulge in some cupcakeness of the red velvet persuasion. He loved it! It was a good time to celebrate his birth and this last year. He's almost walking as the norm now. He crawls when he has to. He says words like DADA and Momma and tttthhhhhhppppp like this :-p
Lots of fun! We had a great time celebrating with his cousin Billy who just turned 2. So it was a lot of fun with a lot of family!

not the will be but the NOW!

2010-07-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book called The Way of all Flesh" which is an interesting book. It however got me thinking that there are times in life where I feel God will be working in, through or even near me. As I started thinking more about it, the coolest part in-fact, is that it's not this distant far away thought that God "will be" moving, no...God is moving in, through and even near me. If my life were a book this would the most exciting part the now, this moment and every moment that follows it for in these moments are the adventure of entrusting every step into the hands of God Almighty...now.

ThanksAversary!

2009-11-29T23:06:00.000-08:00

This last Thursday was Thanksgiving. A time where we as a country are to give thanks to the One and Only God for all the blessings we've received. I always wonder how people in the country who don't believe in any god do on this day. Do they get mad because they don't want to be thankful? Do they just thank their friends and family? I can't identify with that group because I have a relationship with the Most High. I'm not sure how it's even possible that He'd care, but He does. I know that it's because He did everything to save me from myself and the evil that surrounds, but why would Love, for what I see so often as worthless, love this? I can't answer that one...I can just be extremely thankful and I am. As a bonus reminder of God's great, infinite and amazing love is the fact that my wife and i got married the day after Thanksgiving one year ago today(11.28.08)!! He lets me see His face in Hers and lets me see His love for me through her. His forgiveness by her too. I see a greater picture of who God is and how much He loves be through His Servant who loves me deeply and for that I am expressionlessly thankful as I celebrate this new Holiday for my wife and I dubbed: Thanksgiving Anniversary or ThanksAversary

His Peace!!

Joshua Tree

2009-09-15T00:38:00.000-07:00

Did you know if the text of the New Testament were written in Hebrew and then translated into English we'd know Jesus the Christ as Joshua the Messiah? I've always thought about this when going Joshua Tree every Easter Break in high school. I started my real journey as a Christian there in that desert place and the name took on a new significance for me. I know it now as Joshua's tree...Jesus' cross. Since I became a Christian there near Easter, where we celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death, it's nice to have a place to point to when times go nuts. Every morning and afternoon i'd climb rocks to take in the view, knowing God made it, made me, made the stars I'd see at night and the people surrounding me at the camp, i knew that i could point to what He showed me there. I was just thinking about this place tonight and was reminded again of the wind against my face as I stared off the rocks into the distant lands of the horizon, painting a picture for what still is to come as I rely on my Life, my Friend and my God!

What would the neo-reformers think??

2009-09-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

Reading James (who's half-brother was Jesus the Christ and who's name was probably either Judas or some form of Joseph and was changed to James later by the King James version as a variant) who can come off abrasive but always the better for it, I read the verses...

"14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead

What do you think....

If i have faith and love that doesn't have love in action is my faith worth anything?
Am I doing what God would do if I just merely believe, even if I have a great doctrine?
Who's more Christ-like the one who acts or the one who talks?

I'd really love to read your opinions...everyone and anyone! The more the merrier!!

:-)

Thin Places...

2009-08-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

"Thin Places"- Has nothing to do with dieting. It's an idea that I came across when I was reading I BECAME A CHRISTIAN AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT By Vince Antonucci. He talks about seeing God in the unexpected places; flickers of God's handy work. He says in the book that he gets the idea of the ancient Celtics held that there were places and times where the veil between Natural and Supernatural was the "thinnest". He says, "When you're in a thin place you are able to catch a glimpse of God, and it becomes easier to sense His presence." He goes on to give examples of watching a movie and your heart clenches up or a sunset causes you to stop and to say "thank you" and so on. For me it's usually when listening to music. There are words or phrasings that draw me to the Divine One or they reflect His love, grace, forgiveness, mercy or justice. The other day there was a song called SEAN by Stavesacre I was listening to what was said:

"Come on out – it's only rain
Don't you miss how it feels on your skin?
Come on out – it's only rain
I like how it feels on my skin
It feels clean
So come on out"

For some reason I couldn't help thinking of some of my friends who shut themselves inside, which isn't always literal. usually it's more of the idea of either not becoming like those "outside" or afraid of being hurt by others or circumstances on the outside. This song took me to a thin place where we as people wish we could escape the messy, wet world we live in and in not engaging the world around us we can become sullied by our own underdeveloped longing for connectivity. We sit in the mire we've created instead of letting God and/or others to help us clean up. Those who stay "inside" may not get "wet" but they also don't get cleaned! At least this is the thin place where the song took me. I hurt for friends who refuse to "come on out" to feel the rain on their skin to be made clean once more. I just get sad when I think about it.

So what are your "thin places"? It could be a place you go that helps thin the veil or it could be a time or event or what have you. I want to hear about it. Maybe we could be strengthened by what we read here from each other!

His Peace,
-mark-

Some funny for fun

2009-08-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

These were funny and so i thought i'd post them for your enjoyment also....

This is for those who think worship is getting too mainstream:

Things you should NEVER say to your wife:

And last but not least this song is a bible story about a bible character from the bible:

"You Are What You Read..."

2009-06-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

...I'm not sure what that makes me then...you decide

A few nights ago i was looking at what has become a pile of books next to my bed, thinking have I read all of these books this year? This 2009? Like from January until now? Alas, I had. It's so weird to think that in High School I hated reading, would never read the book for English or History or whatever. I usually skimmed the books and got the passing grade. That and I was in the Lower English classes the slight step above the E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) classes. So maybe I would have passed without skimming too. But here I am a lot older and maybe a schosh wiser and I've read a pile of books since the 1st of the this year!! It's weird how we grow and change. Anyhow just for the sake of it here's a list of books I've read this year thus far (in no particular order)...

LAST OF THE MOHICANS by James Fenimore Cooper
METAMORPHA by Kyle Strobel
I BECAME A CHRISTIAN AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT by Vince Antonucci
HOW TO BE A PIRATE by Cressida Cowell
(All)
.....THE CHRONICLES OF NARINIA by C.S. Lewis
(for the 2nd and 3rd time)
.....THE GOBLET OF FIRE, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by J.K. Rowling
THE THREE MUSKETEERS by Alexandre Dumas
ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine
THE DEVINE CONSPIRACY by Dallas Willard

Currently Reading: PARENTING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC by Cline and Fay

This of course does not include books of the bible that I've been reading through also. I'll add to the list (as a separate blog) as I continue to read. For those who are members of "GoodReads.com" Sorry I just want to keep one site for all this info that no one reads of mine :-)

Anyone have a suggestions as far as books to read. Ones that have impacted you or are just fun to read? I'd love to hear it!!

Spoke at church on April 26th 2009....

2009-05-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here it is!! Just click the link below:

"Don't Just Listen...Do" My Message 4.26.09

Not the best I've ever spoken...but tell me what you think about it!! Thanks!

2009-05-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

I hope the real world never operates like this...

My dream last night:

My friend picked me up for church. He had called me and asked if he could. I said sure but that I'd have to get there early to practice for worship. He didn't mind so long as we got a bite to eat before. We got to church had practice. Then service began. Then the musical part of the service. The music was good if not great. I wasn't leading but it was still the best I've ever played. I felt good about the music but bad about the way we were worshiping. We even ended the service with people sitting or kneeling on the ground as a sign of humility. The only problem was, it didn't seem like anyone was humbled. Somehow it felt like everyone was just as haughty as ever, which made me sad about the whole church service. As the time came for me to pack up my guitar and such I see my friend leaving the sanctuary seemly angry, not to mention I wasn't getting a ride home. I went after him to see what was up. He was angry but he wouldn't say why. I asked to wait a sec so I could get my stuff. He said, "couldn't someone else take you home. How about the lead singer from Coldplay?!" The truth was the lead singer was there at church that day, but no one seemed to pay him much attention either because they didn't know him or because they thought they were better than he was. Back to the scenario; I said "FINE!" to my friend...who wasn't being much of a friend and seeing how mad he was about stuff happening at church he wasn't doing much to counteract the trend he so despised! I turned and headed back towards the sanctuary, for I hadn't caught up to my friend until he crossed the street. On the way back I noticed the outside of the building was a gas station with lots of people filling up their cars. I saw another guy from church sitting in his car. I literally flew across the street and waved to that guy while flying. When I landed I got a lot of disgusted looks for what seemed like me being white. I said hello and went back inside the sanctuary to grab my guitar, that still wasn't packed in its case. Upon entering the building one of the elders told me we had to get out soon and pointed to the group assembling behind us. I told him I still had to get my guitar so they'd have to let me in. I got back into the building and the guy who was in charge of the group function, just another lay-person from the church, stops me and says, "Hey we have this building until 4pm you gotta get moving!" I said "Look, I am getting my guitar." He says, "Take a chill-pill, goi!" When I got further in I realized it was a birthday party. They weren't going to let me in because of a birthday party?! Lame, I thought. It took me two seconds to get my guitar packed up and leave the place.

Another attempt at a video blog...

2009-03-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Please ENJOY this attempt at humor!! It was fun to make and took all of 15-20mins. This isn't really what i do at all...but in my head i do this from time to time!! Enjoy!!

Little Reminders

2009-01-08T15:34:00.001-08:00

In my office i have hanging on the wall little reminders, reminders that tell me to say thank you to God for little things, big things and even in-between things. The reminders tell me to be thankful for other's big-small things and that there are others who, like me, forget from time to time and need reminders. Reminders of God's love, care, providence, leading, etc. Mostly reminders that God is still here still in charge and still leading. These are what a small group of people were thankful for on a particular Sunday, the small group of people was everyone who showed up to church that day. I love reading them and re-reading them. It reminds me to LOOK UP! It reminds me I'm not alone in my journey. It reminds be to be thankful for things that I forget to be thankful about. From the simple to the complex, from the weird to the straight-laced, the prayers go up daily and this wall reminds me of that. So I've put the wall up here so you can read it too and maybe be reminded as well!

HIS Peace!

Both Now AND Forevermore

2008-11-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

In discussions with friends and strangers, the Church seems to be in two categories in their focus on the Divine; it's either on the Now or the Forevermore (Later). You'll have a more liberal group say that God wants us to be happy, healthy and wise now; to politicize social issues like homelessness, sickness, starvation, etc... things which focus on the now.
Then, there are those who focus on the forevermore. As if we are to bide our time until forever starts, so that we'll be perfect "on that day". So they'll say, "here's books and study materials to use in order to know God as He is so you aren't surprised when you finally get to Heaven". Church is mentioned as a building where people are to gather, to be brought, to be talked to, or be changed by. The saying, "They are so heavenly minded they are of no Earthly good was talking about these".
However there seems to me a missing of the point, on both sides. The point of our existence doesn't seem to be limited to just enjoy life now as the "Now side" would think but, it's also it also isn't just a waiting period until Heaven is revealed as the "Forevermore's" act. To me it's both. Scripture says we were "saved unto good works". And Christ says to those in Revelation, "Depart from me you evil doers, for I never knew you" when they didn't visit the prisoners, feed the hungry, clothe the poor or befriend the stranger, even though they spoke many languages and drove out demons in the Name of Christ. So on the one hand we know that there is eternal life beyond even death, but on the other, does it start there? To me eternity starts here and now and continues after we leave this mortal construct! For the hungry need food, the strangers need friends, the Church needs to do more than open a door and offer a seat, it needs to offer life for both now and forevermore!! The Church needs to get outside it's walls and use it's hands and it's feet for they are the hands and feet of Christ, Himself. Christian people seem to feel no power of Christ; could it be that Christ isn't being exercised in them rather it seems that He's being exorcized out of them by either the lust of this world or the only the joys of the next, all the while missing Him in their midst. Christ said "what you've done to the least, You've done to me." Even Paul had the problem of which he'd rather do stay on earth for the benefit of his flock or be at peace in the sweet "by and by". While we are here in our mortal state we need to help fill needs of that state but not missing the needs of the spiritual and eternal one also.

May His Name be praised both NOW and FOREVERMORE!!

.

Two Worlds

2008-11-19T00:51:00.000-08:00

There's this precipice. I stand starring over the edge where there are two worlds. One above and one below. I could fall into the world of failures and folly or I could ascend to the heights of accomplishment and accolade. It's strange knowing I've been here but not able to hear before. I'm actually really familiar with the failing and the folly and even the falling. The harder part is the continuing "Further up and Further in" as one author put it. To struggle on when it's easier to fail. To push through the disheartening looks of disdain and to soldier on for the better and even great. I don't presume to think I am great...and yet I know ONE who is; and He lives in me. He knows the plans for me and which way I should take. The Psalmist said He knows when I rise or fall. So, I'll only say I know Him. Not of but actually know Him. I won't expound about someone else's research on the Divine as some old friends tend to do. I will instead continue to take each step knowing I could either fall or rise and yet also knowing in either scenario it's He who guides me and He who will, by Grace, push me on further still or, by Grace, catch me lest I fall. So, there's this precipice. I stand starring over the edge where there are two worlds. One above and one below. I could fall and be caught by the arms of Grace or I could climb on being pushed by those same arms of Grace. There are two worlds and yet this King of Grace has ahold of me still and can hold me still. I know The King of Grace...but not nearly as well as He knows me.

Incase anyone needed ideas...

2008-11-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

I've been asked if there is anything that Carrie and I need for when we get married. My honest answer is "no". But then they go onto ask is there anything you two would like. So, if that sounds like you then you can check out our "wishlist registry". These are items that we don't need but that we'd like. It ranges from the very affordable to the not so affordable; from the pratical to the ridiculous. We figured it's a wish list. Again this isn't a "Hey buy this for us now!" list... It's a wishlist :-) So click Mark and Carrie's Registry to getany ideas, if you needed any.

Mark and Carrie's Wedding Registry

A thought about truth and friendship...

2008-09-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

This is actually from a paper i wrote about 6years ago and was surprised at what i wrote. it was good so i thought i'd post it here for some discussion...

Background:
Two authors said that "...we percieve who we really are by seeing ourselves reflected in the reactions of others...for the reflection we percieve, or permit ourselves to see...not only tells who we are but also determines who we will become." Or as my friend once said, "You aren't who you think you are. You are not what others think you are. You are what you think others think you are."

With that said, here's my paper:

"[Seeing himself in the eyes and reactions of God] is what allowed Job to stay strong in the face of friends who were giving bad counsel. This was his strength to hold hold to hope while his wife said, "Put your things in order." This was his strength even when the devil took it from him. When Job had no one on earth to turn to, the God of Heaven was there for him. In fact God made it His personal business to talk to him face to face. To Job this was the best answer, not answering why, but knowing that although all others fail him, The LORD of All would never leave him nor forsake him. This gave Job not only a hope but also a future to look forward to. This isn't just for Job alone but also for each and every believer. For in the Gospels [Jesus] says, "For I no longer call you servants, I call you friends."

If those authors are right about how we think of ourselves, then we should consider God as the best source. He is the One who not only sees us rightly but wants nothing but our best, and He alone knows what that is. In the end this will trully keep us sane and guide us into healthier relationships. For if God is our model then we have a [perfect] backdrop in which every aspect of every other relationship with which we can compare.

if God be our friend He will teach us how to be a true friend to others through His own example to us. He alone teaches what it means to forgive others. He himself has forgiven us of our great sin, rebellion and pride. He tells us that we no longer need to live like Hell for we will be going to Heaven on account of what He has done for us and in our place. How could we not do the same for those who don't really owe us anything? If when we were not deserving of forgiveness when we received it, than why not freely give it to others? There is no real good answer for this except that our friend and companion, not to mention Savior of our very souls, commands it. To sum up..."Whether we like it or not, all of us have to learn to love one another" -Greely pg164"

Let me know what you think about the topic or even my writing in general...i just like getting feedback.

*references

-The Bible

-The Friendship Game by Andrew Greely

The Greatest Adventure

2008-08-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes. I like to think of life, my life more specifically, as a great adventure. It has it's hardships and it's rewards just for being a person willing to climb in, hang on, and buckle up for something spectacular and amazing. Some of us are clouded, i get it. It's hard to think of life as an adventure when there are bills to pay, gas to get, mouths to feed (even your own). It's hard to see that as part of some adventure. Here it is though, we've been given the gift of life to experience the wide range of emotions and pitfalls that await us. Some of us, to be sure, have and continue to lead more exciting lives than we do but we all get a chance for adventure. Going on "Coastal Challenge" again has taught me that. When I was telling some of my friends about it months ago I remember telling them about rock climbing, swimming and even some cliff jumping that is involved in getting oneself from Dana Point Harbor to Laguna Beach's Main Beach. It sounded great to those friends and we made plans to go sometime in the summer.

Well summer has come and we've been in it for about 2+ months now. So we finally made it happen this past Sunday (8.10.08). Something that I didn't take into consideration was the fact that the last time i did anything like this I was about 18 or 19 years old and about 35 lbs lighter and leaner. Back then the rock climbing happened more often and so did the swimming. I also didn't have the extra life ring around the waist. This past Sunday Ander, Steve and I started ahead of Bobby, Kris and Scott, about 3:30 pm though the plan was to start around 1-1:30pm. We arranged plans to meet them at Salt Creek Beach about 1 1/2-2 miles up the coast. The first leg of the adventure isn't too hard except for the rocks to walk over and the cave to walk into and then swim out of. The experienced Coastal Challengers, Steve( aka Baker) and myself, were fairly convident in our abilities and pressed on while Ander was not so sure at first. To him the waves crahing on the rocks and the tide coming in wasn't reassuring of what lay up ahead and no assurance of making out of the cave unscathed. With a little reassurance and prodding, while in the waves and in-between pounding surf, we coaxed Ander into continuing and not turning back. Once we reached the beach we all took a knee and prayed.

You can see where we had to go into the cave and swim out in this picture by following the dotted line.

Our prayer was about the safety of the day and our friends. About those who were facing similar challenges and scared of pressing waves like work, school, home-life, relationships etc- would crush them. We prayed for wisdom for each next step for The LORD to literally guide each foot step, each hand hold, our direction. It helped us all think about our friends and families who don't get to see the danger so clearly present. At most it's usually felt. So we prayed for them. We prayed for us too. For we aren't above any issues that face our friends or family either. This moment helped shape the days adventure to seeing again, life as the great adveture.

After we met up with the other three at Salt Creek we continued to one of the hardest parts of the journey. We had to swim around the point near 3 Arch Bay where it's tresspassing to even walk up onto the hilltop to scan what's around the point!! So we swam blindly as it were. Kris and Scott (aka Prayer Partner and Scotto) pressed on ahead knowing that they could handle whatever the waves could throw at them. Ander-Calrizyin, myself and Baker weren't so sure. While BOBBY! had no question we could all do it. The Security Guard after telling us if any us set foot on the rocks we'd be immediately arrested, said the beach was only 400 yards to shore...but it was way longer or at least it seemed it when waves pounded overhead, undercurrent pulled the opposite way and rocks threatened to break you to pieces. This is also the place where Baker couldn't go. He turned around in the middle of the waves and fighting currents. We weren't sure if he had the strength to make it back onto the rocks where we jumped in. Soon the waves covered his path and we couldn't shout loud enough. We also couldn't go back through the most dangerous part through which we had just come. Hands and feet began to start feeling like lead. Hope seemed to be ebbing like the sand in my surfing booties. Then the guard let us know Baker made it to the beach shore, because we hadn't stopped yelling when we hadn't seen him come out onto the rocks to let us know he was ok. But we couldn't turn back now. Were we going to meet up later? Should we wait on the beach? Was he going back to the car? We had no way of knowing and we said a prayer and hoped for the best.

Something that I learned around here was that the waves that looked so huge and ominous looked manageable while under the water. I kept duck diving the waves and realized the waves just pass over me while they crash into rocks later. They looked as if they would pound me to Davy Jones' Locker. Under the surface though was different story. I could see the waves merely traveling up and down, almost unthreateningly. It was almost peaceful if i didn't need air to breathe. Each time I reached the surface for air I had a little more comfort knowing the waves weren't going to crush me onto rocks I couldn't see, because i knew where the rocks were I had seen them under water!

Once on the sand of the next beach we reached another blind swim but it promised to be more unforgiving than the last one. So Ander, Bobby and I found our way to PCH. My surf booties were not made for walking on cement nor hard ground...never-the-less we walked 1/2 -1 mile to Salt Creek Beach. I was still feeling down about leaving Steve back in the ocean waves and was wondering if he was at the car missing out. Also was wondering how far ahead Kris and Scott were. Once on the beach again we started making good time. We heard some faint yelling turned around to see Kris and Scott waving. The 3 of us cheered. Then a silhouette appeared from behind the other two. The cheering stopped. Then recognition, it was Baker!! The cheering continued but louder this time from all 6 of us!! Brothers reunited. From this point we made a reconnection point incase separation happened again, in front of BJ's Pizzeria until everyone had arrived.

The next sectioned involved a rock/cliff climb which Bobby and Ander elected to swim around through crazy waves. Scott and Kris made it up over and into the ocean and onto the rocks. While Baker and I trying to rock climb the dirt and pebbled rocks. When clinging to a single hand-hold within the rocks Baker made the decision to walk the last 1 and 1/2 to main beach Laguna. I thought that was a great idea, since at that moment the sun was setting into the deep blue.

When the two of us reached main beach we looked very odd indeed. Everyone dressed to the nine's and here we were in no shirts and I in weird booties I refused to take off before having my sandals with me. Steve and I recounted times we just had and recalled times doing the Coastal Challenge before and the difference. The main difference besides our stature and shape was our view of getting hurt. It was a lot easier for us to get hurt this time and this time we cared more about not getting hurt where 13+ years ago we didn't care at all!!

Then it happened. We heard it...very clearly. It was the other four. There they were in the sea of people, now, waiting to cross the street near where we were looking as ridiculous as we did; no shirts only sandals on the feet while everyone else was dressed to impress. Steve and I on the wall facing the street stood and cheered and went to welcome them! Once back to the car we made calls to tell people were not dead and very much alive even though we were about 3 hours later than we had planned on being done. It was 9 pm and we were tired and hungry. So we went to dinner and talked about the days adventure that let us live, both figuratively and literally. We thanked God for letting us survive, for friends, family, enjoyment and for the days adventure that reminded us of our lives of adventure that have all the same elements in it. From fears to failure to disappointment to success to triumphs to joy in the journey, to knowing that you have friends like family and family like friends, where one day we will be reunited with brothers and have a celebration over a meal and the Host is God Himself and we be thankful that it was He who guided the steps we took. What a day that will be!! Until then we continue the greatest adventure He could have placed us on!!

A Picture Paints a Thousand Steps

2008-07-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Looking at this picture it takes me back. Maybe it's because this picture was taken that way. I had just spent the day at this beach pretty much alone and undisturbed. It was a more chilly than beautiful day. Though the water was clear my thoughts seemed more clouded, that was until i just took it all in. I was at a beach in the middle of the day. Peace filled in the empty places. Loneliness replaced by the seeping rays of sunshine and the idea that i was alone on a beach but not lonely. Like Jack Kelly said in Newsies, "I'm alone but i ain't lonely..." It started to become real for me. I read the signs. I read the graffiti on the walls telling the non-locals to go home and the ones that say "ride the rail" "harness the wave" scrawled in surf wax. Written in passion. written with a purpose. Written to be known. The day seem to make an impact on me even though i had no big epiphany no vision of the future just a sense that I was in the Maker's hand and He loved me still and loved me in this stillness with which words failed to express, to grasp, to grant a way to see what happened within on a very ordinary day.

Ascending, what is known to locals as, the Thousand Steps I stopped turned looked back to what I just walked up. The shutter snapped this one. It shows the sea i played on and watched and reflected in. It shows the steps that seem to be grouped together in the most random of ways, groups of three sometimes five or ten. It doesn't allow you to fall into a rhythm of climbing. It makes you adjust your steps as you walk on higher with each step. I in this moment appreciate the heights I had climbed because I climbed something else that day and this picture allows me to remember that. To remember that the ocean day-break is at the end of steps. That the struggle to get there helps form us once we are there. That we should reflect on where we were to assure us that we are still making new ground. I feel like that. Like i've been to the depths and that when I got there it wasn't as dark as it looked and then there was healing, playing, love and comfort. With that hope i could ascend the Thousand Steps that still await me to take me to new heights and new adventures, maybe more depths but I know that too can lead to peace! His Peace to you, my friends!!!

something that matters

2008-05-31T22:27:00.000-07:00

i love music. i don't know many people who hate music. every society, primitive to modern have a music of their culture. from the simple drum beat to the complex melody lines of many artists both in our times and from ages ago. music says things that people can't. musicals would be somewhat silly if that happened for real, people sings and dancing as if they all knew the steps and lyrics of a thought of one lone person struggling. but that's the thing isn't it? why couldn't it be like that at least in part? we are all people, we all struggle, we all have pain, we all cry, we all have victories even if minor ones, we all have been loved if by no one else by The God of All that is. That alone should make us sing!

not sure why i've even started writing. i just wanted to write something important, something that mattered. i do that a lot. i sit to write a song, a blog, a prayer script, a letter to a friend, a poem, anything. i want to write something worth writing. i realize i speak a lot of words and none of them matter very much, so when i write i want it to matter. i can erase these ones and write new ones, make it sound just right. though i rarely do.

maybe this goes to my core and attempts to interact with the Eternal, The One and Only, The Creator who creates still. who speaks with a whisper to move mountains, who teaches us to do the same. who asks simply to follow, trust and obey; not out of rote duty, not to belong to some high-roller's club, but to do so out of love, devotion. To mimic that which He's already done. to love the unloved, the unlovely, the burned-out, the burdened, the weak, the dismayed, the lost, the fearful, the ashamed, outcasts, the sinners, my friends, your friends, our enemies, each other, and ourselves.

sometimes the noise of the outside is mistaken for music. that music won't move you to action though, it merely distracts and detours. True Music comes from the Divine Conductor. He moves souls who are listening. Are you listening? am i? can we possibly hit pause on the music of the outside and listen to what's already being played within? i want to move to the rhythms of remarkable, the melody of the Maker, the tunes of Truth.

"it's too hard" i hear myself and others say. some even say, "what's the point of a church?" "...full of hypocrites. why should we bother with organized religion?!" my response is if we can't stand people who are supposed to love us what are we gonna do when we meet those who hate us? we are supposed to love them too...especially those who hate us, "for what gain is it if someone loves those who love them, doesn't even the evil person do that?" Jesus(loose paraphrase), "..no, instead love your enemies and bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse."

my hope is that my words become less even in writing, even in my speaking, my hope is that the music moves me even as i complain that no one moves. the music being that which is His and not mine, not yours; but in time i hope that it is mine and will be yours...that's my hope. i hope that this matters to someone more than me, it matters to me at the very least. pray for me even as i pray for you.

His Peace...That's Something That Matters

for a good read The power of a story

Why Don't We Move?

2008-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00