Monday, October 27, 2008

I Am Falling in Love With Hillsong...

Probably because my church uses them a lot. This song is amazing...

All for Love - Hillsong

All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgiveIf only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

So True!

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world todayIs Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lipsThen walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

I stole this from Jo. :)

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I Haven't Written Much Lately...

There is a reason for that. I have come to a place in my life where I have no idea who I am. I mean, I know that our purpose is found in Him, but where does that leave me. Who am I? I see people who may struggle with things, and kinda have no idea what they are doing, but they know who they are. They have things about them that they do, that are unique to them, that when it comes down to it, that is who they are. The more I surround myself with people that can define themselves, the more I become ambiguous. Just kinda empty. I guess that is the best way to describe it. Void of anything important. Again, not in reference to my life, but in reference to me as a person. I am...plain. And I have fought against that for so long. I do that in new cars, in new clothes, in things I can buy, in anything that will make me stand out of at least a minute. And then it is gone, and I am back to just being plain. I don't have anything that defines me. No way to distinguish myself from anyone else. Everything that I do, for the most part at least, has been influenced by the people around me, and you can see that in the way that I change based on the person I have been spending the most time with.

I used to think it was a good thing. To not have a style, to be able to fit in with whatever circumstance or thing was going on around me, but lately it has become more of a burden. If I do not even know how I feel most comfortable...how do I know who I even am?

I don't know...maybe it is just a different form of insecurity. The fear of never being special enough. Never standing out. Regardless, it has been bothering me lately. And yet, the apathetic side of me takes over and doesn't encourage me to change it. Pointless.

Yesterday was three years since James died. Three years. I didn't even remember until this morning. I guess that fits...

Friday, October 3, 2008

Appropriate

"We will all come to the point in our life where we have to admit that we feel defeated, that something has conquered us. We must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately have to. We can not take life in its current suffocating state, even to admit such desperation shows that we are feeling deserted, wandering the barren desert, a shell of our former selves. It is only up from here, it is impossible to sink any lower into ourselves or our circumstances. But we can be salvaged, a deliverance. No vice can stand, no fix can take. The thorn in the side can be removed, but you have to be willing to admit and surrender. Surrender your habits, your lifestyle, your past, your present, and your future. This is your new surrender. The new surrender."

-Stephen Christian

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

"And I'll Take the Truth at Any Cost"

So lately, this has been a theme in my life. Truth. In more ways than one. As I expressed in my last post, my desire is to be transparant in my life. I want to be able to tell someone that they can trust me and mean it. I want the lieing to stop. A hard thing to do, but something that is necessary. Something that I beleive will be a huge step in me growing as a person. Learning to take responsibility for my actions, and no longer being afraid of people's opinion of me.

This is also a theme I want to see worked out in relationships in my life. I will take the Truth about people, about their feelings, about how we relate together, at any cost. I feel so often that since I know I can't be trusted, that I do not trust others. A small slip, can break the fragil trust i give someone in the beginning. I'm not sure if that is good or not. Maybe I trust people to easily, and trust should be gained. Maybe I don't trust people enough and trust should be given until it is lost. I don't know. But the thing is, I desire truth. I would prefer to know the worst about someone, or how they feel, then go on living a lie with them.

And yet there is so much more than that. Jesus Himself said, "I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life". I desire His Truth. Him. All that He is. I desire that, above all. Ahh...the words that I wish I could say honestly. The truth is, I don't desire Him above all, but another great truth, He is showing me how to do this more and more every day. Everyday I find myself desiring Him more than I had before. It is a great thing. A desire I don't think I have had in a long time. He has a long way to take me, and that is a great thing. That means the more time I get to spend with Him. The truth is, I can't survive without Him. So the more that He builds or requires this desire for Him, the better it is for me. Selfish.

In the end, may all glory go to Him

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Where I have been lately

I feel that this is not only a question I have been asked a lot, but a question I have been asking myself a lot lately.

Where have I been?

The easy answer, at home. Sitting. Reading. Being lazy. Not doing much. Just living...kinda.

The not so easy answer, I have no idea. I have been floating though ideas, through emotions, through thoughts, through situations. I haven't really been grounded in a while. So floating...kinda.

At Sandals on Sunday, the message challenged me...as always. It was about being real, a theme I see a lot in them. But it was about being real with everyone. This idea brought a lot of attention to an area in my life that I struggle with a lot. I won't necessarily say most often, because there are so many things that I struggle with that I am not really sure which one wins out, but I know that the frequency of this one makes it a huge thing in my life. Lying. It is strange how I can lie to people often, and yet when I tell them that I lie, they choose to think that THAT is not true. I mean really. I lie often. And when I say often, I mean often. About stupid stuff. But the more that I think about it the more that I realize that I do it ALL the time. I can't think of one person I haven't lied to. I do it. And the problem is, that I don't even think about it anymore. It just kinda happens, comes out, and I let it go. I am not saying this to say that I am going to change, or that I will never lie again, that would just be adding to the cycle. But I am saying this to let you know I guess. There are so many things I am not truthful about. So many times that I am not honest. So many things that you can't believe. I am not a person you should trust.

That being said, I am trying. Pastor Matt encouraged people to write down the things that we struggle with most on a band around our arms. It is this bright green thing that clashes with everything. Thus the point. So when someone stares and asks us what it is...we tell them. It says that I struggle with lying, pride, fear, doubt, and unbelief. And the things that I am hiding most are out there. For everyone to see. And know. And I am exposed.

And I am exposed. Interesting isn't it? How the thing we sometimes fear most is being found out, and yet Jesus Himself said, "The Truth shall set you free".

Freedom...

I don't know where I am, and as graduation and life approaches, I have even less of an idea of where I am going.

I am here.

I have been here.

And as long as I stay here, I hope that a better version of me starts to shine through.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Just a Reminder

Holy, my God You are worthy of all my praise.



Holy, my God You are worthy of all my praise.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Remember

May I always remember how great the love of my Savior is toward me. If I could keep this in the forefront of my mind, I think my life would really be worth something.

"See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16a

Thursday, July 24, 2008

An Update

I just wanted to let you all know how the Lord has been working lately.

My car got broken into, another thing I tend to put before Him. It is His now. Along with everything they took.

But as for the other things,

All of this is for His Glory.

In one way or another, for some reason, this has all happened so that He will be Glorified.

I am in the process of learning that. He is always willing to teach me.

If it Glorifies You, Jesus bring the rain.

Monday, July 14, 2008

One Last Thing

So I am not sure how many of you know all that has been transpiring in the last few weeks. I won't fill in all the details, that usually ends up being too long of a story, but I would like to share all that God has shown me through this, and how He has shown me that this might just be a continual process.

God will break down idols in your life. In different ways, in different situations, God will break them down. He will not stand for it. You ask Him to make a change, ask Him to do something great with your life, know that He will. But the idols must come down first. I do not mean to say that it will be God that physically does it, there is a great amount of effort that we must put out, but He will do it.

A few areas He has done this for me:

Family- I must remember that God is the one that directs my families path, not me. it is His work, not mine.

Friends- The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

School- No matter how much I don't like it, it can still become an idol.

Work- When I start taking things for granted, He shows that He is able to take it all away.

Financially- To whom much is given, much is required. I need to not let my dependence be on monetary things.

And finally, last night, relationships. This one I will kept to myself for a while. But God has shown me great things through a person and experience, I wouldn't change for the world.

I know all of this might be a little scattered. But it is all so true. Each of these things could be expanded 10 fold. But there is simply not time.

Moral of the story...God is God. When things get put out of place, everything gets all messed up.

I pray that you all are blessed. Please pray for me, even though this is where I need to be, my emotions will try to creep up every once in a while. But God is greater than all.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

I Cried Out to God and He Heard Me and Answered My Prayer

I cried out to God with my voice-To God with my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.
Selah.
You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old,
The years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in the night;
I meditate within my heart,
And my spirit makes diligent search.
Will the Lord cast off forever?
And will He be favorable no more?
Has His mercy ceased forever?
Has His promise failed forevermore?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?
Selah.
And I said, “This is my anguish;
But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the works of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah.

Psalm 77:1-15

I read this last night, and although I don't fully understand, I know that the Lord has heard my prayers. In His time, in His way, He will answer it. Oh what a Loving God we serve.

Friday, June 27, 2008

It has been a while...

This title has a few meanings.

First, the obvious one. I have not updated this thing in forever. Something that Dain brought to my attention a few days ago. I guess, I haven't really had much to say. Not too much has changed, not too much going. Just not much. That and I found that every time I do post somethings, it just never comes out right. It never feels like I am being real or something. But I am posting...I need to. It is kinda a way to start again.

The second being that it has been a while since things have been the way they are. The next few statements are true, as much as some people may not believe it. It has been a while since I was anywhere near God, let alone actually having a relationship with Him. That statement is interesting to me. I believe in the idea of "once saved, always saved". And yet, my relationship with God lately had me doubting exactly that. If I can really go through my life with no regard to God, am I still saved, was I ever? The truth is I don't know. Honestly. Here is what I do know. I know that my heart has turned to Him once again. There was no exact moment when it happened. No alter call experience, just a process of a few months, and the outcome is me remembering all that He is, and the amount that I need Him everyday. And now the past is the past. All that I needed to do was remember my first weeks, and return to my First Love. I guess when you heart chases after other types of loves, it has no time to chase after God. But here I am again...

And the third reason...I miss my best friend. And it seems like forever since I have seen her. I know that the Lord is with her though, and that He is doing great things with her as well. But I can't wait to see her again. Love you Leese.

Hmm...way more going on, but expect posts more often, at least that is my goal. We will see how that works out.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

A Song Running Through My Ears

"I love You. My heart is Yours only Yours Jesus. I want to give you all of me. I love You. I love You. My heart is Yours only Yours. I long to give You all of me...my everything. My everything. Thoughts of You and how You've changed me...fill my mind."

What an amazing love song to a Savior. The purest form of love. How I long to make this my hearts cry.

Until then...I just listen and pray...

Monday, April 21, 2008

Isaiah 6:1

So with everything going on lately, the one conclusion I have come to is that God is still on His throne. And more than that, He has always been there.

Blessings have bee poured out on me lately, not because of anything in particular, but for the simple reason that I now see that everything that happens has God's workmanship all over it.

Take last night for example, one of the best times of fellowships Alyssa and I have had in a LONG time. And you know why? God has continued to take us through the same situations at the same time. I think that He does this so that at the end of it we can both sit together and love our Savior. Pretty sweet idea.

Okay, so moving on to church. I think I need to find a home. Since I left Harvest, I have never really felt a sense of being where I belonged. This poses a problem in that I know that God has called me out of Harvest. For the past few months I feel as if I have been swaying back and forth trying to find a place I belong. I know that I need to be in fellowship, and there has been proof that I do not survive long outside of fellowship, worship, and teaching. And Norco has been great. They have been loving and exhorting. My only problem...I don't make friends well. I have people there that I love and care about, Dain and Anthony, in particular, and they have been great as far as trying their best to help me feel at ease. But I am able to go and sit by myself and leave. I do not feel like I have connected with anyone that I didn't know from Harvest. This is my fault. I do not step outside of my comfort zone much. And the idea of walking up and talking to people that I do not know, frankly freaks me out. So I feel...stuck I guess.

The whole point of all of this is to ask for you guys to pray for me. Pray that I will find somewhere that feels like home. And if Norco is that place for me, pray that the Lord will bring me out of my comfort zone and work in my heart.

God is too good to keep silent about. He truly is too good.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Friendship

I have been thinking a lot about friendhsip lately. The way that things change the way that friendships have the ability to be molded into something completly differnt than they ever started out being. There may only be a few that I choose to invest a significant amount of time in, but there are many that I hold dear to my heart. Many of these friendships can go a few weeks or months without significant interaction, but when we do get the opportunity to reunite, it is as if only a few days had gone by. I do cherish these friendships.

I often feel like in order to invest time in people I am not used to seeing, it takes a gret deal of effort, a great amount of planning, and a whole lot of energy that I don't have. But I am often reminded that when I do these things that I am more blessed than I can even imagine.

There are things that will change in life, nothing ever stays the same. But I have found that I will have friends that will be with me until the day that we die. And I only hope that you are able to find the same.

Friends truly are a blessing from God, if you will allow them to be...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

No real reason

The only thing that I know for sure, is that I in fact know nothing.

Please continue to pray for my brother. It would seem that things got worse last night. No real news to report, I will let you know what has happened when I find out more.

I was listening to a podcast by Francis Chan this morning and he was talking a little about the ineffectiveness of the church. I had for a long time wondered why it was that I was so ineffective as a Christian, and he really brought it out into light. I find these things hard to relate to in my life, for I feel like my life lately has started to spin, but I know that when the time comes that I land, that I will desire to land somewhere around here. He said, that the reason that Christians are so ineffective is not because they are too radical that is scars people, but that they are not living the things that they are saying. If I really believe that the God I serve is so great, why do I flippantly come before Him? If I really believe that the God I serve is so great, why don't I actually serve Him? If I really believe that there is a such thing as Heaven and Hell, why don't I shout it from the roof tops, or at least warn people? If I really believe that God is able to change lives, why does it seem I am not different than the person that I was before God? If I really believe all the things that God has said in His Word, why do I not follow it? The list goes on and on and on...

His point, and mine I guess, is not that I am ineffective because I stand out, but that I claim to follow something that makes me different from most of the world, and yet I look and act like everyone else. Maybe the reason that we as Christians are so ineffective is because the world can not tell us apart from itself.

I hope to never get to the point where I blend in.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Demetri Martin

Okay, so Alyssa showed me this comedian, and man he is too funny. I have added a link to the video below, but there are so many other ones on YouTube. Go check him out. You will not be dissapointed. :)

Check out the video here.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Supporting companies that don't support our troops?

I received this e-mail yesterday from my uncle. I have no knowledge of it's validity, so do not take this as Gospel truth. But it poses a very interesting question. The e-mail follows.

Guess I won't be drinking Starbucks anymore! ! !

Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to Let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee.

So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street -to-street and house-to-house.

If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and no one will ever know.

After reading this, I did what most people do, I deleated it. But it brought a question to me later, how do I feel about companies that do not support the soldiers. There are more than enough people that don't support the war, and I don't think you have to, but I think that when it comes down to it, we should always support our soldiers.

So I post this, really to see what you all think. If there was a company that you knew did not support our soldiers, would you still support it? Why or why not? I think that this can go many ways, and I am hoping it opens up for some room to debate.

Have a great day!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Good for a Laugh


Everytime I see this picture I can't help but laugh. I hope it does the same for you. To be fair, Alyssa is the one who took this picture of what can be considered the ugliest dog in the world. No really, he wins contests. :) The caption for this picture is, "He has no teeth on the side, so his tongue chills outside his mouth" which adds to the humor of the picture. There are a few more pictures, if you want to see them click here or here. I really hope this brought a smile to your face on this great Friday!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

The Great Debate

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25

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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1


Normally when I post about scripture, I will just copy and paste it from Bible Gateway, but for some reason today I felt the need to type them out, to really write as Paul would have been writing. To remind myself that as he wrote this, he was not the picture of perfection I sometimes get, but he was a sinner struggling to find God's grace in the midst of his sin. Thankfully, he wrote Romans 8:1, to let us know that he not only found God's grace, but that same grace is available to us.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Super Tuesday

I am interested to see what your opinion is of the election. More specifically, who you voted for and why. I know there are a lot of people that do not feel comfortable with sharing that kind of information, so if that is the case, then just tell me what you think about it so far. If you didn't vote, why? Some people say that you should never talk about religion and politics, but what better way to get people to talk?

I am interested to see how this turns out.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

5 Reasons I Hate Public Restrooms


I went into a public restroom last week at Disneyland and found a few of the many reasons I hate public restrooms. I would like to share a few with the Blogger community, to see if there is anyone out there that has had the same experience. I hope you all enjoy.


1. Everything is Wet

Yes, this is taken directly from a Dane Cook joke, but the truth behind it is still there. When walking into a public restroom, there is a great chance that there is water on the floor, on the sink, and sporadic other places that you would not expect. I remember in high school when I would walk into the girls restroom and there would be girls in there putting toilet paper in the sink to clog it so that it would get all over the floor. But I find it hard to believe that grown women do the same thing. So then the question must be asked..."Where does all the water come from?"


2. The Smell


I am not trying to be inappropriate, we all know what kind of smells come from the restroom, but often, there is a different odor...one that is a little more indescribable...it just smells...odd. That is all that I can say about that.


3. Toilet Seat Covers


These little things are frustrating. Let me be the first to say, that I am pretty convinced that they do nothing in the way of protection, but I cannot bring myself to not use them. I would think that there would be no amount of showers that would make me feel clean after that. So I tolerate them. I say that they are one of the things that I hate because it always becomes a race against the clock when I use them. I carefully pull it out of the container, and without fail I rip the first one. Apparently, "Pull up, then pull down" doesn't always work the way it should. Once I manage to get on that isn't ripped, I carefully place it over the toilet. And then it falls in. So I go through the process of getting another one, and place it over the toilet again. The race is on from then, I have to prepare to use the restroom before it falls in again, and there are times where I barley catch it in time. I think toilet seat covers are out to get me.


4. Automatic Appliances


I know that the people that invented automatic appliances were trying to help the world, but really, is it worth it. First you have automatic flushing. I appreciate the thought here, I was getting tired of the balancing act that happens as I try to push down on the lever with my foot. But it makes it really frustrating when it decides to flush when you are not quite ready for it. And if it does wait for the required amount of time, then you have to stand in there until it recognizes that you have stood up, which can often take a few minutes. Then you make your way out to the automatic faucet. This is a great way to prevent the spread of germs, if they turn on. I often stand there for a few minutes trying to place my hand in the perfect position to get them to turn on, and when they finally do, they turn off once I being to actually wash my hands. I am starting to think that they have a mind of their own.


5. Automatic Towel Dispensers


I do realize that this falls into the category above, but my sheer hatred for these things forces them to be in a category all their own. I will not say much about them, this post is not meant to get heated, but man...seriously? It has taken me at least a year to figure out what it is you have to do with your hands to get the paper towles to come out. By the time I do figure it out, by sheer luck, my hands are already dry from waving them around so much. The diagram on the machine does nothing to help you. It has a hand with the lines behind it trying to symbolize movement. Yeah...thanks.


Anyway, there are many more reasons that would give grounds for hesitation anytime I am out, but, these were the few that I have experienced lately. If you know of anymore, feel free to share. I am always interested in feedback.


I think I can take the toilet seat covers. :)


Thursday, January 24, 2008

My Heart

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Robert Robinson

I was listening to Pastor John Piper this morning and he was talking about this hymn. How fitting. May you all be blesses. :)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

PostSecret


I have developed an interesting love for the PostSecret website and books. For those of you who do not know what that is, Frank Warren started a project where he handed out blank postcards and told people to write a secret on them. He had his address and a stamp on the opposite side, and waited to see what happened. Well it turns out people were more willing to send in their secrets. Now a few years have passes and people send in hundreds of postcards a day. Each individually decorated, with a different secret. Frank has made three books out of these postcards, the last one was just recently released. Check it out here.

Anyway, the secrets that people send in are often a mixture of emotions. Many people have responded saying that sending in their secret has allowed them to move on from it. Allowed them to get away from it. Sometimes telling one person, helps them to heal. It is so interesting the different types of secrets that get sent in. Some are sad, happy, sexual, strange, scary, and a mix of everything. This website, or the books can often be a little more than G rated, but the time and effort someone has put into making sure people knew how they felt is astounding. There has been a number of times where I have looked at a post card and thought that I could have sent that very same thing. The fact that there are people in the world that deal with things that I have dealt with, or are going through things that I go through, in some strange way...gives me hope. Hope not only for my slef, but for the fact that God can reach these people. The ones that are hurting, the ones that don't know where to turn, the ones that feel lost. God can save them.

Alyssa and I have gone into a bookstore and sat down and read the PostSecret books. We will laugh at a few of them, talk about some other ones, and just experience them together. But after we leave there is often a strange silence. Silence for me because these are things I can't stop thinking about. Silence for her, for reasons we haven't talked about. But after all of that emotion is poured out from those books, there is not much to talk about. Often, there is not much to say.

Maybe I am over analyzing this. Maybe not. Either way, I really encourage you guys to look into it. It is an amazing thing to see. He usually updates the site on Sunday, so if you are interested, go and check it out. You can see it here.


Maybe one day we could all be this honest with each other.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A Few Tips for Those Who Clip

So I recently got my hair cut, at a place that will remain nameless, but I am noticing a trend. I think that a few girls will understand where I am coming from. So these are a few tips that I want to share with people that cut, style, or mess with hair. So here we go.
  • Do not ask me if I want any of the specials. Most of the time, I am too nice to turn you down, or I don't understand what it is that you are offering me, and I definitely do not expect it to be $20 more. And really, if it doesn't do anything, please do not offer it to me. That just bugs me.
  • Do not talk to other hair stylists in a different language. Just because I don't understand you does not mean that I don't know you are talking about how dead my hair is or how dirty it was when it came in, or any other insecurity I might be having that day. This goes for when you guys whisper as well. Please share this with the people that so my toes as well. Thanks.
  • If I suggest a haircut that is going to make me look hideous, please do not do it. You are an expert on hair, and I sometimes pick things on a whim, so if it is not good...tell me. I will respect your decision and more than likely follow it. You are not forcing your opinion on me, you are saving me from certain embarrassment.
  • When I ask your opinion, do not say whatever I want. I asked your opinion for a reason. You, again, are supposed to be an expert. I asked you because I value your opinion, and obviously I do not know what will work. Please give me advise.
  • When I tell you what I want you to do with my hair, and then you recite it back to me. Please get it right. If I say, "Cut it short." and you say, "So you want it short?" and I reply, "Yes.". Please...cut it short! I do not understand why that is difficult, or confusing. I know that sometimes there are mistakes, but honestly...it happening more than once is a little crazy. If you didn't know what I meant, then tell me. Ask me questions, get an idea, something. Don't just assume, and don't pretend to know.

These are just some of my ramblings. I am sure there are many more. I usually give you second, third, or even fourth chances, so I will be back. And I would really like you to get it right. Thank you.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Wicked: The Musical




I have never been one to write reviews, I have always felt a little inadequate as far as information that I could provide. But after seeing Wicked for the fourth time, I think it is time that I say a little about it.

Wicked the musical is known as the "untold story of the Wizard of Oz" and takes a look at the lives of Galinda, later to be known as Glinda the Good, and Elphaba, later to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of their meeting and ultimately their unlikely friendship. Even though their relationship is rocked by a few problems, they are able to make it through, summarized in one of the last songs, "For Good". The musical is marked with great songs; some of which will have your toes tapping to the beat, and others that will leave your side aching from the humor.

The LA cast of Wicked has recently changed. Elphaba, who was once played by Eden Espinosa is now played by Caissie Levy. I must say, the change in this role really scared me. I did not think that anyone could play that role better than Eden. But I was pleasantly surprised by Caissie's performance. Although "Defying Gravity" was not as powerful, this song is really the climax of the play and you would be hard pressed to find someone that could do it better than Eden, there were a few songs that I believed she nailed, including her first solo in "The Wizard and I". A few other changes were to the characters Boq and Madame Morrible. I do not feel that the change in cast has lowered the show in any way.

A few points I want to make in closing:

Positive points:


  • I believe it is a show worth watching.

  • Surprisingly funny. From the little sayings from the Wizard of Oz to the songs. You laugh pretty much the whole time.

  • "Wonderful cast" (this was meant to be a pun, when you see it you will get it)

  • Interesting and surprising plot...that is all I can say without giving it away.

  • Incredible music, this is the kind of musical that you will buy the soundtrack for and listen to over and over again.

  • Safe for the whole family (I hate that phrase...in case you were wondering). I have seen the show twice where there has been a girl that I believe is 11 in our party. There is one scene that hits at being sexual, but it is tastefully done and no where near inappropriate.

Negative points (Most of which I overheard a gentleman say during intermission):



  • More for the younger generation. He mentioned that he felt with the costumes and songs that it was a play that appealed to a crowed younger than himself, I would guesstimate his age to be around 60 or 65.

  • Kinda expensive, tickets can range from $35-$98. But if you enjoy this kind of thing, it is well worth it.

  • Nothing like the book. See the book here. If you have read the book and are going to see the play, or have seen the play and are going to read the book, the only things that are similar are the names.

  • If taken to the extreme, and looking at the Wizard as a "God-like" figure...there can be a spin on the idea that the people of OZ were looking for something to believe in and believe in the Wizard eve though he has no real power (which he admits in the play), just as we are looking for something to believe in and we create this "god" to believe in. It is pretty much the same critique that happened when the movie came out. But I do not believe it is a strong enough connection to worry about.

Overall, I recommend this play to everyone! I think that anyone can get something out of it. And if you ever want to go, I am sure we will be going again soon. Just maybe not by bubble. ;)



Thursday, January 10, 2008

So this is a first.

Just thought I would try it out and see.