So I don't really want to talk about the election. I did vote 3rd party. Both Obama and McCain had their strong points and weak points and in the end I'm hoping for 3 good years from Obama(the 4th will be spent running for re-election and not our country). For those complaining about Obama, hopefully you prayed for God's will to done and will continue to pray for Obama and our country. If you'd rather bitch that's your prerogative but let's try to keep some positivity.
I feel lately things have been crazy. My schedule is jammed packed and my free moments are fleeting. I'm not even sure how things get so busy. But lately I'm going crazy and having to back out of things (sorry Steph, I feel like an ass for pulling out on you). I'm trying really hard to rely on God and maintain my relationship and growth. I feel there's a lot of moving forward that needs to be done and just working hard and accomplishing. There's a calling on my life that I don't fully understand or even really know but I have a semi direction and a definite passion and I'm hoping to make the most of my life.
On a side note, it is November meaning I have started listening to Christmas music. I am excited.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Breathe
I forgot to post Rob Bell last night. Carley came over and I was feeling very sick. My apologies.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Rain
Currently watching game 5 of the world series. It's raining and Phillies are up. Only half an inning more before it's an official game and can be called. It would be lame if the Phillies won on a rain called game but I called that they'd win it in 5 and I think they'd pull it off anyway. Clearly a better team.
I've caught to great videos by Rob Bell. I'll post one tonight and one tomorrow. It's been a while since I've read his books and I don't listen to his sermons but I might have to add his podcast. The video I'm posting tonight brought me to tears.
I've caught to great videos by Rob Bell. I'll post one tonight and one tomorrow. It's been a while since I've read his books and I don't listen to his sermons but I might have to add his podcast. The video I'm posting tonight brought me to tears.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Building a Better Me
I'm headed on vacation Sunday. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the area and just relaxing and refreshing. My mind, body, and spirit all need this vacation. I'm on a cruise that goes through Canada and New England. I can't wait to get out of town.
When I get back I'm looking forward to recording and finishing the Echo Broke Alone record and working on a brand new musically endeavor with a friend of mine.
I don't have a whole lot to say but I want to leave you with three songs that are really speaking to me right now.
"How could you love someone like me? What have I done for you? All of the times I’ve turned my back. Things I did not think through. But you still care for me in spite of what you’ve seen. You shed your blood for me even though I do not deserve your grace. You’ve shown your faithfulness. Please help me do the same. I am so thankful for my life. I could not ask for more. I don’t want to just take up space. I’ve already wasted so much time. You shed your blood for me even though I do not deserve your grace. You’ve shown your faithfulness. Please help me do the same."
Slick Shoes - Constancy
"I killed the Son of God today.
I built the cross where He was slain.
My sins,
The hands that held the hammer that drove the nails through His skin.
Someday I win.
I want to make it up.
I want to die to myself for You.
It makes me fall apart,
When I think of all that You went through.
I owe my all to You. (I owe my all to You)
Because when it came to do or die.
You died for me,
Though I would be nothing perfect,
For human eyes to see.
My hands are Yours for works.
My eyes will seek until I've found You.
My legs will walk the earth,
Until You tell me my work is through.
I want to make it up,
I want to die to myself for You,
You are the one that I love,
I owe my all to you. (I owe my all to you)
I met the Son of God today,
He said "I forgive you for My pain",
He took my sin that held the hammer that drove the nails through His skin,
He said I win.
I'm a new creation through You,
Created for You by You.
So make me worth Your while,
Put me to use."
Dogwood - Do or Die
Dogwood - Building a Better Me
When I get back I'm looking forward to recording and finishing the Echo Broke Alone record and working on a brand new musically endeavor with a friend of mine.
I don't have a whole lot to say but I want to leave you with three songs that are really speaking to me right now.
"How could you love someone like me? What have I done for you? All of the times I’ve turned my back. Things I did not think through. But you still care for me in spite of what you’ve seen. You shed your blood for me even though I do not deserve your grace. You’ve shown your faithfulness. Please help me do the same. I am so thankful for my life. I could not ask for more. I don’t want to just take up space. I’ve already wasted so much time. You shed your blood for me even though I do not deserve your grace. You’ve shown your faithfulness. Please help me do the same."
Slick Shoes - Constancy
"I killed the Son of God today.
I built the cross where He was slain.
My sins,
The hands that held the hammer that drove the nails through His skin.
Someday I win.
I want to make it up.
I want to die to myself for You.
It makes me fall apart,
When I think of all that You went through.
I owe my all to You. (I owe my all to You)
Because when it came to do or die.
You died for me,
Though I would be nothing perfect,
For human eyes to see.
My hands are Yours for works.
My eyes will seek until I've found You.
My legs will walk the earth,
Until You tell me my work is through.
I want to make it up,
I want to die to myself for You,
You are the one that I love,
I owe my all to you. (I owe my all to you)
I met the Son of God today,
He said "I forgive you for My pain",
He took my sin that held the hammer that drove the nails through His skin,
He said I win.
I'm a new creation through You,
Created for You by You.
So make me worth Your while,
Put me to use."
Dogwood - Do or Die
Dogwood - Building a Better Me
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I haven't blogged in a while. I've been without internet at home for a handful of days so having it back tonight is nice.
Tomorrow morning I'm getting tattooed. I'm really excited. The Patton family coat of arms. Representing my family, although I'm sure my parents would much rather I represent without getting a tattoo. I can't really explain the excitement or joy of getting tattooed but I'm hooked.
The craziness that can be my life is pushing me to really rely on God for everything. Without him things start to spit at the seems and life becomes overbearing. I'm learning to not lose sight of my relationship with God. If I can keep that in order and make that my number 1 priority, the rest of my life seems to work out.
Here's some Underoath for you
Tomorrow morning I'm getting tattooed. I'm really excited. The Patton family coat of arms. Representing my family, although I'm sure my parents would much rather I represent without getting a tattoo. I can't really explain the excitement or joy of getting tattooed but I'm hooked.
The craziness that can be my life is pushing me to really rely on God for everything. Without him things start to spit at the seems and life becomes overbearing. I'm learning to not lose sight of my relationship with God. If I can keep that in order and make that my number 1 priority, the rest of my life seems to work out.
Here's some Underoath for you
Sunday, August 24, 2008
40 Days Under the Knife
So my fast ended this weekend and this is the 40 day fast blog. An overview of the thoughts, ideas, and workings of the last 40 days. God did a lot of challenging and growth work in my life this fast. Where as my lent fast was a showing of issues, this fast was a lifting of burdens and a deeper understanding of joy in Christ. There's a lot of cliche christian slang and terms that will be thrown around and already have and I'd be ashamed except it's all true and I'm not sure how else to express myself.
Day 1 started with a prayer that I wrote down. An underlying theme for where I wanted my life to go and go through for this fast.
"Father in heaven,
I seek you for the next 40 days. I ask that you'd reveal yourself to me in a fresh way. I seek you for wisdom and guidance in my life. I have lost the passion that once burned in my heart and I'm not sure where to go. I can't and don't want to do life without you. I invite you to come and challenge me and make my life uncomfortable. Break me and rebuild me. Show me the direction you want my life to go. Help me take steps in the right direction. I need you.
Your imperfect son"
Lesson learned; If you ask God for something, he'll answer.
I don't think that when I asked God to break me he would do it in such a large movement. Because break me he did. One night at home building a shelf and the next minute I'm on the floor crying the hardest I've probably ever cried. And the overall tone was just being tired and life as is. That things had come to a place on boring, lifeless relationship with God and I was just done with it. God has more in store for me and I was tired and not living up to my potential. I was completely disturb for about 2 weeks because I had no real idea about what prompted this outburst and complete discomfort and sense that something was wrong. And there were moments and even days where things felt good but overall I felt disturbed and I felt like my life was a failure. I spent a lot of time fighting against myself.
One verse changed this feeling. Matthew 11:28-30
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I spent a good hour in prayer the night I read this verse and I told God I was sick and tired of the life I was leading. That trying to live up to some man made standard wasn't working for me. I was tired of the bullshit and I just wanted to live in the love of God and my life move and flow and operate out of the love of God. And nothing else was going to matter. And I prayer for a freeing of my spirit, the whatever hold satan had on me, he would no longer have because Jesus had come and set me free and satan has been defeated. And I swear with all the honesty that is in me I literally felt my shoulders get lighter and warmth fill my heart and God whispered "Everything will be alright". And I spend the next 30 minutes laughing and crying and praising God. And yeah it sounds like some Sunday morning tv message but I swear it happened and life hasn't been the same since.
There was a lot God showed me. The passions he placed inside me hadn't gone away, I had just failed to see the situation and place that God had put me in. The opportunities were there and I had just failed to recognize and act. I think the way has shifted but not the idea and I see where God can take this and where it could go.
And lastly I think the point to live life with abandon and to the fullest was reitterated. Just enjoying life and having a good time and also not waiting till I'm where I think God wants me to be to do what he wants me to do. I think I spend far too much time worrying about my state of mind and less on how awesome God is and that it doesn't matter what shape I'm in, he can use me anyway. More times then not where I am is where he needs me to be. I'm also learning that it's not always how we handle or react to a certain situation/sin but how we come out of that and how we move forward.
I just feel free and I'm loving just being in love with God. Hopefully that shows a little more and hopefully I continue to grow in the right direction.
Day 1 started with a prayer that I wrote down. An underlying theme for where I wanted my life to go and go through for this fast.
"Father in heaven,
I seek you for the next 40 days. I ask that you'd reveal yourself to me in a fresh way. I seek you for wisdom and guidance in my life. I have lost the passion that once burned in my heart and I'm not sure where to go. I can't and don't want to do life without you. I invite you to come and challenge me and make my life uncomfortable. Break me and rebuild me. Show me the direction you want my life to go. Help me take steps in the right direction. I need you.
Your imperfect son"
Lesson learned; If you ask God for something, he'll answer.
I don't think that when I asked God to break me he would do it in such a large movement. Because break me he did. One night at home building a shelf and the next minute I'm on the floor crying the hardest I've probably ever cried. And the overall tone was just being tired and life as is. That things had come to a place on boring, lifeless relationship with God and I was just done with it. God has more in store for me and I was tired and not living up to my potential. I was completely disturb for about 2 weeks because I had no real idea about what prompted this outburst and complete discomfort and sense that something was wrong. And there were moments and even days where things felt good but overall I felt disturbed and I felt like my life was a failure. I spent a lot of time fighting against myself.
One verse changed this feeling. Matthew 11:28-30
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I spent a good hour in prayer the night I read this verse and I told God I was sick and tired of the life I was leading. That trying to live up to some man made standard wasn't working for me. I was tired of the bullshit and I just wanted to live in the love of God and my life move and flow and operate out of the love of God. And nothing else was going to matter. And I prayer for a freeing of my spirit, the whatever hold satan had on me, he would no longer have because Jesus had come and set me free and satan has been defeated. And I swear with all the honesty that is in me I literally felt my shoulders get lighter and warmth fill my heart and God whispered "Everything will be alright". And I spend the next 30 minutes laughing and crying and praising God. And yeah it sounds like some Sunday morning tv message but I swear it happened and life hasn't been the same since.
There was a lot God showed me. The passions he placed inside me hadn't gone away, I had just failed to see the situation and place that God had put me in. The opportunities were there and I had just failed to recognize and act. I think the way has shifted but not the idea and I see where God can take this and where it could go.
And lastly I think the point to live life with abandon and to the fullest was reitterated. Just enjoying life and having a good time and also not waiting till I'm where I think God wants me to be to do what he wants me to do. I think I spend far too much time worrying about my state of mind and less on how awesome God is and that it doesn't matter what shape I'm in, he can use me anyway. More times then not where I am is where he needs me to be. I'm also learning that it's not always how we handle or react to a certain situation/sin but how we come out of that and how we move forward.
I just feel free and I'm loving just being in love with God. Hopefully that shows a little more and hopefully I continue to grow in the right direction.
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