Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Weekend vacation ramblings
Sitting here in the Howard Johnson hotel in Suffern, NY, I figured I should post some thoughts. I still have no job yet but I am actively searching. As long as things are approved, I will be working part-time at The Salvation Army in Batavia starting on the 27th. My parents run The Salvation Army in Batavia, but I'd be supervised by one of their staffers (some legalities that they can't directly supervise me, but I digress). I hope to find another part time job here soon. With many unsuccessful attempts at landing a full time position, I just feel the Lord is calling me to do a job that I wouldn't normally take. Patching 2 or 3 part-time jobs together might be easier on my grad school schedule and I would still be able to sufficiently pay my bills.
Over the past few months, being unemployed has been hard on me. I was so used to being busy and productive that my lack of productivity brought on lots of feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. I know many people at church but it isn't like I spend time with any of them. Thankfully, this past week has been great. On Wednesday, I went to the O.A.R. concert with my friend Kelly from grad school. I've been a fan of the band for almost 10 years but have never been able to see them for many reasons. They come to Rochester and Buffalo all the time, and I was not going to pass up this opportunity. I had a blast, O.A.R. was amazing, and more than anything, I needed to get out of the house and it was wonderful. Thursday, after church, a whole bunch of us went out to eat. I met Katie and Katrina, two wonderful gals from Boston. They were in the area because of Kingdom Bound and my pal Rand befriended them and invited them to Thursdays service. Always glad to meet new people, especially fellow Massachusetts natives. Too bad I only got to spend a couple hours with them but I sure hope they come back to visit sometime.
I've been reading "The Jesus of Suburbia" by Mike Erre and he really touches on so many things wrong with the state of Christianity in America. Erre says that we have been following the Jesus of Suburbia rather than the Jesus of Nazareth. That is, we tend to practice the safe Christianity instead of stepping out of the box and letting ourselves be challenged and pushed beyond our comfort zone. He also challenges people to stop thinking that God's work on earth depends on who is in the White House. Christians who equate Republicanism with Christianity really bother me. They are letting their faith be twisted by their politics rather than their faith influencing their moral and political decisions. God does not favor either political party. There are immoral conservatives and liberals. When people say that Christians can't be liberal, I am deeply offended, not because I am liberal (which I am not), but the fact that they think all Christians must follow the same social and political beliefs. I am a Christian first and foremost. My faith guides me in my other ideas and beliefs and I'd rather follow them than be a blind sheep to a political party.
As usual, I recommend some music:
Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child. (releases soon; I've heard it. More gloriousness from Linford and Karin. Breathtaking)
The Dears - No Cities Left. (Montreal-band recommended if you like The Arcade Fire)
Mad At The World - Seasons of Love. Christian alternative band from the 80's. I just got into them and they were amazing. Along with Adam Again, they really shaped much of the alternative scene in the 80's and early 90's.
MuteMath - MuteMath. Words cannot explain the musical genius of this band. They blow you away with their rich sound and solid playing. Darren King might be the best drummer in the business today and he plays with a very minimal kit. Paul Meany also plays a mean keytar.
Ok, I bid you adieu, for now.
Over the past few months, being unemployed has been hard on me. I was so used to being busy and productive that my lack of productivity brought on lots of feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. I know many people at church but it isn't like I spend time with any of them. Thankfully, this past week has been great. On Wednesday, I went to the O.A.R. concert with my friend Kelly from grad school. I've been a fan of the band for almost 10 years but have never been able to see them for many reasons. They come to Rochester and Buffalo all the time, and I was not going to pass up this opportunity. I had a blast, O.A.R. was amazing, and more than anything, I needed to get out of the house and it was wonderful. Thursday, after church, a whole bunch of us went out to eat. I met Katie and Katrina, two wonderful gals from Boston. They were in the area because of Kingdom Bound and my pal Rand befriended them and invited them to Thursdays service. Always glad to meet new people, especially fellow Massachusetts natives. Too bad I only got to spend a couple hours with them but I sure hope they come back to visit sometime.
I've been reading "The Jesus of Suburbia" by Mike Erre and he really touches on so many things wrong with the state of Christianity in America. Erre says that we have been following the Jesus of Suburbia rather than the Jesus of Nazareth. That is, we tend to practice the safe Christianity instead of stepping out of the box and letting ourselves be challenged and pushed beyond our comfort zone. He also challenges people to stop thinking that God's work on earth depends on who is in the White House. Christians who equate Republicanism with Christianity really bother me. They are letting their faith be twisted by their politics rather than their faith influencing their moral and political decisions. God does not favor either political party. There are immoral conservatives and liberals. When people say that Christians can't be liberal, I am deeply offended, not because I am liberal (which I am not), but the fact that they think all Christians must follow the same social and political beliefs. I am a Christian first and foremost. My faith guides me in my other ideas and beliefs and I'd rather follow them than be a blind sheep to a political party.
As usual, I recommend some music:
Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child. (releases soon; I've heard it. More gloriousness from Linford and Karin. Breathtaking)
The Dears - No Cities Left. (Montreal-band recommended if you like The Arcade Fire)
Mad At The World - Seasons of Love. Christian alternative band from the 80's. I just got into them and they were amazing. Along with Adam Again, they really shaped much of the alternative scene in the 80's and early 90's.
MuteMath - MuteMath. Words cannot explain the musical genius of this band. They blow you away with their rich sound and solid playing. Darren King might be the best drummer in the business today and he plays with a very minimal kit. Paul Meany also plays a mean keytar.
Ok, I bid you adieu, for now.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Update of the Century
Woah, it's been WAY too long since I have updated and there has been so much that has occurred so it is time to update. God really has been working in my life making some changes (easy and hard) and I feel great about my new direction.
- First off, I quit my job at ADT. That place caused so much unnecessary stress, strife, anger, and depression in my life that I could not deal with the nonsense anymore. On Monday, 6/4/07, I walked in and submitted my resignation, gave an exit interview, said goodbye to my friends, and went on my way. It's a weird feeling not being employed at the moment but I feel at peace with my decision and I am furiously searching for new employment, preferably in the field of Human Resources.
- Karen and I ended our relationship a couple of weeks ago after dating for just over 18 months. It was my decision to move on but I know it was best for the both of us. We had been growing distant over the past few months, only seeing each other once a week, and my feelings and emotions were not there in the relationship anymore. I felt God tugging at my heart to make a decision and do what needed to be done. We have gone our separate ways and I have good feelings about my future.
- Graduate school is going well. I am super busy but that comes with the territory. In less than one year, I will be finished with my work and receive my Master's. I am very eager, nervous, and excited all at the same time for the opportunities waiting for me.
- Much has been happening over at Northgate Free Methodist Church. My dear friend and mentor, Pastor Paul Peterson, will be moving along with wife Sherri and 4 little darlings down to Georgia to "apprentice" if you will at a church learning how to become church planters. That was tough news for me to take because I've come to build a relationship with Paul and it has been great to talk to him about issues and other ideas I've been tossing around. Praise the Lord for the internet so that him and I can stay in contact.
- Not only is Paul leaving, but both Pastor Vern and Pastor Darlene are leaving for different churches. Vern will be going to Gowanda to pastor the Free Methodist church there. Darlene will be co-pastoring a small Free Methodist church in Parma, NY. I know how this can feel because I moved around alot as a kid when my parents kept getting transfered to various churches across Massachusetts and New York. This is the first time that I've been on the otherside, however. God is in control and he will provide the church with new leaders, just as capable as our current leaders.
- I have gotten serious about my health and losing weight. I currently clock in somwhere between 310 and 320 pounds. That is very scary and unhealthy and I need to change my ways ASAP. I have started a diet, cutting out many items to reduce sugar intake and carb intake. I am drinking a gallon of water every day, along with some juices. No more soda or other carbonated beverages. I am also walking on a regular basis. I walked two miles today and I feel great. My goal is to get down to 290 by the end of August and 260 by Christmas. With God's help, I'll do the best I can and lose the weight.
What I've been listening to lately:
Neon Horse - Neon Horse
Maximo Park - Our Guilty Pleasures
Glass Harp - Synergy
Glass Harp - Glass Harp (GH was Phil Keaggy's early mainstream band)
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
Mars Ill - Old Ironsides
Gran Bel Fisher - Full Moon Cigarette
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Recent reading materials:
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
Red Sox Nation - Peter Golenbock
The Trainer's Tool Kit - Charney & Conway
The Man In the Mirror - Patrick Morley
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham - Myra & Shelley
- First off, I quit my job at ADT. That place caused so much unnecessary stress, strife, anger, and depression in my life that I could not deal with the nonsense anymore. On Monday, 6/4/07, I walked in and submitted my resignation, gave an exit interview, said goodbye to my friends, and went on my way. It's a weird feeling not being employed at the moment but I feel at peace with my decision and I am furiously searching for new employment, preferably in the field of Human Resources.
- Karen and I ended our relationship a couple of weeks ago after dating for just over 18 months. It was my decision to move on but I know it was best for the both of us. We had been growing distant over the past few months, only seeing each other once a week, and my feelings and emotions were not there in the relationship anymore. I felt God tugging at my heart to make a decision and do what needed to be done. We have gone our separate ways and I have good feelings about my future.
- Graduate school is going well. I am super busy but that comes with the territory. In less than one year, I will be finished with my work and receive my Master's. I am very eager, nervous, and excited all at the same time for the opportunities waiting for me.
- Much has been happening over at Northgate Free Methodist Church. My dear friend and mentor, Pastor Paul Peterson, will be moving along with wife Sherri and 4 little darlings down to Georgia to "apprentice" if you will at a church learning how to become church planters. That was tough news for me to take because I've come to build a relationship with Paul and it has been great to talk to him about issues and other ideas I've been tossing around. Praise the Lord for the internet so that him and I can stay in contact.
- Not only is Paul leaving, but both Pastor Vern and Pastor Darlene are leaving for different churches. Vern will be going to Gowanda to pastor the Free Methodist church there. Darlene will be co-pastoring a small Free Methodist church in Parma, NY. I know how this can feel because I moved around alot as a kid when my parents kept getting transfered to various churches across Massachusetts and New York. This is the first time that I've been on the otherside, however. God is in control and he will provide the church with new leaders, just as capable as our current leaders.
- I have gotten serious about my health and losing weight. I currently clock in somwhere between 310 and 320 pounds. That is very scary and unhealthy and I need to change my ways ASAP. I have started a diet, cutting out many items to reduce sugar intake and carb intake. I am drinking a gallon of water every day, along with some juices. No more soda or other carbonated beverages. I am also walking on a regular basis. I walked two miles today and I feel great. My goal is to get down to 290 by the end of August and 260 by Christmas. With God's help, I'll do the best I can and lose the weight.
What I've been listening to lately:
Neon Horse - Neon Horse
Maximo Park - Our Guilty Pleasures
Glass Harp - Synergy
Glass Harp - Glass Harp (GH was Phil Keaggy's early mainstream band)
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
Mars Ill - Old Ironsides
Gran Bel Fisher - Full Moon Cigarette
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana
Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Recent reading materials:
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
Red Sox Nation - Peter Golenbock
The Trainer's Tool Kit - Charney & Conway
The Man In the Mirror - Patrick Morley
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham - Myra & Shelley
Saturday, March 17, 2007
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