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| On our way to Mom's |
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| Opening one of my Birthday presents |
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| Mom's tree that we helped set up |
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| Playing games and snacking |
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| My Christmas tree with my own childhood ornaments |
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Birthday/Thanksgiving
I have taken a couple weeks off from the blogging world. I have been with friends and family celebrating my birthday and Thanksgiving. It was lots of fun!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
The Relationship of Music
I think the subject in music that has fixated the most in our
culture is relationships. Even in the past, if people didn't out right
say it, they were expressing in their own method the way they were feeling
about life and those around them. We are built for relationships, that
includes our spiritual and earthly lives. If were not built for
them, then God wouldn't have made and given us friends and family. The
entire
concept of family, companions, friends,connection and reconciliation is
all from God! Here is a few verses about relationships that I find comforting in the Bible...
We are precious to God:
John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 15:12-15 "This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you."
Jeremiah. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope".
We are made for companionship:
Gen 2:18 "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him.'"
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up! Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone? Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn’t easily snap."
Prov. 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
God is our Heavenly Father:
John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name".
Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
I John 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
We are part of the family of God:
Eph 2:19-22 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit".
Romans 12:5 So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
We are made for reconciliation:
2 Cor 5:17-19 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.
Yet as so many things after the Fall in the garden with Adam, Eve and God, what was once a good and perfect relationship, now is messed up and sinful. The first and biggest thing that is messed up is our spiritual relationships with God, which God is constantly trying to redeem. Hallelujah! Thankfully while God is redeeming and saving people, He is also redeeming music and is still using some amazing artists to make music to His glory. And yet at the same time we can see how lost our culture is by the music that isn't focused on God. And with the fixation on life and relationships that humans have, that is what the world is writing about. They are writing about the second biggest thing that is messed up: our relationships with each other. The sad thing is that so many popular songs are just that, sad!
A verse that I was taught a long time ago and that is still a challenge to me is Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things". This verse applies to music as well. Even though I think there is a time for laughing and a time for crying (Ecc. 3:4), the main focus of our lives should be positive. I think David the Psalmist is one of the greatest examples of expressing the ups and downs of life and who can argue with some of the best poetry and some of the most honest words penned? And of course the Psalms end on a high and positive aspect! The key we need to look for in music is if it really shows positivity, healing, reconciliation, forward motion, true love and God's grace!
We are precious to God:
John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 15:12-15 "This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you."
Jeremiah. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope".
We are made for companionship:
Gen 2:18 "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him.'"
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up! Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone? Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn’t easily snap."
Prov. 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
God is our Heavenly Father:
John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name".
Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
I John 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
We are part of the family of God:
Eph 2:19-22 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit".
Romans 12:5 So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
We are made for reconciliation:
2 Cor 5:17-19 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.
Yet as so many things after the Fall in the garden with Adam, Eve and God, what was once a good and perfect relationship, now is messed up and sinful. The first and biggest thing that is messed up is our spiritual relationships with God, which God is constantly trying to redeem. Hallelujah! Thankfully while God is redeeming and saving people, He is also redeeming music and is still using some amazing artists to make music to His glory. And yet at the same time we can see how lost our culture is by the music that isn't focused on God. And with the fixation on life and relationships that humans have, that is what the world is writing about. They are writing about the second biggest thing that is messed up: our relationships with each other. The sad thing is that so many popular songs are just that, sad!
A verse that I was taught a long time ago and that is still a challenge to me is Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things". This verse applies to music as well. Even though I think there is a time for laughing and a time for crying (Ecc. 3:4), the main focus of our lives should be positive. I think David the Psalmist is one of the greatest examples of expressing the ups and downs of life and who can argue with some of the best poetry and some of the most honest words penned? And of course the Psalms end on a high and positive aspect! The key we need to look for in music is if it really shows positivity, healing, reconciliation, forward motion, true love and God's grace!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
The Roller Coaster of Music
~This post is accredited and a shout out to my older brother for the inspiration~ :)
If you know anything about culture, society or just life in general you will know that while some things will always remain the same, there are also things that are always changing. While there is always a presidential election every four years, a Superbowl every year, or special holidays like Christmas certain times of the year, there also is a new style of clothes, fuel prices are always changing and there is always a new hit song. And if you know anything about the culture, music and music history you know that there are certain things in society that change the form and lyrics of music.
One change that came about back during the Romantic period of culture and music was the freedom to express the artist's and composer's own personal feelings and thoughts. In the past, forms and structures had a strict blueprint that absolutely could not be changed. Yet as culture changed, certain parts of society became more relative and humanistic, the rules of music changed with it. The composer could add or subtract, do more of what they felt and have more self expression. Don't misunderstand me, I think some of changes were perfect! Some amazing and beautiful music came out of those expressions.
Yet at the same time, some composers soon took their relative philosophies and beliefs to the extreme in their music. By the time pre-modern/modern/20th century music came to be music was all over the place. "In C" by Terry Riley is an example of minimal music in the 1960's that shows how relative and to the extreme people took the music. Wikipedia- In C by Terry Riley
You can probably only go about 30 seconds of listening to the "song" before you start going crazy! :)
I also find it hilarious how sappy and crazy music took leaps and bounds as music was being written in my early childhood. One random song that comes to mind is the Backstreet Boy's "I want it that way"
There are probably tons of songs that could mentioned and I wouldn't even hit the tip of the iceberg of the way culture and music have formed and changed.
As more lyrics and emotions came into song writing, certain trends came out. The biggest things that were written about were probably relationships, life and partying. And don't get me wrong, some of things things need to be lived, felt and sung about. Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes said "there is a time for everything". Our lives will never be a plateau. There will be ups and downs, twists and turns in our lives just like a roller coaster. There is a time for us to sing of the past and how we made it through and a time to sing of the bright future! Even Paul in 2 Corinthians mentions the past, present and future in Believer's life as he says "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" Yet how much of the past and old things do we need to write, talk about, relive and sing about?
(TO BE CONTINUED)
If you know anything about culture, society or just life in general you will know that while some things will always remain the same, there are also things that are always changing. While there is always a presidential election every four years, a Superbowl every year, or special holidays like Christmas certain times of the year, there also is a new style of clothes, fuel prices are always changing and there is always a new hit song. And if you know anything about the culture, music and music history you know that there are certain things in society that change the form and lyrics of music.
One change that came about back during the Romantic period of culture and music was the freedom to express the artist's and composer's own personal feelings and thoughts. In the past, forms and structures had a strict blueprint that absolutely could not be changed. Yet as culture changed, certain parts of society became more relative and humanistic, the rules of music changed with it. The composer could add or subtract, do more of what they felt and have more self expression. Don't misunderstand me, I think some of changes were perfect! Some amazing and beautiful music came out of those expressions.
Yet at the same time, some composers soon took their relative philosophies and beliefs to the extreme in their music. By the time pre-modern/modern/20th century music came to be music was all over the place. "In C" by Terry Riley is an example of minimal music in the 1960's that shows how relative and to the extreme people took the music. Wikipedia- In C by Terry Riley
I also find it hilarious how sappy and crazy music took leaps and bounds as music was being written in my early childhood. One random song that comes to mind is the Backstreet Boy's "I want it that way"
There are probably tons of songs that could mentioned and I wouldn't even hit the tip of the iceberg of the way culture and music have formed and changed.
As more lyrics and emotions came into song writing, certain trends came out. The biggest things that were written about were probably relationships, life and partying. And don't get me wrong, some of things things need to be lived, felt and sung about. Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes said "there is a time for everything". Our lives will never be a plateau. There will be ups and downs, twists and turns in our lives just like a roller coaster. There is a time for us to sing of the past and how we made it through and a time to sing of the bright future! Even Paul in 2 Corinthians mentions the past, present and future in Believer's life as he says "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" Yet how much of the past and old things do we need to write, talk about, relive and sing about?
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Friday, November 7, 2014
Comfort
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid."
Ashes Remain- Here For A Reason
Friday, October 24, 2014
Friday, October 10, 2014
Gay Pride Music
As more marriage rights are passed to homosexuals, it seems more are "coming out" or you just hear about it more. Maybe you even know someone that is. And even though I do not have any close friends that claim to be gay, I would be blind not to notice that the subject is in media, news, movies and music!
Even though I do not know a lot of "Gay anthem music" as I have called it before, there are a couple, maybe more than I even know about. I find it interesting that as the idea and lifestyle is accepted by society and the world, it will creep into almost everything around us. Probably the two most sacred would be our churches and music. It's not that these music artists are looked down on, viewed as weird or even untalented like they would of in the past, but they are now accepted and uplifted. Musically, they definitely do have talent! America has changed a lot in a small amount of time, and anyone would of been forbidden to even speak of this topic in public in the past.
I found a couple videos of artists I know of that speak about homosexuals or being one. If you listen to the songs and listen to the lyrics(sorry for any foul language in the songs, I found the cleanest versions I could) you will see some are very boldly sticking up for homosexual rights, acceptance and love. Sometimes it's simply a phrase or word that they put in. Either way, it's now in modern music.
It is unlikely that the subject or the people that have chosen this lifestyle are going to disappear anytime soon. I think just like Sodom and Gomorrah in the bible (Genesis 18-19), the subject will only be more accepted by society. So as much as it is here to stay, we must learn to use tack and wisdom with no matter who we are around. My faith teaches me that no matter someone's life choices, I am to love them. Honestly, it is not always easy. I remember as a teenager I would use the phrase "that's gay" because it was the lingo and others were saying it too. I was using it to mean that whatever the subject was, was stupid, annoying or weird. I had nothing personal against any gay's and I was not trying to be mean to anyone, but I was still probably guilty of not using enough wisdom. Even though I cannot love and accept the "same love" that the music artist Macklemore speaks of, I will do my best, with the grace of God, to love everyone with God's love. God's love is the best love!
Even though I do not know a lot of "Gay anthem music" as I have called it before, there are a couple, maybe more than I even know about. I find it interesting that as the idea and lifestyle is accepted by society and the world, it will creep into almost everything around us. Probably the two most sacred would be our churches and music. It's not that these music artists are looked down on, viewed as weird or even untalented like they would of in the past, but they are now accepted and uplifted. Musically, they definitely do have talent! America has changed a lot in a small amount of time, and anyone would of been forbidden to even speak of this topic in public in the past.
I found a couple videos of artists I know of that speak about homosexuals or being one. If you listen to the songs and listen to the lyrics(sorry for any foul language in the songs, I found the cleanest versions I could) you will see some are very boldly sticking up for homosexual rights, acceptance and love. Sometimes it's simply a phrase or word that they put in. Either way, it's now in modern music.
It is unlikely that the subject or the people that have chosen this lifestyle are going to disappear anytime soon. I think just like Sodom and Gomorrah in the bible (Genesis 18-19), the subject will only be more accepted by society. So as much as it is here to stay, we must learn to use tack and wisdom with no matter who we are around. My faith teaches me that no matter someone's life choices, I am to love them. Honestly, it is not always easy. I remember as a teenager I would use the phrase "that's gay" because it was the lingo and others were saying it too. I was using it to mean that whatever the subject was, was stupid, annoying or weird. I had nothing personal against any gay's and I was not trying to be mean to anyone, but I was still probably guilty of not using enough wisdom. Even though I cannot love and accept the "same love" that the music artist Macklemore speaks of, I will do my best, with the grace of God, to love everyone with God's love. God's love is the best love!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
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| Sad to see this good car go |
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| The window broke and some glass hit my face |
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| 2015 Jeep Compass rental! |
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| And this is the new Chevy Cruze I am going to go pick up today! |
Friday, September 12, 2014
Sept!
Hey Blog/internet world!
My summer has been good! God has blessed my life.
One of the awesome things I got to do this summer was go to Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge with some family
Most of the summer was spent at work and hanging out with friends. I took up jogging and still try to do that about once a week, along with other home work outs.
I thank God for his faithfulness. I do not deserve the goodness he has shined into my life.
My summer has been good! God has blessed my life.
One of the awesome things I got to do this summer was go to Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge with some family
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| Family at the original KFC |
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| Horseback riding with Rochelle |
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| Georgie and I |
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| Coworkers celebrating national ice cream day |
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| Rosie and I at a concert |
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| I even grew a 'stache for a while. |
Thursday, June 19, 2014
I'm back! 6/19/14
I'm back!It's been sooo long. Words really do not describe everything that has happened since I last posted, which was about a year ago. A great friend of mine mentioned that I should start a blog or vlog and then I remembered that I have a blog. Haha.
Since I lasted posted I have graduated from College, become a shift leader/manager at my work, reformed back to the single life, moved into my own place, gotten another niece, etc.
I really do like the idea of starting/having a blog/vlog of simply about music, what we are currently missing in the music world, what is great, what will be the next best thing, etc! For any other music lovers I would love some feedback.
Here's a couple songs that speak to my soul every time I listen to them :)
A Great Big World. Ft. Christina Aguilera "Say Something"
Skylar Grey. "Words"
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