Friday, February 8, 2013

"Live Like That" / Reanimating Play-doh

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets

Listening to this song right now..I think it is something that many of us can relate to, even if the goal isn't exactly what this song describes. Doesn't everyone want to change something about themselves? It is not easy or pleasant to think about. But here is another question: Why? Why do so many of us feel the desire to change something about ourselves? And does merely thinking about the change help? Well it actually might, but that would be another post. Is the reason we want to change because we don't think our current lives are not [insert word here] enough? Not fun enough? Not happy enough? Not social enough? Not smart enough? And is this a reflection of our lives in general, or do we see ourselves as something that won't change, because we can't change? I think there are many things we can change about ourselves, but we often don't realize that or understand that. Of course there are things like genetics and upbringing and that sort of thing; our background and past does influence us - there is no doubt about that. But that doesn't change that fact that we are not completely set in our ways.

Have you ever played with play-doh or silly putty? Sometimes, if you let it sit out for too long, it gets dry and hard and brittle. You can't shape it as easily, and it isn't as fun to play with. But there is usually a way to get it to be malleable again. Sometimes just warming it up helps, other times you need a little water or oil or something else to get it moist again. Maybe you are at the place where you feel like some dried out play-doh. You feel like you aren't adjusting to things as well as you used to, or you just feel brittle. Well you aren't the only one, for starters. Life here on earth isn't easy, and everyone knows that. But God knows just what it will take to get you (and me) back to a place where we are feeling better and living better. Like adding water or heat or oil to play-doh or silly putty. It will take some time - even though God is not contained in time, we still are. And it might be a little uncomfortable (or a lot uncomfortable, it partially depends on what sort of habits we have gotten into) but God knows it will be worth it: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God's plans are good, and they are to prosper us! Who doesn't want to prosper? God's plans for us give us a hope and a future. I like the sound of that :)



"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity." -Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Friday, February 1, 2013

Married!

So. Those of you, if there are any of you, who come to this blog regularly know that I haven't posted a blog for quite a while. There are several reasons for that.

But in more exciting news, I got married recently! Actually it was over a month ago, but things have been busy, as I'm sure you can guess. But anyway, being married has been great. We have made it through our first month together, so we are definitely going to make it another 40 or 50 years, right? haha ok I joke, but seriously it is really nice to be married and know that I don't have to try and think about dating anymore. I'm done with all that guessing and pursuing (although I will continue to pursue my wife) and trying to ask someone out on a date and all that awkward fun stuff. Now we just hang out and play board games and cook food. haha it is a grand ol' time :)

We have been helping with a youth group in town (my wife is part-time there) and that has been pretty fun too. I feel like I am actually starting to get to know some of the students there, so that is always nice. We just planned our summer trip; we are going to Niagara Falls! It should be a pretty exciting time, and I may post some stuff about that when it happens.

Anyway, just wanted to post an update and let you know that I haven't forgotten about this site, and I'll be back later. Hope you are doing well, and thanks for reading my blog! Feel free to leave comments and whatnot :)