Happy Halloween

Halloween used to be one of my favorite holidays (it was the free candy). As I grew older I've discovered the nasty clash between the holiday and many Christians. The interesting thing is that Halloween has it's roots in a holiday called All-Saints Day (wikipedia).

Instead of taking a pagan holiday and making it Christian (Christmas & Easter), the world has taken a Christian holiday and made it secular. If you're a Christian, I'd encourage you tonight and tomorrow to think about all of those Christians who were martyred for their faith so that we could know about Christ. Snuggle up with Foxes Book of Martyrs and read some real life freaking stories this Halloween.

Me? I'll be enjoying my candy :)

Music discovery

I'll admit it... I'm a musicaholic - it's true. Music has always been a passion, an outlet for me. Once in a while I'll come across something that cuts straight to my heart. Tonight I have discovered such a CD. I just got a promo email from a band called "The Glorious Unseen." I checked them out not knowing what to expect and... wow. Make sure to check out their myspace and if you like what you hear, pick up their album for $7.99 from iTunes. Here's a video montage from their first track "Hear Our Prayers" - great worship music.

The Light Of Things Hoped For - Prologue

"in perfect orbit they have circled
as the light of many worlds falls softly on their skin
and days here pass like minutes
one moment of brilliant daylight will shift into the next
a flash of dark behind some distant lost moon
and then it is over
like the pause before waking
sleep is replaced by light, and life and hope
it is the light of one far away sun
that has beckoned them to leave
and the hope of home that has lifted them from slumber
the hope that; though the dark may come
the sun also rises"

-Brave Saint Saturn

Crushed

Indians... you break my heart

Keeping my friends hooked up :)

If you are a regular reader of my blog, I like to alert you to awesome freebies from time to time. Today if you use the popular social bookmarking site Facebook, there is an offer from Ticketmaster for 5 free iTunes downloads if you sign up for their group. Here are the details:

Log in to Facebook Search for "ticketmaster live" Join the group Redeem the 5 free songs link Leave the group if you want Badabing! 5 free songs!

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

By: Matt Redman

Life update

Well, I just got back from our District Youth fall retreat at Poplar Point Camp. With 50 students and adults, it was the largest fall retreat in recent years. We had a blast learning about the EPIC story God has for our lives and how we can get involved with that story. Pastor Luke was our speaker and he did a bang-up job.

Since I was in charge this weekend, I gave my usual 110% and came back totally wiped out. I slept yesterday from when I got home around 2 until 5:30pm - then I had to force myself to stay awake until bedtime. Suffice it to say, I need a break for a few days.

If you are one who prays for me, please be praying extra for me these next few weeks. If you want to know more specifically, feel free to email me and ask. I've been really feeling down since I've got home this weekend and could really use a pick-me-up.

As a part of the pick-me-up process I got a few new toys today to occupy my mind for a while- a new iPod "classic" for my massive music library and a new Wii game - Metroid Prime 3. Distractions are great right?

Another Amazing Jars of Clay Song - Lyrics

.:: He ::.

Don't try to reach me, I'm already dead
The pain when it grips me, for things that I've done

Well I try to make you proud, but for crying out loud
Just give me a chance to hide away
Exhaustion takes over, will this someday be over?

Chorus:

Fearful tears are running down
The pain you've laid don't speak a sound
Don't take my heart away from me
And they think I fell down

Daddy, don't you love me?
Then why do you hit me?
And Momma don't you love me
Then why do you hurt me?
Well I try to make you proud, but for crying out loud
Just give me a chance to hide away
Exhaustion takes over, will this someday be over?

[Chorus]

A teardrop falls from up in the heavens
Drowning the sorrow of angels on high
For the least of the helpless, the hopeless, the loveless
My Jesus, His children, He holds in His eyes