Soli Deo Gloria

3:55AM

I have now started updating my Xanga more often. check it out.

2:25PM

Well guys, I havn't posted anything in awhile, but everyone always seems to post pictures. I never have, so I decided to put some up of my room mate, Jimmy, myself, and our pal TC soending a normal night in the dorm room. Here goes that.

Jimmy and I

Myself with TC faintly glowing in the background

Jimmy and TC

He's single ladies!



The Team

5:45PM

Well i'm about to go to work. After that, I've got lots of homework to do

5:00PM

I can join the chorus of likely the rest of Louisville KY when i say, as U2 sang in their song, "Its a beautifull day". Guys, the sun is shining and I love it. I got back from church today. Schriener preached from Ephesians 6.1-2 about obeying your parents. It was a very good sermon as usual. He is such a talented guy. I went and had lunch and some nice conversation with my friend John Cable. Then I came home and began finishing a book by Rabbi Harold Kushner called When Bad Things Happen to Good People. The book semlls of ass. Kushner tells a stuborn and grim tale of how because poeple are bassically good (first wrong presuposition and the biggest), and because bad things happen to those good people, and becasue God is completely just and fair, that He (God) must not be in control of everything. In other words, if He were fair and in control then people would get what they deserved because. However, there are plenty of good people with bad things happening to them. Why is this? well either 1)God is not fair, or 2)God is not in control. Kushner chooses nimber 2. I will have to leave the rest of this for my book review. But I will say one last thing about it. God is not fair nor just. But He is not unfair becasue he's dealing out punishment to a bunch of innocent people who don't deserve it. He's unfair because he's not punishing us. to let any one of us even so much as live! its called grace. To quote Bono one more time, "Grace, she carries the world on her hip". Don't forget that this life does not belong to you. your life, wheather you want it to or not, belongs to a God who is in control of everything.

Enough of that, I just had a great nap and I'm going outside to finish some reading for school. because it really is a beautifull day. grace and peace.

12:02AM

Well today has been good. I just got back from Java and made myself a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. I'm About to do some major reading. I pray that the LORD would have grace on you and that you would recognise that He is God and what exactly that means. Well. Goodnight. Grace and oeace.

7:53PM

Hey check out this Purevolume profile for my band Malahide and have a great day!

12:21PM

Today is a tottaly different day than yesterday. Today I woke up a few hours earlier than yesterday. And one chunk at a time I am going to get back up to speed. Or maybe I'm already there and I am just down on myself. Either way, I feel pretty motivated right now. I have class from 1:00 untill 5:15 and I think its going to be a good day. I have absolutely zero funds at the moment and I need to buy books. But I am expecting some support to come in the mail in a day or two. I need to wash my clothes and do a little cleaning. My room's not that bad but I am just going to organize it a bit more. I hope that today you are encouraged by the fact that you are upheld by the grace of God. Not necessarily the grace that comes from the atoning work of Christ but the common grace that sustains the fallen universe and keeps you and I from being our worst. We all deserve that tsunami and the fact that we are breathing and living and are part of an organized sociaty that isn't in complete chaos is purely by the grace of God and for His glory. That is why we exist. You and I are not here to find purpose for our lives or fulfill any desire that stems from us but we are here to glorify God and somehow everything that happens, the good, the bad, the evil, the great and the humble things and events in this world are all ordered by God and work for the good of His elect to the praise of His glorious grace and thus ultimately for His glory. Some people might look at this picture and ask how could God be so cruel as to let thousands of people die in such a national disaster as the tsunami. I ask how He could have let them live as long as He did. the answer is common grace. They deserved death and you and I deserve it just as much. So be thankfull for every breath and take heed because the kingdom of God is here so repent and believe the gospel. The gospel is the simple fact that Jesus of Nazereth, who is the Son of God, a couple thousand years ago was incarnated as a human being, a Jew to be specific. He came in a perfect body not tainted by sin. Sin is a condition, the sick condition of the whole world and it can also refer to specific transgreations of God's law. The heart of God's law can be found in the ten commandments which are in the Penteteuch. The Penteteuch is the first five books of the Bible and the Bible can be found in just about any bookstore or online here. Romans(another book in the Bible) says that all people everywhere have sinned and fallen short of God's glory and that the punishment due for sin is death. But with His own glory in mind God had compassion and sent His son to the world to be a substitute for the death that you and I were to recieve. By being a perfect person not tainted by sin, Jesus was able to atone for them by the merit of His works since our works are not good enough and you and I could never obey the law of God. So if you believe this and repent of your sin, then God will save you. If you have broken God's law, then call out to Him and He might here you and grant you the ability to repent. Pray that He does because His wrath for Sinners is great. All the glory goes to God.

1:50AM

Today was my first Sunday back at Clifton. That church really is something else. I thank the LORD that He has me there. The church holds no evening service every other week, so tomight I went to Reformed Baptist Church of Louisville with my friend Kimberly. My good friend and roomate, Jimmy, and some other of my friends from school, Lynett and Tracie, came with us. The preacher there tonight was visiting from England. He gave a phenomanal, simple, right presentation of the gospel and I was very encouraged to hear it. He mentioned something else that really stuck with me though. His text was from the time that Jesus healed a leper that was unclean in the eyes of God and the Jews. But you know what Jesus did when this man broke through the croud (or rather divided them like the red sea) and came to Jesus requesting healing? Jesus reached out and he touched him. That is amazing because once Jesus touched this untouchable unclean man, Jesus was putting His reputation with His fellow Jews in limbo. But Jesus was not affraid to have His reputation wrecked in order to save one man. You and I, if we be in Christ, should be the same as He in this manner. Perhaps the crowning joy of the night was getting to spend it with Kimberly. She is super fun to be with. This girl has her head on straight and she is really ennergetic in a good way. I wish I could spend more time with her. Actualy I guess I can. Maybe I'll marry her some day, I don't know. There could still be something between Amanda and i and we had a long conversation few weeks ago. But i don't know. Amanda is a verry cool girl with a level head, but she is a bit older than me and she can be a little moody. But yeah, I don't know Kimberly is so magical. She really apreciates the beuaty of God's created earth much in the fashion that I myself do. One night we spent several hours just driving around a park and pointing out interesting landscapes. But perhaps what I most love is the wonderfull conversation that we both have when we are alone. She is quite a talker and its hard for me to get much in when it isn't just her and I but even if I'm not speaking to her, I just like to hear her speak because her voice is so soothing. anyway, I sound dumb hopeless, but that's ok. Because I'm not hopeless, I really do hope that Kimberly and I reach some understanding. and that it doesn't happen overnite but that it ages like a good wine, or cheese, or grandmother... yeah..ok....ummm. Did I mention that I love U2 and Rich Mullins. If I didn't, then i just want everybody to konw that I do.:). later guys. forget your reputations and seek the lost and lonely and otherwise unclean of this world inn order to win them and save them.

2:24PM

Well here goes. This is my last post from Louisville. I can't say that I'm ready but I am willing. I don't know. This is really scarry but I have peace that doesn't leave me and God has given me music that will carry me. I am trusting Him and in Christ's rightiousnous for my salvation and not my understanding. So here i go.

5:52PM

RUN AWAY


V1:
You're the first son
The first failure of your kind
Still wondering how the world will unwind
With bed sheets hangin' out your window
Time to find the highway

Choruus:
Run away, runaway
Into the heart of your imagination
Don't skip out on this edition of your life
Run away, runaway
You know that love is about only one thing
figure it out and don't change a thing

V2:
She's obvious
She's spelling out this vision
It ain't your mother's intuition
No she's calling outloud in the streets
You can still hear her say

Chorus

Bridge:
Wisdom calls
God is the one thing

guitar solo

Chorus

12:04PM

Well everybody. I'm moving back to Birmimghan on Monday. Not just for Christmass day but for good. I am coming down to start a band with some guys. Jeff Alred and Brian Haris. We still might need a bass player so if any of you Bimringham folks know somone that is good but not real flashy then send me their name. I am really excited about this band and it has been a big and hard decision for me to leave Boyce. especially after meeting so many wonderfull people and getting to have some great proffesors. But this band is special and the songs are good. So come and check us out at Cave9 on Jan 15th. We are looking forward to it being an eventfull year for our music so pray that we are attentive to the doors that God opens.

10:31PM

Sorry that these have all been songs here lately. i'l get around to an actaul entry pretty soon. I've got some big (at least big to me) anounements to make.

9:56PM

5:09AM

Tonight I'm in Birmingham. I got off of work so that i could go to Atlanta for thanksgiving with my extended family and then spen the weekend here in Birmingham. So here I am and I am having a blast so far. It's almost five am and I just got back form the Galleria. They open at one am the day after thanksgiving each year. I was going there to meet Leslie and I couldn't find her for anything. But I did see Angie Watkins and talk to ehre for a bit. She was one of my first crushes and I see her about every six months or so. Everytime I run into her I melt. she's just git that kind of smile that makes a guy forget his name. I know that if the circumstances were right that we would be inseperable. But she is off at school in Maryland and I am in Louisville. So that's that. I guess I'll just have to wait another six months.

I'l probably be around the house friday and saturday. I'm going to see every one at Caanan on Sunday and then monday at 8:30 at the Waffle House on Morgan Road I am meeting Clint for breakfast. I can't wait to see him. It won't be long and he'll be at school with me in KY. After that it's a drive back up to Louisville and then straight to work. Maaybe I'll get a chance to sleep in between the trip and work. I don't know, we'll have to see. Well, I hope that yall had a good thanksgiving. I know the food I had was great. Grace and peace everyone.

5:17PM

Well folks today is a good day. except that I woke up late and missed my personal evangelism class. I got my first loan yesterday. it's a short term loan to pay for my tuition. It feels really funny because I have money now, but I actualy don't I'm actaly five-hundred dollars in the hole. So I don't know. I shouldn't have any trouble paying it off though. Just pray for my finances guys. It's kind of funny because the day after I watched Brother SUn,, Sister Moon, a movie about St. Francis, I went to the bank and found out that I was near completely broke. And youu know what. it hasn't bothered me that much. I don't really need more money than what I need for food and tuition and whatnot. God has consistently provided those things for me in the form of leading me to UPS for a job and gifts from friends and relatives to whom I am sincerely greatfull. it's not so bad being poor. I'm not really poor though, like I said, I have what I need and that's about it. Though I actualy have much more than i need. i have this computer that I'm typing on for one. I have my guitar and a coffee maker and stuff like that that I could do without but God has blessed me with to use responsably. Well that is what I intend to do, be responsable. I'm going to try and be alot more reponsable now that I am out sorto of on my on and stuff. well guys God is great and wealthy and we have so much to learn and so little time. Let us use the time aloted ot us for the good of His glory and namesake. The gospel is urgent, don't forget that. grace and peace.

12:20PM

So I often hit a dam when it comes to writing but when the dam breaks, it breaks. And I've been writing a few songs here lately. here are three more.


More Than A Photograph

The sunset's just like a photagraph
'Cause I never could grasp the real thing
This Afterthought of the morning light
It's way too big and its too bright
But I'll watch with intent despite this flaw of mine
I understand and comprehend that I'm in need
that You are real, You're all I have
You're so much more than a photograph

revalation at the general store
It was screaming more at me then
And to picture perfect advertise
they fixed an image to disguise
surely to my sense's demise, I could not spend
I understand and comprehend that I'm in need
You must be real, You're all I have
You're so much more than a photograph

I won't try and figure out
Because I trust without a doubt
That you're transcendant of everything
You're there evertime I sing
You're beyond my celestial dreams
You're with me in my suffering
you've conversed with every single star
There's no maybe, there's no guess

You're so much more than a photograpph...

----------------------------------------------------------

The Deserved Few

V1
I represent the deserved few
I choose who stays for the term
And who goes away, So it all will be ok
V2
I strategise and decide
What you like for the year
How you wear your hair and your clothes
V3
I expose myself in front of you
I parade around in front of you
I look like a crazy killer

Chorus:
I rule the whole world
You can't rise above
I'm making my love
I am blind leading the dumb
to the destruction of all mute-kind
I am elite

V4
I was born in the deserved family
I was given all I was to be
I just dispense all of this for you to buy
V5
So I didn't choose who I am
Do any of us realy know
how far back that notion goes
The choice, and Whose it was, and Whose it is?
But for now...(Chorus)

---------------------------------------------------------------

I Need You

V1
I don't get better
I am a man that's much more worse
I lack a peculiar nature
for an inborn curse
The more I realize this each day
The more inclined I am to say

Ch:
I need You
the need is growing greater
And the greater my sin
The more sufficient is my Savior
Who gives acoording to my need
And I need You

V2
We are all the same
But I am blowing like a lief
I'm the lesser, I'm the lamer
Maybe I'm their chief
As I discover this each day
My heart is more inclined to say

Ch:
I need You
the need is growing greater
And the greater my sin
The more sufficient is my Savior
Who gives acoording to my need
And I need You

Bridge:
I'm never looking, always falling
You're never changing, always staying
The same is true for everybody
The staying of wrath
It's the shedding of blood
It's our only hope
Blood is our hope

9:27AM

A new song:


V1
The sky is bleeding my old high school colors
It's beckoning me home to stay I know
I feel I must migrate south to Birmingham
Where I must be right now I know

Babe you know that I admire you so much
I am put down to shame by you
I could learn from you all I ought to do
But you see I gotta' go I know

Ch:
Hey I am gonna' change the world
'Cause I believe in rock and roll
Babe we were gonna' save the world
I've still got faith to groove their souls
Maybe we could give our lives to find
Another methodology,
But see right now this one works for me

V2
I miss the music of southern birds
Well soon I'll sing their tune I know
A vanishing vapor is such a wieghty thing
Where will this mist displace? I don't know, I don't want to know

Babe you know that I admire you so much
I am put down to shame by you
I could learn from you all I ought to do
But you see I gotta' go I know

Ch:
Hey I am gonna' change the world
'Cause I believe in rock and roll
Babe we were gonna' save the world
I've still got faith to groove their souls
Maybe we could give our lives to find
Another methodology,
But this one works right now for me

Bridge:
So perhaps my own hometown means the whole world to me
I could go full sail across a thousand seas and never see what's right here
I could know everything and not know my own self
I could know everyone and not know my own wealth

6:33AM

Well Thursday night was the Derek Webb show here at school. I think that it's awsome that they let him come and play at our school. if anybody wants one I recorded the whole show, so I'm making cds of the concert. just leave me a comment if you want one and we'll get it to you. I may put one online too. Anyway, right after the concert was over I had a few minuits to talk to Derek and then I had to go straight to work at eleven. i didn't get in until five am. So I slept most of Friday and got alot of rest. I am thankfull for rest and i havn't been getting alot of it lately. As much as I believe in sacrifcing our time and possesions and our sleep included, i still believe that rest is a big part of the Christian life. I know that God will provid it for His children and I pray that the best rest would only come when I have had a service and sacrifice filled exausting week. Though I know that that is a selfish prayer because it asumes that I can earn God's favor. God will give me a boundles day of rest no matter what I do during the week because he is a gracious God. However I ought to give up my time during the week anyway because it ought to give me joy, perhaps more joy than I recieve when I am at rest. Our rest is a part of our Christian service. It's easy to get burnt out for good or bad reasons. but God promises to give us rest and that is what the Sabbath is for. And no matter what day we observe the sabbath on, we ought to plan time to rest and not be working because not resting can be bad for you. I want to encourage you to make time this wek to rest for a day and slow down. Try to notice the beautiful, bountiful glory of God projected in nature and all of creation. resting doesn't neccesarily mean sleep. in fact if, on your day of rest, go out and do something you enjoy. spend time with your good friends. take a walk and just soak in your suroundings. there are countless ways to rest. But i pray that you do it. We do ourselves and the kingdom of God a great disservice if we choose not to rest and instead to worry about life and tomarow and whatnot. We need rest and everyone needs us to rest. don't worry about tomarow. have a restfull day and I pray that the grace and peace of God would go with you today.

6:01AM - Hello Friends

Hello all. Today is going to be quite and interesting day. I havn't slept more than five hours since yesterday I've been up all night and I'll be up all night tonight, not to mention that there is not time for sleep in my schedule today. ut praise the LORD that I am this busy. He's given me a job and responsabilities with my church and a wonderfull school to be at. Pluss I get to go to Derek Webb's concert tonight. I'm very uber excited about this, but in a quite calm way. I have been thinking alot about music lately and where I need to go with it or where it needs to go with me, or where it needs to go without me. I don't know, there is so much rock and roll inside of me and it's itching get out and I am very tempted to scratch. I have put up adds for band memebrs and a drummer and whatnot around the school. so we'll see what turns up. In the meantime I have finals coming up pretty soon and i don't want to get to distracted. But maybe my music won't be a distraction for much longer and it can be something that I am really and rightly focused on. I don't know, just pray for direction. I also want to apologise to all of you that downloaded my songs. Don't get me wrong, they are good songs in my opinion, but the recordings are pretty terrible. but you get what you pay for I guess. Well I'll put some more of those up soon. In the meentime I am very busy and may not be updating this for awhile, but everybody neeeds to stay in touch with me *correction* i need to stay in touch with everybody. so I guess I'm not putting my number out there for all of LJ, but if you want it just e-mail me. whaever that's too much trouble for yall. my number is 205-371-8620. I love all of you and pray that the LORD's peace that passes all understanding would be with you through this season and especially through this day and night. Grace and peace in the name of our lord Jesus Christ.

11:49AM

Just wanted to remind you all that you can download my newest songs each week from HERE
Have a nice day. Grace and peace