So I've been kinda lovesick lately, which nearly always translates into something musical. Here's an instrumental version of Fight For You I recorded the other day.
Especially in lovesickness or heartache, let's remember that there's one whose heart is deeply in love with us, who doesn't care what we've done or where we've been, and longs for us to return our affections back to Him.
Yes, He's that good.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Belt Broke
My belt broke today. It had been hanging on by a single screw that mounts the leather to the metal buckle, but apparently I wasn't gentle enough with it this morning in the restroom. (Probably too much information).
Thankfully Matt saved the day by lending me his. I knew this morning that I shouldn't have worn my loose jeans, but did anyway.
Don't ever buy a belt from Meijer. That one only lasted six months or so.
Thankfully Matt saved the day by lending me his. I knew this morning that I shouldn't have worn my loose jeans, but did anyway.
Don't ever buy a belt from Meijer. That one only lasted six months or so.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Papercut on Your Tongue
Roman: Is it weird that I keep having daydreams of me getting a papercut on my tongue? Or imagining cutting my tongue on a steak knife?
Yes, Roman, that's weird.
Yes, Roman, that's weird.
Help Please
I went in Border's today to get some things done -- I sat my computer on a table beside an outlet and near a window, through which the sun was shining quite brightly.
A man at the next table with a computer (occupying one of the two outlets in the wall) watched me unpack my computer, plug it in the wall, sit down, and open it before saying:
"You're not going to be able to see -- the sun's too bright. Plus, it's really warm."
He then looked at the seat right next to him where he had placed his laptop bag.
He looked back at me and shrugged.
"Sorry, man."
I packed up my computer and sat elsewhere to read.
I appreciated that he gave me advice, or warning, or whatever it was he gave me, but is warning enough? Not really. His warning didn't solve my problem of needing an outlet, or helping me get my work done.
If we have the solution to someone's problem, my friends, we must do something. We are compelled to. Jesus didn't just come to warn us about hell or show us the deep bondage in things like lust and greed and bitterness.
He came to give us a solution.
Warnings are great and all -- and we should be appreciative of them -- but let us remember that if we have the power to help someone and we don't, our faith is dead.
A man at the next table with a computer (occupying one of the two outlets in the wall) watched me unpack my computer, plug it in the wall, sit down, and open it before saying:
"You're not going to be able to see -- the sun's too bright. Plus, it's really warm."
He then looked at the seat right next to him where he had placed his laptop bag.
He looked back at me and shrugged.
"Sorry, man."
I packed up my computer and sat elsewhere to read.
I appreciated that he gave me advice, or warning, or whatever it was he gave me, but is warning enough? Not really. His warning didn't solve my problem of needing an outlet, or helping me get my work done.
If we have the solution to someone's problem, my friends, we must do something. We are compelled to. Jesus didn't just come to warn us about hell or show us the deep bondage in things like lust and greed and bitterness.
He came to give us a solution.
Warnings are great and all -- and we should be appreciative of them -- but let us remember that if we have the power to help someone and we don't, our faith is dead.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Smiling at Strangers
What if we (followers of Christ) are the only picture of God our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers, our acquaintances ever see?
I’ve been slightly disturbed by this thought (so much so to include it in a recent song) because it’s caused me to look very honestly at the way I’m portraying the God that I love and serve.
When I sit here in Panera and make eye contact with people, do I smile? Admittedly, not usually.
Why the heck not?
I love people. I really do. Yes, sometimes people drive me crazy and people are quirky and irritating, but I can’t deny the fact that God has blessed me with a love for the people around me. I think if you pray asking God for a heart for the people around you He will give it to you.
So something as simple as smiling at people I make eye contact with has become a big ordeal, something you see almost no one ever do.
Do strangers smile at you? Do you even remember the last time a stranger smiled at you?
If I believed that smiling at a stranger could make his or her day, or show an ounce of love in a gallon of apathy, wouldn’t I do it all the time? I’d like to think I would.
Which means I’m gonna try.
The fact is this: I have a peace in my heart that is unlike anything else, and that peace was freely given to me by the One who created me and knows me. I have every reason in the world to smile at everyone I see, and put a hand on someone’s arm or shoulder when I get the chance, and (God-forbid) actually hug someone when I get the opportunity.
It’s time for me to quit this whole standoff-ish, seemingly-arrogant, don’t-want-to-offend-anybody business. I’m pretty sure Jesus was obnoxious in how much He loved the people around Him, and not much has changed since He was around:
People still need love. And smiles. And touches. And hugs.
Heck, maybe I’ll even get that cliché line at my funeral – “he never met a stranger”. Even so, God I’m Yours. I re-give my life into Your hands. Whatever You want for me I’ll gladly accept as Your servant.
todd
I’ve been slightly disturbed by this thought (so much so to include it in a recent song) because it’s caused me to look very honestly at the way I’m portraying the God that I love and serve.
When I sit here in Panera and make eye contact with people, do I smile? Admittedly, not usually.
Why the heck not?
I love people. I really do. Yes, sometimes people drive me crazy and people are quirky and irritating, but I can’t deny the fact that God has blessed me with a love for the people around me. I think if you pray asking God for a heart for the people around you He will give it to you.
So something as simple as smiling at people I make eye contact with has become a big ordeal, something you see almost no one ever do.
Do strangers smile at you? Do you even remember the last time a stranger smiled at you?
If I believed that smiling at a stranger could make his or her day, or show an ounce of love in a gallon of apathy, wouldn’t I do it all the time? I’d like to think I would.
Which means I’m gonna try.
The fact is this: I have a peace in my heart that is unlike anything else, and that peace was freely given to me by the One who created me and knows me. I have every reason in the world to smile at everyone I see, and put a hand on someone’s arm or shoulder when I get the chance, and (God-forbid) actually hug someone when I get the opportunity.
It’s time for me to quit this whole standoff-ish, seemingly-arrogant, don’t-want-to-offend-anybody business. I’m pretty sure Jesus was obnoxious in how much He loved the people around Him, and not much has changed since He was around:
People still need love. And smiles. And touches. And hugs.
Heck, maybe I’ll even get that cliché line at my funeral – “he never met a stranger”. Even so, God I’m Yours. I re-give my life into Your hands. Whatever You want for me I’ll gladly accept as Your servant.
todd
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Fall On My Knees
Creators don't often become creations and gods don't often manifest in the form of their followers, but You are unlike all other gods. You, God, accepted vulnerability and pain and loneliness as Your lot for a time, and can sympathize with these times when I am vulnerable and broken and lonely.
Most gods, at best, pity their worshipers while still demanding unrealistic sacrifices. You, God, allow Your own heart to break for the broken-hearted, and I'm pretty sure You cry with those who daily eat tears as food.
I know that one day every knee will bow -- yes, everyone will fall on their knees in reverence to You who gave it all, but Lord I choose to fall on my knees today, willingly, remembering the price You paid to give me life.
"fall on your knees / o hear the angel voices / o night divine / o night when Christ was born"
Most gods, at best, pity their worshipers while still demanding unrealistic sacrifices. You, God, allow Your own heart to break for the broken-hearted, and I'm pretty sure You cry with those who daily eat tears as food.
I know that one day every knee will bow -- yes, everyone will fall on their knees in reverence to You who gave it all, but Lord I choose to fall on my knees today, willingly, remembering the price You paid to give me life.
"fall on your knees / o hear the angel voices / o night divine / o night when Christ was born"
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
still pouring
my heart is warm for you this i know
i'll rest in thoughts of you and pray
that sunlight breaks through soon
and if rain is meant to stay for awhile
you'll know that love was what caused me to
keep waiting
it's really pouring now
come soon and stand under this streetlight
like that first night we kissed
and we didn't know what were our tears or
tears from the low-hanging clouds that shared
our joy
it's still pouring
but thoughts of you are my umbrella keeping
me from despair
but they keep me here
where we used to stand
but tonight i'm here alone
and it's still pouring
tm, 12/09
i'll rest in thoughts of you and pray
that sunlight breaks through soon
and if rain is meant to stay for awhile
you'll know that love was what caused me to
keep waiting
it's really pouring now
come soon and stand under this streetlight
like that first night we kissed
and we didn't know what were our tears or
tears from the low-hanging clouds that shared
our joy
it's still pouring
but thoughts of you are my umbrella keeping
me from despair
but they keep me here
where we used to stand
but tonight i'm here alone
and it's still pouring
tm, 12/09
Free to Give lyrics
Here's a new song I just got yesterday... I'll try to record a decent version soon. Till then, here's the lyrics.
Give me eyes to see their hurts and needs
And feet to then pursue
Give me hands to help the broken down
A heart for seeking You
Give me ears to hear their cries for help
And care to even try
Give me words to bless a hurting soul
And tears to sympathize
Give me sight to see a battleground
And wisdom in the fight
May my words be clear and clearly Yours
As darkness flees from light
Give me keen awareness of the foe
And strength to him engage
Help me hate the one that breaks up homes
And scars the hearts You made
All my money and time, the things most precious to me
Help me honor You as everything I lay at your feet
I give it back to the One who gives so freely to me
Cause I may be the only picture of You they ever see
Marching strong in the darkness with Your Word I can see
If You’re near the broken-hearted that’s where I want to be
So I will dirty my hands, You make Yours dirty for me
And I will show them that Your kingdom is where people are free
I’m free
I’m free to give
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing" (Proverbs 28:27)
Give me eyes to see their hurts and needs
And feet to then pursue
Give me hands to help the broken down
A heart for seeking You
Give me ears to hear their cries for help
And care to even try
Give me words to bless a hurting soul
And tears to sympathize
Give me sight to see a battleground
And wisdom in the fight
May my words be clear and clearly Yours
As darkness flees from light
Give me keen awareness of the foe
And strength to him engage
Help me hate the one that breaks up homes
And scars the hearts You made
All my money and time, the things most precious to me
Help me honor You as everything I lay at your feet
I give it back to the One who gives so freely to me
Cause I may be the only picture of You they ever see
Marching strong in the darkness with Your Word I can see
If You’re near the broken-hearted that’s where I want to be
So I will dirty my hands, You make Yours dirty for me
And I will show them that Your kingdom is where people are free
I’m free
I’m free to give
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing" (Proverbs 28:27)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Love for People
when i ask God to help me see you like He sees you, i weep, for now i know that He doesn't care what you've done or who you think you are. you have more value than every dollar in the world.
this day i give you respect, time, money, grace, and love, all of which have been given to me as a gift. i love you not because of what you give me or can offer me, but because God loves you.
GOD loves you.
tm, 12/09
this day i give you respect, time, money, grace, and love, all of which have been given to me as a gift. i love you not because of what you give me or can offer me, but because God loves you.
GOD loves you.
tm, 12/09
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Snuggies and Taco Bell
If you've been hibernating the last six months or so, you may not know what a Snuggie is. Otherwise you probably know that it is a blanket with sleeves.
Yes, it’s that simple. In fact it’s exactly like a robe, except you wear it backwards and there’s nothing to keep it from dangling open in the rear like those awkward hospital gowns.
Yeah, bad memories.
So anyway, on Black Friday this year Menard’s sold their affectionately-named version of the product, the Cuddlee, for $2.99. You know I couldn’t resist.
I’ve been wearing it around the house lately, chuckling to myself about how unusual it is, and getting laughs as well from Travis. Today I was sitting at the counter with it, and Travis said he’d buy me Taco Bell if I wore it to Human Resource Management.
Needless to say, Travis has a Taco Bell obligation to pay.
I’m considering wearing it around to different functions and getting pictures of it in action. Be expectant.
Continue living in grace. We must breathe it like air.
Yes, it’s that simple. In fact it’s exactly like a robe, except you wear it backwards and there’s nothing to keep it from dangling open in the rear like those awkward hospital gowns.
Yeah, bad memories.
So anyway, on Black Friday this year Menard’s sold their affectionately-named version of the product, the Cuddlee, for $2.99. You know I couldn’t resist.
I’ve been wearing it around the house lately, chuckling to myself about how unusual it is, and getting laughs as well from Travis. Today I was sitting at the counter with it, and Travis said he’d buy me Taco Bell if I wore it to Human Resource Management.
Needless to say, Travis has a Taco Bell obligation to pay.
I’m considering wearing it around to different functions and getting pictures of it in action. Be expectant.
Continue living in grace. We must breathe it like air.
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