Having this awesome experience of being an uncle suddenly has got me thinking. I’m the youngest of seven, I’ve never gotten the older sibling thing going for me. Had no babies, cause well, I’ve always been the baby. I walked into the birthing center where my sister was. Said hi to my brother-in-law, congrats, all that. Got the first glimpse of the baby and it was sheer joy. When my sister asked if I wanted to hold him it felt like my insides exploded. I said to myself, “Wow... it’s like my first baby too.”
I’ve always admired my sister. Being the second oldest of the family, and the first-born daughter she’s always held that position in my little mind of the alma-mater. The baby-sitter, the one I could whine to. (And get no where). And now finally she’s a mom in her own right. So I gladly accepted her invitation to hold my little nephew. Sat down on the edge of the bed where she was. Took him in my arms, smiled at him. He smiled back. It was what some would call, truly precious. But then I got to thinking two things. First of all, how much more precious is that baby to my brother-in-law? After-all, it is his very first child. It’s kind of like when I bought my camera. I own a Canon Rebel XS. I bought it, and it was all I could think about. Yet, my older brother, he’s ALWAYS been into photography/videography. He loved it too. He would take it, hold it, take pictures with it, and talk about how awesome it is. Yet that camera was a lot more important to me, than to him. At the same time. I’m totally in love with my nephew. In my mind he’s the most adorable little kid I’ve ever seen. But to my brother-in-law? I can guarantee you that little David means more to him than to me.
The second thought? What about God? Isn’t God my nephew’s true Father? Or at least, He will be. Just think about God’s love. God’s perfect nature. I respect, love, and admire my brother-in-law. He is truly one man who I look up to. And I know for certain he will be one of the best father’s in the world. Yet, compared to God? God’s love is so far greater than we could even comprehend.
I’ve been searching for verses that could describe this well, but to no avail. I do hope you see what I’m getting at however. God does have a love for us. A deep love that is greater than any love we know. If you read this, and want to find a verse or two, please do, and please comment. God bless!
-J
P.S. If you wanna see my nephew :-) - http://justink-lifeandtimes.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am till with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
As awesome and amazing as that is. It scares me. I got to be honest, it truly scares me. I know each of us at some point in life has thought that someone else was being a snoop, or trying to spy on you and you didn't like it. Well... the God of the universe, the most mighty and terrific Being who has ever existed, or ever will exist is watching us every second of every day.
Lord, may Your ways be my ways, and Your thoughts, my thoughts. Bring me closer to You.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am till with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
As awesome and amazing as that is. It scares me. I got to be honest, it truly scares me. I know each of us at some point in life has thought that someone else was being a snoop, or trying to spy on you and you didn't like it. Well... the God of the universe, the most mighty and terrific Being who has ever existed, or ever will exist is watching us every second of every day.
Lord, may Your ways be my ways, and Your thoughts, my thoughts. Bring me closer to You.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Giving?
Mark 12:41-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.
And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Should I give all I have? Or should I save and use it when I need it? Does God really want me to give up everything? Or is He happy when I simply tithe? What IS giving?
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.
And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.
And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Should I give all I have? Or should I save and use it when I need it? Does God really want me to give up everything? Or is He happy when I simply tithe? What IS giving?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
If Today Was Your Last Day...
(Actual Song) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maINUv2H8A0
Truly one of the best music videos out there.
Song Lyrics –
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, today was your last day?
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
I’m sure we have all heard the question, or been asked a question like this before. “If you had one week to live what would you do?”
“If you had one year to live what would you do?”
Or, like in the song, “If today was your last day... what would you do?”
So on the outset it may seem rather cliché to bring it up, however, I bring it up because it is cliché. In general I like to think outside the box, I like to do the same thing multiple times but with trying different ways of getting there. So when I thought of doing this song in a post, I thought, “It’s perfect”. Because we have all heard of the idea of what we’d do if it was our last day, we don’t THINK about it anymore. It is a cliché, we simply don’t care.
I don’t believe much analysis of the song is needed because is quite self-explanatory. Rather, I’d like to use these amazing lyrics as a starting point for this discussion, not really the discussion in this post, but the discussion in your mind. I don't have all the answers, but God does, Lord willing you will turn to Him.
Question, in history, who is your hero? George Washington? Louis Pasteur? Now, once you have him or her in your mind, think about their life. I can guarantee you that the person you are thinking of didn’t spend his life doing nothing and just died in the end. I’m positive that the person you are thinking of spent his life, maybe not all, but a good portion of it working to better something, save people, create something that was needed.
Now picture this, imagine if the entire world consisted of people like that. People who were willing to always help each other, always be there for each other, and always willing to step up to the plate. This of course is impossible, but it is a nice thought. My main point is this, the only way you truly can change the world, or change someone’s heart, is if you have God on your side, and if you are actually trying. Living as if today was your last day.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
God commands us to follow Him. We are to “take up His cross”. If you are already a believer than this really is the first step to being a disciple of Christ. We must follow Him without question, without wondering, simply do it.
Of course we all know that it simply isn’t easy to just live as if it was your last day. It’s one of those, “Easier said than done” examples. That doesn’t mean we can’t try though. Anyway, if you really think about it, if we started right now, at this very minute living like it was our last day, and kept trying, and continued living like it was our last day, and we didn’t die for say, 20 years? That’s roughly 7,300 days of us doing that. And chances are, at least for me, that I’ll live longer than that. But if I don’t, I think by that 7,300th day, I’d been doing it pretty close to right.
I hope this post has got you thinking, remember, what's the harm in trying?
Good luck, and God bless,
-Your brother in Christ
Truly one of the best music videos out there.
Song Lyrics –
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, today was your last day?
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
I’m sure we have all heard the question, or been asked a question like this before. “If you had one week to live what would you do?”
“If you had one year to live what would you do?”
Or, like in the song, “If today was your last day... what would you do?”
So on the outset it may seem rather cliché to bring it up, however, I bring it up because it is cliché. In general I like to think outside the box, I like to do the same thing multiple times but with trying different ways of getting there. So when I thought of doing this song in a post, I thought, “It’s perfect”. Because we have all heard of the idea of what we’d do if it was our last day, we don’t THINK about it anymore. It is a cliché, we simply don’t care.
I don’t believe much analysis of the song is needed because is quite self-explanatory. Rather, I’d like to use these amazing lyrics as a starting point for this discussion, not really the discussion in this post, but the discussion in your mind. I don't have all the answers, but God does, Lord willing you will turn to Him.
Question, in history, who is your hero? George Washington? Louis Pasteur? Now, once you have him or her in your mind, think about their life. I can guarantee you that the person you are thinking of didn’t spend his life doing nothing and just died in the end. I’m positive that the person you are thinking of spent his life, maybe not all, but a good portion of it working to better something, save people, create something that was needed.
Now picture this, imagine if the entire world consisted of people like that. People who were willing to always help each other, always be there for each other, and always willing to step up to the plate. This of course is impossible, but it is a nice thought. My main point is this, the only way you truly can change the world, or change someone’s heart, is if you have God on your side, and if you are actually trying. Living as if today was your last day.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
God commands us to follow Him. We are to “take up His cross”. If you are already a believer than this really is the first step to being a disciple of Christ. We must follow Him without question, without wondering, simply do it.
Of course we all know that it simply isn’t easy to just live as if it was your last day. It’s one of those, “Easier said than done” examples. That doesn’t mean we can’t try though. Anyway, if you really think about it, if we started right now, at this very minute living like it was our last day, and kept trying, and continued living like it was our last day, and we didn’t die for say, 20 years? That’s roughly 7,300 days of us doing that. And chances are, at least for me, that I’ll live longer than that. But if I don’t, I think by that 7,300th day, I’d been doing it pretty close to right.
I hope this post has got you thinking, remember, what's the harm in trying?
Good luck, and God bless,
-Your brother in Christ
Friday, March 5, 2010
Is A Second Chance Needed?
"Second Chance" - ShineDown
My eyes are open wide
And by the way, I made it
Through the day
I watched the world outside
By the way, I'm leaving out
Today
I just saw Hayley's comet
She waved
Said why you always running
In place?
Even the man in the
Moon disappeared
Somewhere in the
Stratosphere
Tell my mother,
Tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye
Is a second chance
Please don't cry
One tear for me
I'm not afraid of
What I have to say
This is my one and
Only voice
So listen close, it's
Only for today
---Actual Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xo_rKVIvIg&feature=related
To start off, don’t think I hate or love this song, I’m more of in the middle on this one, however I do strongly feel that lyrics can touch someone without them knowing is extremely dangerous ways sometimes. Because of this, I’m going to analyze these lyrics, and try to portray my thoughts on certain issues to you, the reader.
My eyes are open wide
And by the way, I made it
Through the day
I watched the world outside
By the way, I'm leaving out
Today
I think I can safely say that we have all had days like this before. Life is going by, you didn’t think you could possibly make it through the sixteen hours that day, and then at the end when it finally dawned on you that you had, there was this feeling deep inside of, “Wow. That just happened.” In this instance though, and looking at the rest of the lyrics, it seems that what this, I will simply refer to him as young man, is actually talking about, is a day in which his parents were trying to get him to do certain things, and he didn’t appreciate it.
I just saw Hayley's comet
She waved
Said why you always running
In place?
Even the man in the
Moon disappeared
Somewhere in the
Stratosphere
This bridge hardly has ever made sense to me. I believe what he is saying is that at some point, as if he were standing outside starring at the sky, things simply didn’t seem right. His life has been turned completely upside down. Hayley’s comet is asking him why he isn’t going anywhere in life, and the man in the moon is gone. All this to say that life could be better.
Tell my mother,
Tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye
Is a second chance
Here in lies the best part of this entire song. When I first heard the beginning three lines of the chorus I was thinking, “Oh, ok, so he’s doing the best he can, his parents are pushing him to much.” But then what happens? He says, “To make them REALIZE, this is MY life.” I ask you, what is wrong with this? A whole lot is wrong with this. Our generation is a generation of rebels. This song portrays the rebel society so perfectly. You have this young man, who is obviously young enough to still be under his parent’s protection and guidance. And now he is going to run away (as the rest of the chorus implies) for the simple reason that his parents can’t seem to understand that this is HIS life.
The chorus goes on to say that this young man isn’t angry, but that this goodbye is just a second chance. I ask you, is a second chance needed? I regret to say that there have been many times in my life in which I have felt that I should just run away because my parents don’t understand me, and I can’t live my life with how my parents treat me, and other such lies. However, those were LIES. As teens we seem to take the kind instruction of our parents and turn it into more didactic instruction. “Excessive” instruction. We say to ourselves, “They are doing too much! I want to be left alone!” What would happen if our parents simply left us alone for a while? The final remnants of this already broken generation would fall to pieces. Brothers and sisters, we’re just as inherently sinful as the rest of our world! A second chance is not needed, what’s needed is for our hearts to be turned toward our parents. They are the wise ones, they love us, they want the best for us. For now, this is not my life. This is their life, and it is my job to make the best of it.
The second verse is rather interesting, simply stating that he only has one voice, so his parents must listen to him closely. I suppose this young man believes that rather than taking the time to listen to his parents, his parents should take the time to listen to him. Yes, there are times when you need to be heard out, but when he’s trying to run away because it is supposedly his life, is when his parents need to start talking to him.
What does the Bible have to say about this?
I’m sure we all know this one-
Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
What about this one? Who wants to make your parents “realize” anything if this is on the line?
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.'
When honoring our parents is the first commandment with a promise, why not honor them? Yes, easier said than done, but that is only because the devil doesn’t want us to honor them. God clearly states that if we honor our father and mother, (meaning, if we do ask they ask, and do not argue with them), that our days will be long in the land. We will be blessed.
I urge you, think about it, pray about it, it isn’t an easy thing to do, just honoring your parents. It’s hard, I understand that. However, it’s not impossible.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
-Your brother in Christ
My eyes are open wide
And by the way, I made it
Through the day
I watched the world outside
By the way, I'm leaving out
Today
I just saw Hayley's comet
She waved
Said why you always running
In place?
Even the man in the
Moon disappeared
Somewhere in the
Stratosphere
Tell my mother,
Tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye
Is a second chance
Please don't cry
One tear for me
I'm not afraid of
What I have to say
This is my one and
Only voice
So listen close, it's
Only for today
---Actual Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xo_rKVIvIg&feature=related
To start off, don’t think I hate or love this song, I’m more of in the middle on this one, however I do strongly feel that lyrics can touch someone without them knowing is extremely dangerous ways sometimes. Because of this, I’m going to analyze these lyrics, and try to portray my thoughts on certain issues to you, the reader.
My eyes are open wide
And by the way, I made it
Through the day
I watched the world outside
By the way, I'm leaving out
Today
I think I can safely say that we have all had days like this before. Life is going by, you didn’t think you could possibly make it through the sixteen hours that day, and then at the end when it finally dawned on you that you had, there was this feeling deep inside of, “Wow. That just happened.” In this instance though, and looking at the rest of the lyrics, it seems that what this, I will simply refer to him as young man, is actually talking about, is a day in which his parents were trying to get him to do certain things, and he didn’t appreciate it.
I just saw Hayley's comet
She waved
Said why you always running
In place?
Even the man in the
Moon disappeared
Somewhere in the
Stratosphere
This bridge hardly has ever made sense to me. I believe what he is saying is that at some point, as if he were standing outside starring at the sky, things simply didn’t seem right. His life has been turned completely upside down. Hayley’s comet is asking him why he isn’t going anywhere in life, and the man in the moon is gone. All this to say that life could be better.
Tell my mother,
Tell my father
I've done the best I can
To make them realize
This is my life
I hope they understand
I'm not angry, I'm just saying...
Sometimes goodbye
Is a second chance
Here in lies the best part of this entire song. When I first heard the beginning three lines of the chorus I was thinking, “Oh, ok, so he’s doing the best he can, his parents are pushing him to much.” But then what happens? He says, “To make them REALIZE, this is MY life.” I ask you, what is wrong with this? A whole lot is wrong with this. Our generation is a generation of rebels. This song portrays the rebel society so perfectly. You have this young man, who is obviously young enough to still be under his parent’s protection and guidance. And now he is going to run away (as the rest of the chorus implies) for the simple reason that his parents can’t seem to understand that this is HIS life.
The chorus goes on to say that this young man isn’t angry, but that this goodbye is just a second chance. I ask you, is a second chance needed? I regret to say that there have been many times in my life in which I have felt that I should just run away because my parents don’t understand me, and I can’t live my life with how my parents treat me, and other such lies. However, those were LIES. As teens we seem to take the kind instruction of our parents and turn it into more didactic instruction. “Excessive” instruction. We say to ourselves, “They are doing too much! I want to be left alone!” What would happen if our parents simply left us alone for a while? The final remnants of this already broken generation would fall to pieces. Brothers and sisters, we’re just as inherently sinful as the rest of our world! A second chance is not needed, what’s needed is for our hearts to be turned toward our parents. They are the wise ones, they love us, they want the best for us. For now, this is not my life. This is their life, and it is my job to make the best of it.
The second verse is rather interesting, simply stating that he only has one voice, so his parents must listen to him closely. I suppose this young man believes that rather than taking the time to listen to his parents, his parents should take the time to listen to him. Yes, there are times when you need to be heard out, but when he’s trying to run away because it is supposedly his life, is when his parents need to start talking to him.
What does the Bible have to say about this?
I’m sure we all know this one-
Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
What about this one? Who wants to make your parents “realize” anything if this is on the line?
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.'
When honoring our parents is the first commandment with a promise, why not honor them? Yes, easier said than done, but that is only because the devil doesn’t want us to honor them. God clearly states that if we honor our father and mother, (meaning, if we do ask they ask, and do not argue with them), that our days will be long in the land. We will be blessed.
I urge you, think about it, pray about it, it isn’t an easy thing to do, just honoring your parents. It’s hard, I understand that. However, it’s not impossible.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
-Your brother in Christ
Thursday, March 4, 2010
And We're Back!
Hello avid readers! I am extremely happy to announce that after a time of waiting, praying, and engaging in a closer relationship with my family, my parents have given me permission to continue once again down the blogging trail! This is just an announcement to say I’m back in business, and there will be an official post coming up soon that will be analyzing yet another piece of music.
In case you are wondering the song is “Second Chance” By Shinedown.
I hope and pray that some Godly and exciting discussion will ensue from the writing that that comes from this eager body.
Thank you!
-Justin
In case you are wondering the song is “Second Chance” By Shinedown.
I hope and pray that some Godly and exciting discussion will ensue from the writing that that comes from this eager body.
Thank you!
-Justin
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