talk to me

So much of our humanity's ability to get along and co-exist relies upon the simple passing of messages from one to another.  Communication.  Language.  Message.  These things are used everyday, by every person in the world.  There are many differences of course, many dialects and tongues, cultures and styles of communicating.  Yet there is a sudden, or rather recent shift in communication.  Yet this is not related to any of the pre-existing differences but rather a new age.  Social networks and the mobility of communicating.

  Its getting bad.  A few days ago I went for a run at dusk and also the folowing morning as I had to work all day.  As I was heading out of town that evening, I ran by a woman riding a bicycle, by herself, and I could hear her talking rather loud.  As I got closer and we passed one another I realizaed one hand was on the handlebars, the other on a cell phone and she was carrying on a conversation while pedaling up hill.  The following morning I was running on a dirt road about 2 miles from any populated housing and I spotted another woman (what I thought at first was an animal) and she was sitting by the edge of the road, no houses and sight, alone, talking on her phone.
  Now at the risk of judegement I would like to comment on what I think was the same woman.  I have run through all the scenarios and I still cant believe you would be talking on the phone, in the middle of engaging in another activity, especially as dangerous as bike riding can be.  Seriously.  Even if their best friend or soul mate was on the other end of the line, and they were very sick or something serious, why would you be engaging in other activities while trying to talk to them?
  I believe we have settled.  We, as a progressive culture of young people in an emerging world have settled for lackluster communication and poor connections.  This leads to misunderstandings, hurt feeling, lack of focus, and a completely scattered social scene.  I have come to believe that if somebody really wants to communicate with me they will tell me whats on their mind.  Instead, we often times just do it with a text, or a short internet message that may not even be received for some time. 
  They call it rude when you don't pay attention to someone.  Even careless.  We owe it to ourselves to speak the truth and take the time.  Is that not what you would want from somebody?  Want to plan a trip or make time to hang-out with someone?  Call them.  Have a serious topic to discuss?  Sit down for a cup of coffee.  I know your busy.  Who isn't?  It's worth it, it's important, it must come back.
  I really appreciate my Buddhist brothers and sisters.  They truly take the time to slow down, to connect.  In America, everything moves, fast.  Always has, always will.  It is up to us to connect with one another, on a real level, on a level where we understand eachother, where we know where the other person is coming from.  Our fate as a nation and our Hope of belonging and understanding in a world of so many different types of people relies on this communication.  Lets not settle for second rate.  Let's give our full attention to one another (as best we can) and Hope that, although we may never be able to fully embrace and co-exist, that we can, "not agree, but proclaim love; and communication."- Mae
After all, that is what this blog is about.  Its about taking the time to connect with one another and sharing daily life, good, bad, REAL.  The only reason it is daring is because we don't do it so much anymore.
listen:
anberlin- "Impossible" (acoustic)

Rescued and speechless

listen:
the Almost- "dirty and left out"





Redemption is different from reconciliation or forgiveness even.  Redemption is a building up, whereas forgiveness is most often a plugging the hole in the dam and hoping it will hold.  We often get caught up in what others think and what they will think if we do something or make a certain statement or action.  Yet it is not the act of forgiving, although this is nothing short of an amazing feat in itself, but the redemption that comes later, where we find the truest beauty in the frail human heart.
  Take for example the story of the prodigal son.  He probably doesn't feel that great telling his father all the things that had happened and especially not in the fact that he had already come to the conclusion (in his mind) that he would be lucky to sleep and work with the servants.  Yet we all know that his fate is sealed in his Father's love, the complete and unconditional love that accepts with open arms and leads to redemption.  I cannot imagine somebody being received in such a way and actually having the attitude or sickness to go back to the evil they had vacated.
  All this to say, although there are great amounts of pain in this life, when it comes to redemption, when it comes to light breaking through, when it comes to relationships being restored, it is all possible.  But we have to see it through.  I am so very thankful that redemption is a reality.  That we can bust out the other side, not just better, but wiser and more hopeful.
   Redemption can mean deliverance; but it can also mean rescue.  I cannot even begin to count the ways I have been redeemed and rescued over my relatively short life and this is available to all.  So why doesn't everyone feel redeemed?  If its available to everyone, what does it matter?

Because not everyone has been given the chance, and not everyone has been redeemed.  There are many situations in my own life where I have not felt redemption or even forgiveness, yet I can still find peace somewhere in between the Hopes and the brokenness.  Even though the redemption may never come, I take great comfort in knowing it exists, and no matter how messed up the situation is, deliverance is always possible.

Would that we would all find redemption, that when we offer "deliverance" and "atonement" that we would follow our words with a quiet prayer or a silent praise.

This is life; and redemption is a reality we all need,   
and,
I; rather WE, are never too far gone.

feeling ok

Listen:
anberlin- "Down"

As a young man, I still think I can change the world.  I am fired up, here and there, about the social and political ills of the world, and am quick to rush to the side of the oppressed and open my mouth to speak about how things should be better.  But one thing they forget to tell you in the inspiring books and amazing stories of world changing people, is that when you actually are in it, when you are in the midst of a mission or a charity; almost all the luster is gone and it is just plain hard (hence the reason others have either tried and failed, or just given up completely). 
  I had to tell my Boss I got a new job and would be leaving in two weeks.  I waited the whole afternoon to tell her and the anticipation was really awful.  But as I spoke words of ending, I was greeted with even greater words of what was to come.  "Sad for us, but happy for you" and then of course, on the walk out to the parking lot, a beautiful and full double rainbow.  Any reservations, any regrets?
  I believe we are our own worst enemies.  Sure our parents, significant others, professors, and mentors can add to the dynamics and pressure of an already wild and crazy world, yet usually our worst and most intense critic is the one that stares you in the mirror.  As I smiled at the sights and sounds of the early evening, and was so thankful to have such a comforting and understanding boss, I felt like God was saying well done.  That's not to say that I did a perfect job or even that I won't be back to try again, but it was a special feeling going home that day.
  I think it was so special because, beyond the natural beauty, i came to the stark yet simple realization that this is not about me at all.  I saw a friend in the store yesterday, a humble and Wise man, and after explaining the story to him, he simply said, "I think that's what we are called to do".  Meaning the little things add up.  They matter.  So instead of focusing on what "I" can do for this place, for that situation (key word being "I"), the focus should rather be what can happen if we let go, and let Love.  What could happen if we let the presence of Hope and Truth, that which dwells in all who believe, lead the way in this dance of life?  I may not have seen the impact of "my" works and actions, but that is no matter; just being in a place and believing and Hoping in and for those people present makes everything worth it.
At the end of the day we are all lost causes, trying to walk the road home.  Can it be OK? Can we change the world? 

Can we go together?

stay close: Light IS a place

As many of you know I have a favorite band.  That favorite band just put out an album.  It has thirteen songs and is their fifth full length album.  It is their first on a Major record label and many would expect the "best yet".  Well, I have not stopped listening since it was released and have delved into the meaning and lyrics of each song.  Yet, this album is not my favorite and is maybe the most different from all the previous records that have culminated into the sound, whether acoustic or full fledged rock, that fans have come to expect from anberlin. 
  That's not to say that I don't love the new album, I do.  Yet it is definately different.  Personally, I really love the sound, but i think the lyrics could be a little more complex, a little more meaningful.  Then again, sometimes simple words make the most impact (see: "I have a dream" or "come home").  Truth be told, anberlin is my favorite band.  And even though this new album may not be my favorite of theirs, if I truly love the band I have to really give this record a chance.  I think giving things a chance this day and age, hearing them out so to speak, even our favorite things, can be seen as a burden or even uneccessary all together.  Now this notion is not limited to music.
  So many people are quick to write off a new record, or a new song for that matter.  Sometimes people hate the change, other times they go with the simple, "well, I just liked the old stuff better."  Our relationships can be like that too.  Not just romantic, but friends and family too.  With the rate at which life changes, with the way people's status's change so quickly, it is easy to write them off or forget them altogether.  But that is not the right choice.
  Granted, people change; tastes in music change; life leads us down different roads, some for better, some for worse.  But we have to give it a try.  Our lives and the people in them are so important, so significant.  We can't just give it the ghost because we feel a bit different, we can't let our friend (or out favorite band) go because they are suddenly too popular, we can't let Love pass us by because we're scared of what "could happen"-
  Real commitment and pursuit of true connection is really lacking in our culture, even in our world at large.  It is up to the next generation to bring it back.  To look beyond the latest and greatest and seek truth and consistency; to be dedicated.  There is something to be said about a loyal fan.  There is even more to be said of a true friend; about a steadfast lover.
  We would be well served and even better pursued by such hearts.
That's the kind of fan i'd want to have,
That's the kind of community I am blessed to be in,
That's the kind of place that is Light many times over.


Listen:
Corey Asbury- "everything you do"

what we deserve (LOVE)

While running today I stumbled upon the thought and idea of deserving.  People often say things like "you deserve this" or "he doesn't deserve that"!  But where is it we are actually starting from?  What do we really deserve?
  I think we have to start from the fact that we have a lot.  If you are reading this, chances are you have internet and a working computer.  You probably have a roof over your head and maybe even a chance to pursue education, a place to put your stuff.  Even these couple items are more than many in this world will ever have.  Yet in America we think we deserve so much.  We think we are entitled to all things under the sun.  "Life, liberty and the pursuit right?
  Well I have worked hard for a lot of different elements of life, in a lot of different ways.  Yet the things that really excite me, the parts of life that I have desired most, even deserved, have not come to pass.  So why can't we have what we deserve?  Why can't I ever reach the place where that deserving is met?
  Well for me, i think it all comes back to Love.  Then again, doesn't it always?  Love is the core of life, the true mission of the human heart.  As a Christian, i believe God loves me, as does his son Jesus.  That said, we enter into a whole new area of deserving here.  For all I've done, all i've sacrificed, all I've fallen short, all I've messed up; I still don't deserve this kind of love.  Love that is real, love that is true, love that is infinite.  Even the most righteous and selfless people in this life still don't deserve the love that never fails.  Yet we are told, yet we have seen, that we are all granted this very love.
Christ doesn't care about your mess,
and
God doesn't keep score,
and
when you think of it this way, you suddenly feel a little smaller, and a little less deserving.  We are given the rights of this country, to pursue, to be free, to be alive- yet these are not rights at all, but gifts.  We truly are miracles, each one of us, in a place where all the nations of the world can be found, and can pursue those very gifts.  Freely, openly, truly- WE have to get to the place where we realize we don't deserve nearly anything, yet we are given so much.

You know that expression, "all the best things in life are free"
If that is indeed true, and I believe it to be so, do we deserve even these?  YES

That everyone may Love and be Loved, that all people would feel as though they have a place, as if they matter.
Because they do,
and we do too,
and,
YOU deserve to know.

listen: 
Shane & Shane- "the answer"

You're here with me (take me as you found me)

A good friend and wise man stopped by the nightwatchman post today.  Besides marveling at the view, the trail mix debris, the extravagant artwork (Andy and Lauren), and the beautifully decorated note card envelopes, he told me a little story from his life.  I would like to share a bit of it:
We were musing over love and relationships with young people (these days) and after grinning and chuckling he shared that when he was a young man, he was interested in deep and profound conversation with his (now wife) girlfriend at the time, and how during this one dining occasion they were not really talking,
and he took notice,
and instead of panicking,
or pushing conversation,
he loved it, every second.
Maybe it was in the simple presence that he really saw her, maybe he was overanxious.  Either way, she was there, and he was also there, and that in and of itself was a beautiful thing, a love confirming correspondence.

See Love, romantic love in its purest form, is found and formed in all the feelings and butterflies, late night phone calls, and long drives in the pouring rain.  However, it is confirmed in the jokes, in the down time, in the mundane, in the seemingly insignificant.  Not only that, but love is what we are all striving for.  It is the answer.  "It is the final fight"(John Perkins) 
Obviously we should not be so infatuated with everyone as we are to be with our spouse or even boyfriend/girlfriend, but this is a great place to learn the ins and outs of love and turn them externally, sharing them with the world.  We should not be so infatuated with everyone, yet somehow God is.  And he left us with this simple command.  Love me; and love one another.  He even gave us an analogy:  When He comes back, we shall be like a bride, and HE, the bridegroom. 

Is not romance in every bit of our lives?  Is it not the answer to how we should think of our neighbor, how we should dream of our futures?

Want to fall in Love?
That is not the question: love is present, has been since the start.
Rather the question is:

Want to see the world change?

Fall in Love

the details of this life are breathtaking
and
The lights and sounds call us closer
and
the Hope of the universe rests on us seeing it so 

Fall in Love



listen: (out Tuesday)
Anberlin album preview

Love is found in the returning

Let your heart be ignited