There are somewhere between 6.5 and 7 billion people in the world.
11 of them follow my blog.
My last post was read by 3 people.
2 out of those 3 people do not belong with the 11 that follow my blog.
1 was from Germany.
and
1 was from India.
That leaves 1 person that I actually MIGHT know reading my blog.
Apparently I write more for my own enjoyment than for the enjoyment of others.
Oh well.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Just Sharin Some Tunes
Alright, so I used to be obsessed with Nine Inch Nails. It's hard to call it a band because it's mostly just one guy coming up with the music and the lyrics. Anyway... the music that he writes is usually quite depressing and it sort of scares me how much I used to like his music. That was about five years ago, though, and now days I do not listen to hardly ANY Nine Inch Nails. This song, however, is one that I loved then and I still do. I do not mean to say that I condone any message that the song may be sending (as it is one that is probably not healthy for someone without a strong faith to cling to). I also do not mean to say I am depressed or confused or anything (that's for anyone who finds these lyrics to be depressing). I simply think that the artist captured an extremely strong... emotion(?)... in this song. I would say that it is best captured when actually hearing the lyrics being sung along with the music rather than simply reading them. If you have the time and/or interest, here is a link to the music: right where it belongs
right where it belongs - nine inch nails
see the animal in the cage that you built
are you sure what side your on?
better not look him too closely in the eye
are you sure what side of the glass you are on?
see the safety of the life you have built
everything where it belongs
feel the hollowness inside of your heart
and it's all right where it belongs
what if everything around you isn't quite as it seems?
what if all the world you think you know is an elaborate dream?
and if you look at your reflection is that all you want to be?
what if you could look right through the cracks would you find yourself...
find yourself afraid to see?
what if all the world is inside of your head
just creations of your own
your devils and your gods all the living and the dead
and you really ought to know
you can live in this illusion
you can choose to believe
you keep looking but you can't find the woods
while your hiding in the trees
what if everything around you isn't quite as it seems?
what if all the world you used to know is an elaborate dream?
and if you look at your reflection is that all you want to be?
what if you could look right through the cracks would you find yourself...
find yourself afraid to see?
-----
As I already mentioned, I do not listen to Nine Inch Nails anymore. If you want to hear a song that I am currently obsessed with, listen to Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum... Omg
I mean seriously... the chorus?
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't wanna push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight
and then the second verse?... sigh
I don't know... maybe I am just relieved that it's not another "you're hot, I'm hot, let's play sex and touch each other and be slutty together" song. Instead it's a song about WAITING and not ruining the love that might mature out of their relationship...
...
Yikes.
But seriously...
It's so good...
...Even if it is on the radio three times within every hour.
right where it belongs - nine inch nails
see the animal in the cage that you built
are you sure what side your on?
better not look him too closely in the eye
are you sure what side of the glass you are on?
see the safety of the life you have built
everything where it belongs
feel the hollowness inside of your heart
and it's all right where it belongs
what if everything around you isn't quite as it seems?
what if all the world you think you know is an elaborate dream?
and if you look at your reflection is that all you want to be?
what if you could look right through the cracks would you find yourself...
find yourself afraid to see?
what if all the world is inside of your head
just creations of your own
your devils and your gods all the living and the dead
and you really ought to know
you can live in this illusion
you can choose to believe
you keep looking but you can't find the woods
while your hiding in the trees
what if everything around you isn't quite as it seems?
what if all the world you used to know is an elaborate dream?
and if you look at your reflection is that all you want to be?
what if you could look right through the cracks would you find yourself...
find yourself afraid to see?
-----
As I already mentioned, I do not listen to Nine Inch Nails anymore. If you want to hear a song that I am currently obsessed with, listen to Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum... Omg
I mean seriously... the chorus?
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't wanna push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight
and then the second verse?... sigh
I don't know... maybe I am just relieved that it's not another "you're hot, I'm hot, let's play sex and touch each other and be slutty together" song. Instead it's a song about WAITING and not ruining the love that might mature out of their relationship...
...
Yikes.
But seriously...
It's so good...
...Even if it is on the radio three times within every hour.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Something to Share
Genesis 4:3-7
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
This is the first time in Scripture after the Fall that the Lord commands man to rule over his sin and avoid it. I thought that this fact was neat after coming across this passage during my quiet time this morning. This passage stuck with me throughout the day, and I soon realized that in it, God is not only speaking to Cain, but also to me...
It had been much, much longer than I care to admit since I have had a quiet time. I was frustrated, stressed, and... well maybe even angry. This fellow's blog entry seems to capture the emotion quite well, actually. I felt that my continual attempts of growing and maturing in a deep relationship with God was becoming more stressful and frustrating than joyful and reviving. One might even say that I had become angry.
After reading the above passage - especially the bolded part - I began to be set free from this discouraging state, and began looking forward to continuing in abiding in Him with a renewed vigor.
I was further encouraged by the wording in this passage. "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" God does not say, "You have been accepted, therefore you will do well." Rather, in this particular passage, it seems that God gives to Cain, and to us, the freedom to choose to rule over sin and do well, and in the end, be accepted for it. Instead, Cain allowed his sin to rule over him, and he committed the first murder history.
Proverbs 23:17-18
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Psalm 42:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Every day I have the choice to abide in the Lord. Every day I have the choice to rule over my sin, to do well, and to be accepted by my God and Savior. Every day I am tempted by sinful desires and emotions that tell me I will be happier and filled with more joy serving my own self. Sometimes I fail and succumb to these lies, and I feel unable to partake in the joy of serving my God. Sometimes this lasts for a while. But when it does, the two verses above encourage me to continue even when I feel that I cannot find the will to want to. And after being reminded again this morning by God's words to Cain, I cannot help but be drawn in, once again, to my God and King.
In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
This is the first time in Scripture after the Fall that the Lord commands man to rule over his sin and avoid it. I thought that this fact was neat after coming across this passage during my quiet time this morning. This passage stuck with me throughout the day, and I soon realized that in it, God is not only speaking to Cain, but also to me...
It had been much, much longer than I care to admit since I have had a quiet time. I was frustrated, stressed, and... well maybe even angry. This fellow's blog entry seems to capture the emotion quite well, actually. I felt that my continual attempts of growing and maturing in a deep relationship with God was becoming more stressful and frustrating than joyful and reviving. One might even say that I had become angry.
After reading the above passage - especially the bolded part - I began to be set free from this discouraging state, and began looking forward to continuing in abiding in Him with a renewed vigor.
I was further encouraged by the wording in this passage. "If you do well, will you not be accepted?" God does not say, "You have been accepted, therefore you will do well." Rather, in this particular passage, it seems that God gives to Cain, and to us, the freedom to choose to rule over sin and do well, and in the end, be accepted for it. Instead, Cain allowed his sin to rule over him, and he committed the first murder history.
Proverbs 23:17-18
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Psalm 42:11
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Every day I have the choice to abide in the Lord. Every day I have the choice to rule over my sin, to do well, and to be accepted by my God and Savior. Every day I am tempted by sinful desires and emotions that tell me I will be happier and filled with more joy serving my own self. Sometimes I fail and succumb to these lies, and I feel unable to partake in the joy of serving my God. Sometimes this lasts for a while. But when it does, the two verses above encourage me to continue even when I feel that I cannot find the will to want to. And after being reminded again this morning by God's words to Cain, I cannot help but be drawn in, once again, to my God and King.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Screw It... Why Not?
*Ahem...*
"Hello-o-o-o-o-o?"
"Anyone there-ere-ere-ere-ere?"
*Trevor squints into the darkness, trying to see what lies beyond the edge of the stage, trying to stifle a cough that attempting to clear the dust that entered his lungs upon speaking into the microphone that has been left unused for months...*
*He opens his mouth again to speak, inhaling as he tries to form the words that will portray the stories he wants to tell, but when the air moves again from his lungs into the open air, no words are said... Instead, a small sigh takes their place.*
"what do i say?"
"no one is out there... no one is listening... not that i can see..."
"why would anyone have come here to listen to me anyway? i myself haven't been on stage for... what? half a year?... it's dark... the spotlight hasn't turned on... i'm sitting here in a black void"
*Trevor turns on his heel and takes a step toward the small door in the back corner of the stage - the one he had entered through - but then pauses*
"i could tell them about the "flood" that destroyed half of my house this summer..."
"i could tell them about this past semester and how it caused me to worry about my future plans..."
"ha. i could tell them about me being married and about the wedding and honeymoon and how being a married man feels and..."
"nah... i want something with substance... something with deep meaning... something that people will read... and read again... and show other people. something that will make people say "huh, that was real..."
*Trevor slowly turns and stares at the microphone that is barely visible in the heavy darkness that blankets the room. He awkwardly shuffles his way to it and again inhales, hoping that this time a rich sea of words might come flowing from his lungs, his mind, his heart.*
*His head droops as once again, words fail and his emotions lose him in both confusion and frustration*
*Slowly, he raises his head and stares straight into the face of the darkness in front of him*
"I came to say something... I do not know what... And I do not know if anyone is listening... But I find that I have nothing to say anyhow... Maybe I will be back soon and maybe I won't... When I do, maybe I will have something to say and maybe I won't. In the meantime I will keep doing what I have been doing and hope that I can find a way to share something that is worth sharing with you."
"Goodbye"
"Hello-o-o-o-o-o?"
"Anyone there-ere-ere-ere-ere?"
*Trevor squints into the darkness, trying to see what lies beyond the edge of the stage, trying to stifle a cough that attempting to clear the dust that entered his lungs upon speaking into the microphone that has been left unused for months...*
*He opens his mouth again to speak, inhaling as he tries to form the words that will portray the stories he wants to tell, but when the air moves again from his lungs into the open air, no words are said... Instead, a small sigh takes their place.*
"what do i say?"
"no one is out there... no one is listening... not that i can see..."
"why would anyone have come here to listen to me anyway? i myself haven't been on stage for... what? half a year?... it's dark... the spotlight hasn't turned on... i'm sitting here in a black void"
*Trevor turns on his heel and takes a step toward the small door in the back corner of the stage - the one he had entered through - but then pauses*
"i could tell them about the "flood" that destroyed half of my house this summer..."
"i could tell them about this past semester and how it caused me to worry about my future plans..."
"ha. i could tell them about me being married and about the wedding and honeymoon and how being a married man feels and..."
"nah... i want something with substance... something with deep meaning... something that people will read... and read again... and show other people. something that will make people say "huh, that was real..."
*Trevor slowly turns and stares at the microphone that is barely visible in the heavy darkness that blankets the room. He awkwardly shuffles his way to it and again inhales, hoping that this time a rich sea of words might come flowing from his lungs, his mind, his heart.*
*His head droops as once again, words fail and his emotions lose him in both confusion and frustration*
*Slowly, he raises his head and stares straight into the face of the darkness in front of him*
"I came to say something... I do not know what... And I do not know if anyone is listening... But I find that I have nothing to say anyhow... Maybe I will be back soon and maybe I won't... When I do, maybe I will have something to say and maybe I won't. In the meantime I will keep doing what I have been doing and hope that I can find a way to share something that is worth sharing with you."
"Goodbye"
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