Friday, June 20, 2008
Me, Emotional?
I know I've said it in my head hundreds of times, but I'm finally putting words to my thoughts. Why is it so much easier for me to show emotion through tears than any other? Some of it is healthy and normal, like in pain or when I'm lonely, but others just don't make sense, like when I'm hungry or tired. I can't just tell myself I'm those things, I just break down. As I'm writing this God brings to mind a baby begging for attention, to be fed, to be rocked to sleep, to have someone come and take care of their needs. I am a child of the Most High God, held in His arms, fed on His Word, who finds rest in His presence. Ok, so if I'm gonna stick with the baby theme, then I want to laugh like them, and giggle and be entertained by the littlest of things. That's the child of God I'd like to be.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
I am not a runner, and I don't have to be.
I love taking a different route to get home from work on Fridays, kinda as a reward for making it through the week. These roads take me along the Schuylkill River, and then through some wooded twists and turns, until I end up on Ridge, making a left onto Bells Mill Rd. This is one of the few roads through Fairmont Park, and intersects Forbidden Drive, which follows the Wissahickon Creek. I enjoy stopping here and following the wide path down to Valley Green Inn, which is about two miles from Bells Mill Rd.
I love walking through the woods, looking at all the wildlife, smelling the wildflowers, hearing the creek rumble by, and seeing people from all walks of live getting outside and enjoying themselves. On more adventuresome days I'll cross over the creek at one of the bridges and hike back to the starting point.
Today I had planned on the hike, but the main trail still had large puddles and mud, so I didn't think it would be wise to attempt the less traveled trails. With a bottle of water in hand I briskly walked the two miles down to the open area around Valley Green, and found a larger rock on the edge of the creek to sit for a while and watch the ducks and geese swimming in the water and begging for food. On the way back I stopped again and climbed over a few rocks to get a better look at the dam in the creek. It was after this stopped that I decided to run for a bit.
I've seen lots of people run along this path, some do it very well, and look good doing so. I admire these people, and I thought that if I ran too, then maybe I would start to look more fit. I think I ran for two minutes at most, which is better than the last time I went running here. I had my steps well placed and my breathing under control for the first minute, and then I had to stop. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and I needed to catch my breath. I kept walking still recovering from those two minutes, and tried to run again when I reached the next half mile marker. This time I don't think I lasted even a minute. But I kept walking even though my one leg was starting to bother me.
I got to the covered bridge when I heard the Lord say, Be still, sit for a while. I didn't want to be disobedient but the creek is compressed as it runs under the bridge, and is quite noisy. So I said Lord, let me go to a bench just a few more down, where I can sit and be at peace. As I sat and started to feel the strain that I had been placing on my body, that I hadn't realized was there. The longer I sat, the more the woods came alive again, and I hadn't realized I was missing it. My breathing slowed down, and I could smell the flowers again. Sitting there, I could feel the breeze running along the creek, when I had been so over-heated before.
God stirred in my heart, that I had lost focus on why I go to the park to begin with, because I was so focused on trying to be the runner I am not. Just like when I get so focused on a project at work that I loose site of why I love what I do in the first place. God loves me just the way I am, runner or not, and walking is fine by Him. Seeking His will comes first, and that's what I should be focused on. I don't have to be a runner, and I'm really OK with that.
I love walking through the woods, looking at all the wildlife, smelling the wildflowers, hearing the creek rumble by, and seeing people from all walks of live getting outside and enjoying themselves. On more adventuresome days I'll cross over the creek at one of the bridges and hike back to the starting point.
Today I had planned on the hike, but the main trail still had large puddles and mud, so I didn't think it would be wise to attempt the less traveled trails. With a bottle of water in hand I briskly walked the two miles down to the open area around Valley Green, and found a larger rock on the edge of the creek to sit for a while and watch the ducks and geese swimming in the water and begging for food. On the way back I stopped again and climbed over a few rocks to get a better look at the dam in the creek. It was after this stopped that I decided to run for a bit.
I've seen lots of people run along this path, some do it very well, and look good doing so. I admire these people, and I thought that if I ran too, then maybe I would start to look more fit. I think I ran for two minutes at most, which is better than the last time I went running here. I had my steps well placed and my breathing under control for the first minute, and then I had to stop. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and I needed to catch my breath. I kept walking still recovering from those two minutes, and tried to run again when I reached the next half mile marker. This time I don't think I lasted even a minute. But I kept walking even though my one leg was starting to bother me.
I got to the covered bridge when I heard the Lord say, Be still, sit for a while. I didn't want to be disobedient but the creek is compressed as it runs under the bridge, and is quite noisy. So I said Lord, let me go to a bench just a few more down, where I can sit and be at peace. As I sat and started to feel the strain that I had been placing on my body, that I hadn't realized was there. The longer I sat, the more the woods came alive again, and I hadn't realized I was missing it. My breathing slowed down, and I could smell the flowers again. Sitting there, I could feel the breeze running along the creek, when I had been so over-heated before.
God stirred in my heart, that I had lost focus on why I go to the park to begin with, because I was so focused on trying to be the runner I am not. Just like when I get so focused on a project at work that I loose site of why I love what I do in the first place. God loves me just the way I am, runner or not, and walking is fine by Him. Seeking His will comes first, and that's what I should be focused on. I don't have to be a runner, and I'm really OK with that.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Saturday Night Adventures
I did a crazy thing this past Saturday night that I feel like sharing.
I decided to go see the second Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, which was being digitally projected only at the Warrington Regal 22.
Me going to see a movie that starts at 9:40 at night is not so crazy for those that know me and my night owl tendencies, if you didn't just look at what time this was posted.
Nope, the crazy part was that when I got there at 8:55, the theater had just been evacuated because of smoke or someone pulled the fire alarm. I never did get the full story. Anyway instead of leaving like most rational people would do, I decided to hang out by the main entrance in the parking lot, until the theater opened back up.
I felt a bit odd standing by myself, as much as one can surrounded by hundreds of people. But it was a lot of fun watching people sit in the middle of the street, and seeing some girls jump when they were posing for a picture in front of a fire truck when one of the fireman revved the engine. The doors opened back up around 9:40(perfect timing) and I was second in line for tickets. 10 bucks later and I was able to easily buy a bottle of water, before heading into what would have been a packed theater, but only had 10 people in it. The previews started by 10, and I can come back sometime soon and see it again for free because of the inconvenience.
The only real problem was that in a theater that empty, jokes just fall flat.
The movie was very well done, and had some amazing special effects that make me want to pursue something greater with my career. Someday. My excuse for going back and seeing the same movie again will be that I kinda know someone who works for Weta and has his name it the credits. Perhaps I'll take someone along with me this time.
I decided to go see the second Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, which was being digitally projected only at the Warrington Regal 22.
Me going to see a movie that starts at 9:40 at night is not so crazy for those that know me and my night owl tendencies, if you didn't just look at what time this was posted.
Nope, the crazy part was that when I got there at 8:55, the theater had just been evacuated because of smoke or someone pulled the fire alarm. I never did get the full story. Anyway instead of leaving like most rational people would do, I decided to hang out by the main entrance in the parking lot, until the theater opened back up.
I felt a bit odd standing by myself, as much as one can surrounded by hundreds of people. But it was a lot of fun watching people sit in the middle of the street, and seeing some girls jump when they were posing for a picture in front of a fire truck when one of the fireman revved the engine. The doors opened back up around 9:40(perfect timing) and I was second in line for tickets. 10 bucks later and I was able to easily buy a bottle of water, before heading into what would have been a packed theater, but only had 10 people in it. The previews started by 10, and I can come back sometime soon and see it again for free because of the inconvenience.
The only real problem was that in a theater that empty, jokes just fall flat.
The movie was very well done, and had some amazing special effects that make me want to pursue something greater with my career. Someday. My excuse for going back and seeing the same movie again will be that I kinda know someone who works for Weta and has his name it the credits. Perhaps I'll take someone along with me this time.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The finished picture.
Since I haven't posted anything in ages, I figured this would be a good thing to add, and maybe get me started on blogging again.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Praise Him with harp and lyre
This morning, Sunday, I was able to play along with the worship team on electric guitar.
Two weeks ago at practice, (I run the soundboard)I was asked if I could play three "simple" chords, Ab Bb & Eb. If anyone knows guitar they know this is not something a beginner like myself can easily do. So I asked a friend to play on Sunday instead.
As much as I wanted to play, I couldn't, didn't know how, and was really disappointed with myself. I got so upset my stomach became nauseous. I held onto that grief for that night into the next day.
Later that night, I found some other sheet music with two of the same notes with a capo1 chord change. With the capo on the first fret, the chords became G, A, and D, which are easy to play. All of the sudden this impossible task of playing music with the worship team became possible. However since I had already asked someone to play, and I still had to run the sound. Since I learned the song, I play it every time I pick up a guitar. By the way, the name of the song is "The River is Here"
Last week I actually asked someone else run the soundboard, (this happens once a month, maybe) because I wasn't able to attend practice. Instead I went to see the David Crowder Band who were totally awesome, and awesomely praising God. So when I showed up early this morning, well at least early for not having something to be there until the service, I got to listen to the worship team practice. The last song they played, was the song I learned. So I casually asked, want someone on guitar, and they said yes. And in my head I said YES!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't tell anyone else what I was doing, so my mom was a little shocked when I got up with the worship team to play the last song of the service. I made sure the volume wasn't too loud just in case I messed up a lot. I was so nervous I couldn't look up until the closing prayer.
Yea I messed up a little, but I got to PLAY!!!! The reason I wanted to learn guitar in the first place was so that I could praise God, and now I have in view of my whole church family. I don't know when I'll get to play again, but I'm thankful for the opportunity I had. Thank you Lord for another answered prayer.
Two weeks ago at practice, (I run the soundboard)I was asked if I could play three "simple" chords, Ab Bb & Eb. If anyone knows guitar they know this is not something a beginner like myself can easily do. So I asked a friend to play on Sunday instead.
As much as I wanted to play, I couldn't, didn't know how, and was really disappointed with myself. I got so upset my stomach became nauseous. I held onto that grief for that night into the next day.
Later that night, I found some other sheet music with two of the same notes with a capo1 chord change. With the capo on the first fret, the chords became G, A, and D, which are easy to play. All of the sudden this impossible task of playing music with the worship team became possible. However since I had already asked someone to play, and I still had to run the sound. Since I learned the song, I play it every time I pick up a guitar. By the way, the name of the song is "The River is Here"
Last week I actually asked someone else run the soundboard, (this happens once a month, maybe) because I wasn't able to attend practice. Instead I went to see the David Crowder Band who were totally awesome, and awesomely praising God. So when I showed up early this morning, well at least early for not having something to be there until the service, I got to listen to the worship team practice. The last song they played, was the song I learned. So I casually asked, want someone on guitar, and they said yes. And in my head I said YES!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't tell anyone else what I was doing, so my mom was a little shocked when I got up with the worship team to play the last song of the service. I made sure the volume wasn't too loud just in case I messed up a lot. I was so nervous I couldn't look up until the closing prayer.
Yea I messed up a little, but I got to PLAY!!!! The reason I wanted to learn guitar in the first place was so that I could praise God, and now I have in view of my whole church family. I don't know when I'll get to play again, but I'm thankful for the opportunity I had. Thank you Lord for another answered prayer.
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