Someday...

We were in staff meeting today at Twin Oaks CC and for the past couple of months we have been working through the book, "Hole in the Gospel" which tells the story of the directer of World Vision, how God called him into that position, and what God is calling his church to do to serve the poor.  It is a great book that really brings to light what seems to always stay in the shadows.  But this is not yet another book review.  This is instead a story about what I hope to be Someday.

Our pastor at Twin Oaks has challenged us recently with the idea of Generosity and as someone who has been around the church for much time, I understand that each church does a series on money, giving, and what to do with it.  Sometimes I have found myself to be desensitized to this because I have heard these messages so many times.  But for some reason God grabbed my wife and I and said it is time to listen up.

He has not only brought to light the fact that we, as humans, have the cure to AIDS, water deprivation, malnutrition, poverty.  This cure can be found in our bank accounts.  But I did not feel that God said it is time for you to write a check, I mean he is probably calling us to do that, but much more he is calling us to change our attitudes.  Change our attitude when it comes to money and possessions all together.

I have had a couple people in my life that I just feel exude God and what I feel like Jesus would be like.    It all began with having a nature of a servant.  Not just going on a mission trip here and there, but truly putting all others in this world ahead of their own needs.  This means finances are included.  Instead of thinking about how I am going to buy a new iPhone or how I am going to go on a vacation with my beautiful wife (both are much deserved), I would love to get to the point when I say how are we gonna pay for rent because we have spent all of our money helping our friends, family, or people that we may not even know.  I do not think God is calling us to be irresponsible, I merely think God is asking us to change our attitude when it comes to money and taking care of ourselves.

He is asking us to truly say that all these things on this earth are rentals from him and we should never worry that we will be taken care of because we have always been taken care of, not because of anything we have done, but all because of Jesus.

I am not at that point in my relationship with Christ, but I hope that my wife and I can take the steps that we need to start to be more like him in this way.  I hope that i can think of others first when I am paying the bills and how my money (not my excess) can go to help someone else.



till another day,



normallyINDIE

First Side of the Record...

It is now August and although it is not exactly half way through 2012 (July was a pretty busy month for me) I felt it was necessary to celebrate those records that just could not stopping ringing through our ears and spinning on our record players.  There were a lot of wonderful albums that were released this year and it is so exciting to be introduced to new bands all the time.  Here it goes:

Best New Finds

1. The Vespers - The Fourth Wall 

2.  Mike Main & the Branches - Home 

3.  Belle Histoire - Dreamers 

4.  Of Monsters & Men - My Head is an Animal 

5.  Birdy - Self-Titled 

Veterans with Style

1.  John Mayer - Born & Raised 

2.  David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest 

3.  The Fray - Scars & Stories 

4.  House of Heroes - Cold Hard Want 

5.  Jack White - Blunderbuss 

    

Must Have on Vinyl 

1.  Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More 

2.  The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow 

3.  Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math 

4.  Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Greatest Hits 

5.  Death Cab for Cutie - Plans 

Unknown Faves 

1.  Angus & Julia Stone - 

2.  Birdy - Self-Titled 

3.  Belle Histoire - Dreamers 

4.  The Vespers - the Fourth Wall 

5.  Best Coast - the Only Place 

Belt it Out 

1.  Elevation Worship - For Your Honor 

2.  John Mayer - Born & Raised 

3.  The Rock of Ages - Motion Picture Soundtrack 

4.  Chris Brown - Fortune 

5.  Fun. - Some Nights 

Pumped for the Future 

1.  Mumford & Sons - Babel (Sept. 24th 2012) 

2.  OneRepublic - Rumored 

3.  Seabird - (Title TBA) 

4.  Tenth Avenue North - The Struggle (Aug. 21st 2012) 

5.  Band of Horses - Mirage Rock (Sept. 28th 2012) 

These are just a couple of my top records of these past 7 months and I am so excited for new records to continue to surface and rumors to grow about more of my favorite artists.  Let me know if you have heard any great bands recently and remember support the artist, not the record labels, go to shows, by their physical cds, grab some merch.  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE