In the continuing spirit of the holidays I'm going to get a jump on the materialistic side of Christmas and write a Christmas wish list. There's something very gratifying about listing all the things you want.
Here it goes:
- iPod (just a 20 gig 2nd gen is good enough for me)
- Digital camera (how am I going to remember the trip to Germany)
- The orchestra trip paid off
- Pants that fit (mine seem to still be shrinking)
- new rosin
- a new bow (and while we are at it a nice 10K Double Bass wouldn't hurt)
- Sheet music to Meditation Hebraique by Bloch, some Bottesini, and other great bass music
- a few books:
Anything by Brian McLaren
Some poetry compilations especially ones with Robert Frost
Anything C.S. Lewis
Teaching Music Through performance series
Some Good Music Biographies
- a new car
- Some CDs:
More Wynton Marsalis
Double Bass Solo music recordings (Gary Karr etc.)
Beethoven Symphonies
Classic Jazz recordings
- The Coltrane "Blue Train" poster
- a Keilwerth sax
- All of the important band and orchestra instruments (save percussion)
- the good news is I can live without all of this and musch less. But it's fun to dream....
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Things I'm Thankful for
In the spirit of the holiday season I submit to you (and mostly to myself for later review) a list of some things I'm thankful for (In no particular order):
1. My stuff
- I have all I need and much more. It's great to live in a place where overabundance is not only commonplace, it is expected. Now I all need is to learn how to live with less and share my blessing instead of lusting after more and more stuff
2. Music
- without this life would be very bland. I can't imagnie living without such an integral part of my life; it is my major, my talent, and offers moments of sheer exstasy sometimes which leaves me wanting more (ever felt that surge of emotion?)
3. My friends
- There are times when I feel alone but I do have many friends who care about me and I should keep that in mind at all times. As time goes on I would like to get to know them better; fewer surfacy relationships and more life long bonds.
4. My health
- In an age where flu, aids, birth defects, emotional and behavioral disorders, and cancer are everywhere I find myself among the lucky few who are not the worse for wear. I know at some point illness will touch my life but I thank God for these times of health (not one cold or allergy this semester yet!)
5. My family
- My parents love me enough that they came up here for thanksgiving (even though my dad is a cheapskate usually). My sister is also doing well and I know she thinks of me often. I love you guys!
6. God
- Thanks for not forgetting about me. For those nudges to pray, those reminders that you are there, for creation (and it is beautiful), and for forgiveness.
7. Girls
- I don't mean this in the purely physical attraction side of things (though that is a plus). I love that girls are so different from guys. It's frustrating at time but I often learn from them. They remind us to use our emotions, be relational, and promt me to look for love. There's something is a girl's smile, her eyes, her very being that tells me finding "the one" is very important. Thank you ladies!
1. My stuff
- I have all I need and much more. It's great to live in a place where overabundance is not only commonplace, it is expected. Now I all need is to learn how to live with less and share my blessing instead of lusting after more and more stuff
2. Music
- without this life would be very bland. I can't imagnie living without such an integral part of my life; it is my major, my talent, and offers moments of sheer exstasy sometimes which leaves me wanting more (ever felt that surge of emotion?)
3. My friends
- There are times when I feel alone but I do have many friends who care about me and I should keep that in mind at all times. As time goes on I would like to get to know them better; fewer surfacy relationships and more life long bonds.
4. My health
- In an age where flu, aids, birth defects, emotional and behavioral disorders, and cancer are everywhere I find myself among the lucky few who are not the worse for wear. I know at some point illness will touch my life but I thank God for these times of health (not one cold or allergy this semester yet!)
5. My family
- My parents love me enough that they came up here for thanksgiving (even though my dad is a cheapskate usually). My sister is also doing well and I know she thinks of me often. I love you guys!
6. God
- Thanks for not forgetting about me. For those nudges to pray, those reminders that you are there, for creation (and it is beautiful), and for forgiveness.
7. Girls
- I don't mean this in the purely physical attraction side of things (though that is a plus). I love that girls are so different from guys. It's frustrating at time but I often learn from them. They remind us to use our emotions, be relational, and promt me to look for love. There's something is a girl's smile, her eyes, her very being that tells me finding "the one" is very important. Thank you ladies!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
A Matter of Importance
When I was in gym class during middle school we played football. During that time I took command of a team, I called the plays and decided how to do things. Interestingly enough, we won all of our games. I made good decisions and we pulled out with and undefeated record. Wait; Hold the applause. I think that might have been one of my greatest mistakes I made in middle school and one of the biggest missed opportunities in my public school career.
My decisions would have been seen as good and justifiable by our cultures standard. But Christ was, I believe, unhappy with my performance. You see, the way I won those games was by using the two fastest kids in school. We ran the ball or did a short pass to those two every time and always gained yards. But what about all of the others kids. I short changed their experience and made them think I was a jerk all to win a few inconsequential games in P.E. I should have passed the ball around, given everyone a chanc, and then maybe I could have been christlike.
It's like this:
Christ stood up for the weak, he fought the strong, and loved the poor etc. (you get the idea). He would have also seen past that single month to realize the eternal potential in the situation. It was my chance to love some of my peers, show them who crhist is in me, and maybe impact them eternally. Instead I opted for a short-lived glory that was probably only in my head.
That month I had a lot of kids angry with me becuase I was selfish. Don't make my mistake (well, it's going to happen but watch for it, I'll try to as well). If you realize that loving others is more important that selfish gain. Then maybe, just maybe, you'll look a little more like Christ.
Matthew 22:39
My decisions would have been seen as good and justifiable by our cultures standard. But Christ was, I believe, unhappy with my performance. You see, the way I won those games was by using the two fastest kids in school. We ran the ball or did a short pass to those two every time and always gained yards. But what about all of the others kids. I short changed their experience and made them think I was a jerk all to win a few inconsequential games in P.E. I should have passed the ball around, given everyone a chanc, and then maybe I could have been christlike.
It's like this:
Christ stood up for the weak, he fought the strong, and loved the poor etc. (you get the idea). He would have also seen past that single month to realize the eternal potential in the situation. It was my chance to love some of my peers, show them who crhist is in me, and maybe impact them eternally. Instead I opted for a short-lived glory that was probably only in my head.
That month I had a lot of kids angry with me becuase I was selfish. Don't make my mistake (well, it's going to happen but watch for it, I'll try to as well). If you realize that loving others is more important that selfish gain. Then maybe, just maybe, you'll look a little more like Christ.
Matthew 22:39
Friday, November 18, 2005
Three words: Scared of Commitment
I've found that the one fear I face the most day in and day out is the fear of commitment. I doubt that I can make important decisions well; not to mention the unimportant ones as well. First, I haven't been quick to get "on the dating scene". My parents are beginning to get worried and, frankly, so am I. But why don't I do something? There are plenty of wonderful girls that I know who would be great candidates (please don't be offended by my use of the word cnadidate). And I'm sure at least one of them might go on a date with me if I asked them nicely. It's also not for lack of thinking about the subject; I think about it constantly. Some days I think, "Yeah I should take ____ to ____ that would fit well with their personality and it something we could conncect with." Other days, however, I think, "_____ is really beautiful, smart, funny etc. She has all the qualities I could want is a girl but if I got out with her my options are gone." This second thought is the one that happens just often enough to stop me from making any escisions whatsoever. I don't think I really fear rejection, I fear making a choice that I'll regret.
I have a dream where I ask this girl out; she's the one I've liked for many years but while we are on a date I meet someone (or even just see them) else who is perfect for me; she's the one." How can I make and important decision like this unless I am 100% certain she's the one. But wait... this is just one date. No obligations. Why am I attaching such significance to something so inherently trivial? So I should just ask _____ out on a date this weekend. But wait, shoudl I ask _____ instead. Is dating stupid? Once I've gone on one date where will we go next? Can I find enough ideas to keep her interested? See my train of thought?
It's enough to drive a person mad. So maybe I'll keep wainting until God nudges me in the back. He'll say, "she's the one" and that will be it.
Yeha right
I have a dream where I ask this girl out; she's the one I've liked for many years but while we are on a date I meet someone (or even just see them) else who is perfect for me; she's the one." How can I make and important decision like this unless I am 100% certain she's the one. But wait... this is just one date. No obligations. Why am I attaching such significance to something so inherently trivial? So I should just ask _____ out on a date this weekend. But wait, shoudl I ask _____ instead. Is dating stupid? Once I've gone on one date where will we go next? Can I find enough ideas to keep her interested? See my train of thought?
It's enough to drive a person mad. So maybe I'll keep wainting until God nudges me in the back. He'll say, "she's the one" and that will be it.
Yeha right
Saturday, November 12, 2005
I'm too busy wasting time
Everyday I race from one responsibility to another; band, orchestra, class, jazz band, practicum, homework, vespers, work, and more. it seems like most everyone I know has the same prayer request, "I'm really busy, my schedule is hectic." We schedule overbook our lives instead of leaving room for new possibilities. I read a number of books this summer and have seen many more I would like to read but I can't make the time for it and still retain my mental health (what little I have left). I think that free time should be included in our liberal arts programs; I need more time to find my hobbies, interests, etc. and work them out. But are we really coreced into this lifestyle? What would we really do with this free time?
Personally, I'm afraid of the resposiblity of free time. I don't want to make decisions; most likely I'd end up regreting them. I don't want the responsibility of free time. Could I make the choice of who to date (I don't have to think about that becuase I'm too busy) or what to read, practice, or do? What if I make the wrong choice?
Someday, however, I will have to step out and decide; I'll have to make a move and ,if it's the wrong one, pick myself back up.
Personally, I'm afraid of the resposiblity of free time. I don't want to make decisions; most likely I'd end up regreting them. I don't want the responsibility of free time. Could I make the choice of who to date (I don't have to think about that becuase I'm too busy) or what to read, practice, or do? What if I make the wrong choice?
Someday, however, I will have to step out and decide; I'll have to make a move and ,if it's the wrong one, pick myself back up.
Friday, November 04, 2005
A piece of Brain McLaren's genius
The acclaimed author of "A New Kind of Christian" and "Generous Orthodoxy" has a new book coming out called "The Secret Message of Jesus". If this new release is anything like his other books the writing will be refreshing yet challenging. Also, I think I know a little of what he may write about; it's recently been on my heart as well.
One of the clear messages coming from "Generous Orthodoxy" is that no denomination has it completely right. We all have our strong suits, but we need to search out the weaknesses and restore balance to our viewpoints. My main example is in the message of Jesus (this is where the new book advertisement fits in). I believe that, since Jesus was the son of God, he came for more than just a single reason. I hate the song "Above All" becuase it boils the eclectic and holistic ministry of Christ down to one act. This is far from the truth. Jesus came to be born, heal the sick, preach, die, and so much more. Even in the single act of dying he didn't think of me alone. The salvific act of Christ death offered us life here and hereafter. It also brought retoration to this planet. Jesus broguth salvation to man and creation and the world is in the process of being sanctified through Christ. I believe it is our christian duty to care about the planet and it's inhabitants becuase it is all being redeemed. God didn't send out an escape pod for some select human souls to board and find life later on. He promises life to the full now through his kingdom which is here now. This is a major part of the gospel that the Baptist tradition underemphasises. Evangelism, then, should be about loving others for the sake of furthering love. We want others to join us in our quest to rid the world of evil (which will only come when Jesus return but that doesn't mean we should work to better our situation now). I'm not saying sin and eternal salvation aren't important; they are just overemphasised in my personal tradition.
I'm not very eloquent so go check out McLaren's writings. He says it so succintly (and quotes scripture like I have failed to do).
One of the clear messages coming from "Generous Orthodoxy" is that no denomination has it completely right. We all have our strong suits, but we need to search out the weaknesses and restore balance to our viewpoints. My main example is in the message of Jesus (this is where the new book advertisement fits in). I believe that, since Jesus was the son of God, he came for more than just a single reason. I hate the song "Above All" becuase it boils the eclectic and holistic ministry of Christ down to one act. This is far from the truth. Jesus came to be born, heal the sick, preach, die, and so much more. Even in the single act of dying he didn't think of me alone. The salvific act of Christ death offered us life here and hereafter. It also brought retoration to this planet. Jesus broguth salvation to man and creation and the world is in the process of being sanctified through Christ. I believe it is our christian duty to care about the planet and it's inhabitants becuase it is all being redeemed. God didn't send out an escape pod for some select human souls to board and find life later on. He promises life to the full now through his kingdom which is here now. This is a major part of the gospel that the Baptist tradition underemphasises. Evangelism, then, should be about loving others for the sake of furthering love. We want others to join us in our quest to rid the world of evil (which will only come when Jesus return but that doesn't mean we should work to better our situation now). I'm not saying sin and eternal salvation aren't important; they are just overemphasised in my personal tradition.
I'm not very eloquent so go check out McLaren's writings. He says it so succintly (and quotes scripture like I have failed to do).
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