// An Evening in the Photo Pit

To put it lightly, my friend Rachel hooked me up in a big, big way this past Friday. First, she got us into the sold out Breaking Benjamin show. Huge. Second, she got a photo pass. Even huger. Third, she lent said photo pass to me so I could shoot the opener, Papa Roach. Do WHAT!?!

Thank you Rachel. I appreciate the heck out of you, seriously.

// desperately need You

I've heard of the group Owl City more times than I care to admit. I've also heard that silly Fireflies song so much lately that I could probably perform it verbatim for you. It's all the rage, right? So, I researched them a bit a couple days ago and ran across a song called Meteor Shower.

Blew me away. Check it out:

I can finally see.
That You're right there beside me.
I am not my own.
For I have been made new.
Please don't let me go.
I desperately need You.

// Chicago + Needtobreathe

Well, this past weekend I was lucky enough to spend some time in Chicago with two of the coolest people in my life. We flew up on Friday morning and headed home on Sunday morning. Friday night we went to this new place called Lincoln Hall to see Needtobreathe - one of my faves right now - rock the paneling off the walls. And they did just that.

Now as with any concert, you've just got to experience it first hand in order to appreciate it. But, I've got a video of one of their more awe-inspiring performances that will hopefully move you to want to do great things, or at least make your day a little better. Every time I watch this I want to go out and jump up and down, which is followed by serious consideration of moving straight to Chicago and/or following Needtobreathe around the country for several months.

So. Here it is (followed by a few Holgas of the city).

Some AWESOME Thoughts

I've been doing a little reading on a site called Jesus Freak Hideout (www.jesusfreakhideout.com). There's a "lyrics" section which includes a summary of what each song is about and where each song came from. The summary is written by whoever wrote the song. Kind of like a "Cliff's Notes" for each song. Today, in particular, I've been looking at the lyrics of Tenth Avenue North songs. These dudes are solid. I mean, their songs are just good. Real and pure and straight from the heart. Most of them talk about going through hard-times, feeling pain, questioning God, etc. Stuff that everyday folks think and feel on a daily basis, but just don't know how to put into words. That's what these guys sing.

Anyway, here's what I've put together from looking at their lyrics (and also from reading their Cliff's Notes):

1. Love is Here. Right here. Right now. All around us. Everywhere we go. God doesn't have to do a single thing to prove to us that he loves us. It's certainly been proven before, and it continues to prove itself each and every day. We should quit looking for "proof," focus on God, and just love.

2. God loves us, wants to have a relationship with us, and wants to be glorified. Sometimes, he's glorified the most when we've fallen and we're on our knees.

3. You don't have to do a single thing to "earn" God's love. You don't have to struggle or fight for it. God IS grace, mercy and love.

4. "Life is waiting for the ones who lose control." Take up your cross. Die to yourself. THEN you will find yourself.

5. Bad things happen. Sometimes, bad things happen and we simply cannot fathom any imaginable reason why they would EVER happen. Even more, sometimes there's no soothing words for folks in these situations. Sometimes, you simply don't get the answers you want. You've got to cling to God in faith that He - and his plan - are sovereign. He has promised us, "I will never leave nor forsake you. My love will (WILL!!!) carry you through."

Check out Tenth Avenue North. A couple recommendations are "By Your Side," and "Hold My Heart."


Aaaaaaaaaand some pictures:

Current Favorites

1. Wooden #2 Pencils
2. Raspberry Preserves
3. Sleeping with the windows open
4. Lists
5. Crickets
6. Fantasy Football
7. Multi-Grain Bread
8. 99-cent toothbrushes
9. String Cheese
10. AJ5 Drumsticks
11. Hobby Lobby
12. Burt's Bees Lip Balm
13. Taking Walks

Music Recommendations:
Alter Bridge - "Watch Over You"
Chris Tomlin - "God of This City"
Breaking Benjamin - "Here We Are"

Here are some pictures: