Manipulate

Worship, as I understand it, is the interaction between man and God, for purposes of showing adoration to God. Worship leading is the process of bringing everyone from all the different playing fields of life into a unified group that is actively giving adoration to God. Worship songwriting is a different can of worms. You write songs that will bring people to a comfortable space inside themselves and the people surrounding them, so that they can focus on God and give Him praise. The music is the unifying factor, a language that pretty much everyone can speak. The music combined with the passion for which the leader pursues their craft, produces the best atmosphere for the people to focus on God. The leader is not creating an atmosphere so that God will show up, they are creating that atmosphere so the audience will show up.

So by targeting your audience, and using progressive elements in the music, you will successfully bring people into the vulnerable place where they let their hearts honestly meet God.

Pascal

I think the initial basis of belief starts with something similar to Pascal's Wager, and through the experience and authentication of seeking God, becomes a heartfelt belief. In the same way that love at first sight has no rational basis, I think a relationship with God involves a risky first step, and a gradual growth into appretiation, trust, and adoration.

Swearing.

If I strung together a series of phonetic sounds, and associated a derogatory meaning to that combination of sounds, have I created a swear? Yes, just nobody knows about it. Therefore, swearing is defined by the social context in which the swear is used, and the groups knowledge of the meaning of those words. Every person will interpret those swear words in a different light, be that humor, offense, or maybe just everyday speech. And every person defines their style of communication based on those interpretations. So what is the sense in trying to be superior to others by assuming my style of communication is better, that swearing is "morally wrong"? No, I say meet people on the same plane of communication that they are at, and stop offending them by thinking you're "better" than them... because you're not.

New Music

This is a very excellent list of some of the best cutting edge/indie music to come out this year.

Listen to something new.

Logic

What does logic mean? How does it calculate? Is it really always better a holiday?

What is knowledge? How does that calculate? What level of knowledge, logic, and intelligence is required for a relationship? Does a relationship need to be justified? If no, then what is the purpose of the relationship? If yes, how should a relationship be justified?

After reading these questions, what are you thinking? Are you carefully analyzing my intentions? Or do you just think I'm a raving lunatic? Is our relationship justified?

The vicious circle continues...

Gay

So i've been talking to some friends regarding the whole gay marriage issue. They all seem to have gay friends that don't really care if marriage is redefined to include them. They would much prefer to call it a "union", be given legal status, and stop the constant embarrassment that the whole thing is causing. Now granted, some homosexuals likely have made this a political agenda, and are relentlessly pursuing for ideological reasons. But I think this may be more of an issue that the left-wing can disagree with the right-wing on, and the right-wing cannot (ideologically) back down on their position. Is it possible that Canada will have gay marriage all because a bunch of politicians made a small issue into a monster election turner? How would that reflect in the history books? Especially when most homosexuals would prefer to just call it something else and stop arguing about it.

Lesson of the day kids: Politic(s)(ians) are stupid. That is all.

Chances

To take a chance, risk your heart, and leave yourself hanging with no way to get down. It's like taking a long walk in the desert without water. You just don't know if you'll make it home. And even if you do, what kind of condition will you be in? Or will someone meet you along the way, give you a drink, tell you it's okay, and get you on your way.

I lead back to back again. That's good. But stressful. I think I'll copy my sets a little bit. A lotta bit. ;) "Fall back again..."

This is the final fit

Life treats me well. I try to be good to life in return.

Find a passion, pursue it with a passion, receive the results passionately.

It's the moral surprise that will hook you. Those things that will sink you, if gently apprehended and kicked in the ass, will be the very foundation of who you become.

And everyone must listen to Radiohead.

Turn

Vs1
Turn a corner, take a left
Run a path, finished wrong
A life stopped by theft
Thought you were so strong

Vs2
Turn the corner, take a right
Take your time, Walk a whim,
A dream so close in sight
Sunk and couldn't swim

Ch
The crest of horizon nearer now
A pastel sky begins to blue
And all the hope my heart allows
Pours out at the sight of you

Vs3
See the corner, laugh and climb
Out of the box in which you bind
My heart carried off by wind
Past corners, darkness, sin

Br
Laugh and climb (23 X)

Flowers

Christmas gifts are a funny thing. Lots of different stuff to remember. You have to build up your understanding of a person as a whole and spit out some sort of meaningful present. Or you can just go flat out commercial. But that's boring.

My little house is very cozy now. I have a charlie brown christmas tree that looks like it's very depressed. It's not the decorations, it's the tree itself I think. It just looks... sad. Mangled. If I had a digital camera (ooh i want one) i would put up a picture. Alas, i do not.

And on and on we spiral around...

Bad Hair

You know how sometimes people can see something that you really didn't see? Like that bad hair doo day, where you thought it was pretty cool, but everyone else thought you looked like Tin-Tin? Having a varied group of people around you to observe and give honest opinions about your actions and the people you deal with on a daily basis are crucial. You really really really need to have that support structure. Seriously. It will come very in handy someday.

My tidbit for the day.

Time

I've got enough time, it's just all in the wrong places. For example, I work all day. But one special person works all night. That makes things really difficult. I'm in three bands, and one I'm not particularily keen on. I was going to try it a couple more times, but I'm about the leave it behind all together. It IS christmas after all, and this kind of stuff adds up.

And church politics. What the heck. So dumb. Stupid. Grr. Groupthink. (thanks, mo)

Whatever. There is only so much you can do I guess. I need to start voicing my opinion a bit more though.