Acts Chapter 2

In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would come, filled and empowered the followers of Jesus. Amazing signs and wonders were happening in those days, and all of those were pointing to God. The miracles alone, though, were not what pierced the hearts of men and women. The testimony of Jesus Christ being the ultimate sacrifice for mankind, as was prophesied long ago in many times and in various ways, is what compelled people to change their lives and to align themselves with the heart of God.

Acts Chapter 1

I am reading the book of Acts from the bible this month and writing a song about each chapter. Here is the first song! Acts 1 is about a time of transition from when Jesus was here in person to when the Holy Spirit filled those who were followers of Jesus. Believers were empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to testify to who Jesus is and what Jesus had accomplished.

Feb Fest

     There are 28 days in the month of February. There are 28 chapters in the book of Acts. My challenge to myself this coming February is to write a song for each day of the month of February about each chapter of the book of Acts.
     This idea actually originated a few years ago when a musician friend of mine in Santa Cruz, California said to me, "Hey, a bunch of us are writing a song for each week of the month of October. We're calling it 'Rocktober.' You should do it too!" I went a step further and decided to write and record a new song for every day of Rocktober. Seeing what I came up with was fun! I didn't write the most amazing songs, but it was all about the experience and the challenge. And I think I did come out with a few gems.
     Lately, I have just been craving such a challenge again. I haven't written or recorded very many songs for awhile, and I think it's about time to see what else I can come up with!
     I'm not expecting anyone else to join me in exactly what I am doing, but how do you think you might challenge yourself artistically this next month? Maybe you can make a goal of writing a song, painting a portrait, snapping a few pictures, writing a poem, or doing some type of craft project once a week for the month of February. I just want to pass on the same type of challenge that was originally posed to me!
     If you do decide to challenge yourself this next month, leave me a comment to let me know what you are doing! My masterpiece of a wife was born in February, so February is a good month to be creative!

Social

Recently Melissa and I quit Facebook. I really didn't want to at first. How would people know what I was doing? How would I know what everyone else was doing? And what about all of the witty/clever things I needed to post on my wall!? I still want to post random comments out of the blue sometimes. Part of the appeal for taking a step back from Facebook, though, is that I feel I am stepping toward something our culture is losing. Remember the days of calling your friends and family or sending personal emails? We live right now more and more in a culture of convenience. We live busy lives, and it's a lot easier to throw some food in the microwave when we get home. But for the sake of convenience and simplifying our lives, we are leaving home-cooked meals and deeper personal connections. So, for the sake of being intentional and thoughtful about relationships and wanting to be more truly social, I am taking a break from Facebook to get together with people, have meaningful conversations over the phone, and take time to write out personal emails. 

Kolkata, India Travels

We arrived in Kolkata airport July 3rd, early in the morning after flying for 13 hours and stopping at Mumbai for 5.5 hours, then flying a few more hours. All together, we traveled for about 24 hours.

Upon arriving in Kolkata, the first wave of culture shock was on our senses- the smell, sights, and constant noise of India, has taken days to get used to. But as we adjust, we begin to love the new experience, and vibrant culture of Kolkata. The taxi ride from the airport was so thrilling and petrifying at the same time. In a ten minute ride, it seemed like we would be in fatal crash at least ten times. We were expecting it to be raining as it is monsoon season, and Kolkata generally gets the most rainfall in India, but it hasn't rained since we've been here!

Our first stop was to the Mother House where we dropped off our donated medical supplies. The medical supplies went to two different locations, one was a leprosy house. We were happy that these supplies could be used to help and comfort people in need- well worth our troubles.

After we dropped off the supplies, we walked to find the guesthouse that was recommended to us, only to discover they were all booked! We had no idea where the other hotels were, and we were tired and hot. Picture two Americans in REI clothes and backpacks, hands full of luggage, walking down the street looking lost.. That was Melissa and I. yeah, we really looked like easy targets. Incessant offers from street children and beggars was all we encountered on our way to find a place to stay. The road we were on is one of the busiet in Kolkata. After help from a young girl named, Asmira, we were able to locate a few hotels and finally settled on Hotel Circular--not the cleanest or most comfortable place, but they have air conditioning which is crucial in this very hot and humid place! An easy task like crossing the street, is a major task in Kolkata, especially on our street. Taxis, auto rickshaws, motorcyclists, are all fighting to go down the same narrow street. There is no order in Kolkata, but somehow Kolkatans, effortlessly make it through without a scratch on them. This has fascinated us.

Find My Voice

Deep within the well
At the core of who I am
Hidden from the world
Is a pure and righteous man

Untested, untried
Water so still and serene
I must look inside
To reveal the most real scene

I am going down
Knowing that I have a choice
I won't come back out
Not until I find my voice

Someday

Someday

I'll write a song for you.

I'll be the rhythm, you'll be the melody

It'll be a song about you and me

 

Right now

I'm just collecting

All of the stories we'll recall

As we watch the sun fall

 

This is only the beginning

Trust and give it time

What may seem like darkness

Will become a sunrise

 

Someday

I'll be the guy next door

I'll come to your house, I'll look you in the eyes

As we watch the sun rise

 

You and me will be a song

You'll be the melody, I'll be the rhythm

I'll write a song for you

Someday