Song of the Week (2010):

A Kiwi shepherd I know friend of mine, who I met while serving at Camp Qwanoes (Christian Summer Camp) in Canada, doesn't listen to the radio. Instead, he seeks out music recommended by his friends, as he believes radio is often full of talking, ads, and rubbish.

I would (for the most part) agree. I don't listen to the radio, unless I'm at work... and (un)fortunately for me, Bunnings Warehouse Mile End have their own playlist of songs on their 'radio'.

Anyhow, back to the point of this post - every week, my friend from New Zealand picks a favourite song, worthy to be called 'Song of the Week' and adds it to his ever-growing list of 'SOtW'.

I've decided to do the same, as I thought it'd be interesting to see and follow where I've gone this year with what I've listened to. Plus, it'd be a sweet way to compile a decent, recent playlist if need be!

Let me know if you do the same, and I'll investigate the music you've appreciated this year as well. The list shall be edited and updated, and found below. Enjoy!

Dec 26: Shelter (Feat. Brandon Heath) - Jars of Clay
Dec 19: In the Darkness - Dead By Sunrise
Dec 12: I Can Feel A Hot One - Manchester Orchestra
Dec 05: Drugs or Me (Styrofoam Remix) - Jimmy Eat World
Nov 28: Share it With Me - Family Force 5
Nov 21: Present Tense - Pearl Jam
Nov 14: How in the World - Family Force 5
Nov 07: Nothing - The Script
Oct 31: Waiting for the End - Linkin Park
Oct 24: Robot Boy - Linkin Park
Oct 17: Take Me As I Am - FM Static
Oct 10: Heart is Hard to Find - Jimmy Eat World
Oct 03: It Can't Rain Every Day - P.O.D.
Sep 26: How They Made Cameras - Falling Up
Sep 19: Safe to Land - Jars of Clay
Sep 12: But, Honestly - Foo Fighters
Sep 05: Never Be the Same - Red
Aug 29: No Plan B - Manafest
Aug 22: Weighed Down - Jars of Clay
Aug 15: The Comeback Kid - B. Reith
Aug 08: Love Addict - Family Force 5
Aug 01: Opposite Way - Leeland
Jul 25: Renegade - Manafest
Jul 18: Fireflies - Owl City
Jul 11: Out of This World - Q-Town
Jul 04: Lost in You - Three Days Grace
Jun 27: Frontline - Pillar
Jun 20: World So Cold - Three Days Grace
Jun 13: Whataya Want from Me? - Adam Lambert
Jun 06: Mad World - Gary Jules
May 30: Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace
May 23: I'm Shipping up to Boston - Dropkick Murphy's
May 16: Pieces - Red
May 09: The Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin
May 02: E for Extinction - Thousand Foot Krutch
Apr 25: Give Me a Sign - Breaking Benjamin
Apr 18: Last to Know - Three Days Grace
Apr 11: Watching Over Me - Thousand Foot Krutch
Apr 04: Breakeven - The Script
Mar 28: Starlight - Muse
Mar 21: The Unwinding Cable Car - Anberlin
Mar 14: Vlad the Impaler (Alt LP Version) - Kasabian
Mar 07: Broken Leg - Bluejuice
Feb 28: Anthem of the Angels - Breaking Benjamin
Feb 21: Never Too Late - Three Days Grace
Feb 14: Already Home - Thousand Foot Krutch
Feb 07: Unknown Caller - U2
Jan 31: Undisclosed Desires - Muse
Jan 24: Little Secrets - Passion Pit
Jan 17: Start Again - Red
Jan 10: Ordinary World - Red
Jan 03: Underdog - Kasabian
Jan 01: The End Where I Begin - The Script


Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

A Beautiful Bokeh Background.

I won’t deny that I’m not broken. Of course I’m broken – I’m human.

There are a million songs and lyrics to label life’s hardships, pains, disappointments, and frustrations. As I review the years, the overwhelming number of songs that have touched me, as though they written by someone who had been living in my heart and head, composing something that could not better describe my situation, makes me realise that any readers of this blog have already missed much of my past. To revisit the past is often to re-live the emotions of the past. It’s not often that we want to go there, unless remembering pure, good times un-eclipsed by anything negative what-so-ever. Those moments are rare, if existent at all.

So I wondered how 'public' I should make this blog. Should I give an overview of myself, background and upbringing, so that conversation may be better understood though empathy and my (changing) way of thinking? Nope. The blur of life and times past isn't the focus.

While I enjoy matters of clarity, we start and live where we are. Re-starting where I am (back in Australia) caused me to question myself, my aspirations and motives. Perhaps you may gain from some questions too, if you find yourself needing to embrace change.

One question I'm currently dealing with revolves around the blur of life-choices and direction. I took a short break from my architecture study to serve at a camp in Canada, to do a semester of bible college, and to work for a portion of the year. With all that mostly done, the question remains: what am I to do? If you find yourself wallowing in self-pity or if you just want change in your life, my challenge is this: what are you changing, then? Do you expect something different to happen if you’re not doing anything to make it so?

I once heard a quote, “insanity is to repeat the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result”. While I think good habits eventually pay off, there's a moldy truthfulness in this quote, that highlights the stagnancy of an unchanging attitude.

Don’t be afraid of change, learn to embrace it.

I've heard many people say, “I’m just waiting on God...” --for/to... what? Tell you what He wants you to do with your life? There is nothing wrong with that – in fact, that’s often admirable. The thing is... He’s already told us. You’re the one that will ultimately make the decisions in your life. If you’re a Christian, the Holy Spirit is there as a guide and prompter, but you are the one who will have to eventually call the shots. From things as simple as what you choose to do with thoughts that enter your mind, all the way to choosing to love God, by loving His commands, loving others as yourself... and going where He leads. Often, the biggest adventures start by going out on a limb – continuing where the path ends. If God wants you to do something specific, you will find out about it, and you will be convicted of it. That deep, grumbling urge in your gut that makes you feel like you have to do something or the world will not be right cannot be ignored. If that nervous, gut-wrenching feeling is persistent, then seek wisdom as you discern the right course of action. Until then, learn to relax and enjoy living with God day-by-day.

Seek to spend time with God, and remember the basics. What does God require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. What is the greatest commandment? Love God with all you have (and all you haven’t). Your strength, mind, heart, and soul. How do you love God? Spend time with him! Seek to be more like His example in Jesus. Love others as you love yourself.

I think you’ll find that (re)starting with the basics, while it might not give immediate answers... will erase the (wrong) questions we had to begin with.

Personally, I’ve found comfort in what has in some ways become an adopted philosophy of mine: “Love God first, then do what you like.” The first is integral. If you love God before anything else, and seek His kingdom above all else, then ‘what you like’ will:

1) Be in line with God’s will.

2) Be changed to be more like ‘what He likes’.

Confusing? Maybe. God will always give us all we need. All those things that will be ‘added unto you’... will probably be because they don’t matter to you so much anymore. When God is first, many of our ‘wants’ seem to fade away. With that said, some don't. For example, the desire for a relationship that will lead to marriage and a family is something I've always hoped for, but until the right girl comes along (and afterward, as well of course), there is comfort and peace in not requiring anything else.

When we commit ourselves to God and delight ourselves in Him, I believe that our desires will be like His desires... So I guess it could all be summarised to this:

If you want to please God, love Him. Be proactive in your love. Spend time with Him. Be an imitator of God.

Lastly, I don’t apologise for writing this late at night (or early in the morning, whichever you prefer). Honesty and (sometimes) irrationality comes out at night... and I’m aware that fatigue and poor judgement and thinking also rears its ugly head. With that said though, and in the knowledge that I’ll regret this in the morning, there is a certain release of tension to post thoughts at night – at least for myself.

So finally... I know that this is a strange blog. I know it might not make a lot of sense. I know that it doesn't flow very well. I know that I’m broken, and I know that I’m not alone. I know that I don’t have to relive the past to appreciate what I’ve learned in and from it. I know that you and I can start right now, right where we are if we want to make some changes in our lives.

While the countless songs over the years either fade into obscurity, leave a permanent imprint, or exist somewhere in between, I've always appreciated the song "Lord, I don't Know", by the Newsboys (Youtube linked below).

May God lead you to peace that is past understanding... a peace beyond all doubt.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

The Dash. An Introduction.

Tonight as I was driving home, a thought that has been bothering me for the past few weeks, resurfaced. To be honest, this thought has been on my mind sporadically over the past few years. It is roughly this: ‘how much time do I spend on things that don’t matter, and what am I doing to make my life mean something?’. Now, I’m not interested in discussion just now on who or what gives meaning, but this thought has finally lead me to the re-creation of... I guess we can say ‘a blogging journey’. Why? Good question. This leads me to a few things that this blog may or may not help accomplish. I figure that unlike many blogs, I’d like this space to have a purpose. I want it to be specifically three things.

1. A place.

2. A tool.

3. A vehicle.

A place to encourage and facilitate safe, respectful discussion on things that (may or may not, at times) matter.

A tool for myself, on my own journey throughout life. To help me digest my own thoughts, share some of them clearly and transparently with others, and to see things from others’ perspectives. Additionally, I’d like this blog to be a tool for the times I want feedback on certain issues, to aid me in preparation for sermons, conversations, forums, and whatever else.

A vehicle of (personal) action. A vehicle to show thoughts, to work through certain problems (hopefully community-related as I’ll steer clear of publically broadcasting too many of my own!), and possibly the driving force or motivation leading to action.

By keeping these three things in mind, I hope that this blog can help me constructively spend and invest my time wisely, rather than do the exact opposite (time is something that we can never get back). I hope that it is a step in the right direction and an action/response (one of many) to the question that has periodically bothered me in recent times and years. I hope that this is something that others can engage in and with, as a place that they also may find their time well spent.

With all of that, I want to outline a few things.

No, I do not promise that I will always keep this blog up to date.

No, not every post will be this in-depth or as serious! In fact, the minority of posts will probably be the ones that this exact post is about, yet hopefully that’ll still make it all worthwhile! At least the intentions were good, right?

No, I don’t promise perfect grammar or spelling... (though it’d be nice!).

No, not every post will lead to action, or sometimes even discussion...

Yes, I do want your feedback if a post strikes a chord with you. J

Lastly... I figure I’d give a background on why I chose ‘The Dash’ as the title of this blog. When I was at a funeral – I think it may have been my Papa’s, (in September, 2003) I remember receiving a poem, written on a card. I have a feeling that on the reverse-side there was another poem, named ‘Little Cross in my Pocket’. Anyhow, the poem I’m talking about was called, ‘The Dash’. It pretty much embodies the thoughts I have about making my life count for something...

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

©1996 Linda Ellis

I want to live a life that is pleasing to the God and saviour I serve and love, so may this be beneficial for myself – and may you also (unlike U2) find what it is you’re looking for...

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?