Reflection Time

OK, Christmas is now over and our cars have been given a rest. The new year has not yet come but it's approaching us quickly. I just arrived in Florida, enough said, but I have been wondering what people are thinking after the Christmas holiday. I guess for some the season of Christmas is still going on. For me it is sort of going on in mind because I just recently acquired the love for Christmas music this year. How much better can it get? ! You are listening to a bunch of songs about the birth of Christ, I think the birth of Christ deserves a little credit, since Jesus saved the world and stuff. Anyway, some may be taking down the tree and some might be trying to leave that real tree up as long as possible, trying to get every penny they invested.
Some maybe wondering if they can pay next months rent because they spent their life savings on a group a people called relatives but most of the time they seem less familiar than the guy playing the saxophone downtown on the corner.

I view this time of the year as a time of reflection. Its the no mans land of the year. Its the time between one of the most important dates on the Christian calender and one of the most important dates on the local bars calender. So, what goes on between those two important dates. Work? More presents? Vacation? Fellowship? I time to catch up with homework? Reflection??

For me it would be reflection. Sorry, I am weird like that.

I feel if I don't sit back and think of what I have done over the year then that year has been forgotten and it just becomes long period time were I become older, fatter, and less attractive as the years go by.

I need that time to come up with list of things that I am probably not going to follow up with the next year. This is a time where we can eat as much as we want and not feel bad because in 3 days, we will all resort to a diet of water, Styrofoam, and lettuce. I wonder what Joseph and Mary were thinking after the birth of Christ? Hmmmmm....

I guess we can only assume.

(Sorry this blog doesn't have much point but on the other hand... ITS MY BLOG!!!)

My own 2 cents on 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (NIV).

1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that through Christ we are chosen! God sent His Son to light our darkness and fill the gaps in our hearts. Hold onto the truth that God sees you today and in His heart He's saying, "You're the one I want!"

This passage is very simple and my commentary is simple as well. I think passages like the one above remind us how much God loves us and I think I need that reminder sometimes. I know God loves me but just to read the words that were inspired by God is a pretty powerful thing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Born to Bleed

Recently, I was asked to sing this rare but good Christmas song at Crossings. The lyrics are rich but the title threw me off at first. Maybe its just me but the title, Born to Bleed, reminds me of a song that should be sung by P.O.D or a metal band. The reason I say that is because the title sounds brutal and violent. It's hard for me to grasp that Christ was born to die and endure so much pain. He knew He was born to bleed. Wow, God is amazing!!! Check out the lyrics written by Bebo Norman, Ed Cash and Allen Levi.


Well, The old wooden barn was alive with the sound
and smell that the farm animals bring.
Such, an unusual place to be graced
with the birth of our Lord and King.


Not born into money neither silver nor gold
He was homeless yet humble at heart
And all of His reaches He kept in His soul
So that we may never live apart

He was born to bleed, away the sin,
That covers our guilty hands.
Born to rise from Calvary,
He was born to save every man.

The picture sweet Mary with eyes on her baby
Who came to die in her place
Picture sweet Jesus hanging on a cross
For the sin of the whole human race

Complete perfection mixed with a man
Gave us God in His fleshly form
Eternal Savior light of the world
To coat of our hearts He came to make warm

Chorus repeats

The light of His eyes pierces darkness,
His heart comes with soul,
There’s no wound, His Hands cannot heal.
He was alive in that stable, He’s still alive today.
He’s alive even though some choose to say He’s not real


Chorus repeats

Amen...

2007 - 2008 things to-do this winter

Yesterday, I had a winter day. I traveled many hours to the famous Ober Gattlinburg area in East Tenn. Actually, I only traveled an hour and Ober Gattlinburg is not that famous, I think.

I played in the man made snow and I went ice skating. Now, when I think of ice skating, I think of dancing on ice with colorful tights exposing all the nook and crannies a man should not show. I do admit that I did have black tights on BUT they were underneath my blue jeans which makes me heterosexual still. No offense to guys who wear tights on a daily basis in public. Anyway, I just wanted to share a couple activities I plan to do this winter:

1. Ice skating (check)

2. Snow ball fight

3. Watch the Superbowl with friends

4. Swim (FYI: I am going to Florida)

5. Watch the ball drop in Orlando, FL

6. Read books and drink lots of hot beverages

7. Ski/Snowboard

I am pumped about the Lamb

Finally!!! I have waited 2 years to see the Behold the Lamb concert. Andrew Peterson, singer-songwriter, wrote a series of songs starting with the old testament to the birth of Christ. It's somewhat of a musical but without the wise men dressed in drapes and lampshades. I can say that the wait was worth it. I expected the Ryman auditorium to be dressed to the fullest in Christmas gear but it was pretty plain Jane. I expected the concert to start off with sleigh bells and HO-HO-HO's but it did not and I am glad. I have this preconceived notion that Christmas is supposed to sound a certain way and look a certain way. After seeing Behold the Lamb, I was pumped about Christmas, not because of the presents and not because of the yummy snacks but because of the meaning behind Christmas. It's sad to say that I haven't been pumped up all these years. Better now than never. P.S. Go buy Behold the Lamb by Andrew Peterson

Riddle me this Tozer me that

So, I have been reading A.W. Tozer's, Whatever Happened to Worship?, and the first chapter has already convicted me. This is the reason: I have been searching for a worship ministry for the past two months and the whole process seems really forced on my end and its my own fault. I feel like I need everything figured out right away and I let God take the back seat in my Honda Element. I have been talking with many friends about my job hunt and that word "job" is the problem. It should be a calling, a purpose, a worship hunt but not because worship is right in front of me everyday. I can worship now if wanted to and you know what, I guess I am.

Tozer's quote, "I am of the opinion that we should not be concerned about working for God until we have learned the meaning and the delight of worshiping Him."

That quote opened my eyes. It made me think and re-evaluate my motivation and everything I do. I guess everything I do I should do it for the Lord, not man/ myself. (Col. 3:23) revised on the top of my head. Anyway, what do you think????

Being Sick

I hate being sick and I don't like telling people that I am sick because as soon as you tell someone you are sick, they start feeling bad for you. Cough Cough.

Own your own country for 4 easy payment of 250 million

Has anyone ever heard of the Principality of Sealand. Well, if not this is a country/providence/piece water owned by an ordinary man. It is an old WWII fort 6 miles off the coast of England. Technically it is its own land but the funny thing is that there is no land. The fort looks old scrapts from an old oil tanker. Anyway, you can buy it for a small price of 1,000,000,000.

It's been a long time coming

It's been a long time since I wrote a blog. I figured,I could write more often because I am on the computer so much. My job is very interesting. I sit in a semi-comfortable chair and I stair long hours at a old-school box computer monitor. I am not much of a smoker so I am previlaged to sit in from of this man made machine. The job pays well but it's not where I want to be for the rest of my life. Jesus Help me!!! I am called to the ministry (I think)!!! I have heard once or twice that the need is the call. Yes, we need ministers, evangelist, and missionaries but do I have the qualifications?!? I have been reading, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, and I have been finding out that the important qualification is love and passion. It may sound simple and yes I do love and have passion for people but I am selfish at times. How about you. Anywho....

I now feel part of the group

I now feel like one of the cool kids in high school. I am not saying you all bloggers are high schoolers. I am encouraged and inspired by all the things I read everyday. I will try to attempt to do the same. If I fail, you can point and laugh. Anyway, I just want to say thanks for all of your thoughts and facts. I won't let you down. I hope.

Signing off,

Blake Anthony