it’s been rough this past week.
More Rainy Days at Impact
I love rainy days at Impact.
...but then
Then there is those home church folk...
Impact Church
Sunday Morning
I got to play at two churches this weekend. I love serving the Lords people in music: young and old.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:22-24 ESV
http://bible.com/59/gal.5.22-24.esv
“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"”
Mark 4:35-41 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mrk.4.35-41.esv
...also I got to hang out with this lady :)
Artistic Sabbatical
A summer sabbatical after a solstice: needless to say, that’s not happening. I’ve trained my body well these last few years, and you can’t just turn off the artist’s mind.
Sycamore Grounds
I can truly say I go to a cafe for lunch, and not use that as code for Starbucks.
West Lake Church
I played for West Lake Church today in Summerwood.
Psalm 92
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”
Psalms 92:1-4 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.92.1-4.esv
Variations on Spinning
She and I enjoyed variation on spinning much more than maximum thrust machines not regulated for quadrapedal friends.
San Antonio
Basically, we had a great time in San Antonio. Shortly after getting to six flags I immediately regretted getting on the Boomerang. As we went on through the park, I learned that I really enjoyed rides that feature a variation of spinning. After Marcus and Cadedra left from being worn out, Miryam and I spent the rest of the night riding the Whirlygig, with a bunch of small children.
Basically we had a great time.
If you missed the dope playlist that we jammed the whole time, it’s here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/1243301428/playlist/1nTVOJmQsysZFVCUpt0TDm?si=LhfwYK64ReWinRjgHDAELg
Road Trip
Today I’m road tripping with friends today :)
So much to say...
I have so many things that I want to talk about on this platform.
“Would you describe your encounter with the gospel the way that Jesus does in Matthew 13:44-46”
Stay Tuned...
Jovian Morning
Different days - the day before thirty-one.
Jupiter is out this morning.
Satan's Whites and Yolk
I feel like many things have happened in the last couple of weeks. Previously I left off saying that, "tomorrow will yield different answers..." or something like that.
Maybe I know exactly why I feel so different, but maybe I don't.
The most interesting of all things that I would like to talk about this evening is my venture with New Caney First Baptist Church. One night as Miryam and I were leaving the worst Walmart in the history of Walmarts, she pointed out to me that NCFBC had on their sign they were looking for a pianist. I called them immediately and left my information on their voicemail.
I met with them about a week later where I demonstrated my abilities and learned of their beliefs & mission. We left each other with the intent to ask the Lord of the venture.
I started to become incredibly excited about the idea, but I needed to speak with my church leadership before I made such a dramatic switch. It was important for me to do something like this with their blessing in hand. As a young musician, I was groomed to be a pianist for the Baptist church. The idea that my calling would finally assume the structure of and old church, a Yamaha grand piano with a deep, dark crimson shimmer finish, and a repertoire of sacred music from my theological heritage... was astounding.
I had arrived.
After gleaning from my leadership's advise, I took to fasting for a about two days to hear from the Lord. Like anytime that I've ever demanded an answer from the Lord, he didn't answer me, so I headed the wisdom of my leaders
I declined the position.
Though I mentioned that the Lord didn't answer my direct questions about the circumstances, he didn't seem to be silent. I feel as though he took the opportunity to talk to me about weightier matters: matters of repentance, righteousness, and response to his call. Through this, I learned not to be swayed so easily to a different path whenever my circumstances seem to perfectly point in a certain direction.
The irony that presented itself in the following week or so would be the bright red bulbous maraschino cherry on the top of cone of cookies and cream ice cream at Juck and Banet's house. Miryam pointed the sign out to me a second time...
I suppose that "typo prophesy" is a "type of prophesy".
Suddenly, I knew I made the right decision.
Tomorrow will yield different answers.
Mad 80’s Garbage
...son of Beor
“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.”
Revelation 2:14 ESV
Rainy Days at Impact
I love rainy Saturdays at Impact.
“...a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so that we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King. My heart recalled Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4...”
https://www.praisecharts.com/blog/the-story-behind-revelation-song/
TIE: Originals Playlist
I’ve put together a playlist on Spotify for all my original recordings.
Check it out ;)
Do follow, please.
https://open.spotify.com/user/1218034003/playlist/3Hiu0ofgC8ZScMII7zXHGe?si=sHR1N9B6S2a85pulSsw7HA
... and wrap you in rings.
Saturn has been part of the visual aesthetic in my art since my earliest recollections. But there comes a point when you have to start questioning why it's there in the first place.
A few years ago, whenever I was putting together the set for Bulbs, I started coming across a conspiracy theory about Saturn and it's relationship with occult symbolism. It was enough then to urge a change in titling of one of the songs in the set. More recently these fringe internet theories have become more detailed in their assumptions of Saturnian symbolism. Most of the information lacks good references or the resources available are questionable themselves. The things that I'm hearing are accusatory and pointed.
I clutch my left forearm with a renewed sense of regret and shame.
I don't have much to really say about it all. In the least it's a reminder that regardless if you dig something up, there can always remain pieces of roots in the dirt that will sprout up in the first snow of the year. Sanctification is a long process that slowly peels back layers of yourself, and shows the debauchery hiding in the sulcus of the heart.