Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Music Moment II
Two concerts in one week!? I've completely lost it... or maybe I've found it, I'm not really sure yet.
This time is just as good as the last. I promise :)
1. Allred - There should be a law about how many crush-worthy factors you can package into one person, but since there isn't, it's completely impossible not to fall in love with John Allred. First off, he's not just attractive, he's beautiful, and his voice is so soft and smooth that there's no choice but to close your eyes and sway. Plus he plays his own instruments - the piano and the guitar - and happens to be one of the most genuinely kind people you've ever met. Those of you who live in Salt Lake, he's local, which adds to his sheer awesomeness. Those of you who aren't, it gives you yet another excuse to come visit.
2. He is We - The band I bought the tickets for. My roommate introduced me to them a few months back and I fell in love with her voice. There's something about her sound that is completely honest. However, I fell in love with her acoustic demo album, and her new one is good, but I feel like they've almost beefed it up too much, making it too "poppy." Which would explain her giant following of teenage girls. Anyway, in the words of my friend Eric: "Do you like the sound of angels?" Then download her album.
3. lady danville - Ho. Ly. Crap. I showed up to the concert not having a clue who these guys were, and to be honest, not really caring. But I am officially in love. Thanks to these guys I've realized I like my music like I like my men: quirky and fun. Their music is so simplistic that it allows you to feel a full spectrum of emotion. One song you feel like you're kickin it on the beach enjoying a perfect summer day with your friends, and the next you're driving down a country road, reminiscing of past relationships.
Independently they all have very different voices, but when they launch into the most flawless 3 part harmony you've ever heard, you can't help but swoon even just a little bit. Their music is fun, full of emotion, and blended with so many different inspirations that it would be unjust to box them into a genre. Plus I'm a sucker for any man who plays the drums with his hands.
Download their album ($4.95 on amazon.com), and then spread the word. There was so much awesomeness Jamee licked her own arm to apply their temporary tattoo.
This time is just as good as the last. I promise :)
1. Allred - There should be a law about how many crush-worthy factors you can package into one person, but since there isn't, it's completely impossible not to fall in love with John Allred. First off, he's not just attractive, he's beautiful, and his voice is so soft and smooth that there's no choice but to close your eyes and sway. Plus he plays his own instruments - the piano and the guitar - and happens to be one of the most genuinely kind people you've ever met. Those of you who live in Salt Lake, he's local, which adds to his sheer awesomeness. Those of you who aren't, it gives you yet another excuse to come visit.
2. He is We - The band I bought the tickets for. My roommate introduced me to them a few months back and I fell in love with her voice. There's something about her sound that is completely honest. However, I fell in love with her acoustic demo album, and her new one is good, but I feel like they've almost beefed it up too much, making it too "poppy." Which would explain her giant following of teenage girls. Anyway, in the words of my friend Eric: "Do you like the sound of angels?" Then download her album.
3. lady danville - Ho. Ly. Crap. I showed up to the concert not having a clue who these guys were, and to be honest, not really caring. But I am officially in love. Thanks to these guys I've realized I like my music like I like my men: quirky and fun. Their music is so simplistic that it allows you to feel a full spectrum of emotion. One song you feel like you're kickin it on the beach enjoying a perfect summer day with your friends, and the next you're driving down a country road, reminiscing of past relationships.
Independently they all have very different voices, but when they launch into the most flawless 3 part harmony you've ever heard, you can't help but swoon even just a little bit. Their music is fun, full of emotion, and blended with so many different inspirations that it would be unjust to box them into a genre. Plus I'm a sucker for any man who plays the drums with his hands.
Download their album ($4.95 on amazon.com), and then spread the word. There was so much awesomeness Jamee licked her own arm to apply their temporary tattoo.
The end.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Music Moment
Alright, I know I've been Jesus-ing it up for the last couple posts, but we're gonna break and embrace my hippie side for just a moment.
Last night I went to a concert at Kilby Court ( a very small, uncharming, but excellent venue in Salt Lake), and encountered 3 very stellar bands, which I will now introduce you to.
1. Netherfriends - (Cue barefoot, tree-hugging hippie excitement) This guy decided the start a 50 state 50 song project, and I got to be part of his Utah portion. He's basically travelling all 50 states, performing and writing a song in each one. I was doing some research and learned that many other bands (much larger named ones) have attempted this and failed. However, his purpose is not to write a song about each one, but to write a song based on how each state inspires him. Much better I think. Anyway, I fell in love the minute they began setting up and I saw that their equipment consisted of a drum set (the drummer carried the tambourine around his neck), and a milk crate with a large pole sticking out of the middle surrounded by pots & pans, and a cymbal. Awesome.
They were phenomenal. Please check them out.
2. The Neighbors - Not as hippie-esque. Just amazing. It's a brother/sister duo where the girl plays the bass, the piano, and sings... sometimes all at the same time. The guy drums, plays the keyboard, and sings...again, sometimes all at the same time. Crushes on both of them. Listen to them, buy their stuff. The End.
3. Koo Koo Kanga Roo - A children's group that somehow went main stream and have opened for bands such as Reel Big Fish, and Aquabats. Crazy. The music...is children's music, educational songs put to crappy Electronica. However, the life changing happens because of the live show. These guys are not only freaking hilarious, but awesome performers. They just know how to work a crowd. To describe it to you would not only be difficult, but you'd think I'd recently encountered some heavy drugs, therefore, I will only reveal the most awesome portion of the evening.
They sang 2 songs back to back. In the first, they taught us Pirate dance moves, and in the second, they taught us Ninja dance moves. After the brief instruction, they asked us to choose which we were (I was, of course a Ninja. Who honestly thinks Pirates are better?) and separated us into our groups. We then had an all out Ninja vs. Pirates dance battle. ......need I say more?
To conclude, this was possibly one of the best Valentine's Days of my life. Thank you Eric Cockayne and friends revolutionizing my world.
Last night I went to a concert at Kilby Court ( a very small, uncharming, but excellent venue in Salt Lake), and encountered 3 very stellar bands, which I will now introduce you to.
1. Netherfriends - (Cue barefoot, tree-hugging hippie excitement) This guy decided the start a 50 state 50 song project, and I got to be part of his Utah portion. He's basically travelling all 50 states, performing and writing a song in each one. I was doing some research and learned that many other bands (much larger named ones) have attempted this and failed. However, his purpose is not to write a song about each one, but to write a song based on how each state inspires him. Much better I think. Anyway, I fell in love the minute they began setting up and I saw that their equipment consisted of a drum set (the drummer carried the tambourine around his neck), and a milk crate with a large pole sticking out of the middle surrounded by pots & pans, and a cymbal. Awesome.
They were phenomenal. Please check them out.
2. The Neighbors - Not as hippie-esque. Just amazing. It's a brother/sister duo where the girl plays the bass, the piano, and sings... sometimes all at the same time. The guy drums, plays the keyboard, and sings...again, sometimes all at the same time. Crushes on both of them. Listen to them, buy their stuff. The End.
3. Koo Koo Kanga Roo - A children's group that somehow went main stream and have opened for bands such as Reel Big Fish, and Aquabats. Crazy. The music...is children's music, educational songs put to crappy Electronica. However, the life changing happens because of the live show. These guys are not only freaking hilarious, but awesome performers. They just know how to work a crowd. To describe it to you would not only be difficult, but you'd think I'd recently encountered some heavy drugs, therefore, I will only reveal the most awesome portion of the evening.
They sang 2 songs back to back. In the first, they taught us Pirate dance moves, and in the second, they taught us Ninja dance moves. After the brief instruction, they asked us to choose which we were (I was, of course a Ninja. Who honestly thinks Pirates are better?) and separated us into our groups. We then had an all out Ninja vs. Pirates dance battle. ......need I say more?
To conclude, this was possibly one of the best Valentine's Days of my life. Thank you Eric Cockayne and friends revolutionizing my world.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Let the Weak Say 'I am Strong'...
It's been forever, and there's so much on my mind, so I'll just go with the most prevalent of all the thoughts:
The Savior loves each of us with an incomprehensible amount of pure, unconditional love. It's a brand of love that has never come from any human I've ever associated with, and have never felt anywhere else other than in my quiet moments of prayer and pondering. And what's even more amazing still, is that this love comes even when I am broken down in the depths of despair because I know that I have let Him down. I've somewhere along the way stumbled and fallen off the path back to Him, and I'm so broken and bruised that I feel like I can't possibly make my way there. But He always appears, full of love and forgiveness, and without question, picks me up and carries me the rest of the way. He heals my wounds, no matter how deep. And fills me with peace and comfort. He lifts my burdens, calms the storms of life, and softens the harsh blows of the adversary.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior and Protector. No matter the degree of my mistakes, or the depth of my pain, He can and will always make it better. He is constant in His forgiveness, and ever patient with me. And for that I will forever serve Him.
The Savior loves each of us with an incomprehensible amount of pure, unconditional love. It's a brand of love that has never come from any human I've ever associated with, and have never felt anywhere else other than in my quiet moments of prayer and pondering. And what's even more amazing still, is that this love comes even when I am broken down in the depths of despair because I know that I have let Him down. I've somewhere along the way stumbled and fallen off the path back to Him, and I'm so broken and bruised that I feel like I can't possibly make my way there. But He always appears, full of love and forgiveness, and without question, picks me up and carries me the rest of the way. He heals my wounds, no matter how deep. And fills me with peace and comfort. He lifts my burdens, calms the storms of life, and softens the harsh blows of the adversary.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Is God a Megalomaniac?
I'm gonna warn ya, this one's long.
Yesterday my friend posted a link to a Christian blog, where the topic was this question. I was intrigued and killing some time in the airport so I thought I'd give it a little read. It was an interesting question to say the least, but I felt like his explanation had a few holes so I thought I'd give my own rebuttal :)
Before I start I want to lay a foundation of a few basic principles that may seem common knowledge to you with LDS backgrounds. However, to others, it may not be, and they are what I felt Piper was lacking in his post, and what I'll be basing mine on.
1. The Godhead consists of 3 entirely separate beings. They are one in purpose and in works, but physically there is God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost - a personage of Spirit.
2. God is literally the Father of our Spirits, and loves us as such - comlpetely unconditionally.
3. He, as an infinitely loving being, wants nothing more than to have us live with Him again. This is actually what He lives for. His purpose is to bring to pass our immortality.
So now my answer to our question: Is God a megalomaniac? No. In fact, I believe He is quite the opposite. I believe that He is never actually glorifying Himself. But He is only asking us to glorify Him. If this is the case some could still argue that He is feeding His own ego. Through all of Piper's jumping around in his post I feel like the essence of his question lies in his opening sentence
"Why [is] God’s relentless self-exaltation in all that he does is the most loving way for him to be?"
Well, I spent the greater portion of my 5 hr flight pondering and studying this out, and I feel a lot of his questions are answered with an understanding that Christ and God are separate, and when gloriying each other, are not actually glorifying themselves (I actually have a couple other theories involving word definitions and such, but we'll save that for a later date). But as to why God asks us to glorify Him, here are my thoughts:
Our Heavenly Father is just that, our Father. He wants us to come home to Him, and in order to do that we must be pure and clean, but we are fallen beings. As humans we make mistakes, no matter how much we try. Therefore, a plan had to be laid so that we could become clean. A sacrifice, an infinite sacrifice, had to be made on our behalf. God loved you and me so much that He was willing to sacrifice the only perfect Son that He would ever have, so that all of His children who wanted to return to Him, could become clean. If we never show gratitude for this sacrifice, for the Atonement, how will we ever be able to fully utilize it and understand what it has done, and can continue to do for us? If we don't wake up each morning and thank the Lord for His sacrifice, and recommit ourselves to trying just a little bit harder that day, how will we ever become pure? Is it possible for us, as imperfect beings to fully appreciate and understand something without ever experiencing it? And is it possible for us to remember and feel something so deeply if we never remind ourselves or share with others what it means to us? No, it's not.
This is why our Heavenly Father asks us to glorify Him, to thank Him, and to pray in the name of the Savior - so that we remember this ultimate sacrifice. He knows us so well that He knows we would forget, and as we forgot we would slip away from Him eternally. And the only thing in this universe the Lord wants is us back in His arms. Therefore, the more we remember and glorify Him, the closer we are to Him. And what parent doesn't want to be close to their children?
I'm sorry this is so long, but if anything I hope you all leave knowing that I know the Atonement is real. Christ is my Savior. He died so that I can make it back to my Father in Heaven, and I know that the more I pray and thank the Lord for His sacrifice, the closer I feel Him in my life.
Yesterday my friend posted a link to a Christian blog, where the topic was this question. I was intrigued and killing some time in the airport so I thought I'd give it a little read. It was an interesting question to say the least, but I felt like his explanation had a few holes so I thought I'd give my own rebuttal :)
Before I start I want to lay a foundation of a few basic principles that may seem common knowledge to you with LDS backgrounds. However, to others, it may not be, and they are what I felt Piper was lacking in his post, and what I'll be basing mine on.
1. The Godhead consists of 3 entirely separate beings. They are one in purpose and in works, but physically there is God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost - a personage of Spirit.
2. God is literally the Father of our Spirits, and loves us as such - comlpetely unconditionally.
3. He, as an infinitely loving being, wants nothing more than to have us live with Him again. This is actually what He lives for. His purpose is to bring to pass our immortality.
So now my answer to our question: Is God a megalomaniac? No. In fact, I believe He is quite the opposite. I believe that He is never actually glorifying Himself. But He is only asking us to glorify Him. If this is the case some could still argue that He is feeding His own ego. Through all of Piper's jumping around in his post I feel like the essence of his question lies in his opening sentence
"Why [is] God’s relentless self-exaltation in all that he does is the most loving way for him to be?"
Well, I spent the greater portion of my 5 hr flight pondering and studying this out, and I feel a lot of his questions are answered with an understanding that Christ and God are separate, and when gloriying each other, are not actually glorifying themselves (I actually have a couple other theories involving word definitions and such, but we'll save that for a later date). But as to why God asks us to glorify Him, here are my thoughts:
Our Heavenly Father is just that, our Father. He wants us to come home to Him, and in order to do that we must be pure and clean, but we are fallen beings. As humans we make mistakes, no matter how much we try. Therefore, a plan had to be laid so that we could become clean. A sacrifice, an infinite sacrifice, had to be made on our behalf. God loved you and me so much that He was willing to sacrifice the only perfect Son that He would ever have, so that all of His children who wanted to return to Him, could become clean. If we never show gratitude for this sacrifice, for the Atonement, how will we ever be able to fully utilize it and understand what it has done, and can continue to do for us? If we don't wake up each morning and thank the Lord for His sacrifice, and recommit ourselves to trying just a little bit harder that day, how will we ever become pure? Is it possible for us, as imperfect beings to fully appreciate and understand something without ever experiencing it? And is it possible for us to remember and feel something so deeply if we never remind ourselves or share with others what it means to us? No, it's not.
This is why our Heavenly Father asks us to glorify Him, to thank Him, and to pray in the name of the Savior - so that we remember this ultimate sacrifice. He knows us so well that He knows we would forget, and as we forgot we would slip away from Him eternally. And the only thing in this universe the Lord wants is us back in His arms. Therefore, the more we remember and glorify Him, the closer we are to Him. And what parent doesn't want to be close to their children?
I'm sorry this is so long, but if anything I hope you all leave knowing that I know the Atonement is real. Christ is my Savior. He died so that I can make it back to my Father in Heaven, and I know that the more I pray and thank the Lord for His sacrifice, the closer I feel Him in my life.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Oops
The texting conversation of my morning:
Aubree: Whatchya doing for lunch?
Me: Nothing. Wanna go out?
My Boss: Are texting personal messages at work?
That's correct. My phone thought it would be funny to ask my boss out this morning. Thank you phone.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Best Ever
Yesterday one of my friends noticed my mood was a little more solemn than usual and due to the environment I thought it best to just throw him a lame excuse about being busy at work. Later on though, I texted him to thank him for noticing and inquiring. To which he responded by asking if there was anything he could do, to let him know. Then, almost randomly, he told me how good of a mother and wife I would be, and how amazing he really thought I was.
I, of course, cried my eyes out...and am still misting a little bit remembering it. For some reason that was exactly what I needed to hear. I've realized that of all the things in life, the only thing I've ever really wanted is to be a loving companion and mother. I feel like the biggest influence I could ever have on the world would be to raise a righteous generation of caring, loving, understanding individuals who love the Lord and doing His work more than anything else. I can judge where I'm at myself, but it's always good to hear from a man (especially one that I respect highly) that I'm headed in the right direction.
Best compliment ever.
I, of course, cried my eyes out...and am still misting a little bit remembering it. For some reason that was exactly what I needed to hear. I've realized that of all the things in life, the only thing I've ever really wanted is to be a loving companion and mother. I feel like the biggest influence I could ever have on the world would be to raise a righteous generation of caring, loving, understanding individuals who love the Lord and doing His work more than anything else. I can judge where I'm at myself, but it's always good to hear from a man (especially one that I respect highly) that I'm headed in the right direction.
Best compliment ever.
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