Sunday, July 31, 2016
Everyday is a Blessing from God.
Live this day to your fullest. Give praise to God who gives oxygen to our lungs and love through the sacrifice of His only son, Jesus. Share His love with others on this earth this day. Love in Christ, Christopher.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Lord Hill
I enjoy hiking. Even if it is only for a short distance and within ear shot of the hustle and bustle of the corporate world.
Yesterday my family and I took a small hike on Lord Hill near Snohomish. The ground was still a bit damp, and the grade was a bit steep, but I really enjoyed it.
I love the time shared with my family and the memories we form.
I love the smell of being in the woods. It invigorates all of my senses.
I love the sounds of the birds who don't chance outside these forested walls and greet me with their song.
I love the sights from the smallest of ferns to the tallest of trees which form the canopy I walk under. These are God's handiworks.
I love how the muscles in my body work in harmony as I ascend the hills. I love how it feels as I alternate my weight from one foot to the other and can feel the full range of muscular motion from my toes to my abdomen with each step as I gain elevation.
I enjoy crossing paths with others who share these enjoyments, saying our salutations and then continuing our lives' journeys.
I wish these times weren't as short as they are, and that the invigoration ignited within me could carry me so much further into my everyday.
Yesterday my family and I took a small hike on Lord Hill near Snohomish. The ground was still a bit damp, and the grade was a bit steep, but I really enjoyed it.
I love the time shared with my family and the memories we form.
I love the smell of being in the woods. It invigorates all of my senses.
I love the sounds of the birds who don't chance outside these forested walls and greet me with their song.
I love the sights from the smallest of ferns to the tallest of trees which form the canopy I walk under. These are God's handiworks.
I love how the muscles in my body work in harmony as I ascend the hills. I love how it feels as I alternate my weight from one foot to the other and can feel the full range of muscular motion from my toes to my abdomen with each step as I gain elevation.
I enjoy crossing paths with others who share these enjoyments, saying our salutations and then continuing our lives' journeys.
I wish these times weren't as short as they are, and that the invigoration ignited within me could carry me so much further into my everyday.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Welcome, readers from Russia and France...and from around the world....
Good morning, from Lake Stevens Washington.
This will probably be a short post as it is 8 in the morning and my family will probably be waking up at any moment. My blog has reached over 100 views, a grain of sand in the blog world, but really exciting to me. 20 views have come from Russia, and 4 have come from France. Welcome friends and thank you for reading my blogs.
I'm thinking about using the book of James in the Bible in direct reference to today's social media. Along with it originally being an amazing letter to a scattered group of believers, I think that it has some amazing parallels to aspects of life today. I just keep coming back to this one book in my reading of God's Word and seeing so many of the things that James is talking about. I still need to get my thoughts processes together to show people the parallels; pray that I do not let this opportunity to communicate with people fall by the wayside.
Aquafest (our town's yearly festival) is next weekend. I hope to make my way down to Main street and enjoy the festivities.
My son just woke up, so I will wrap up for now. Thank you again, those who have found my blog, be blessed.
In Christ, Christopher.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
One of the most prophetic songs that I have ever heard: PFR's "Them"
"And the media mediates between the masses and the myth it creates
But it never knows the damage grows the more it bends the truth
They tell us want they want us to hear
They patronize our aching ears." (from "Them" by PFR)
Twenty years ago this month, the band PFR put out the first of their "last" albums (different story altogether) which included the title track "Them." I was immediately drawn to this song and its straight up lyrics (this was during CCM's 'golden age' but even then, and even more so now, using the phrase 'sexual perversion' in a lyric was cutting edge for that genre) because it so aptly described, what I believe, to be a commentary on the media at large and the power and effect that it has on people.
"We don't have to watch what they want us to see
Yet we let them bind our hands and feet."
Twenty years later, this song is more relevant than ever in describing this topic. It doesn't even require blog elaboration, it is that good. You just have to listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90g2b4s0HrI
But it never knows the damage grows the more it bends the truth
They tell us want they want us to hear
They patronize our aching ears." (from "Them" by PFR)
Twenty years ago this month, the band PFR put out the first of their "last" albums (different story altogether) which included the title track "Them." I was immediately drawn to this song and its straight up lyrics (this was during CCM's 'golden age' but even then, and even more so now, using the phrase 'sexual perversion' in a lyric was cutting edge for that genre) because it so aptly described, what I believe, to be a commentary on the media at large and the power and effect that it has on people.
"We don't have to watch what they want us to see
Yet we let them bind our hands and feet."
Twenty years later, this song is more relevant than ever in describing this topic. It doesn't even require blog elaboration, it is that good. You just have to listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90g2b4s0HrI
Am I Alone?
Social media doesn't take kindly to dissenting opinions.
I finally responded to the apologetic tone of yet another response to Bono's take on the Christian Music Industry and his claim of it being "dishonest," stating that I didn't believe that 'dishonest' was the right adjective to be using. I actually got a personal response from the Facebook author about why they thought it was dishonest, and the reasoning points behind that opinion. While I still don't agree, I did appreciate the insider look at the industry in general.
What really bothers me though is the push-back of minority opinions on social media. I know that I am not the only one who doesn't 'get' U2 music nor treats Bono like he is some sort of god. Or am I? Am I a fringe lunatic who is alone in certain opinions or beliefs?
Let's take another topic that seems to be close to everyone's heart right now: The 2016 presidential race.
The majority opinion on social media right now basically favors two frontrunners for president: Trump or Clinton. Many of my Facebook friends who have already decided that they are going to vote for one of these candidates, back up their decision with meme's, news articles, links, etc, which back their candidate or deride the other one.
A minority opinion (one which I side with) is that we don't to vote for either candidate. Although I personally have not made this proclamation public on social media, I have made it known verbally to some people. The response I have gotten is either: That voting for neither is a vote for Trump, or that voting for neither is a wasted vote. I simply do not agree, and come November, neither one of these candidates is getting my vote. This appears to be a fringe opinion; no one is saying this publicly on social media.
Why don't people freely share unpopular opinions on social media? Is it because not one other single person shares it? Or is it because of the fear of public repercussion of a minority opinion?
If the former, that would remind me of "1984" (the book, not the year) mentality, in which it is only a matter of time before I'm forcibly indoctrinated. If the latter, I suppose it depends on the topic and the timing. Even though we don't 'owe' social media any involvement whatsoever, sometimes not speaking out is just as harmful as speaking out, in spite of the fear of repercussion. Some people in their rebuttals simply don't care that they are playing all their cards on a public forum, in fact they oftentimes do so proudly, having not been offered this platform even 10-15 years ago. So if you are passionate about something, share it. Just be prepared to defend yourself. I learned that the hard way and at great cost.
At the risk of making this blog sound like a pity party, I just want to know that I am not alone and that there are still free thinkers in this country and this planet who live according to the portion that God has given them; I seek people who freely love, freely live, and who don't seek the mob mentality as their own.
I finally responded to the apologetic tone of yet another response to Bono's take on the Christian Music Industry and his claim of it being "dishonest," stating that I didn't believe that 'dishonest' was the right adjective to be using. I actually got a personal response from the Facebook author about why they thought it was dishonest, and the reasoning points behind that opinion. While I still don't agree, I did appreciate the insider look at the industry in general.
What really bothers me though is the push-back of minority opinions on social media. I know that I am not the only one who doesn't 'get' U2 music nor treats Bono like he is some sort of god. Or am I? Am I a fringe lunatic who is alone in certain opinions or beliefs?
Let's take another topic that seems to be close to everyone's heart right now: The 2016 presidential race.
The majority opinion on social media right now basically favors two frontrunners for president: Trump or Clinton. Many of my Facebook friends who have already decided that they are going to vote for one of these candidates, back up their decision with meme's, news articles, links, etc, which back their candidate or deride the other one.
A minority opinion (one which I side with) is that we don't to vote for either candidate. Although I personally have not made this proclamation public on social media, I have made it known verbally to some people. The response I have gotten is either: That voting for neither is a vote for Trump, or that voting for neither is a wasted vote. I simply do not agree, and come November, neither one of these candidates is getting my vote. This appears to be a fringe opinion; no one is saying this publicly on social media.
Why don't people freely share unpopular opinions on social media? Is it because not one other single person shares it? Or is it because of the fear of public repercussion of a minority opinion?
If the former, that would remind me of "1984" (the book, not the year) mentality, in which it is only a matter of time before I'm forcibly indoctrinated. If the latter, I suppose it depends on the topic and the timing. Even though we don't 'owe' social media any involvement whatsoever, sometimes not speaking out is just as harmful as speaking out, in spite of the fear of repercussion. Some people in their rebuttals simply don't care that they are playing all their cards on a public forum, in fact they oftentimes do so proudly, having not been offered this platform even 10-15 years ago. So if you are passionate about something, share it. Just be prepared to defend yourself. I learned that the hard way and at great cost.
At the risk of making this blog sound like a pity party, I just want to know that I am not alone and that there are still free thinkers in this country and this planet who live according to the portion that God has given them; I seek people who freely love, freely live, and who don't seek the mob mentality as their own.
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