High Fidelity - Owl City

I love Owl City's sound.  Lead singer, Adam Young's voice and style of vocals reminds me of Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 (if they did electro pop!) and the upbeat sounds tend to simply make me happy.  I also love the fact that he simply started making music in his basement and is just another newer artist who got his break via myspace music. 

Fireflies

Alligator Sky

Good Time

Shooting Star

Dementia - ft. Mark Hoppus (from Blink-182!)

While I enjoy the above songs, it was stumbling across this that made me decide to do an Owl City post.  Turns out Adam is a Christian and recorded this simple, heartfelt version of "In Christ Alone (I Stand)" which I love. 

Adam Young - Owl City

Equality?

There are some excellent points here.  

While I realize there will always be some who cannot and will not ever accept the LGBT community as complete equals (cause if you deny them marriage you deny them equality, plain and simple) there will also be those of us who will always, no matter how much you quote the very few words from the Bible about the subject to state your case, support equal (or in this case, gay) rights.  

I do not feel that my personal relationship with Christ is threatened by someone loving another of  the same sex.  Nor do I feel that the future of the "traditional family" is at risk because we allow two men or two women to enter a committed relationship with each other, protected by the same laws that protect straight couples.  

I can support the idea of changing the legal term of "marriage" into "civil union" for all people, straight and gay alike - the civil union term would refer to their law bound rights and, if they are a believer in the religious sacrament of marriage, then a "marriage certificate" would be issued by their religious organization of choice.  It would be a choice of the religious institution to offer the option of marriage certificates to just heterosexual couples or, if they are accepting of the gay community, they can choose to extend this to homosexual couples as well.  

This would not take away from the sanctity of marriage, in fact it would increase it because the term would only be used by those who believe in the religious aspect of the commitment versus being used as a blanket term to essentially mean a civil union.


Well, these are my thoughts on the matter - you are free to disagree (or agree!) as you choose.  If you choose to comment, my only request is that you are thoughtful in your reply and that you be polite. :)

It's all about perspective...

A friend sent this email to me today, while I've seen things like this before, it really struck a chord with me today.  Too many times we think we know what is right for our life and when things don't go our way we question why... sometimes we just need to trust that there is a reason why things happen the way they do. It's all about how you look at things.

Me: Promise you won't get mad.

God: I promise.

Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do you mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late.

God: Yes.

Me: My car took forever to start.

God: Okay.

Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.

God: Hmmm.

Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.

God: All right.

Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!!   Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?

God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

Me: (humbled): OH...

God: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me: (embarrassed): Ok...

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me: (softly) I see, God.

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm sorry God.

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good and the bad.

Me: I will trust you.

God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I love looking after my children.

In the name of love....

U2 music as a way to celebrate Christ's love?  Sure, why not?  On Saturday, June 23rd I attended a special "U2charist" service (spirituality+justice+rock and roll) that was brought to Resurrection Lutheran by our fantastic intern, Vicar Ray McKechnie, who will be leaving us in a few weeks after a year of awesome service... sad :(

Vicar Ray McKechnie - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide  

The service was an inspiring combination of U2 music performed by our enthusiastic Resurrection Praise Team and messages about equality, justice, humanity and faith.  It was a service based around the Eucharist (hence the clever name) which is also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and had a very thought provoking message shared by the Reverend Dr. Dan Brunner, professor of Christian History, Formation, and Earthkeeping at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

The missions of the ONE campaign and Millennium Development Goals were shared and a free will offering was taken to benefit the Lutheran World Relief/Lutheran Malaria Initiative and local non-profits focusing on hunger, HIV/AIDS, and environmental sustainability including SnowCap Community Charities, Outgrowing Hunger, Cascade AIDS Project, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. 

U2charist - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide

The message from Rev. Dr. Dan Brunner and an audio clip of the Praise Team performing "Pride (In The Name of Love)" are available here for a limited time.

Please also check out Resurrection Lutheran Church's webpage as well for additional information about our ELCA based Lutheran church, our stewardship, ministries and events.

I dreamed a dream...

It's incredibly dangerous to peruse this site "just for fun."  My "just for fun" jaunt has now developed into a full-fledged obsession with an adorable little townhouse nearby.  I NEED it.  (Okay, so I don't need it but tell that to the little devilish redhead on my shoulder.)

The price is fantastic, its in a great location and would be a super starter home, especially for a single woman.  That is also where the problem comes in.  As a single woman who is racking up student loans as we speak and is still trying to unearth herself from some poor monetary decisions while she was in her 20's and clinically depressed (retail therapy anyone?), I have found that qualifying for a loan on my own is not a possibility right now until I have enough money to eliminate some bills.  It would be different with a second income coming in but alas you need another in your household to bring that money in the door and that does not appear to be in the cards any time soon (the cat's a lazy cuss and refuses to go to work).  It's funny how people always dream of winning millions in the lottery but in reality winning $25,000 would make one of my biggest dreams possible.  Oh how your perspective can change as you become more and more adult like... :)

So here are a few pics of the house - its not super fancy, it certainly isn't my dream house but it is my dream "right now" house...

$ 109,900

3 bed 

2.5 bath

Front of town home

Bar and fireplace

Bar and open kitchen

Kitchen, dining nook and deck

Kitchen, nook and view!

Deck off the master bedroom, yes please!

View toward the Columbia river - would be super pretty on a clear day

So cute, sad it's not feasible...

What I have to keep on telling myself is that there are plenty of other people my age who aren't able to buy a home either, that I have a nice rental right now and that I am most likely in a better position financially than some my age... these self-affirmations however don't equate a home of my own or a nice deduction on my taxes.   Alas, patience is a virtue Sara... remember this.  

I do admit, however, that I look forward to the possibility of marriage someday - not only for the companionship and love but also the possibility to purchase a place of my own (or, our own).  I am also reminding myself on a daily basis that the right guy will come along some day and that it must be God's plan that I have yet to meet a man who is capable of loving me just the way I am.  Surely there's someone out there, right?

This verse was shared with me at my confirmation as an "adult" in the Lutheran church, it has always held a truly special meaning for me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make you straight in your paths.

                               -Proverbs 3:5-6

Another that brings hope:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

                              -Psalm 143:8

WWJD?

Was nosing around Huffington Post today and came across this article linked on the front page... the author eloquently states many of my same feelings regarding this 'issue' - I simply cannot understand how someone who claims to be a Christian can hurt, ostracize and bully all in Jesus' name.  Jesus loved everyone, why is is so difficult for those of us who follow his word to do the same?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derek-flood/jesus-homosexuality_b_1442195.html

Tuesday People*

I am so thankful I ‘manned up’ and took a chance in going back to school.  The thought of doing so was scary as hell considering my previous college debacle.

My first college experience was a time when I was at my worst.  I was so far down the rabbit hole, sunk in a pit of depression, hopelessness, lack of self-worth, etc. that I couldn’t cope with everyday life, let alone school.  I barely passed my classes, cut myself off from all but a few select friends and holed myself up from the world.  This depression greatly affected my faith as well, when your self-worth is so low you certainly don’t feel worthy of God’s love and you feel like no one cares about you, even our Heavenly Father. 

Over the years as my mental health has gotten somewhat better my faith has gradually come back and I have once again found comfort in the promise of Christ’s love.  It has, however, been the encouragement, insight and faith of the amazing group of ladies that make up my cohort at George Fox University that has truly encouraged me to open myself up again to God’s love.   From in class prayer on occasions when numerous ladies need a little bit of help to the daily encouragement and support found on our little Facebook group, I have never been a part of something where there is such a shared feeling of God’s love on a personal level and I am so thankful to be part of this amazing group of ladies. 

• You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

• You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

• Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

So here’s to my Tuesday People:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

 

*(read Tuesday's With Morrie - it will change your life)