A Stick, A Carrot & String

Mewithoutyou's new album "It's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright" has taken me quite a while to get used to, but it's finally growing on me. I still don't consider it their best music by any means, but there are a couple songs in which Aaron Weiss yet again blew me away by his incredible writing skills and ability to portray certain attributes of the character of God that I've always felt about Him, but have never been able to put into words. I've listened to the album multiple times through, but just noticed the lyrics to this song (below) today. The imagery in the lyrics themselves are beautiful, but when coupled with the diverse instruments and Aaron's timid singing voice, it produces something I just really love. Not to mention it beautifully illustrates how Christ did not display his might and greatness through anything people on Earth actually desire or consider worthy of praise. Christ confused the crap out of everyone by being the exact opposite of what everyone expected him to be. But he was what all of our hearts and minds know to be true.

anyway, please read.


A Stick, A Carrot & String

the horse's hay beneath his head
our Lord was born to a manger bed
that all whose wells run dry
could drink of his supply

to keep him warm, the sheep drew near
so grateful for His coming here
come with news of grace
come to take my place
the donkey whispered in his ear
"child, in 30-some-odd years
you'll ride someone who looks like me
untriumphantly"

the cardinals warbled a joyful song
he'll make right what man made wrong
bringing low the hills
that the valleys might be filled

then "child", asked the birds
"well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"
the tiny baby layed there
without saying anything

at a distance stood a mangy goat
with the crooked teeth and a matted coat
weary eyes and worn
chipped and twisted horns

thinking "maybe I'll make friends someday
with the cows and the hens in the rambouillet
but for now, I'll keep away
I've got nothing smart to say"

there's a sign on the barn
in the cabbage town
"when the rain picks up
and the sun goes down
sinners, come inside
with no money, come and buy

no clever talk, nor a gift to bring
requires our lowly, lovely King
come now empty handed, you don't need anything"

and the night was cool
and clear as glass
with the sneaking snake in the garden grass
Deep cried out to Deep
the disciples fast asleep

and the snake perked up
when he heard You ask
"if you're willing that
this cup might pass
we could find our way back home
maybe start a family all our own"

"but does not the Father guide the Son?
not my will, but yours be done.
what else here to do?
what else me, but You?"

and the snake who'd held the world
a stick, a carrot and a string
was crushed beneath the Foot
of your not wanting anything

The Future Is Now

"There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a humans mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do ; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them ."--The Screwtape Letters

I'm sorry I don't post on this more.

Times are about to change (in terms of me updating this, anyway.)

Things I've been pondering lately...

1.How many people in Western culture are controlled by their emotions? Their passions? Their hungers? How much of us are addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, food, pornography, even simple things like affirmation? I've been reading lately about the Eastern philosophy of being the master of your self. Controlling and channeling those emotions, passions and hungers so that they don't control you. What would Jesus have us do? Embrace emotion and passion, because they help make life vibrant? Or channel them so that we use our God given ability of self-control? Or have a balance? What about those who can't have "just one"?

2. Singleness. Celibacy. The point of marriage. I mean, I get the point and everything. I guess. But if what I've heard is true--that marriage is supposed to be a representation and symbolism of our union with Christ--would that be worth it? or just a distraction?

3. How do we train our minds to stop viewing common things like home, 9-5 shifts, simple conversation, daily deeds...as things that "don't really matter"? I can think of a lot of people who would be a lot more happy if we could all understand that there is no "tomorrow", no "later" and nothing is better on the other side. The most important decision we'll make in life is in the next five minutes...(thank you Troy Sherman)

4. I just don't get Twitter.


What are you pondering?

I've Only Just Begun

My DTS is over! It was life changing. Here are some pictures. Click the set on the right called "China and Thailand 2009".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebsand/

Thank God for this experience.

Freaking Out

By tonight I will have packed up everything I need for my 3 month trip to China. I'm only taking like 5 shirts and 2 pairs of pants, underwear, toiletries and some books. The rest i'm mailing home, or storing here in Salem until I get back. I don't think I've ever lived on this little in my life.

I'm overwhelmed, but I'm also really excited because I'm finally living out what I've been wanting to live out for quite sometime. I'm going to live minimally with my incredible God, unbelievable friends, and the beautiful people of China and Thailand. Great things are going to happen.

Me and my friends are living out God's promise. An abundant life. and we're going across the globe to meet others who are doing the same thing. World changers who combine trust in God with a passion for social justice to stand up and do something about the hurt in the world. In 6 days my friends and I will be joining them. It's surreal. I'm so incredibly thankful.

so yeah. i just wanted to say that.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!! I hope everyone is blessed by their families and good eatin'.