We didn't start the fire

but now we've got to fight it....or go down in flames.

Its strange how certain things just stick with you...

I wrote a song for my 6th grade English class. I haven't looked at it in years, and yet the chorus popped into my head this evening.

I thought I saw a light at the end of the tunnel
But it turns out that light was just an on-coming train
I just keep living my life, day-by-day
But I can't help wondering: will my life stay this way?

hm.

"Freedom" by Run Kid Run

I heard this song last night on the radio. It's awesome. Partly because it's a great song, but mostly because it's so true.

Our God is a truly awesome God!

It's 3 o'clock on a Tuesday

And my translation still sounds like...well, a translation.

You know what that means?!?

Techno time!

Brave by Nichole Nordeman

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

All-nighters, much?

No. Thank you very much. I like to avoid them like the plague. But last night, I got stuck with one...pretty much. Going to bed at 5, waking up at 7:30... that just doesn't count in my book.

But! My paper is done, and all is well.

Some amusing insights into my adventure last night.
1. Craisin trail mix is awesome stuff! The perfect 3am snack!

2. Pandora becomes your bff whilst pulling an all-nighters. (While I confirmed w/ my new study buddy down the hall...we were both in the study room, headphones on, listening to pandora radio.

3. It's really easy to fall asleep after 2am. And almost any sort of music will lull you to sleep. (yes, indeed, even techno) There is, however, at least one exception. That which Pandora calls "Deathcore Metal." No joke. It's ridiculous. I spent the wee hours of the morning listening to it, b/c it was the only thing keeping me awake. Thankfully, I was too tired and too focused to understand the words (upon listening to it this morning, it was a bit frightening...).

4. To keep myself amused with this new music sensation, I decided to define it. So here goes.

"Deathcore Metal" =
The Swedish Chef
+

Gollum
+

The Gremlins
+

A Machine Gun
+

Insanely Impossible Guitar Hero Riffs
+

This guy's voice at age 75

"We are mearly players, performers, and portrayers"

~Limelight, by Rush.

Someone said to me tonight, "Are you okay? You don't seem yourself..."

My unspoken question: If I'm not myself, then who am I?

The power of music

God speaks to us all sorts of ways. Sometimes it's awesomely and epically earth-shattering revelations. Others it's through prayer, or Scripture, or in a conversation.

And other times, He just works miracles through your playlist, to show you exactly what He wanted you to see. What was there all along; you just forgot it was there.

"I can tell the world"

I can tell the world about this.
I can tell the nations I'm blessed.
Tell them what my Lord has done,
Tell them that the conqueror has come.

Sometimes I think we get too wrapped up in our story that we miss seeing God in it. To take a step back from our lives and see what God has done in them....it's truly humbling.

Trust

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!