The Secret of an Easy Yoke

I think a lot of Christians (at some point in their lives) can relate to the lyrics of this song. There are so many parts and aspects I find myself relating to I don't know where to start. It has a very melancholy tone but look deeper...

"The Secret of an Easy Yoke" by David Bazan (Pedro the Lion)

i could hear the church bells ringing 
they pealed aloud your praise 
the member's faces were smiling 
with their hands outstretched to shake 
it's true they did not move me 
my heart was hard and tired 
their perfect fire annoyed me 
i could not find you anywhere 
could someone please tell me the story 
of sinners ransomed from the fall 
i still have never seen you, and somedays 
i don't love you at all 

the devoted were wearing bracelets 
to remind them why they came 
some concrete motivation 
when the abstract could not do the same 
but if all that's left is duty, i'm falling on my sword 
at least then, i would not serve an unseen distant lord 

could someone please tell me the story 
of sinners ransomed from the fall 
i still have never seen you, and somedays 
i don't love you at all 
if this only a test 
i hope that i'm passing, cuz i'm losing steam
but i still want to trust you 

peace be still (x3) 

Father's Day

Father's Day

Sacrilegious

A young friend of mine put me on to this song "Sacrilegious" by Never Shout Never.

Does it describe how you feel?
Does it make you sad?
Does it offend you?
Does it make you defensive?
Maybe all of the above?

Christofer Drew wrote this song about being kicked out of a church. On his myspace page he writes "I am not the standard sunday morning christian. I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe he is the only way to truth. I do believe that modern christianity is too moral based, and not enough about the spiritual side. I do not go to church. I haven't been since I got kicked out when I was 16. I do love my Jesus though :)" He also says, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Saying that; don't think I am a christian with a foot up his a**! I love everyone and respect their beliefs. Don't let anyone tell you what to believe. Take everything in, and make your own decision. So, if you'd like to talk about faith; let me know. I'd be honored."

Thank You

The following was posted on my young friends blog. It was so encouraging to me to read I wanted you all to enjoy it with me.

k so we had the banquet tonight. it was amazing. i worked pretty close with not only a mentor but youth worker helping her out alot. shes absolutely amazing she as well as the other youth workers have seen me grow a person. and have seen me at my worst with out these people i dont know what i would have become. they truely do help teens. i have seen them around me and my friends. but never like this. we had the same thing last year, but it on more of a social note for me just another thing to do with my friends. but this time was different. i felt part of a family as i watched my best friends step out of their comfort zone and did amazing. and i am so proud of them. i look forward to this event every year just because its so much fun and just so amazing.

ive heard what this organization has done, and ive witnessed it personally and through people time in and time again. but when you put it all in one place one power point one speech it surprises you as to how hard they work. i sat there tonight listening to what they had to say i found myself smiling a genuinely happy smile something i havent felt in a long time. they talked about miracles and god. ive never been entirely sure where i stand with god and they know that. they dont push, theyve asked my opinion and left it at that. im not sure what i believe in exactly but i do know that this hurt and sadness, anger that surrounds me not only personally but the people around me has to end and that it has to get better. i mean how much crap can one person go through and not be happy?

its because of these amazing people that im choosing to do what i want to do. i see what teens go through constantly and yet have no one to talk to. and i want to help its why i still hang around and help out as much as i can cause i know that every bit helps. and these people dont get enugh credit for what they do. they mean alot to me and what they have done for me and my friends is simply just out of heart. i saw my friends get up and surprise me tonight in so many ways. i stopped and thought where would i be without them. i know i would never be a part of soemthing so great. and i hope to work with them for a very long time and continue to grow as not only a person but as friends and a career.

so to you langley youth workers i thank you endlessly for everything you do. cause i dont think you get a thank you as often as you should.

http://adylivelaughlove.blogspot.com/2010/05/thank-you.html

One Big Happy Family

Sawyer's Jolly Jumper Video

Pictures are by my friend Jennifer Davies
Captured Heart Photography
www.capturedheartphotography.blogspot.com

Richard Twiss

Quite an interesting story and journey this man has.  Here's what was written about him on Wikipedia:

Richard Twiss is a Native American educator and author. He is a member of the Rosebud Lakota Sioux Tribe from South Dakota. He is the Co-Founder and President of Wiconi International (Wee-choe'-nee is Lakota/Sioux for "life") .

In 1972, Twiss was a participant in the forced occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., with the radical political group, the American Indian Movement or "AIM." Twiss later became a Christian minister, author, and public speaker.

His vision is, "To serve the Church as a bridge builder and consulting resource to see Native people come to faith and life in Jesus Christ and fulfill their God-given place in the Body of Christ."