Titles

So I guess I should explain the name of my blog and the web address. They are both songs. I knew right away Closer than you think would be good, but it took me a couple of days to think of a web address. 


Closer than you think. It's a song by Fiction Family -- Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and Sean from Nickel Creek.  

You've got a vision of some far off day beautiful and bright
Care and hanging out of reach but always in your sight.
There's an icon in your mind that stands for happiness one day
A picture on some wall of a kingdom far away.

It's closer than you think
It's breathing in between
It's closer than you think
It's right under your feet

The sky is much more blue but the clouds are always white
The streets ofcourse are bold and always lit with rainto flight
There's nothing on this earth that's as good as what's up there
Life is so much better when you're floating in the air

It's closer than you think
It's breathing in between
It's closer than you think
It's right under your feet

Forget about your brother if he doesn't seem to understand
The hurt that you've concocted in your head
Nevermind your sister when she asks you silly questions
About all the broken people left unfed
Burning questions are better left for dead

Spend your life inside a box looking through stained glass
Dream about a better day and hope it finds you fast

It's closer than you think
It's breathing in between
It's closer than you think
It's right under your feet

Two feet to carry on is a phrase in one of Trent Wagler's songs. For those who might not know him, Trent is a local (to Harrisonburg, VA) folk musician. While I typically don't like countryesque music, I love Trent. I might sound really hypocritical since I like Nickel Creek too :) Anyway, it's from Kiss Me Like A Stranger.

Won't you kiss me like a stranger?
I haven't seen for so long 

Won't you hold me like it's the first time

and sing me a sweet song. 

I want to travel many miles

and I want pleasure and I want pain

and I want the starlight as my window

cause I've got comets through my brain

So kiss me, like a stranger

Kiss me so strong.

I've got two hands to hold you.

Two feet to carry on. 

I want to hold you like it's Winter

and I want to warm you like it's Spring

and I want to kiss you like a stranger

'Till the Autumn comes again

So kiss me, so sweetly.

I'll kiss you strong.

I've got two hands to hold you.

Two feet to carry on. 

So when our day is over

and when our work is done

I'm going to light you one more candle

and wait for you to come

'Cause I know your name's forever

And I know your heart is true

And I know that sometimes you'll hurt me darling

Just like I have hurt you

So kiss me, so sweetly

Kiss me so strong.

I've got two hands to hold you

Two feet to carry on. 

Well, I think that they are both fantastic songs and should be looked up immediately :)

Food for Thought

Crazy love. That's what God has for us. While I haven't quite finished the book yet (Crazy Love) by Francis Chan, I know that it will be one that I will go back to and reread. I'm sure I will blog about this book later as well. For now, I think this one paragraph has more than enough to ponder. On page 16, which in reality is like, 2, Chan asks a question I think is often asked, but not really thought about. He starts with a quote from Acts 11:26, saying,
"'The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didn't name themselves. But rather, they were called (or named) "Christians" by those watching their lives. I wonder if it would be the same today. Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian? A humbling question for sure."
I consider myself a "good" person. I don't steal, I don't commit adultery, I for sure don't murder. I don't purposefully upset people -- or upset them in general. I typically have a smile on my face, and a kind word to say. I don't even know how to say what I want. I feel like Christians blend in too much in today's society for 2 reasons.
1. I think people assume they can be good people without God in their lives. Sure, they can go their whole lives without committing a crime, and smile to strangers walking past them, but are they still "good" people? I think they are no worse than lukewarm Christians.
2. I think probably around 98% of Christians are "lukewarm" Christians. (If you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about) I will be the first to admit that I fall under this category. We should be 100% about God. As I do not have a way with words, nor am I a Theologian, I will quote Chan again. He says, "Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives." It's so hard to even imagine going a day with God on my mind every second, whether I'm feeding my cat, picking up groceries, or taking a shower -- to have everything we do, truly be for God and his glory.
I'm really not trying to be a downer here. God loves us. He loves me. He loves you. He loves your neighbor's sister's boyfriend's dentist's aunt's dog groomer. There is nothing that we can do that will make Him love us less. He loved Hitler just as much as he loved Menno Simons. Even if I plant a new Church in a tribe otherwise unreached, God will not love me more. I don't think we fully comprehend his Crazy love for us! I really can't think of a better word for it than crazy!
I don't know about you, but I love God. Even more than that, I love that God loves me.