Archive for the 'General' Category

My New Title

Published
by
John
on September 4, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

So, I’ve decided I’m going to pursue a new title in life. I’d like to be know as - 

John C. Massie | Lion Chaser

Now, I’m sure you’re sitting there scratching your head going, “Did he really just write ‘lion chaser’?” What on earth is he thinking?

I guess I should let you know I’m reading an awesome book that was given to me by my friend Brad called, “In A Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson. I’m so happy that he gave me this book because it has began to answer questions I had the day I talked with him about some personal things in life and some feelings that I had.

I only recently met Brad so it wasn’t like I spilled my entire deepest feelings about some things going on in life but it was funny how he seemed to see beyond my facade. After getting to know him more I look back and wonder why I didn’t spill everything to him since we seem to becoming great friends… but like they say, hindsight is always 20/20. It is amazing that this book is answering questions about the where and why and when I have in life and what I should do. It’s helping me deal with my feelings of closure and helping me learn to embrace all situations, good and bad. Obviously God had His hand in the gift of this book.

I don’t want to do a full review on the book until I’m finished which I’m going to presume will be this weekend because I cannot put this book down for one minute. I’m reading and reading like I’ve never done before.

So, that’s all. A little snippet of an upcoming book review (wow, a first for JohnMassie.com) and I hopefully won’t disappoint. Be on the lookout!

Later,
- JM 

Welcome to September

Published
by
John
on September 1, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Well, it’s September… already. I am starting to believe what people used to tell me,

“Time may feel like it is slow now but just wait until you get older, it flies by.”

Yeah, I am starting to see that this statement is very true. It seems like yesterday I was pulling out my shorts and putting away my sweaters. Now we enter into another fall season. The pool closed today (boo…) thankfully I have a gym with an indoor pool so there will be swimming all fall/winter long (yay!).

This weekend has been awesome. I got some stuff accomplished and will be doing a lot more this week. There are a bunch of random things that I’ve not updated about so I figured I’ll just post them in a list here for those interested to read…

  • Blackberry, Verizon and 614-406-4472 are HISTORY.
    I decided that it was time for a change. About a month ago I dumped Verizon, My BlackBerry 8803 Pearl, and my phone number of 614-406-4472 (call it… it’s disconnected). I have a new number on AT&T Wireless with an iPhone 3G 16GB in Black. I’ve had this phone for a month and it blows my BlackBerry and Verizon out of the water. 3G is so freaking fast and it’s an iPhone. No more trying to find movie times and it taking me twenty minutes to navigate the site on my BlackBerry.
  • I FOUND A CHURCH HOME!
    After much searching, I found a church home. Not that I’m at all ashamed of where I go but to keep the stalker fact down I won’t reveal where it is. Lets just say I found home and Lord willing I’ll be there for a while. I’m also back in ministry at church! Double bonus.
  • I AM STILL GOING TO THE GYM
    So, I dropped the 31 Days series with everything else going on but all is well. I fell off the healthy eating wagon but still managed to continue to lose. I’m almost up to 10 pounds from my starting weight! I guess when you start eating breakfast and exercising on a schedule you find your metabolism is actually there. More on this later as I’m refining my eating and training this month.
  • I AM THINKING ABOUT MOVING
    There, I said it… cat’s out of the bag. I share everything else with the world… why not that? Working this month on selling things on CraigsList and ebay that are no longer needed/wanted or that I don’t want to move and trying to reduce the clutter that I’ve collected across the (almost) three years I’ve lived here. Now, it’s not like I have a for sale sign in the front yard and I’m showing the house but I’m preparing for all that. Doing some repairs and fixing things here and there to get the house ready to sell.

    Where am I moving to? Good question. I’m going to just take this step by step and get my affairs in order, get the house sold and then decide where to live. Then once I figure out that question I can address if I want to build or buy existing. Thankfully being young and without a family I can do the whole “homeless” thing while I get a house built so currently I’m leaning to that because I really would enjoy moving into a house that I know no one has lived in and where I chose the major things so I don’t spend the first six months replacing light fixtures, cabinets, flooring and painting.

    We shall see where I end up. I’ll keep everyone posted as time goes on. Want to buy something I have for sale? Never fear… I’ll post the links once I am done listing.

That’s about it right now. A lot is going on and I’m excited for the changes. As always I will keep people posted on what’s going on as time passes.
Later,
- JM

He Speaks When We’re Not Listening

Published
by
John
on August 19, 2008
in General
. 2 Comments

Have you ever had something happen to you when you were least expecting it and label the event a “coincidence”. Maybe you were feeling down and someone called to ask how you were doing? You’re struggling financially and that bonus or gift shows up unannounced. You feel down on your luck and then suddenly something happens to turn your luck around. Many people call these things coincidences. Things that happen merely by chance. Have you ever thought that it could be God just saying, “Hello.” I am a firm believer that everything, good and bad, happens for a reason. I think my life is living proof of that. Some of the worst situations and events in my life have enabled me to sit here today and be the person I am. Thankfully God gave me an optimistic attitude to help me along the way.

Recently as I’ve been writing “Fitness, Finance and Faith” I’ve been touching on some personal issues in my life. I’ve decided to discontinue “31 Days” as I liked to call it until further notice. A much larger story is playing out in my life right now and I think I’d like to return to my blogging of what is on my heart and mind. If it is fitness, then so be it; finance, great… Right now I have a lot swirling around me spiritually and I’d like to capture some of that and share it with you, my readers (what few are out there). I guess in a sense to return to my “roots of blogging”; to blog about what is going on in life and nothing more. Sure I’m not going to increase readership by the hundreds daily when talking about the personal aspects in life but maybe something I have to share can help someone else along or inspire someone. So, never fear, I’m still keeping up and will do a 31 day summary at the end of the month to let everyone know how I came out and what my thoughts were.

I’ll pickup where I left off in the faith section from 31 days. I did meet with my pastor on Friday. I was late and got to Starbucks and ran inside to find that he just showed up as well (so I didn’t feel terrible). After me being taken back that my pastor rides a Harley Davidson we ordered and sat on the sidewalk in Old Dublin to talk. Now, keep in mind, I’m sitting here thinking that I have no clue what I wanted to ask or say. I asked to meet with him a while back and due to schedules we just couldn’t meet up for two weeks. I seemed to forget my “agenda” I had for the meeting from the day I wrote the letter to actually meeting with Brad, my pastor. I completely believe that was in God’s plan. I was forced to speak from my heart and not mind so we talked.

I noticed that Brad had no agenda either. He simply wanted to talk and see where the conversation lead. After the years of hurt in the church I’ve found it hard to trust pastors. It’s really sad that I feel that way but it is one of those things that after repetitious hurt you form an apprehension when speaking to someone like those from your past. Sitting there I found myself at ease. I easily poured my life out on the table. Sharing everything from my church history to school, family and my life. I listened to Brad as he spoke and he didn’t come across as holier than thou, religious snot, or any other stereotype that you can think of when it comes to “Christians” or “Church-Goers”. Brad came off to me as, human. Human with a heart for people. He actually showed concern and cared about what I had to say. He gave me no “text book” responses but spoke from the heart. Our talk helped me a lot and I continue to relive the moments to think about what was said and continue to pray that God directs me.

From there I spent the weekend helping a friend move. Friday night learned to play the game cornhole. Interjection of humor - I just found out there is an American Cornhole Association - http://www.playcornhole.org/. Please, everyone, take a moment to laugh. Back to the story, so I had a good time and Saturday was a lazy day filled with me coding at home and hanging out with the amazing Katy and doing laundry. Sunday was church and spending time with my family. I found myself going back to church that night to go to the BBQ that the church was having. Now, I’ve only been at the church a few weeks and really don’t know anyone so I figured I’d try this to see if I’d either feel like an outsider or get to know people. Well, everyone will be happy to know that I got to know some of the people from church. I guess most of them attend the early service (9:30 AM) but still it was cool to get to meet them. Talked with my friend Chris and got to hear about some things that God is doing in his life, which I think is awesome.

I still found myself Sunday evening trying to figure out what I’m doing and where I’m going. I think I have a connection at my church and life is changing but I just don’t know where I’m going. It’s one of those, I’m going to walk blind by faith and pray that God leads me where I’m to go. As I continue to toy with this idea in my mind I go to lunch alone today. I couldn’t decide where to go so I figured I’d go to my all time favorite Chinese restaurant on Sawmill, Pei Wei. I get my usual, Honey Chicken with White Rice and a Diet Coke and sit down at my table. I eat my lunch in peace and think about life and what I’m going to do. Lately I think I’ve been chattering too much to hear God. I’m learning how to practice the art of listening to God but it’s a work in progress. I opened my fortune cookie wondering what it would say. When I least expect it I get these small messages… “You do not have to know where you are going to be headed in the right direction.” Only twice this has happened and both times I find myself amazed to find something like this.

Now, I’m not trying to say that God lives in a fortune cookie or makes it His business to speak to His children via Chinese after dinner snacks. I just think that it goes to show that God can speak to us even when we’re not listening. Be it through a song, sermon, Bible, poetry, nature, art or even a fortune cookie… He’s there and He can do it. I’m still learning to let go of the “what direction” and focus on the “next step in front of me” but it takes time. So, for my readers, keep me in your prayers and stick around for the journey. Like my subtitle, I’m looking for life beyond the edge and I think that I’m on the road to find it.

Later,
- JM

31 Days - Update 4

Published
by
John
on August 12, 2008
in 31 Days, General and Series
. 0 Comments

Well, maybe I should just reduce the other two to updating once a week because I keep forgetting to ask them for their update. I promise the next one will be good! So tonight you’re stuck with me.

Fitness

I’m currently training in a 3 x 3 schedule. 3 days of cardio with 3 days of weight training. So far so good. I’m still trying to figure out all the machines, how much weight I can handle and how many reps/sets. It’s not too bad… I think that eventually I’ll get it figured out and on my way.

Question is, it’s been a week and do I feel different? Well, I know I’ve lost weight because I can wear clothes I couldn’t two weeks ago, I am not as winded when going up three stories of steps and find my workouts not being quite as challenging as day one.

Tomorrow is cardio (yay) one thing I do know how to do and do it well. I’m currently doing interval cardio for about 30 minutes. Then I’ll cool down for about 5 minutes and stretch for another 5. All in all about 45 minutes on the floor.

Finance

Well, I’m going to keep this one simple. Here is a website everyone should use:

http://www.mint.com

It is an awesome website, think of it as Quicken for the web except free (and easy to use for beginners). Just create a Mint account and add all your bank accounts and BAM it monitors your balances, notifies you of changes in your accounts and can show you where your money goes. Check it out!

Faith

I wonder is God trying to get my attention? After my last post I’ve been praying and seeking out this whole “closure” feeling I have. Haven’t nailed it down yet. My meeting with my pastor was moved to Friday. I have been praying about that so I’m going to assume it is one of those “God timing” things. I found myself this week in a bit of isolation and having more time to complete some things and to be with my thoughts. I’m going to trust God that He knows what’s going on and that He’ll lead me as He sees fit. Tonight as I went to go meet a friend at BestBuy to do some (for me at least) window shopping and to give me a break from coding I heard the song, “One Life to Love” on XM Radio (Station 32). It’s by a group called 33Miles (ironic, they’re from Franklin, TN… and we all know my love for TN). I was about to change the station when the title/group name looked interesting and decided to listen.

After listening to the first few lines I had captured the info and couldn’t wait to go home and download (via iTunes… it’s all legal folks) and listen to the song. I did just that and the lyrics simply amaze me and just jumped right out at me. Here is the section I felt the most drawn to:

“You only get just one time around.
You only get one shot at this.
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t want to miss.
One day when it’s all said done I hope you see it was enough this, 
One life, one ride, one life to love.”

Check them out at www.33milesonline.com

This has very much been an on going theme with me in the last few months that I only have “one life to love” and I want to make the most of it. We’ll see how it goes in the next few weeks as I begin to discover what God has for me. That’s about it. As always you can reach me at 31days <at> johnmassie.com.

 

God Bless,
-JM

31 Days - Update 2

Published
by
John
on August 7, 2008
in 31 Days, General and Series
. 0 Comments

Fitness

John

Well, a week later and here we are. No one has fallen off the bandwagon yet. I’ve got down the gym thing now I am working on increasing my knowledge of how to do resistance training and core exercises. If anyone reading this blog would like to chime in with some suggestions or websites I would be much obliged.

I’ve been sick with some allergy/sinus issues this week so Wednesday/Thursday I had no gym time. I start back up with some vigorous cardio tomorrow to get back into the routine. Currently my training schedule is M, W, F - Cardio; T, Th, S - Resistance; Sunday - Rest. With the Cardio I’m doing HIIT on an elliptical machine. I do some warm-up on a treadmill as it works a different set of muscles but just isn’t good for the interval training because it’s hard to burst to high speeds then suddenly go to a slow pace.

The food thing is still taking some time to get used to. I have been great for the most part. I have had a few meals where maybe the greatest decision wasn’t made but overall every meal has been healthy and proportionate. I also have been drinking water like it is no body’s business. I rarely drink anything but water anymore which seems weird to me because I used to be the person who hated water.

I find myself having more energy and overall I just feel better (even with the whole sick thing). I sleep so much better now that I’m exercising and I’m starting to notice that things that were once challenging me at the gym are now becoming easier.

Toni (The person former known as “co-worker”) written by Toni

It’s now day 4 of my ‘diet’ and it’s been a slow start.  Going Cold Turkey while dieting is too much of a shock for me. I have not changed my breakfast habits yet….still eating on the go.  I make a quick sandwich on rye of either peanut butter and jelly, turkey or chicken and eat in the car with my Diet Coke.
Lunch is currently my most successful meal of the day: salad.  I know I am still consuming too many carbs so I wil work on that each day.  I have done better than I thought I would although I still fall back into old habits when I encounter stressful situations. Yesterday at work, I fell off the wagon and ate 3 (yes 3!) single Reese’s cups. 
Dinnertime has not been too much of a problem and I am happy with my success at least for this last meal of the day.   I am eating about half of what I would usually eat……eating the same types of food, just half the amount.
I have not weighed myself yet..so I still need to do that …..once I do weigh myself, I will keep a chart in my bathroom and record my weight either daily or every other day.  This method works for me and will  keep me on track. I can say that after day 3, I do have more energy when I get home from work. 

Katy written by John

Katy just received her Wii Fit and she’s found herself working out at least 30 minutes a day on it. Already she’s noticed a difference in energy level and is starting to feel the effects of the workout. She is enjoying it and made the comment that after doing several rounds of the “hula hoop” exercise that she felt it in her abs. Due to her just getting the Wii Fit this week this update will be a little short :-). More next time…

Finance

One thing that I do when shopping is use coupons. Many people think I’m wasting my time with it but in all reality I spend $20.00 on a Sunday newspaper subscription and maybe an hour before each shopping trip gathering coupons. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in shopping trips and pretty much one trip to the store with coupons pays for my subscription.

Here are my person top 5 tips with coupons:
1. DO NOT USE THEM THE SAME WEEK YOU GET THEM.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people do is get their coupons on Sunday and turn around and use them on Monday. Somehow in the coupon world stores seem to know what products will have coupons in the paper and don’t put those items on sale. Now, there is an exception to this rule - if it is a no brainer like $1.00 off an item that is going for $0.89 that week or it is something that you absolutely need and have a coupon for it (example - toilet paper). Instead, wait about 3-4 weeks and watch the weekly ads closely because you can normally match up a sale item with a coupon and get a lot more money off (or some free items!)
2. DON’T BUY SOMETHING BECAUE YOU HAVE A COUPON
Another temptation is to go to the store and walk down the isle with all your coupons and see an awesome chocolate brownie mix that is calling your name. You know in your mind that you don’t need the mix so you stand there and figure out a way to justify it to yourself. You go digging through your coupons and see that you can buy it with a $1.00 off… well why not then? Yeah, you nor your body needs that mix so put it down and move on. If you’re really bad at this, only take the coupons that you know you really really need. This way we eliminate temptation to buy everything in the store that you have a coupon for. Again, the exception here is with free items. I’ve picked up several free or $0.10 toothbrushes, band-aids, medicine, etc…
3. TALK TO PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO SHOP AND TRADE
Many people out there are coupon shoppers; you just might not know it. Many people who meet me are surprised to find out that I use coupons. Once you find some people who use coupons then offer to trade them coupons you don’t use or want. Don’t have pets but have kids? Trade someone all your dog food coupons for diaper coupons. Most stores will allow you up to xx amount of items and you are able to use one coupon per item. I’ve got a lot of good coupons this way and also have found deals by talking to other people who may have caught something in the add that you didn’t.
4. GET AN ORGANIZER
Yeah, I tried the whole, “I’m going to be manly and hold my 300 cut coupons in my hand or paper envelope” because I thought the plastic coupon holder wasn’t the exact sign of masculinity. I found out that doesn’t work so well. I finally sucked it up, went to an office supply store and got a coupon holder. Also, don’t skimp and get one with three or so pockets. The more the better. I typically seperate all mine out by the layout of the store and then have a pocket in the back for miscellaneous and one at the front for “used coupons” that I move there once I have the item(s) in my cart.
5. LOOK FOR A “TWO-FOR” OFFER
Sometimes, depending on the store, you can get away with the following. You have two coupons. One that says, “Free Razor with Purchase of Blade Refills Instantly!”. The second one says, “$2.00 off Blade Refills”. You can use both. The trick is to not put the two coupons together. The $2.00 off coupon is going to be what I call an “Automatic Coupon” where it will verify the UPC against what the coupon is calling for. So have that scanned near the beginning then have the “Free” coupon near the end. The cashier has to manually make sure you purchased both items, refills and razor. They’ll look the receipt over and find both items then giving you the discount. I’ve yet to been stopped for this because technically you aren’t getting money “off” the refills just the razor itself. So keep this in mind that in this siutation the “one coupon per item” technically seems to not apply. However, don’t go to the store and try this, get turned down and then tell them that JohnMassie.com told you so that you could do this because I’m sure that will get you NO WHERE with the cashier or manager.

Faith

Life is hard. That was the thought when I came to the faith section. I’m sure you’re reading this going, NO DUH; thank you captain obvious. I think that we need to remember that though life is hard that God is bigger than this life. I was talking with my mom about this very subject that as we grow older as adults we forget that God is bigger. Like a song I like to sing…
“God is bigger than the air I breathe, the world we’ll leave. God will save the day and all will say, my glorious. And all you ever do is change the old to new.”
I think we need to remember that very first part especially. GOD IS BIGGER THAN THE AIR I BREATHE. Whatever you’re going through, God’s bigger than that. The first part is realizing that fact. The much harder part is leaving it in God’s hands for Him to actually be bigger than the problem or trial you face. You have to trust Him to do what He says He will do. I struggle with this from time to time but recently God has put me in this spot and each day I surrender my life and will to God and I get out of bed knowing that He is bigger than anything I may face. Hopefully you can find some encouragement in this as well.
Well, there’s update 2. Be on the lookout for the next segment in the series. Questions and comments are welcome. If you’d like to contact anyone in the post or myself please e-mail 31days <at> johnmassie.com!
God Bless,
- JM

Inspiration for the Journey

Published
by
John
on July 22, 2008
in General
. 1 Comment

So, I mentioned in past posts about closing out a chapter of my life. It’s amazing how for the first time in life that I quickly closed a chapter and I never even saw it coming. I’ve been one to have methodical and drawn out closure but this time things were different. It seemed like most of the things in my life ended abruptly and change began to happen in me and around me. It was also the first time I “closed a chapter” and never looked back.

So after this happened I was presented with the question of, “Where do I go now?” So, I did what I do best, prayed. Thankfully God had a plan for me. I ended up at Marysville Vineyard this Sunday to hear my dear friend Kelly speak. Now, I haven’t heard Kelly speak since camp which was years ago so I was excited.

From the moment I walked in I was met with happy faces and love abounded. Thought I’m not a “regular” many people in the church are getting to recognize me and will say hello and talk to me… which is nice. As worship began I just had a small voice let me know that God had me there for a reason. So I intently began to enter into a time of worship.

The music began and it wasn’t a song I knew but I’m quick with lyrics so I began to sing. The song was so moving and I began to listen to what I was singing and found so much inspiration and comfort that I knew that as long as I turned over my life to God, everything would be ok.

Then after a moving worship service my friend Kelly got up to speak. Her message was much like how I write, based on her personal life. She shared from the heart and I was moved. She related with a lot of what I was feeling and gave me hope that everything was going to be just fine. As we entered a time of prayer we sang yet another song I love and I knew God had met me there that day.

I came home to a less than pleasant situation but as I do with everything that I view as “bad” in life I began to look for what God wanted me to learn from the situation. I learned to displace my anger and see past the issue to what God wanted me to see. I think it served as a great reminder that I do only have a few people in life who understand who I am, what I’m about and where I’m going in life and most of all… believe in me.

I have a few that pretend like they meet that criteria and I have many who classify me as a “Grade A Failure” but I’m living out a much bigger plan that is completely out of my hands. Sure, I might be unconventinal in my methods but then again wasn’t Jesus considered a radical of His time? God never promised that if His children followed the will He set before them that they would look normal in the world’s eye and that is something I have to remember each day.

I also give thanks to God for all that I do have in this life and His many blessings He so graciously gives me. I praise Him for the good, bad and ugly when it comes my way. I know that no matter what I’m never a failure in God’s eye and His plan is never considered a failure. God ordained the events that played out that night because He wanted to remind me of the way the world sees me from now until the day I die and light a fire within me to go on and conquer the path set before me with passion and faith - to show that God’s plan is never a failure.

So all in all, I found my inspiration for the journey. As my new time in life unfolds I’ve taken it as fast as God can give it to me and reach out to those that I need to and have been met with only love and support. To my family and friends who are there for me, thank you. 

Well, it is getting to be my bedtime and I’m tired. I’ll post the lyrics to that new song I learned at Vineyard for you all to read and I’ve highlighted what stood out to me.

Night,
- JM

 

Mighty to Save
Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus

The Wonder Years

Published
by
John
on July 20, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

So I thought I should blog this morning before heading out to church, to kill time if nothing else.

As I got ready for church I began to think about life and what has been going on. Sometimes you wonder if you made the right decision. It is always nice to get some affirmation from God that you’re going down the right path and He did just that for me.

As I began to ponder this subject more while staring at this blank box to write in, the song, “With a Little Help From My Friend by Joe Cocker” (aka “The Wonder Years” theme song from the 80s-90s sitcom I used to watch as a kid) came to mind, ironically. I found it in my iTunes library and decided to listen to it while I write and it made me think of this weekend and all that has gone on.

I thankfully do have friends that will help me get by. As I closed a long chapter in my life it was like suddenly, a new one began. In the last few days I’ve help friends pack, run a yard sale with friends, go to a party (yes, I did write party) with another then was invited to the movies twice and to a party today and a concert, twice. Suddenly it’s like people remembered I was here, and they’re all here for me; which is nice.

So today I’m going to visit some friends at church, go to a cookout then go to a concert in the evening. Then home to get ready for Monday, joy! I’m not sure what else is going on yet this week. I’ll keep you all posted.

Later,
- JM

Spots

Published
by
John
on July 14, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

There is a saying that goes, “A leopard can’t change its spots.”

I never really stopped to think about the phrase and haven’t used it for quite some time. The other day, as always, as I was doing something that was completely unrelated to blogging, a post began to form in my mind.

We all associate this phrase with a negative connotation that, bluntly, people can’t/don’t change. Then I began to think about those people in my life who I’m glad to find they never changed. As the sea of life drifts us together and then apart again it is always reassuring when we drift back together that those familiar faces are still the same familiar people you remember.

Then you have the other people. The people in your life that you keep around and they’re consistently in your life. Being one who gives everyone the “benefit of the doubt” and multiple chances to be in my life I tend to forget the phrase, “a leopard cannot change its spots.” Then something happens with said people and I’m shaken back to a reality that they were that person they “used to be” all along and yet each time I’m shocked at their behavior and cannot figure out why they are that way.

Then I coincidentally came home and found this song. In going along with the theme I wonder if it is much of a coincidence or if it was a message to me about those people; something for my readers to ponder. So as I used to do many years ago when I began blogging… “I leave you with the lyrics”.

Goodbye
Secondhand Serenade

It’s a shame that it had to be this way
It’s not enough to say I’m sorry
It’s not enough to say I’m sorry

 

Maybe I’m to blame
Or maybe we’re the same
But either way I can’t breathe
Either way I can’t breathe

 

All I had to say is goodbye
We’re better off this way
We’re better off this way

 

I’m alive but I’m losing all my drive
Cause everything were been through
And everything about you
Seemed to be a lie
A guiltless twisted lie
It made me learn to hate you
Or hate myself for letting it pass by

 

All I had to say is goodbye
Were better off this way
Were better off this way
All I had to say is goodbye
Were better off this way
Were better off this way

 

And every, everything isn’t only
What it seemed so hold these
Words that you never told me
Its time to say goodbye
Its time to say goodbye
Its time to say goodbye
Goodbye

 

Bye

 

Night,
-JM 

I can ride my bike with no handlebars

Published
by
John
on July 13, 2008
in General
. 1 Comment

Well, in all reality I can’t ride my bike with no handlebars because I’m just not that balanced. I found a group called “Flobots” on Radio 106.7 and they sing/rap a song called “Handlebars”. I don’t know what caught my attention about the song, something between the lyrics and then the random break-in of the trumpet which you don’t normally hear in a rap song.

So, then Katy let me borrow the CD to listen to and I found some other songs I like so I’m getting the CD. It is the first “rap” music I’ve listened to that actually makes me think and has some pretty deep lyrics. If you’re open to new music styles, go check them out on iTunes.

A lot has been going on in life. I decided to rent out the guest room in my house for additional income (call it my version of a “cost of living raise”… LOL). His name is Joe, moved here from California. He’s beginning to meet my clan of friends and he’s taken to them pretty well so hopefully it will work out in the long run.

I’m going back to RHIIT this week. Weather looks like it might cooperate with me this time. I’ll keep everyone posted on that. Nothing much else going on this week. Some movie premieres this weekend that I think I might try and go. That’s about it really. I’m also working on some web site projects on the side that I need to finish up this week.

Later,
- JM 

Godwinks

Published
by
John
on July 7, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

So, I’m known to be the best person at hiding how I feel. I am one who can laugh and be sad inside. I can show no emotion when inside is nothing short of a myriad of feelings bottled up inside. Lately I’ve been playing this part very well. Carefree and happy when truly I’m dealing with a lot inside. Nothing major but it seems big to me right now. I shared with a friend the other night my feelings and thankfully she quietly listened.

That evening I was speaking a song suddenly came to my mind that I thought was out of place. Wasn’t Christian and here were the lyrics I came upon…

“If I could be like that, I would give anything 
Just to live one day, in those shoes. 
If I could be like that, what would I do? 
What would I do?”

Not really sure what God was trying to tell me there… I went to bed that evening, still awake and still couldn’t sleep because my turmoil finally had come to the top. I looked over and there was a book I purchased quite some time ago when I moved to this house called When God Winks at You by SQuire Rushnell. I wrote about it back when I bought the book and I remember that at the time the book served as a nice reminder that God was there but I had no real “need” for the book at that time in my life.

I picked up the book and began to read, again. Two chapters later I blissfully fell asleep as I had some comfort knowing that God was near. Then I went back to work today. I had a “hard” day to say the least. I drove home and wasn’t sure what emotion I was feeling but it was anything but happy. I called a friend to chat and she thankfully listened to me. I’d be lost without family and friends.

As I got home I couldn’t figure out what I needed to do to calm down and to find some solid ground to stand on. Then I spotted that book again. I gather a radio, Fresca and book and went out to the deck to read. Yes, I’m strange… I listen to music while reading. It’s a personality quirk that I have.

So, as I am reading I am getting more encouraged then I come across a story about music. I always seem to connect the most with music so I paid close attention this story and it featured the song “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”. It quoted a few lines which got me singing the song as I closed the book and headed into the house to come upstairs and download the song so I could listen to it.

Then God decided to step in and hit me with some lyrics I wasn’t prepared for…

His Eye is On the Sparrow
Verse 1

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Verse 2

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Verse 3

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

A little blown away I’ll say. I also must say that God’s at work… as I prayed for some comfort/peace and reassurance I get a text message from another friend that reads:
“You should come up to church this month. It’s my month to sing so at least you will know I’ll be there.”

Amazing how in a moment of weakness that God will provide you some encouragement to say that someone out there was thinking about me as I cried out to God. Thanks God.

That’s my “personal-heart-is-on-a-page” post of the moment. Enjoy.

God Bless,
- JM