Andrew Belle

   It's time for a new music update. Lately I have been wearing out my iPod listening to a new artist by the name of Andrew Belle. He is an indie pop singer/songwriter out of Nashville. And he dropped an new album about a year and a half ago and it was phenomenal! I absolutely love his sound. His music just feels right when you listen to it. By that I mean it's fresh, light and free. He has a real chill vibe to his sound...kind of an acoustic 'smart pop'. He has the kind of record that will make you want to roll your car windows down and let the cool summer evening wind blow as you drive down the highway listening to his music.
   So quit reading my review and check out his stuff! 'The Ladder' has got to be one my favorites of his. Trust me you will not be disappointed!

C.S. Lewis and my Heart

   I came across a C.S. Lewis quote today that floored me. "When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only person in the world." You see, I have known this truth but I have to admit I don't think I truly understood its significance. 

   My understanding of the truth is this. God unconditionally loves each and every person individually. He loves each and everyone one of us so much that he sent and sacrificed his flesh and blood, Jesus, to die for YOU! That thought absolutely blows my mind. You are not just a number to God. You are a person, a soul that He loves dearly and knows intimately!

   Faith is important in my life. I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. It was and continues to be the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. Its a life altering decision to say the least. I have experienced some amazing highs as well as some heartbreakingly lows in my life.  And through it all God was there with me because of my decision to follow and love his son Jesus with every single part of my heart. When I was hurting and broken God was there to lift me up and comfort me. And at other times God showed me truly how exceptional he is by blessing me with some unbelievably amazing experiences!

 I pray that you make the same decision some day. The decision to follow and love Jesus completely. Its so simple yet such a large decision. Think on it, dwell on it, pray about it and dialogue with me about it. I will be the first to tell you that I don't have all the answers but if you have questions I will give you an honest answer.

-Life as I know it-

Life. It truly inspires me. All facets of it. The good and the bad. So much growth happens in life. I know I am speaking generally here but it is so true. We grow physically, emotionally and most of all spiritually all through out our life. Growth never ends in my opinion.
 Lately I have came to the realization that I have done a lot of growing. Life has thrown me a few curve balls in the past year and I have definitely gone down swinging at some of those curve balls. But I am proud to say that I have learned so much about myself as a result enduring my life's recent trials and struggles. I've been to the point of despair where the only thing that kept me from breaking down was my faith in Christ. He is my rock and has always been and always will be there in all the good and all the bad times. The problem for me is remembering to always turn to him in my good times. For me its easy to turn and cry out to God when you are hurting and suffering. Because I know he is there, I have learned to trust his love for me when I am hurting. But to give Him sincere praise and thanks when life is good is something for me to remember to do. I seem to get lulled into the pattern of life at times and focus on myself and not on God. I need to constantly train myself to focus on God because he created that pattern. He made me, loves me unconditionally and has a great plan for my life.
These are my words. Take them or leave, love them or hate them. But they are me and I will always try to best express who I am and what I feel here in a genuine and honest manner. Peace.

photo by Jamie C. Emerson

Waiting and Wanting

What is it? I seek it.
I desire it. Am I ready for it?
I prepare, I learn, I grow for it.
I remember it and will never forget it.
Pain and death mark it.
Birth and joy heal it.
I feel it.
I want it.
I wait for it.

photo by Jamie C. Emerson

It is what It is

It is what it is.

There is no change.

It is what it is.

There is no name.

Your name, his name, her name.

Accept it, deny it. Why do you question it?

Trust it, believe it, know it, feel it.

Answers, questions.

Days, night.

Similar, opposite.

Is it wrong? Is it right?

Let it out, keep it in?

Express the feeling.

Express the thought.

Let it begin.