It's Wednesday night, the snow is all but gone (and this makes me a little sad), outside it reached a balmy 15 degrees C and I seemed to have finally mastered chord progressions 1-5 in the key of E Major.
I never would have thought keeping up to date with all this blogging would be so difficult. Why I thought coming to America would mean I would be any less busy is beyond me but hey.
So what has happened since January 5th? Aside from the one newsletter I sent out about a month back and some serious character wake up calls quite a bit. Where to start, where to begin, where to place the best foot forward and take a trip down memory lane to recount these happenings?
I could start at the beginning by telling you what has been going on at the school, what God has been teaching me, challenging me on and encouraging me in. I could start with the myriad of social activities I have been involved in of late (the numerous late night sledding trips, the green river, the cheese castles)or I could start with the fact I have had some of the strangest dreams I have ever had the great fortune to enjoy lately.
Well, I am going to start with the dreams, that way if you are really interested in what I have to say you will read on...
Now I have been dreaming a lot in colour recently and of the three dreams that come to mind the one that really sticks out involved me selling an old bmx for the princely sum of 519 dollars 86 cents. Why so specific? Well the guy who bought it did so because he broke his, I wasnt sure if I could sell him the bike because I had a sneaking suspicion that someone else had a controlling stake in it. I figured it would be fine though and sold him the bike. I only did so because I knew I could borrow my host family's bike. Very very strange. I have had other dreams that I won't go into, they are even weirder. I wish I knew why I dreamt this way. Probably the musings of an overactive imagination!
So what has been going on at the school? Aside from everything ramping up big time and the workload at times feeling quite overwhelming (partly due to having to redo an entire ear training chapter which was 3 months work...which we were given two weeks to do)it has been phenomenal. I have known God speak to me really clearly about several things. The most important subject for me has been his presence. What it means for things to come out of the secret place, how his presence changes things. I would like to expound on that more but it is something I am still trying to get my head around. Even today in reading the gospel of Mark there is a portion of the first chapter which is in verse 35-38 which almost seems out of place. The whole chapter is basically about Jesus doing miracle after miracle but this little section talks about how even Jesus had to find a quiet place alone from everyone. It says he awoke while it was still dark to pray. He continually sought the father and was continually filled and strengthened to go about the work he was doing. It struck me if Jesus needed to do this at the beginning of the day how much more do we need to do it. The other thing was that the Father didnt tell Jesus exactly what was going to happen that day but he was empowered to move when he heard his father speak, He continued to make Himself attentive to the Father's voice. He spent time in the presence of the Father cultivating intimacy, seeking the Father's will so when it came time to act he was ready. He recognised the need to do this and this is Jesus! How much more so us.
God has been challenging my character a lot recently. Character, motive, gifting and humility. We have been reading a book called Humility by Andrew Murray and it has to be one of the most difficult books to read, not because the words are long or because it is written like on of Paul's letters to the churches (which have sentences that are longer than all three Lord of the Rings extended editions put together) but because the content is so challenging. Really delving into what pride is was a shock and this book and what God has been showing me is that I am full of it. Thanks to the grace of God I know this is getting less and less as I continually have to die to myself. I am not there yet but he who has started a work in me will finish it. Hallelujah for that I tell thee! We have also been working through God's Lavish Grace by Terry Virgo, who incidentally spoke at one of our meetings a couple of weeks back...the guys is a model of humility and a huge inspiration! This book is phenomenal and makes me want to cry at just how good God is, what it means to be truly justified and how grace is outworked in our lives. This in addition to Tozer's pursuit of God and we have on this school and arsenal of formidable texts that have so much wisdom and insight contained within their pages it is just incredible.
These books in addition to Spiritual Leadership have really caused me to think and repent about the way I have carried myself and what it means to be someone of good character. I am so thankful that God is showing me the path to achieve these things and that it all begins with humility.
So in terms of the 'fun stuff' which, actually all of the above has been, I have been a busy busy chap. I love sledding. I love the snow. We have tackled some big hills, tames some steep sites and got stuck in various snow drifts. The one incident that comes to mind is when the school took a trip to northern michigan (forgive me for not writing in caps but I am feeling lazy) to visit a church with links to the school. Five days in the middle of nowhere with the most hospitable people you are ever likely to meet. Aside from the home-cooking which was out of this world and being beaten at chess by my Indian friend Lalu who for some reason doesn't sleep at night there were some memories that were made.
Picture if you will a brit and Indian and an American driving a 4x4 owned by a German couple. Yep, you got it, all the ingredients for a bad joke! Well it was a dark cold monday night and we were leading at a homegroup out in the sticks about 15 miles from civilization. We three jumped in the truck, programmed the GPS and off we trotted...halfway across the county. We turned left to go up the road that would eventually (or so we thought) lead us to our destination... This road was a seasonal road and 0.7 miles from our desitnation the snow on the road went from being a foot deep to about 4 foot deep and we needless to say we got stuck. I am trying to dig us out with an ice scraper, the Indian is taking photos and the American girl is in the truck trying to keep warm, thank the Lord she had a phone otherwise we would be in deep trouble. We had to get towed out in the end as the snow was right up under the chassis. Memories were made that night for sure.
Well I am tired, I have written a lot. I am planning another newsletter soon and so keep your peepers peeled for that. I look forward to sharing in person what God has been teaching me this year both spiritually and practically and I hope what I have learned will be a benefit to y'all.
Until then, please keep in touch. As much as I am sure you want to know what is happening here I want to hear from you.
Over and out. Roger Roger, what's the vector Victor, do we have clearance Clarence?
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Tuesday 5 January 2010
So two months on...
I can't believe it has been two months since my last blog. Yes I have been busy but I know there are some people that would really like to know what I have been up too.
Since Novemeber the months have flown by (all two of them) and the school has been getting more and more intense which is great. I have been learning a lot of head knowledge stuff but up until now I don't feel I have changed a great deal. This is not normally the case when you give up a year of your life to pursue God and learn more about him. One thing I have seen in my own life is how much pride,selfishness and self-centredness I have. How I can talk my way out of situations and appear to have everything together when I really don't. I have always been very good at putting on a smile and cracking a joke. One thing I have been praying for this year is noticeable change in my life; to become a man of true humility, true character and one fully given over to pursuing a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
It is so easy to get caught up in motives and chasing purpose in and for the kingdom as opposed to chasing the person of Christ. I have a lot of very good friendships but few deep relationships. I could count on one hand (or even half of one hand) the people that really know me. I have always wondered what it means to go deeper in Christ and in relationship with him. Spending more time in the word is key and memorising scripture and reciting it to yourself. It awakens the soul and I want to be feeding myself with this.
I am so hungry for God to literally tear me to pieces so he can shape me and mould me in his image and likeness. I am not my own I have been bought with a price (corinthians 6:20) I want to be fully committed to the things of him and I know in myself I can be lazy, have a tendency to get by or have the ability to say the right things...
God's thoghts are higher than mine and his ways are not my ways. With this truth in mind it is astonishing to know that he desires relationship with us.
Having started Tozer's The Pursuit of God it explains that before man can think a right thought of God there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him. Before we could seek God he must have sought us first! This has been amazing to me and even though I had heard it a thousand times before I guess I never really understood the person of God. I want to develop this more and I know it is not something I will find in 6 months, it will be a continual search, however it is a journey I am excited to undertake no matter what the cost.
In other news Christmas was great and I have a wonderful host family who made me feel so blessed to be a part of their time together. New Year was great as well, so many people and so little time.
I am not one for new year resolutions aside from the purpose to be more focused this year and unrelenting in my search for Him. If it hurts it hurts but his joy will be my strength, nothing can rob me of this.
Since Novemeber the months have flown by (all two of them) and the school has been getting more and more intense which is great. I have been learning a lot of head knowledge stuff but up until now I don't feel I have changed a great deal. This is not normally the case when you give up a year of your life to pursue God and learn more about him. One thing I have seen in my own life is how much pride,selfishness and self-centredness I have. How I can talk my way out of situations and appear to have everything together when I really don't. I have always been very good at putting on a smile and cracking a joke. One thing I have been praying for this year is noticeable change in my life; to become a man of true humility, true character and one fully given over to pursuing a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
It is so easy to get caught up in motives and chasing purpose in and for the kingdom as opposed to chasing the person of Christ. I have a lot of very good friendships but few deep relationships. I could count on one hand (or even half of one hand) the people that really know me. I have always wondered what it means to go deeper in Christ and in relationship with him. Spending more time in the word is key and memorising scripture and reciting it to yourself. It awakens the soul and I want to be feeding myself with this.
I am so hungry for God to literally tear me to pieces so he can shape me and mould me in his image and likeness. I am not my own I have been bought with a price (corinthians 6:20) I want to be fully committed to the things of him and I know in myself I can be lazy, have a tendency to get by or have the ability to say the right things...
God's thoghts are higher than mine and his ways are not my ways. With this truth in mind it is astonishing to know that he desires relationship with us.
Having started Tozer's The Pursuit of God it explains that before man can think a right thought of God there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him. Before we could seek God he must have sought us first! This has been amazing to me and even though I had heard it a thousand times before I guess I never really understood the person of God. I want to develop this more and I know it is not something I will find in 6 months, it will be a continual search, however it is a journey I am excited to undertake no matter what the cost.
In other news Christmas was great and I have a wonderful host family who made me feel so blessed to be a part of their time together. New Year was great as well, so many people and so little time.
I am not one for new year resolutions aside from the purpose to be more focused this year and unrelenting in my search for Him. If it hurts it hurts but his joy will be my strength, nothing can rob me of this.
Saturday 7 November 2009
Noah's Ark - National Geographic Special
It's my first proper day off in about four or five weeks. I have been doing something school or church related every day since then and I must admit I am pleased to have a break.
So what have I done. After waking up at around 8am and thinking it was around 11am I have realised that the affable lie in to which I have been so accustomed to over the years is slowly ebbing away. I wonder if I shall ever return to lay a zzz offering at the feet of St Mattress ever again. All signs point to yes but not anytime soon.
I also discovered this morning the empty front room in the house which has recently been refloored with a tasty laminate is also the most incredible room to play guitar and sing in as the natural reverb is wonderful. I will have to make the most of this until it becomes habitable.
Following this and a handful of tortilla chips I have taken the time to write this blog and watch a documentary on Noah's Ark and how they feel some of the scientific facts of the great flood played out. We all know there was a lot of rain, 40 days and nights worth but we get that in the UK and then some. They talk about the seas were rising, in particular the Mediterranean and the affect this had on the Black Sea (apparently a third of the size it is now). The Med flowed through the Bosphorous and carved a channel which pushed the water through at a speed of around 60mph, the amount of water flowing through was 200 times that which flows over Niagra. The Bosphorous split open and water from the Med raged through.
Why am I explaining this? Not sure but I find it immensely interesting. Especially seeing as before this there was no such thing as rain. I think it just goes to demonstrate the awesome power of God in all things.
So what's been going on over here in the USA? Some rain, no snow and today some sunshine. At this current moment of time I have a black labrador putting its head on my knee next to my laptop screen, it wants attention, it always wants attention. If I acknowledge it then it won't leave me alone for another half an hour.
School has been really good this week, there doesn't feel like any particular reason stands out. it has just been a great week. Everyone is really growing and the honeymoon period is certainly over on the school which I am actually pleased about as the real side of people is coming out.
We have been going through a book called Exploring Worship and we are about 3 chapters in at the moment and it is certainly thought provoking and challenging. I think the hardest thing to write about is how I feel I am growing and what I am learning as it so gradual and it's difficult to really describe what is going on inside. Am I the same person, yes. Have I been challenged, yes. Have I grown, I am sure I have. Others would probably be able to point out how.
I am getting a lot from the bible reading we have been doing every day. We have to read about 6 chapters a day; 3 old testament, 1 psalm/proverb and a couple new testament. In doing so we are required to get a revelation and a way of applying this. In truth I have struggled a bit with this. Not so much the revelation because God's word is living and breathing and I have read things in a new way that I had previously read a thousand times before (well maybe not a thousand but you get the idea). Something really stuck out in Psalm 18 to me, not so much a verse but more a theme. When we cry out to God in times of trouble, not only does he hear us but he moves heaven and earth to help us.
6In my M)">(M)distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice N)">(N)out of His temple,
And my O)">(O)cry for help before Him came into His ears.
7Then the P)">(P)earth shook and quaked;
And the Q)">(Q)foundations of the mountains were trembling
And were shaken, because He was angry.
8Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
And R)">(R)fire from His mouth devoured;
Coals were kindled by it.
9He S)">(S)bowed the heavens also, and came down
With thick T)">(T)darkness under His feet.
10He rode upon a U)">(U)cherub and flew;
And He sped upon the V)">(V)wings of the wind.
11He made W)">(W)darkness His hiding place, X)">(X)His canopy around Him,
Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
12From the Y)">(Y)brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,
Hailstones and Z)">(Z)coals of fire.
13The LORD also AA)">(AA)thundered in the heavens,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
14He AB)">(AB)sent out His arrows, and scattered them,
And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them.
15Then the AC)">(AC)channels of water appeared,
And the foundations of the world were laid bare
At Your AD)">(AD)rebuke, O LORD,
At the blast of the AE)">(AE)breath of Your nostrils.
16He AF)">(AF)sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of AG)">(AG)many waters.
17He AH)">(AH)delivered me from my strong enemy,
And from those who hated me, for they were AI)">(AI)too mighty for me.
18They confronted me in AJ)">(AJ)the day of my calamity,
But AK)">(AK)the LORD was my stay.
19He brought me forth also into a AL)">(AL)broad place;
He rescued me, because AM)">(AM)He delighted in me.
I love this, it just shows me how much God fights for us, as a father he gets angry when his children are in trouble. I'm not a dad but one day i hope to be and I know even now if my children were in trouble I would do everything in my power to help them.
This is one of those things that you can really cling to in times of suffering.
I am writing a lot of songs at the moment, not worship stuff but more allegorical and cryptic. I like the freedom they are giving us to write anything. It is not simply bound to one style. The challenge I have set myself is to write two songs a week if not more. It;s going well so far. Tuesday evenings are given over to it.
While I remember I will be drafting a newsletter soon to let everyone know what is going on. I know people back home are wondering so fear ye not. Patience, patience, patience.
In other news I also love my homegroup out here. What a great bunch of people, hilarious in some ways and just so caring. Everyone is in it together and it's never got to the point where it's just one person carrying everything. I really value this. If I had one word from homegroup it would be 'simplify'. Bit of an in joke but there needs to be an air of mystery for those reading this blog.
I have a sweet beard too, I haven't shaved in nearly a month and it is no shave November so it is going to be precious.
Bye bye
So what have I done. After waking up at around 8am and thinking it was around 11am I have realised that the affable lie in to which I have been so accustomed to over the years is slowly ebbing away. I wonder if I shall ever return to lay a zzz offering at the feet of St Mattress ever again. All signs point to yes but not anytime soon.
I also discovered this morning the empty front room in the house which has recently been refloored with a tasty laminate is also the most incredible room to play guitar and sing in as the natural reverb is wonderful. I will have to make the most of this until it becomes habitable.
Following this and a handful of tortilla chips I have taken the time to write this blog and watch a documentary on Noah's Ark and how they feel some of the scientific facts of the great flood played out. We all know there was a lot of rain, 40 days and nights worth but we get that in the UK and then some. They talk about the seas were rising, in particular the Mediterranean and the affect this had on the Black Sea (apparently a third of the size it is now). The Med flowed through the Bosphorous and carved a channel which pushed the water through at a speed of around 60mph, the amount of water flowing through was 200 times that which flows over Niagra. The Bosphorous split open and water from the Med raged through.
Why am I explaining this? Not sure but I find it immensely interesting. Especially seeing as before this there was no such thing as rain. I think it just goes to demonstrate the awesome power of God in all things.
So what's been going on over here in the USA? Some rain, no snow and today some sunshine. At this current moment of time I have a black labrador putting its head on my knee next to my laptop screen, it wants attention, it always wants attention. If I acknowledge it then it won't leave me alone for another half an hour.
School has been really good this week, there doesn't feel like any particular reason stands out. it has just been a great week. Everyone is really growing and the honeymoon period is certainly over on the school which I am actually pleased about as the real side of people is coming out.
We have been going through a book called Exploring Worship and we are about 3 chapters in at the moment and it is certainly thought provoking and challenging. I think the hardest thing to write about is how I feel I am growing and what I am learning as it so gradual and it's difficult to really describe what is going on inside. Am I the same person, yes. Have I been challenged, yes. Have I grown, I am sure I have. Others would probably be able to point out how.
I am getting a lot from the bible reading we have been doing every day. We have to read about 6 chapters a day; 3 old testament, 1 psalm/proverb and a couple new testament. In doing so we are required to get a revelation and a way of applying this. In truth I have struggled a bit with this. Not so much the revelation because God's word is living and breathing and I have read things in a new way that I had previously read a thousand times before (well maybe not a thousand but you get the idea). Something really stuck out in Psalm 18 to me, not so much a verse but more a theme. When we cry out to God in times of trouble, not only does he hear us but he moves heaven and earth to help us.
6In my M)">(M)distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice N)">(N)out of His temple,
And my O)">(O)cry for help before Him came into His ears.
7Then the P)">(P)earth shook and quaked;
And the Q)">(Q)foundations of the mountains were trembling
And were shaken, because He was angry.
8Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
And R)">(R)fire from His mouth devoured;
Coals were kindled by it.
9He S)">(S)bowed the heavens also, and came down
With thick T)">(T)darkness under His feet.
10He rode upon a U)">(U)cherub and flew;
And He sped upon the V)">(V)wings of the wind.
11He made W)">(W)darkness His hiding place, X)">(X)His canopy around Him,
Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
12From the Y)">(Y)brightness before Him passed His thick clouds,
Hailstones and Z)">(Z)coals of fire.
13The LORD also AA)">(AA)thundered in the heavens,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
14He AB)">(AB)sent out His arrows, and scattered them,
And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them.
15Then the AC)">(AC)channels of water appeared,
And the foundations of the world were laid bare
At Your AD)">(AD)rebuke, O LORD,
At the blast of the AE)">(AE)breath of Your nostrils.
16He AF)">(AF)sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of AG)">(AG)many waters.
17He AH)">(AH)delivered me from my strong enemy,
And from those who hated me, for they were AI)">(AI)too mighty for me.
18They confronted me in AJ)">(AJ)the day of my calamity,
But AK)">(AK)the LORD was my stay.
19He brought me forth also into a AL)">(AL)broad place;
He rescued me, because AM)">(AM)He delighted in me.
I love this, it just shows me how much God fights for us, as a father he gets angry when his children are in trouble. I'm not a dad but one day i hope to be and I know even now if my children were in trouble I would do everything in my power to help them.
This is one of those things that you can really cling to in times of suffering.
I am writing a lot of songs at the moment, not worship stuff but more allegorical and cryptic. I like the freedom they are giving us to write anything. It is not simply bound to one style. The challenge I have set myself is to write two songs a week if not more. It;s going well so far. Tuesday evenings are given over to it.
While I remember I will be drafting a newsletter soon to let everyone know what is going on. I know people back home are wondering so fear ye not. Patience, patience, patience.
In other news I also love my homegroup out here. What a great bunch of people, hilarious in some ways and just so caring. Everyone is in it together and it's never got to the point where it's just one person carrying everything. I really value this. If I had one word from homegroup it would be 'simplify'. Bit of an in joke but there needs to be an air of mystery for those reading this blog.
I have a sweet beard too, I haven't shaved in nearly a month and it is no shave November so it is going to be precious.
Bye bye
Friday 23 October 2009
Where does the time go and what do I occupy it with
Good afternoon,
It's a cold, grey, wet Friday afternoon. Friday's we are done at lunchtime to make time for private guitar lessons (I'll get on to that later). I didn't have one today so I decided to come straight home and catch up on some much needed rest and work.
The last few weeks have been a complete blur, I love it here it feels like home already and I really don't miss the UK at all (sorry guys). The weather here is like British summertime - about 10 degrees C and wet wet wet, I feel it in my fingers and feel it in my toes my shoes are full of holes in which the water flows...time for new shoes (they don't have the ones I like here though).
School has been a real challenge recently which makes me excited as I hate it when things just canter along and you just sit back and take it as it comes. We are in to the proper schedule now, this means ear training, music theory, songwriting, bible review and worship teams have taken hold. I love 95% of the classes (not so much ear training; the singing is good, the melodic dictation is not so good). I have to keep telling myself that music theory is brand new and I don't have to understand it all right away. Ah pride and expectation, when you two get together there is trouble. Pride is like that bad girl your parents warned you about as it leads expectation astray. Bad girl, no. Get behind me Satan McPride. (I am watching supersize me as I write this (I know I should have used captial letters but I don't want to go back and change it).
So what has God been doing with me on the School and what has he been doing with other people? Two themes have been comig out, God wanting us to go deeper and being more specific when we praise and thank him. God is good, true. Why is he good though? Wow, ok so now I have to think and it alarmed me that at first I couldn't go for five minutes listing why God is good and what I am thankful for. Try it, it's more stretching than it sounds if you have never done it before. Thankfully now God has been revealing to me so much of his character and his goodness, mostly through the word!
Ok so lets take a day in the life here on the school, my days have been getting a lot longer thanks to my new early morning schedule of workout...
Here goes.
5am - Get up, throw on some clothes and go to the basement. Work out for 45 minutes to one hour. Hard work but I am really enjoying it (this week has been a bit lax though)
6 am - shower and quiet time/homework
7 am - Get ready to leave for school
7:30 am get picked up for school.
8:00 am - school starts with 40 mins to 1 hour of worship. At first this was really exciting but some days have been really hard. One of the amazing things about God is that he doesn't change, no matter how I am feeling God does not change. He is still worthy, he is still Holy. The same God who spoke to Moses through the Burning Bush, the same God who met Isaiah when he was in despair following the death of the King, the same God as the God of David, the same God who gave revelation to Martin Luther, the same God who gave David Griffiths the song There Is. The same God who will provide and speak to my grandchildren and their grandchildren (provided He doesn't return before then) the same God...well you get the idea!
8:50 - classes start, my favourite day is Tuesday. Our first class is Exploring Worship where we are working through one of the most indepth and informative books on the subject of worship. More on that in a later blog.
At 9:40 we get a break. I might grab a cup of tea/coffee or maybe go for a swift number two if I so feel the need.
9:50 - Worship ensemble teams. Basically this is an arrangement class. We learn a new song each week, one we have never heard before. We have to arrange it, discussing parts, what instruments play when and where, what they lyrical content of the song is and how that affects the arrangement. I love this class, it's one of my favourites.
11:40 - lunch, nom nom nom, people in the church cook for us on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Delicious times indeed.
12:25 - two hours of songwriting class - this is more theory based with a view to equipping us with the tools to develop our songwriting. I have set myself the task of writing two songs a week which is going pretty well.
2:30 worship teams - this is where we get split into teams and work on our arrangements or spend time worshipping together. I miss the Bosh boys back home, 5-6 years of playing together has developed a real musical and spiritual understanding so playing with some of the guys on the school is tough, they aren't you Dave, Mike, Grant and James (and Felix) It is really stretching but I am sure it will be a place of real growth and I have to be careful to actually be teachable as opposed to proud and think I know the answer. I can learn a lot from my fellow students, one heck of a lot.
Other days have more bible focused classes, already we have read through Luke, Acts, Leviticus, Genesis, Exodus and most of Hebrews. We are working through Romans at the moment. It took us 2 hours to get throught the first chapter the other day (some of the students are sloooow readers [jokes])
In other news I saw Mutemath in Chicago last week, oh my freakin' word it was possibly the best show I have ever been too. Great band, great city and great people to go with.
If I had to say three of the most singularly defining words on the school this year I would say
MORE
RECEIVE (said in French accent)
BUTTCRACK
Until next time.
Kiss?
No?
Good!
It's a cold, grey, wet Friday afternoon. Friday's we are done at lunchtime to make time for private guitar lessons (I'll get on to that later). I didn't have one today so I decided to come straight home and catch up on some much needed rest and work.
The last few weeks have been a complete blur, I love it here it feels like home already and I really don't miss the UK at all (sorry guys). The weather here is like British summertime - about 10 degrees C and wet wet wet, I feel it in my fingers and feel it in my toes my shoes are full of holes in which the water flows...time for new shoes (they don't have the ones I like here though).
School has been a real challenge recently which makes me excited as I hate it when things just canter along and you just sit back and take it as it comes. We are in to the proper schedule now, this means ear training, music theory, songwriting, bible review and worship teams have taken hold. I love 95% of the classes (not so much ear training; the singing is good, the melodic dictation is not so good). I have to keep telling myself that music theory is brand new and I don't have to understand it all right away. Ah pride and expectation, when you two get together there is trouble. Pride is like that bad girl your parents warned you about as it leads expectation astray. Bad girl, no. Get behind me Satan McPride. (I am watching supersize me as I write this (I know I should have used captial letters but I don't want to go back and change it).
So what has God been doing with me on the School and what has he been doing with other people? Two themes have been comig out, God wanting us to go deeper and being more specific when we praise and thank him. God is good, true. Why is he good though? Wow, ok so now I have to think and it alarmed me that at first I couldn't go for five minutes listing why God is good and what I am thankful for. Try it, it's more stretching than it sounds if you have never done it before. Thankfully now God has been revealing to me so much of his character and his goodness, mostly through the word!
Ok so lets take a day in the life here on the school, my days have been getting a lot longer thanks to my new early morning schedule of workout...
Here goes.
5am - Get up, throw on some clothes and go to the basement. Work out for 45 minutes to one hour. Hard work but I am really enjoying it (this week has been a bit lax though)
6 am - shower and quiet time/homework
7 am - Get ready to leave for school
7:30 am get picked up for school.
8:00 am - school starts with 40 mins to 1 hour of worship. At first this was really exciting but some days have been really hard. One of the amazing things about God is that he doesn't change, no matter how I am feeling God does not change. He is still worthy, he is still Holy. The same God who spoke to Moses through the Burning Bush, the same God who met Isaiah when he was in despair following the death of the King, the same God as the God of David, the same God who gave revelation to Martin Luther, the same God who gave David Griffiths the song There Is. The same God who will provide and speak to my grandchildren and their grandchildren (provided He doesn't return before then) the same God...well you get the idea!
8:50 - classes start, my favourite day is Tuesday. Our first class is Exploring Worship where we are working through one of the most indepth and informative books on the subject of worship. More on that in a later blog.
At 9:40 we get a break. I might grab a cup of tea/coffee or maybe go for a swift number two if I so feel the need.
9:50 - Worship ensemble teams. Basically this is an arrangement class. We learn a new song each week, one we have never heard before. We have to arrange it, discussing parts, what instruments play when and where, what they lyrical content of the song is and how that affects the arrangement. I love this class, it's one of my favourites.
11:40 - lunch, nom nom nom, people in the church cook for us on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Delicious times indeed.
12:25 - two hours of songwriting class - this is more theory based with a view to equipping us with the tools to develop our songwriting. I have set myself the task of writing two songs a week which is going pretty well.
2:30 worship teams - this is where we get split into teams and work on our arrangements or spend time worshipping together. I miss the Bosh boys back home, 5-6 years of playing together has developed a real musical and spiritual understanding so playing with some of the guys on the school is tough, they aren't you Dave, Mike, Grant and James (and Felix) It is really stretching but I am sure it will be a place of real growth and I have to be careful to actually be teachable as opposed to proud and think I know the answer. I can learn a lot from my fellow students, one heck of a lot.
Other days have more bible focused classes, already we have read through Luke, Acts, Leviticus, Genesis, Exodus and most of Hebrews. We are working through Romans at the moment. It took us 2 hours to get throught the first chapter the other day (some of the students are sloooow readers [jokes])
In other news I saw Mutemath in Chicago last week, oh my freakin' word it was possibly the best show I have ever been too. Great band, great city and great people to go with.
If I had to say three of the most singularly defining words on the school this year I would say
MORE
RECEIVE (said in French accent)
BUTTCRACK
Until next time.
Kiss?
No?
Good!
Saturday 26 September 2009
Saturday, saturday, saturdaaaaaaay.
I have been crazy busy of late and under the weather in a really strange way. Things are incredible here and I am learning so much.
The days and the weeks are going by very very quickly it feels like only yesterday I blogged but looking at the date it appears to be two weeks ago. Apologies to anyone I have still yet to email back I will get around to it soon. I leave for school (sounds very strange) at half 7 in the morning and I have been getting home around 6pm so the days have been pretty long.
We have been going through church structures, bible review (have already read through Genesis this month) and I am being stretched and challenged which feels great. I also started guitar lessons with the sickest guitarist, I just want to cry at how good he is but already I have improved on the ol' six string wonder sound creator.
Every morning starts with around 45 mins of worship which has been really good and really hard (depending on the morning). This has been a real challenge as we are learning about Praise. When you think you know something and your viewpoints are both supported and challenged it is really encouraging. I love the fact we can sometimes say 'this is MY way of praising'.....uh uh uh. There is only one way of praising and that is God's way. It is amazing how directive the bible is on this fact. Praise is all about extoling HIM and bringing him thanks. Praise has to be heard. The times of the sitting down head in hands whispery whispery praise are over. Praise is one way! I would love to expand on this point further but it has been blowing my mind.
On a different note I went to see a band in chicago last week called Sleeping at Last, possibly one of the best shows I have been too. It was so intimate and laid back. The addition of the string quartet was phenomenal.
I have the house to myself at the moment as my host family are out and I am taking the time to watch spinal tap. No more needs to be said.
Well, I am trying to think of things to write that are of interest but my mind feels like mush at the moment. I need some breakfast and a cup of earl grey tea.
Yesssssssssss.
The days and the weeks are going by very very quickly it feels like only yesterday I blogged but looking at the date it appears to be two weeks ago. Apologies to anyone I have still yet to email back I will get around to it soon. I leave for school (sounds very strange) at half 7 in the morning and I have been getting home around 6pm so the days have been pretty long.
We have been going through church structures, bible review (have already read through Genesis this month) and I am being stretched and challenged which feels great. I also started guitar lessons with the sickest guitarist, I just want to cry at how good he is but already I have improved on the ol' six string wonder sound creator.
Every morning starts with around 45 mins of worship which has been really good and really hard (depending on the morning). This has been a real challenge as we are learning about Praise. When you think you know something and your viewpoints are both supported and challenged it is really encouraging. I love the fact we can sometimes say 'this is MY way of praising'.....uh uh uh. There is only one way of praising and that is God's way. It is amazing how directive the bible is on this fact. Praise is all about extoling HIM and bringing him thanks. Praise has to be heard. The times of the sitting down head in hands whispery whispery praise are over. Praise is one way! I would love to expand on this point further but it has been blowing my mind.
On a different note I went to see a band in chicago last week called Sleeping at Last, possibly one of the best shows I have been too. It was so intimate and laid back. The addition of the string quartet was phenomenal.
I have the house to myself at the moment as my host family are out and I am taking the time to watch spinal tap. No more needs to be said.
Well, I am trying to think of things to write that are of interest but my mind feels like mush at the moment. I need some breakfast and a cup of earl grey tea.
Yesssssssssss.
Saturday 12 September 2009
First week is over...
It seems like ages since I have last blogged and let people know what is going on in the lovely city of Kenosha.
So school started on Tuesday and it has been a crazy few days, amazing things have been happening. Simply hearing each students testimony and back story has been pretty incredible.
Knowing that this is completely the right place to be has also been a major encouragement. I can't recall ever feeling this much peace about being in one place as I do here.
I have been feeling pretty sick the last couple of days though, not sure if I have picked up a virus; some sort of freshers flu or what but it has been a bit annoying to say the least.
The guys here are great, I didn't think we would bond as a group so quickly but we seem to have gelled well so that's a blessing.
In terms of things to do out here in Wisconsin, well there is the coffee shop by the lake which does a mighty rootbeer float and great coffee, there are the music stores (apologies to kelly and becky for what happened in said music store) and apparently there is a historical house (buily in 1915) which contains a tour about the history of barbed wire. This is a must!
It strikes me as something that both Felix and myself would enjoy greatly. Incidentally I am missing the football here and have been looking for updates on the scores. Arsenal are 1-0 down to Man City and in true Gunner's fashion it is an embarrasing own goal that has caused us to fall behind. This isn't happening on Football Manager, I am doing pretty well on FM.
I have seen some cheap effects pedals out here, temptation is nearly taking hold, for those of you who know what a Fulltone OCD is I can pick one up out here for around £70 which is pretty nuts. I also spent 1000 dollars on a mesa boogie rectoverb... not for me but for my friend Tom. It's ok he paid me back straight away though. The only trouble is I now want it because it is really nice and is a third of the cost we would pay for it in the UK. Everything else here seems similar to UK prices though.
More to follow on the course and what we are doing but at the moment I am still trying to process everything. God is doing some amazing work in people and the freedom we are experiencing out here is like nothing I have experienced before. Long may it continue.
Matt
So school started on Tuesday and it has been a crazy few days, amazing things have been happening. Simply hearing each students testimony and back story has been pretty incredible.
Knowing that this is completely the right place to be has also been a major encouragement. I can't recall ever feeling this much peace about being in one place as I do here.
I have been feeling pretty sick the last couple of days though, not sure if I have picked up a virus; some sort of freshers flu or what but it has been a bit annoying to say the least.
The guys here are great, I didn't think we would bond as a group so quickly but we seem to have gelled well so that's a blessing.
In terms of things to do out here in Wisconsin, well there is the coffee shop by the lake which does a mighty rootbeer float and great coffee, there are the music stores (apologies to kelly and becky for what happened in said music store) and apparently there is a historical house (buily in 1915) which contains a tour about the history of barbed wire. This is a must!
It strikes me as something that both Felix and myself would enjoy greatly. Incidentally I am missing the football here and have been looking for updates on the scores. Arsenal are 1-0 down to Man City and in true Gunner's fashion it is an embarrasing own goal that has caused us to fall behind. This isn't happening on Football Manager, I am doing pretty well on FM.
I have seen some cheap effects pedals out here, temptation is nearly taking hold, for those of you who know what a Fulltone OCD is I can pick one up out here for around £70 which is pretty nuts. I also spent 1000 dollars on a mesa boogie rectoverb... not for me but for my friend Tom. It's ok he paid me back straight away though. The only trouble is I now want it because it is really nice and is a third of the cost we would pay for it in the UK. Everything else here seems similar to UK prices though.
More to follow on the course and what we are doing but at the moment I am still trying to process everything. God is doing some amazing work in people and the freedom we are experiencing out here is like nothing I have experienced before. Long may it continue.
Matt
Saturday 5 September 2009
Jet lag, I thought I had beaten you but no.
Well. as I write this I am lying in bed, probably one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in! It's quarter past two in the afternoon and before you say I am lazy I am looking at the time according to my laptop which has yet to adjust to USA time, it's so slow think it's time to upgrade to a mac... now to find someone to buy me a mac.
It's actually about quarter past 8 in the morning here and I have been awake for a couple of hours, I have bigger bags under my eyes than I ever thought possible and I am still not married, been here for two days now and I think the brochure has lied to me. These Christian year out programs are meant to supply you with a spouse on arrival, or so I have been led to believe.
The rootbeer I have been delighting in has so far been a highlight. I have discovered I actually hate the fast food here, I feel so richly blessed to feel this way. My host family are into their fruit and veg in a big way and I couldn't be happier, I may actually come back thinner as a result.
Last night we had a meet and greet cook out where I met the guys I am to spend the next 9-10 months with, it is going to be a really good year.
The transition from UK to USA has been seamless so far, except for the tiredness but hopefully I will get over this soon. Everyone here is really friendly and this has made a massive difference. The hardest thing is going to be realising I can't just pop home for the weekend, that and missing the band.
I have discovered a new American band called Weaver at the Loom, very tasty indeed. Also loving the new athlete album too, it;s incredible.
Bye for now, check out my puppies. Today's is a beaut.
It's actually about quarter past 8 in the morning here and I have been awake for a couple of hours, I have bigger bags under my eyes than I ever thought possible and I am still not married, been here for two days now and I think the brochure has lied to me. These Christian year out programs are meant to supply you with a spouse on arrival, or so I have been led to believe.
The rootbeer I have been delighting in has so far been a highlight. I have discovered I actually hate the fast food here, I feel so richly blessed to feel this way. My host family are into their fruit and veg in a big way and I couldn't be happier, I may actually come back thinner as a result.
Last night we had a meet and greet cook out where I met the guys I am to spend the next 9-10 months with, it is going to be a really good year.
The transition from UK to USA has been seamless so far, except for the tiredness but hopefully I will get over this soon. Everyone here is really friendly and this has made a massive difference. The hardest thing is going to be realising I can't just pop home for the weekend, that and missing the band.
I have discovered a new American band called Weaver at the Loom, very tasty indeed. Also loving the new athlete album too, it;s incredible.
Bye for now, check out my puppies. Today's is a beaut.
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