"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes"

Neil Gaiman is a writer in many forms, including novels, comic books, and screenplays. He wrote at least one Doctor Who episode. On his blog in December he wrote this, which is what I need to learn this year and wish I had learned many years ago, since I've always been afraid of making mistakes:
"And for this year, my wish for each of us is small and very simple.

And it's this.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

Good Post by Wes King: Where does my inspiration for writing songs come from?

I read this post by Christian singer/songwriter Wes King today on facebook and wanted to share it with you.

Someone wrote me an email and asked me where my inspiration comes from to write songs. This was my response, thought I'd share it.

Well, it may sound trite, but it comes from knowing God, and the desire to know Him better.
The older I get, the more believable the Gospel becomes to me. I believe that God made us to enjoy what He has made, and Himself. There are countless other reasons, but these two are chief, or first among them.
Have you ever noticed that you have more fun at a sport or subject when you are good at it? You get good at it by practicing, and the more you practice the more you know it. The more you know it the better you are, the better you are the more you enjoy it. Thus, joy in increased by knowledge. Remember the verse "You shall KNOW the truth, and the Truth shall set you free". At the heart of Christianity is a knowing.
Sometimes, no often, you practice football, by not playing football, but by doing something like lifting weights, or watching football films. I've never seen anyone take a set of weights out onto a football field during a game, or old films of football games in the huddle. The weight lifting helps you become stronger over all, the films help you understand the over all game better. Both prepare you for the actual game. The weights, and films are not the ends, they are the means.
It takes faith, study, fellowship, and love to even begin to grasp the ineffable dimensions of God's love. In the end, we have to believe that He made us, and loves us, and understands what we are here for.
When we are amazed by that power and love, then our response is to know, and serve, and please the One who loved us so much that He ransomed us from the wages of our sin, and lifts us from our fallen state.
The further down the road to understanding, and knowing the God who loves us, the more our perceptions increase. Where we once saw a sea of green, we now see beautiful blades of grass, the lines and pattern on each one. We see a beautiful lady bug climbing to reach the top of one of these amazing little designs as ourselves reaching for the heights. We see the poetry in every inch of creation because God is a Poet. We see our actions and choices differently because God is telling a story and we want to play the part He has written for us with honor.
In short, we see the design and it's beauty with more understanding, because we believe that there is a Designer. In seeing deeper down, further in, and higher up we become inspired.
Do you remember when you were young and you drew, what to you at the time, was a master piece? What did you do, hide it? No, you called an urgent emergency meeting of your whole family to behold this creative masterpiece by your hand. I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa had to rush over and be amazed as well. You wanted to share the inspiration, the beauty, the childlike majesty.
This is why I write songs. I want to share the wonder, and be in the wonder. I love seeing someone's eyes open wide, the mouth agape, and the unique sound that only humans make when they are amazed by Seeing something that astounds them. Remember Jesus saying, "if you seek me you will find me". I want to seek that majesty with my own eyes and proclaim it, and the glory of the One who is worthy of our wonder. A good song is just one long, "WOW" that rhymes.
God bless you little sister. I pray this helps you. Go, be inspired to be a light to the world. I'm honored you would ask me.
wes

Evanġeliku: This is My Body ... This is My Blood

Here's a thoughtful blog post by Joseph Mizzi of 'Evangeliku'. My thought is that we should allow for many degrees of understanding ranging from figurative to literal as long as the belief comes from love and faith for our Savior.

Evanġeliku: This is My Body ... This is My Blood: What did our Lord mean when he said, ‘This is my body … this is my blood’? Was he speaking literally or figuratively? It is not my inten...

PROTECT A FREE AND OPEN INTERNET!!!

Visit here to find out more about SOPA and PIPA, "the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the PROTECTIP Act (PIPA) in the U.S. Senate — that, if passed, will harm the free and open Internet. These bills endanger free speech both in the United States and abroad, potentially setting a frightening precedent of Internet censorship for the world." On the link, you can also click to find info to contact your Senators and Congressman. Thank you for your concern!

I Need Thee Every Hour ~ Selah

This hymn keeps coming to mind lately, because often I am forgetful of my own weakness and constant need of God's grace. I try to do things by my own power and understanding, or else I live for my own pleasure and don't remain mindful that I have been called out of this worlds darkness. I need my Good Shepherd every hour, until He comes to gather His flock and lead us to the fold. Remember this with me as we begin this new year.

Channeling my inner Italian: a Fontanini nativity

My Christmas present this year is a Fontanini Italian stable and Holy Family. By 'coincidence' my twin sister decided to get one this year too. We seem to read each other's minds alot and end up doing the same things without knowing it ahead of time. I've been getting in touch with my Italian side lately and enjoying the distinctive artistry of the country of my mother's ancestors.

Mannheim Steamroller - Good King Wenceslas (1984)

Happy St. Stephen's Day! It's good to remember things past because it helps us to put our own lives in perspective. Today is the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, whom we read about in Acts chapter 6 and 7. I also like the story of Good King Wenceslas, just because I like old stories about admirable characters.

While we are safe, pray for those who are not

Please pray for those who are in danger this Christmas and every day, in countries that are not welcoming to Christians.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Re-post for Christmas: "He waters the hills from His upper rooms"

I posted this last year at Christmas time and would like to share it again this year. Be sure to follow the links as well. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Psalm 116

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death

1 I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

3 The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the LORD’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!

Did Leah have 'weak' eyes?

Here's a lovely article doing a word study on the Hebrew words describing Leah in Genesis 29:17. I found it after reading Spurgeon's 'Morning' devotional for Tuesday on biblegateway.com. After reading it, I googled 'Did Leah have weak eyes?' and found the article I mentioned above. I love this part: "Saying that she had "weak eyes" is a term of praise for her, since her greatest fear was to be forced to undergo an arranged marriage with Esau, and therefore she wept and wept to be the mother of the righteous.... God saw her tears -- and made her the most fruitful of the four matriarchs of Israel." Leah wanted to be 'the mother of the righteous' rather than bear children to the rebel Esau. God blessed her for that desire.

Phil Wickham - Evermore

This is such a beautiful song of worship by Phil Wickham, on his new Christmas cd. Ooh, neat. On youtube one of the commenters told us this song was originally written by Aurelius Prudentius in the 5th century. I looked it up, and the lyrics are changed slightly, but it's recognizable as the same hymn. I love it!

The Means of Grace: Bob Burridge of Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies

Pastor Bob Burridge has a new post up about 'The Means of Grace'. It looks very good, so I'm posting this to help me remember to read it asap :) Enjoy!

Downhere - Let Me Rediscover You (Official Music Video)

Another good one. Sometimes I don't have any words, but God gives us songs to express our pain and longing.

Busted Heart - For king & Country

I heard this today, and it was pretty much what I feel like right now. Thank you, Lord for always being there and showing that You understand, and that others understand too.

Bob Burridge of Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies: Wrong Desires

Bob Burridge of Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies has a good message posted called 'Wrong Desires' that is very helpful. Even though I'm not a Calvinist, I enjoy many things that Calvinists write. Bob Burridge lives in Florida, and was my science and Bible teacher in middle school. I didn't agree with him on everything, since my dad had already studied old earth theories and Calvinism and rejected both, but I greatly respected him and learned alot from him.

Update on my dad

My dad is much better after a week of antibiotics. His symptoms are almost gone now, and he seems to be feeling almost normal again. He has one more week of antibiotics to take, which will hopefully eradicate anything that's left in his system. Thank you again to all who prayed for him.

Prayer request for my dad

Please pray for my dad, Arch Nelson. My mom just called and told me she's taking my dad to the emergency room, and my brother and sister, who both live nearby, are going with her. My dad has a 102.7 fever, a rash on his chest and arms, and a sharp pain in his neck that comes and goes. He hasn't been feeling well for a few days, and my mom said he had gotten bit by a tick last week while they were on vacation in Florida. Please pray for my dad and my family, that the doctors would find out quickly what is wrong, and for healing and peace. My dad is a believer, and he's 76 years old. UPDATE: My dad is doing okay though still not feeling well. He's at home, and the doctors have given him an antibiotic for tick related diseases. They believe it is a mild form of Lyme disease which should be cured by the medication. Thanks to all who are praying for him.

Our War with Sin: Pastor Bob Burridge

Pastor Bob Burridge of Genevan Institute for Reformed Studies has a new post up called 'Our War with Sin'. Very helpful for some struggles I'm going through right now.

180 Movie Changes Opinions From Pro-Abortion to Pro-Life

Here's a documentary by Ray Comfort designed to get people to think about the sanctity of human life, what they really believe about it, and especially what God says about it.