this past week, I've had another one of my yearly battles with what a third doctor has called "Gastroenteritis." Lots of weak and upset stomach and other side effects. For whatever reason, I get it pretty strong when I get it, and it knocked me out for a few days here.
Fortunately, it's Saturday night, and I'm at the church finishing tomorrow's sermon. Yeah, I still feel like puke. But I am regaining strength, and thanks to my new pharmaceutical friend - Phenyrgin - I am starting to eat a little more than just the all-Sprite and Soup diet.
Four days of Chicken and Rice soup isn't all that bad, though. It's the Sprite that is starting to wear layers off my tongue. At least it stays in my stomach.
By now, you're wondering why you bothered to drop in on our website, right?
I find inspiration in God. He's given me a wonderful family, a calling and opportunity to serve, lead, and meet new challenges, and a growing desire to learn and learn.
I find inspiration in friends. While preparation for tomorrow's sermon about how faith in Christ is a "Journey we Share" together, I am so grateful that God has brought people into my life - at every single stage of life - to share this incredible, unpredictable, roller-coaster of life we share.
A hearty shout-out to friends who pick up the phone and call. I hate the fact that this sickness I've had made me cancel several meetings with people here this week, and put off a few phone calls I can't wait to make. I cannot wait to catch up.
After a few days out of commission, and now that I'm starting to - or at least really, really WANT to - feel better - it's a fresh reminder of just how great life can and should be. I guess three days with chicken soup and a bucket next to the bed make even the most mundane parts of life seem thrilling.
Tonight, I find inspiration in 80's music. I have to have music on when I study, or when I practice. The kind of music that stirs my heart. Sometimes, it's God music, and sometimes, it's just familiar music that I can listen do without even noticing.
I am not one of those people who believes there is "Christian" music and then there is "secular" music. God can use any song that brings out the good and challenges the evil in life. He doesn't need a Christian label or Michael W. Smith to speak. He can use Journey, Eddie Money, and Corey Hart. It's fine if you only shop at Cornerstone, Berean, or Lifeway - feel free. But there's just as much honest spirituality (sometimes more honest) in the works of U2, Evanescence, and countless others.
My first tape that I ever owned was Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride." I think I also got a 1982 Michael W. Smith tape back then, but it doesn't remind me of my life as an eight year old the way Wilder does.
Another random thought... Don't you have songs that take you places? Take you to a certain time in your life? Take you to certain memories, lessons, challenges, victories in your life?
Is it fair to say that we "need" those kinds of songs?
For better or worse, some songs put me in the mood to write... make me sentimental... you know?
For that reason, I'm considering doing a "Soundtrack" for my life to this point. Pick my top 15 songs of all time, and even make an album cover and all that. Maybe even sell it on eBay (kidding!).
If you did an album like that, what songs would you pick? What would you want them to say about you? Would you pick your current favorites, or your all-time favorites? (Some of you are saying, what a colossal waste of time this would be!) Actually, it could be a great time of self-reflection on who you are and how far you've come.
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By the way, sorry for not updating the blog in a while. I hope there's still a writer inside me somewhere. Always something brewing and festering in my soul. Always something to share. Not because I think I'm worth hearing, but because I want to savor, improve, challenge the way I express myself. Blogging shouldn't feel like a drag. Play 80's music, and the words will come.
Well, I gotta jet. I hear another can of flavorless carbonation calling me. Or is that C&C Music Factory?
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3 comments:
Wow - blogs "brewing and festering in..." your soul? Does Phenyrgin help with that too? Sorry to hear you've been ill. Keep churning out those great sermons buddy. Oops, sorry about the churning. I mean keep coming up with those inspiring messages.
Alright, no more puns about Gastroenteritis. Seriously though dude, seeing something new on your blog is always great and if listening to Hair bands gets your creative juices flowing (sorry, last time I promise) then let the Bon Jovi play on.
It's funny, I'd just told Carey the other day, "listen, when they make the movie of my life after I'm dead and gone, see if you can get Sheryl Crow to do the soundtrack. I think she's got the range. She'll nail it."
"WHEN they make the movie of your life?"
"Right."
"Hhh. Sheryl Crow. Got it."
Carey told me later that she called up Sheryl's agent to check on her availability for the project and wouldn't you know it? Busy!
Jayson's first word was "Eorh"
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