Waiting Patiently.

There comes a time in everyones college career that one must choose what field of study they want to venture into. I have been told it is very important to choose something you love to do, since that will end up being your job for the rest of your life. (Probably) I have also been told not to rush into it. Take your time, consider all your options, and pick something that “fits” your interests, passions, ect. I, personally, love the “take your time” part. Why? Because the time has come for me to decide. Deciding on major, that is. This may sound easy, but, honestly, I don’t have any idea what I want my major to be.

Way back in the day, in 10th-12th grade, I was sure, positively, without a doubt, what I wanted my major to be. Psychology. This was fine with me, until people started asking me “What can you do with a psychology degree? Are you sure you want to do that?” Uh, yeah. I think so. I had not really given it much thought, honestly. I just thought it sounded “cool”. 

Then, I started thinking. ‘Do I really want to be a psychologist?’ Somewhere along the way, I started feeling not so sure psychology is what I wanted to major in. When I registered for classes in the fall, the question was asked “Do you want to declare a major?” Uh, I don’t know for sure.

“I don’t know” got me a undeclared major. This was fine with me. General Education classes are always good anyways. Since I was leaning toward psychology in the first place, I went ahead and took a general psychology class to try it out, and see if I liked it. I’m currently taking the class, and yes, I do like it.

As I wonder what classes I need to take this next semester, I’m still clueless about what I want to major in. I do like psychology, but I also like other things as well. I’ve been told writing would be something good for me to major in. I’ve also looked at other things such as business management, graphic design, criminal justice, and broadcasting. Looks like for another semester, I’ll be undeclared once again.

Even though I would love to know what I should major in RIGHT NOW, God is teaching me something through this. He is teaching me to WAIT. To wait patiently for Him. He’s also teaching me something else. A few months ago, I had a post titled “Staying Positive in a Negative World.” It was about how college was hard, because it was not where I wanted to be. My dream all along had been to attend FWBBC. But, that didn’t happen. 

God has reminded me of that recently. He has reminded me to wait patiently for Him. He is reminding me to trust in Him, to commit my ways to him, and He will give me the desires of my heart. I came across some verses in Psalm 37 that really hit home for me. After reading these verses, I was reminded, once again to wait patiently for the Lord. I have committed my ways to Him, which means all I can do now is trust, pray, and wait. Hopefully, I will be at FWBBC next fall. If not, that’s okay too. For now, I will pray, and wait patiently. 

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; 
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 4 Delight yourself in the LORD 
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 5 Commit your way to the LORD; 
       trust in him and he will do this

Psalm 37:3-5

Reading between the lyrics?

Music is much more than a rhythm. Much more than a beat. Much more than notes, chords, melodies and harmonies. Music is all the about the lyrics. Rhythm’s, beats, notes, chords, melodies, and harmonies are all important, yes. But, not as important as the lyrics. The lyrics are what bring the song alive. The lyrics give the song meaning. Lyrics define a song. 

I guess this is why I think it’s so important to listen to the lyrics of a song. I’m appalled at some of the lyrics songs have these days. Why would anybody want to listen, and consume their time with that kind of stuff? One thing that really disturbs me is when I hear somebody, who I believe is strong in their faith, listening to music with lyrics that definitely do not pass the “Philippians 4:8″ test. I wonder why they would want to fill their thoughts with stuff such as that. I also wonder if they are as strong as I thought they were in their faith? It makes no sense to me why someone who professes to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would want to listen to songs with some of the worst lyrics I have ever heard. Why they would listen to songs which do not point the way to Christ, but do just the opposite.  

I do not think people today listen, really listen to the lyrics of songs that much. Think about it. What are the lyrics saying? What is the message of the song? What is the song portraying? What is the song putting in your head? Are they good thoughts? Is the song producing encouraging, uplifting, positive thoughts? Or is the song talking about stuff no one should consume their thoughts with? 

I have to admit, I never used to really listen to the lyrics of songs. I would sing the lyrics, and memorize them, but I never really thought to stop and listen. I never took the time to understand what the song was saying. Now, however, I find myself more and more listening to the lyrics. Singing worship songs in church on Sunday morning has taken on new meaning since I have started listening to the lyrics. Instead of just singing “good songs”, these songs are taking on meaning for me. These songs are making sense. “Hitting home” if you will.

Try listening to the lyrics of your favorite songs for one week. What is the song saying? What is it portraying? Is the song saying something you would want to consume your thoughts with?

But don’t just rush through the lyrics. Take time to really listen. Take time to think about it. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Top 25 Most Played Songs

This is a random post. I really like music, and love listening to music. With this in mind, I thought I would post the top 25 most played songs in my iTunes right now. (I’m a big fan of the new iTunes with the Genius sidebar, by the way.)  But, anyways, here are my top 25 most played songs according to iTunes (Name of song, Artist, Album, # of times played):
(1). Draw Me Close- Michael W. Smith, Worship, 28

(2). Slow Fade-Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door, 23

(3). You’ll Always Be My Best Friend-Relient K, The Bird And The Bee Sides, 22

(4). The Word Is Alive-Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door, 21

(5). Carol Ann-Michael W. Smith, Freedom,  21

(6). The Fox-Nickel Creek,YouTube, 21

(7). The Altar and the Door-Casting Crowns,The Altar and the Door, 20

(8). Beaming-Relient K,The Bird And The Bee Sides, 20

(9). Mood Rings-Relient K Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right…But Three Do, 20

(10). Kryptonite,-3 Doors Down, The Better Life Rock, 20

(11). Prayer for a Friend,-Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door,  19

(12). Hear Us from Heaven-Community Of Faith, I’m Alive, 19

(13). Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)-Green Day International Superhits!,  19

(14). Do I Make You Proud-Taylor Hicks, Do I Make You Proud / Takin’ It to the Streets ,  18

(15). The Lighthouse’s Tale-Nickel Creek,YouTube, 17

(16). Finally Home-MercyMe, All That Is Within Me, 15

(17). Hey There Delilah-Plain White T’s All That We Needed,  15

(18). Banner Man-Steve Taylor, YouTube, 15

(19). What This World Needs-Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door,  14

(20). Somewhere In the Middle-Casting Crowns,The Altar and the Door,  14

(21). At Least We Made It This Far-Relient K, The Bird And The Bee Sides, 14

(22). The Great Adventure-Steven Curtis Chapman, YouTube, 14

(23). The Power of the Cross-Stuart Townsend YouTube,  14

(24). Graduation-Vitamin C,14

(25). Every Man-Casting Crowns, The Altar and the Door,  13

“17 Kids & Counting”

TLC has a variety of different shows based on families with large numbers of children. (Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kids by the dozen, ect.) I watched one tonight(17 Kids & Counting), and was very impressed. This show is about a family from Fayetteville, Arkansas who has seventeen children with one more on the way. Tonight, they were discussing how the families oldest son, Josh, was engaged to be married.

On the first of the two thirty minutes episodes, Josh was shown engaging to his bride to be (Anna), who is originally from Florida. Josh traveled to Florid and, with hidden cameras set up, proposed to his new bride to be, who of course said “yes.” There were two things about this episode which impressed me. 

First, Josh talked a great deal about how him & his bride to be valued purity, and saving themselves for marriage. So much, the two were even saving their first kiss until their wedding day. That’s something you don’t see on everyday TV. Everywhere they traveled, they had “chaperones” with them, just to make sure nothing happened.  

Second, Josh & Anna, along with their chaperones went out to eat. After they had received their food, Josh said “Let’s pray.” They were then shown praying for their food, with other people in the restaurant staring at them. Yes, I know the camera crew probably paid a big part in it, but I wonder if they were also staring because of the fact they were praying? After they had finished praying, one of the chaperones with them said “I don’t think people like to pray in public because they do not like to be held accountable to God. But when I pray in public, or see other people praying in public, it is just like God is right here with me.” Something else you might not hear on everyday TV. 

I’m thankful for people such as the Duggar family, who are not afraid to back down from their faith even if they are on TV. They are not scared of what people might think about them. They stand up for what they believe in. You go, Duggar Family!

“Wildcats Weekend”

I received a e-mail today, about having a “Wildcats Weekend” for the premiere of HSM 3. (High School Musical 3). The movie comes out in theaters on October 24. My brother is crazy about HSM. I was planning on taking him to see the movie anyway, so I checked out the website (http://www.wildcatsweekend.com) and youth pastors can sign up to receive free ministry videos, study guides, ect. It all looked pretty sweet if you ask me. I would encourage any youth pastor/youth leader to check it out! You can visit the website by clicking here or using the link above. After all, just about every one loves HSM! Even youth pastors! Well, mine does at least.

It’s been a while.

I’m not sure how long it’s been, but I know it’s been a while since I last posted. I guess I forget to post, a lot. So anyways, college is well college. It is just the same, as it has always been. I’m still not really liking it, but know its just something that has to be done. I’m just trying to make it through this semester. I still don’t have a car, so I’m having to share with my mom. This means my sleeping in days are limited now. This also means I’m at the church a lot more. Every Monday,Wednesday,Friday I’m usually wondering around the church somewhere. My mom works there on those days, so I have to take her to work and hang out till time for my class. Then I come back and pick her up when she’s done. But I usually get done first, so there is more hang out time.

I’m still learning to be positive. It’s easier some days than others. I’m also still learning not to “wish”. I always find myself saying “I wish I was at FWBBC, I wish this & that.” But that does not help or change anything, so I’m trying to accept what I can not change. 

I think time goes by way faster in college than it did in high school. I can’t believe it is already October. It seems like I just started college yesterday. I thought time went by fast in high school, but in college it goes super fast!