my careless contagion

Disconnected, from Face to Face's 1992 album Don't Turn Away (which is, in my opinion, a perfect punk rock album) is a simply-worded song. The lyrics aren't complicated. The singing is straightforward and predictably angsty and overwrought in typical punk-rock fashion. I saw Face to Face perform a few times. Keep in mind this is a three-piece band. These sounds are coming from three people each playing an instrument. The bass alone is perfect. As a whole, it's profound and simple at the same time and paints a perfect picture of what many people feel at some point in their lives, which is a disconnect from those around them (and maybe even themselves).  Before I go off on a tangent, here are the lyrics.  You don't know a thing about me Is there something that you should know? I can tell you what you want to hear Let your inhibitions just go No you don't know what you will give up You don't know what you want It may take you years to find out You don't kno...

This song doesn't get enough credit, nor does the singer. Michelle Branch is still popular and produces new material. Her personal life is a subject of interest, as she was married to a man many (actually, just me) considered a handler of sorts. It was an odd relationship. She got divorced and married a different man, at one point accusing him of infidelity and slapping him during an argument, ending with her being charged with domestic assault. I'm sorry, but a woman slapping a man because he may or may not have cheated on her? Drop those charges, bro. That's not domestic assault. That little girl couldn't assault an avocado. You're a weenie. But, anyway.  This song was released in early 2002 during a period when music like this was still popular. It almost has a 90s-song feel, which I like. It has angst, good production, some visual effects, and a pretty girl who can actually sing. The song is important because of the subject matter, which involves a couple in a r...

I was at the YMCA when the inspiration for this post landed in my lap. Literally. In the form of a ping pong ball. My son finished soccer camp that day and had swimming lessons that night. And the Y was having a bash of sorts. There was a guy in a jackalope suit (or something like that) and lots of college kids milling about. Free food! My son had the largest hot dog I've ever seen, and I had the pulled pork (which seemed to upset my stomach, but everything does these days). We were chilling out, eating, when the kids playing ping pong started to catch my eye. The boy was dressed in his baseball uniform and was hitting the ball way too hard, sending it across the room several times (and many times where we sat). The girl was having a ball and was so pretty with her big smile and even bigger curly hair. And then he hit her in the face with the ball. She was silent (the unfortunate among us know that silence) and then she threw down her paddle and grabbed the ball and threw it at him...

Thanks for once again stopping by this space and reading my thoughts. This is part two of what a godly marriage should look like. I am by no means an authority on the subject, but I do like thinking about it. First, the verses, and then I will hopefully expound upon it.  22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ...

Written several weeks ago, this post still holds true. I waited for a good time to post it, but I don't even know what that means. So, this is as good of a time as any. I'm working on part two, which takes some verses from Ephesians. I'd like to marry again someday. Sometimes that thought scares me. Sometimes it excites me, especially when I think about one woman in particular. Actually, it's just her that excites me, regardless of the relationship status (I think we are friends.). But, anyway. This post is about marriage, and a good portrait of godly marriage is found in 1 Peter 3, which follows. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God...

Adapted from a previously unpublished post. Written a while back and edited. I know who is in my heart. I realize this is a tired thread. That's why I surrendered it to God. I will say this. When I spend time with the girl I love, my thoughts and words are different. I am typically logical, methodical, and mechanical. With her, my thoughts and words are like fireworks, all over the place. She touches parts of me I didn’t even know existed, and they come alive just by her touch. There are multiple things about this post I dislike. It’s frustrating because it has some merit, too. What seems to bother me most is examining a scenario I greatly detest, which is being with someone I am not currently in love with. Actually, it turns my stomach. Now  I’m sure you can’t wait to read it. So, here is a very imperfect post about love and marriage (which go together like a horse and carriage, I’m told). I have two more posts after this but felt this one should get out of the way first, since I ...

I chose this photo because it makes me feel happy. I'm choosing happiness. What could make a man happier than to be greeted by his dog and his girl? Who we surround ourselves with is an important aspect of the healing process. A recovering drug addict cannot hang out with his old druggie friends. He has to be with people who uplift and make him want to stay sober. I recently posted what my mom sent me called "Devotional: Healing the Brokenhearted," which was from Derek Prince Ministries. It spoke to my heart as only God can. So many things lately speak to my heart. My heart is listening. I prayed God would heal my heart. I prayed He would give me a new heart. I prayed He would change my heart. Change me. Everything I could think of. Finally, I simply gave my heart to Him. I gave up. And that's when I started to see change.  A huge part of the healing process involves forgiveness and the deeper the trauma, the more there is to forgive. I could recount for days the awfu...