The Silence of God

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15

As we ponder the weight of Christ's sacrifice on the cross this Good Friday, I heard something from a brilliant professor last night that I wanted to share. Many times in our lives we find ourselves in a dry place, we pray and plead for what is on our hearts, and sometimes we don't hear the voice of Jesus at all. We are lost with how to accept this silence. Is it a no? Is it a wait? Sometimes we take it as Christ ignoring us for straying from him. In whatever circumstance we face we are lost for words on how to accept the silence of God. 
         Dr. Carmen Butcher, an amazing former professor of mine at Shorter University, shared last night that even Christ himself experienced the silence of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew- 26:39. And what followed, even for Christ our Savior, was the silence of God. 
         Dr. Butcher also pointed out how uncomfortable and even scary silence can be to us. We live in a world dominated by technology. Silence is something that bothers us as people. We have to have music, a ceiling fan, the television. Something. So when God is silent in our lives, how much more are we scared and uncomfortable? Yet, in the midst of the silence Christ prayed that the Father's will be done. 
         When we experience such silence in our lives when only need remember that the Son of God experience this silence, too. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. How many times have we been discouraged by the silence of God? How many times has that lead us to have doubts and worry? In this times of darkness and dryness, let us remember that Christ Himself experienced the silence of God. That is crazy to think about. God Himself in flesh, experienced this silence. And he gave us the perfect example of how to react to it. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
          There is a popular television show entitled "True Detective." In this show there is a character named Rust Cohle. This is what he says about that moment at Gethsemane, "I contemplate the moment in the garden, the idea of allowing your crucifixion." As Christ prayed and received this silence, he didn't worry or scream or complain. He got up and he followed God'd will. 
          How can we ponder the silence of God in our lives? Dr. Butcher added at the end of her talk, "By realizing that Christ is present in the silence." When we feel alone from silence, we must realize that He has been there all along. Sitting with us, crying with us, praying with us, and inviting us to follow the Father. Wherever He leads, I'll go. 
"Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay." Ruth 1:16. That's what Christ did and that's what He calls us to do. Be blessed.  

A Year of Jubilation Part Two

Thus began our year of Jubilation with I AM, but it was not to last. The Garden in all its beauty had been invaded by something that would deceive me and my partner both. Too long had I become happy with my companion, Eve. She was the sun and the moon. Everything was perfect between me, my companion, and I AM. The animals and insects were beautiful in their habitat, but the Serpent was more clever than any animal God has placed in the Garden,
*                                                                             *                                                                                *

One day, as Eve recounts, she was wandering in the Garden when she heard what she thought was a tree speaking. It said, " Do I understand that God has commanded you not to eat from the trees in the Garden?" Eve was perplexed for she thought the voice had come from the trees and she couldn't understand why a tree was speaking to her let alone in her own tongue.
                   Curious, she looked around to try to find where the voice might be coming from. Just as she was about to give up and chalk it up to her imagination, she spotted it. Among the leaves, twisted between was the Serpent. She spotted him and he immediately asked her again, "Is it true? Can you not eat from the trees?"
                   Eve, not knowing his intentions, answered him saying, "Not at all, we can eat from these trees. I AM told us lovingly not to eat from the middle tree, He said in the moment we did we would surely die." The Serpent spoke again, "Now why would I AM tell you such a thing? Surely everything in this Paradise is perfect? No, you will not die. I AM knows that as soon as you eat from the tree, you will be just like Him." Eve replied, " Are we not already just like Him? Made in His very innate image?"
                   The Serpent persisted, "No, not in his image, but of His very mind."
                   " His mind, His thoughts?" Eve replied
                   " Yes," the Serpent replied "You will be equal with Him possessing everything that He possess. You will lack nothing."
                    And this, this interested Eve very much.

2014 Oscar Predictions

I've never written a blog like this before, but I wanted to get in on the fun and spirit of the Oscars. I love films and the art that goes into the making them. Here are my predictions for tonight's red carpet showdown:

Best Picture

"12 Years a Slave"
"American Hustle"
"Captain Phillips"
"Dallas Buyers Club"
"Gravity"
"Nebraska"
"The Wolf of Wall Street"
"Her"
"Philomena"

This is always a close race. There are a few here that could take the cake, but I think the top films for this award are "Dallas Buyers Club," "Gravity," and "Twelve Years a Slave." "Captain Phillips" could make a run for the award.

My Prediction: Gravity

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Bruce Dern -- "Nebraska"
Leonardo DiCaprio -- "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Chiwetel Ejiofor -- "12 Years a Slave"
Matthew McConaughey -- "Dallas Buyers Club"
Christian Bale -- "American Hustle"

Leo will once again not receive an Oscar for Best Actor. McConaughey and Ejiofor and the clear leaders in this category.

My Prediction: Matthew McConaughey- "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Cate Blanchett -- "Blue Jasmine"
Sandra Bullock -- "Gravity"
Judi Dench -- "Philomena"
Meryl Streep -- "August: Osage County"
Amy Adams -- "American Hustle" 

Any one of these women could take this award and they are all certainly deserving. This may be the best crop of actresses for this award in some time. Sandra Bullock looks this bring home the hardware with her haunting performance in "Gravity," but Cate Blanchett did win the Golden Globe in this same category for Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine"

My Prediction: Cate Blanchett- "Blue Jasmine"

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Barkhad Abdi -- "Captain Phillips"
Bradley Cooper -- "American Hustle"
Michael Fassbender -- "12 Years a Slave"
Jared Leto -- "Dallas Buyers Club"
Jonah Hill -- "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Once again its a showdown between the juggernauts that are "12 Years a Slave" and "Dallas Buyers Club." But also keep an eye out for the wild card that is Cooper.

My Prediction: Jared Leto- "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Jennifer Lawrence -- "American Hustle"
Lupita Nyong'o -- "12 Years a Slave"
Julia Roberts -- "August: Osage County"
June Squibb -- "Nebraska"
Sally Hawkins -- "Blue Jasmine"

I liked to think that someone out there could usurp J-Law, but I dont see it happening this year.

My Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence- "American Hustle" 

Best Director

Alfonso Cuaron -- "Gravity"
Steve McQueen -- "12 Years a Slave"
Alexander Payne -- "Nebraska"
Martin Scorsese -- "The Wolf of Wall Street"
David O. Russell -- "American Hustle"

Why is Spike Jonze not nominated for "Her?" or Woody Allen for "Blue Jasmine?"

My Prediction: Alfonso Cuaron- "Gravity" 

Best Animated Feature

"The Croods" 
"Ernest & Celestine"
"Frozen" 
"The Wind Rises"
"Despicable Me 2"

For almost a solid month after its release all I heard from people and from Buzzfeed was FROZEN!!!!!!! I'll be shocked if it doesnt take the hardware tonight.

My Prediction: Frozen

From here its mainly a bunch of editing awards and such, I will say that Gravity will win any visual art awards, Frozen will win for best original song, Woody Allen will win for screenplay, and JOHN WILLIAMS will win for best original score, because I mean, come on, its JOHN WILLIAMS. 

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the show! 

Fear, doubt, and anxiety (I will find a way)

Fear is something that grabs a hold of you and squeezes tight. Fear will you a shell of your former self. Fear, doubt, and anxiety can come out of nowhere for no reason at all. If you are like me, something that isn't a big deal at all turns into something that seems insurmountable. If you are like me, I hope this post will be helpful.
This last week of my life has been brutal. Its just been one of those weeks. I've worried, I've cried (a lot), and I've become mentally exhausted. I prayed, I read scripture, and I heard encouragement from family and the best girlfriend I could ever have asked for. I've also listened to a ton of music. Mostly Lord Huron on repeat, but this morning I sought for something different. I put in Jason Gray's album "A Way to See in the Dark." I heard encouragement as well as songs that let me know that I'm not alone in feeling this fear and anxiety. The song "I Will Find A Way" hit me the hardest. Its mainly a Christmas song about how Christ is coming into our messed up world to make all things new. I heard it from a completely different scope. I heard it as the lyrics say: "How should I come to one I love? I will find a way." This hit me like a ton of bricks. In the midst of my worry and doubt, where I was more focused on my small dilemma, I lost sight of the fact that Christ was pursuing me to resolve the situation and make all things new again. He was saying to me "Derek, why wont you let me in? Let me take care of this completely? Nevertheless, I will find a way." I know and admit this has been a weak past week for me. I have sought Christ and been consoled, but at the same time I have hung on to my problems and let them fester. I have written this as a form of therapy and also to let other people out there know that they are not alone. In our brokenness, Christ will come and carry us out of the fear, away from the doubt, and free us from the anxiety. Fear is easy, Love is hard. That is another track on Jason's record, but it is a true statement. Don't let fear overtake you like it did me this week, but when it does rely on Christ to carry you out. He has come to make all things new. He is sanctifying us day by day and making us new. Its comforting knowing that Christ will find a way. In the midst of our fear, doubt, and anxiety He will find a way to lead you out. Rely on Him, read the scriptures. My amazing girlfriend, Heather, pointed me towards Philippians and it was just what I needed. I read, prayed, cried, and worship for the first time that week. God has given the scripture for teaching, instruction, and worship. Let us read it and be blessed by what He is telling it. Life is too short and too beautiful to live in fear. Remember, no matter what, He will find a way.      

I'll Be the One to Drive You Back Home (The Art of Making Playlist)

                        One of my great passions in life is music. If you spent even five minutes with me, then you know this to be true. Its the way in which I express myself and, my sub-sequential, emotions. There are too many songs and too many records that influence me. It is nearly impossible to look to just one of them, although I find I can. It is still tough. The art of playlist making allows me to reach outside the realm of one artists' album and it allows me to create. We are all made in God's image and created by him. Because of this, He has given us the gift of creating also. It is a beautiful gift. And just as bands create their own works of art, making playlists allows us to create as well. It allows us to become vulnerable to a larger audience if we like. Its amazing the power that music has over people. Creating is something that we as Christians, and people of the world, should be doing on a daily basis. Making playlists allows me to worship the Creator through creating. Creating is, of course, not limited to making playlists. We should be doing something that involves creating daily whether its writing, building, throwing, spinning, painting, or filming. It is an appropriate form of worship and one that will, ultimately, bring us closer to our Savior.
                         Spotify has allowed me to do such a thing at an alarming rate (just ask my girlfriend Heather). This is in no way a pitch for Spotify and I just mention it because it has allowed me to create. Ive been exposed to all kinds of music that I didn't know about via Spotify. Its been good for my soul. If you are interested and have a Spotify account I encourage you to explore some of the playlists I've created. Music is an incredible inspiration to me.( Even as I write this I'm listening to Josh Garrels). It helps me says things that I have trouble saying myself. Sometimes its easier for me to make a playlist for Heather when regular words just don't seem good enough. She's an incredible playlist maker too, by the way.
                          We innately have this desire to create because we are created beings. So, when we do create let us create worthwhile things that will glorify our Creator and Savior. It has given us this gift and desire. Let us not squander it. All Glory to Christ.

Spring Reading List

So, I've decided to undertake a task in which I read a TON of books in a seven month period. At the moment I am still trying to finalize my list so that I can get started on this adventure as soon as possible. So, here's my list to date. If you have any more suggestions PLEASE comment and let me know! I would love to hear what books you all are reading. I want to know what books you love and which ones inspire you the most. Without further ado, here's my list to date.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Soon to start this book)
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
A Song of Ice and Fire by George Martin
Summerland by Michael Chabon
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Book Thief and I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
The Shining by Stephen King
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Extremely Loud and Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Old Man and the Sea- Ernest Hemingway

The is a BEAST of a list, but I encourage you to add to it if you have any more suggestions. I am definitely going to plow through these as fast as I can. Thank you all, again, for your suggestions. I am grateful to have friends who share a love for stories like I do. Thank you.

Daily Reflections on Art "Birds of Relocation"

                  I am a bird of relocation. I was once dead in my sin and buried in my depravity. But the sentence doesn't end there. By grace and out of love for me, Christ came and gave himself for me so that I could live a life of love in relationship with him. What grace, what love. Life hasn't always been easy, but I've found that Christ time and time again has used art to speak to me whether through His word, music, films, or other books.
                   Eric Peters is a singer/songwriter out of Nashville. His music speaks of not only joy, but also of the darkest moments of life. His music brings empathy and hope. His latest record "Birds of Relocation" seeks to bring hope to any listener who is weary and worn out. In his song "Lost and Found" he writes a simple lyric that can bring encouragement to anyone. He writes, "Today is yesterday made new." That's a simple, yet powerful lyric. Think about it. Whatever happened yesterday is over today. The sun sets and the night kills the previous day only to have a beautiful rebirth with the sunrise. A sunrise is grace. A new day that we don't deserve, but Christ gives to us out of love. A new day to love, forgive, and make new. The songs on this record pierce the heart and make you ponder what you are doing with your daily life. It has for me anyway. In "Voices" he writes, "Every hope that every lived there but has since flown, I'm finding again. Im finding again." Thats a great statement of hope for anyone who is struggling or is in a dry place in their life. Hope is alive and if you feel you have lost it, it is there and it can be found again! I encourage you to listen to "Birds" because in a way every Christian is a bird of relocation. We have been relocated, by the grace of Christ alone, from death to life. He alone has rescued us. He alone has relocated us.  Soli Deo gloria