Up-keep

If you haven't noticed, all of my links and currently listening sections are regularly being edited. Let me know if I am missing anyone in my links!

Thanks,

Josh

ps, best picture ever:

This Sad and Holy Glow

I feel swallowed up by finances. I made some poor decisions, and now I am going to have to get by without money for a bit. I am not making this entry to complain or anything, just observe how much money can strangle people. It is ridiculous that I feel so numb, belittled and hopeless with out have a few green bills in my pocket. I know that God has a better life for us than what I am living right now, but in a way I think this is also teaching me a lesson. When I get back on my feet, I plan on giving myself a cash allowance every week and saving all of my excess. It is time to be completely out of debt and restore the control over my life. I honestly feel beat up right now, but I know that I am going to come out of this with a greater understanding of life and myself.

I saw it in the eyes of the checkout girl -
that sad and holy glow every blue-collar knows,
like the lit windows on my childhood street
where the deep, dark secrets of the family are kept.
Beneath the mire and stench of growing debt,
the deep, dark secrets of the family are kept.
Credit is a whore who won't wake up and leave,
but believe me I'm not sleeping with her anymore.
I don't want to be a slave, I just want to be free
and honestly I'm sick and tired of people chasing me

Rock N' Roll

It’s amazing how God uses places and people I wouldn’t imagine to speak to me. On Wednesday night, I went to ORCC’s Catalyst Youth Group to support Mark and Judi as they led the worship. I must say it was so encouraging to be around all of these kids and partake in their energy and excitement. M&J did a stellar job leading the music, and the sound was great! Hopefully I will be able to help them some day musically. The new Catalyst facility is extremely nice. I was rather impressed that they sunk so much money into the next generation.

The Prayer of Saint Francis

I read this on another blog run by my friend Jeremy. I found it encouraging and challenging:


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Block by block, drain by drain, light by light. I walk these streets gazing at the fake empires built by the rich as the hungry camp at their footsteps. I am looking for an omen as to what’s next but sometimes that seems bleak. I want to thirst for righteousness, yet my appetite is satisfied by refuse. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” – this sentence becomes more and more true daily. I want a pure heart that finds rest and solace in the simple pleasures of our Adonai. I will not find an eternal pleasure in the concrete and paper of this world. Our creator resides in the same purity that exists in that man with the dirty shirt, wondering when his next meal will be.


(I have been writing a lot of random thoughts like this just off the top of my head, hopefully you subscribers don't mind.)

Off-beat

The next few weeks are my favorite of the year, that transition from summer to fall. There is briskness in the air and a certain unpronounced energy about. I don’t understand it, but it is consistently satisfying. As I pedal through the city’s cracked streets I feel like I am part of something big. Business women and crust punks all look anxious and ready. My muscles and joints ache from movement, but the cadence of this time of year is contagious and addictive, maybe even vindictive? Maybe this season sparks action. Maybe I will speak to the black school teacher I see on the train every day. Maybe I will pray with Cyndi in the cube next to me for her upcoming surgery. Maybe I will get off my spiritual ass and engage!

My bike is done!

So this past month or so, I have been obsessed with researching and looking for bike stuff on Craig's List. I finally got everything together I need and assembled it all this weekend. Enjoy:

Specs (in general terms):

1985(ish) Trek Road frame, 54cm (ish)

Vuelta XRP Team Superlight Wheel Set

Formula Hub

Brooks Saddle

This thing has been a blast to ride. I went approximately 10 miles on saturday and 5 yesterday. Since I ride my bike to work every day, it's nice having a fast bike that is sweet looking and comfy. It was such a sense of accomplishment when I put it all together and troubleshooted. This is just another tool in my weight loss / healthy lifestyle!