Sunday, July 25, 2010

For everyone's listening pleasure: The Dino Rap

Click on this link and prepare to be amazed...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dino-rap-single/id457050805

Monday, May 24, 2010

still LOST?

I feel like a long term relationship has just ended.
During the final minutes of LOST’s series finale, I found myself quietly weeping as Jack and the gang finished their journeys. I thought the ending was a perfect one for the show, and one in which most people did not see coming, so much so that there were many who were left completely confused about the last 15 minutes of the program.
I would like to explain my take on things in order to help others either see the “light”, or maybe help you to construct your own theories about the end. Here is a helpful visual for all of you who hate reading:




Basically, the Flash Sideways Timeline is not a sideways timeline at all, but a post-death-pre-Heaven sort of deal. When the plane does not crash, but continues to LA, all of the characters on it are dead. The Flash Sideways is what each of the Losties experience when they die. They get a chance to reconnect with the people that meant the most to them in life, the ones that they loved and had an impact on them. Think of it as a DVD (or I guess Blue Ray) highlight film containing the culmination of your most emotional moments and experiences in life. After experiencing these “Top Ten” sort of moments in life, the character is now ready to move on, or travel to their final destination. Many faiths have different types of afterlife, so the show made this next step broad and vague, leaving each to insert their faith here and not think that the show was taking sides or pushing a certain religion.
“So what was real?!?” you may ask? Well, as Christian Shepherd (Jack’s father) said: “It was all real.” But to be more specific, all of the Lost characters were alive on the island and off, until they died. And when they died, they were transported to the Flash Sideways (final season alternate timeline), where they embark on their final journey of discovering that they in fact are dead, and eventually remember and enjoy their favorite moments, people, and connections in life. The thing that confuses people is that in the realm of Time, people die at different times. In this show, however, the afterlife (or pre-afterlife) is outside of Time. Therefore, when each individual dies, no matter what day or time in life, all of these people who were so connected with each other get transported to this final period where they were on the plane that did not crash, and are allowed a short season to make those connections and reminisce.
“Well what about the island and all its mysteries?” Well, LOST is a show about mystery. Period. Did you honestly think they would answer every single little question that you had? That would be some series finale, lasting a lot longer than the two in a half hour one that we were given. Here are some facts: The island was a real place, with very mysterious powers. All throughout the history of this island, people of many different kinds fought over it to harness, control, and explore these powers. Some took a scientific approach to it, while others had a very reverent awe and protective spirit for the island. Certain passengers on board Oceanic 815 were brought to the island on the hopes that one of them would accept the responsibility of protecting the island and its powers. Jack was the one who finally rejected coincidence and believed that he was brought there for a reason. And while his service as the protector the island was a very short period, he did his duty by setting things right (reviving the light) and passing the reigns to another protector (Hugo). After that, some people escaped the island (Kate, Sawyer, Frank, Miles, and Richard), while others stayed to continue protecting it (Hugo and Ben), and some ending their lives (Jack).
Here’s the part that confuses people: when Jack closed his eyes and died, he was instantly transported to the plane that flew over the island and had never crashed. Now, even though Locke had died way before that (killed by Ben in that apartment room in an earlier season) he was instantly transported to that plane at the same time. Because the afterlife was outside of time, it didn’t matter when people died. They all were on that plane together. If it helps, think of Jack being knocked unconscious right when he died, and being woken up on that plane that didn’t crash. Jack doesn’t know how long he was knocked out. It could have been years! Enough time for the rest of the people to live out their own lives and finally die as well. When you are sleeping and eventually wake up, do you know how long you were asleep? No. So how long could people know how long they were dead? The Flash Sideways Timeline just woke everyone up at the same time, even though everyone had died at different times.
The creators of the show stated that LOST transformed from a show about the mysteries of the island to a show about the mysteries of people and the connections and emotions that they share with each other. I thought that the ending of LOST was near perfect. I am so glad that I invested so much time and energy into the show. I do not regret the evenings spent watching, the conversations had, or even the books that I read because of this show. It has helped me to see the more important things in life: the love and connection that comes with interacting with people. Let us all treasure the time we have with one another. All good things must come to an end, sometime.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Worship is a journey



Sometimes I, along with some friends, have the privilege and enjoyment of leading worship. And while there are multiple distractions and motives that possibly get in the way, I am honored to play a role in creating an atmosphere for people to experience God. I have been in and out of praise bands for about 10 years now, and here are a few observations I have noted concerning praise and worship. Keep in mind, worship is not limited to singing and clapping for about 20 minutes a week. It is an everyday thing, a continuing process. The thoughts I have to share are about those times when we sing before hearing from pastors and Bible study.

Worship is a journey. While praising and singing, we attempt to get to a place where we are focused and prepared for what God is about to tell us.

Sometimes that journey has obstacles in the way. We may need to right some wrongs before we even begin:

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave you gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:8-10

Or the obstacle could be distractions. We are a generation of multitasking. Cell phones, To-Do lists, and even random thoughts are things we must lay aside in order to get to a place where we can truly listen to God.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

Sometimes the journey is a painful one. Have you ever been singing a song and actually realize what you are singing? A lot of worship songs are straight out of scripture. And the Word has a way of cutting us to the core of who we are and of what we are guilty:

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

We are guilty of singing lies. It may sound good, we may hit every note, and participate in clapping and yelling, but we flippantly sing words that instantly reveal our lack of reverence and honor. It is then that we should stop singing, confess our sins, and repent:

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” 1 Corinthians 11:28-29

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Isaiah could not join in with the singing when he was in the presence of the Lord. He wanted to die [Isaiah 6:5]. When we join in with the angels and heavenly beings who are already worshiping God, we have the audacity to assume that we are doing God a favor by singing praise to Him. We are blessing Him with our voice and presence, as if He needed it.

Sometimes the journey is a marathon. We need to pursue God. But sometimes He may not answer us right away. Abraham waited on God. Jacob wrestled with God. David pleaded with God for Him to answer.

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;” Isaiah 40:31

Sometimes the journey is a desperate sprint, running to God to get away from sin and worldly emotions. We realize how deep our need is for God and His provision and deliverance, especially during trials:

“let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8

This journey may look different for each one of us, but the path to the presence of God through worship is far from simple. We are not perfect. We do not deserve to worship our God. But we are commanded to. It is one of our purposes in life: To give Him glory through song and praise. Let us be willing to fully participate in the journey that is worship.


p.s. I did that drawing on Print Artist.