Forever and Always

        I really like this song.  The verses aren't particularly well written or performed, but the chorus is beautiful (to me).  What stands out to me is that it upholds what really matters in marriage (well, in the basic sense of the promise between a man and woman).  I also value the distinction between "forever" and "forever and always."  It's the difference between "I'll love you forever", and "I'll love you forever: even when I'm angry or depressed, frustrated and tired. Forever and always"  They sound the same at first, but a closer look reveals a deeper level of commitment.
         Read the lyrics while listening (please listen to it, the lyrics don't carry the same impact without the music):

Play: Forever and Always

She's sitting at the table, the hours getting later
He was supposed to be here
She's sure he would have called
She waits a little longer, there's no one in the driveway
No one's said they've seen him
Why, is something wrong?
She looks back to the window
Suddenly the phone rings
A voice says something's happened
That she should come right now
Her mind goes to December
She thinks of when he asked her
He bent down on his knee first
And he said

I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together
Forever and always


She pulls up to the entrance
She walks right to the front desk
They lead her down a million halls, a maze that's never ending
They talk about what happened but she can barely hear them
She tries to keep a straight face as she walks into the room
She sits by his bedside, holds his hand too tight
They talk about the kids they're gonna have and the good life
The house on the hillside, where they would stay


Stay there forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether rich or for poor or for better
We'll still love each other, forever and always


Then she gets an idea and calls in the nurses
Brings up the chaplain and he says a couple verses
She borrows some rings from the couple next door
Everybody's laughing as the tears fall on the floor
She looks into his eyes, and she says


I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always
Forever and always, forever and always

She finishes the vows but the beeps are getting too slow
His voice is almost too low as he says,

I'll love you forever, forever and always
Please just remember even if I'm not there
I'll always love you, forever and always

Let's just sell Christianity altogether.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but is this verse taken out of context?  Still yet, is this even a remotely biblical concept?  Lord, forgive us for abusing Your Word. It's no wonder that people think that Christians are hypocrites.  Why don't we just have Christian nightclubs while we're at it?

Forgive me, but grow up, people!  Not that God can't work through a dating site, but really?  If you're not surrounding yourself with like minded believers, I would doubt the sincerity or maturity of your faith.  Harsh words, yes.  But I can't take any more of this wussified "christianity." Newsflash:  Christianity is HARD.  But nothing hard was ever as worthwhile as this.  Embrace the true call of your faith.

mmhmm... I'm back!

            I’m sitting here in my brother’s car, safely tucked away from the pouring rain, waiting for his voice lesson to end.  The car alarm is going off.  He must be singing loud, for he has not yet come to turn it off (I don’t have the keys, and he set the alarm out of habit when he left).

            I haven't written in a while, and the last time I wrote was during a bit of a depressing little piece of my life, and I left this blog unmanned on a fairly miserable note.  I apologize.

            It’s not that I haven’t wanted to write.  In fact, I have more things on my mind to write about than ever before.  I’ve simply been far too busy lately to let my mind settle down enough to get a train of thought finished on any one subject.  So, for now, this little post is just to let you know that I’m still alive and trying to make the most out of this little slice of time on earth that God so purposely put into my possession.  Here are a few of the bigger things that I have going on:

            I just finished filming a feature length production called “First Impressions.”  It’s a film based off of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (It was not my idea, but I must admit that I had a lot of fun on this project).  You can look up “First Impressions the Movie” on FaceBook or go to firstimpressionsthemovie.com if you want to get the inside scoop.

            Because I graduated this year, I can’t compete in our NCFCA speech club (Clarion Forensics) this year.  So I decided to be a coach.  It’s very fulfilling to work with people as they develop speaking and performing skills.  I see people that competed very well last year delivering speeches and debate rounds with greater skill than ever.  God is good.

            I decided on pursuing a career as a paramedic/search and rescue responder.  Lord willing, I will be getting training in Texas through an organization called ALERT (Air Land Emergency Rescorce Team).  So please pray for me as I pursue that.  It costs a lot of money (as you can imagine), and I’m going to go debt-free.  I’ll be gone over sixty weeks over the next three years as I progress through the program.  It’s incredible training, and ALERT has a very high reputation throughout the world.

            I’ve been going through a Worldview course by Summit Ministries called Understanding the Times.  Wow, I feel so empowered to go out and share and defend my faith.  I’ve learned so much about the powerful forces vying for the hearts and minds of the populace, and it’s an amazing skill to be able to discern the worldview origins of everything from comments made by someone at the store, to media such as news, cinema, music, and literature.  God help me as I seek to make You known.

            That’s a basic recap of my life over the last few months.  :D  I plan on writing soon: I have a lot on my mind.