First Crop of Birthday Pictures

Good evening all, I have gleaned in the very first of the crop of birthday pictures from the last two weeks. These ones were contributed by Uncle Greg. Thank you Uncle Greg!

Now, should I try to insert a slide show? OR all the pictures separately? Or just one picture with a link to the album?

I think I'll try embedding a slide show.



Anyway, I hope to have a few more to show you all. These particular pictures are only a few from the first party.

There are other things I should post for you, but can't quite grasp the concepts in my mind at the moment, so maybe later.

Matt

New logo, two parties, faith like children, and the reason of a band

First, lets get the logo up on the screen so that it can be seen.

Band Logo:


This logo was created using Blender, which can be downloaded freely at www.blender3d.org. One of these days, like maybe today, I am going to figure out how to change the defaults on the blog to just include it as the banner, with some editing of course.

Two Parties

An amazing close relative of mine had a birthday last week, and then another this week. So it goes to show that people ARE aging faster these days. They both were great parties. The first was all out huge (over 45 people). Two bands included. Lots of people + lots of music + lots of food = lots of fun! No, we weren't one of the bands. I mean, we were there, but we just aren't exactly a band... yet.

It was a very special time of personal sharing, through music and words. Everybody participated in the music. One of these days I will edit the recordings from this party and post a few of them.

The second party was a smaller gathering some dear friends got together who were not able to attended the first one. Some of the same guests, and some new ones. Again, music was part of it, and we all enjoyed singing together again.

Me and my cousin took interviews of party attendees of the first party, hope to get that edited and maybe even available (possibly through request) soon.

I would like to extend my thanks to all the attendees, musicians, and most importantly the hosts, for making it all possible. And, we could never exclude sis, for having a birthday to begin with.

Faith Like Children

Matthew 18:4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)

Ok, now this may sound all simple and basic to everyone, but just read the verse, it's OBVIOUSLY very important!

Why do children come and ask their Mommie or Daddy to do something? Because they can't do it themselves! Children (of a certain age) are absolutely unable to do most "important" tasks by themselves. And we must come to the same realization ourselves! We can't save ourselves from hell, that is why we go to God for salvation. We can't be "good" or live "right" or love people or love God by ourselves, that is why we go to Him. And, like when the little one asks his Mommie or Daddy and trusts that he/she will take care of it, we can do the same, and even more with God. If we are failing at loving people, we can ask God for help, and pretty sure can anticipate having that help.

This faith in God includes a resting and trusting, in God.

Try it sometime, something you are trying so hard to attain, love for others, love for God, whatever it may be, ask God for some help, tell Him you can't do it, and then rest in His power, because He can overcome ANY weakness in your life, You NEVER can.

Reasons of a Band

This one may sound like a no brainer at first, too. And it is, I know it, and every other Christian should know it, too. I just have to remind myself, and maybe this can be a little bit of a safety valve thing, I'm letting you all know that I know it!

We are not in music to glorify ourselves. Now I know it may look like that sometimes, and I'm sure that all of us at times forget that and start singing for ourselves. By no means am I perfect. But we can all come back to the "heart of worship".

Ok, reasons for a band, or more correctly, music.

1) PRAISE and WORSHIP!
2) To teach. What? Yes that's right, to teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
3) To express feelings.
4) Other reasons that I'm sure I will add when I think of them.

From reading those four (three really) points above, it can give us a pretty general guide, and we can ask ourselves why we are writing or singing a particular song, doing a particular thing, or whatever the case may be.


Well, it has been nice talking to (talking at?) you all again.

Matt