Who says its a Bad Day?

Today is my second day back at Sto Corp and the last 12 hours have been testing my patience to say the least! Last night I started working on the universal joints in the drive shaft of my 1972 Volvo 142. I spent five hours buying the parts, taking apart the old u-joint, and fighting to put the new joint in place! After it was all said and done I did not finish and ruined a $20 part. Therefore I was extremely frustrated last night, went to sleep frustrated, had a terrible night sleeping and woke up late to come to work. After eating some cereal I borrowed a brothers car and started off to work only to notice there was 25 miles to empty. So I pulled into a gas station a block from campus to fill up only to realize my wallet was not in my pocket. I drove back to the house and got my wallet, then back to the gas station where I got to stand in 8 degree weather to fill the tank! After getting gas it was on the road for a 25 min drive to work but I missed my exit and had to take a 15 min detour. While driving the detour I kept hearing in my head "Paul you are having one bad morning!" So I started to agree with the voice, got a late start, left my wallet, froze my ears off, got lost driving! But then I started to question the voice! Who says its a bad day? At that moment I realized that God has placed before me a blessing to be able to borrow a friends car, giving me an opportunity to work and put my education to use. Such a gift to be able to wake up yet another morning and breath in the refreshingly cold air! As the Lord reminded me of everything that makes this day another day to be Loved by the Creator and Sustainer of our Universe! Another day to remember the Love that Jesus displayed as he took upon himself the sins of a world who despises him! Yet another morning to rejoice in the community of fellow children of the Almighty God that have been woven around me to truly display the Love of God!

All is Great at Camp Creek
Paul Shackelford

Rise Again - Needtobreathe

I have been reading a book about the arts and Christians role in creating culture. Steve Turner, the author, asserts a major critique that modern Christian art does not speak about real life. The art created does not sound genuine or have any ties to real life that people outside the faith can connect with. While reading the book I listened through this album and I think that this song does a great job of breaking the mold. The members of Needtobreathe are all outspoken followers of Jesus but very little of the art that they produce mentions Jesus or Christianity at all. Instead they craft creative music, written from places of pain and joy. "Rise Again" steps through pain that occurs in life as we see relationships stretched and torn. The bitterness of broken hearts and friendships is then contrasted with the truth that we will get up from this pain and rise again. "I can see us moving on, I can feel that coming on strong", the joy that comes after the

Twenty-Four - Jess Ray

Lately I have been listening to lots of music and podcasts while working and biking to work. I was feeling a need for some new music so I turned to NoiseTrade to check out some new artists. My favorite thus far is Jess Ray because of the honest lyrics, tastefully simple musicality and overall enjoyable listening environment. While on my flight back to Atlanta I was struck by this song at first because of the drums that propel this song behind the walking guitar. If I were to add drums to a track like this it would have been done in a very similar manner. Once I got past the drums I was awe struck by the simple power of these lyrics, take a read below and follow the link to her blog to listen. To me it was not written for an outward expression of hope or encouragement but rather as a inward proclamation to the soul. As the psalmist often choose to sing, this song speaks inward in a call to stand up and be reminded of truth all to often forgotten. As I gear up for the star

You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Kraus

This song has so much power, even if you remove the lyrics. I just decided to take in the full potential of the song by turning the stereo all the way up and playing the song a few times. Before even looking for a video of this song I knew it was related to the Civil War and the separation that occurred between loved ones. This song starts out explaining the battle field and how the soldier has survived the terrors of war. As the song continues to build you can tell that the soldier wants to be with his love. They have been separated by this war and now he wants to be back with her. The last few lines portray his death and how he has been reunited with his "True Love". I believe that this song describes his "True Love" as God, our eternal True Love. He has returned to his maker after being killed in Battle and this song paints that picture so well. This song has tons of power in the music behind the lyrics, it adds so much to the meaning of this song!

Letters from Lilongwe

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