Take A Look Into My Blog.........

About the last post........

2006-10-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

Just to clarify, I agree completely with these words. 

It's the fact that it's an "in your face" kind of approach

to the way church is run that might make some

"comfortable Christians" a little uncomfortable. 

And I like that......

; )

~Jared

2006-10-16T21:15:00.001-04:00

Have you ever actually listened to the lyrics?  I mean, actually let the meaning of the words sink in?
I wonder if people would still like this band if they paid attention........


Does Anybody Here Her
She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind chorus:
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself (chorus)

If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

~Casting Crowns

Or maybe this song.......

If We Are The Body
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Jesus is the way

~Casting Crowns

2006-10-07T15:22:00.000-04:00

New picture site ----->

Enough is Enough....

2006-08-28T01:19:00.000-04:00

I know I already left this as a comment but just to emphasize the point:

Alright. Enough games. I don't need this right now.... So either tell me who you are, or stop commenting. That goes for anyone who is leaving me notes as anonymous, I know there is more than one......

~Jared

Pretty Much Sums It Up........

2006-08-21T21:55:00.000-04:00

If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to You

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only You are there to lead me on.

Honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright... that's why I need You.

~Sanctus Real

Beyond The Song

2006-07-11T23:30:00.000-04:00

Wow. I'm still trying to process everything from this weekend. God really moved!
More later......

Untill then, check out the latest picture uploads....

~Jared

Into the Wild.....

2006-06-27T00:12:00.000-04:00

Ok Louissa. Just for you... : )

Call us Hicks. Call us Rednecks. Go ahead. Call us whatever you want, but we know how to have fun up here in the Northcountry. Saturday night found us ( although a much smaller "us" ) climbing back up the mountain/hill of Seven Springs for another relaxing night around the campfire. The stars were out in full force to light our way; but we still used a couple of flashlights to help them. ; )

A few memories from the night:

Are there really seven springs here?
I don't know... um... there's water though.....

Jared, the fire is getting cold...... fix it!

One of us forgot that sledding is meant for snow. Oh yah, and sleds. She was very gracefull about it though......... ; )

And what better way to end an evening like this, then to go on a safari in the back field. Even if it was in a Toyota. The grass was taller than the 4Runner; we couldn't see a thing. What a night! I was a little disappointed that the friends we made last time never showed up though. Yup. Mr and Mrs CataRpiller must have been out on vacation.

~J-rad

some pics from the night are on my flicker account, check them out!

American Idol, Stuffed Style

2006-06-15T23:47:00.000-04:00

I had the amazing opportunity tonight to see the American Idol of the stuffed animal world. What a show! 13 contestants performed while I watched and cheered, and at the end someone was voted out. Luckily, it was "Blueberry Bear," probably the poorest of the performances of the night. ; )

The detail and sound affects added by the host amazed me..... he must be one of the most observant people I know. It reminds me of when I was his age and would pull out my LEGO's and have an all out battle between the Pirates and the British. I could sit for hours on end and never get bored. Oh, to be young and carefree again....... Ok. That's going a little too far. But anyway, life seemed to be a lot simpler back then. My biggest concern on a Weekly basis was how I was going to convince mom and dad to let me go to a friends house after church on Sunday. Now, I have bills to pay, a job to do, friends to keep in line (oh yah, and myself too) , a future to think about and plan for, a great commission to take part in. But, even though it may seem overwhelming at times, and the outlook gets clouded, I know that He is in control. He is molding and pressing me into the man that He has called me to be. Teaching me responsibility and humility, along with love and compassion. For that reason, I wouldn't go back, even if I could...... : )

I'm alive!

2006-05-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

I know.... I'm a slacker when it comes to this. I'll try to do better, but until then, check out the pics on my flicker account. Yah, it's that link over to the right that says "Pictures," for any one that might be confused : )

Holiness......

2006-04-12T20:17:00.000-04:00

Over the past few months, something has begun to stir in me, something that I really believe God has placed on my heart for a reason. What does it mean to be holy? In 2 Corinthians 6:17 - 7:1, Paul says:

"Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.
I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and
daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

Also, in Ephesians 4 Paul speaks about us putting on the “new” self that is created to share in God’s holiness. Isn’t it amazing that as born again Christians, we are created to share in His holiness?!! The next passage is what really gets me fired up though. Ephesians 4:29-32 says:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

It grieves my spirit to hear some of the things that come out of Christians mouths these days, without any regard to whom they are speaking about. I am just as guilty. What we think of as funny, or harmless teasing is actually the very thing that is keeping us from true holiness. We really need to start speaking destiny into our brothers and sisters. Encouraging them when they are discouraged. Holding them up when they don’t have the strength to stand on their own. Correcting and restoring in love when they fall into the traps of sin. Not belittling someone for the way they dress, or the way they do their hair, or the way they talk... the list could go on and on.

God is looking for a generation that will seek his face in holiness and truth. A generation of warriors that are not afraid to stand in righteousness and integrity. And if He is calling us, let’s not be held back by our fun and games.....

~Jared

P.S. Isn't Presbrytery awsome?! : )

Sorry....

2006-04-05T00:24:00.000-04:00

I know. I've let you all down. But, to my defense, it's been a long couple of days with the sale of my jeep being finalized. And on top of that, my car is worse off than initially thought, meaning I won't have it until Friday. The jeep should be shipped out Thursday, which leaves me without a vehicle for almost a day........ So....... If you see a "Big Guy" hitch-hiking, do him a favor and give me a ride! : )

Call Me a Bandwagoner....

2006-03-30T02:29:00.000-05:00

Alright, a friend (who will remain nameless) told me that xanga wasn't a real blog. So to prove to her, um, I mean this person, that I'm not totally blog illiterate, I will be posting here from now on..... : )