new video! I decided to make it part of a series of footage I shoot in my super-senior year, so it's kind of like a video memoir thang. I was trying to get down good pacing, because I've never been good at it. What's neat is that I'm finding out that it's better when I work between different mediums. For this vid, I just rummaged through my video clips and put them together after listening to John Mayer's 'Who Says' and then after I put it together, a song popped in my head and I quickly recorded the song you hear in this video so I wouldn't forget it. Let me know what you think!
10/30/09
10/21/09
disconnect 7:44 PM
Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses,when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
When I'm honest and look at what I consider treasure, Paul's statement is a swift kick to my spiritual nads. How much of myself do I give to 'passing pleasure'? What value do I give to them, vs. the 'reproach of Christ'?
It blows my mind to think about the contrast between pleasure of sin and reproach of following Jesus. Paul says plainly that even suffering for and with Jesus is considered a greater richness than the greatest wealth on earth. What explodes my mind even more is to think about how it really is still about the greater richness, the greater pleasure; not just a choice between living a pious and sucky life vs living in awesome earthly debauchery. It's becoming clearer and clearer to me that in the Bible, God and all his people are saying that the greatest pleasure you perceive on earth is nothing compared to knowing and being with the God of the universe- so much so that even the worst and most painful suffering for Jesus is actually better than the most awesome pleasure the world has to offer to you.
~
Now the question is, do I actually trust God that He is who he says he is- that he loves us, that he doesn't actually want people to go to hell (ezekial33) that he wants all people to be restored to him, and that he has what is actually best for us- because he made us and knows us even better than we know ourselves (ps139)? It's Christianese- but when you have to ask yourself what do you actually believe to be true and what do you live by- it's a whole different kind of question.
Now the question is, do I actually trust God that He is who he says he is- that he loves us, that he doesn't actually want people to go to hell (ezekial33) that he wants all people to be restored to him, and that he has what is actually best for us- because he made us and knows us even better than we know ourselves (ps139)? It's Christianese- but when you have to ask yourself what do you actually believe to be true and what do you live by- it's a whole different kind of question.
I'm writing this because I have to ask myself this. It's easy to spout out things like this and to feel good about spewing wisdom, but it's not about that. I have to reconcile this in my mind and my heart because lately- I don't see the connection.
Christian, ask yourself, after saying what I believe, where does my life speak about my belief? Is it evident to people that God is my ultimate reward, more than all things or all pursuits here? Is it evident in what I think about most of the time, what I talk about, my motives for things? In the end, do you really believe the things you say, read or hear about who you are and who God is, and about who Jesus is and what he's done?
I can't say I'm in a good place right now, i have to ask these uncomfortable and important questions to myself. In the end of my life and I'm before God, will He say, "hey welcome home" or "hey who are you, i don't know you" despite everything I tried to do to make things right in my life.
It has to begin with seeing what God says is truly treasure and what is truly pleasure vs what your world says those things are- then seeing what you really believe to be true. I can tell you when i look at myself, the evidence points towards me pursuing and valuing what the world can give to me as the true treasure, when what I say is contrary. People like me are why Atheists feel justified in their belief. As much as a hedonist revels and consumes himself in what he finds to be his ultimate pleasure, people who belong to Christ have to in an even greater way pursue the reward that is Jesus- a way where people will say; "wow, they really think Jesus is the greatest and truest pleasure, even moreso than what I consider to be the greatest treasure"
God, I need you to make that change in me. Help me to walk by the fact that Jesus is ultimate- that it's only by him that I can be with you; and that in the days i have left- help me to really understand and pursue that relationship that this is the true and greatest pleasure and pursuit in my short life. Help me to see the things I've read, to believe knowing you and being with you is the only thing that matters in this life. Help me walk by that, live by that. Make that evident. I'm tired of saying all these Christian things (which are true), but in reality living for and believing in 'passing pleasure'.
10/16/09
remembering: psalms + phone wallpaper 3:58 AM
A big challenge for me is remembering. Remembering God's character, how good he is. Just take a minute to read the words of this song/psalm.
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
praise your God, O Zion,
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
his laws and decrees to Israel.
I always forget, but when i read this, i remember. The terrifyingly powerful God of the universe is the same one who heals the broken-hearted.
~
here are my problems:
The worst thing is when i begin to lose focus on Jesus- and I start focusing on my situation and he is just not in my mind anymore. it doesn't help that i've made my phone and computer a constant distraction for me (which is also why i started blogging).
So today, i'm trying this out and sharing it; a verse wallpaper that you can put on your phone so you can always look at it to help you memorize. It's the beginning part of the above psalm.
download it and use it too!
remember who God is, what He's done.
Psalm 147
1 Praise the LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars and binds up their wounds.
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds; make music to our God on the harp.
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, and for the young ravens when they call.
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; who put their hope in his unfailing love.
praise your God, O Zion,
13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders and blesses your people within you.
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know his laws.
Praise the LORD.
they do not know his laws.
Praise the LORD.
~
here are my problems:
- i suck at memorizing the bible (i'm a visual learner)
- i spend alot of time on the phone/computer
- i start focusing on my circumstances
The worst thing is when i begin to lose focus on Jesus- and I start focusing on my situation and he is just not in my mind anymore. it doesn't help that i've made my phone and computer a constant distraction for me (which is also why i started blogging).
So today, i'm trying this out and sharing it; a verse wallpaper that you can put on your phone so you can always look at it to help you memorize. It's the beginning part of the above psalm.
(iphone users, hold down on image and it'll ask you if you want to save)
i love how this psalm uses such powerful imagery with nature, so i wanted to capture that in the design. I'm gonna see if this helps me keep His word in my mind. download it and use it too!
remember who God is, what He's done.
10/14/09
blobby things:maybe a new series? 1:49 PM
Trying out a different drawing style, minimal/a little abstract, i think i may do a shirt series with these blobby characters
Also, I'm trying out a new mac app called DrawBerry . it's FREE but it's actually really good for a simple vector program. It's got layers, HUD interface (i am a sucker for that) and i may use this instead of illustrator for awhile- check it out. Trying to learn vectors so i can make some threadless submissions. anyone have good tips on vector drawing?
and let me know what you think of these blobby things!
Also, I'm trying out a new mac app called DrawBerry . it's FREE but it's actually really good for a simple vector program. It's got layers, HUD interface (i am a sucker for that) and i may use this instead of illustrator for awhile- check it out. Trying to learn vectors so i can make some threadless submissions. anyone have good tips on vector drawing?
and let me know what you think of these blobby things!
lame intro + lame panoramic 4:03 AM
update: new panoramic
'if you're color blind- you probably shouldn't be taking color photography"
just finished panoramic photo hw; photography's something i hope to get better at. there's something magical about capturing that one split second in time.
shot this in a really gross and shady parking garage close to my house. if you didn't catch the tweet, a cat fell out of the ceiling while i was shooting hahaha
usually i'd have an agenda for something like this, which i used to do alot, but this time i won't make a grand statement of purpose. i'm using this as a way to really get my hands dirty with design and video in particular, maybe music too. mix it all into my relationship with Jesus and you have a picture of what it's sposed to be.hope you enjoy coming along with me
just finished panoramic photo hw; photography's something i hope to get better at. there's something magical about capturing that one split second in time.
shot this in a really gross and shady parking garage close to my house. if you didn't catch the tweet, a cat fell out of the ceiling while i was shooting hahaha
usually i'd have an agenda for something like this, which i used to do alot, but this time i won't make a grand statement of purpose. i'm using this as a way to really get my hands dirty with design and video in particular, maybe music too. mix it all into my relationship with Jesus and you have a picture of what it's sposed to be.hope you enjoy coming along with me