The Brotherhood

Are you tired of the "dating scene?" Do you think it's a waste of time that ends in heartbreak, compromises, and utter dispair? Then you may be interested in the latest Christian guys' single support group, the Brotherhood.
This organization was started by me and a friend of mine who both found dating meaningless. Why can't true love spawn from a true friendship, and not love at first sight? The best way to get to know someone is not by dating them. The fact is, dating is simply "in" according to our culture today. It's cool to date! But how many people have great dating experiences? Not many. Dating should have a purpose. Why do you date? Ask yourself. Go ahead. If your answer is anything but "for the purpose of marriage," then you need to re-evaluate your priorities. The Brotherhood simply calls on men who are not ready for marriage to not dabble in romantic relationships. What's the point? It's a dead end--with deadly consequences many times. And when one is ready, he should not hunt or date around until he finds the "right one." As previously stated, romantic relationships should stem from solid friendships. In order to fully understand the Brotherhood, I have pasted below the Brotherhood's Creed for your reading pleasure:

We believe that it is “good for a man not to touch a woman” (1 Cor. 7:1). We believe that a man should not seek a wife until the age of responsibility (1 Cor. 7:27). We believe that the age of responsibility is not a specific age but a state of maturity wherein a man is prepared in a Biblical sense for the responsibilities of husbandship and future fatherhood. We believe that marriage is a gift of God and is a beautiful picture of the church and Christ and should be held in the highest regard (Eph. 5:23-33). We believe that the single man cares for the things of the Lord without distraction (1Cor. 7:32). We believe that “all men could remain even as we are” (1 Cor. 7:7). We believe in healthy, platonic relationships with women prior to and even after the age of responsibility as long as they are God-glorifying and not an impediment to one’s testimony of Christ. We believe that the purity of man is essential to his sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7). We believe in the excommunication of members of the Brotherhood who are hypocritical and unrepentant (1 Cor. 5:2).

Relient K

Relient K. They are coming up in the world. Once they were immature kids with guitars, and now they have grown into thougtful and talented musicians. They are among my very favorites. Lead singer Matthew Thiessen has written songs that speak so close to home that it's scary. He says that in the Mmmhmmm, there latest album, "there’s a lot about making mistakes, failing, how amazing grace is and picking yourself back up." That's life. Relient K has mastered the art of effectively capturing that in passionate, guitar driven ballads, with graceful piano undertones.
Since there Mmmhmmm project, Relient K has also recored an EP called Apathetic EP. It has several acoustic recordings of songs from the two previous albums, as well as four new tunes. One song is based off the Chronicles of Narnia, "In Like A Lion." It is a great Christmas song, much like "I Celebrate the Day" from their "Deck the Halls, Brusie Your Fist" Christmas album from 2003. "I Celebrate the Day" is one of my personal favorites:

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

The perspective Thiessen takes is ingenious--looking at Christ as a babe and wondering if He is aware that He is the Savior. So thought provoking. The song really reminds believers about meaning of Christmas--Christ was born to die, so that I could live. What a paradox. What a truth.

Guy's That Knit

Guys that knit--a rare find. I suppose I am a diamond in the rough. I went to a guy's knitting class at the Loops knitting store in town, but found that I didn't quite belong. I should clarify when I tell people that I knit... I am not just a guy knitter, I am a straight guy knitter. I discovered that I would rather go to a woman's knitting class than a guy's. It was awkward. Maybe there is a ministry there? All I know is that its not my lifestyle, and it's a little uncomfortable.
Well, right now I am working on a bulky alpaca project. It goes very fast, but it's fun. It will be a gift for Christmas. Knitting opens up a lot of doors for gift giving--a real plus. You can make scarves, hats, blankets, socks, ornaments, whatever! It doesn't cost that much, and it means a lot because of all the time you spend on it. Maybe you should give it a try? It's really an art--one originally dominated by men, at that! For knitting instructions, go to this site, they have a lot of resources. All you have to do is go to Wal-Mart, pick up some yarn and needles, and go to town. My brother, two cousins, and a friend have all started since I have... it's not that hard. I am convinced anyone can do it. Live the life God calls us to live, however, is a whole other issue. May God of grace keep us close to Him.

Violin Recital

News. Next Monday, I will be one of many performing in a violin recital, showcasing my skill in mediocrity and procrastination. Among the other musical performers, the general consensis of age is about fifth grade. It should be camcorder-worthy.