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.