http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:55:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=925968 We are really excited about what God has in store for us in the coming months, and this coming year. (Philippians 4:6 states, "In all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.") Things are starting to come around for us, and all of our hard work is paying off. In reality we haven't even begun, but it has felt like a long journey so far. Thats just how God works I guess, when you read the Bible your reading about things that take years to unfold, but it only takes a few minutes to read about them. Maybe thats what we take for granted or overlook. One of my favorite parts of the Bible is Joseph's story, the Bible doesn't give the exact number of years Joseph was in prison, but we know it was over 2 years. When you read about that part, and the cup bearer, and all those things it seems only a short time before Joseph becomes a ruler in Egypt. But all those days of all those years that we dont read about, God is continuing to test Joseph, and hes molding him into the ruler he know he will become. At the same time God is waiting for the perfect moment to raise him up out of his captivity. A lot of times we think we are waiting on God, when all the time he was waiting for us to be ready for the position he has appointed us. Sometimes God is just waiting for the World to be ready for his plan, through us. Being patient in a difficult situation is hard, and when we wait for a long period of time we become desensitized to our situation and sometimes forget that we need to rely on Gods timing. The Bible gives us countless examples, we read Moses' entire lifetime in a few chapters without realizing the gravity of a lifetime spent serving God. So be patient, and focus on God to direct you and move the pieces when he knows is best. Philippians 4:6 states, "In all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.") Things are starting to come around for us, and all of our hard work is paying off. In reality we haven't even begun, but it has felt like a long journey so far. Thats just how God works I guess, when you read the Bible your reading about things that take years to unfold, but it only takes a few minutes to read about them. Maybe thats what we take for granted or overlook. One of my favorite parts of the Bible is Joseph's story, the Bible doesn't give the exact number of years Joseph was in prison, but we know it was over 2 years. When you read about that part, and the cup bearer, and all those things it seems only a short time before Joseph becomes a ruler in Egypt. But all those days of all those years that we dont read about, God is continuing to test Joseph, and hes molding him into the ruler he know he will become. At the same time God is waiting for the perfect moment to raise him up out of his captivity. A lot of times we think we are waiting on God, when all the time he was waiting for us to be ready for the position he has appointed us. Sometimes God is just waiting for the World to be ready for his plan, through us. Being patient in a difficult situation is hard, and when we wait for a long period of time we become desensitized to our situation and sometimes forget that we need to rely on Gods timing. The Bible gives us countless examples, we read Moses' entire lifetime in a few chapters without realizing the gravity of a lifetime spent serving God. So be patient, and focus on God to direct you and move the pieces when he knows is best.]]> Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:55:00 GMT 66F63DE673200475BD7BDB6B2F73E23B http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=430372  Its been about a year since my last post, an a lot has happened since then. We opened up for some really awesome bands; Fireflight, Seventh Day Slumber, Satellites and Sirens, Burning Yesterday, and released our first official EP. (For those of you who have a copy of our earlier recordings thanks for not judging us too harshly LOL.) We have gone through some major set backs all throughout the year, but with God's help we made it. God has a way of continually making us humble, which is a good thing, because we don't want to stray from where we started out, we don't want to lose focus. In order to focus in life you need to have balance, and in order to balance you need to focus on the task at hand. How do you view balance? Think of a tightrope walker, they must have great balance, and coordination to walk that tiny rope from one end to another. As they walk across they must be very focused, and make every step count; they are not thinking about the crowd, or their next paycheck, or even what would happen if they fell. They are focused on what they are doing. They have great balance, but when most people try to imitate that walking on a log, or on a curb, they stick out their arms, and flail about and fall. They get back up and try to stand very still, and move slowly to maintain a good balance, they focus each step. As they start to move they jerk back and forth, then comes the quick little steps before they eventually fall again. The secret to great balance is not being in control of every movement, (fight gravity and gravity wins every time), its not having a strict schedule, or regimen. To obtain great balance on a tight rope, and yes even in life you have to constantly be moving, you have to adapt to whats going on around you, sway with the wind, let gravity work for you. Don't get go out and try to find the perfect schedule, and chart out each hour of your day, because somethings going to come up, you will fall off that schedule, and eventually get discouraged and give up. The good news is that we can trust in God because he knows the future, walk the narrow path focusing on him with every step. God doesn't want us to get comfortable, he doesn't want us to try and find some perfect formula for our lives. Adapt to life because life is constantly changing, the way we do church changes, the music we listen to changes; but throughout this great balancing act we call life, just like the tightrope walker we need to focus on the task at hand. Never forget your focus as a Christian, remember the great commission, use your talent for His glory that all men may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:55:00 GMT B6F3E80CD09D1D8B0C0A17067FE1899B http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=91939 Ok. On Friday (Oct. 2) I went to church @ 7 p.m. to try and record. The prblem was we dont have a sudio or even a recording room. Nonetheless I was absolutely determined that, no matter what it takes i was going to figure out how to use our new recorder, and the existing PA system. (I dont know much about sound engineering) First step I knew was I had to find some way to control the sound to get a good recording. I needed a wall, I started thinking about my resources. We had tables in the back so I thought I could use those and put the on their sides, but then realized i could just standthem up, adn Voila! instant wall. (which the guys lovingly referred to as something like the ark of the covenant with all my layers.) Luckily for us our freind Pina had just purchased some Audimutes for his room that he hadn't put up yet. After setting up the drums and mics and tables and moving around the pulpit and amps, I went to Pina's to pick them up. When I got back to church I put on all the soundproofing, and then tried to figure out how to route everything so I could record. After figuring that out, I tuned the drums, and set the levels for everything. By 2a.m. I was able to start recording. So what became of all my hard work and strenuous efforts you ask. Well turns out my drum set, coupled with the fact that I need new heads for everything didn't equal to a very good sound, and to top it off the next day I was really sore all over. So no recording for us, but all was not lost my friends, I learned some very valuable lessons about drive, ambition, determination, and a little about sound. All in all  I didnt go home 'till 9 a.m. ....It was tottaly worth it though. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:00:00 GMT 05EBD8C77768D4975104C2F1352814CE http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=69781 Alright, well I've been hurt over a month and i missed a couple of shows; and to top it off I was fired because I couldn't work.  If I would've continued working I would have injured myself even more and they would have still fired me.  Where is the fairness of it all?  who knows, and why should I care.  Look at Jesus; he wasnt treated fairly at all, but he continued to follow his father's will,  and look what happened in the end.  If I am less than him, then I can be content with what God has given me.  If someone has hurt you don't let them continue hurting you by letting anger and revenge take root in your heart.  Sometimes forgiving someone is more for your benefit then for than person you're forgiving.  Just let God fight your battles and continue to focus on him. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:35:00 GMT 7E2193AE380034717318BF6A8AC7841B http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=41894 It's so awesome to see how God works. There have been times years ago when I would imagine the future and think about where I wanted to be. Of course I hoped and prayed, but I could never really see how it would be possible, I could never imagine how God would be able to make it all come together. If I could I guess I wouldnt build any faith. But God is making everything come together, and the greatest honor for me is being able to be a blessing to others because God is using me as a vessel. "How refreshing to know you dont need me, How amazing to know you still want me". The cool thing about being a blessing to others is that those same people that you bless can come back and be a blessing to you. How great is our God huh. Sat, 09 May 2009 05:30:00 GMT 9405DA0FA9041FDC0EFE0AECEA93FD8D http://scripture11.com/manuel.cfm?feature=687514&postid=39789 You know its wierd, when I was growing up I was always told that I could do anything that I wanted. We always hear "reach for your dreams.", but then we grow up. As we get closer and closer to our adult lives things start to change slightly. They change form, "follow your dreams" to "you need a good education, and make sure you have something to fall back on." I used to hear all the time "I want you to have a better life than I had", but what defines a better life? A college, a good job, nice home? What about finding your purpose, whatever happened to living out your dreams. When doeas reality come into play, when do we have to stop reaching for the stars, and come back down to Earth? That is a question you must ask of yourself. I love those people in my life who look out for me and have my best interest in mind, but they arent going to be able to be with me constantly. There is however one who is going to be with me always, one whose opinion of me and my life really matters. His name is Jesus Christ, he is my Lord and Saviour, the person who loves me the most. You know what he told me "seek first the kingdom of God." So I have made my purpose to seek his kingdom first, to put my whole life in his hands, and go where he leads me. He has lead me here to be a part of this ministry, and spread the gospel through our music. We want to encourage people, and help them to get closer to God. No one can tell me I need something to fall back on, because God never fails, and He is alway's faithful to those who are faithful to him. Let nothing hold you back, let God be the one to carry you. Then you will be truly happy. Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:55:00 GMT 9604305F58A6A7EC9A1ED6A1D1CA2F4A