VOICE, OR VICE?

Voice- a powerful thing; good, bad, strong, weak.....O. An "O" is the only thing phonically that separates voice from what it is, to what it can be. Vice- powerful, bad; stronghold.weakness

I have to wonder, in general, what do you use your voice for? Do you like to speak? Do you talk, alot? Is what you are saying productive, destructive...? Do you offend, defend...? Do you encourage, discourage...?

A voice is something that reverberates from the soul. A thought we can only feel in our minds and doesnt make sense until we can say it aloud. A voice can speak up for the lost, the lonely. Used as a political tool, it can persuade. We can help those who need help, speak for those who, metaphorically, dont have a voice. Bring hope, courage, healing.

On the contrary,  our speaking can be our greatest vice. We can tear people apart with our words. We can talk meaningless banter; pride ourselves. We can talk about others, we can talk about ourselves, but what merit does it have if we dont use our heart? Behind a passionate voice is more than strong vocal chords, it is a strong soul.

A voice is used to sing, to make melody. What a beautiful sound! Our voice can be used for many different things, but sometimes, something that comes so naturally to us, we may have to stop and think, "is it beneficial?" We may not think before we speak. But like our thoughts dont ring quite as clear until we speak them, so our speak will not make sense if we dont think.

Better yet, do we let God speak through us? Do we close of the portal of our mind to our mouth to let God infiltrate our voice?

Some abstract thoughts on a random topic, but sometimes, I just wonder....

Exodus 4:11

1. Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?
   Exodus 4:10-12 

Psalm 19:14

 ¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
       be pleasing in your sight,
       O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.Luke 6:45

A new blog!

For those of you that do read my current blog, I will selfishly ask you to also read my newest blog- www.saruwadesigns.blogspot.com

This is a project for my Art 218 class at CSU. To learn more about it go there and read my intro!

When everything around me fades, Your love speaks in many a way
Your love so deep and arms spread wide, I feel the urge to run and hide
But what good would it do? It's pointless I see
Because you know every little thing about me

You made me I know, though its hard for me to grasp:
that all my faults shine through and still you love me alas

And this is where I falter, my mistake shone clear
You embrace me no matter what, I am your dear

I deserve punishment for my sin- not once or twice, but again and again!
Redemption is free, All I have to do is ask, believe it, receive it!

No stubborn ways, no foolish pride, one soft request and You're by my side
You forgive, but I must repent, turn away now run from my sin!

I know it, I cant admit, this lifestyle I live, this place in which I sit
It's heartbreaking,mindwrenching- too frustrated I forfeit
But please, Oh Lord look my way
I need you now to take this pain

Thank you for your truth, your glory is real
It's the only thing that removes this shame I feel

Glory to God, in the highest, amen!
My life to you- for your purpose again!

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Link: http://gotaf.socialtwist.com/redirect?l=915393534587658816221

thoughts of You

when life gets rough and all seems lost, just take a moment, survey the cross.
There is One who loves you, you shall never be alone, after all has been said, even after all you've done.
His wonders and grace are amazing still, so relax and be quiet, breathe through the spirit, and know His will.
when we are tired, He is our rest
Though we may be broken, or feel empty inside we keep striving, He deserves our best.
for all who are lonely, are there any weak?
forlorn and forgotten, wanting to cry, needing to speak.
Try my love, rest in my arms, stand close to me now, receive my peace. Your love Oh Lord astounds me, pulls me to the ground. I long to give you worship, but I cannot make a sound.
My heart beats rapid, like a lover deep in thought, my minds rests still, my lungs breathe deep, I have found what Ive sought.
You are my goal, my future and my today, I worship you Almighty
I give you my thoughts, actions, everything I say. for it is worthless without you, inhabiting every phrase, without you I want nothing, I desire to be yours and give you my praise

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Velocity Side 2

Can I just say we have some seriously talented people leading our youth? Because we do!
VELOCITY summer camp was a huge success.

Their creativity and earnest hard work really payed off as I watched 80 teens split up into 8 teams and battle it out to win the "golden sombrero" of victory.

Each day I enjoyed watching the efforts of some of the most creative people come alive as they led the teens in games ranging from human battleship to heads dipped in chocolate syrup and bobbing for gummy worms in cereal (if you weren't there you might need an explanation for these).
Rahel is a phenomenal games coordinator and knows how to have fun!

Anita and I had the pleasure of getting 20 goldfish at the nearest WallyWorld 20 miles away- Oh what fun that walmart woman had trying to catch the fish out of the tank- I almost thought I could do it myself! And the fish about half died before they even got to Kyle, as we decided to go the self-checkout way- Note to Self: never go through self-checkout with a bag of 20 fish and one barcode. Those fish were doing the wiggle jiggle under the scanner and I was in constant need of the manager's entry code. :)



And the worship experience? Never have I seen anyone work quite as hard as our band did, setting up a complete stage, with a vibrant backdrop displaying our Velocity Logo. We had projected slides on each side of the room, for the kids to sing along during worship, and a carpet that bid you to come and bow before God in praise! I laid on that carpet so many times just to feel the presence of God in that place. I cannot write a blog without thanking Brian, Ricky, Josh, Brittany, and Olivia- I simply cannot imagine singing for 7 services in 4 days- amazing.

Of course we couldn't hear it if it weren't for Mike Wingler, or follow along without Tanner- thanks guys!


But it doesn't end there- Jacoby, Jerrid, Jordan, and Kyle made everyone laugh til their sides hurt, literally! The costumes those guys made and put on proved their unabashedness for humor's sake. They can dance too- if you haven't checked out "Im on a Blob", you must.



Last but not least, Phillip- our youth pastor with energy. Each morning and night God delivered a passionate messsage through him that affected everyone. Thank you for your willingness to hear God speak to you, and relay it to us!


If you want to actually SEE how much fun we had, I encourage you to check out the video of Im on a Blob:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCCHSheNAks