3/19/12

What I Must Become: The List

In the same vein as the previous post, here are the attributes I'm asking the Lord to bring out in me, and show me how to become like Him. I know I'll never be perfect, but if I could, I wouldn't need Him :)
  • A servant to all
  • Constantly praying
  • Faithful
  • Forgiving
  • Humble
  • Discerning
I'm sure there are others that I need. If any spiritually mature brothers or sisters in Christ know of a Biblical quality that I'm lacking, please comment/contact me.

Here's to growth,
-Mark

What I'm Looking For: The List

I was recently encouraged by someone at church who has been counseling me in my search for my wife to write down all the attributes I'm looking for and commit them to God. I don't believe this will be the final list, but I do think this covers a lot of what is required. The characteristics in the list below aren't a matter of personal preference, they're non-negotiable. This isn't to say I don't have work to do in the following categories, but I know that my wife will be:
  • Godly
  • Self-disciplined
  • Willing to serve others first
  • Compassionate
  • Understanding/Empathetic
  • Has a good, loving relationship with her family
  • A hard worker
  • Diligent
  • Humble
  • Of noble character
  • Articulate/Communicative
  • Loyal
If anyone reading this has additional suggestions based on Biblical principles or life experiences, please comment or contact me in some fashion.

Here's to growth,
-Mark

2/25/12

The True Song

Not too many things are capable of eliciting a deep emotional reaction from me. Sometimes I worry about whether that's normal. I do feel. I get angry, sad, happy, etc. But am I ever moved? Rarely. If it isn't spiritually related, I can count on one hand how many times I've truly "felt."

Two of those times where when I heard these songs for the first time. And for the second song, it still moves me, but just not quite as much as the first time.

The first song is Crawling by Linkin Park. This is the version they did on their remix album Reanimation.



The second is The Voice by Celtic Woman. This is the only song that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Doesn't matter when or where, but it will happen. The only thing that I can relate it to so it makes sense in my mind is the concept of one's true name from the Inheritance Cycle. In that world, you have your given name, and your true name. Your true name is a word or phrase that perfectly defines who you are, and if you can discover it you can achieve self-mastery. But if someone finds it out before you, they need but speak it to you and they will have complete control over you.

This song is like that for me. When I hear it, I hear me. I hear my soul crying out to God. I see every conflict in my life. I see my past and the mistakes I've made. Maybe this song won't mean anything to you. But it means more to me than I can adequately explain.