I love my community group.

We speak the gospel to each other, we study the Bible, we share our struggles, we confess our sins, we play games, we laugh, we have genuine fun, we strive to live in biblical community.

I'm learning everything that biblical community entials- in many ways it's radically new to me- but I do know that in community we are better equipped to love, worship, and obey God.

I'm so through with that "personal relationship" thing....

Quills

I've only missed going to Quills once in the past 9 days.

I think I may just ask if I can move in.

The Ringing Bell Tour

I'm at Quills, bright and early, for the third day in a row. Actually, it's dark and early, which is kind of depressing. Hopefully I'll get this research paper done today.

Anyway, the Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken show was absolutely fantastic. I was helping out at their merch table, but I still got to catch a lot of the show including some of my favorites such as Thy Mercy, My God; King and a Kingdom; and a New Law. Derek and Sandra played with each other practically all night, so it was kind of like the Webb Family band. The atmosphere was very cozy- even though there wasn't an empty seat in the house it still felt like they were playing in a living room for a few friends.

At the merch table, I spent some time hanging out with Jordan Brooke, a close friend of Sandra and Derek who did the art/design for The Builder and the Architect and Gravity Love. Check out some of her other work here, it's really good.

Derek Webb. Sandra McCracken. Tonight.

Derek Webb

I working at the merch table for the Derek Webb/Sandra McCracken concert Wednesday night at the 930.

Come out and buy a T-Shirt or something.

Istanbul, not Constantinople.

The Bulldogs (indoor team) won our last game tonight. It was truly a hard fought battle. However,we played with heart, we stuck with our strategy, and we didn't let up.

Brandon and Grant both had hat tricks and Pete had an absolutely sick cross goal shot that found net on the inside post. But my favorite goal was when Aaron executed a perfect volley after the opposing keeper deflected the ball straight in the air.

The fans were absolutely awesome and packed the entire house- we've established quite a repuation with Mockingbird's employees as the team with the crazy fans. Definately a good way to finish a season.

Woodcuts

The new art exhibit at Sojourn, How Quickly Comes the Night, is absolutely stunning. Check out some of the work and the meaning behind it here, or - even better- stop by and see it in person. My brother bought the picture of the human hands holding a skull, which is one of my favorite pieces in the collection.

Album Reviews

Dashboard Confessional - In the Shade of Poison Trees - Absolutely fantastic. This one might win back some fans who left over A Mission, A Mark, A Brand, A Scar.

Iron and Wine- The Shepherds Dog - Sam Beam employs cryptic, fragmented lyrics laced with biblical imagery to convey a clear anti-Christiant message. Musically Brilliant.

The Idan Raichel Project - The Idan Raichel Project - Honestly one of the best albums I've picked up all year. Idan Raichel has created a beautiful mosaic of world music from cultures spanning the entire globe.

I just ordered this album at Ear X Tacy.

I figured I needed more Jewish/ Ethiopian music in my Itunes.

Fall Break

This week is fall break and for the third consecutive year I am not going anywhere.

But it's not actually that bad because the few students that are actually here (all 13 of us) hangout a whole lot more- which is pretty cool.

Well the L.A. Galaxy vs. the Columbus Crew proved to be an awesome match. All of the goals were scored in the first 17 minutes, which for a soccer match is pretty insane. Our seats in the northwest corner game us an awesome view of the Crew's opening goal, a NASTY header by Alejandro Moreno in the second minute.

Unfortunately, David Beckham, the reason we bought tickets in the first place, was not there, as his father is in the hospital in England. At least in comparison to the last match I attended the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Overall an excellent way to spend my birthday.