Creation

I seem to not post for months at a time and then feel as if I want to write everything in one post to catch up.I follow many artists and many forms of art. I see many displays of creation and many forms of glory revealed through earthly vessels. As I look at some of my favorite artists whether it be music, writing, art, or even food I am amazed by the beauty/talent. I remember the scripture:

Romans 8:19-24

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain

the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, wewait for it with patience.

Taking that scripture is the inspired word of God then I believe this based on this scripture:

We are all depraved. We all wait to be rescued from this world for we eagerly await to be adopted as sons and redeemed of our bodies. Therefore, if creation eagerly awaits adoption as sons,and there is nothing innately good about us, then…our forms of earthly art/beauty are only minuscule compared to what our maker has created. That being said. There are numerous forms of art/beauty that I look at and think how amazing. So then if we believe the latter to be true then how much more is the creation of God. And anything that we look upon to be beautiful or amazing should then call us more toward the creator. Should it not?

The picture is from the front of our house.

Ransomed

Ransomed-Chris Cantrell

Today I try to get lost

Today I try to find my way

I look for the sun through the clouds

But only find the rain

I hear your faint whisper

Its now beckoning my hearts door

In trying to find myself

I lost what you were looking for

The sun now shines brightly through the clouds

You have parted the red sea

You tore the vale from death to life

In ransomed pursuit of contemptible me

What is this Love

What is this Love-Chris Cantrell

What is this love that I rarely see

What is this torment that consumes me

Love is so near yet so far

Is this what it will be

What is this love that I need

As long as it consumes my heart

Will I search ever so intently

You are my life my love

I breathe to touch you once more

You are my life my love

I wait patiently by the door

Come back to me

I can love you more than what you desire

Come back to me my dear

I will be an everlasting fire

What is this love that I rarely see

I know the void more than I know thee

Return to me my love

Imagine

Written By: Chris Cantrell –Nashville, TN

Almost a year ago I returned from a country that is still riddled with violence. It’s a country that is consumed with hate for the brother who lives next to him just because he differs in religion. The violence is no respecter of persons and seems to be glorified from the pulpit. The pain can be seen in a child who is missing limbs, women who are not allowed to look me in the eye, and fathers who have lost their sons. Violence beget violence and many were forced to do things that they could not have ever imagined, just to protect their family.

This in many ways reflects the history of our nation. There were times in our history that we became the center of the world’s eye for our horrific actions to many of our brothers. Fortunately, we have moved past some of these issues. Though like Iraq, it took many years of hard work and people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to change the status quo.

When I came home on leave for two weeks to the states, I met my wife in New York City for a small vacation during the holiday season. We did the whole tourist thing for a while and I enjoyed the small comforts that I had missed for nine months.

One afternoon we decided to take a walk through Central Park. I had never been to New York City and had always wanted to visit the park. I had grown up seeing the enchanted gardens in the movies and wanted to feel the magic for myself. We walked for a while and even ice-skated to the sounds of Christmas music playing in the distance.

As we walked we heard a saxophone playing a little ways away. It was faint enough that we could not discern what song was being played. After a good five to ten minute hike we could make out that the saxophone player was playing John Lennon’s, “Imagine.”

Arriving to the scene of the already gathered crowd. We found a group of people not surrounding the musician but something else. I forced my way into the circle of people with cameras and was astounded to see this image laid on top of John Lennon’s tribute mosaic.

I am not the most emotional person outwardly, but this almost brought me to tears. Coming from a country that everyday I saw some sort of violence or unimaginable hurt, this took me to a place I had never thought I would go while trying hard to remember the words to the song.

“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”-John Lennon

On this day we remember a man who helped change our country’s destiny for the better. We celebrate a man who became infamous and was taken to death by the very thing that he stood against. His words remain echoing in the ears of even those that disdained him. Take a minute today to remember the legacy and path that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left for us to follow.

“I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Andrew Bird

Great Music-Its actually music unlike some of the stuff on the radio

The Altar

Ever since I was younger I have found poetry to be amazing-recently I have been reading more and more of it and I stumbled across this little piece that I thought was very good-Here it is for you to enjoy as well

The Altar

By George Herbert

A broken ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears,

Made of a heart and cemented with tears;

Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;

No workman’s tool hath touch’d the same.

A HEART alone

Is such a stone,

As nothing but

Thy pow’r doth cut.

Wherefore each part

Of my hard heart

Meets in this frame

To praise thy name.

That if I chance to hold my peace,

These stones to praise thee may not cease.

Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,

And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.

Well…

After reviewing my post there were some pictures left out. So here we go… looks like there is still a problem with one but were getting closer

I hope I have a son this cool one day!!!

Pictures

Well I cant make up my mind afterthinking about it-most people follow me on here-so I will continue to post every 6 months on here-lol-here are some pictures that I took-I think I have found a new hobby-so here are some of my attempts-