Inspiration

Where does it come from? How do you get it? Can you force it?

I've been wondering these questions for a while. Lately over the past few weeks I've been inspired to do a lot of things in my life, but where does this inspiration come from?

Over the course of a few months I realize I have 4 big interests/inspirations; things that my heart is telling me I should be doing.

1. Help the homeless.
2. Witness to people, spread the Gospel, sharing faith.
3. Write music.
4. Encourage/Support people.

Last night I got my haircut at like 8:00pm. Odd time for a haircut, I know. But that's all they had available and I needed a haircut bad! I've had the same girl, Anna, cut my hair for the past 2 years. She just got engaged and is currently in the planning stages and all that good stuff. Anyway, before yesterday I never talked about my faith with her. I asked her if they found a church to get married at yet, she said no because they are getting married outside but one of her other clients is a pastor and will be officiating. I asked her about her upbringing and she said that her family never went to church so was never exposed to anything religious growing up. But she did say she has some big questions and really wants to get her marriage started off on the right foot. She was definitely seeking something. So I told her about our church and she knew right where it was, said she was intimidated, but really wanted to just "check it out" to see what it is about. so I invited her and she is really excited to check it out soon. I encouraged her to pursue her questions and said she can ask me anything. So, hopefully a little seed is planted and some good will come of it!

Helping to make dinner/breakfast for the guys at the men's homeless shelter a few times a month has really made me want to pursue that even more. The are such a thankful group of guys and area ton of fun, actually. I hope to share my faith with a few of them eventually.

Watching Camann's show on Wednesday was also inspiring. It looked so effortless on stage doing what he was doing. Granted, he is a much more gifted musician, but I have my own style and I just felt like playing, recording and writing tons of songs after that. I've found that a lot of inspiration comes from friends.

It's really refreshing to see a bunch of my friends starting to get their art out there and pursue their passions. And that's inspiring as well. Buck and Shawn are getting into their writing, Camann is writing and performing songs, teaching piano lessons, starting to lead worship, playing in cool bands. I'm writing a ton of new songs. Dobbins has changed his career path and is focusing on what he really wants to do with sports. Everybody seems to be headed in the right direction. To be able to work is a privilege and I'm very thankful for my job, but a lot of people make it their lives when there is so much more out there. I just want to keep pushing myself.

I still have some confidence issues and still have this fear about sharing my art. But over the past few years my confidence has increased 10-fold and I'm sure I'll get there.

God is really drawing me in the right direction, just gotta stay on course. Gotta stay "Away From Temptation"

Other than that, it's going to be a nerve wracking weekend in baseball. The crew is tied for first in the NL wildcard with the Mets, they have only 3 games to go and they play the Cubs. But man, these past two games have been sweet with Fielder having walk-off home run and Braun having a walk-off grand slam in back-to-back games. Great momentum to bring us into this final series. It will be such an incredible day if the Crew can actually get into the playoffs. Unfortunately, I'll be in Seattle if it happens so I won't get to be around Brewer fans. But I got my playoff tickets!

Tonight, us and a few other couples are having a progressive dinner (swingers club as Camann calls it) Ed, Buck and Tucker all moved into new places so we're gonna go and check them out! And eat food with friends, what could be better?

I hope to take some great photos in the Northwest, especially with all the leaves changing color. Speaking of the Northwest, have you ever watched "Twin Peaks" because you should. It is the most intriguing, weird, funny, horrifying, quirky show we have ever seen and it is so cool. It aired from 1990-1991 and now has a cult following. Shawn, you shouldn't watch this show cuz it might give you nightmares. Seriously, especially episode #3.