The Lies We Tell Ourselves to Make it Easier

I never thought I would fall out of love with her until you came back into my life. Holding your hand made me forget all the doubts I had about my future. Kissing you silenced all my heart's longing.

I waited ten years for you.

I believed you the way a child believes a father's bedtime stories. And that's all we were.

Yet, I still believe in love. In my own jaded way. I'm marked with pain, yet I cling to hope like a fallen climber to a lone tree branch.

I still believe that love will find me.

2013 - The Year of Humility

2013 was a big learning year for me. First of all, I bought a house and along with my mortgage came a (seemingly) never-ending list of questions about new information that all of a sudden was vital to my life. "What temperature do I set my thermostat to?" "Who do I call to have my furnace inspected?" are just a couple examples. A lot of times I consulted the internet but for the most important questions, I called my dad. My dad knows everything. He can build or fix anything. He's an encyclopedia of knowledge and experience to say the least. He had answers to all of my concerns.

In April I got a job working for Porter Pickups, a local electric guitar pickup builder located in Boise. There, I build the base components of the pickups and do miscellaneous work. While I was really excited to get the job, it meant doing something I hadn't done in years, learning a new skill. After a few weeks I got the hang of it but at first I really struggled to remember each step of the building process. I take my work at Porter very seriously because I'm building something that a customer is going to put into their guitar and I want them to absolutely LOVE it! I asked my boss question after question to ensure what I was doing was both perfect in execution and quality. I asked "why" and "how" a lot.

Fast forward to November. I was given a promotion at my church. Along with my raise came a new title, "Video Producer." I feel I should stress the fact that I've never done video in my life. I quietly accepted my new position while feeling slightly overwhelmed. 

Up to this point I had one responsibility at the church and it was one I was more than familiar with, more than capable of executing with excellence; play guitar, sing and lead a band. Easy. But video? I've never done video. Here goes nothing.

Just like at Porter, I asked a lot of questions. I watched, I listened, I copied and learned. And you know what? It got easier; but not until I was able to admit that I couldn't do it by my own knowledge. Just like with my home and at Porter Pickups, I was humbled in the presence of someone who knew better than I did.

The Bible holds humility in the highest regard. Numerous verses from different books speak of the act of humility being the essential first step toward being lifted up by The Lord. But the verse that really stuck out to me and really encompassed 2013 for me was Philippians 2:3-11.

    "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

I could go on and on with examples explaining why this particular passage means so much to me but instead I'll end with this. When we humble ourselves before others it communicates our respect and appreciation for everything they are, their knowledge, their importance, value, etc. Value the knowledge of others. Humble yourself, ask questions and learn.

I felt your love in the evening, O Lord.
I felt your love when I was alone.
It was in another.
Not in their touch, not in their actions
but in the words they used towards others.

Father, anoint my tongue with goodness.
Wrap my words in your goodness.
For I long to love others the way
you revealed yourself to me.

Jet-Lagged Heart

Jet set, I'm in love with you.
Jet set, what can I do?

Jet set, I'm in love with you.

One Year

June 1st marked my official one year anniversary with The Waiting Kind! And what an incredible year this has been! Feels like so much longer than a year with all of the monumental things we've been through. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love with my best friends; glorifying God in worship!

Here's a look back at the craziness through photos...

One of my favorite parts of being on the road is visiting new places. Went to Vegas for the first time in my life, last summer!

Multnomah Falls, Oregon!

Universal Studios, Hollywood. *I bet you didn't know Woody the Woodpecker was so gangster.

I met some pretty cool cats on the road, too.

We met The Civil Wars :)

I got to buy some neat gear. *1988 Gibson Les Paul Standard.

Morgan AC20tb

G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy.

1981 Fender Bullet.

Musicomlab EFX MK III. Game changer.

My tasty BBF Pedalboard.

My stereo rig in San Diego :)

We got to play some really neat shows. *Roseville, CA.

Take Back the Night. Boise, ID.

Pathways. San Diego.

Arizona.

Spirit West Coast. Monterrey, CA.

Spirit West Coast.

Nuart Theater. Moscow, ID.

 

Fall to Worship. Nampa, ID.

Farmington, New Mexico

Our live video sessions were such a blast!

Let's not forget planking.

Durango, CO.

Met up with friends on the road, too!

Can't forget all our fun breakdowns!

We ate a lot of good food. Maybe too much.

Can't wait to make more awesome memories this year! I love being on this journey; answering the call God has placed on our lives!

-Justin

Rose Pedals

I buried your memory deep in my heart

These years spent digging; how long til the pain's forgotten?

I planted a garden to remember your beauty

but reunion's lifeless touch left it wilted and cold

Rose pedals grasping at the wind; I can breathe again.

Lucky Now

I don't remember were we wild and young?
All that faded into memory
I feel like somebody I don't know
Are we really who we used to be - am I really who I was ?

The lights will draw you in
And the dark will bring you down
And the night will break your heart
But only if you're lucky now

So beautiful.