Speaking the Truth In Love, Glow in the Dark Yogurt Tubes, Songwriting, Fighting Anxiety, and Cat Videos

Speaking the truth in love.  What exactly does that mean?

I think it's a pretty natural thing to do in a functional relationship.  It's like, "hey, you were a bit out of line when you said that."  There are ways where there is relationship at gauging things as you say them to ensure it is landing well... to ensure it is safe to say what your saying, get feedback and clarify further if necessary.

However, when we are talking publicly about a situation where the issue is purely theoretical from our perspective, like touchy political issues such as immigration, homosexuality, transgenderism, or socialism there is no relationship for us to work with.  It can very quickly become and us vs. them issue.

I typically avoid making broad statements on these issues for this reason.  Without relationship, so many of these issues are purely theoretical, so what is the point in forming a strong opinion and trying to get people on your side?

One thing I don't have strong opinion on is glow in the dark yogurt tubes.  I mean... I'm not for them, but I'm not against them.  I'm just wondering, what up wit dat?  Are kids eating these in the dark?  Who eats yogurt in the dark?  Now there's a song idea...

This week, Jeff and I should be attempting to write music together for the second time.  Our first session was very ADD... not so much mastermind, but we think we're gonna sound a bit like Cake:

I'm intrigued to see how this ADD Mastermindness sounds musically.  I would like to write music with unexpected twists that is as funny as it is deep.  Is that too much to ask?  We will keep you informed on the progress we make.

It's crazy to add another thing to our list of things to do... but this just has to be done.  Some people just live to create.  It tends to help the stress level somehow, magically.

Man, though.  We are living in uncertain times.  I feel like I'm in a perfect storm right now where everything is unsure.  I heard something cool on the Focus on the Family podcast that changed my thinking.  This lady was saying that when her children are anxious, she uses this verse as guidance for them:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phillipians 4:8


I'd never thought of this verse as the antidote for anxiety, but wow! If we are able to this about the truth and stop believing lies, that diffuses so many things to begin with. In focusing on what is pure, we are looking toward the positive part of our situation and going into the realm of what is admirable should have us focussed on the great things that God is doing amongst us.
Very cool. It is my prayer that these things are revealed to us and in doing so, the Lord will lift us out of our despair and bring us into His glorious light. What an amazing God we serve! He brings resurrection to the direst of circumstances.


So... cat videos. How's this?