In A Van...Down by the River:

Yes, ladies and gents, I spent the last 4 days in a van... not just any van, but my van. And I didn't just stay anywhere, no. I was at Creation East 2003! I had a wonderful time, moshed, skanked, and screamed till my my feet and throat hurt. I saw many wonderful bands and people too.

The best thing about the week/end was the time I got to spend to spend with God. Yeah, the bands were cool and I got to meet some cool kids and hang out with friends from school....but nothing compares to those moment when it was just me and and my Abba. (if you don't know... Abba means Daddy in Hebrew...and by Daddy I mean God) The biggest moment of complete abandon came on my drive home.

I was listening to Five Iron Frenzy's final album, The End is Near, for the first time through and it was the last song. As I had scanned the CD insert, I noticed that the final song ends with the ending to my favorite song and anthem, Every New Day. I decided that I was going to type out the lyrics for you to all understand the place I was. Here I am driving, stratchy throat screaming the closing words at the top of my lungs with as much abandon and tears as one can have while driving....

On Distant Shores:

I have been scared so deep by life and cold despair, and brittle bones were broken far beyond repair. I have leveled lies so deep, the truth may never find. And inside my faithless heart, I stole things never mine.

If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores.

I have toiled for longest years and felt the cost, and I've been burned by the world's cold, like leaves beneath the frost. On my knees I've crawled to you, bleeding myself dry. But the price of life is more, that I could ever buy.

If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores.

And off the blocks, I was headstrong and proud. At the front of the line for the card-carrying, highbrowed. With both eyes fastened tight, yet unscarred from the fight. Running at full tilt, my sword pulled from its hilt. It's funny how these things can slip away, our frail deeds, the last will wave good-bye. It's funny how the hope will bleed away, the citadels we build and fortify. Good-bye. Night came and I broke my stride, I swallowed hard, but never cried. When grace was easy to forget, I'd denounce the hypocrites, casting first stones, killing my own. You would inscale my blind eyes, and I stood battered, but more wise. Fighting to accelerate, shaking free from crippling weight. With resilience unsurpassed, I clawed my way to you at last. And on my knees, I wept at your feet, 'I finally believe that you still love me!"

Healing hands of God have mercy on our unclean souls once again. Jesus Christ, light of the world, burning bright with in our hearts forever. Freedom means love without condition, without a beginning or an end. Here's my heart, let it be forever Yours, only You can make every new day seem so new.