I’d actually highly encourage you to watch all of the baptisms in this video. These guys are family to me, and their testimonies speak volumes. If you would like to do so, and also read a bit more about baptism, click here. Love you guys.

“Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades.”
–Hillsong United

I think I put my hope in the wrong things. A lot. I mean, let’s be honest; it’s not that hard. For example, I put my hope in my finances all the time. And why not? It’s going to be a physical sustainer for the entirety of this life; it’s natural to put my hope in my income. And I’m sure that the more you have, the easier that is. Another example of poor hope placement, one that, whether you’ll admit it or not, all of you can relate to: relationships. I’m talking all kinds. Some of you (and at points in my life I’ve been in this spot) are convinced that having more friends will make you a happier person. Truth be told, I’m much happier than I was a year ago, and I actually have fewer close friends (but I’m closer than ever to those I kept). And what of dating relationships? And marriage? I’ll be the first to admit to putting my eggs in that basket. Who doesn’t want to feel loved?

Love. That’s an interesting topic. Why do we crave love? I mean, crave it? We all do. Even the people who never talk to anyone outside of their families crave love; they just feel that their family’s love is sufficient. Then, on the opposite end of the spectrum, you have those who seek love from anyone and everyone. Some look for it in dating relationships, some look for it in having as many friends as possible, some look for it in physical regards… you name it. And you’ve probably been there. Actually, I promise you have. Haven’t we all? But you know what sucks? You know what really, really sucks? We all still feel empty. Completely empty. Don’t you feel it? I mean, as soon as one of those relationships that you’ve banked on so much collapses, suddenly your world falls apart. And you’re alone. All over again. Back at square one, right? You’ve been there. I’ve been there. I get it. And it hurts. It hurts a lot. You thought you had it together. You were happy. Things were going well. So well. And now it’s going up in flames, and it’s too late to save it.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Surely we don’t enjoy the pain. So it must be a result of the hope we have that that person or persons will make us happy. But it doesn’t take much time in this world to figure out that everyone is going to let you down at some point. Everyone. And it sucks. But we still do it. We still try over and over to find love in every category possible. It’s like we’re wired to or something.

Oh wait, we are. We’re built to love. Well that’s kind of cruel, isn’t it? What kind of God would embed something into us that is so horribly painful half the time? Why are we in endless pursuit of something that never fills us up as well as we hope for it to? Unless… unless there’s some kind of ultimate love. Like, we’ve just been loving the wrong person or something. But, if that was the case, then there would have to be someone who could never, ever let us down. Which is impossible. Right? I mean, everyone I know has screwed me over at one point or another, whether they meant to or not (most fall into the second category). But if we’re built to love, then we probably aren’t meant to give up on love, and therefore there has to be some kind of default love that is failsafe. A lot of you probably know where I’m going with this. But regardless of whether or not you do, you probably need to hear it as much as I do, so keep reading.

Perfect love. What a beautiful concept. We’d never be disappointed. Never hurt. Never left to the side. Never overlooked. We’d always feel it, always know of it, always return to it when we find ourselves broken and hurting. And the best part? It’s real. No, seriously, it exists. I know. Tuesday was one of a few different times in my life where I found myself sprinting back to it. Don’t get me wrong; it’s always been there. I just… forget. I convince myself I’ve found something better. And even as I sit here, this war wages on in my head. But I know the truth.

So what is it, you ask? Well, I’ll put it simply: the Creator who instilled this desire to love within your heart is the same being that deserves it. “We love,” explains 1 John 4:19, “because he first loved us.” Really. You were made to know God and love him. That is why you exist; it is the very essence of your being. Love between human beings exists so that we might be able to get the slightest grasp on God’s love for us. But, in my personal opinion (and I could be wrong here), it also exists so that we recognize how amazing it is that God, the God, actually loves us without fail. See, everyone else lets us down, even when we love them with every ounce of our being. But God doesn’t let us down. He never fails. Sounds crazy, right?

Okay, I agree, it does. How can God possibly love everyone? Really? That seems impossible. And trust me, I’ve struggled with this over the years. And, if you’ll allow the quick rabbit trail, I’ll explain why, simply because you’ve probably been there too. First of all, I’m a terrible person. This isn’t me beating myself up; this is a fact pulled straight out of Scripture. I am a horrible, sinful person. But you, my friend, are also a horrible, sinful person. You’ve done terrible things, some of which you may not have ever told a soul. And you know it’s true. We’re all terrible. Unspeakably terrible. So how could God love us? Second, I’m just one person. One. Who cares? Certainly not God. God spends time on people like Billy Graham. Not Colby Davis. But I’m forgetting something when I doubt God’s love for me.

You see, God is God. Think about it. The attributes of an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God are way beyond what our finite minds can understand. Therefore, his capacity to love greatly exceeds our own. It also greatly exceeds our own understanding, for 1 John explains that God is love. It comes from him, and therefore it exists because of him. But it gets better. God’s love also exceeds how horrible we are. I’m preaching to the choir on this one, because I struggle to believe that on a day-to-day basis. But again, he’s God, and God is love. So he loves me. He loves you. It’s in his nature. That’s just what God does. So what?

Wait, “so what?” The greatest being known to mankind loves me, and that’s all I can come up with? “So what?” No. This changes everything. EVERYTHING. There has to be a reason for this. The God of the universe creates me, then chooses to love me even after I sin. So he sends his Son to live a perfect, blameless life that I in no way have the ability to live, then allows him to pay the ultimate punishment for all of the sins of mankind through death on a cross. And now he’s alive. He comes back three days later, conquering sin and death. My sin. My death. All on him. All taken care of. Now I’m free from sin.

But there’s more to it! I’m free to love. That ultimate love, that perfect love I was talking about? I have that now. And it doesn’t fail. That doesn’t mean my life gets better. It would be naïve of me to think so. After all, what is love without sacrifice? It’s hard. But it’s perfect. And the emptiness? It’s gone. I have what I was looking for. My purpose is being fulfilled, and I’ll never find anything that even comes close.

So let’s circle this ridiculously long conversation back around to a conclusion. Yes, I struggle. I get lonely. Empty. And so do you. But there’s a reason now, you see. It’s not because you don’t have enough friends, or a spouse, or money, or fame, or glory, or whatever else you’ve been pouring your entire existence into. It’s because you lost sight of ultimate love. The only love known to mankind that has never screwed anyone over. God’s love.

Where, then, do you put your hope? Ah, you thought I forgot that I started with hope. Well I did not. Where do you put your hope? And how’s that going for you? Are you happy? I mean, are you really happy? Because, truth be told, the only times you ever see me miserable are the times when I lose my focus. My hope is in Christ. Everything else has and will continue to fail me. And, to be honest, it’s been a hard week. It took me two days to write this blog post because I couldn’t work up the nerve to write the happy part Tuesday. Thankfully, I have good, godly friends who set my head on straight, but still, it’s been rough. And the only reason, I mean, the only reason I’m not sitting around sulking right now and instead am writing this post that only five people (give or take) will read is because I’m realigning my sights.

So I leave you with two things. First, as you know, I’m a music guy. So here’s a worship song. Honestly, I think a lot of popular Christian music out there is kind of awful, but this song not only sounds good; it’s also very real (and applicable, so go listen). Second, I’m going to leave you with a Psalm. If you’ve read it before, read it again. If not, please dissect this thing as much as possible. It’s beautiful poetry, but, much more than that, it’s truth. Real truth about real love. Oh, and one more thing. I understand that I’m not perfect. These are just the words of a frustrated college kid who needs to sort some stuff out. And while I probably didn’t spout heresy, odds are this isn’t the most theologically sound blog post you’ve ever read. Nevertheless, it’s from the heart. So, while you should take nothing but Scripture as ultimate truth, don’t pick this apart either. I don’t say that because I can’t take the insult (honestly I could use the criticism), but because there’s a greater subject at hand. You are loved. Now go love. Oh, and smile. :)

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoezWBPGRAc

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills.
     From where does my help come?
² My help comes from the Lord,
     who made heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot be moved;
     he who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, he who keeps Israel
     will neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The Lord is your keeper;
     the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
     nor the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will keep you from all evil;
     he will keep your life.
⁸ The Lord will keep
     your going out and your coming in
     from this time forth and forevermore.

–Psalm 121 (ESV)

Okay, sounds nice, but easier said than done. I mean, come on. Money is tight, school is rough, church is intimidating, and, honestly, spiritual growth kind of sucks sometimes. I’m trying to mend relationships, disciple younger guys, gain wisdom, fight temptations, be a good steward, and then, of course, there’s this girl… yeah. It just feels like everyone is looking at me, watching, waiting for my next move.

Well, that’s how I felt a week or so ago. Now, not so much. “Be still,” the Lord commands, “and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, ESV). Think about it; how many of the things I just listed are within my control? Maybe one or two. But even so: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26, NIV). You heard that right. God notices birds. Freaking birds. And I spent Monday in panic mode because I couldn’t afford to put gas in my car? Why? God provides for birds. I’m sure He has the simple ability to fill my gas tank.

But here’s the catch. Yes, He has the ability, but will He always? Doubtful. Does that mean we can panic now? I mean, if God isn’t providing… crap, we’re in trouble, right? Wrong again. We forget that God is also sovereign, which is just a fancy way of saying that He knows what He’s doing. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). I don’t know if you’ve figured this out yet (apparently I haven’t eiher), but God is God. I mean, THE God. God of the universe. The One who created the heavens and the earth back in Genesis. The One who developed this elaborate plan for the redemption of all mankind. This God we speak of is kind of an expert at being in control, because, well, he’s God. It’s really not that complicated for Him to take care of us. And, being omniscient (knowing everything), God’s definitely figured out what’s best for His kids.

So if your circumstances are out of your control, relax. Apparently God’s doing something intended to strengthen your faith. So praise Him for that! He’s simply trying to show how much He loves you. And, hey, if your circumstances are your own fault, relax. You can’t change what you’ve done already, so simply ask God for the wisdom and discernment to make the right decisions for said situation from here on out. And, since you’re seeking God’s will with sincerity, He will more than gladly grant you your request.

This is still easier said then done. It looks great on paper. But the fact of the matter is that I love convincing myself that my plans trounce God’s. Hold on though; where were my plans taking me anyway? I mean, my initial plans? Oh yeah, eternal separation from God. Might want to rethink that one then. Clearly, God has a much better plan for my life than I do. After all, He’s the one who created it.

My challenge to you, then, is the same one I’m issuing to myself: never, ever cease to remind yourself that God is in control. Your life is not your own. You, along with every single other human being on this face of this planet, were created to know God and glorify Him through that relationship. That is your purpose. That is why you exist. Straying from that will do nothing short of destroy you, because it breaks from your original design. But thankfully, if you have, God created this beautiful concept known as grace. All of God’s wrath, anger, and hatred toward sin and the sinful was poured out upon His Son, Jesus Christ, as He hung from a tree almost two thousand years ago for crimes He did not commit. He stood in your place and took your judgement. My place. My judgement. And now you and I stand blameless before an almighty God. Blameless. What we deserved? That’s something to panic about. But we’re free from that. Free from sin. Free from judgement. Free to know God. Free to love. Free to be loved. Morality, then, becomes a response to God’s grace and mercy and the freedom which He has given you. Affection for Him brings about an affection for things that represent Him: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I can go for hours on this, but you get the concept.

So now what? It’s simple. If you believe the promises of God, then what reason do you have to worry? None. He’s way better at this control thing than you. And, if you don’t believe said promises, I encourage you look into them, simply because, as I said before, you were made for this. You were made to know God. Check out the link I have in the right column entitled The Story for more detail if you like, but please, don’t simply brush this off. Ask questions, regardless of how odd they sound. There’s nothing wrong with seeking truth.

All that said, I find it hard not to praise God. He took over a life I was inevitably going to screw up. And, of course, not everything has gone according to plan. Not mine. But His plan is greater, and it goes way beyond the life of one American college student amidst seven billion other human beings. So relax! This isn’t about you anyway, and God knows exactly what He’s doing. So smile, and remember: don’t panic.

3. Divided By Friday
@DividedByFriday
I will confess a bit of personal attachment to this band. I befriended drummer Al German via Twitter over a year ago when they were still an unsigned local band in North Carolina. Starting in their early high school years in the small town of Laurinburg, DBF quickly began headlining shows all over the state. Their first full length, “Maybe in a Memory,” brought these sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to the attention of multiple labels. I caught lead singer Jose Villanueva after a show about a month ago and asked him about it. “Suddenly everyone was calling us,” he told me. “We had big labels telling us that we were one of their top prospects at the moment… we were only juniors and seniors.” Since their first release, Divided By Friday has put out two singles and three EPs, steadily gaining talent with each one. Their latest EP, “Prove It,” was released just under a month ago and features both singles (“Prove It” and “Lost in Limbo”), as well as four other tracks that are sure to catch your attention. You’ll even find a song featuring Jenna McDougall of the Australia-based Tonight Alive. In short, these guys are young, talented, and full of the potential, providing unique-sounding vocals and intense melodies (not to mention that the drumming is phenomenal). And for proof, check out their ever first music video for “Disappoint: Surprise” off their second EP, “The Constant”:

2. We Are The In Crowd
@WeAreTheInCrowd
Let’s face it. Female-fronted bands are perfect. The girls love seeing a fellow lady on stage, and the guys… well, you get the idea. But, at the same time, male vocals bring out an intensity that only guys can. So what if you mix both? Enter We Are The In Crowd. Tay Jardine and Jordan Eckes trade off vocals as only they can to create a unique sound that is practically impossible to find a comparison for. While they certainly put on a great display of harmonies, We Are The In Crowd also uses their unique setup to portray a multi-perspective feel to each song. Some songs resemble arguments, while others sound more like a built-up mutual opinion. Their first release, “Guaranteed to Disagree,” goes with a rather poppy sound that’s great for roadtripping or whatever else makes you smile. Singles like “Both Sides of the Story” and “For the Win” are nothing short of entertaining and have an almost nostalgic feel to them. Their second full length, however, has taken a slightly more serious turn. Released on October 4, “Best Intentions” has showed a more mature We Are The In Crowd, and it’s proven to be for the better, and watching this band continue to develop is bound to be a thrilling experience. Check out the official music video for the first single of this sophomore release, entitled “Rumor Mill,” and decide for yourself:

1. The Dangerous Summer
@DangerousSummer
But sometimes, you need to sit back and think. Relax. Take the edge off. You need music you can feel. Lyrics you can relate to. Chord progressions that invoke emotion. You seek passion. Sit down with AJ Perdomo for a little while. From The Dangerous Summer’s formation in 2007 as seniors in high school, AJ’s ability to write has spoken for itself. But lyrics are only a piece of a band. Thankfully, The Dangerous Summer has a little something called chemistry. Each member brings their own passion to the group: the guitar riffs are beautiful, the drumming is subtle yet intricate, and the melodies captivate the listener. This, my friends, is music. TDS’s alternative sound takes influence from indie and modern rock, and also throws in some elements of its own. Their first full length, “Reach for the Sun,” is a stunning piece of work, and yet, in their latest release, they have somehow managed to outdo the former. Released this past summer, “War Paint” was nothing short of phenomenal. And, incredibly enough, they are just as impressive live as they are on the record. Still need more evidence? Check out their latest music video for their first single, “Work in Progress,” after which I named this blog:

So there you have it. Three young, talented bands on a label notorious for producing some killer music. Clicking on each album image above will take you to it on the iTunes store; buy if you can in order to support these guys. Stay inspired my friends.