Bathing....

So, last weekend we started our bathroom reno. It's going great, except that we'll be waiting a while before we can use the shower again - have to wait for the tiling, grout to cure, sealing, etc... So, for the next couple weeks, I'll be taking a bath to get clean.
Until Monday, the last bath I'd had to get clean - I've had about 5 baths just to relax - was when I was 4! I am not a "bath guy".
At least it's a nice tub! It's so deep! I can sit strait-legged, and the watter will come up to my arm-pits... soooo nice! However, we have to drain the entire hotwater tank just to fill the tub, so it's not really economical. I was just thinking about that last night - it might be time to think about getting one of those insta-hot machines that heats the water instantly w/o a tank.

That's really all I have to say about that....

(shakes head at his Forrest Gump moment)

Almost Embarrassed to say....

I love Yahoo! Launchcast player! The first thing I do when I get to work is to turn on my Yahoo! Radio player. It plays everything I like, and even suggests some songs and artists that I might enjoy. I usually do.

But, there are 2 artists that I am pretty embarrassed to admit that I am really enjoying. See, I rarely like anything newer than 1995 (unless the artist has been around a while) - I love classic rock! Sure these 2 artists are Canadian, so you can say I'm just supporting our country's gift to music (don't worry, neither is Celine Dion!). But...

Ok, I admit... I really enjoy Alanis Morisette and Avril Lavigne.

They have similar sounds and lyrics - both are quite bold and sing about how they want to kick life in the ass. YEAH!!! You see, the reason I like these chicks is because they represent a new generation of classic rockers. Yes, I know that CLASSIC generally means older (hey, Alanis was around in the 80's -shudder- and Avril was born in the 80's - does that count?), but it's the sound and feel of their music that really gets me.
So, I'll swallow my Jagged Little Pill and continue to let these ladies' music get Under My Skin.

Rock on, Ladies!

One of God's Greatest Gifts

I dedicate this post to NC...

God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
Do you know what you want? you don't know for sure
You don't feel right, you cant find a cure
And you're gettin' less than what you're lookin' for
You don't have money or a fancy car
And you're tired of wishin' on a falling star
You gotta put your faith in a loud guitar

Chorus:
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone (oh yeah)
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
Now listen

If you wanna be a singer, or play guitar
Man, you gotta sweat or you wont get far
Cause its never too late to work nine-to-five
You can take a stand, or you can compromise
You can work real hard or just fantasize
But you don't start livin' till you realize - I gotta tell ya!

God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul

God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, saved rock and roll for everyone
Saved rock and roll

I know life sometimes can get tough! and I know life sometimes can be a drag!
But people, we have been given a gift, we have been given a road
And that roads name is... rock and roll!

- KISS

On Sunday, Nathan spoke about some things that make the Canopy special. I've had this song going through my head ever since.

Thanks, Nathan! Rock on!

Bang a Drum

I went to see the preacher
To teach me how to pray
He looked at me and smiled
Then the preacher turned away
He said if you want to tell Him something
You ain't gotta fold your hands
Say it with your heart Your soul and believe it
And Id say amen

Bang a drum for the sinners
Bang a drum for the sins
Bang a drum for the losers
And those who win
Bang a drum bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
Bang a drum for yourself son
And a drum for me

I called upon my brother just the other day
He said: John I'm gonna die if I don't start to live again
I work each day and night like clockwork
Just trying to make ends meet
I could kick this bad worlds ass if I could just get on my feet

I'd bang a drum for the dying
Bang a drum for the truth
Bang a drum for the innocence
Lost in our youth
Bang a drum bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
Bang a drum for you brother
And a drum for me

I don't know where all the rivers run
I don't know how far, I don't know how come
But I'm gonna die believin'
Each step that I take
Ain't worth the ground that I walk on
If we don't walk it our own way

No I don't claim to be a wiseman
A poet or a saint
I'm just another man who's searching
For a better way
But my heart beats loud as thunder
For the things that I believe
Sometimes I wanna run for cover
Sometimes I want to scream

Bang a drum for tomorrow
Bang a drum for the past
Bang a drum for the heroes
That wont come back
Bang a drum for the promise
Bang a drum for the lies
Bang a drum for the lovers
And the tears they've cried
Bang a drum bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
But as long as my heart keeps on bangin'
I got a reason to believe

- Jon Bon Jovi


Ironically, it was this 'secular' song that taught me a lot about Jesus. Last night, a bunch of us were talking about how experience, tradition, reason and Scripture are 4 filters that affect how we interact with God. I realized that because many people who don't go to church don't really understand their experiences with God, and don't understand Scripture, they have a very limited understanding of who God is.
I am convinced that Jesus wants everyone to know Him. Not so much because He wants to save us from Hell and get us into Heaven; but, because He has so much to give to us in the Here And Now. I am sure that He didn't give us life so that we could pass some test to get into the Pearly Gates; He gave it to us as a foretaste of what Eternity is like... our life in Eternity should be the next logical step as this life ends. If it isn't, I think we've missed something here.