Inspiration.

I have been in a writing slump. A big one.

I am often inspired to write by stories of change and transformation in people's lives. I'm inspired by the Gospel going forward. I'm inspired by creativity and books and conversation and big acts of love and compassion.

Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places, but lately, I've had a difficult time finding inspiration in the writings of others. Lately, I have seen a lot of negativity, a lot of unnecessary conflict. Those things don't inspire me. They make me gloomy. Bitter. Unmotivated.

So, I'm asking you... my lovely and dear friends, where are you finding inspiration? What have you read or seen lately that has inspired you to write and create? Truly the Lord is in all things and I am certainly seeking Him out and wrestling with His changing my heart... but I have a deep craving to see and hear how He is changing you and how He is working in your life.

Tell me:

What's challenging you? What's inspiring you? What's new in your heart?

A deep yearning.

I want to get out of the concrete of the city and allow my feet to dig deep roots in a life of simplicity.

I dream of nights that wrap me up in blankets of star sparkle, instead of the warm glow of high-rises and traffic lights.

I dream of big blue skies and countless days in the brightness of warm rays.

I want the little toes of my boy to feel familiar in cool grass and dirt rather than pavement.

I want a garden. I want to learn how to grow things... nurture them... then find our bellies full of the goodness we've grown.

I dream of small town markets and a one-stop-shop for coffee... a place where I see my neighbors in the morning.

My heart aches for that big front porch with a swing that whispers "Grace is in this house."

I desire warm summer nights in that porch swing with my love. His arm around me, sitting with me in the quiet sparkle while the boy dreams his adventure boy dreams in the quiet room upstairs.

I dream of big color blooms of lilacs and honeysuckle and tulips and roses in the spring, making beautiful bouquets on our kitchen counter.

I yearn for the slow. The pause. The simple. The quiet.

So what do you do? What do you do when your deepest yearnings collide with life? If you sit in my chair, you never stop dreaming those big dreams of stars and porches.

But, you pray.

Pray for calm. Pray for the deepest peace that only comes from the One. Though I sit in the hardened grey of the city, He does a soft but strong growing in me through the waiting and yearning.

I may be living in a concrete life, I may yearn for days in the dirt, but I choose to believe that beautiful things can grow in the cracks of pavement.

What are the desires of your heart?

What's on my iPod?

Recently, I asked if any of you would read a post about what music I'm listening to, and I got an overwhelming response of YES. I think music is a universal language, don't you? It's something that everyone seems to appreciate & participate in on some level.

I've gotta go ahead and say that a lot of my music choices aren't really "family friendly" and they certainly aren't in the Christian music realm, either. It's not to say that I don't like or appreciate wholesome and Christian music, because I do!  I really do.

So, without further ado, here are the albums that I can't stop listening to on my iPod lately:

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
This band ROCKS. Enough said. Just go listen.




Recommended Track:  "The Cave"

Vampire Weekend - Contra
I've been a Vampire Weekend fan for a long time, and their latest effort, Contra, has not been a disappointment. In fact, I can see this album becoming a summer favorite. All of the tunes are upbeat with catchy melodies. The first song on the album, "Horchata," is a song that shouldn't be played any other way than loud, in the car, under sunshine, with all the windows down. The whole album screams of fun and it's still very quirky... just like the band. 


Recommended Track:  "Horchata"

John Mayer - Battle Studies
A tall, good-looking guy with a smooth, raspy voice, playing the blues guitar? Sold. 


John Mayer has come a long way since his first album, and I gotta say, I quite like the change. His songs are richer, fuller, more intricate and you can hear his life being lived through his music. I was a fan my freshman year of college, I'm still a fan now. 


Recommended Track(s):  "Heartbreak Warfare" and "Perfectly Lonely"

Katie Herzig - Live in Studio: Acoustic Trio
I first became aware of Katie's talents when she first started as the lead singer of Newcomer's Home. Katie would sing during the special segments at my church in Colorado and I became hooked on her voice and honest lyrics. Her career has since taken off; she's toured with The Fray and Brandi Carlile, and her music has been featured on Grey's Anatomy. This particular album is sublime. It's perfect to play on a lazy Saturday afternoon... or while you're sitting in the park in the sun.

Recommended Track:  "Hey Na Na"

Ke$ha - Animal
I don't really have anything to say that's going to redeem me from making this choice in music.

I'm sorry.

And, you're welcome.


Recommended Track(s): "Your Love is My Drug" and "Tik Tok"

Pride & Prejudice - Music from the Motion Picture
If you know me at all, you'd know that I'm a huge sucker for classical music. I'm sure I can attribute it to years and years of playing the violin. I'm also the biggest fan of this movie in the entire universe. It's probably my favorite remake I've seen (yes, I do love the 10 hour Colin Firth version, too). It's beautiful, artistic, clever, and Keira Knightley, whether you like her or not, was a perfect Elizabeth Bennet. Anyway, this music sends my heart soaring into romance and daydreams and it has become my perfect reading companion as of late.

Recommended Track:  "The Secret Life of Daydreams"

Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane
I love me some Jon Foreman. And I love me some Switchfoot.

This album should be played while driving really, really fast. Or while running. Or doing anything that can get your adrenaline pumping. It's loud, gritty and awesome.

See? I do like some wholesome music, too.

Recommended Track(s): "Needle and Haystack Life" and "Enough to Let Me Go"

Dashboard Confessional - Alter the Ending
I love Chris Carrabba's voice. And I know that Dashboard is a little... moody. But this album brings back a lot of their classic sound. You either love 'em or hate 'em. Personally, I love 'em.

Recommended Track: "Everybody Learns from Disaster"

Jonsi - Go
Some of you may listen to Sigur Ros, and some of you may not. Jonsi is the lead singer and guitarist for the band and he recently came out with a solo album. It's absolutely breathtaking. Truly. The songs soar through the speakers, and a lot of Sigur Ros' signature sound really comes through. He's brilliant with the band, but he's also brilliant on his own. Please do yourself a favor and give this one a try. It may be a little weird at first if you're not used to this kinda music, but it'll grow on you. I promise.

Recommended Track(s): "Go Do" and "Around Us"

Goo Goo Dolls - Greatest Hits, Volume 1: The Singles
There are very few bands who instantly take me back in time to very distinct moments in my younger life. The Goo Goo Dolls are one of them. And, this album has all of the songs that I loved in high school! I'm also a firm believer that John Rzeznik is one of the few remaining true rockstars. I mean, he still wears leather pants, for goodness sake.

Recommended Track(s): "Black Balloon"

Led Zeppelin - Mothership
I grew up listening to Zeppelin... and Hendrix, CREAM, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, etc. This is my Dad's music and I'm proud to say it's my music, too. If you've never be introduced to classic rock and roll, this is the best place to start. It will shred your face right off.

Recommended Track:  "Black Dog"








Okay well, there you go. That's the first installment, anyway.

What are YOU listening to lately? 

Confessions

My friend Haley and I went out last night and shared some excellent conversation over a couple of excellent Portland beers at the Lucky Lab. It's so refreshing to be able to lay all of your crap out on the table for someone to see and speak into. It was good for my heart, to be sure. We talked about everything... my fear of having another kid, the mama drama of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, our love and weird fascination with Lady Gaga, discipleship, and even our pride. During the conversation, I felt the motivation to post some of my crap here, for all the world to see... a confession of sorts. I'm going to list out some of the things that I feel like I need to work on in my life, and I hope that you'll ask me about them regularly and help keep me accountable.

Wanna join me? It's risky. It's vulnerable. But I have a sneaking suspicion that it's worth it.

Things You Don't Know About Me... But You Should

1. I swear a LOT.
2. I'm a blame-shifter.
3. I have a really bad sense of entitlement.
4. I get road rage.
5. I watch crass & inappropriate comedy movies... and I laugh at them.
6. I don't particularly care about my neighbors.
7. I listen to rap music... and I listen to Lady Gaga... and I like it.
8. I'm afraid of commitment. 
9. I'm pretty materialistic. 
10. I hold grudges.

What do YOU need to work on?