Currently Listening Chase This Light By Jimmy Eat World The Big Casino see related

new blog www.xanga.com/ragamuffinbybirth

check it out!

Currently Listening Ohio By Over the Rhine see related

so if you are not sure who Brian Mclaren is I would suggest that you check him out. he plays a large role in the emergent church and his views are very different than the views you may hold. however, he is a visionary with a passion that i believe is drawn from God.

  if you like to read, I think you should read his book "A New Kind of Christian" it's amazing.

in other news, as of January 1, 2008 I will be withdrawing my membership of the Wesleyan church due to disagreements in the doctrine. I can not support an organization that does not support it's claims with scripture. for example...no where in the Bible does it even suggest that smoking is a sin. yet, you can not hold a position of leadership in the Wesleyan church if you are a smoker...in fact, you can not even become a member! that's a pretty bold thing to keep from someone just because they smoke...it's not a sin! it may be a stupid thing to do, but it's not a sin!

I am sick and tired of "Christians" making up rules and then claiming that you have to obey them to be saved...that's a load of crap!

sorry if this post is everywhere, I just get frustrated.

 I will be seeking a church that doesn't damn people for not obeying the rules that man made and claimed as God's. I will be praying and reading deep into God's word for direction. I hope you will at least look into the emergent church or at least one that doesn't act as foolish as the Wesleyan church or most of today's churches.

In Him,

Joe Freed

Currently Listening Across A Wire: Live In New York City By The Counting Crows see related

well, I never thought I would be,but I am back at IWU! I can not tell you how happy I am about it. I went from thinking I was going to be so alone in Clarkston for the entire year and I ended up just having to survive the summer.

   as I walk through the student center I look at faces that I know I would have missed and I am so thankful that I serve a God that provides for me and shows me his love by letting me be here.

sometimes I am quick to dismiss things in my life as just good fortune or (on a good day) a gift from God. I never think about how those gifts from God are his way of proving his love to me. I am overcome when I think about it. I know I am not a perfect Christian, but I am trying. everyday, I read books and try to figure out how i can become a better follower, but I think I can start be looking for God in the details.

I write music and try to convey my thoughts about God, philosophy, and my feelings, but I never seem to capture them. I think that if I just remember that God is in everything in my life and if I feel that he is not, I need to make sure that he is, I will be assured to be a better follower.

I want to leave you with this verse because it helped me to get through the hardest time in my life.

  For I am the LORD, your God,
       who takes hold of your right hand
       and says to you, Do not fear;
       I will help you.     

                    Isaiah 41:13

In Him,

Joe Freed

Currently Listening Why Should the Fire Die? By Nickel Creek see related

ok, so tonight Nickel Creek will be playing about ten minutes from me house! I wanted to go SO bad but since I don't know a single person in this area, I have to go alone. this happened with the Bob Dylan show and the John Mayor/Ben Fold's show as well. I have chosen not to go because I can't stand to go alone. I know that sounds wierd but who goes to big concerts alone...honestly?

the good news is...they will be in Bloomington Indiana on October 18th and in Ann Arbor Michigan on the 16th of October. I will wait till any of these shows and take friends from school.

if you are interested please let me know. tell your friends because I am afraid they will sell out and I really want to get my tickets soon!

In Him,

Joe Freed