Saturday, January 9, 2010

Inspiration Is Not Lacking

I'm definitely an artistically-oriented person. That fact has never been more evident to me than it has lately. I have a fantasy story in the works; am looking to get more into digital-art and photo-editing; write poetry on a semi-regular basis; play the drums, etc etc. I just seem to find myself engrossed in things of an artistic nature and desire to envelope myself with such things. There is an issue, however: I'm only at the "beginner's" level of most of my artistic endeavors.

Now someone may say "Well, if you just practice those things more often then you won't be at a beginner's level anymore, right?" If that were to be the proposed question, my response would be "Yes, of course." However, I have a job--two, technically, maybe three if you count ministry responsibilities. If I'm attempting to make the foremost of that list a 40-hour-a-week affair for the sake of supporting my family, and then you add the other two responsibilities on top of that... I don't have as much time to put into furthering my artistic abilities. I would have some time to do so, of course, but not as much as I feel would be needed to really excel in those things. As strange as this may sound, I almost wish I could just "explode" with the different artistic elements I have swimming around inside of me; it feels almost as if having to facilitate the learning of and operation in these artistic elements is like being chained down, or something of that sort. Like, something on the inside of me wants to be freed, but the only way to free it is through this meticulous, very time-involved process. I suppose the "duh" moment here would be the observation that this process is called learning; nothing too amazing there. But learning takes time, and I am honestly asking the question: Do I have the time?

I suppose I am just frustrated. Did God really create an artist in me? And if so, are these gifts that He has given me being used to their full-potential? I desire to be a good steward of anything and everything He entrusts to my care, but that's definitely easier said than done. Especially my time.

...

Hm.

Especially my time.

Insert a big, bright light-bulb. I suppose I've just come full-circle, and also perhaps stumbled upon the answer to my questioning. Funny how that happens. Perhaps it's not that I lack for the necessary time to put forth into the talents He has given me, but that I struggle maintaining a good balance of the time that I already have. I've known that this is an issue with me, but up until now have failed to apply that truth to this particular element of my life.

Then God, please help me with my time-management. And I thank You for helping me.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

My First Post

Well, hello!

This would be my first post, to my first "blog." Although I do have an out-of-date LiveJournal account, I've always considered that as a literal "journal" as opposed to a blog. Perhaps there's little difference, and I suppose it is pointless to try at length to differentiate between the two.

My name is Jason. I am a Christian; by which I mean I love the Lord Jesus Christ and do my best to serve Him with my utmost. Of course, I do fail miserably at this as we all do to one degree or another: but thank God for His grace and mercy, and that His mercies are new everyday. I attend and actively participate in church on a regular basis, and I believe without the local church I would be a very different person today. My Pastor and church family have been there for me for years and years, supporting me and praying for me throughout the various goings-on of my life. I thank God for saving me, and for establishing me in His house. It is truly a blessed thing.

I am married to a wonderful woman, Amanda. She is truly my best friend and would definitely be considered my soul-mate. We have been very happily married for almost three-and-a-half years, and I couldn't ask for a better, more godly woman to walk through this life with. She is amazing. We currently have no children, but we're believing that in God's timing we'll bear some seed, so to speak.

I absolutely love music. I have been playing drums for about ten years now and still enjoy it very much. I have been drumming for my church's praise and worship team for that same amount of time and have been very, very blessed in doing so. I love listening to music and feel that various artists and genres of music greatly move me and inspire me. I'm quite artistically-oriented, although I can be logical at times, too. Not to say artistic people aren't logical, but as I understand it there are typically logical people who use the "logical side" of their brain while artistic people primarily use the "artistic side" of their brain. Perhaps I float between the two; I don't know. :)

I suppose as far as my personal introduction goes, I'll leave it at that for now and close-out this post. I hope you, the reader, enjoy reading the content of this blog as I continue to update it. I hope to inspire some, make some laugh (or at least chuckle), and I am certain to offend some (if not many). May God richly bless you today.

-Jason