Here's another song I want to work on.

This one is a bit morbid...I was regression testing a server making sure all the applications still worked after performing some updates....one of the documents was a list of residents and how much they weighed by month. Some of them had 3 letters in the column under a particular month and no more weights were recorded for that resident. The letters were "dc'd".

 

Written by Mike Taggart

DC'd

 

Staring at a list

shows names in a home

the numbers that represent

a person all alone

 

the column on the left

shows a real name

i think i have some friends

that have the same

 

as you move to the right

you start to realize

that these are real people

nearing the ends of their lives

 

looking at their progress

i see nothing is guaranteed

especially not tomorrow

some on the list are marked dc'd

 

a nurse in a hall

a sweet heart nothing less nothing more

a job that sees it every day

residents sitting at deaths door

 

i look in the mirror

and as i am staring back at me

we'll all be on that list

we'll all be marked dc'd

 

dc'd

dc'd

deceased

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Decisions, decisions

Went to Immanuel Baptist church last night to a self defense class with the family. It was a small gathering...but, the instruction was excellent. I am liking George quite a bit. (He's the pastor out there). The decision we are trying to make is which church to join. Not just join, but as Les, (my old pastor) would state, commit. We think we've boiled it down to 2 churches - Immanuel Baptist Church and Fellowship Bible Church...

 

Pros and Cons

Immanuel

Pros

                - small body that has a lot of needs

                - I think George and I could become quite good friends

                - Lots of opportunity. George has made an informal request that I lead worship on a Sunday night...

                - Lots of the older generation

 

Cons

                - small body that has a lot of needs

                - the older generation states they want to incorporate change, but, experience would say that's not accurate

                - they say things like "what is the will of the body" for joining church members - that scares me.

                - they have had a lot of different pastors over the years - why?

 

Fellowship Bible

Pros

                - small body that has a good handle on what they are doing

                - I really love the pastors messages - very well prepared and fluid as well as chock full of goodness.

                - Body seems TOO friendly

                - good variety of old and young members

 

Cons

                - there may not be a need for us or many places for us to contribute with what we already know how to do

                - we are obviously different from everyone.

                - seems real "youth" driven

 

Decisions, decisions...

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Is it hard for you?

Forgiveness is a strange thing. I know when I forgive someone, I am usually just "feeling" like I'll let it go and forget about it. Here's what happens to me though, I'll be driving in the car or working in the garage..and the "thing" that I forgave will pop in my head. Then, I start fuming about it again. I wonder, is that all there really was or, were they really telling the truth , or whatever. It's my sin nature that makes me not want to be the "fool". To let someone else think that they got the best of me...It's truly one of my biggest struggles that I don't share with many folks.  Partial truths are the worst for me...things like, "I did this thing that one time, and I am sorry" plays out in my head..."I really did it a zillion times but, don't want to risk telling you that...and one time sounds so much nicer...so, if he forgives the one time, I'll just use that for all the times and he won't know any difference." The problem is that I WANT the person that I am attempting to forgive to know that I know and they aren't fooling me.... argh

 

What is true forgiveness? What is the kind that God does when He forgives us our sins? Does He sit around and harp on them later?  I would have to say that from the definition of the word, what I am doing is something different. It AIN'T forgiveness...Instead of saying, "I forgive you." I am going to have to say something like, "I will attempt to be forgetful of the thing that you're requesting forgiveness for but reserve the right to bring it up at my leisure for my edification." Because, I sure don't wipe it out....

 

Isn't it such a good thing that God doesn't forgive like me. I can really relate to the story Jesus told about the man that owed a debt to the king and the king forgave the debt...only to walk out on the street and try to throw someone in jail for a debt owed him.  That story is about me.  :-(

 

There is so much that just doesn't matter in life considering where we are in relation to Jesus. Things that we should just drop and realize the amazing mercy each of us has received. Who am I to be upset about that even if it were only a partial truth? Why should it make me feel betrayed? I have a lot of room to grow in this area...I want to just trust the Lord that , despite how I am viewed by any person, I am viewed as forgiven by Him. That I would always have the forgiveness that I received as a crutch for the times when I hand it out....even to someone that may not be totally forthcoming with their request.  I have to pray that I can receive that strength..because it is currently beyond me.

 

Hopefully, you have that nipped in the bud...any advice is desired.

 

 

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

More lyrics by me...

This one feels more upbeat. Now I just have to set these 2 to music and see what happens. Um, anybody know how to make music match lyrics? :-o

Written by Mike Taggart

 

I'm trapped within the walls

of all the things i desire

Things I should not have

lest I face eternal fires

 

The power is overtaking me

with every passing breathe

I need a strength outside myself

to save me from this death

 

There's only One

Only One that

One that can

that can save me

 

Jesus the sword that divides - severs me from my sin

Jesus the torch that reveals - a God that makes me free

Jesus the shield - that guards my heart from my heart

Jesus the One - that saves me from me

 

The freedom has its price

the path is so narrow

The struggle seems futile

on the road that I should go.

 

A strength comes out from within

a hand lifts my falling face

From my fall I find my feet

I am not alone in this lifelong race.

 

There's only One

Only One has

One has saved

The One has saved me

 

Jesus the sword that divides - severs me from my sin

Jesus the torch that reveals - a God that makes me free

Jesus the sheild - that guards my heart from my heart

Jesus the One - that saves me from me

 

There's only One

Only One has

One has saved

The One has saved me

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Trying to have some fun!!

I am working on writing my first real song. So, I wrote down some words....see below. Now I need to find a melody that goes with it..do you think it's an upbeat or slow sort of song?  I wrote it kind of quickly and I didn't have a real idea of a theme..so, it just fell this way. As I read it, it almost sounds like a country song. But, those that know me know that it WILL NOT be a country song. Any thoughts?

 

Written by Mike Taggart

 

rigid on the outside

standing firm and tall

got it all together

nothing bothers me at all

 

immune to the problems

that all the others get

I haven't seen an issue

that i can't deal with yet

 

That's the outside

no it's not me

That's the outside

what the world tells me to be

 

I want to lose this world it looks out for itself

the hidden pain I have can't be kept to myself

The real me has got to be free but I am bound and at war

I didn't know I didn't have, I couldn't see and fell way short

Little did I know that's where I had to be -

looking up to heaven from down here on my knees

Jesus is everything

Jesus is my freedom

Jesus is my all

Jesus is.

 

a slave to my savior

on my knees I submit my will

finally tasting freedom

I am quiet and I'm still

 

confessing all the problems

that consumed my unknown heart

all my issues seem so small

thanks to You and my brand new start

 

This is the inside

yes it is me

what's on the inside

has truly made me free

 

I want to quit this world it looks out for itself

the pain I have can't be kept to myself

The real me has got to be free right now I am bound and at war

I didn't know I didn't have, I couldn't see and fell way short

Little did I know that's where I had to be -

looking up to heaven from  down here on my knees

Jesus is everything

Jesus is my freedom

Jesus is my all

Jesus is.

 

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Oh Happiness!

Emotional rollercoaster..I am on one. I was just sitting here feeling depressed about how my career has been steadily moving backwards. Then, overwhelmed with the goodness of my current situation. God is good. When I remember that, things get put in perspective. Here are some things that I am thankful for:

 

1. God's amazing mercy and grace...

2. My beautiful, smart, sexy, God fearing, sweet, productive wife.

3. Awesome kids. Flat out the best kids in the world...

4. A job that is paying the bills. God's provision.

5. A pretty sweet house.

6. Less responsibility at work than I used to have so I can focus on things at home.

7. Great work schedule.

8. This is the last week of soccer.

9. Silly things like...a cool painted floor garage, a stand up shower in my bathroom, a music room, this huge spider that's been living by the boys bedroom window (outside!!), a great guitar, drums, my sweet camera...man, I have a lot of cool toys.

10. Health

 

 

What are you happy for?

 

Oh Happiness - David Crowder Band

Oh, happiness
There's grace enough for us
And the whole human race

Friend or foe
Stranger or kin
All who come
Begin again

Hard or frail
Rich or poor
All in need
Need fear no more

Such a thing to give away

All regrets
Let go, forget
There's something that
Mends all of it

Such a thing to give away

Sound the church bells
Let them ring
Let them ring
For everything can be redeemed
We can be redeemed
Oh,all of us

 

Oh, happiness
There's grace enough for us
And the whole human race

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

here's what I am thinking....

I am feeling a powerful urge again ( I have felt this in the past at different times and at different degrees). I really feel like renting or asking permission to use a parking lot...set up a tent (the kind with the open sides). Setup benches...get a generator for amplification...get a little pulpit, and start a gathering for Jesus. A place where we can be seen and heard worshipping the Lord, teaching, and loving each other.  Have a sign out front, "Worshipping Jesus, Everyone welcome!".  Maybe have a website that would reflect where we are...so that we could be all around town delivering the message all year to different places and different people. It's going to be cold, hot, dry and wet! Big DEAL...

 

I feel like we should kill the idea of a church as a building...and encourage it as - a gathering of His people for His worship and to prepare workmen approved for ministry and discipleship. To make the message available all over town - taking it to where they are.

 

I am sure there will be much opposition to such a thing from non believers as well as believers. That sounds exactly like something Jesus would encourage.

 

Of course, we'd need a person to do that teaching that was also sent by God to do such a thing. I am sure if it is to be, God will equip it as needed. I just need to keep an eyeball out for where he's working and be ready to join in.

 

Weird, huh?

 

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Will you have wasted it?

I was listening to a book on the way to a Buffalo River campground Saturday morning. I had purchased the book prior to our move from Colorado. I had forgotten that I even had it until my ipod started skipping and I restored the OS in hopes to recover it. I was putting stuff back on it and noticed it. It's a book written by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life".

 

There's a story in the book that John Piper referred to that had a huge impact on his life. Apparently, there was an old man in the town where he was living and the whole church had been praying for him. The Lord had done His work and the man came to the church...accepted that Jesus was his savior...after the service was over, little John Piper walked up to his father (the pastor) and the old burly man was in tears repeating "I've wasted it, I've wasted it"

 

He poses a question in the book that struck me, "What is a life that's not wasted?" As if I ever defined what it would be to lead a successful "not wasted" life. If it's not defined, how hard would it be to accidentally hit that target? What a tragedy to miss it.

 

John Piper gives a lot of good illustrations and samples from his own life. He lists some of the influential men in his life and how they impacted him.

 

Could that be my job in life in regards to parenthood, teach my children what a rich, full life looks like? In order to do that, I need to know what, how, when, where, etc.  I'll need to understand it myself. Time is short, I had better get busy!

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

Kids...

I will be praying for you a lot throughout the day. I love each of you. Tell your younger siblings about it. Ok?

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.

time doesn't stand still

Today is JDs 7th birthday...He is the only baby that we've had that could put his arms over his head and touch his elbows right out of the womb. Typically, I am not sure there is scientific consistency in this but, when a baby puts its arms up...it's fists align with the top of the head or very close to that. Not Jess...he had long arms and legs and looked like he just got done with a boxing match. The bridge of his nose was hung on the pubic bone and delayed things a bit...he came out facing the wrong direction and freaked the doctor out. It was as exciting a birth as I want to have. However, he was healthy, strong and sweet...and thank the Lord, he still is.

 

I simply can't believe that was 7 years ago today.

 

Time can get away from us in every facet of life. It seems that I have experienced being so excited about what will happen when such and such reaches such and such an age...that all the time that led to that was a blur and seemingly not important...what a tremendous oversight on my part. Every moment is and should be treated as precious and something that, once spent, is gone forever. I don't know about you but my memory is not trustworthy enough to rely on those spread out special moments...trying to make every moment special should help me have plenty to draw from as the years go by. And, Lord willing, my wife and children will have those fond memories too. Leaving a legacy isn't doing one single thing that was remembered...but a way that you lived your life...every day, every moment.

 

There are many songs that touch on this topic...I have referenced one in the past by Matthew West called "The Motions" but, a couple of others:

Group: Decyfer Down

 

Like shooting stars
How brief we are
I wish this moment could last forever
Here with you
I am made new
I want to live like every breath matters
You're not so far away
Just hear me when I say
I wanna love what you love
I want to see what you see
I want a heart that burns like a fire in me
I want your light in my life
I want my heart renewed
Here I am
Forever with you
The falling rain
Can bring a change
I never knew how far that I could fall
I can hardly wait
'Til I see you face to face
I can't believe your love remains the same
You're not so far away
Just hear me when I say
I wanna love what you love
I want to see what you see
I want a heart that burns like a fire in me
I want your light in my life
I want my heart renewed
Here I am
Forever with you
Now that I am here with you
After all that I've been through
I just can't live without
The grace you gave to me
Now I see what you see
Your beautiful life forever in me
I wanna love what you love
I want to see what you see
I want a heart that burns like a fire in me
I want your light in my life
I want my heart renewed
Here I am
Here I am
Here I am
Forever with you

 

 

Group: NeedtoBreathe

 

Why don't we smile anymore

I'm not okay with that

Why don't we dance slowly

I'm not okay with that

'Cause the years go by like stones under rushing water

We only know, we only know when it's gone

 

---

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE:
This e-mail message and any attachment(s) (collectively,
this 'Email') are intended only for the confidential use of
the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message
is not the intended recipient named above or an agent
responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient
named above, you have received this Email in error.
Please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete
this Email and any copies thereof.