Some days are meant to be BRUTAL

And today is one of those days.
Tonight I'm going to see one of my best friend's bands play at The Venue in downtown Boise. It's a competition, battle of the bands style, and they play at 5:30pm.
Then band's name is The Dude Abides. Genre? Metalcore. Message? Awesome. Bringing the joy back to the local scene.

Here's a quick video of the guys. It'll give you a feel for the members, and a preview of their music. Want to come tonight? Shoot me an email or just show up. Either way, vote for The Dude Abides.




Colin
P.S. If you're in a BRUTAL mood this morning, you could probably use some MyChildren MyBride. Here's your fix:

A bend in the road

Last week brought a joy and praise that is truly amazing.
This weekend has been hard for me.

I think the main thing I've gotten out of it all is this: what I do really doesn't matter. God cares everything about who I am.

Let me back up a bit.

I've worked for Oasis Coffee Co. since October 2008, and I've loved every minute of it. My boss is a fantastic guy, the people I get to meet are awesome, and I've learned a new skill set that I've been able to apply elsewhere. I've learned valuable life lessons and established relationships with people that I wouldn't have even known otherwise.

And on Saturday, out of the blue, I was let go.

I didn't take it well. First came the sobbing as I got in my car. Then, I found myself getting out of my car on the way home and punching a wooden light post while screaming. Didn't enough happen last year? Why this? Why now? These questions, and many, many more were making their way through my head.

I find myself being angry at God.

Why does something shitty like this have to happen out of nowhere? Is this what You do to people? Where's the love? Where's the peace? Where's the grace? Where's all the cutesy "only one pair of footprints because You're carrying me" metaphors now? Talk back God! Where are You?

You cringe, and I fume.


I had a great talk with my boss yesterday. We talked things over, and I understand why I was let go. I have nothing personal against him or the coffee shop. Some things simply weren't working out, and that's that. I'm extremely glad that I had the opportunity to work there and get so much out of it.

Then, I talked with my parents. Man, are they awesome. They both encouraged me, and my dad asked me what I can learn from this.

And now, after two days of processing, there's one main thing I take away from everything.
What I do really doesn't matter. God cares everything about who I am.
Am I a 10 regardless of whether or not I have a job? Yes.

I really don't get Papa's timing. I have no clue where's He's going with all this; but this I do know: He knows. And I think that security, that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and that He is the Creator of all things, gives me enough hooah to continue. Several people have told me that God has incredible things in store for me.
I believe you, Papa.

And perhaps some of those great things will stem from the result of this announcement:

I've been accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point!
I found out last week, and I am so excited. I've worked so hard for this, and I am so jazzed that it has payed off. More then my hard work, though, Papa's hand has been abundantly clear in the whole process.
When I first started asking God about my future and what college I should go to, I prayed something like this:

God, please open the doors for whatever it is you want me to do. If it's not what you want, I don't want a part of it.

This last year, and these experiences lately, have really helped me shift my focus. I find myself praying something closer to this:

Papa, help this experience shape me to who you created me to be. If it's not going to draw us closer, I don't want a part of it.

For me, the difference between these two has been experiences that have hurt. The latter prayer is often prayed with far more questions and yelling, but I have found myself being more real with Papa then I ever was praying the former prayer.

This last week has been a serious bend in the road for me. The first step of many to come in the next 12 years (4 years college, 5 years military, 3 years inactive reserve) has been taken. And, an integral part of my life for the last year-and-a-half has come to a close.

Please join me in praying that the experiences to come bring me closer to Papa.

Colin

Fiesta Bowl 2010 Live Coverage

Colin and Dennis Mansfield: bringing you Fiesta Bowl LIVE updates and color commentary via Ustream!

Check my facebook and twitter to see when we're live. You'll know we're broadcasting when a large play button appears in the window below.
Feel free to use the chat window below to talk to me, ask questions, etc. when we're live! Also, feel free to watch past recordings by clicking on them in the window below.

Thanks, and GO BSU!



Live TV : Ustream


*Note* Apparently you need a Ustream Account in order to interact via the chat box above. Feel free to create one here. Or, if you prefer, interact via twitter.

Bringing in the New Year

This year, thanks to Ustream, I was able to stream LIVE the birthing of 2010. Watch, laugh, and disregard all political comments.





After bringing in the New Year with family, I really became aware how ready I was for 2009 to end. I really didn't have a fun year. That being said, I feel like I'm coming to the point where I can acknowledge that last year was no accident.

2010 represents not only a new year and a new decade, but a new start. Like a pine forest after the most disastrous of fires, I feel torn down, stripped bare, and, to a certain degree, left out in the cold and ashes. But, extending the metaphor further, I foresee these next years to be the start of something incredibly green. Just as a pine forest flourishes greatest after going through an incredibly destructive fire, so will be the next years of my life, and my families life. God doesn't want humans to live in pain. He's in the business of loving and making things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His will.

I can't wait to see what Papa has in store for this year.

How did you celebrate?
Colin