Carrying Daily

Steps of a Good Idea

2011-03-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

1. Recognition-If we don't recognize it's a good idea, we never pursue anything more than it.

2. Documentation-If we don't document, we soon forget and have nothing to push forward with. Documenting in any sort of tangible form allows us to pick up the raw idea and further develop it.

3. Action-The final step is putting the idea into practice, honing in on ways to make it better and working off of our previous documentation.

4. Sharing-What good is an idea if nobody knows?

Guitar Color Schemes

2011-01-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

What are your favorites?

I really want to build a white/black with a maple neck and black hardware like this Charvel:

I'm kinda digging it because it'd be opposite of my 5 string bass and would but strikingly similar. I would like to get another electric when I get back so I'm just left to think about them a lot while I'm here.

2011-01-14T23:49:00.000-08:00

Simplicity Vs Everything. Life needs to be simplified yet we like things that mix it up. I don't even know if this still works but it's real odd to be using my phone. Being without one for so long and coming back and barely using it. My life is changing quickly, faster than the internet can document.

I give myself away, so You can use me.

2010-11-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

It's good being plugged into a church while I'm away. I miss Faith Builders tremendously and if you're in the Phoenix/Glendale area in AZ you should definitely hit it up! Sunday I sang in the choir, not exactly something I normally enjoy doing(I prefer instruments) but it was a real blessing to me and God is working some great stuff throughout this deployment.

Lord help me maintain my attitude, that I am Yours, and will submit to Your ways! Let my life touch others, Amen!

Spam on Facebook

2010-11-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

What's the deal?

So today I get off work and sign-in to facebook to find 2 new messages from individuals with the same birthdays and link to a twitter account(which has some random bit.ly.whatever link so you can't see the real address in the account's one and only tweet). Just as I'm about to mark it for spam I get another message from another individual with the same characteristics. Really guys? Let's try to make look at least half legit.

All 3 currently reported for spam as well as the twitter account.

Any other good idiotic spam stories out there?

PS-internet spam gives real spam a bad name, that stuff is awesome fried.

I'm Back

2010-11-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

That's right, back to blogging. The thoughts are turning into words and the words are turning into the internet. I've got a lot of crazy ideas pent up in this head of mine and I'm ready to turn 'em loose for a free-for-all discussion via the interwebz. Brace yourself.

2010-07-31T20:05:00.001-07:00

It's pretty weird to think of every financial decision as a spiritual decision, because we see so many elements of money in the world. Instant or delayed gratification, our own needs, desires, needs and desires of others, especially loved ones, and God's will. Keep a reminder that God has given it all to you, trusting in you to further His kingdom on earth. How do you make financial decisions?

2010-07-29T20:06:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to get married! I cannot believe how much God has hooked me up with my soon to be wife! God's plan is so wonderful and it fills me with joy to be mutually completed by her. Breanna strengthens my weaknesses and lifts me up. I love loving her and putting her first :) Thank you Lord for such a wonderful Bride to be! Isn't God's plan for marriage awesome?

2010-07-26T10:48:00.001-07:00

No technology for a good while other than my Motorola w233 candy bar cell phone. Pretty much just text messaging and even then I don't get great service in some of these areas. Working on eating better and getting more fit. Pretty blessed reading through Matthew right now. Remember to focus on Jesus!

2010-07-19T15:13:00.001-07:00

Been way too long since I've posted. Going to be even longer. Enjoying stuff while I can. Need to make a reading list. Need to make a to do list. Need. Need to do things on the list. Loving the Lord and so thankful for everything.

Mutual Faith WorldWatch July 2010

2010-07-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

How I Need You - Rough

2010-07-09T01:41:00.001-07:00

I'll probably remake this later but just wanted to get it out there before I go to LA for the weekend. I hope you enjoy it, feel free to comment or ask questions. Be blessed!

Make Me Whole by Steven Ritchie

2010-07-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

Steven is one great guy and he keeps it real. I always appreciate talking to him in real life and our Facebook correspondence as well! He sent me this the other day:

I’m praying to God lookin' for an answer
Taking too long, I wish He’d come a little faster
Talked to my mom, lookin' for a reason
She told me God always comes in His due season
Told her I got my own demons I battle on a daily basis
We’ve battled so long I’ve gave them all faces
I’m trying to move past them and take another route
I’m trying to be a better man and that’s without a doubt
Souls need saving, and God’s the inspiration
So I’m running after Him with no hesitation
Wash away my sins, and clean off the dirt
I’ve heard time and time again He can do away with the hurt
So God I’m standing here before You full of desperation
Feel I’ve been paying for my sins but they’ve added inflation
I’ve heard we all got a cross that we must bear
But what do you do in a moment of despair
Its been an uphill battle every single day
Asking for things to even out is all that I pray
Seems question after question
Brings lesson after lesson
And I’ve been told getting to know You is considered a blessin'
Lord I’ve been searching you out so hard that I’ve been stressing
They say coming to You I should have no fear
They say come to the front but I’m still observing from the rear
My flesh tells me one thing but my heart says another
I’m calling on You please help me heavenly Father
Somehow and someway I’ve been led astray
But I wanna get on the right path right here today
I’ll do what You want me to just tell me what to say
I’m tired of being in the dark and tryin' to play
I’m lookin' to You to send some light my way
I’m lookin' to You to brighten up my day
I’m lookin' to You to put the rain on delay
I’m lookin' to You to make me whole in every kinda way

by: Steven Ritchie

Ibanez GSR200 Review - A Player's Bass

2010-07-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

So I've had this new bass since Memorial Day weekend and figure it's probably been long enough and I've spent enough time playing it to give it a decent review.

So for the money (approx. $200-$250) it pretty much blows everything else out of the water. Ibanez has been known for this since as long as I can remember and even before I was kicking rhythms in my mother's womb. I picked this bass because it plays like a much more expensive instrument, from the active electronics, slim neck and body, and versatile pickup/controls setup.

Obviously, for the low cost there are going to be some shortcomings. Good for most people, it tends to be in the finish. The basic colors look nice but you can spend some extra money on a nicer finish on the body. The neck is unfinished maple(although the headstock painted black is a nice touch, that gives it an edge over other cheaper basses) which isn't the slickest but is still decent. The control knobs and tuners seem be a cheap plastic chrome, maybe a pot metal; The tuners still hold very well though. The only thing I don't like in terms of playing is that the "P"(Precision Bass) style pickup has the split switched so it's a little cramped sometimes for popping the strings with slap style.

Overall, the bass is really well rounded and has served great for gigs. I've been able to get good tones just from the controls on the bass and haven't had to adjust from my amp(that active bass boost has come in handy). Even with less room for slap/pop styles it's well spaced from the body and I've increased in various skills very quickly with the easy playing bass.

In short, I'd say Ibanez makes basses and guitars that are easily at the top of their price range and competitive with ones costing nearly twice as much. What's your experience with Ibanez?

Search Amazon.com for Ibanez Bass Guitar

John Mark McMillan - Skeleton Bones Video

2010-07-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

I really want to make music like this.

2010-07-06T03:33:00.001-07:00

Why do I blog? I feel like I need to remind myself as I feel lost in the commercial aspects of it. I do not blog to have an awesome website or to have checks made out to me. I blog to have an impact beyond my physical community, to share thoughts not expressed in conversation. Sharing the joy of God, things I like, things I feel, things I know. To promote opportunities, to bring peace/comfort.

2010-07-06T02:26:00.001-07:00

Coffee hopping might not be the best idea but I think it was pretty sweet. Lively conversation as the caffeine flows through my veins, the accepted drug of choice for social gatherings. Is it weird for a blogger to dismiss technology and embrace the purity of conversation? I want to get back to people. I want relationship. I want what God intended, to reach the needs of others as He has met mine.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

It was awesome meeting a bunch of new people(oddly the majority were named Richard) at church and even some old friends. Everybody got soaked, had some good food(FREE), kicked it outside and in the A/C, and even played some video games. I was happy to find out I've got some competition at being the worst at Halo, Jeremy and I were neck and neck. Can't wait to do it all again, once I get some rest...

Probably going to see some fireworks later tonight as well. What did you do for 4th of July?

2010-07-03T02:38:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it's really hard to trust God in everything, especially when our current situation doesn't meet our expectation. It's so much easier to look at our problems instead of His promises. I know He is my provider and wants me to be happy, blessed abundantly just like a son by his Father. Faith has brought me victory, my cup runs over. God is Love, I shall not want. You Lord are my tower. AMEN!

2010-07-01T22:04:00.001-07:00

I don't understand how you can go 2 hours from 114 degree heat and find yourself on a mountain, with refreshing breeze, light rain, and 40 degrees cooler. But I am thankful to God for it! I never really quite got why Moses, Jesus, etc. all went to the mountain top to be in the presence of God but His beauty is everywhere there, from trees to rock formations and the deer! Reflect on God's work!

Inspiration

2010-06-30T16:06:00.001-07:00

Chris brought this to my attention and I couldn't believe I never shared it before... Enjoy!

"Let Freedom Ring" -4th of July

2010-06-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

BUMP, moving this to the top of my blog because it's happening this Sunday! Heard the plans from the meeting last night and it's going to be completely awesome inside and out(literally).

We're going to have free food, a comedy show, karaoke, water stuff for the kids outside, snow cones, you name it. Can't wait to see you there!

Free "Free" Audiobook

2010-06-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

So if you want to get a peak at what I'm reading(I say peak because it's abridged and misses out on some good stuff) check it out here.

California

2010-06-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one that hates going there? I mean it will be some nicer weather but it'll be on business and such terms as usual where I probably won't do anything cool or worth while. I'm not going to bring Breanna, my bass, my bike, will probably have limited internet access; this weekend is basically going to suck.

But I'm not a negative person so I'm going to be looking at the bright side: I'll probably get some time to work on some books I'm reading. I'm about a hundred pages deep into Free by Chris Anderson and a little over half way through the marriage prep book Bre and I are working on. Both are really interesting and insightful. Free discusses how the cost of many items are drastically making the move towards zero(especially in technology) and how Free can be profitable. The marriage prep book is pretty self-explanatory but it has a ton of good stuff in it(it's produced by the same people who do Family Life).

So what I want to know is how do you feel about going to California(or living there if you do)? And what books are you reading and what are they about? Thanks!

Silly Mistakes

2010-06-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

So as you can see the site's been looking different lately. I'm finally done for the most part and am happy with the results. I've been posting a lot and mixing it up a bit, hoping my number of visitors would improve. However, every time I checked Google Analytics I had fewer and fewer visitors and nobody new.

Finally, it hit me yesterday that the code for the Google Analytics didn't carry over with the new design so I added it again. Silly me. Don't you hate it when you make little mistakes like that and it takes forever to find out what it is? This probably took about 2 weeks lol.

Anyways, thanks for visiting and reading the blog. You guys are awesome! I hope you guys enjoy the new format/colorway and the new pages at the top. Let me know what you think!