I have a ‘typical‘ response to this kind of situation – it’s usually something like, “I don’t have time to do that, so it’s just not going to happen.” I also have a much more in-depth solution that involves a suite of software solutions that normally involve hours of time investment to learn how to do something like adding lyrics to a video.

This time, however, I decided to search Google for an “add lyrics to a video” solution. It was the least I could do, right?

After passing by a number of solutions that either involved What I eventually stumbled upon was a solution called, “KAPWING” (turns out, the word “kapwing” is an onomatopoeia, and is pronounced with emphasis on the “pwing”, more here)

As soon as I stumbled upon KAPWING, I was caught off-guard with the possibility that I truly may have a ready-made solution that could solve my problem AND provide me with a new web-based resource that would serve me continuously in the future!

My most-important takeaway from utilizing KAPWING for this specific need that I had (adding subtitles/lyrics to a video) is this: KAPWING just works. While my other software-suite solutions that I’m familiar with could work, to be honest, there are many, many more steps necessary to get to the same end than when using KAPWING.

The initial screen I’m met with upon visiting KAPWING’s ‘studio’ is not only helpful, but it’s unassuming and user-friendly –

From my perspective, KAPWING seems to know that I’m looking for speed and ease. Once I uploaded my video file (a music video, in this case), it was only a click-away to begin adding lyrics-as-subtitles to the video! The intuitiveness of KAPWING’s design allowed me to add the entire song’s lyrics, change the formatting of how those lyrics would be displayed over the video (fonts, colors, background, etc) and export that video again with the additional elements included. I was able to accomplish my need with such ease that I even made the decision to do so again for two more videos almost immediately!

The exported videos have no watermark, no limitations, and were the perfect solution for my need.

With KAPWING’s FREE account (sign in via your Google account, even!), users are entitled to export videos with no watermarks, utilize a 250MB file upload limit, export videos up to 7-minutes in length, use all of KAPWING’s powerful suite of tools and edit and store content for up-to 2-days. Upgrading to a yearly “Pro” account (currently, $204) adds the addition of longer video exports (up to an hour), 2GB file limit, the ability to edit and store unlimited content AND access to premium features like the ability to upload custom fonts.

Personally, this kind of web-based video editor is a game-changer for me. Being web-based means that the video-editing work I use it for does not ONLY need to be done from my office PC. Now I am able to keep working on projects from the comfort of my office AND via a device like my Chromebook at home. I am amazed at the power of KAPWING and its tools and am excited to continue to unearth its many features.

KAPWING is completely free and I couldn’t recommend more that you give it a shot for your next video-editing need!

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day for flying. I suction-cupped our GoPro to the Cessna’s windshield and put another small camera in their hands for the duration of the flight! Here are the results of that footage. I’ll apologize now for the (lack of) audio. As you can imagine, without a proper line-in audio setup, most of what you hear is engine-roar! I think viewers (especially those who know & love our kiddos) will enjoy reading their facial expressions and lips when they can!

Ezra’s first flight –

Ella’s flight –

One of my fresh album-drop habits is sitting and listening through the whole thing and reading through the lyrics (when made available). Of course the album booklet included with this gem didn’t disappoint. So, as I’m listening, I’m also going to type them here for anyone else who may be interested!

HOLY WATER

(Because hope deserves an anthem)
Give me something I can feel
This time I wanna rain dance for real
Wash the dust of dirty wheels
Give me the waters that could help me heal and

Hold the old me down
(Give me the waters that could help me heal)
Hold the old me down
(Let the rain come down)

On the thirsty ground
Let the rains come down
I want to drink the clouds
LIke holy water

I felt like this when I was a boy
A firefly in Illinois
A pair of wings and an electric heart
Broken wings and a shot in the dark

With that fire in our eyes
(Lighting up the summertime sky)
WIth that fire in our eyes
(I felt so alive)

But now I”m praying for rain
I want to make that change
I got your blood in my veins
Like holy water

Sisters, sons, and daughters
Hold me down with the holy water
Blisters, guns, and fathers
Hold me down with the . . .

Sisters, sons, and daughters
Hold me down with the holy water
Like holy water

My head is aching like a riot
40 days in the desert pain
When I hear the lies I don’t buy it
Still looking for the desert rain and I
Fight the fire with the fire
I want to taste your love again and I
Let the flood rise higher
Wash the doubt away

Like holy water

FLOAT

Turn it up so I can feel it
Turn it up so I can be near it
Baby says she’s got that feeling
Moon walking on the ceiling

It’s alright

Turn it up so I can feel it
Loud enough so I can get near it
Baby’s in that slower motion
Moon walking on the ocean

It’s how we float, yeah
Feet ain’t even touching ground
It’s how we float, yeah
Flying at the speed of sound
I’m in orbit like a jet pilot
Ain’t no gravity to try to fight it
It’s how we float, yeah
We ain’t never coming down

Don’t you need someone to lean on
Don’t you need that taste of freedom
It don’t take no education
All you needs’ an invitation

It’s alright

It’s how we float, yeah
Feet ain’t even touching ground
It’s how we float, yeah
Flying at the speed of sound
I’m in orbit like a jet pilot
Ain’t no gravity to try to fight it
It’s how we float, yeah
We ain’t never coming down

Away from the crowds where you realize
The herd’s insecure of the free mind
So don’t elt htem tell you what to feel like
You can’t bring me down
Can’t bring me down

Money gonna run away hardest
Money gonna leave you broken hearted
But money can’t finish what we started
You can’t bring me down
Can’t bring me down

It’s how we float down

It’s how we float, yeah
Feet ain’t even touching ground
It’s how we float, yeah
Flying at the speed of sound
I’m in orbit like a jet pilot
in’t no gravity to try to fight it
It’s how we float, yeah
We ain’t never coming down

WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES THROUGH

When you’re feeling like an astronaut
Stuck on a planet even time forgot
And you’re a version of yourself but you’re not the same
You try to keep the wound camouflaged
And the stitches heal but the years are lost
And another bottle on the shelf can’t numb the pain

Why you running from yourself now?
You can’t run away

Because your scars
Shine like dark stars
Yeah, your wounds are where the light shines through

So let’s go there
To that place where
We sing these broken prayers
Where the light shines through
The wound is where the light shines through

Yeah, the wound is where the light shines through

Ain’t we all just Abraham’s sons?
Saint and sinner with the song and drum?
And falling on our knees, we all bleed the same
And the only tattoos that I have are scars
I got your name written on my heart
And the story that brought us here ain’t the thing I’d change, no

I wanna see that light shining
Brighter than the pain

Because your scars
Shine like dark stars
Yeah, your wounds are where the light shines through
So let’s go there
To that place where
We sing these broken prayers
Where the light shines through
The wound is where the light shines through

Mama ain’t the blood just proof I’m human
Mama ain’t the wound just retribution
But mama ain’t the scar like vision of grace

The wound is where the light shines through
The wound is where the light finds you
The wound is where the light shines through
The wound is where the light finds you

Yeah your scars
Shine like dark stars
Yeah the wound is where the light shines through
It’s where the light shines through

Where the light shines through

I WON’T LET YOU GO

When it feels like surgery
And it burns like third degree
And you wonder what is it worth?
When your insides breaking in
And you feel that ache again
And you wonder
What’s giving birth?

If you could let the pain of the past go
Of your soul
None of this is in your control

If you could only let your guard down
You could learn to trust me somehow
I swear, that I won’t let you go
If you could only let go your doubts
If you could just believe in me now
I swear, that I won’t let you go
I won’t let you go

When your fear is currency
And you feel that urgency
You want peace but there’s war in your head
Maybe that’s where life is born
When our facades are torn
Pain gives birth to the promise ahead

If you could let the pain of hte past go
Of your soul
None of this is in your control

If you could only let your guard down
You could learn to trust me somehow
I swear, that I won’t let you go
If you could only let go your doubts
If you could just believe in me now
I swear, that I won’t let you go
I won’t let you go

I’ll always be by your side
I won’t let you go

There ain’t no darkness strong enough that could tear you out from my heart
There ain’t no strength that’s strong enough that could tear this love apart
Never gonna let you go
No I won’t let you go

IF THE HOUSE BURNS DOWN TONIGHT

Ashes from the flames
The truth is what remains
The truth is what you save
From the fire
And you fight for what you love
Don’t matter if it hurts
You find out what it’s worth
And you let the rest burn

The sunset burns like gasoline
Touch me and make sure that I’m not dreaming
I see her face and my heart skips beats
But I still get the feeling that we’re half asleep and

There’s a spark in the corner of my baby’s eye
Like a distant star that won’t burn quiet
And I might not know what I want from this life
But I know I want more than the starting line

So give me the fire

I can heart he motor running down the interstate
And all the distractions fade away
And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need with you by my side
I see the smoke piling up in the rear view mirror
Yeah but I ain’t ever seen it any clearer
If the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need when I got you by my side
And let the rest burn
And let the rest burn
And let the rest burn

I’ve given too much of my heart away
My soul’s holding on like a house divided
Like a match it burns down like a masquerade
And I head to let it go when the fire ignited

One heart, two hands, your life is all you hold.
To hold, hold light and let the bitter go
Yeah let it go, and give me the fire

The smoke tries choking the pacific sun
We rocket down the road like we’re shot out of guns
And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need with you by my side
Holding you and the wheel and it occurs to me
We’re driving down the edge of eternity
If the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need when I got you by my side
And let the rest burn
And let the rest burn

Put your hand in mine and
Put your heart in driving
We got everything we need yeah
We got everything we need yeah
Left it all behind us
What we need will find us

We got everything we need yeah
We got everything we need yeah

Can you hear that motor running
Can you hear that motor running
There ain’t no stopping us now
There ain’t no slowing us down
Can you hear that motor running
Can you hear that motor run, run, run

And all those lies that mattered most to me
We’re draining me dry making a ghost of me
And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need, everything I need
There’s a fire coming that we all will go through
You possess your possessions or they possess you
And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need when I got you by my side

And let the rest burn

Ashes from the flames, the truth is what remains

THE DAY THAT I FOUND GOD

The morning comes like an enemy soldier
I feel the weight across my shoulders
I feel the shadows getting colder
But that ain’t you

This noose ain’t getting any looser
I get so fearful about the future
I hear the same of my accuser
But that ain’t you

I found strength but it wasn’t what I thought
I found peace in the places I forgot
I found riches ain’t the things that I had bought
I found out
The day I lost myself was the day that I found God
I got caught chasing my own illusions
I got so lost in these confusions
I kept on looking for my own solutions
But that ain’t you, that ain’t you no

I my enemis weren’t the ones I had fought
My liberties weren’t the freedoms I had sought
What I learned weeren’t the lessons I’d been taught
I found out the day I lost myself was
The day that I found God

Where is God out in the darkness?
‘Cause the voices in my head ain’t talking honest
They’re saying maybe you made us then forgot us
But that ain’t you, that ain’t you no

And all I know is that I still don’t know a lot
I don’t know how it ends I’m in the middle of this plot
Yeah and I found grace for the main that I am not
Yeah, I found out the day I lost myself
Yeah, I found out

The day I lost myself was the day that I found God

SHAKE THIS FEELING

I can’t seem to shake this feeling
That we both could break through that ceiling
And there’s a look in your eyes and I’m not surprised
And I’m wishing that we could start all over again

I get the feeling that we’re losing heart
Heart, heart
Harder to keep it than it was to start,
Start, start
I keep filing like we fall apart
Better than we fall in love
I can’t seem to shake this feeling

The words came out like a landslide
What you can’t take back keeps you up at night
And it’s hard to fly when your wings are tied
And I’m wishing that we could start all over again
Yeah, start it over again

I get the feeling that we’re losing heart
Heart, heart
Harder to keep it than it was to start,
Start, start
I keep feeling like we fall apart
Better than we fall in love
I keep feeling like we fall apart
And then we got to fight to fall back in love again

And I can’t seem to shake this feeling
No, I can’t seem to shake this feeling
Well, maybe it’s time to start healing?

I wonder when did I lose your heart
Your heart, your heart?
And whether we can go back to the start
The start, the start?

I keep feeling like we fall apart
Better than we fall in love
I keep feling like we fall apart
And then we got to fight to fall back in love again

And I can’t seem to shake this feeling

We both started with a broken heart
Admit there’s a problem that’s a start
And I want to sthart healing, healing

‘Cause everybody wants to rock and roll
But a couple of years and it takes a toll
And I wanna start healing, healing

And I can’t seem to shake this feeling
Oh I can’t seem to shake this feeling

BULL IN A CHINA SHOP

I get by with what I got right here
Do what I can with what I got this year
Watching the time on the clock disappear
Fear is all I got left to fear
I got my enemies among these friends
You got means and baby I got plans
Give me the star and I can find these ends
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again

I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again
I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again

I want peace and all I got’s this war
I want wings and all I got’s this floor
I want a shot of what I’m aiming for
Coming in hot but they blocked this door
So bring me the music for the revolution
I’m singing for more than just a dead solution
So maybe good living is the best defense
So give me more time I can do it again, again, again

I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again
I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again

What are you waiting for the future’s here?
What are you waiting for the future’s here?
What are you waiting for the future’s here?

I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop
Give me more time and I’ll do it again, again, again

I get by with what I got right here
Fear is all I got left to fear

LIVE IT WELL

I want to live it well
I want to live it well

Take the burden from my arms
Take the anchors off my lungs
Take me broken
And make me one
Break the silence and make it a song

Life is short I want to live it well
One life, one story to tell
Life is short I want to live it well
And you’re the one I’m living for
Awaken, oh my soul!
Every breaht that you take is a miracle
Life is short I want to lvie it well

I want to sing with all my heart a lifelong song
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong
‘Cause I can’t take none of that through the door
I’m living for more than just a funeral
I want to burn brighter than the dawn

Life is short I want to live it well
One life, one story to tell
Life is short I want to live it well
And you’re the one I’m living for
Awaken, oh my soul!
Every breath that you take you take is a miracle
Life is short I want to live it well

I got one life
And one love
I got one voice
But maybe that’s enough
‘Cause with one heartbeat
And two hands to give
I got one shot
One life to live
One life to live

Every breath you take is a miracle

Life is short I want to live it well

LOOKING FOR AMERICA

Land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows that we need plenty change
‘Cause plenty chains in the past leaving deep scars
But when the sun comes down we gonna be stars

The doors are locked where they once stood open
A wound of fear where we once stood hoping
The shattered glass where the bullets broken in

I’m looking for the place where I was born
I’m looking for a way to fix what’s torn
I’m looking for America

I’m looking for America

Yeah, you know
Beaten red white and blue for the green we pursue
I’m still lookin’ for you

America who are you?
Underneath the red blue and white?
America who are you?
I wonder who you are tonight
America who are you?
Is God still on your side?
I want to see a nation rise above the fear and fight that haunts these streets tonigth

I’m looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I’m looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can’t believe in
But I’m still holding on to hope
I’m looking for a miracle
I’m looking for a miracle
I’m looking for America

America who are you?
Am I asking for too much
America who are you?
Has your dream become out of touch
America who are you?
Do you get what you deserve
Between the violence and entitlements
Which nation do you serve?

I’m looking for America

I’m singing
Farewell my utopia
Farewell my euphoria
Fare thee well my suburban day-dream
Farewell my utopia

America you so pretty
But you not perfect
Confession of guilt is worth it
These people hurting deserve it
Blood on your hands I saw
When there’s blood on this nations floor
But it’s blood on the upper post of your door
If you need to know

I’m looking for your honesty in skeletons
Do away with your ignorance and arrogance
America the land of immigrants
Check the green card and pedigree
Bless the Choctaw and the Cherokee
That we’ll never see

I’m looking for America

The land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows we need plenty change
I’m looking for America
Plenty chains in the past left deep scars
But when the sun comes down we gonna be stars
And may the stripes heal when it’s through
Beaten red white blue for the green that we pursue

I’m looking for America

HEALER OF SOULS

Are you tired yearning just to be free
Are you fighting for a reason just to believe
Ain’t we a nation torn by the clashes
You can send these huddled masses to me

Ain’t we all just running
Aiming for that something
Ain’t we all just limping down the road

I want more than just a crutch to lean on
Year I’m looking for tha tfreedom
So let’s go there
To the healer of souls

You start to wonder who’s on your side
You start to wonder what’s wrong what’s rigth
Ain’t we human ain’t we all got problems
Honey rocka nd roll ain’t gonna solve them, no

Ain’t we all just running
Aiming for that something
Ain’t we all just limping down the road

I want more than just a crutch to lean on
Yeah I’m looking for that freedom
So let’s go there
To the healer of souls

Tell me are you ready to go?
Maybe we could make home
Tell me are you ready to go?
Take me to the healer of souls

We’re going down the road gonna find your place at the healer of souls
We’re gonna watch these scars just fade away, we’re gonna make it home

To the healer of souls

HOPE IS THE ANTHEM

Sometimes what you need is what you fight
Like a wounded man out on the run
Like shadows hiding from the light
But your love is what I was running from

Hope’s a seed you have to sow
When you let it go it comes to life
So you strech your arrows on the bow
And you pull them back and watch them fly

My heartbeat, my oxygen
My banner, my home
My future, my song
Your hope is the anthem of my soul

My lungs and I were born to fight
Sometimes I’m not sure what I’m fighting for
But death ain’t the only end in sight
‘Cause this ain’t a battle it’s a lifelong war

My heartbeat, my oxygen
My banner, my home
My freedom, my song
Your hope is the anthem of my soul

Your hope is the anthem of my soul

My heart is beating like a blown speaker
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weaker
A distortion pedal and a pair of wings
And an anthem played on broken strings

My heartbeat, my oxygen
My banner, my home
My future, my song
Your hope is the anthem of my soul

Your hope is the anthem of my soul

Yeah could you make me whole?
(like holy water)

LIGHT AND HEAVY

I’m on a roll
I’m feeling Icarus
I might have flown too high
I’m not alone
I’m feeling Icraus
I might have flown too high

Adriana,
I hope you found what you were looking for,
Looking for

Pick up the phone
Please tell me anything
You might have flown too high
My bird has flown
Please tell me anything
You might have flown too high

Adriana,
I hope you found what you were looking for,
Looking for

On my pilgrimage
I’m traveling light with a a heavy heart
On my pilgrimage
I’m traveling light and heavy
Light and heavy
Light and heavy

This is your torch to carry
More than just a corpse to bury down
None of us are ordinary
Your beating heart is light and heavy

Adriana,
I hope you found what you were looking for,
Looking for

BEGIN FOREVER

Like blood without a heart
Like a race without a start
Like a submarine stranded on the shroe
Like a plane wtihout the wings
A plano without strings
Like a meomroy we’ve forgotten what it’s for

But maybe we lost the plot, maybe gotten stuck
Well I’m holdin’ on to what we got, I’m not giving up

It’s never too late to try
It’s never too late to finally find a way to make it right
Happily ever
I don’t need no alibi
I just need you by my side
Telling me one more time
It’s never too late to begin forever

Like a telephone line with nobody left to call
Like I’m living in a home that’s got no roof at all
Like a man who won the world and lost his soul
Without wonder how could life ever be wonderful?

But it’s never too late to try
It’s never too late to finally find a way to make it right
Happily ever
I don’t need no alibi
I just need you by my side
Telling me one more time
It’s never too late to begin forever

What’s it worth if it costs you all your hope
You and me we got stories to unfold

Like a hammer without a nail
Like a ship without a sail
Like I’m all dressed up with nowhere left to go

Without you, without you
It means nothing, nothing

Without you, without you
It means nothing

It’s never too late to try
It’s never too late to finally find a way to make it right
Happily ever
I don’t need no alibi
I just need you by my side
Telling me one more time
It’s never too late to begin forever

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME

Give me little time to sink
My footsteps on the brink
My girl says that she’s freaking out
And I’m not sure what I can think
And I’m thinking

My heart keeps skipping the beats
And my peace feels out of reach
And I wish I could say that the world’s gone crazy
But it feels like it’s just me
And it’s been so long

“Mama, ain’t I normal?”
It’s been so long
“Mama, ain’t I normal?”

When was the last time that you felt alive?
Singing when was the last time that you tried something for the first time?
I said, when was the last time that you felt alive?
Singing when was the last time that you tried something for the first time?

And let go
And let go

Life is already difficult
But I’d rather be happy than typical
The crowd ain’t hardly subliminal
But I’m the one living, no?
And it’s been so long

“Mama, an’t I normal?”
It’s been so long
“Mama, ain’t I normal?”

When was the last time that you felt alive?
Singing when was the last time that you tried something for the first time?

When was the last time that you felt alive?
Singing when was the last time that you tried something for the first time?

When was the last time you did
Something that made you feel just like a kid
Laughing just like we did
When we were just the little ones
It’s been so long

When was the last time we held
Hands underneath the stars as they fell
Laughing hard at ourselves
When we were just the little ones
It’s been so long

“Mama, ain’t I normal?”

When was the last time that you felt alive?
Singing when was the last time that you tried something for the first time?

I had a blast filming and editing videos all week for a nightly ‘highlight reel’ video shown in the rally. I’ve been told that 13-children made first-time commitments to follow Jesus at camp this year! I believe in the impact and importance of the camp experience. As camp-weeks become more and more expensive to attend and pull off, I fear the inevitable, but I’m grateful to serve on a district that believes in the importance of financially investing in the lives of children by availing a camp-experience each Summer!

Here are the camp highlight videos from our week together –

Here’s the acoustic version (video) –

Take the burden from my arms
Take the anchor off my lungs
Take me broken
Make me one
Break the silence and make it a song

CHORUS
Life is short, I want to live it well
One life, one story to tell
Life is short, I want to live it well
And You’re the One I’m living for
Awaken o my soul
Every breath that you take is a miracle
Life is short, I want to live it well

I want to sing with all my heart a lifelong song
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong
I can’t take none of that through the door
I’m living for more than just a funeral
I want to burn brighter than the dawn

I got one life and one love
I got one voice and maybe that’s enough
With one heartbeat, two hands to give
I’ve got one shot, one life to live

Also love the “story behind the song” from Jon Foreman –

While we were walking near one end of the mall, we walked past a yellow Volkswagon Van coin-machine that featured 4 or 5 different “games of skill” including those claw-style games that are nearly impossible to win. Noticing both of our kids eyeballing the machine (okay, I’ll admit that I, too, was drawn in by the flashing lights and prizes!) I walked us over to the machines together as a family.

We walked a few laps around the enticing trap and I decided to use this opportunity to teach our kids a “lesson” (there was a slight chance I could have won a $100 Walmart giftcard, too). I played 2 credits ($1) and quickly lost on both attempts. I quickly mentioned how easy it was to lose that $1 and both kids seemed to ‘get it’.

We walked away and almost as quickly as we had turned around, Ezra exclaimed that he could win if he tried.

Perfect opportunity for a lesson, right? Right.

I gave Ezra the option of using some “his money” to play the game (Jess keeps an envelope of both kids’ money in her purse for the occasion we’re out and they find something they’d consider buying for themselves) and he quickly accepted that offer and before I could even catch up with him he was putting the dollar in the machine attempting to win a stuffed Minion toy. He tried very carefully to capture the first and then the second – both without hardly even budging the toys in his attempt. He was quite disappointed. I was certain he had learned his lesson, so we did some final conversing about the way these games work – identifying the reality that they’re designed to make it nearly impossible to win and that it’s OUR CHOICE to play or not to play!

We walked away (again) as a family and went on down the hallway to our next destination.

Little did I know, Ezra’s mind was still back at the VW claw machine. We were now at least sight-distance away from the machine when Ezra said boldly, “I could win a toy if I had one more dollar.”

I almost chose to ignore it, but I’m sure it was the Holy Spirit nudging me to interact again.

“What, buddy?” I asked.

“If I had one more chance, I KNOW I could win a prize.” Ezra repeated.

It was at that moment I was dumbstruck that Ezra really hadn’t yet learned this lesson I thought he had. I went back over all of the previous 10-minutes with him – I lost $1, he lost $1. Zero winning. Zero almost winning. Nothing to show for our $2 investment. Nothing.

“If I played one more time I would win.” He insisted.

I reached around and grabbed my wallet from my back pocket. I opened it and found a crisp $1 bill and as I pulled it out, I told him, Ezra, if you KNOW you can win by playing again, I want you to do it with MY money. “I want you to win, buddy.” (I half-hoped he’d learn the lesson at THAT point, turn down the dollar and move on to our next destination.)

Before I could even finish my “pep talk” he was off and running with my dollar. Before I could even catch up with him he had the dollar inserted into a DIFFERENT (easier?) claw machine and he was deep set in his first-attempt.

No toy.

Second attempt.

No toy.

Let’s be honest – this probably wouldn’t be a blog post (or a sermon illustration for that matter) if he HAD won, right?

As the reality set in on his 6-year-old mind (and heart), Ezra turned around and I watched his facial expressions move from mad (at the stupid claw game) to broken. I was kneeling just a few steps behind him and he literally ran and buried his head in my chest.

Bawling.

Between his cries, he managed to whisper, “It was YOUR money, Dad. I’m so sorry.”

Ezra showed me this drawing in his notebook. He drew it on our way home from the mall.

I barely managed to hold myself together there kneeling on the tile floor in front of the claw machine holding onto my favorite six year old in the whole world. It was one of those moments. Those moments that is written forever on my heart and I pray one that my son also remembers. I don’t want Ezra to only remember that claw machines are nearly impossible to win at. I want Ezra to learn that he can trust his Daddy. That he can listen to his Daddy’s experiences, advice, opinions and learn to trust him more and more. And as he learns to trust me, I hope that he grows to trust in his Heavenly Father all the more, too!

Lord, allow me to be an example to Ezra of your deep deep love for your sons and daughters.

These lyrics caused me to pause on one particular track:

I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
my body’s had enough
I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
the kind that breaks your heart . .

I liked the track – it’s quite catchy – FAIR WARNING THOUGH: the non radio-edit version of the song isn’t completely family-friendly (and neither is the album artwork!)

Turns out the track is sung by Selena Gomez, the (currently) 23-year old pop-star who came to fame thanks in part to her acting on a popular Disney Channel television show.

Today I took time to listen and read through the lyrics of this track I only partially heard on the radio. And I find myself connecting the dots of this song with some of what I said as a part of the wedding ceremony just days ago.

As I stood before the couple on Saturday evening and delivered my short wedding homily before they repeated their vows and said, “I do.”, I read to them from God’s Holy Word –

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – 

“Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

As I acknowledged God’s definition of love, I admitted that unfortunately a false-love exists in our world – due to our sinful nature. And as we compared and contrasted these two loves, I encouraged this bride and groom to steer-clear of this broken, selfish, impatient, jealous kind of love and to instead run head-first towards God’s perfect love.

I found it comical that hours after presenting this truth to a bride and groom and a room full of witnesses, I hear a song on the radio that proves its necessity. The world cries out for real love.

My prayer is that Selena Gomez, the song’s writers (according to Wikipedia: Tor Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Benjamin Levin, Charlotte Aitchison, Ross Golan), or the millions of fan-girls (and boys!) who will no-doubt playback and repeat this anthem during some of life’s crucial moments needn’t look very far to find someone willing to point them in the direction of the REAL love God offers, exemplifies and challenges His children to live out everyday!

May the true followers of Jesus point to and live out His love in a way that draws others towards relationship with him!

Same Old Love (Radio Disney Version) – Selena Gomez

Lyrics:

Take away your things and go
You can’t take back what you said, I know
I’ve heard it all before, at least a million times
I’m not one to forget, you know

I don’t believe, I don’t believe it
You left in peace, left me in pieces
Too hard to breathe, I’m on my knees
Right now, ‘ow

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

I’m not spending any time, wasting tonight on you
I know, I’ve heard it all
So don’t you try and change your mind
‘Cause I won’t be changing too, you know

You can’t believe, still can’t believe it
You left in peace, left me in pieces
Too hard to breathe, I’m on my knees
Right now, ‘ow

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

Yesterday I hunted all day with about 10-guys – most of them from our church. No deer for any of us. The first week of the season I was out on opening day and had a couple deer within sight, but wasn’t able to squeeze off a shot. Last Thursday I hunted all day with about 15-guys – only one 7-point buck fell to the youngest among us (way to go, Kenton!).

Today I was invited to join a 50-year hunting veteran, Denny, in the woods for my last chance at a deer this season. He offered to pick me up and would even secure me a tree stand to borrow! I was pumped to get into the woods this morning. The tree stand I was given to use was a Tree Lounge model – if you don’t know what a Tree Lounge tree stand is, please enjoy this old-school commercial:

I’ve never before used a “climbing” tree stand, so this was a new adventure for me this morning. I’m thankful that both Jason and Denny gave me lessons before just throwing me out into the woods on my own. After Denny got me setup to start climbing the tree this morning I climbed to about 12-feet before I cinched everything down and got in position. (I wondered all day if my body would survive a 12-foot fall versus a 30-foot fall). The view from my perch was fantastic!

At about 10:30, two doe ran up on my right-side startling me from my perch. I quickly grabbed my borrowed Savage model 99 (.300) rifle and put the scope on the first doe. They both continued to run and I lost my opportunity on the first, but took the shot on doe #2 and she ran about 10-yards and dropped! I was super excited.

From his perch about 300-yards away, Denny radioed me telling me I scared the liver out of him – it had been a wonderfully peaceful morning up in our trees. We sat for another hour before heading over to where my doe was.

I was pumped. I was pumped to have shot a deer which meant meat in the freezer for our family AND was pumped knowing that I had a 50-year hunting veteran standing over my shoulder to walk me through gutting this little lady.

Denny was patient with me as I butchered my way through the field dressing process. When we finished we walked down to a nearby stream to wash up before enjoying our lunch together.

We spent the remainder of the day back up in our stands – unfortunately we didn’t see any more deer. I’m so thankful for the day, for the deer, and for the memories!

I am already looking forward to next year’s deer season. Definitely looking forward to a chance at a buck. I’m also definitely keeping my eyes open during this off-season for a great deal on a Tree Lounge tree stand!

If you’re interested, my first two deer-harvesting experiences are chronicled here on my blog – Deer Diary Entry 1 and Deer Diary Entry 2

2014:

2013:

2012:

2011:

2010:

2009:

2008:

2007:

No idea what happened in 2007 that caused us to either NOT do a time lapse of our setup OR to have uploaded it somewhere that no longer exists :(

2006:

Stay tuned.