So I haven't written on this thing in a while it seems like (after writing every day for a good long stretch there). But yes, I have started work, and I've never heard so much Spanish in all my life. I've been picking up a little here and there so learning to communicate with the other workers. By the way, if ya don't know, I'm working in drywall and right now my foreman's group (including me) is at my new church building, which is really cool putting work about three minutes away.
I'm so glad that God has finally brought me to grips with dealing with my desire after sensual pleasure (I told you long ago that I'd be honest didn't I). Such desires really have an effect on relationships, and while my spiritual condition didn't have any physical effect on Katrina and I, it did really put a damper on the joy that we would've had otherwise. And thanks be to God, we have that joy again, because whether I liked it or not, He put me face to face with my problem and basically told me that I better come up with the desire to fix it and ask Him. Doesn't mean it won't be a problem anymore, it just means that as far as the whole spiritual war goes, I held up the staff and God won the battle, so to speak (that's a biblical reference in case you're wondering).
My entire body is frapped and sore beyond belief, but I enjoy the work. None of the normal guys at work really talk to me (the Mexicans are hired help from a company in Atlanta), so all I hear is Spanish all day. It kind of makes me crazy after about 5 hours of it. Needless to say, I don't talk much after that first five hours, and they get tired of trying to make me understand their language. So after that they just whistle at me like a dog, literally. And then make hand gestures. But I enjoy working with sheetrock and being a gopher (or a dog) for people I can't understand. Sure beats crunching numbers or writing hymnology papers. I go to work at 7 in the morning, so I end up being really really really really tired. But anyhoo, I've got to go fix my lunch for tomorrow and then get to bed, so I can actually get up. Thanks for praying for us, please continue to do so. Oh, and Brenda, I will. Give me a ring if you want to talk about it over coffee (or a horse).
Posted by A. Whipple at 11:00 PM
News first. Kenny called me and asked if we could move the date to August 22nd, because Sandra McCracken and a couple other people offered to come on August 2nd. First of all, Sandra's a phenomenal artist (as is anyone touring with her I'm sure). But more importantly, I think that was God making things a bit easier on us all because that puts the concert right smack dab at the beginning of the school year, when we're all sure to be up here in Tennessee (and all in the same place no less). So, needless to say, I said yes and it's done (I suppose the website will be updated shortly). Brenda and Elissa, please don't kill me, I mean to inform you as soon as it's late enough in the day to call tomorrow (and I'm awake; both criteria must apply). He also wants us to play a couple other times during the fall, so hopefully we can set up those times. I know I'll be working and I'm going to have a busy schedule anyways, but that's a given with all things. Speaking of, I finally got the big 10/4 to start work. I'll be starting on Tuesday and working under JJ, who's the foreman up at the new church building. This is great, since it's only about a quarter mile from the house. They're projecting to be done with the new building by July 15th, but I think that's stretching it, by a lot. But all the same, it'll be cool to work so close to home and all.
God is doing awesome things with the music of Nothing Done. We haven't really played anywhere in a while, but I know that He's really working with it, and I am glad that He's chosen to write a lot of it and work with it through me. I think that through this past month and the time I've had between getting out of school and starting work has really helped me better understand the craft of songwriting. I don't write to convey so much any more. I write to understand things myself and to paint, because it's what I do. It's less frivolous now and more fluent, like a language that I'm finally starting to understand. I've written better stuff in the past few weeks than I have since Nothing Done began. I have no doubt that it's God working through me, but I think He's letting me have more free reign (I say that at the risk of sounding prodigal) with my writing, because He's showing me that it is a gift that He's given me, and that I should use it the way I like it, writing things which I want to and making them sound good, rather than waiting for inspiration from some source that I do not even fathom. It's like Elissa said from reading Oswald Chambers, we can't wait around for inspiration, less we confine the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives to some emotionally-loaded moment of whimsical subconscious intellect. We are called to praise at all times in all ways. We are also called to love life with a passion. This has really helped me to write more and to write better. I feel more of the influences of what I listen to and I'm able to pull from more of my memories and experiences.
Anyways, enough of that. I'm bushed, so I'm going to bed. See y'all. God bless!
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:17 AM
Went to play at New City tonight. I thought that I didn't do so hot, because there wasn't really the response that I'd wanted. But on the way back, God reminded me that it's not about the response to me. It's about my response to Him, that's what the music is for. If He decides to share meaning from the lyrics with others of His children, that's not my business, or my job (that's kind of redundant...). And it doesn't even matter if that meaning has anything to do with what I think the song is saying. I'm just up there to worship and pour out my heart. And I did that tonight. I will not let the devil tell me that something I did was wrong.
It was so hot in there tonight! It wasn't really that I was nervous, it was just plain hot. Like it was cooler outside than it was in there. I hope that's not what it's like when Nothing Done plays there (since it will be a lot hotter in August). I saw Sammo and his sister tonight after about a year since my friends Caleb and Sarah's wedding. He was actually wearing sleeves on his shirt, which is something he never does (even in the dead of winter). Bethany was there and the Cox brothers. Kenny was even there! But he was upstairs doing some visual art meeting thing and I didn't get to talk to him (sad times). But it was good to see the crowd from New City again. I think I'll be going down there a lot more often this summer and this coming fall. I hope to make it a somewhat weekly endeavor. Oh, and Derek and Joy and Nathan were there with the praise band from Magna View (you remember the very first Nothing Done concert?) so I got to see some old friends and sort of catch up. Angelissa, if you read this, I remembered your name. Now you've got to remember mine. Hahahahahahaaa......
I'm really glad that I tried out a couple new songs tonight. I get the feeling that Chris is starting to trust me more as a songwriter to have good material, which is testament to the fact that it's God writing and I'm just the pen, but that's a given. But Chris was kind of looking to me when there was space to be filled, which is not an insult at all (if that's what you're thinking). It's completely the opposite, since it means that he trust me to be able to fill empty space like that. The two new songs I did tonight are 'A Beggar and a Lover' and 'A Hazel Ship on a Dark Ocean'.
'A Beggar and a Lover' is about God's grace and my ever-present, and sometimes even angered failure to understand it. It's like having an argument with the person you love. Sometimes you wish they'd just beat the tar out you or send you out the door and say 'never come back', but they won't, because they love you. And even if you walk out by yourself, they'll always take you back with open arms. It'll hurt to be hurt like that, but they'll receive you with open arms. That's what the song talks about, because I look at myself and I can't figure out what God sees in me, I can't figure out why I'm worth anything to Him. And the final truth is, I'm not, but through His spirit in me, He makes me worth all the kingdoms of the earth and more.
'A Hazel Ship on a Dark Ocean' is the one and only 'girl song' that I've ever written. I don't write these because I find such an undertaking way to serious to even attempt, but here I've written one, and it probably won't speak a whole lot to anyone except the one who it's for, but I played it (on the piano, while singing, no less!). My piano skills lack really enough polish for public performance, and I was sort of nervous, but it went well. And the people who were actually listening told me they liked it. That's why I played it anyway, to get objective viewpoints.
So that's the wrap for today. All in all, it's been a good day, and "that's all I have to say about that."
Posted by A. Whipple at 11:57 PM
You know, it's good that God is not present physically. I wish He was sometimes so I could wrap my arms around Him. But if He was physically present all the time, I'm sure I would take Him more for granted than I already do.
Sometimes we don't even realize what God has done for us. Reading Hebrews 1:5 and 1:14, God showed me that we are made even higher than the angels as the treasure of His heart. As physical beings, we are indeed lower, but we are also more than physical. As heirs with Jesus, we are given places of honor and glory that we do not even deserve. We are given crowns to lay at Jesus' feet! We are under such a sweet bondage of love! How ungrateful and prideful of us to think we deserve it by our taking it for granted, while day after day we refuse the nails that He took upon Himself. Glory unto Him who gives life through death!
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:52 PM
I'm writing this from Katrina's house. She's not home yet and I'm going to surprise her when she gets here. I love doing stuff like this! I feel like I'm letting y'all in on some big secret, it's not really, it's just a big thing to Kat and me (getting to see each other, that is).
Nothing Done is playing at New City Cafe in Knoxville on Saturday August 2nd. I'm probably going to say this time and again until it happens, because I want everybody to come out and worship with us, besides the fact that I'm ecstatic about the whole thing. I think I'm going to talk to Elissa and Brenda about putting up an email thing on here so folks can email and talk to us (in case I say something that can't be understood without context, which is usually at least three times a day). But that ain't no thing. Come out to Salem Baptist Church in Halls tonight for 3 Days Later at 7:00 if you're in town, read this, and are interested in worshipping God through music and fellowship. If you come, I'll see you there.
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:54 PM
To quote Morgan Freeman from 'Shawshank Redemption', "I guess I just miss my friend."
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:22 AM
Went to see the Matrix Reloaded with Andy and found out that I'm not as interested in movies as I once was. I think that it's just being home for the summer. But at the risk of being a complete bore, I still try to hang out with my friends. I haven't talked to Kat at all today, or anyone for that matter except for my folks and then Andy. I used to like summers. Hmm.....there's something wrong with this picture, a student who doesn't enjoy summer as much as he enjoys the school year. Anyways, I'm going to try and go surprise Kat tomorrow morning at her Mayterm class. That's a definite plus to the day. I miss Katrina, I miss Elissa, I miss Landon, good grief everybody has gone their separate ways and here I am in Halls (where there is an indescribably stimulating excess of NOTHING!!!) Ok, letting the sarcasm go....
I really do feel lonely though. I actually watched TV today. It was like living in high school mode. TV for crying out loud! I never watch TV! There is so much that I could be doing, but I don't find pleasure in anything, because I'm without the comradery of my friends from school. Life's like that I guess. I'm going to call Elissa tomorrow too. I suppose I'll email her those songs tonight. Ok, feeling better.
By the way, if you are tired of reading this dribble I'm sorry, but I've got to whine sometimes too, and I don't really have anyone around here that I can completely open up to that I see on a regular basis. So I miss my close friends. If you've kept reading in hopes of something more meaningful, it's probably not going to come this time around the horn, but thanks for making it to the end of this post. Always pray, and never give up (Luke 18:1).
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:18 AM
This little girl called my house today asking for my Dad. Now there are two David Whipples in Knoxville, and we've never met the other one, but she calls and my dad isn't home. She asked for him and I heard my mom pick up the phone (I had answered), I didn't know so I said 'Mom, is dad home,' and mom said no and asked who was calling. The little girl said her name, which I won't write for her privacy. Mom asked what her last name was. Whipple was the answer. And while I was busy thinking that I had some second cousin or something that I didn't know about, the girl asks 'Is he my daddy? Cause my mom gave me this number and...' Knowing full well that my dad wasn't this girl's dad, mom has to tell the girl no and tells her that there's another David Whipple in Knoxville, and she might've gotten the wrong one. The girl couldn't have been more than 9 years old at the absolute most. The second that I heard those words, all my so-called 'problems' paled away to nothing and I was filled with sorrow and horror confronted by this child who didn't know her daddy. I know people from broken families, but it has never been that poignant. I am truly blessed and truly grieved. It is good that God is Father to the fatherless.
Nothing Done has a concert at New City Cafe on Saturday August 2nd. I was elated to sit and look at the email asking if we could come play. I couldn't believe it and God was saying His usual 'I told you so' and I am grateful for this blessing. But I can't make to much of it or I'll become obsessed, and that's never good. To have Adam obsessed over something. My obsessions are a plague to everyone, as I talk about them non-stop.
God has given me several more songs and so the repertoire is increasing and I'm glad that we have some more stuff to do. I think that.........well, no. I was going to say I think that people will really be blessed by it, and that it'll really make people think. But that's not my job and not our mission. That's God's job, and anything I say that ends up being profound or meaningful is God working through me. I alone, can get nothing done (hence the name). Thank you Lord.
So anyways, that's all the news I've got. Elissa's back home (FINALLY!!!! You were only vacationing for the past TWO WEEKS! Gee, what a rough life..... ^_^ ). So while Brenda and Katrina and I are somewhat insanely jealous of Disneyworld and the beach and so forth, we're no worse for the wear. But it's good to have you back sis.
Keep trusting God to get us where He wants us (that also means where we need to be). Peace, Love, and Mercy!
Posted by A. Whipple at 10:56 PM
I'm praying for ya AJ, Liz, Mike, Kat, Elissa, Andy...
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:09 AM
Ok, here's the real material. I love the Lord and I'm so excited about what's coming in the future. Kat and I had a wonderful day today and spent some much-needed quality time together. I've found it hard to continue right now, because I feel more spiritual dryness coming on. It's the product of my own sin and guilt (which, I've said before, guilt has no place). But I find myself trying to trade a guilty conscience for mourning over my own sinful heart. The reason being, because my Father mourns over my sinful heart and it hurts Him to see me screw up what He has given me. But there is not an acceptable substitute for a broken heart, guilt being the furthest thing from it. I suppose that I just have to wait until my life gets to that point. That's going to be the hardest thing, waiting. I hate waiting until my mind catches up to my soul. It's usually a long hard road up to that point. But hey, that's life.
Father, forgive me for being so ungrateful and so rebellious. I don't want to run, I really don't. And I suppose I prove my lack of wisdom when I say that I don't know why I run. I'm sorry, I am a failure and and fool. I am a blind beggar that doesn't know the way home. Thank you for Your wonderful grace and Your unfailing love.
You know, as loving as He is, God must cry a whole lot over us.
God showed me the other day why I wasn't ready to live where I want to live. I went out to Rogersville to see Brenda and absolutely loved the drive and the mountains and the whole bit. I've also always thought about living on a place like Allen Levi's farm (ever since I went) down in Hamilton, Georgia. But in places like that, that are in the middle of nowhere, there are a whole lot of people who would be very easy for me to despise, since I'm so quick to despise people anyways. I would be quick to label folks to be ignorant or simple, not knowing (in my ignorance) that we're all the same, and I am more ignorant in my knowledge that an uneducated man in his faith. I'm not ready to live in a cool place like that with cool people who may not be able to spell Yahweh, but certainly love and trust the Lord. Father, make me slow to despise and quick to love.
I'm going to go to bed now. Later y'all. God bless!
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:06 AM
This next post is just going to be a list of random conversation bits from Elissa, Jonathan, Liz, and me hanging out at Perkins until unholy hours of the night. It won't make any sense, and it's just to be fun and stupid (like me). Thanks to Elissa for writing these down without the context to make them have meaning (but then, that's the whole point). In the words of Mario, "Here we gooooooooo....."
That don't explain the quesadillas
Stop that - it's awful
You breathed over the table
My eye is twitching
I don't know what that means
Wait till I swallow
Next time, drink ketchup
Your mean, I just ate a quesadilla
Thank you Pumba
ouch
Can you hold the pen
Spell something like what?!
I'm a failure at life
Yeah
Welcome to the tell
I'll bite your finger nails
There's a rollie pollie bug on the window sill
You don't have to eat the bugs!
It was in between the cheese and the steak
That's the vilest thing ever
So what if she is
Maybe - ketchup - no pray
People who pray don't use ketchup
I know, that don't explain the quesadillas
I'm gonna make a goat noise
Maaaaaaaaaaa
I just pulled a hair off my chest
How many times do I have to tell you
*Choking sounds*
Maybe I should delete that - stop it
You're going to wear that napkin
I need something - *burp*
It's so freakin' random, it's like a skeleton that got caught in a blender
If you do that again I will draw on your forehead
It's the caffeine talking
*Adam making elbow ears*
You have half a face on your toe
Honest to goodness, no faking, these are bits and pieces of the conversation, in order! There's no point in it. There ain't a lick o' structure to it, it just is what it is. And we're not ashamed to have fun while whacked on caffeine at 3 in the morning.
Posted by A. Whipple at 11:40 PM
You know, it's good to be alive and have the problems that I have (which are not really problems at all for the most part). Kat's coming over today, which means I get someone to pray with here, definite good news. In other news (just kidding), God is surely good to those who love Him. Today is no different than the past few days except I see a little more clearly. We live as Christians in a rear-view world, but we try to spend our time driving and staring through the windshield. All we need do is watch joyfully out the passenger window and occasionally look in the rear-view mirror to marvel. If that whole metaphor made no sense at all, come back and read it when you see God's hand in retrospect. I guarantee it'll make you chuckle quietly to yourself in wisdom you'll see that you didn't have before. It does that to me every time. God needs a t-shirt that says 'I told you so!'.
Well I went to Brenda's yesterday and stayed at her house in Rogersville for a while. I also got to hang out with the horse a little bit. I bet it seems strange that I would hang out with a horse (but if y'all know me...), but I love animals anyway (most of them). So I went and met Durango (the horse). I was going to ride him, but his foot was seriously injured, so no riding, but I still got to chill out in the pasture and pet him and run my mouth. He was kind of pensive, very aware of everything that was going on around him. He needed to be brushed badly, but they didn't have a brush, so no deal for this visit. Brenda and I stayed at her house for a while and worked on 'How Deep the Father's Love for Us'. Then we went to get Chinese (where I tried desperately to understand what the waitress was saying - and I failed) and she gave me the dime tour of Rogersville. We went back to the house and since Chinese food just has this effect on me, I fell asleep on the couch. She fell asleep in the floor (I offered her the couch) and I woke up when her dad got home a half hour later. Not a bad way to be lackadaisical for an evening.
I think I'm getting more used to playing in front of anyone at anytime, because I've started to get better at remembering that I only have an audience of one. And God is surely not going to judge me to be wicked for singing his praises with a thankful and passionate heart. I thought it was quite funny when both Micah and Andy called me seeing if I wanted to do something, and my response was 'I'm in Rogersville.' The somewhat-stunned silence afterward was quite humorous.
I've got a new song that I think I'm just going to sing by myself (I can't really think of any harmony parts to add to it, and I don't really think it becomes a female vocal line). I talked to Brenda about writing more for her and Elissa, because I'm tired of being up on stage for everything. I don't want it to be the Adam Whipple show, and I want to give Brenda and Elissa a bigger chance to use their gifts and talents. Hopefully we can write stuff like that next time I see Elissa (I'll finally get to call her tomorrow!).
I still can't really think clearly at home, but Kat being here will certainly help, and I'm doing a little better than I have done in previous days. I've got to go get ready for church, so I'll write again later, I'm sure. Love and peace!
Posted by A. Whipple at 9:01 AM
I really want to pray with someone
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:03 AM
My dad got mad at me for taking my brother out for a drive! As if I was trying to corrupt him by drawing him away from television! I really resent the notion that I don't have any concern whatsoever for my brother's personal welfare. I have plenty, that's why we went out in the first place. They used to complain because they said I never did anything with him, but now they complain when I do. I offered to take him to see Xmen 2 the other day, and they said it would be a bad idea, because it's PG-13 and he's only 8. True, but I was the one who objected to letting him watch Jurassic Park and JP2 (you know, the one where you see the guy get ripped in half...). And they said it was alright, what could be wrong with it? I said OK. And now they get onto me for going for a drive in the car on a nice night (on a Friday night when he didn't have school today anyway). If someone understands this please put a neon sign on my bathroom mirror explaining it, so I can wake up in the morning to a satisfying epiphany. Ok, I'm done with my rant, I'm over it now, moving on............
I have summer boredom!!! I really should go read something instead of sitting like a bum on the internet (like read my BIBLE for instance). Now that I've said that and written it down for myself to look at, I think I'll go do it. Hmm....if I'd known that writing it out would work I would've done that hours ago...
ps - I have some new songs that will hopefully get put in the repertoire for Nothing Done. When I go see Brenda tomorrow, maybe I'll take a guitar along. Keep praising God for the things He does for us all! Keep reminding me that even life at home is not empty. I guess I'm just tired of having no mission field. Every time I try to be a missionary here (like to my brother, for examply), I end up upsetting someone in some way. I can't wait for the summer to get started and deal with someone besides my family, since I never listen to them and they never listen to me, and the vicious cycle continues. I can't think clearly here.........
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:03 AM
God is working out the job thing. I'm probably going to end up working construction for a guy named Lee Proffitt. Not a bad end considering the other places I've gone. With this I get to work outside, wear jeans and a t-shirt, and get done at 3:30. No weekends either. Pretty good deal. And God's saying "I told you so! Why'd you ever doubt?" And he did it through my dad, which is even more amazing, because my dad was the one who was agitated with me about the whole job ordeal. I've gotten so tired of everyone asking if I've gotten a job. From my 8-year-old video-game-addict brother to the church secretaries. I'm about to pull my hair out over it and I'm glad that I can finally rest now knowing that I actually have a job. Good goo! Anyways, I'm going to go to Broadway sound and try to blow the rest of my checking account replacing mandolin strings. I'm so glad I finally have time to read books just because I want to read books.
Posted by A. Whipple at 4:25 PM
It's four-thirty in the morning and I feel like defining existence, but since that will have no point anyway (making no sense to me or anyone else who reads it), I guess I'll just talk about life from my standpoint of the present. I think I left my cd case and bible at the church. I have other bibles, but I'd love to get my cd case back here. Kat and I finally got to spend some time together today, much-needed time. It's good just to enjoy each other's company.
I just read the blog of a middle school girl that had posted. She's just finishing eighth grade and she has more insight than so many 'adults' I know. I sat there thinking, as I read, that she would be an awesome Christian. I think her name was Nicole. She was so understanding about the need for reality and the nature of love between people and all kinds of things. She even understood herself and the way she thought (which is comparitively difficult to understanding other people, due to the non-objective standpoint). She has so much potential and yet has not the foundation upon which to build love. All the love she has is sinking into a dying world that can't contain it. Sometimes I wish that I could talk to people like Nicole. The ground there is ripe for sharing Jesus love. Someone who already understands how the world works, and a middle-schooler! I was definitely impressed with the girl's ability to think outside the cereal box of imitation and conformity.
I hope that I grow to understand youth, because right now, I feel like I'm a very harsh person. I'm not unforgiving, I'm just harsh. I suppose I get that from my dad, but no excuse can grow up to be a reason, much less a justification. Katrina, if you read this, quote me on that the next time I make an excuse!
I'm going to turn in an application tomorrow (or I guess later today) and also talk to some people about jobs. I've been at Andy's house at a party until 4:00. Actually it quit being a party around 10 or so, because most everyone left. All it was after that was a few guys hanging around watching movies. And I stayed until everyone else had left or fallen asleep. My parents would have probably frowned upon that (seeing as it's not politically correct, but you probably know my standpoint on that). I'm going to go ahead and post this and get to working on other stuff. Maybe I'll have something important to say later on.
Oh, news...
I've been talking to Kenny and those concerts at New City Cafe are almost lined up. Thanks be to Jesus Christ for doing all these things for me! Life is so much better than I sometimes give it credit for. And He is so much greater than I am even able to give Him praise for!
See y'all.........
Posted by A. Whipple at 4:54 AM
Sometimes life is just rough and I come through it cursing like a sailor. I really am pathetic sometimes and I'm glad that God has kept me through all this. I don't really know what to say because I don't really feel able to say anything right now. This whole afternoon and evening started out as a blessing and I ended up screwing things up. It was still a blessing, but I can't think now because of my depression and I can't really do anything but sit and stare and wish things were better. I hate being like this.
I'm glad God uses my bad for good, cause I sure give Him a lot to work with in that area.
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:00 AM
"...God runs my life the way he does for good reason, and his will is perfect...everything that God brings us through is part of making us all into the people that he wants us to be, and therefore making us more effective in the places in which he has us. i’m so glad that God is God and that i’m not. i’m beginning to grow content with my life being completely out of control...even though i still react so poorly to the challenges that God often presents me with, i say keep ‘em coming - for that very reason if for none other." [Snippet taken from Derek Webb’s Journal archive, 7/6/97
I'm glad that somebody else has the same problems that I do. I feel like I fail most terribly at being a Christian; at bearing the name of Christ! It's hard to believe that my weakness is made great through His strength sometimes, but what choice do I have? I've tried everything myself, and failed (as if I didn't know that I would fail in the first place).
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:05 AM
Hey Brenda, I want to go pick tobacco (and ride horses) (-;
No really, I want to grab Jonathan and come hang out this week or next week.
I put new pics up on the site. I put up a few embarassing ones of myself. You're next Brenda!!! When I come up there, I'm going to go digging through family albums if I have to. *sinister laughter*
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:07 AM
Father, I haven't been the best of servants lately. OK, I haven't been a servant at all, but I love you and I want to talk to you and hear what you have to say. I want to spend time with you and I don't understand why when I do, things just get harder and harder and I can't get the devil to go away. Please forgive me for neglecting You when You have never neglected me. I stand in awe of You my Father. You are everything that I want to be but never can. Your hand reaches so far beyond my distance from You that I cannot see where Your fingertips end, because Your reach is everlasting and all-touching. You are Jehovah, the Great I Am. And I am not even worthy of the dirt from which I'm made. Thank You for grace Lord. I cannot fathom it, I cannot even be overwhelmed by it, because it is so big it encompasses all that I see. May it not become background to my life Father, but let it reign over my field of vision until I am broken into pieces and You shine through the cracks. I surrender to You my God! All my life is Yours, for I have no other choice! I love You Father.
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:04 AM
Holy rusted metal!!! The blogger edit site actually came up! Now if only it will load what I write.....
Anyways, sorry about the complete silence for a while. Brenda is without a computer, and Elissa is in Disneyworld (no, really). So I'm the only one with access to the net right now, and that much on my dad's archaic modem. But, hey, beggars can't be choosers, so here I am.
I've been sporadically talking to Kenny Woodhull at the New City Cafe about Nothing Done doing a show there, and it's looking pretty good. If it goes through I'll give y'all the heads up on when it is. Also, we're trying to get to do a show at my home church (Salem Baptist Church) in Knoxville. So I'll keep y'all posted on that. Also (again?), we're going to try and go down to Elissa's church in Florida to do a service on the 13th of July. I'm waiting to hear back from my sister once she get's done having fun and decides to remember the rest of us....just kidding! ;-p Moving on.....
This past few, God has let things get difficult for me, which is good. I'm having to deal with my parents and finding a job and juggling the job plus the band, but that's only going to prove God right in that He can do stuff like that. I'm also trying to swallow my pride and breach the wall between my parents and I. That's a tough one, but God can do that too. I've been writing some new stuff that's really based on some close relationships that I have, so I don't know how much of that will make it to being played live. I just wrote it to write it, because it's what I was dealing with or watching someone I love deal with. It's good to open my heart to people though, cause you can't learn anything from a closed book. So maybe most of that stuff will be heard. I want to go up to Brenda's and ride horses...
Thanks for checking back on the website, I'll try to keep posting on a more regular basis (after I get finished moving back in from my car to my room). I'm also going to try and get some more pics on the website today (you know, the one's that will embarrass me). So keep logging on (or something...). See y'all later. Love!
Posted by A. Whipple at 11:18 AM
I'm going to be moving out in a few days. So I'll be going back to the archaic wonders of 56k modem instead of broadband (I've been spoiled). Anways, all that to say, I don't know how well I'll be able to post given the modem and all, but I'll do my best to keep everybody informed about what's going on this summer. We might take a hiatus from the website for a while, but I will try to inform y'all about concerts and things. Thanks for praying, we're waiting on the word from God and have a couple of place and times for concerts in mind, but those aren't fully developed yet. Love you guys!
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:49 PM
You know, I find myself occasionally returning to my old self. You remember, the one that Paul says I'm supposed to 'put off' so I can put on my new self. Yeah, I just can't seem to get it through my head sometimes. I can't believe that I'm so stupid somedays when everything is completely in perspective on others. You would think that I would commit to memory the things that I know, but then I have a selective memory. Ehh, anyways, I've been writing again, dealing with my own stubbornness to let go of what I gave up when I got saved, that is, my sin. Dare I ask you to pray for me? I guess so, since that's the right thing to do anyway. How dare I, instead, doubt God's ability and His willingness to forgive me! Such things doubts should be expelled the moment they are conceived. I am so human, and I can't believe He loves me! Thank You Lord for being my keeper.
Posted by A. Whipple at 3:18 AM
Got the pictures back. They turned out great! I put them up on the website. Enjoy!
Posted by A. Whipple at 5:29 PM
Well, everybody has gone. I'm all alone up at Carson Newman, waiting to get on with the summer. Praise God for getting us through finals! He said He would and He did (despite our faithless moaning). I can't wait until we get to do the concerts at different places. I'm going to be reading and writing all summer along with working. Pray that I'll get a job that will be flexible with hours and will pay well. You might not hear from Brenda for a while, and I'm not sure if Elissa will have access to a computer down there or not, so you may not hear from her either. But you've got me here to keep you company (yeah, I know, I hear the eyes rolling). Anyways, I'll try to keep y'all posted on what's going on and where. Love and peace in Christ! Praise Jesus for everything!
Posted by A. Whipple at 9:28 PM
I put a couple of photos of Elissa up on the picture site as a preliminary to the rest of the pics. Feel free to blackmail her. Her number is......just kidding! But they are really funny. I can't say much because I'm going to do the same thing to myself pretty soon. Enjoy!
Posted by A. Whipple at 9:22 PM
I've started writing again. Not in the journal (I've been writing in that), but songs. I've been so busy, I've forgotten to do creative things like that. I used to write to figure stuff out. It helped me sort out problems in my life. I guess I felt like I wasn't having any problems, when I was just blind enough to the ones I had not to view them realistically. I love the Lord, and I love using the gift He's given me. So I guess it's time I used it again. Start writing out the problems in my life, deal with them like a normal human being.
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:23 AM
We did a photo shoot today with my dad. It was absolutely the coolest thing (and the funniest). We went out to the Mossy Creek Wildlife Preserve (as if that's not funny enough in itself) and were taking pictures in the viewing structure. Then Brenda gets this crazy idea, she's like "We need to take some pictures out in the grass!" So here we are in fairly nice clothes out wandering through this waist-high wet grass and laughing hysterically and my dad's just shooting away at us looking goofy. It was a lot of fun. As soon as those pictures get developed, they're going on the website, along with some others. Can't wait until this summer.
Posted by A. Whipple at 10:27 PM
Can I just say how illogically awesome God is! Y'all have seen that quote from George MacDonald. Let me add another one from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "...the following two propositions hold good and are equally true: only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes." Another from Paul, "...count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Still another from Jesus himself, "Whoever loses his life for me will save it."
God, despite what 'wise' and 'learned' men will try to tell you, is not logical. And I'm grateful, for if we understood His ways, how could He be God and we not. He has chosen us as His children. Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Isn't it amazing that through all the years of studying and application, we only learn the things of the world? Only through our acceptance of our failure and then of God's grace do we understand the things which wise men will never know.
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:22 PM
Thank You, my Father, for drawing me close to you. Thank you for making me a bearer of Your beautiful name even though my hands are pridefully drawn back from the nails of sacrifice. Thank You that You love me though I don't surrender. Please take my contentment and shake it through Your use of my hands. I love You Lord.
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:01 PM
OK. Can I just say how when you get two people together, and they're both completely random a good bit of the time, things get really funny at times (especially when one is clumsy). I told Liz I would put this in the journal and she's OK with it (I'd probably do it with more enthusiasm if she wasn't, but anyway). She and I were going to go to Landon's apartment tonight so I could talk to Landon and because she thought he might have food. Long story short, Landon wasn't there, so we went to Pop's. But on the way to Landon's apartment, right outside Burnette dorm, the most wonderful and beautiful thing happened. I was wearing shorts and waterproof sandals, so I just walked right through a mud puddle (it's been raining non-stop all day) that was right next to the porch. Liz tries to jump over it (wearing her jeans and mal-waterproof sandals). She made it over the puddle only to land in about an inch of mud. No big deal, except I turned around when I heard her feet hit the ground and saw her feet go out from under her. She then proceeded to succumb to gravity and solidly root her butt in the mud. With much guffawing, I helped her up and began to look for her glasses (which she had dropped in preference for gaining balance - didn't work) while she went in to change. I only wish I could have seen the security guards face when Liz walked by looking like Swamp Thing. She suffered no more than the mortification of hurting an ego which she doesn't have though, so no harm done. She'll never live that one down in my book, since I was there to see it.
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:54 AM
So I've been talking to Liz for a couple days now. I spent the evening at Perkins with (of course) Elissa, Liz, and Jonathan. We were absolutely hysterical with laughter almost the entire time we were there. Then I came back and stayed to talk with Liz for probably an hour and a half. I won't discuss the nature of what was said, but I ask that you pray for her. Kat, she really needs to meet you before she leaves. Thank you, Katrina, for being the anchor that holds me fast to God in the storm of my reckless worry. I love you.
Yeah, I'm the worry-wort most of the time. Like the DMB song says, I think too much. I over-analyze everything, and it makes me a butt to deal with sometimes, but I'm glad God has given me people that love me through this mess that I make out of God's ideas (that He ends up perfecting through and despite my failure). I've got work to do, so I'll talk to y'all later. Love!
Posted by A. Whipple at 2:09 AM
Well it's good to know that Elissa and Liz and Jonathan are alive. They've been out hiking all day at Abrams Falls. They said it wasn't crowded, which surprised me. I would've loved to go, but I was taking stuff home (books, guitars, movies). I brought back the guitar that Micah and I painted (Micah's a friend from back home). I haven't seen Micah in forever. I hope that he and Kendra are doing well. They're getting married in May of next year. I've got so many weddings that I'm going to be in. I'm going to go show the guitar to Brenda if she's here. She was at a party at Dr. Teague's house. Latte.......
Posted by A. Whipple at 10:03 PM
Lyrics page is up. And hopefully we're getting pictures taken (by my Dad, God bless him) on Tuesday.
Posted by A. Whipple at 12:23 AM
I've set up a picture page, because we felt that people would be more likely to want to hear us play if they saw a picture. So hopefully we'll get some pictures on there in the next few weeks. If you get pictures of us and feel like sending us a copy (like that'll ever happen, but anyways), we'd be thrilled to put it up on the page. Thanks for reading! I love you in Christ!
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:47 PM
Yesterday was inexplicably cool. Kat and I got to go out on a date (FINALLY!!) and we spent the entire afternoon together. I got up Thursday morning and did my guitar jury, praying that God would make them run behind schedule a little so that I wouldn't be late and would have time to practice before. God worked everything out perfectly and I got a good grade on my jury. Afterwards, I hung out with Elissa for a few minutes and started writing a song. Then I went to pick up Katrina. We went out to this place in Sevierville called The Chop House. I had the best meal I've eaten in a long time. The place had a simple, quiet refinement to it. Kat and I both had bread, salad, steak and potatoes. Nothing special, just those four things, and it was WONDERFUL! We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the Tanger Outlet Mall and just hanging out. I could begin to describe to you the awesomeness of it all, but there are no words which convey such things. All I can do is tell you what we did.
That evening I came back to the dorm and spent some time with Brenda and Elissa writing and talking about Nothing Done. I went to go watch the video from Jammin for Jesus at Phil's apartment. We sat in the music building for a while writing a song about faith (which, I've discovered, becomes a huge issue when you become an adult). At least, if you come from the same backgrounds that we do. If you live in a smalltown where everything is fine and all your worries are cared for, your world is pretty small. Just wait until you meet with real issues (which I don't really believe that I have yet, with the exception of a few times). I'm really glad to be forced to walk by faith though, because it forces me to grow as well. The more I grow, the more I realize that I'm hideous and useless and unexempt from sin. It is not my heart that grows, but God in me. I can't wait for what God has for Kat and I and for Nothing Done. I've never felt so alive as in these past few days. It's so awesome sometimes that I feel like it can't be true, that I must be doing something wrong, because life can't be this easy. But problems will come, and my refusal to worry, and my rejection of myself when I do, keep me rooted in joy.
I've mentioned this quote by George MacDonald before: "Our human life is often, at best, but an oscillation between extremes which together make the truth." It's so true, and so irritating sometimes. I have a hard time accepting that I can't ever be perfect, but I can't. All I can do is chase after Jesus. I have this mental picture of myself and God. It's like those parents that have the leash on their kid that's wearing a harness. The leash will stretch but not break. And I see myself on that leash, and as soon as I reach the end of it, God pulls me back. So then I run back the other way! And he patiently pulls me back. It seems to be a never ending cycle of my inability to understand. Thank You Father, for loving me always! Thank You Jesus for being my brother.
Brenda, Elissa, you guys will never understand how much y'all mean to me through your love and acceptance of me and your willingness to do this work. I'm so glad that God gave me what I wanted in the way that He wanted me to have it (if that makes any sense). I could never do this on my own. We could never do this on our own. He is holy; He is in control.
Katrina, most of the things I want to say to you can't be said with words, and you know that. But you are such a part of Nothing Done just by your love for me and your love for Elissa and Brenda. You force me to draw closer to God, and that's something I most definitely need. I hope I do the same for you.
My Savior and Lord, there are not words powerful enough or beautiful enough. Thank You.
Posted by A. Whipple at 1:30 PM
We are the body of Christ. We as his church, his bride, one with him. That's why we take the bread as his body. Hey, I bet you never likened the Lord's supper to sex between a husband and wife! That's what it represents, complete union. With him and with each other. That's why none of his bones were broken on the cross. Because we, his church, are not supposed to schism ourselves away from each other. We are his body, we are to be one.
Posted by A. Whipple at 9:20 PM
OK. A whole lot seems to be happening. God is awesome in that He's teaching me silence (a concept which I very obviously have a hard time with). He's proving more faithful every day, and I wish I was as faithful and that I trusted Him. I love my God so much!!! He sees right through the hammer in my hand to find the hole in my heart. I can't even begin to describe how He's made everything work out the way He said it would (why should I think otherwise?). I finally got to spend a good while talking to Kat on the phone, even though it was three in the morning. I love long early morning conversations. I don't know why, but it's just a cooler time to have a conversation, early in the morning or late at night (which coincidentally are the same thing). I love you Katrina! You are a wise and godly woman.
I just got back from going to Perkins with Liz and Jonathan. I was so grateful, God used me in helping Liz out to get her to open up a part of her life that was difficult to talk about (we all have those parts). I must continue to pray for her. I'm coming to realize that what Landon said was true (big surprise there [much sarcasm] ). School itself is just a test and trial. A proving ground for me as to what God has for me. Everything academic here is quite secondary to what's really going on through God's perfect will in my life. Don't tell the faculty I said that. God's will is a convenient excuse from a Christian as far as they're concerned.
I've been a part of so much in God's work today and I haven't even had a decent quiet time in a while due to all this work (I know....no excuse). I've got to get maybe thirty minutes of sleep before I get up and start going again. Juries are in a little over 5 hours. But I'm not worried, God is here and He is in control, because I can't control things myself.
Posted by A. Whipple at 4:28 AM
// John 5:30 // we are the pen; God is the author
Miscellaneous apparitions
no concerts
Correspondence
Brenda -
tcshanx@yahoo.com
Elissa - elissakeck@hotmail.com
Adam - adamwhipple@hotmail.com
Accumulated paraphernalia
Caedmon's Call
Derek Webb
Bethany Nobles
Katrina's Website
New City Cafe
Joe Mayfield's Site
Andy Vandergriff's blog
Andrew Peterson
Many
moons
ago
