Weep Forever

It's time for the music of the week!

I want to recognize an awesome band that I love, The Weepies.

The Weepies are an indie pop-folk band fronted by singer-songwriters Deb Talan and Steve Tannen. Their music has been described as "subtly intoxicating folk-pop". Every heartbreaking line, every subtle message, melodic passage, shows they are an exhibition of genuine talent.

 

some of my favorites from their collection are the wispy, brief opener “Can’t Go Back Now,” from their "Hideaway" album.

"I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else, but in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself. You and me walk on, walk on, walk on 'Cause you can't go back now"

A few more of their songs worth listening to are: "World Spins Madly On”  and "Orbiting,”

Although above all of their songs one specifically sticks out to me, my absolute personal favorite: "Gotta Have You"

"Gotta Have You"

Gray, quiet and tired and mean, picking at a worried seam

I try to make you mad at me over the phone.

Red eyes and fire and signs

I'm taken by a nursery rhyme

I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home

 

No amount of coffee, no amount of crying

No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine

No, nothing else will do

I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.

 

The road gets cold, there's no spring in the middle this year

I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears

Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself

But green, it is also summer

And I won't be warm till I'm lying in your arms

 

I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat

Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...

Insane in the Membrane

Okay, so I just could not help but blog this.

It is incredible!

It is a mashup of some mainstream top-40 type music, played all by one man on his violin, with some backup beats, and his voice.

Just watch it, it will blow you away! This guy has so much creativity and skill.

- Morgan

Freedom Runs

One of my favorite songs is Break Every Chain by Will Reagan and The United Pursuit Band. 
It's an awesome worship song which starts off with "There is power in the name of Jesus... break every chain"


I think this song is so appropriate for my life right now. 
In high school, especially such a small one like I went to, you tend to grow into chains that hold you down. Whether they be past experiences, social status, first impressions, mistakes we have made, or lies we have believed. Those chains begin to weigh you down, restricting you from growing into the people we are supposed to be, experiencing what we are supposed to experience, love and be loved by those we should be, and discovering the mysteries in store for us. 
So, what does this have to do with me right now?
Well, I am at new starting point in my life... college. Away from the past mistakes, and into a whole new time to make new ones. 
But, by the grace of God, I don't have to be bound by the chains of the mistakes of my past. I have the authority by Christ to live to my full potential in complete confidence and strength without fear.

My favorite line is: "All sufficient sacrifice so freely given, such a price for our redemption Heaven’s gates swing wide  " 

Another version of this song is done by the band, Before It's Too Late, which I talked about two entries ago. Their version takes the song Break Every Chain, and when combined with original lyrics creates Power in the Name which is not only an amazing worship song, but a heartfelt story of life and the ability to pull through anything with Christ. 
"For I am in love with You, there is no cost. For, I am in love with you, I wanna take Your name."


New found freedom, is like a fresh pair of legs after using old, tired, and broken ones while trying to run a marathon.


So, I'm going to run.


- Morgan

Slime caps, Serenades, and Walmart.

So as of today, I have officially lived on campus for five days and man how it has been a crazy week!

At first as awkward as it may seem, coming to a college knowing absolutely no one, it's amazing how fast you make friends. 

Welcome week has been a hectic and full scheduled week with many activities that keep the week going by so fast that before I knew it, it's already Friday night and I start the actual class part of college on Monday.

Some highlights this far have been, first of all, all the awesome new people I am meeting, and the small groups we have for Univ.1000. 

And, of course, what girl wouldn't fall in love with the Serenade? Hundreds of college boys lining up to sing to you, woo you, and give you flowers and dance. Seriously?... talk about eye candy. It was seriously one of the most flattering things ever. 

I love how culturally diverse all the people I have become friends with are. Not just in backgrounds, race, and religion, but tastes in music, style, and art.  I seriously met someone who claimed to be my "music soulmate" and two other people who play mandolin. How awesome is that? 

I never knew Coldplay, John Mayer, the Killers, Jack Johnson, Nickel Creek, and Kings of Leon could bring such complete strangers together.

I also love how Baylor is so saturated in the Christian faith, and how it is woven within everything about the university. 

When I was younger and thought of being a college freshman, it seemed so intimidating and scary. But, it has been nothing like that here because of the effort the university puts into making sure that everyone a part of Welcome Week feels, ...well, welcomed. 

After the Serenade, and hanging out with a few new friends, we had quite an interesting night which included some hilarious and unforgettable moments. One consisted of a new friend, Adam, who is actually a sophomore, teaching us ballet positions in the dorm lobby. The best of all was probably our 2 am run to Walmart for a neon shirt for the Rave tomorrow. 

To my surprise there are quite a number or people who do their grocery shopping at 2 am at the Walmart, some even bringing their small children. And, for those of you who wondered when they restock the shelves at Walmart, it is at two in the morning. 

Well, after writing this blog entry, and downloading about 15 free worship songs from www.integritymusic.com (check it out), it is already three in the morning. So, I have to meet my small group tomorrow and am in desperate need of sleep! 

Until next time,

Morgan

New Music of the Week!

New music for the week,

So for this week's new music I wanted to introduce a local band.

Their name is Before It's Too Late, and they consists of local teens who do an awesome job of mixing worship songs, secular songs, and some originals in a beautiful mixture that is amazing.

Most of the band members go to the same church as I do, and they are amazing people filled with love for the Lord.

You can check out some of their music at http://www.myspace.com/beforeitstoolateband

Or, you can check out local places around Waco such as Common Grounds or Art Ambush and hear them play live. 

Go listen to it,

Morgan 

 

      So, today is August  11, 2010. Now, this day may have no significance to some, but to me it means that in 6 days I will officially be a Baylor Bear!

      I move into my dorm on Tuesday, the 17^th. Now, it is so bitter-sweet.

In a way, I am filled with excitement. Not only am I moving on to a new chapter of my life, but I will be on my own (well for the most part) and experiencing so many new things. I have so many new people to meet, places to see, things to do.

      However, there is a part of me that is kind of sad. I think back to Friday night football games, off-campus lunches, late nights with friends, and of course, graduation.

      Of course our ‘official’ class song “Fast” by Jason Aldean comes to mind, as well as our unofficial, and more fitting, class song “Don’t Stop Believing” does as well.  Although high school was by no means a cake walk, it was a journey; one, that I am glad I was able to endure.

To my class: you guys were I blast! I don’t think I could have asked for a more laid-back, humor filled, group of peers! You guys absolutely have so much life ahead of you all and I can’t wait to hear how your lives pan out.

To my closest friends: I will miss each of you dearly. Although we’ll live so far away, let’s not be typical graduates and not keep in touch! I may even where a touch of maroon for you guys every now and then.  And, I shall see you when the green and gold means the maroon and white soon at Floyd Casey.

I try and think of what I imagine life will be like for me 5 years down the road. But then again, I think of 5 years ago, and how different I am now.  If someone would have told me 5 years ago, I would be going to Baylor majoring in what I am now; I would not have believed them.  So, I guess my point in all this is, although the future is so important, I can’t get lost in what’s approaching, that I forget to embrace and cherish the now.

Psalms 23:6 says- “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”

Oh, and one more:

Philippians 4:6-9- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Peace, and Goodnight!

Morgan

new music of the week!

So, I've decided that I will try and introduce some new music every week.

I'll try and make it an artist that isn't too mainstream, and I'll try and change the genre up.

So, this week I wanted to introduce an artist that I found earlier this year.

Her name is Jillian Edwards. She is a student at Baylor University, and is actually on Baylor's Uproar record label.

She has a sweet and dainty voice, when mixed with her original lyrics make for an encouraging and uplifting, light sound. 

Her album: Galaxies and Such is a mix of original songs written by Jillian. 

My personal favorite, is Songbird:

I want to be a songbird

And I want to sit on the tallest branch

Of the tallest tree

And I want to sing lullabies

To Earth as she cries

I really want to try and make her laugh

I want to be a songbird

And I want to watch sunrise

With my love by my side

And I want to grow

And I want to learn 

I want to fire

And I want to burn

I want to rise

And I want to fall

I want to run

And I want to crawl

I want to be a songbird

And I just want to try 

To know how far and deep and wide

This love is that You give

Cause that's what it is to really live

To just try and look around

See You in our breaths

And hear You in our sounds

I want to be a songbird

Go through things that I need

Make me hurt, make me bleed

Cause I will arise and see the light

I'll pray my way through the night

And I want to be a songbird

And I want to sing lullabies

To Earth and she cries

I really want to try and make her laugh

How You made me laugh

You made me laugh

You made me laugh

Take the strings and the things

I use to tie me to the ground

Let them all be gone

I want to be a songbird

I want to be a songbird

Check more of her songs out: 

http://www.uproarrecords.com/uproar/jillian.html

What's with the name?

Here's a quick explanation of why I named my blog:

"A Sparrow By Any Other Name" 

There are three reasons for the name:

Also, as you probably know, the quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", came from Romeo and Juliet. 

Basically what it means is,

What matters is what something is, not what it is called.

First of all, I just love birds.

Second of all :

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" 

-Matthew 6:26

Third of all:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

—Matthew 10:29-31

Also, as you probably know, the quote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", came from Romeo and Juliet. 

Basically what it means is,

What matters is what something is, not what it is called.

Blogging Rookie

So, seeing as I was one of the few people in the 21st century who did not yet have a blog, I decided to hop on the Blog train. I have loved the idea of a blog for a while, but never truly sat down and decided I was going to put my life down for the world to see blog-style.  


As, a young college student, I'm not sure how interesting my life will seem on this blog, or truly if anyone will even read it- but what the heck, why not?


I will stop boring you with my rambling.....


Enjoy!


Happy Blogging,
Morgan