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The soldier in this verse is, first of all, "serving". He is a servant- not a commander. He has a submissive, humble, corporate and ordinary role. Second of all- he wants to please his commander. It doesn't say he always succeeds, or that he simply works hard to please- but it says that he wants to. It's speaking here of a heart condition. The verse is dealing with the soldier's desires- not necessarily his actions first and foremost. What is implied is that his desires (wants) inspire his actions- or in this case- his inactions. Since his greatest desire is to please someone else (namely, to obey the wishes of his superior) he will stay focused on his leader's commands and will refrain from actions outside of his leader's will.

Thus, the soldier does not tire himself by simply going about the drudgery of obedience- instead, he follows a heart that has been captured by an upward call of duty. God is pictured here as a commanding officer inspiring his soldiers to joyful, selfless service. This is always the case with good leaders. They do not rule with cold eyes and an iron first of discipline and duty- good leaders inspire obedience. Just as God's kindness leads us to repentance- His love and valor lead us to follow Him and to abandon all other pursuits...

...because we want to.

I believe this verse speaks just as much to leaders as it does to followers.

Expectations- we all have them. Some childish. Some lofty. Some fleeting. Some persistent. Every year our birthday becomes a vantage point to gaze out upon our sea of expectations, and evaluate ourselves. Do I measure up? Do I live up to my own expectations? Am I becoming who I always wanted to be? Do I know who I want to be? Do I know who I'm becoming?

Of course there have been years of disappointment. Ruts that we just can't seem to get out of. We look back on our year and we don't see any growth- we don't see any change. The sum of our choices adds up to something far less than the greatness that we, deep down, had always wished to achieve. We are vetted by sin, weighed down by mediocrity, and blinded by short-sightedness. Sometimes the sheer uncertainty of the future can be paralyzing.

I turned 24 today.

24 seems like such a milestone. And now 23 seems so unimportant in comparison. I don't really know what it is. Maybe it's because there's 24 hours in a day. Maybe I just saw the number 24 in my multiplication tables more often than 23 as a child. Maybe it doesn't really matter.

24 just sounds kinda old to me. I'm not a teenager anymore. I didn't just turn 20. I've been old enough to drink for years now. I'm closer to 30... than I've ever been. I'm no longer college-aged. (Unless, of course, I was going for my Master's. Which, of course, I'm not.)

But I'm happy today. Really, truly happy.

No, I haven't lived up to all of my own expectations. Not every dream I've ever had has been completely fulfilled- but almost. As I look back on my 24 years of existence, I can truly say I'm content. I'm happy. And I'm more excited about life, than I've ever been...

At 24 I'm surrounded on all sides by family that love me, and want what's best for me. At 24 I belong to a community of good, deep friends that care about me, and are a part of my life on a regular basis. At 24 I am a part of a church that preaches the gospel and spurs me on to more and more spiritual formation and service every week. At 24 I have my own grand piano, that is fully paid off, and I have the blessing of being able to teach a handful of amazing piano students every week. At 24 I have a job that I used to dream of as a kid- getting paid to draw animals from home all day. At 24 I am starting up my own graphic design and illustration business, and have had an energizing time getting to know other designers and small business owners in the Omaha area. At 24 many evenings and weekends are filled with music, since so may of my closest friends share my passion for original music. At 24 I'm working on my second personal album project, and have had the opportunity to contribute to friend's recording projects . At 24 I have the privilege of being able to assist my church body with leading corporate worship on Sunday mornings. At 24 I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a homeowner, and have been honored to lay down my roots in north Benson. At 24 I am delighted to be called husband by the most amazing and beautiful of all the young ladies I have ever known. At 24- I am proud to be called, for the first time, "Father". And at 24, sin has less of a hold on my life, and Jesus is a closer friend than ever before.

Life is good for me- better than I could have imagined in years past. Looking forward to the next 24...

I realize that many of you don't know that in late 2008 I had the unique opportunity to go to the country of China. I accompanied an american pastor to three key cities, helping to develop leaders in the ever-growing underground church movement. The things that I heard, saw and tasted, were far beyond what I ever could have anticipated. These things changed me forever.

During the 3 weeks of intense travel and training I found time to write 7 songs based on some of my experiences overseas. Anticipating inspiration, I thankfully brought along my trusty Ukulele which served as a vehicle for my music.

When I returned from China, I held a small one man concert/presentation at the Omaha Foundry, to tell of my travels and share my songs. The event was well attended and well received- despite a handful of technical difficulties that I encountered that night. My good friend Andrew Denekas even made a rough audio recording of the event. After it all, I was excited. I had every intention to record a China album as soon as possible.

Not long after my China presentation, however, my life took many different turns. Soon I was coming out with my first album "This Battle"... then I found myself engaged to the girl of my dreams... which in turn began inspiring completely different kinds of songs. These love songs written during 2009 and 2010 are some of my favorite songs yet- many of which were written with the help of my lovely (now) bride. Of course, as soon as the Megan songs started developing, I knew that they needed to be on an album.

After getting married in May of 2010, however, I began to realize that in order to make an album that would do the Megan songs justice, I would need to grow in both my recording knowledge and my musicality. I needed to work on a recording where I could experiment with different styles and sounds. An album that could be different than anything I had ever done. But what?

Then it happened. In late 2010, Andrew Denekas (who else?) posted a message on my Facebook wall. He wanted to know if I had recorded any of my China songs yet. I quickly replied that that was to be next recording project. It was just what I needed to be working on. I had waited long enough.

And so, for the last few weeks, I have begun to lay down the scratch tracks for my China album. And let me warn you all in advance- this is going to be a *very different album. So far it is becoming an experimental fusion of electronic and acoustic sounds. Synthesizers, pianos, digital beats, field recordings, guitars, vocals, and ukulele rhythms blending together in a large, seamless sound. And things have only just begun.

Please stay posted for updates. You can follow my latest adventures on my Twitter.

Much love.