I'm not going far, but I've decided to move the blog to a new host. I just wanted a new look and some mobile capabilities.
My new site is : www.deniavant.wordpress.com
I bought this song about a month ago and then a week later my church band played it one Sunday (and rocked it). I think the message in the song is pretty clear, but something about it being played in church really grabbed me and made me think about it in a new way.
I'm going to use this song as my anthem for my last semester at Winthrop. You'll see why...
The first verse really just describes how the world tries to influence us and control how we act and think. For instance:
They'll try to push drugs to keep us all dumbed down,
And hope that we will never see the truth around...
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed.
And then to the powerful anthem chorus I love:
They will not force us,
They will stop degrading us,
They will not control us,
And we will be victorious!
When I first heard this song, I thought they=the world and us=my generation. After hearing it in church and reflecting on it in a different way, I thought they=the world, but us=Christians.
Instantly Romans 12:2 came to mind:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The second verse is encouraging basically saying that we can do this together:
If you could flick a switch and open your third eye,
You'd see that we should never be afraid to die...
It's time that the fat cats had a heart attack,
You know that their time's coming to an end,
We have to unify and watch or flag ascend!
Then the strong chorus plays several times until the song ends.
Ever time I listen (and sometimes sing really loudly) to this song, I make that chorus my prayer: that we, as Christians, especially in my generation, will not let the ever-pressuring world force us into doing things we know aren't right or changing who we are, will not get discouraged by the world laughing at our choices, nor will we let them control our actions through fear of the above mentioned things. Through Christ, we will be victorious, as He has already shown us.
So I'm using this song as my anthem as I prepare to leave college, head out into the real world and start fulfilling God's calling on my life. This songs pumps me up to take this [scary] next step. It encourages me.
There's about 20 million others things I could write about this song, but just let this song take on any other meanings to you personally. Share if you want!
End.
I'm sure most of yall have heard of the big 'Conan - Leno' fiasco. But just in case you haven't, here's a quick recap:
I'm going to start my last semester of college in two days. Goodness gracious. I won't even start on the uneasiness of uncertainties that thought brings. Instead, I'm going to focus on some highlights of the past 3.5 years at Winthrop University and all it entailed. Here are some things I never thought I would do or would happen to me:
I found this interesting. Here are two headlines and subheads from two different news sources and apparently they are about the same story. Who would have guessed?
A couple of roommates and I have come up with a little test. The purpose of the test is to reveal if you are truly southern. And it all involves food/beverages. Here it is:
Do you like sweet tea?
Do you like boiled peanuts?
Do you like grits?
If you answered yes to at least 2 of the above, then congratulations, you’re southern!
If you only answered yes to one, then nope, you don’t make the cut.
If you you had zero yeses, then you fail.
And if you’ve never heard of the things in the questions, we’ll it’s time you head down south and try it because it will be the most amazing meal of your life.
So, who passed?
In my last post, I promised a series, yet have done nothing with it. My apologies. Here’s the first installment of Arty Heart. Enjoy.
Now, I am by no means calling myself an artist, but this first piece I’m going to share with you is a picture I took in Paris. I’m completely obsessed with it.
Here it is:
So, what are you first thoughts? Probably ‘what in the world is this?”
Here are my thoughts behind it: I remember staring at this apartment building for awhile just thinking how cool it looked and wanting to meet the people that lived there. It looks like a massive quilt where each apartment window is a patch.
I love, love, love how each window represents someone so different and that can be seen through the variety of colors on the window coverings. It just reminds me that even in such a confined space, there is still such variety.
Now, the picture would be different if I zoomed in on only a few windows, but by looking at the entire building, the entire picture, and seeing all the little things that make it up, it brings a much cooler concept.
Thoughts my little potential arty hearts?
I’m going to start a new series (because I’ve been so faithful to the one established series I have already…). I’ve been told I have an “arty heart” and I love that. I think I’ve discovered what exactly has caused this and what it’s causing me to do.
First, what caused it:
I’m sure that’s not the entire list of what this arty heart has caused me to do, but you get the gist.
So, on to the series. This is what I’m thinking…I don’t have a specific day for it, so it’ll be sporadic. “Arty Heart” entries will contain any type of art that I’ve come across that I want to share with you: A cool building, picture, museum, artist, painting, music (I’ll try to keep this and Tune Tuesday separate), or even a craft. I hope you enjoy it and your heart becomes a little arty in the process.
I’ve noticed several brand/logo changes lately. I wanted to share some with you and get some feedback!
The first is from Dairy Queen. I didn’t know about this change until I passed the one back home and noticed a new sign.
Here’s the old:
Go.
So, I think I first heard this song when our amazing FCA praise band led it in worship one Tuesday. David Crowder released this song as a single, BUT I just discovered that someone from Charlotte actually wrote it and happens to be the brother of my photography professor I had last semester. His name is John Mark McMillan and click here to get the background on when and why he wrote the song. (I have the David Crowder version below without any intro).
Well, I think this song is pretty self-explanatory, but the lyrics really capture the beauty of our good and great God. I love having this song that allows me to sing it out to Him. So just press play below and reflect on some of the words I took out:
I listened to the song the other day while I was sitting on the beach back home. It was unusually windy and from the very start of the song, I was aware of God’s presence and the beauty He created around me:
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
Oh how He loves us
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
South Carolina has been the state for news these past few weeks. And not good stuff. Here’s a recap for all you non-palmetto-tree-state-livers:
Everyone’s favorite Tuesday music blogging spot is back! Although I may need some help adding t-words pretty soon. Comment if you’ve got some. To check out some older Tune Tuesday posts, click here.
Go.
Song: Syndicate
Artist: The Fray
Album: The Fray
I’ve put the video down at the bottom, so press play and then read on!
The Fray is one of my top 3 bands. I love the piano infused into the lyrics that somehow can always be interpreted on a spiritual level. And I don’t think this song is any different.
This album was released in February and for now, this is my favorite song on the album. What I did first was look up the word syndicate, it’s only mentioned once in the song. So keep this in mind while listening:
syn⋅di⋅cate : a group of individuals or organizations combined or making a joint effort to undertake some specific duty or carry out specific transactions or negotiations.
Halfway around the world
Lies the one thing that you want
Buried in the ground
Hundred miles down
First thing that arises in your mind while you awake
Bending you til you break
Let me hold you now
Baby close your eyes
Don't open til the morning light
Baby don't forget
You haven't lost it all yet
Don't know what your made of
Til the one thing that you want
To come in with the dawn and suddenly changes
Monday’s syndicate means everyone’s the sameAnother line is then added into the chorus. This just reiterates the fact that there is questioning going on, but the one thing we know for sure is our God:
But all we've lost to the flame. Listen to me now
All we know for sure
Is all that we are fighting for
Someday when this is over
We may still have no answer
For now is when I hold her
We are closer
We are closer
We are closer
We are closer
In the past week, I took a couple of mini vacations.
From Sunday, June 14 – Tuesday, June 16, I did absolutely nothing (except get a sunburn and play with some cute kids) on Edisto Island. Every summer, my aunt rents a house where the backyard is the beach. It takes about 10 seconds for me to get from the house to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the loveliest.
I spent a couple of days in our nation's capitol with some fantastic people. Here's a fun shot of me at the Capitol Building.
DC is an interesting place. I didn't get the feeling there that I got in NYC or London or Florence (however, I did love the metro, but that may be my general love of public transit), but I still loved seeing all the wonderful sites that call DC their home. Gallery after gallery (most in which I got lost in) provided endless amounts of artwork to gaze at. Memorials provided a few moments to remember our country's past and those who've fought for it.
Overall, DC is a unique place. As it should be. Although it may not be my favorite, I still appreciate everything that it holds. Even that kid protesting, or reading from a sheet of preselected statements, outside the White House.
Although, it was a little bit eerie hearing this happened just a few days after we were in the city.
Next time I'm visiting the Washington Post despite the bored sighs of those who may be traveling with me!
So I've been driving/riding all around Charlotte a good bit these past few weeks and have noticed this strange little thing people do. When crossing the street, sometimes a person notices a car waiting on them when they're just about in the middle. So they then pretend like they speed up by throwing their arms in some circular motion that makes it LOOK like they are running. But in fact, they are still walking, their arms are just swinging faster.
It's so silly. I laugh out loud every time I see it. I crafted together a little video that will demonstrate exactly what I'm talking about:
Anyone else seen this? Or do this?
Today I made a quick stop at SouthPark mall right after work. I parked near Macy’s and as I was about to walk out the door to head home, this caught my eye:
Yes. An iPod vending machine. Let’s just dismiss the fact that there is an Apple store in SouthPark mall for the moment and focus on the thought that there is a vending machine full of iPod products ready to dispense at the touch of a button.
I can’t imagine what type of impulse buys this machine creates.
I found the placement of the machine at this particular Macy’s pretty interesting. It was at an exit right in between men’s suits and children’s clothing. Hmmm…wonder who they are targeting? Businessmen and busy moms have many good reasons for purchasing an iPod.
I’m not sure how long these machines have been around, but I did find out that they are in Macy’s and various airports. I suppose this would make good money in an airport…all those times you’re sitting in a terminal looking at others waiting for your flight too, only to notice a loud person you hope isn’t forced to sit next to you for the next few hours.
The machines look pretty fun. I’d buy something just to touch the bright touch screen and see how the machine works. Once again, Apple marketers seem to catch onto some new/crazy/inventive/unpredictable idea to get you to buy their oh-so-wonderful products.
What do yall think? Stupid or Useful? Would you even consider making such a large purchase through a machine like this?
I'm a little embarrassed to share the same name as this guy. Well, at least it's spelled differently. Check out this "rapper." You'll know why I put it in quotes once you watch it. I fast forwarded to the second verse, it so much better than the first, believe it or not. Enjoy!
Sad thing is, he's still making music. Poor thing. He just recorded a new song which can be found here if you feel so inclined.
Oh, and don't shoot hoops until you eat all your fruit loops.
I grew up in one of the, if not the, prettiest places on the planet. Don’t believe me? 
Yeah, I thought so.
I took it for granted while I was there. Sure I shopped downtown, layed out at Hunting Island, golfed at every possible course, found sharks teeth at the sands, went to church in a 200-year old building (yey BCOB!), ate countless shrimp burgers, had coffee at the waterfront park, wore Sperrys…on a boat, and looked at the gorgeous view from the downtown bridge while waiting in traffic because it was open. I did all of those things.
But once I went to college, I started missing it. I even began to miss that weird marsh smell. Who would have thought? When I came back home to visit I found myself rolling down the windows at the first sight of marsh.
This is my first summer away from beautiful Beaufort. I’ll miss being there over the summer, a really fun time. But I’ll be staying in Rock Hill and working in Charlotte at Charlotte Magazine as the marketing intern. I’ve already had several people at work ask me where I’m from and as soon as I tell them, their replies are all the same:
Oh! It’s beautiful down there!
Do you think you will move back there?
No.
I’ve discovered something that irks me.
Here are some (not all, I admit I chose some of these just to prove my point) of the top headlines from CNN.com in America:
‘Idol’ blog: Kris Allen need not ‘Apologize’
Miss California USA to keep title
‘It was like the sky fell down,’ mom cries
Missing teen’s cell phone gives cops clue
How it feels to be judged on looks
Ranking the best, worst owners in sports
