Mortal Treason Show.

My friends and I made it through the rain and darkness this evening to a show at Short Street Lounge, a church-turned-club here in town, to see Mortal Treason live. I felt like a V.I.P. because when I went through the door I had to give my name (tickets were held at will-call).

The first two bands weren't my cup-o-tea (we actually arrived late into the first one, on purpose, because we knew the last band was who we were there to see and we didn't really want to have to stand through another experience like the Haste the Day show).

Turns out you can't really escape the hardcore kids - they're everywhere (not to mention, one of the same bands from the Haste show was performing tonight as well). All in all, a bunch of people got kicked (like last time) and one fight broke out (which is down from the 3 at the other show). I have a horribly bitter taste in my mouth for these people's actions - and my one friend decided to swear off all hardcore music because he absolutely hates how they act (note: moshing and what these kids were doing are two different things...)

Other than the sheer idiocy (people flailing about like madmen) and inconsideration of some of the people at the show - it was still really great. War of Ages ended up playing a set before Mortal Treason, and they were really great (and I'm not that into hardcore).

Mortal Treason was amazing. This was the first time I had seen them live, but if you are into doom metal / black metal you would really dig these guys (and gal). They have an amazing sound and - as far as I can tell - are really on fire for Christ. They made sure to take a break between songs to let people know that He is the only reason they are here - and that there is nothing like a relationship with Jesus. I know some people there might not believe what they believe, and they have that choice, but I always love to see a band come straight out and be real about their faith. Makes me want to be in a Christian metal band even more.

Anyway - check out Mortal Treason's main page to get a hint of what they're like (or, for audio - try their Pure Volume site). Again, a highly recommended band.

The Last on Katrina.

I’ve been trying to keep abreast of the situation in New Orleans (not to give any less attention to the other areas that were terribly affected, but New Orleans has been the focus of a lot of media attention and therefore is more accessible to me).

The video below is an interview with the mayor of New Orleans himself – giving both in-depth information about the state of things in that area as well as video of people banding together to help out. Click below for that:

http://www.wwltv.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.wwltv.com/082905mayor.wmv

Watching the few moments of video showing boats rescuing the stranded, people caring for the elderly, and hearing about the amount of support that is going to be coming to such a devastated place really warms my heart.

It is always first and foremost for the media (and various other people) to focus only on the devastating elements of such an event – and perhaps that makes sense. Seeing the monumental amounts of destruction makes good news and gives people a healthy serving of empathy – and we gladly accept this and then turn our focus to whatever is flashed before us next. I know I have been part of this buffet-style, event-spectator lifestyle: and it makes me feel horrible.

People were dying last night while I was surfing the internet. Thousands of people are homeless tonight and I’m typing a story for my blog. It will be weeks, even months, before things look even reasonably different in the affected areas – and I feel good because I gave a bit of money to charity. What is seemingly important to me at a certain moment gets rightfully categorized when placed next to the Big Picture.

It is times like these when we can really shake loose the grasp that selfishness and disinterest have on us. I’m not here to speak big about things like I did when Asia was hit with the tsunami – partly because my words are only opinion and will be treated as such.

I’m here to (hopefully) spark people to do something. Thank God some people already get this – but maybe more will, too. I’m not telling people to ditch their lives and head to these areas to lend support, or to take up a second mortgage and donate everything to charity – nor am I calling the people whose choice is inaction morally reprehensible. All I’m trying to do (like I did with the Asian tsunami) is raise awareness and initiative.

Take a moment to watch that video and then see what you can do to help. We all share this country and I wholeheartedly believe we all share the responsibility of bearing each other’s burdens the best we humanly can.

Thank God for heroes.

Katrina Update.

It seems the prayers I am sure went out last night were majorly effective. Katrina was still very devastating (and still has a lot of power) but the projected "worst case scenario" was not met - due in part to the hurricane weakening overnight and its taking a detour away from a direct hit with New Orleans. More info, via Yahoo, can be found below:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050829/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_katrina_22

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050829/us_nm/weather_katrina_insurance_dc

(Image courtesy of http://www.weather.com)

Pray For New Orleans.

I'm not sure if anyone reads this blog - but just in case they do I wanted to make this extremely important prayer request: PRAY FOR NEW ORLEANS.

(Image courtesy of http://www.weather.com/)

I had NO idea how bad this thing is going to be - it sounds like it might be one of the worst storms to hit America (at least in my lifetime).

Please, if anyone happens to read this - pray for anyone who lives in and near that area and, if possible, lend support in some way. We need to come together during this time to aid our fellow men and women.

Thanks.

EDIT: Please see this thread if you a) want to learn the selfless compassion of people, b) are a Farker and want to offer assistance, or c) want to learn more about this storm and more about what you can do to help.

http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=1641991

Also - please use the link below if you want to donate money. I only have the American Red Cross up right now, if you know another please comment on this post. Thanks again.

http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

Popularity?

I started my MySpace account about two weeks ago (I think) as just something to do - and because I was going to add my cousin as a friend so I could at least look a little less sad. Anyway, since that time I have actually done a lot with the page - full bio and a few pictures...much more than my normal "no care" projects. Also, I went through and found a bunch of people I went to school with - sending them add requests (to be my friend) as well as trying to get some of my favorite bands to link up on my friend's list.

Anyway...that's all great. My profile seems to be at least popular in a small circle (the viewings of it are going up each day). And that brings me to tonight. I got done sending a reply message to a friend and I noticed I had a new friend request. Turns out the request was from a band called "Medford Drive." I've never heard of these guys before - ever. They live in Ohio, which is a different state than I currently occupy.

So, I am thinking to myself, "Self...this can be one of two things: Either bands on MySpace are becoming REALLY proactive on bumping their friends list up (which seems VERY plausible in this case, but a little out of the norm), or, you are getting popular somehow."

I hate to be haughty - I really do - but I got a friend request FROM a band. Maybe it's just because I make it somewhat clear in my profile that I happen to be a fan of Jesus - and these guys like Him, too. There are a lot of reasons for this to have happened (including accident...honestly) but I thought it would be worthy of a post regardless.

T.D. Oakes - The Worship Album

Edit: (See bottom for new text)

This post is going to have to dive into some back-story (for the full effect) so bear with me.

A while back my friend and I were big fans of a band called GWAR. If you know of them, great - if not, it won't really affect the story. Anyway, we have seen this band a few times (him more than me) at a small venue in Cincinnati - perfect for the concert feel and great because the band actually comes out after the show to hang with the fans and sign stuff.

Anyway, it seems that one of the times my friend was at a show - he ended up becoming the über-fan...he attached to one of the band members and followed him around - apparently feeding off his awesome band-dude aura. This was really embarrassing for him (and if you have ever done this, you know...you feel like such a geek afterwards).

This little event has since transferred over into many other life occurrences. The "stalker" thing continuously comes up for many different reasons - but it wasn't until my friend started attending church with me that it infiltrated there.

He really likes one of our ministers - considers him to be an awesome teacher, a real funny guy, and a pleasure to sit through. There's nothing wrong with that - and in fact, his liking of this minister has nothing to do with the story...the "stalker-effect" has since been given to me.

See, there's also a worship leader that frequents our Sunday service. For some reason (you always forget how things like this start) I have become the biggest fan of this guy - EVER. Every time we go to church - if he's leading worship - I have to smile because I can't help but remember how many times I've made a fool of myself acting like I was a screaming fan and he was some mega rockstar.

I've even met the guy a couple times - and pulled the "GWAR scenario" with him (see above). I never thought it would happen to me...but it did.

So I stop by church today to see a friend and get details for lunch tomorrow - and my star just happens to pop in for a chat. He's a nice guy (and I guess he remembers me from when we met before) so he shakes my hand and casually asks about something - you know, "How's it going..." or along those lines. But, in my head, I can't stop thinking about the joke; I can't stop thinking that this guy is awesome and I'm like this close to him in real life; I'm borderline pulling out a piece of paper and asking for an autograph.

It might not have been that bad...but I had to have been cheesing.

So, the point to this whole story is that the guy just finished up getting his worship album mastered and the artwork all sent out. It's probably gonna be available in the next few weeks. There was even talk of a record release party.

I haven't been able to stop laughing all day.

Edit: I just found out that T.D. has a website. An unmastered version of one of the new songs streams at page load. I'll be doing a little promotion here when it gets closer for release...but until then head over there and support the C.D. (right now the page is not fleshed out, but I talked to T.D. and he tells me that closer to release there should be more content). T.D. Oakes Main Site

Resources?

I had another blog that I was working on while I was leading a small group here in town. I've since "stepped down" from that position and probably won't do too much more with the blog - so I am going to get rid of it. Having only one blog will make it easier to maintain and create for. I am making available here the entire series of posts from the blog - in case anyone is somewhat interested in them. It mainly runs through a series about Love - with a couple of my own thoughts put in as topics. Feel free to download and use them with your small group, or whatever (I give all credit to God for the information and whatever insight might be apparent within these documents). If you want to point credit back this way, cool - otherwise, proceed with your own conscience.

PDF Form
DOC Form

I'm Not Magical.

But this Trevor is:

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/magical+trevor/

(Probably old to some people, not spiritual at all, but funny - nonetheless). Enjoy!

"The Block" HSM Party

Last night marked the first block party for High School Ministry at Southland - and marked my first ever party being a member of the HSM. Other than some rain at the very beginning - which came at an opportune time while everyone was eating - it actually turned out to be an amazing night - one I hope where a lot of kids were moved by the worship service and hopefully some who are not already "plugged in" decided to check us out again to see if we might be a fit for them. I took a few pictures (click below for the page) to chronicle the night (Note: The pictures have been re-sized, but each might take a bit to load on slower connections).

http://members.iglou.com/jptdurbin/theblock.html (opens in new window)

Victory!

*Originally posted Sunday, March 27, 2005

He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)

And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him." (Mark 16:6)

...the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen..." (Luke 24:5,6)

Today I (and other Christians) celebrate three of the best verses in the Bible. What has sometimes been reduced to a day full of candy-filled baskets and painted eggs means so much more to me now than it ever has.

This day last year I was without Christ - and now He is walking with me, teaching me, and helping shape the new creation I am in Him.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)

What a glorious promise that is. To know that not only have my sins been forgiven by the act of Jesus surrendering Himself on the cross - but that by His resurrection and eternal life I can be saved...to be with Him until no end. Where once I was dead in my transgressions I am now alive in Christ.

My most recent call to ministry relates to Romans 10:14: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

After witnessing to my friends about Jesus and the change He is making in my life - and seeing the ways that the Holy Spirit can move a person and change their perspective - I realized that I love telling people about Him. I know so many in my close group of friends that will not be in celebration today - and I long for all of them to know and understand the joy-filled life that can come from a personal relationship with Jesus: as a Lord, as a Savior, as a friend, as life itself.

If you are a believer, take the time today to just worship God for all He has done - and to thank Him. If you haven't heard the Good News yet - come back here, as I will be trying my best to post relevant topics from the heart and from scripture. Or, if it really strikes you - "search out" a Christian and just ask them what's so marvelous about this Jesus - you'll be in for the best story you've ever heard.

Quick Update.

I created a MySpace account. I had one with my old e-mail address and didn't really ever do anything with it - but I was over at my cousin's house last night and she has one, so I got motivated. I added a nifty little clickery-button-dealie on the sidebar to the right - but if you want to go there now without all the work, click below:

http://www.myspace.com/shahabalah

As far as life is concerned - this past Sunday's message was excellent - and something I desperately needed to hear to reform my previous methods of Christ-love and evangelism. My parents also ended up attending church with us and they seemed to like it and should be coming back - so, overall, two pluses in one day.

Life will be getting busy starting tomorrow and heading all the way into next Wednesday - when I start back to school. Hopefully it won't get too crazy in my world...

Also - of note - I plan on migrating all of my posts from my other blog onto this one (essentially merging the two into one bigger, easier to maintain blog). Once that is completed this will be about ten or so posts larger and the other one will pass on.

Not Enough Time.

Our small group went to Ink and Blood tonight. It was great to see so much history in one place and to actually be able to check out such beautiful artistry in the Bibles shown there was amazing. The only real gripe I have about the exhibit is that we didn't have enough time to check it out.

We ended up getting there about 7 PM - so we were one of the last groups through. As we left the hall it was about 9:30 - so we spent a couple hours there - but I would have liked to have even more. It just seems like I was rushed the entire time (a lot of the stuff I read that I would have liked to "burn to memory" I can't really remember right now. Seriously, I could have done with another two or so hours. I want to read all of the background info posters again - I want to be able to sit there and read thru and take in all the pages and Bibles they have on display. Two hours is just not enough.

I might check with the group and see if they would like to go back again - or I might go with my dad if he decides to check it out. Next time, though, I'm not going unless I have a lot of time to spare.

We're also going to try and go back this weekend (just to the gift shop). I wanted to pick up the Ink and Blood DVD/booklet combo pack and my friend wanted a 1611 KJV Bible - we just didn't have enough cash on us...