Sunday, December 25, 2016

Silent Night Guitar Instrumental


Merry Christmas y'all! Hope you enjoy this instrumental finger picking guitar arrangement of Silent Night that I put together for you.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Stewarding Your Season of Life Well

How do you feel about your season of life? Is it everything you want it to be? Are there some things about it that you wish were different?

Whatever your response, God loves you, sees you, knows where you’re at, and desires good things for you in this season. Most of all He wants to walk with you and for you to know and experience Him more deeply.

Gravel Path In Woods with Fence © Andrew Allen Photography

Many times we can get so focused on the immediate concerns, priorities, challenges, stresses, or difficulties of a season that we forget to really live in and fully experience the unique opportunities in it.

In a season of singleness, people have time and freedom that is a wonderful blank slate on which to craft a story and engage in an abundance of fun, meaningful activities, time with God, traveling, serving, running races, hiking in nature, writing and reading books, playing songs, and deep friendships. For those who are newly married, there are the joys of a new life together and learning about each other more deeply. For those with kids, there are all kinds of intermittent seasons throughout the various phases: newborn, toddler, elementary age, middle and high school, then sending them on to college or other pursuits in life. The empty nest phase similarly affords much greater time to reconnect with your spouse and engage in fun activities.

From a career perspective, a first job while still in school provides good insight into responsibility, learning to relate to people, and manage money without the full weight of providing for oneself. The first professional job provides a completely new perspective as you learn the ins and outs of an industry and go from book knowledge to practical skills. Mid career can bring a different set of responsibilities where you may be looked to as an expert in your field and provide leadership to others. Late career holds opportunities for possibly selling a business, transitioning responsibilities to others, and investing in a younger generation to carry the torch. In retirement, you again have the potential for significant time availability and can use it in leisure, studying the Bible, traveling, reading, volunteering, spending time with family, and a host of other activities.

There are seasons of joy, seasons of pain, seasons of meaningfulness and seasons that seem mundane, seasons of intensity and seasons of relaxation, seasons of health, seasons of sickness, seasons of plenty and seasons of need. In each of these, God is with you.

It’s important to steward the opportunities in each season and allow God to work in and through you to accomplish the plans that He’s laid for you (Ephesians 2:10). Don’t let busyness, disappointment, others’ expectations, or anything else hold you back from fully living in and pursuing God’s best in your season. It may last for a while or be gone in the blink of an eye. Whatever the season, steward it well and allow God to guide you in each step of the journey.

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Fleeing Temptation


This video illustrates the concept of fleeing from evil as well as anything I've seen. The iguana runs as if his life depends on it, fights, jumps, and escapes the clutches of certain death. Notice also the parallel of joining up with another iguana at the end as a way to watch out for each other and avoid sin.

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." -James 1:13-15

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:13

"Flee from sexual immorality." -1 Corinthians 6:18

"But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." -Genesis 39:12

Saturday, November 12, 2016

I Am With You


I Am With You
I am with you and you are mine
I'll go before you at all times
I am with you and you are mine
Don't be discouraged you'll be fine
Cause I am with you always child of mine

When the trouble comes and you feel alone
keep pressing on and standing strong
I'll be by your side and I'll fight for you
hold you in my arms and comfort you

I am with you and you are mine
I'll go before you at all times
I am with you and you are mine
I love you deeply and you'll be fine
Cause I am with you always child of mine

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Like I'm Loved By You

When I think about my life and observe others, I’m sometimes struck by how differently we might live if we truly lived as though we were walking out the knowledge of God’s love for us. The motivations, fears, doubts, lies we’ve believed, shame, hurts, pain, and simple selfishness that drives behavior would fall to the wayside. Really living out of confidence and knowing that God loves us beyond anything we can imagine would transform the way we live.

When uncertainties creep in our certainty comes from Him and the knowledge that He is all powerful, and knows what’s happened in the past and what will come in the future. Our actions and words would be different when embracing His love in our lives. While difficult life circumstances, other people, spiritual attacks, and selfish desires will always be challenges to contend with, the more we can lean into His love, the more we will pursue His best in our lives.

This song was written out of reflection on these thoughts.


Like I'm Loved By You
I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you

No more doubt no more fear love has won and peace is here
All the lies were crucified when you died and gave me life
Shame has gone it has no place grace has come and sin erased
You heal my heart and heal my pain there is power in your name

I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you
I want to live like I'm loved by you

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Relational Equity

equity
In every relationship be it friend, family, romantic, professional, or casual there is a relational account. In each interaction, you make either deposits or withdrawals. Some are superficial, some deep. As you think about your relationships and interactions with people, what does the ledger look like? Are there lots of deposits and investments? Are there some withdrawals? Does the ledger reflect a positive or negative balance? Do you have lots of small balance relationships? Maybe a few deep relationships that you've invested in significantly?

A kind word, phone call, or text message can make a nice deposit and just like consistent saving and investing in your personal finances can grow into something substantial, relational deposits can grow and build deep and meaningful relationships over time. Quality time together, going to the park, getting lunch, hiking with them, shared experiences, a hug, high five, back rub, going to church together, praying for them, sending a card, running together, hosting a party for them, cooking a meal, fixing their car, cleaning their house, pet sitting for them, covering for them at work, mentoring them, encouraging them, bringing them flowers or their favorite dessert, going on a trip with them. Any of these can make a positive investment and build relational equity.

Sometimes it will cost time, money, energy, or opportunities to make the investment and sometimes it will be simple and easy and effortless.

It's not a matter of what you can get out of someone else but that can be a natural by product. There will be times when you need other people physically, emotionally, socially, professionally, their influence, expertise, wisdom, etc. and when you've already built relational equity with them it's much easier for them to want to help you and go to bat for you.

Some relationships take investment over a long period of time and don't always produce immediate fruit but while investing in people can be messy at times, it can also be rewarding. People are worth the investment more times than not and can bear wonderful dividends.

Building relational equity and investing in people also increases your influence. Not only do you grow a deeper personal relationship with one person but everyone they interact with can be positively affected by you as well.

Just as positive interactions create good will and deposits into a relationship, so too can negative ones. A cutting remark, gossip, making fun of someone even in casual jest, or any number of other negative actions all create negative equity in the relationship and can undo prior deposits. Some relationships start with a negative balance and can be difficult to restore to a positive state. While it's important to be wise by setting boundaries with people who take advantage of you, seeking reconciliation and making amends is good to pursue when possible.

Take a minute to think of the people in your family, your friends, those you work with, and neighbors. How would you classify your relational equity with them? Is there a relationship that could use a deposit? Who is someone you need or want to make an investment in? How can you use your time, energy, resources, wisdom, expertise, and influence to invest in people and build relational equity this week?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Donut Haiku

Krispy Kreme Donuts
Delicious donuts
Warm, glazed and oh so yummy
Want to get one now

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Keep Your Head Up

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." -Psalm 138:8

In the midst of life, it can be easy to get discouraged if you look around and life hasn't worked out the way you would have wanted. When others have professional success, promotions, and recognition but you're still chugging away where you've been though you feel qualified and deserving. When friends, peers, and even those younger than you get married and begin to have families while you're still single as a dollar bill. When health issues and concerns just won't go away. When those living selfishly, bending or breaking the rules, get ahead and have success while you do things selflessly and with integrity but get left on the sideline. When other families seem to have the perfect marriage, and well adjusted kids while yours is a struggle. When other people seem to get all the breaks and life always works in their favor while you bust your tail and experience challenge after challenge. When life just doesn't make sense at all.

Even in the midst of life's deepest disappointments, hold on to the promise that God will fulfill His purpose for you. He loves you always. Yesterday, today, and forever. Be honest with Him, cry out to Him, express your frustration, anger, hurt, and disappointment. Lean in to Him and pray again and again for Him to meet you where you are. To give you strength when you feel like quitting, to give hope when you feel hopeless, to encourage when you're discouraged, to pick you up when you get pushed down. To comfort you when you feel abandoned, to hold you when you feel alone. To shine light in dark places and to fill your heart with His love and compassion.

Keep your head up child of the King. He loves you more than you can imagine and will fulfill his purpose for you.

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Monday, February 29, 2016

Pray For Presidential Candidates

American Flag
Photo by Andrew Allen
Much has been said about each of the presidential candidates. They become banner carriers for a certain school of thought, values, or ideals. We can forget though that they're real life people and experience things on a personal level.

Even with all their faults, God loves each of them on a personal level and wants to be at the center of their lives. Just like you and I need forgiveness for sins, so do the presidential candidates. The siren song of popular opinion, political ideology, and global power can be overwhelmingly tempting and can lead them down a destructive path both personally and for those they lead. The best thing that could happen for our leaders is if they truly follow Him and His guidance for their personal lives and as they lead our country.

Would you join me in praying for each of them individually that they would submit their will to God, seek His wisdom, and experience His love in their lives?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Heaven's At My Door (Seeing Different)


This is a song I wrote inspired by my friend Carrie's supernatural salvation experience. During a challenging time, God revealed himself to her independent of any outside influence. She began searching and eventually invited Jesus into her life. It's been so neat to see her walk with Him over the past few years.

Heaven's at My Door (Seeing Different)
There is a voice calling to me
There is a way come follow me
Come in come find what you're looking for
Come in come find what you're looking for

You are appearing heaven's at my door
You are appearing heaven's at my door

There is a presence coming to me
there is a way I think I see
come in come find what you're looking for
come in come find what you're looking for

You are appearing heaven's at my door
You are appearing heaven's at my door

And now I'm seeing different than I have seen before
The world seems so much different than it did before
And now I'm seeing different than I have seen before
The world seems so much different than it did before

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Snow Poetry

snow on ground

Whistling wind blows through the air
Snowflakes sailing here and there
Gently floating, floating down
Settling on the southern ground

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