1000th Post .. An Unveiling of dErK! (About Me)

It is time.. the veil of 'Just Being Here' and 'Derek John Jordan' is lifted.  

What in the world has this crazy person writing all this stuff and slapping it on the Internet for us to read?

The quick answer is my tag on twitter ...  

"Christ Follower, Wife Lover, Kid Wrangler, Children's Pastor, vonGAL Drafter, Music & Book Reviewer, Prestidigitator, Blogger, and just some guy.. 

"

I will break these down for you.. in the order I have mentioned them 

Christ Follower : 

I believe in Sin - I believe in the redemption of sin through the blood of Christ, God's Son - on the cross of calvary.  I have given my life to God, and have never once regretted the decision.  If you have questions .. please feel free to ask.

Wife Lover ... 

I love my wife - and she loves me.. see 52 Reasons :) 

You can also read her blog HERE : http://shutterbugandmommylove.blogspot.com/

Kid Wrangler ...

I love my kids - if you look at the tags at the top there is one for each of them.. as well.. there is a page for each of them on the left side of the page.

Children's Pastor : 

Around June of 2011 my life was changed drastically when our family moved churches.  We (My Wife and I) began to act as Children's Pastors at Lakewood Christian Centre here in Montgomery Alabama. 

I have been in Children's ministry since around 2001.  At first it was just to help out because they needed the help and as well my soon to be girlfriend and later wife was a good enough reason for me. I quickly found myself enjoying the 'work' that was fun and as well enlightening to see kids learning and accepting Christ into their lives.  Seeing the devotion and unwavering faith of children is such an empowering thing to my personal faith. 

You can follow along the Lakewood Kids journey either by

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/lakewoodkids

Blogger : http://lakewood-kids.blogspot.com/2012/05/three-little-kittens-lesson-24-of.html

Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/openedeyes02?feature=mhee

Twitter : https://twitter.com/#!/lakewoodkids

vonGAL Drafter :

November of 2004 I received the drafter job I still have now.  I really do enjoy this job.  I get to design things in 2d and in 3d (preferred) and at times I get to do a tiny bit of IT, Still rendering, and animation rendering.  

When I was in high school I really enjoyed math, but that began to die in college when I entered Calculus III and Differential Equations.  I prefer the drawing and modeling over the math, but ever so often I need a good amount of math to do what I do.  If I had planned my life... I would likely be a Civil Engineer with a Degree .. no wife.. and no kids.. but that was not the life for me - and I am GLAD.

When the choice for me to either continue in school at Auburn as I was or come home to marry the love of my life.. I prayed for practically an entire night.. debating with my rational self.. and the pull I had from God.  

Somehow I still ended up with a job doing Mechanical Engineering work as well as working within the Church on a volunteer basis! 

Music Reviewer : 

I have been downloading from Noisetrade since it's beginning.. actually I started with Derek Webb and downloading the album he put out for free BEFORE noisetrade was up and running.  I can honestly say it is likely 75% of my music collection is made up from music I downloaded from Noisetrade and the percentage grows each week.  

I felt the conviction because I really NEVER tipped any of the artists and due to that began to post on my blog the ones I really liked.  This turned into me deciding I should give a few thoughts on the music.. to which I would write tiny blurbs about them.  Then conviction set me to begin to review any album  I downloaded... because.. if I was getting the music for free.. the least I could do was freely let the world know about it's existence! 

My credentials for reviewing music do not exist.  I have tried in multiple occasions to learn to play the guitar and suffice it to say.. God did not give me that gift.  I can play and have fun with it, but I just cannot do what some of these amazing artists do with their music.  I am really a bumbling fool just giving his opinion which is mostly based on what I like,... and put against what is on Noisetrade.. 

I very much lack knowlegde in the popular music that is out there (especially secular), but push what I like.. so .. yeah.

I look for these qualities in music ...

1. Christ

2. Encouragement 

3. Heart (or passion)

4. Sound

5. Vocals

6. Recording Quality

If your music is on noisetrade and I have never reviewed it .. post a comment .. I would be happy to tell you why :)  

Book Reviewer : 

I have read books for many, many years - and with a book - it can be quite hard to know if it will be good, without a good review.  While most of the music I review I already put a stamp of approval on it when I downloaded it, because I can listen to it before downloading.. so those reviews are usually very positive, I have many times read a book I will give a negative review to.

My book preference:

1. Fantasy

2. Sci Fi

3. Christian Thought (or devotionals and such)

4. Christian Fiction

My profile on Goodreads is HERE : http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5381087

Prestidigitator :

Yes, I am a magic hound.  I enjoy the act of Illusion.  Over time I have come to the realization that this quote is .. so very much true

 “Magic is the only honest profession. A magician promises to deceive you, and he does.”  

- Karl Germain

 

My thoughts and goals in this is through the act of 'amazing' object lessons.. the spiritual lessons get a better recall for later in life.  It is one thing to read the bible and understand the word of God by the divine right of God, and it is another entirely different thing to inspire the desire to BEGIN READING the word of God in another!

You can see what I am up to with magic on my Youtube channel HERE : http://www.youtube.com/user/magicderk4christ?feature=mhee

 Blogger :

This I am sure you can tell by the fact you are very likely reading this from within the nice Internet walls of my blog.  The question is .. Why?

Simple Answer : Geocities shut down free websites and I needed another platform to share my art and poems.

Long and more true answer : It helps me "Just Being Here" ... Just like you I am another person living on earth.  I have problems - I have joys.  I detest journaling, but have found the act of blogging to be .. therapeutic. 

I have found the NEED to truly have opinions and voice them properly.. as well I have found a clearing of my mind and .. also .. somehow.. a better organized life.  Not that I KNOW what I will be doing, just I HAVE something to do.  I thrive on getting things done.  I like the sense of accomplishment I get from the completion of a project.  Each blog is just that .. a project.. something I can set my mind to.. learn from.. and hopefully.. maybe.. teach someone else as well.

Every tuesday I release what I call a 'blurb' 

Why do I call it that?   

A blurb is meant to be a short phrase used in describing a product.  My product is Christ.. it is Encouragement.. Advice.. good and bad.. and as well Therapy .. and if for NO ONE else.. for myself. (though I hope they all are enjoyed by many)

Sometimes they are short, but other times they are long.  I do my best.. HA! .. I hope you can look past the inconsistency. 

Just some guy :

I am likely much like you - I have a job .. I have a family - maybe things are going great with me one day - and the next I am tearing out my hair (which would be difficult as I keep it quite short) 

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Tear of Love

Not one tear falls
why not?
no physical hurt
not one shown emotion
but on paper it comes
falling like water
streaming every way
sizzling out the fire
Thank God for Love
it puts out the...
fire of hate
it drains out the devil
and kills all his demons
Love goes to God
and grace be with thee
For God be with ME!

Heart & Tongue

A heart,
one open to all the world has,
one set on finding all the wonders,
the things in the open,
the things that hold mass,
Oh, but all the blunders,
The tongue of man,
the ever flaming fan,
put not out the flames of hurt,
but invite them to asunder,
to burn
to lose
like thunder,
quick, flash, and trust is gone-
lost,
in the world -
forever...

Sleep

Can pity be lay
on such a creature as he
can love return
to the one not awake
his rest he loves more
his heart crys for her
but his body move not
will we look there for the truth
or go for the throat
tear out the tears
watch him run to the throne
bow he now does
soon his heart cries
falls low his eyes
in prayer he does seek
"Christ, come to me!"
"I need thee! I seek!"

Hurt

hurt...
not a moment too soon
not even one solid moon
to fly by
to go over-head
only one day to pass
the sun rose
but the child did not
in bed it lay
even with all crying for awake
he moved not astir
Why?
Why?
Why?
Love cryed from the end
crying only at end,
a moment to hold,
a moment to see
the child
the man....
Why?
Why?
Why?

God Enters In

The body,
easily deceived,
broken, beaten;
evil continually conceived.
The mind,
rotting-slowly dieing,
so far away-
from the living Source.
Send the spirit crying,
diving deep,
into a heart of darkness,
hoping for a light,
the light - in darkness,
to reap -
and destroy the evil,
hiding within.
Holiness seeks the truth -
and
God Enters In!

Direct

A body,
diminished and dead.
A soul,
torn and withered.
Lord, take them,
take them to you,
purify, holify,
please, Lord Jesus,
be my King,
live on top me,
run all inside me,
guide, point, direct;
all my steps,
please, Jesus;
please!

Ship At Sea

A ship of wood,
physical, to be seen,
felt, even heard,
a box to be secure,
a flotation to be safe,
no hinder, no trouble,
about to sit and think,
"Leave!" He cries.
"Leave!" He cries.
strive for the truth,
live not in the constructs,
of mortal hands,
but the being of life,
our God!
Throw logic, reason,
sink that ship,
and swim, swim,
in a new way,
inside the living,
breathing Jesus,
The Christ,
The Messiah!

Finding Prayer

A prayer than dies,
instantly,
One, Two, Three,
words spoken,
break from God,
cut from source,
death to fruit,
dieing, rotting,
nothing left,
taste a taste,
just one taste,
sour! sour!
quenching face,
No help!
No need!
dieing to self,
sacrifice,
altar of prayer,
not your choice,
Love, Joy,
Happiness!

Thanks!

Lord! I thank thee,
I thank,
wholeheartedly,
to have died,
died for me,
set me free,
Lord! I thank thee,
the gifts I have,
the things I see,
what makes me laugh,
You know,
You show,
You help me grow,
Oh, thank you Lord!
Thank You!

Crucifying Words

Three steps forward,
almost there,
one more...
just one foot forward,
I am to fall,
fall long, fall hard,
I pull You up,
beat Your face,
You weep, You cry,
I pull your hair,
I smote your chin,
force Thee bleed,
I heartily cry,
JESUS DIE!
no more no how,
JESUS DIE!
my words - they pierce,
my words - they sting,
I nail You down,
and raise You high.
Oh so high,
only to die,
to die.
I fall on my hands,
tears fall - I cry,
Long, hot, tears streaming,
streaming down my face,
they burn - they hurt.
No! Not the tears,
the aches, the aches,
my heart, my heart,
rumbles with pain,
pain, pain, pain,
I stop not - I cry,
cry, cry, cry,
now not physical,
but all inside,
it comes not out,
hides inside,
I cry, cry, cry,
pain, pain, pain.
freedom fall,
I chant, I beg,
Christ, I fall on you,
I knew not,
not what I do,
forgive me, forgive me;
set me as you wish me,
Lord, make me free,
the bindings hold,
tight, oh, so tight,
cut off the flow,
vessels bulge,
"Lord!" I cry,
save, save, save;
forgive me!
My tears roll up,
the pain subsides,
I see, I see;
I look to the sky,
The Son, The Holy Man,
the only one of God,
come to me,
look me up and down,
and inside out.
He looked and said,
"Son, you are free!
My Crucified Flesh,
My Sacrificed Blood,
Covers, Covers, Covers,
All Over You!"
purified again...
AMEN!

Heated Battle

Oh, Lord,
my flesh against me,
against You,
Your perfect way before me,
traps laid to the side,
not by you,
but by the evil one,
he wants me to fall,
to throw down your name,
Lord, I know you,
lift you up,
up to the roof,
up to the cosmos,
take my infirmnitys,
my blemishes hidden,
hidden in my mind,
every single kind,
search me...
find me...
and purify me!
Let the slag roll off,
burn me, oh, Lord,
let the slag roll off!

A New Book

A book to read,
a place to be,
to sit,
to see,
a new world for me,
just another place to hide,
not too far away,
but seemingly out of here,
and soon a new book,
lay upon my lap,
ready to open,
ready to read,
travel far beyond myself,
and hide again from here,
but I soon see,
this book is different,
not the same,
its holy name,
Grabs me, Holds me,
sends me into true life,
and teaches that hiding,
is never, ever,
an answer..
BREAK OUT AND PREACH

Masking Face

The image put out,
the seen part of each,
for some, it seems,
A hiding place,
Behind the face,
But truth be told,
An honest hold,
that the picture cast,
to the world of eyes,
your mind can change,
and destroy the first,
initial casting,
of your image,
your mind can,
can, be seen,
by God,
of course,
by me,
maybe,
through your hiding place,
your image,
your own true face...

Build The Body

A friend,
a trusted companion,
one who mends wounds,
a soldier in arms,
ready to be of service,
to lay down the life,
given them by God,
Only,
only to serve another,
to help them serve the cause,
the ultimate end,
persecution, destruction, death;
all of which is gain,
perfect strength,
security from above,
one perfect being,
with an army of one,
One Body, One Church,
raised to raise each part,
let not yourself destroy,
the perfect holy plan,
constructed and made,
by the perfect REDEEMER!

Open

An opened mind,
an open door,
ready to be set forth,
no hinder,
no holds back,
ready to be set forth,
open up,
clean up,
ready to be set forth,
hinder not the soul,
hinder not the life,
ready to be set forth,
Lord, be my guide,
Lord, instruct,
ready to be set forth,
open mind,
open door,
ready to be set forth.

Give Up?

To give up,
walk to certain death,
take the step,
off the edge,
not finish with that I have,
no need, no care,
Why?
when all are so against,
Why?
when no one will stop,
to listen,
to understand,
God fall on me,
Guide me,
where would I be,
if it were not for you,
Jesus?
let your love engulf me,
entrap me, encamp me,
make me like you,
solid as stone,
let me stand upon you,
let all see YOU!

Wake Thee

Sweet, sweet slumber,
peace and comfort,
pure honest warmth,
a deceiving effort,
to keep from wake,
let me arise,
open up my eyes,
take the step.
I wish not to lay,
not to miss out,
not the whole day,
I ask to rise,
Rise, rise, Rise
Not to look with groggy eyes,
and cloudy head,
but eyes vibrant and ready,
set to see the day ahead,
wearing the cross up one thy back,
Bearing it all day ready,
by God's grace,
to beat in satan's face,
when attacked

A Jesus Deed

Endless banter gives nothing,
sends hearts and minds array,
no order, no sanity,
trouble not today,
set mind back,
set heart to love,
have none such lack,
purest of all,
eye all upon,
wishing, crying, wanting,
Perfection,
hear the call,
run not from all,
love the One,
behind, beside, ahead,
let none see less,
be quick to help,
not feet of lead,
wash feet of others,
Do a Jesus deed!

Ready?

Ages it seemed,
but time is in the mind,
of God, created...
set in motion,
ready to stop,
its never too late,
but more, its never too early!
The Lord opens the gate,
ready to swing,
to shut, bells ready to ding,
death may not be far,
but mistake not the truth,
for the day shall come,
be hot held back,
but rejoice in Jesus,
Our goal, Perfection,
Pure satisfaction!