I’m Not Perfect

Lately I’ve felt like I need to be better at doing certain task in my life. Perhaps it’s because I feel like it’s something I NEED to do. I can’t be a great model as a Christian unless I take time out of my day EVERY day to read my Bible. I can’t become a better guitar player unless I work on my technique more than a couple hours a week. Jesus knew the Bible inside and out during His time on Earth, and John Mayer played guitar for 8 hours a day every day through high school (not comparing the two, just a reference). In order to be better I have to do more, and if I don’t accomplish this then I not only fail myself, but I also fail the others around me. So due to this recent acknowledgment I have set two rather specific goals for myself…

1. To read my Bible every day for at least an hour (starting with Romans) or more.
2. To practice my guitar technique and knowledge of music theory for at least 10 hours ever week. this does not include the music I have to learn for church on the weekends.

If I can keep up with this routine then I’m positive I will see some results in the way I feel about my life.

I need some upgrades

So lately I’ve been wanting to upgrade alot of my guitar set-up, but haven’t had the money to do so. So instead of buying everything brand new like I have in the past I’m thinking of buying it all used. So here is the list

1)Fender American Telecaster

2)Line 6 DL-4 delay stomp box

3)Boss DD-20 Giga Delay pedal (I would either buy this or the DL-4)

4)Boss DD-7 Delay (I’ve heard some really great things about this one)

5)MXR M-102 Dyna Comp pedal ( I wouldn’t mind getting a little more gain to my sound)

6)Boss TR-2 Tremelo pedal

7)Rat Distortion pedal (I’ve seen a few people use this, but I still need to try it out)

If you know anybody who’s looking to sell any of this equiptment or of a place that sells them a good prices, please let me know! : )

—-Marcus

Leading Worship for the Kiddies

So this past Sunday I got to lead worship for the first time in my life for a semi-large group of elementary school kids. I was so excited to get the opportunity that I stayed up until 2 in the morning going over lyrics! After yesterday I decided that want to lead worship for kids and student ministry in the near future. I love the feeling that I could have possibly made an impact on a childs life that might effect their future decision to follow Jesus for the rest of their life. Just hearing those kids lifting their hands, spinning around, and shouting to the Lord was the single most greatest heart lifting moment I have ever experienced. I KNOW this is something I want to do.

Its been a while!

Well I have come to the conclusion that I dont NEARLY blog as much as I used to and it is something I need to work on. But as of now I guess I’ll give you a brief summary of whats been going on in my life lately.

1) girlfriend: The lovely Ms. Whitley and I are doing amazingly great in our relationship! Things just keep getting better and better. She started coming to Oak LEaf and now her best friend is coming too. She is the best person to ever come into my life and I couldnt ask for anyone else to call my love.

2) church: Well Oak Leaf has officially moved back to the theater as of 2 weeks ago and things seem to be going smoothly. I’m still volunteering and I still get to play guitar with the band a decent bit. I’ve grown so much as a person in life and in Christ since I started attending Oak LEaf Church and have made so many great friends in the process of doing so. This fall we are re-launching the youth ministry!!!!!! Instead of Limelight its going to be called Fueled and I’m super stoked about getting to play in the band for the kids on Wednesday nights. Matt told me I might even get to lead the kids in worship for a few songs. Music ministry is something I’ve always been passionate about but soon its hopefully going to become what I hoped it would : )

3) music: Music wise things are going rather well. Will and I discussed some stuff and he is actually going to get me guitar lessons when school starts! I’ve basically come as far as I can on my own with my guitar knowledge, skill and technique so this will be the most beneficial thing to happen to me musically. I’m really excited though : )   Although I AM in need of some new equiptment. The time has come I thing for me to upgrade guitars. I’ve been playing on an epiphone Les Paul for almost two years now but I’ve started having a few technical issues with it. I’m also looking at some different pedals so I can get a sound that I’m decently happy with.

4) school: School starts back this Thursday…….ugh

5) general: In general ly life has been going rather smoothly. I’m a senior now and I’m on track for graduating, My girlfriend makes me feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and Jesus keeps me pushin’ forward! YAY JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A New Quote

I get sick and tired of hearing people ramble on and on of how much they dislike certain musicians. For those people, I give you this…..

“ok, if people don’t like certain music then stop going around complaining about it. People aren’t going to like all the same stuff, thats why they made more than one flavor of ice cream”

CD Review: The Rocket Summer- “Do You Feel”

So I just bought the Latest Rocket Summer album titled “Can You Feel” and I am VERY pleased. Bryce takes todays style of music and adds somewhat of an old school twist. As I looked up the album, I found that Stevie Wonder’s brass section actually recorded onit. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?!?!?! I suggest everyone to go out and buy this on Itunes or at your local Wal-Mart. I’m SURE you will be satisfied!

How to almost get arrested at Bruster’s on a Saturday night

Ok, well this past weekend I performed in a review of several different musicals over the years. Of these were “Sideshow”, “Spring Awakening”, “Sweeney Todd” and “RENT”. After our performance Saturday night, a group of people and myself went to Bruster’s to get some ice cream. Everyone got their ice cream decently fast, but unfortunately for my friend Michael they stopped serving as soon as he got to the window. My friends and I had gotten semi-excited due to our recent ice cream sugar rush and thought to ourselves “Hey, we should sing the song “La Vie Boheme” from RENT”. This was the outcome……

This was possibly one of the best nights of my life. But, unfortunately the employees at Bruster’s were saying that we were “Holding them hostage as an act of retaliation for not giving Michael any ice cream”. So they called the cops! If you listen closely you can hear the lady telling me to get off the table and the girl in the background telling her to get back inside! Good times…….

The Gibson Robot Guitar

Ok, so there is a new guitar in town that was released in February that completely revolutionizes guitar technology! It’s the Gibson Robot guitar. This things has built in motors to where you strum it once or twice and its automatically tuned! This guitar just completely blows my ming so I thought I’d share this video I found on youtube for you guys.

Lifetime Musical Decision

Well, as of last week I decided that I am officially going to devote my musical abilities in honoring God. I know I know, thats a big choice to make, but I have never been so sure of anything else in my life.

Idk why it happened, but a few weeks ago at church we played the song “Jesus Paid it All”  by Kristian Stanfill and I closed my eyes and justrandomly started to play a prayer to the Lord and I felt a call from Him to use my talents to honor and worship Him.

10 months ago I was playing relatively heavey, non- Christian based music. All I cared about was the rock and roll dream. Being famous and making money was the main thing on my mind. Then about 8 months later I began playing with my church group and my entire outlook on things dramatically changed.

I  am so blessed with my gift so who am I to say that theres no need to use them to worship the Lord? Theres hundreds and thousands of people who already do that. But i dont know…….maybe this is meant to be my way of descipleship. Maybe I could help some people realize that through thick and thin that God will always love them. Maybe I could help those who have drifted away be pulled back into faith and help them want to know Gods word.

Maybe………. 

They’re a Christian Band??????

Recently I have had a few discussions with various friends about groups that are actually Christan musicians. Musicians such as FlyLeaf, Underoath, Family Force 5, Relient K, and Skillet. Some people are just SSSSOOOOOO confident that just because bands dont play music in same style as Chris Tomlin or David Crowder that theres no possible way that they are Christian because their music is too “heavy”. I personally believe that these people are extremely ignorant! All they hear is the screaming, the guitars, and the cymbal crashes and automatically it can’t be Christian music. YOU CAN BUY THEIR CD’S AT THE CHRISTIAN BOOK STORE!!!!!!!!!!!! These people honestly believe all the groups songs are about the singers lover and not about God. Even after they’re informed that the groups music is influenced by Christianity theres no way any of their songs can be about God. I guess they believe that all musicians that dont say Jesus in all of their songs believe the basic philosophy of “drugs, sex, and rock ‘n’ roll”. Can you say stupidity?