zero360/music press life’s edges into song

Bless BeyondPosted by Angelo Melendez on July 20th, 2008

I finally got around to checking out Mosaic Church (Charlotte/Mallard Creek)  this morning. I certainly can’t (and won’t) make any kind of assessment as to whether this would be the place to move our family, but I will say it was a refreshing approach, young congregation, in what appeared to be a non-pretentious environment. At minimum, I go to visit a church with my ears open, in hopes of picking up a seed I can chew on for a while to nourish my soul.

The pastor who spoke today was pretty young, and shared a message around the statement “A faith tested by fire is a faith that can be trusted.” He used Daniel 3 and the story of Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego to encourage us to see how trials can strengthen our faith; that is, when we don’t try to compromise or rationalize around God’s truth and remain obedient to his commands instead living to meet worldly expectations.

I think of all the riches in my life, and how I shouldn’t have cares or worries, complaints or regrets, but, of course, I do. Somewhere in closing the service, the phrase “blessed beyond” caught my ear. I wrote it down and have been contemplating it ever since. All the goodness, grace, material possessions, beauty of the earth, on and on, are just what I can see and comprehend — but what God does is bless beyond all these riches by providing a hope that can’t be qualified or measured, far exceeding our imagination or comprehension. Sure, for people going through deep struggles and pain, these words and concepts get shattered by despair and anger, I’ve been there, Lord knows chances are I’ll be there again.

I’m pretty sure I’ll go back for another visit, who knows maybe this is where God would have us for the next season of our lives. If not, I am blessed by the Word today, and pray God’s continued blessings on this congregation, its pastors and leaders, and all who give of themselves to serve the body of Christ.

RecognizePosted by Angelo Melendez on May 1st, 2008

A few weeks ago, I sat in a coffee shop with a co-writer discussing a song idea about God’s will for our lives. She’s lots more experienced at co-writing and very patient, so I really enjoyed the learning process and think we’re on track to write a good song. She sent her notes, I reviewed mine and noticed she’d written down the word “recognize” early in our session, but it wasn’t necessarily focal to our discussion.

When I finally got back to working on the song last week, I couldn’t shake the notion of how I pray and wait for some tangible means of discerning God’s will for my life, when faith says answers come when I choose to pursue God through His word, prayer, and a willingness to risk failing in the context I’m able to see results.

So what triggers my heart to recognize God’s will? James tells us to pray in faith for wisdom and every good thing from above… discerning when I’m praying for a heart’s desire that may not line up with God’s will is a mystery that may only be solved when I align my prayers and faith with God’s word. Newsflash — this means spending LOTS more time reading, studying, contemplating, praying, worshiping, and living in Spirit & Truth.

Admittedly, I’m writing this entry as a bit of a free write to flush out a second verse. But something tells me God is going to show me more — I pray He does!

What We Leave BehindPosted by Angelo Melendez on December 31st, 2007

If all we take with us from this place is memories, it’s those same memories we leave behind. I’m searching right now on many different fronts, life is way more complicated than I feel like messing with, but it’s here, it’s now, and I’m grateful for the time I’ve left. I just want to make the most of it.

As I was cleaning out email clutter earlier today I came across some sound advice my cousin sent a few months ago. I’m thinking it’s just what I need to walk out to get 2008 off on the right foot. Hope these few phrases by Mother Teresa put a new spin on things for you — they have for me. Happy 2008!

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Path of Least ResitancePosted by Angelo Melendez on December 29th, 2007

Ever notice how water makes its way to the lowest possible point and finds a way to keep going? It’ll seep through air pockets leaving behind what may amount to just a trace of moisture, but it’s still water finding its way. Light, too, makes its way through cracks, though not dependent on gravity for a path of least resistance. Light can make it through a pinhole, and is visible when enough darkness surrounds the entry point. Both water and light are keys to human existence.

Among the many powers of light are that it can show us the right path to take, provide warmth, and reveal imperfections and potential dangers in our surrounding. Have you ever taken a walk through the woods on a moonlit night? Sure, it’s scary, but imagine trying to do so without the aid of the moonlight. As light peers through a thick wood it creates shadows in open areas suggesting pathways, but can’t reveal the “big picture” of the landscape until more space allows the light to flow freely.

In the context of my spirituality, it’s the light of truth that shows me who and what I really am. Without it I’m left to my own devices to figure things out in a maze of self-sufficiency. Obviously, there are many sources of “self help”, most of which come at fairly substantial costs, to try when I’m feeling like I can’t find answers of my own strength. Everyone has an opinion to share, there are many herbs and concoctions for this and for that, and I can easily fool myself into thinking the answer is in the next approach I take toward creating a “better me”. There is no easy answer or silver bullet for me. I struggle with my faith, but my conviction is such that I know swimming upstream against the current of the secular-progressive mindset is the only way to go for me.

Worldly distractions do well in keeping me from seeing the big picture. They are the forest that turns the moonlight into shadowy glimpses of true inspiration. Striving toward materialistic accomplishments spends my energies and mindless use of leisure time fills my tank with unfruitful desires and goals.

Where do I go, where do I turn?

First, I need to get to the lowest place where the water can find me. When I’m constantly perched on the pedestal of my pride the water doesn’t find its way to me. I get thirsty, and stay thirsty until I humble myself and acknowledge my need for living water. It’s there in abundance, inviting me to drink. Next, I need to evaluate my environment and surroundings and make required changes to ensure I’m exposed to the light that enables me to grow in my knowledge of and desire for the Word of God. I just need to take the path of least resistance to the open fields of grace God grows and nurtures for each and every heart that believes.