Jimmy Eat World Does it Again

With the announcement of a new album, I wondered if Jimmy Eat World could once again pull off a flawless album. After Clarity, Bleed American, Futures, and a few solid EP's, they have secured their position in my permanent top five favorite bands. But can Chase This Light live up to the others?
Yes. Yes it can. Chase this light is a solid new album with brilliant lyrics and songs that build in masterful progression (see the epic last track, "Dizzy"). Buy it today. Love it forever. This sounds way too much like an add, but I swear they didn't pay me to write it. Jimmy Eat World has simply done it again.

Back From Nicaragua

I made it home from Nicaragua late last night and although I'm still getting over the intense food poisoning I came down with the last day, it was an amazing trip. There are those rare moments in life where you can honestly stop and say you know you are doing exactly what the Lord would have you do. My time in Nicaragua was filled with these moments. My feelings are hard to express as Nicaragua is an extremely impoverished nation also hit by a Cat. 5 Hurricane, so the contrast between what I saw there and the comforts of my home has me speechless at the moment. I spent twice the average yearly salary of a Nicaraguan on new tires and maintenance for my truck today. I'm more than a little ashamed. I'm mostly humbled that God has chosen to give me these opportunities. Two international disaster responses in as many months? Why me? Where does this all lead? It was a blessing to serve. More stories to follow as I readjust.

Nicaragua Disaster Response

I'm headed to Nicaragua in the morning with a disaster medical team in the wake of Cat. 5 Hurricane Felix that struck the Eastern coast in September. Please keep me in your prayers.

Doubting the Dream...

Tonight I had my first official meeting at the Philadelphia Fire Academy to discuss my possible employment in the near future. It wasn't just me, but an orientation for myself and about 60 others to explain the final steps in the hiring process for the next class they plan to put together for February. On Sunday I stumbled upon the fire pictured above and was reminded about my love for firefighting, but in the excitement of these developments I confess I still possess a great deal of doubt about my current path. I've spent the last two years trying to get this job, and now that's its within reach I find myself asking if its really what I want. I've been blessed lately and I've been developing other passions and making progress in jobs an organizations, and the the thought of starting all over again tires me.

But its ok. If the Lord has other plans He'll lead me to them. Right now this is the path I am pursuing and I intend on following one day at a time. Its difficult at times to truly let Him lead, but easy when faith is properly understood. Give me faith to understand faith...