Song of the Day: Toby Mac "Get Back Up"/Sanctus Real "Whatever You're Doing"

Hi Everyone!  Here's a little something to tie you over till the next post about Russia.

This song is by Toby Mac.  A former member of DC Talk, the man knows his thing about music. This man has been part of projects such as Jesus Freak, Supernatural, Irene, Gone, and many other hits.  Toby has produced some of the best Christian music for the past 3 decades. 

However, the saying is that all good things must come to an end.  Toby's prowess is no exception.  Toby's lyrics used to be clear cut.  When you listened to his music, you knew that he was standing up for Christ and a Christian way of living.  This style, sadly, changed.  His lyrics have become wishy washy.  The strong messages have been replaced with the message of "Fluffy Love."  This type of lyrics comes down to the "can't we all just get along" motive.  It's frustrating to see such a great defender of the faith turn into just another fluffy kind of artist.  It's the equivalent of seeing R.C. Sproul go the way of Rick Warren or Joel Osteen.

Here is another song that came through my playlist as I was typing this.  It is another one of my favorites and leads the listener to really challenge him or herself into a radical recommittment to God.  Here is Whatever You're Doing by Sanctus Real.

See you all tomorrow, TI.

Trip to Russia: Day 1 With Pictures!

I have 4 hours left in my flight back home from Russia.  I figure this is a good time to begin my blog about my excursion to Russia to play in the Ural Steel International Championship for World of Tanks.  I left my home early in the morning to catch my flight from O’Hare Airport to Washington, DC.  What I didn’t realize was that my flight from Chicago was flying into Reagan National Airport in DC, not Dulles International which was the airport that my flight to Russia was leaving from.  I managed to catch a SuperShuttle from one airport to the other.  I left the shuttle and stood in the international departure line that was about a half mile long.  While in line I realized that I had less than an hour to get through the line and to my flight before it took off.  I prayed for the Lord to get me through the line if he wanted me to go to Russia.  Two minutes later, a woman came to me and asked me when my flight was.  I told her and she pulled me out of line.  She brought me right up to the ticket booth and I received my boarding pass in record time.  I flew through security and ran all the way to the shuttle that took me to the concourse where my gate was at and I ran all the way to the gate. 

I arrived at the gate just as the other people in my team and from our server were about to board.  I boarded as the last one on the flight and managed to sleep some of the way to Russia.  While on the flight, I got to meet and get to know better some of the people I have played games with for over 2 years.  I met guys from Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida.  We all were here for the same reason, to do our server and teams proud. 

After our 10 hour flight, we landed in Domodedevo International Airport in Moscow.  We made it through customs and met a group of the developers of the game at the exit from the Airport.  They were able to get us all together and put us in a minibus.  We tried to cram 15 people in 14 seats.  I, for some reason,  got the short end of the stick and ended up trying to be part of the 4 Americans trying to sit in seats made for 3 ½ Russians.  Our bus driver decided to hit every pot hole, bump, and rail line between the airport the hotel.  All this happened while I was on a metal tube that comprised the edge of the seat and stuck between two other guys.  (Just a little update: While writing this I am entering Canadian Airspace over the northern peninsula in Quebec.) 

We arrived at the hotel which I found out was part of the Olympic village during the 1980 Moscow Games.  The inside of the hotel was nice, but very overpriced.  The outside of every building built before 1990 has not been kept up.  Maintenance does not seem like a priority to the Russian Government.  The hotel staff was very helpful.  Most of the guys were so tired that we went to bed after the devs gave us a little info on the schedule of things.  During this meeting we told them that the flights that were booked for us would not allow us to go to the special day away that they had planned for us.  The devs  told us that they would attempt to change our flights at no cost to us.  The jet lag was so bad that we crashed after the meeting.  Many of our guys were up at 6am Moscow time due to the time difference.  I was awake at 4am.  While in Moscow, I slept no more than 4 hours a night.  I am still very tired.

I am going to take a nap and write some more later.  Part 2 coming later.

 In the plane, I met a couple of guys from the North American Server teams.  (The guy in the Red hat is on my team.)

Domodedovo International Airport - Moscow, Russia

The Amazing Birch Forest that surrounded the Airport and the City

Welcome to Moscow (Or as the natives call it: Moskva)

One of the Many Russian Orthodox Churches in Moscow

Some of the Apartments in Moscow.  Much of it looks like our low income housing.

Nate riding on the minibus through town

Yup, that's me with no hat.  We were trying to fit 4 American gamers in a seat built for 4 petite Russian Models.  

Another Church.  This one was pretty big.

McDonald's in Russia!

Our hotel: The Ismailovo Gamma Hotel.  It was once used to house athletes during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Our lush accommodations.  :)

The view out our room.  I stayed with another guy from my team.

Another picture of the view.

Dinner with the Red Sky guys.  Our first in Moscow.

Two more of the guys that were able to make it.

Some other guys from the North American Server

Dinner.

For dinner we had Mixed fresh veggies washed with dill added, and a Tempura style chicken with a ginger sauce and very large grain rice cooked and cooled to al dente.

The vodka museum behind our hotel.  Tourist trap!  lol

More to come later with pics from our trip to Red Square.  Day 2 will follow later with the actual tournament.

And now Russia! Song of the Day included.

Hi all!  Well, I have finally passed the drama of the ridiculous flight schedule and i am now on my final approach for my trip to Russia.  I depart Chicago in less than 12 hours from posting.  I hope to take a lot of pictures and see if I can post some on here. 

Here is the next Song of the Day.  This one is by Iyaz, called "Replay."  Yes, this song was one of the overplayed popular songs of the past 3 months.  But it has since fallen by the wayside, as many things do in our drug culture infused music industry.  The thing in this song that piqued my interest is that this is actually a relatively wholesome love song!  He has the intention of marriage, he does things for her and is willing to sacrifice, and even has periods of doubt that make this song a human portrayal of love in a fine form.  The only issue I take with this song is the name "Shorty" that he has for his beloved.  I have no problem with nicknames, but this was a derogatory term used toward women.  How can he think that it is okay for him to pass this off as something nonchalant?  This objectifying term, and indeed his tone throughout the song, give the impression that this is all done for his benefit and his infatuation.

This song has been in my head lately because of a personal issue I have.  I have feelings for a beautiful, young woman.  But these feelings are unrequited and have brought out my poetic side.  I look forward to the hope that the possibility of marriage is still there.  However, I will have to keep these feelings bottled up until either she seems that she would be receptive of my advances, or until I finally do something stupid and go down in a blaze of glory. : /  

Anywho, here is a little something to tide you over until I can get on next.  It is by a Latvian-born Russian pop star.  His name is Vitas and has a range that would make most opera singers jealous.  I present "The Star."  A translation of the lyrics are included under the video.

So many times I asked myself
What for I was born into this world and grew up
And why the clouds float and rains pour
You shouldn't expect anything for yourself in this world

I would fly up to the clouds but I have no wings
That starlight lures me from afar
But it's hard to reach the star though the goal is close at hand
And I don't know if I 'll have enough strength for the throw

I'll wait just a little bit more
And then will get ready for my journey


Towards the Dream and Hope
Oh my star, please don't burn out, just wait!

How many paths do I have to go by?
How many peaks should I conquer to find my own self?
How long should I keep falling from the cliff?
How many times should I start from the beginning and is there any sense to it?

I'll wait just a little bit more
And then will get ready for my journey
Towards the Dream and Hope
Oh my star, please don't burn out, just waït!

Song of the Day x2: Sorry! :(

Hi all!  I was so busy today that I totally forgot to upload a song. So, I will give you two times the fun and post two songs. 

Here is the first selection.  This song is "Lucy" by Skillet.  This song is about a loss that cannot be recovered.  Going through some similar things, I can relate with this song.  My heart breaks every time I hear this song.  I realize how much can be lost with one stupid decision and how much will never be regained.  I hope that you will be just as touched with this song as I am.

Here is number two!  This song is by Mikeschair named "Someone Worth Dying For."  This song gives me hope and reminds me that we are not worthless.  We are worth the death of Christ.  We are only worth this because of His sacrifice.  His cross has paid the penalty and our lives are no longer forfeit, but belong to him.  I hope you enjoy.  See you all later. Packing for Moscow, TI

Song of the Day: "Crucified with Christ" - Phillips, Craig, and Dean

Hi all!  I am currently prepping for my trip to Moscow, Russia.  In this day I was reminded that we are bound to Christ in everything that he accomplished for us, including his death.  This song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean calls for the listener to remember that you share in his sacrifice and that his cross calls for our continued commitment.  We must persevere as saints.  This is a great song that I would love to do one day in our men's quartet at school.  Well, time for more packing.  God Bless, and I hope to post a few things when I am either in Moscow or when I get back.  See you Then, TI.

Song of the Day: "God Gave Me You" - Dave Barnes

Here it is (a little late, sorry!) Today's installment of Song of the Day is "God Gave Me You" by David Barnes.  While this song is explicitly about a significant other, I have tried to apply it in other ways.  Primarily due to the fact that I have no significant other, I have tried to apply this to friends.  This song is a great reminder that God places people in your life for a reason.  Every person that is a true friend will follow you through the ups and downs of life.  So, for all of my friends: Thank You.

Song of the Day: "The Older I Get" - Skillet

Another day, another song.  The selection for today is by Skillet.  Skillet is a Christian Crossover band that has produced some really good music for a few years now.  This song is "The Older I Get."  It is a song that has been running through my mind for a long time.  The song speaks about a relationship that broke up due to lack of communication and miscommunication.  Oh let the irony ring.  The song asks the question "Do you believe, time heals all wounds?"  This is a question that I have been asking myself for a few months.  I still don't know if it is possible.  My mind doesn't like to let go of things. :)  Well, I;ll have a new one for you tomorrow.  See ya then, TI