New Blog.

I got sick of blogspot. I found wordpress to be much more user friendly.

So all further bloggings will be found at www.goodgollyitsjosh.com

Pure goodness.

So there's a barbecue going on downstairs, and heaps of beautiful people are in my house...but I've gotta get this out....so I'm alone here upstairs. The party will wait.
So this morning I did what is fast becoming one of my favorite things to do. Hillsong Kids Worship. Songs with music bordering on cheesy, but with lyrics just as grown-up as big church songs and an environment that allows for as much craziness as one can muster up. Now you may be saying: 'Really Josh? kids worship? you should be doing bigger and better things.' I have actually heard this from someone already. Well, that may be true. And I'm sure it's coming. But here's the thing.
These kids know how to worship God.
Period.
Seriously, it's the purest, most innocent thing that I've ever been a part of. At one point today, the track and the band completely cut out and I could hear them singing, and I was blown away by these kids. The exuberance, bordering on complete abandon as they shouted out praise, was absolutely incredible. They don't know how to care what the person next to them thinks. Or who they need to impress...
My point is that when it comes time to sing to God, that's what they do. end of story.

So my question then is this:
Where did we learn to be so calloused? Where did we learn to care more for our reputation than lifting high the name of Jesus?
I'm not sure. Perhaps we got so caught up in the busy-ness of it all that we forgot to just stop and be HIS. I think that perhaps God may call that idolatry, being that the definition of the word is 'to put something/someone above God'.
The Israelites one time got caught up in this. And this is what God said in Amos chapter 5:21-27:

"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.

Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, [b]
I will have no regard for them.

Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.

But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

"Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

You have lifted up the shrine of your king,
the pedestal of your idols,
the star of your god [c]—
which you made for yourselves.

Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,"
says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty.

I want that to never ever ever ever be said about my worship. But I know that all too often that is the way it could be easily described, and I'm sure it's the same for you.

So I'm not sure what the answer is, but to just fall at His feet and be real. I'll let you know if I find anything else out.

....And the continuation

Watch this, it's brilliant.

I think not.

I'm feeling a bit cynical.
I don't like it.
But here's the thing.
There's an election happening soon, and I'm pretty sure that whatever the result is, I'm not going to be pleased.
On one hand, we have a candidate who is as smooth a talker as they come, and he sounds to me to be a good bet. But I doubt highly that he's got the experience to legitimately run the country. On the other hand, we have the gunslinger from Arizona, whom I fear will be just more of the same.
So I'm a bit torn.
The question then remains. Who will I be voting for?
McCain? I think not.
Obama? I think not.
I think I'll not be voting for president this time around.

Somebody's 25 today....

Cheers to you Greg!

Life in Abundance.

Hello blogland..
My most deepest and sincere apologies... It has been forever since I wrote.
I've been thinking a lot lately. As usual. My mind is generally quite pedantic and I can't discern sometimes what is real and what I just make up to suite me. But I think this is going somewhere good.

So I've been learning quite a bit lately. I've been learning to relish life - I've only got one, so I want to make it count - I've got dreams coming out of every moment it seems. But in this season of life it seems like none of them are coming to pass. I realize that I'm in school and all, but I just want to get down to business sometimes. All in all, I feel that there are so much bigger things in store for my life and I want to find the place where that potential is realized.
But I'm finding that contentment is a far better alternative to worry. Jesus once said that He came that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Life, in it's very essence, holds so much beauty and wonder and promise. I'm learning to see that. There's so much to behold. City streets full of people, conversations with good friends or random strangers, the creation that echos the creator, cups of tea in the morning... A great theologian once said "it's a beautiful day, don't let it get away"
I've found that I tend to ignore these things in the business of life. Or maybe not ignore, persay. I just don't fully enjoy them and acknowledge the One who makes it all possible. Mostly because I'm so worried about what's coming down the track for my life and what I'm doing now to bring that about.

So I'm learning. and growing. And I'm going to let the chips fall where they may. But I'm going to enjoy the proverbial ride. My life hasn't been boring, and it's not going to be. So I'll let my future do as it pleases, and enjoy life as it is now. And I encourage you to do the same. Don't regret what may have been. Just relish what is and what will be.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, much love.

My to do list.

So I've decided to compile a list. A list, completely independent of career or ministry or whatever. This is Josh's bucket list. Things that I want to and will accomplish before I die. These aren't necessarily in order...just a pretty random list...


1. Set foot on all 7 continents at least once (that's coming soon, I'm almost there.)

2. Go skydiving

3. Become licensed and proficient at scuba diving

4. Play guitar with John Mayer and Eric Clapton (not necessarily at the same time, don't be ridiculous.)

5. Spend at least 2 weeks in each of the following countries:
All of the U.K., Italy, Greece, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Thailand, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Russia, Jamaica, Fiji.

6. Create a book with my photography and poetry.

7. Climb a mountain (not a really hardcore one...just big enough to make me feel like I accomplished something)

8. Go to Israel. many times.

9. Sponsor many more compassion children, and travel to their countries to see them, as I have the means.

10. Take a road trip all over the United States and write a book about it.

11. Play and/or sing in a touring band.

12. Go to a totally legit cocktail party in a manhattan penthouse, wearing a white tuxedo...

13. Spend New Years on Times Square.



And that's it for now... Yes I dream big... but i don't apologize for it in the least...

one score and one year ago.....

....a baby was born to Randall and LuAnn Graber. Who knew back then that in 2008, he would be living in Australia? Yea, it blows my mind too. I look back on recent years, and it's absolutely incredible to me the opportunities that have already come my way. I have had the chance to travel more than most people twice my age, and I've found my life's passion at two decades old. I feel so incredibly blessed and I know that it only gets better from here. Ladies and gentlemen, watch out. The best is yet to come...

More later, I'm going to bed...

SJP

Dear Sarah,
We have a problem. I mean, I have a problem. With you. Now, I know we've never met, and you are probably thinking, 'wow, isn't this dude pretentious?'... Maybe, but hear me out. See, you filmed a movie recently. And, while 'sex and the city' isn't my favorite show, i don't have any giant grudge against it. Except my one complaint.
I work at a restaurant adjacent to a theater where the aforementioned film is showing. Nightly, we have large groups of women come into our restaurant. They are all markedly 'SITC' fans. They even dress like you. No problem there, I dig your sense of style. The problem, however, lies in the fact that they think that they all deserve to be treated like they ARE you. And tips? fuggedaboudit!! They are rude, obnoxious, and generally unpleasant people, at least for the time in which I am forced to be with them. Now mind you, I don't think any of these adjectives describe YOU. I think you're generally really cool, I might add. However, your inherent beauty and talent apparently inspires jealousy, which inspires mimicry, which inspires this absolutely insane celebrity complex in people who are at best mildly successful, if not just downright ordinary. So please, could you call the Hoyts cinema at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney, Australia and advise them that all future showings of your film be cancelled? Thanks so much.
Your adoring fan,
Joshua

Let's play a game

The game is called 'which one doesn't belong?'

So I pulled up my email just a moment ago, and was greeted with my 5 top news headlines, as usual.



closer up view of the headlines


The game is simple. Figure out which headline doesn't belong....
.



.



.


Got it?..


.



.



.

Yea, it was just funny to me... I read about bridges collapsing, planes crashing, and the religious people smashing on Obama....and then a 700lb mexican dude (which, incidentally, makes me think of Nacho Libre)....I laughed..out loud. And then shared it with you. I hope you're amused

This kid is ridiculous

I started playing guitar at age 14. And if I am to be perfectly honest, the decision to pick up the instrument had more to do with impressing girls than anything else (although I'm proud to say that I prefer to use it for more noble ventures these days).

Now, had I started playing a little earlier, say oh i dunno, age two... Well I would have way sooner reached the point of appreciating my instrument for much more than a mojo - perhaps even well before puberty, like this kid on the drums...this video chronicles his musical development from age 2 to age 11....prepare to be amazed...




I hope that changed your life.

Sophomore what? huh?.....

......Oh I'm so sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sounds of the beautiful music.

Go buy this CD immediately. Trust me, I know what's best for you, just do it. That's all.

Singing, Dancing, and Stealing things. All are worthy endeavors.

When I listen to an album of music, I want some things from that music. These things will determine my opinion of the album (or CD, or whatever you want to call it.) I want to be impressed by the musicianship of the performer. I want lyrics to tell me a story. I want to see creativity (I love it when a band steps out of the box that they are usually placed in.) Above all, however, I want to be moved by an album. I want it to take me somewhere. Maybe multiple places.

This is the reason why I love Jason Mraz' new CD. It's called "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" and it is phenomenal!

Good ol' Jason has always impressed me with his vocal talent, witty lyrics, and creative instrumentation, and he doesn't fail to do the same on this one. But the most impressive thing is that he takes the listener on a journey in every song... I'll let you find out where when you buy the CD, but trust me, you will not be disappointed. It's all you would expect from Mr. A-Z and more.

My absentee ballot that doesn't count....

....shall be cast in favor of...

This guy.



I do find it ironic by the way, that the soldiers can vote, but their vote actually means nothing in actually deciding the politicians who may ultimately decide their fate. All because Americans are too stupid impatient to wait for a batch of ballots to be overnighted...

duh.

Our country is ridiculous sometimes.

Anyways, on to my explanation of why I'm voting for Mr. Obama. Then those of you Christians reading this who are starting to pick up axes and guns can put them down, because I assure you, voting republican is no more "Christian" than killing a man. Because ultimately that's what you did by putting a gun-toting redneck in office (sorry, i had to...)

Honestly, when looking at the line up of candidates, my initial thought was "why bother?"

But then I would be able to label myself as a hypocrite, because I'm always harping on people who don't vote. So I NEED to vote for someone. Hence my problem.

So I'm voting for Obama, simply because he is the least annoying of the group.

That's it. No particular philosophical reason or anything. He's just least ridiculous.

It is a sad day, me thinks, when Josh Graber can't find a good reason to side with or against a politician.

Ladies and gentlemen of the USA, I may never come home.

Hugh

I met this guy in church this morning...

...He's not as terrifying as he looks...

Road

The funny thing about a road is, it always involves a destination
And a destination is actually all about the journey.
The choices you make at every turn are influenced by your view of the end.
Road signs, strategically placed, guide each turn.

Occasionally, perspective is lost and we focus on the tiny stones in front.
They appear to be boulders, when in reality, they are easily hurdled.
This is shortsightedness. It kills dreams, hopes, and vision.
So kill the urgent and destroy the minor issues in your way.

Because the road will always lead somewhere bigger.

No Stopping Love

So I was walking around in the city today, and I found this. A sign that says no stopping, and beneath it someone wrote 'love'. I snapped the pic. Five minutes of photoshop later (to bring out the 'love' and make the 'no stopping' sign bigger), we're in business.
I rather like it.

Around

I took some pictures yesterday, and I thought I would share some of them with you. I love photography, and if anyone has the desire to donate a Nikon D40 and a massive telephoto lens for my efforts, i would be more than glad to receive it...

Anyways, on with the pics...

I like this one... it's total contrast, with the flower and the buildings and city behind it.



I think this is proof that autumn is coming...




I'm proud of this one




Not quite sure what to put as a caption on this... broken glass on the ground near my flat...

David Ryan Harris....

... is brilliant. Soulful. Funky. Bluestastic. [Insert your adjective here].

He plays guitar for John Mayer. He has played for the DMB, Collective Soul, and Santana, amongst others. He also is a brilliant solo artist and you should buy all of his music immediately.

Things you might not know about me.

So, I think it's about time we get to know each other better. So here goes. I am going to compile a list of things about myself that you might not know. For those of you who were friends of my old xanga, this is the return of the top ten list...so here we go now with the falling sky...

10) I am a closet boy band fan.(or not-so-closet, seeing as how i just posted it on the internet)



9) I am neurotic when it comes to stacks. CDs, papers, whatever... if it's not straight, i'm not happy...



8) I appreciate tree climbing



7) I have a twin



6) Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a superhero



5) I'm quite sure that I was a monkey in a past life



4) I'm a ninja



3) I was in love with a giraffe once



2) I am of the belief that Robert Goulet and Adolf Hitler are actually the same man. See for yourself.
Robert

Adolf



The similarities, striking. Coincidence? I think not.

And the number one thing that you may not have known about me is...

I STILL THINK FARTS ARE HILARIOUS!




Now, if you have an idea for another top ten list, just go ahead and leave it as a comment and I will whip that right up for ya the next time I need to take a break from doing my assessments...