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....
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Got it?..


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.

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.