Behind the scenes with the Bensonator

The revenge of the meter man...

2008-07-25T14:21:00.004-05:00

In the midst of a super busy end to the week, a funny story must be shared. Im thankful to have gotten some exercise out of the whole thing too. So, Im sitting in Cambridge Coffee on South College and my phone alarm goes off to tell me my meter is up. I nonchalantly rise from my little table and speak to a friend or two, only to see the meter man walk by the door... dum dum dum. (might i add, he was wearing a white headband and he had the cutest little mid life crisis belly hanging over his blank pants).
I end my conversation and jet out the door (quarter in hand), as the meter man gets closer and closer to my expired meter. I race past him (and hear JP from his car on College street yell "run boy, run!"). I beat captain headband just in time, and drop my quarter in. He doesn't even crack a smile or say anything as i smirk at him out of breath (lame-o).

There it is, saved myself $5, today is neat.

Update?

2008-07-16T21:19:00.003-05:00

So Im sitting here at band practice waiting to record my part and im bored so i decided to write a post. I know, im overdue.

My summer has been uneventful to say the least. I just feel like im going through the motions in this whole school thing and Im looking forward to being done in December.

I made an A in my Intro to PR course so that's just neat, and my news writing class is a just a few columns here and there.

The Plainsman practicum has turned out to be stressful. Only having two business days to contact appropriate sources and then making the Monday deadline can be rough during a crazy week. So that's my school life in a nutshell.

I've had some great design opportunities come up recently that Im excited about. Ill be working Stacy Wood in the Ag Communications and Marketing department in AU COA. She is basically tutoring me in design theory, layout and whatever else is involved with the field. It's fantastic, its neat. Under Stacy, Ill be designing the new Ag Comm info brochure and the cleaning up the monthly Ag Combine student newsletter. I can't wait to see the final product.

Boring i know, im looking forward to the fall. War Eagle.

Passion Regional Conference ATL

2008-04-13T21:06:00.004-05:00

The Lord is so faithful. I wasn't even planning on going to this conference, but last Tuesday a ticket became available. I am really glad i got to go. I'll say this until the day I die - there is something to be said about our generation- when we come together in a corporate setting like this conference- watch out! The Lord moves in hearts and His kingdom is advancing in a overwhelming capacity. We are not settling for complacent faith, a complacent God or a quiet heart. Love wins and this generation is taking the love story of the cross to the ends of the earth. The gospel is living and and active, wow, was this apparent! In a world that has so many distractions, the gospel still shines brighter and the message will never get old.

I've been challenged to dig into my faith and begin to address the questions I've wrestled with for far too long. You can talk the talk very easily and most of the time, fake the walking, but truly passionate Christ followers have this authenticity that is unbelievable. It's a Holy Spirit thing undeniably.

Freedom is the song of my heart at the moment. Do i really understand it? I strive to, Holy Spirit willing. i know i want it.... need it daily. In boldness i walk towards the cross and its message.

D-Now Crestview, Fla

2008-01-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

Man, i love this church. I've had the blessing to share life with these youth for the past three years now. Wow. They have grown so much...it's beautiful. The weekend was about our identity in Christ. We looked at Saul's conversion to Paul. Saul led a life full of persecution and hatred yet, still considered himself a devote religious Jew. Jesus intervened and well, you know the rest of the story- he became a world changer, a history maker. He advanced the Kingdom. At all costs Paul knew the message of the gospel had to be preached. Even in prison chains and under house arrest awaiting trial, he still persevered for the Kingdom. His life was not his own. "To die is gain and to live is Christ!" Oh man, the conviction this brings! How many times do we read this verse and simply continue reading? Do you hear and understand what Pauls is saying!? TO DIE IS GAIN AND TO LIVE IS CHRIST! Oh, how i long to live that out in my daily life! How different my days would look, how transformed my mindset would be! Paul simply chose to see and believe his identity in Christ on the Damascus road that day. He didn't understand it fully but he was obedient.

My 8th grade guys were blown away by this story. They have heard it countless times in Sunday school im sure but im confident that it really took root in their hearts and minds this weekend. The beautiful truth remains. The transforming God of Saul to Paul is the same God today, he IS UNCHANGING! He removed the scales from those 8th graders' eyes. With the scales removed, they can see who they are in Christ! They can find eternal identity and begin to wrap their minds around what die to Christ to gain everything really looks like. Praise the Lord for refreshing me with this truth. Praise the Lord for freedom in himself.

Love dat Peter...(the second)

2007-04-24T12:23:00.000-05:00

Not wanting to start studying for finals i decided i needed some perspective...and boy did i get it. Just want to write a quick note proving his faithfulness to me. Once again as crazy as my life is right now he remains bigger and better. :: 2nd Peter 1.3-4 (soak this in) ::

As we know Christ better, his divine power gives us EVERYTHING we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all his rich and wonderful promises... make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence which leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

Pretty much sums up our purpose and how to get there... study time now.

Light of Gracious Love

2007-04-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

Sittin in cambridge coffee, my home away from home and the Lord is faithful... i sit back and think how crazy this is... (his faithfulness in and to His word) the creator of the universe chose to speak life right into my life in a way only he can do in Auburn Alabama while drinking coffee on a regular old Tuesday morning. And, he is the same faithful father to all creation everyday, at all times, always, never changing ... for all eternity. He chooses to love us faithfully and he is so much more commited to my heart then i ever could be to him. So, i am loved by the Father and therefore because of Christ's compassion for me i am charged to shed the light of love and walk as a child of light. |Eph. 4.29 - 5.21| i read over those verses and was convicted and floored by the perspective my heart gained.

We are to be imitators of God... and live a life of love. We are challenged to hold our tongues, remove ourselves from bitterness and cast hatred far from our hearts. So many times because i think im a "nice person" and rarely have beef with anyone that my heart doesn't harbor these things towards people. Man was i wrong, i sat back and really dug into my heart and discovered some things that Christ has already set me free from yet i was still holding onto. "Walk as children of light because everything exposed in the light becomes visible... so therefore, wake up sleeper rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you."

Walking in grace and love (children of light) assumes something. That anger, bitteress, greed, jealousy, pride or sexual immorality are not the dominant feeling of our hearts.

We are beloved children of the King, walk in it.

Honduras SB2K7

2007-04-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

So much is going thru my head and heart since i've returned, man. It's even hard to put into words when folks ask... pictures hardly do a justice. Its just hard to articulate how the spirit of God moved in my heart while in Honduras. The bottom line (and this is gonna be a short post cause im sleepy but i didn't want to forget what needs to be expressed right now) and the song of our team's heart while in Hondo was this truth which holds so much hope for all creation, "Life flows from God" don't miss it, its not super deep, but it is the basis for each breath we take as Christians. As much as we were going to "save" and be Christ to a poor people, i was saved. I saw how beautiful His life flowed out of every dirty face, every little smile, every grubby outstretched hand and every conversation i attempted to have in my broken spanish. For now, ill just say Hondo was a celebration of life and how he is the perfector of it. He holds it all together. And whether we live in a a huge air conditioned home or a shack on a side of a mountain, Christ promises to be ENOUGH in every circumstance. He is good and life is made complete thru his suffering. He poured himself out for all... LIFE FLOWS FROM GOD

Passion 07 (a few months late)

2007-03-05T12:22:00.000-06:00

1.2.07

So many people... good Lord! 24,000+ in ATL, its crazy, great, frustrating, Awesome, powerful, and exhausting. There is just something to be said about our generation coming together to be apart of the grand story of Him while recognizing the smallness of us seeking to do God size things. We are a radical generation, stubborn at times, seeking only what’s the best and biggest, while passionate to spread the name and love of Christ. Its humbling to be apart of... really, it is.

Louie simply reminded us last nite whose we are, and what was done on that cross so long ago for claim to be made on our behalf. His wounds TRULY paid our ransom...brought us from death to life, from utter despair to eternity with the glorious creator of the universe. Such an amazing rescue our Jesus undertook. He does the qualifying work to make us worthy to be put into the Kingdom of God. He chose us.

Beth Moore spoke truth into our hearts as she discussed the effects of a prideful lifestyle. “Humble yourself while young” she said. There is none other adjective that is translated from the ancient text that means “hyper exalted” then the one used when describing the name of God. Its only when we truly lower ourselves and our agendas that we see the powerful evidence of the cross in others.

Francis chan dang brought it tonight as the day came to a close in our final session. He was so passionate, so full of Christ and his words pierced and shed truth that only the Father inspired. He posed the question... Do we truly love Jesus. Is he our everything? Do we truly believe that he has our best interest in mind and that he wants to give us the desires of our hearts? He challenged us to be Hot in the mouth of Christ... really hit home in my heart for sure. I love retreats like this... so much chipping away, so much molding and his beautiful constant pursuit was so evident once again... He became tangible. As we were finishing up in worship, I couldn’t help but glory and simply pause in the moment. I looked around and saw close to 22,000 people seeking the heart of their creator... it was such a perfect picture of what heaven will be like... unending, authentic worship... participating in the very thing i was solely created for. Im so thankful and humbled as I further discover his pursuit on my heart.

Nite.

Faithful

2007-02-11T22:49:00.000-06:00

Before i start another week and forget the small ways he's faithful ill share before i start studying for the nite (boo!) So, im going to Honduras for SB2K7 right? $700 is needed by tomorrow to secure the plan tickets for each team member right? this whole weekend, i was freaking out cause im a little short of the above figure but i just trusted...coming home from encounter leaders meeting at Cornerstone i decided to check the mailbox one last time before the weekend was out. Sure enough, the exact amount came in that i needed to meet tomorrow's deadline. i know its not a huge deal, but to me it was! it just made me appreciate and love Jesus even more... he is such a God of detail and intimacy. Now, talkin bout intimacy leads me to share about leader's meeting tonite. "WOW" is all i got! Matt briefly spoke on the freedom we have in Christ and how we so often walk around still carrying our junk, still trying to carry the cross and bare the burden he did so many years ago. it makes no sense why he went to the cross, not in the world's eyes atleast - but he did... tonite i was reminded of how ACCESSIBLE he is, how he knows where i need to be met day in and day out, if i simply ask and acknowledge. He knew my heart needed to hear "zach its not about YOU" stop trying to make life work...

you can only deny the nudges of your creator for so long.... (love it)

~ZeB

Thanksgiving & Crash

2006-11-20T22:57:00.000-06:00

i have no idea why i waited so long to see one of the most impactful movies.... "Crash" its amazing, rent it, watch it, think on it if you haven't. Here i am being lazy on the first real day of my holiday so i rent a movie right? ha! little did i know how much perspective i would tap into just thru viewing a movie about racial discrimination. how many times do we overlook or pass judgement on those that don't look like us, darker skin, different language whatever? After finishing the movie im reminded that the Lord's heart beat is for ALL people groups not just the comfortable middle-class white, financially stable college student that i am. i mean, im typing this on my macbook pro in my warm living room in a leather chair that is beyond comfortable! how many times do i over look hurt, over look neediness or subconsciously discriminate those of different ethnic backgrouds or simply the less fortunate?

our mission is clear and Jesus didn't studder when he commanded for us to go and be fishers of men so that when the time of his returning comes, EVERY nation will call upon his name and worship for eternity. Yes, so blessed we are to be the spoiled brat of america! Father, daily i pray for a global perspective to reach those in need and to walk in humility so that my pride doesn't block my eternal perspective and goal. thankful for always knowing where my next meal comes from, thankful for being so blessed in so many ways... but, if i don't use these received blessings to be a blessing to others, what good are they? Open eyes to the bigness of you and the smallness of us so we can see hurt, so we can see pain, so we can see thru eyes that see no color, no race no ethnicity.

::love people::

thinking...
zb

Much needed post....

2006-09-10T12:21:00.000-05:00

Wow.... its been far too long. School has started, work continues, games begin... ah, the fall at AU is overwhelming. The Lord has really been teaching me about rest, more specifically, in him of course. We don't know how much we "busy" ourselves as students gaah. So many times i simply miss the Father because im just putting him off... stress and frustration comes because of our business, we then try to fix it ourselves and this obviously ends in failure or even more frustration. Endless cyle. What does it take to allow Father to be the good shepard at all times? Ha, very little to him but in our fleshly hearts and minds he seems to always be the last resort. These next two weeks are gonna be full of absolute craziness between school, football, band stuff etc. My prayer is that i allow Him to COMPLETELY cover me in all i do, so that nothing but Jesus is working for me, in me and through me. Its a daily dying to self as Paul says continually in Romans.

Chasing victory, i call this abandoment.

"A + + + + +"

2006-06-26T22:32:00.000-05:00

Yup, spending a week off from school (a much needed break from O-Chem) was great. Leading in Covington, Ga for my church's Youth Camp soo much perspective the Lord blessed me with... in the midst of worship each night. Seeing the kids seek, learn, soak and find freedom in Christ was tremendously encouraging for my heart. Im soo glad i was given the opp. Ill admit, i was a little hesitant, nervous, frustrated going into the week knowing that upon my return to AU that following Sun i would have to make up my first OChem test of the summer term today. THe Lord totally focused me and it was a great week of "retreat from the world" . Feeling so many emotions yesterday while preparing for my test today.... trying to process all the Lord did in me and in the youth while trying to figure out Alkene reactions? Not a good combo huh? Strangely, i had a peace the entire time i was studying for the test...(total opposite of the normal preparation feeling for me). I walked into the test today and finished it feeling really good about it! The Lord is soo good, even in the most bizarre cases, he proves faithful in the simplicity of helping me make an "A" on my test. That's all, just wanted to share my good past week and a half. Going to bed joyful...ha! Find Christ in the smallest aspects of your life and he will prove that he is bigger than it all...

ZeB

A Faithful Father...Tangible Promise & Voodie Baucham

2006-05-14T00:40:00.000-05:00

"The B -I -B -L- E, yes that's the book for me... i stand upon on the Word of God the B -I -B -L- E" Im sure you remember this cheesy children's worship song growing up? If you don't, shame on ya! haha... with that said (and without making this a never ending post) the Lord decided to slap me around a bit and show His humorous side tonite all by watching 722 online. Apologetics was something i have never been too familiar with until tonite... or at least it found a new importance in my heart. Guest speaker Voodie Baucham (cool name i know) laid the truth on heavy in his talk titled "DaVinci Code Decoded." I never really knew the hype was sooo big about this upcoming movie about the DaVinci Code and now im just excited about it... not because of the premise it is based on and certainly not because of the bad theology it suggests but because its gonna get people talking just as Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" did. Baucham challenged me to really seek out why i believe what i believe and no, "Because its what i was raised on" or "because it works for me" are not adequate answers when someone asks us why we are Christians or why we believe in the Bible. This caught my attention because sometimes, one if not both of those responses are my answers (sadly) to random people who ask me about my faith. Little did i know what i was in for as i watched/listened to the sermon (as the Lord im sure, began to chuckle).

"A reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses that report supernatural events which took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim to be divine rather than human in origin"

So, that was his response, good huh? He continued to preach out of 2nd Peter 1 as my heart began to latch onto what the Lord wanted to teach me in the midst of my confusing start to the summer of 2006. Needing direction, wanting something tangible just for a bit, some "sign" that I was doing the right thing, had been my fleshly heart's cry as you know when, it all clicked and I began to laugh. He softly said, "Zach, its right there in those pages! Listen to what Voodie is saying! Just dig into it and you will find direction, peace, a deeper love for others, YOU WILL FIND LIFE IN ME THROUGH IT! After all, it is my breath that spoke it into the minds and hearts of those prophets that faithfully recorded it as it was divinely place upon them. It's unfailing and something you can hold onto! How many times do we... I, need something to touch and feel that is of God? God IS tangible... but in a way our hearts (worldly sometimes) refuse to latch onto. I was floored at the thought of such an easy concept that became sooo real! I mean, I try to get in the word everyday but wow, what an encouraging freshness or perspective I guess my heart needed to revisit?

I'm reminded that God is not a God of confusion! Hmm, so good cause I sure am blinded and feel stupid sometimes because of my actions! Simple concept we all know but I needed to rethink or reattach my heart to
Find life in the word when life around you is dark and full of lies!

This world would have me believe

It knows what I need to see

But there's no hope to be found

In a world where I see only darkness around me

Your word will be a light to my path

To guide my way through this world

Your word will be a lamp to my feet

To guide my way through this world

This flame that lights up my way

Is strong enough to remain

When all around me is lost

I will trust in the truth that is sure and never changes

Your word will shine a light on my path

Your word will be a lamp to my feet

Amazed,
zb

Ahh... the Summer begins!

2006-05-12T18:05:00.000-05:00

Finals finished for me on Saturday... yes, the Finite Math final was a good end to the semester (obviously my easiest). Since i decided to give Vet School one more shot, i hesitantly enrolled in the horrible class that is Organic Chem. for the summer term ah! So, this week and half of next, i will spend very intentionally... lots of rest, hangout time, snowbiz and such (the usual you know). I keep thinking, "Zach, you are crazy for trying this whole vet school thing/dream again." But it is just that... a dream, passion, my heart's desire, whatever you want to call it. I feel like i would be selling myself short if i didn't give it 110% just one more time. With this in mind, i know i have to continue to remember that He gives good gifts to His children. He wants us to chase our desires and dreams! He wants to see us succeed! Our minds, bodies, hearts, sooo complex... our wonderful maker has given us every tool we need to achieve our goals and desires. Its a neat little picture (or whatever you want to call it), He has given us this "earth suit" to use as we see fit... so, the equation is simple: If we are to be a reflection of our maker.. we are to GLORIFY Him in our goals, dreams, ambitions. This is such a simple concept but soo many times i let the lies of inadequacy, the fear of failure creep in and defeat me... cloud up the path He has set before me... including those dreams and passions. So, lately i've just been thinking about all this and trying to have a healthy mindset about this summer and Organic Chem. i love what Matt said one encounter late in the semester..."Think hard on the tuff things of the Lord." Its ok to do this.. or to have doubts! How many times do we just not understand Him or not have the eyes to see what He is doing in our lives? I have no idea how or why i even decided to retake this Chem class this summer and its a struggle to not already expect failure. But, i do know He is faithful and has a perfect reason and plan... its just a refining time... i just pray to be open to it! Thats all we can do... wake up everyday and claim that we are nothing without Him... we are a mess without His grace and love...in that, our faith builds and we surprisingly find ourselves at the center of His will!

So, this is the start of summer, spent all day yesterday throwing up and now, feeling better (thankfully) im enjoying some hangout time with the fam in B-Ham for my sister's Grad. School graduation.

Im just glad i can't confuse the Lord with all my questions and crazy ideas you know?

covered in mercy,
Zb

My first post in a million years !

2006-04-22T23:52:00.000-05:00

My apologies for not posting more often... just haven't been feeling it lately you know? Don't really know what the Lord is teaching me in this time of "funk" ill call it. So much has happened since our fun time in Clearwater! The Lord is just reminding me that my relationship with Him is totally NOT based on my feelings. So many times, i let my feelings dictate my view of Father or my actions for that matter. At any rate, its so encouraging to know that even when my feelings tell me otherwise or Satan's lies bury me too deep to think i can get out, He endures. His love is eternal. He is unchanging and is not swayed by my "feelings." Just so many decisions that are "soo important" seem to be weighing on me. Summer plans, school plans etc. You know the drill and the drag that life can cause. Its hard to tell myself that He is so much bigger than it all, including my little "life crisis"(meant for that to be plural... don't know if i spelled that right, you get the point?), but PRAISE JESUS cause He is! Even when i don't feel like getting in the Word, praying for certain things or people, even personally, or simply if im in a bad mood, Jesus never gets tired of waiting on me to choose Him, so patient in His Love and mercy. So i boast in my condition Lord. A condition i will, for a short time, be a part of simply because we are of Adam, a fallen people in need of a Savior. I love that line in the Jason Upton song. I can boast in my condition because its right where He has me... seasons are for a reason, change brings about newness and fresh prospective, lessons learned. Trying to find Joy in attempting to apply what we've been learning at Encounter right? Lord help my unbelief and teach me to COMPLETELY see you as the only solution to the problem and the reason for breathing in everyday you give me.

This was me babbling, sorry! Just what's on my heart

Searching with determination and Joy,
ZEB

SB2K6 Day Four - More burnage and Putt Putt Golf-

2006-03-27T21:11:00.000-06:00

First off, i have been informed by Ms. Ericka Bennett that i should pay more attention to my grammatical errors and she finds my mistakes quite humorous. To that, i say its late when i post these things, the sun drains you, but i shall try.
We got to the beach early today and Zach somehow, made it to the wonderful continental breakfast of the Roadside Inn just before. (wasn't too bad i say, but im not too picky). The whole time we were driving to the beach i was thinking, "now why am i going back out there to bake my poor sun tanned (burned is a better word probably) body?" Nonetheless, Zach actually put sun tan lotion on and had an enjoyable day at the beach. Chris and i grabbed some lunch at Britt's, a fun little beachside stop for some good eats. By this time it was like 1.30ish and we headed back to see what the rest of the crew was doing. Much to our excitement, we found the gang building a "sand person" in the image of Zach Yelton? What? Ha, yeah too funny i know, that's the group i've been with the whole trip and its been great fun.
The fun only continued as we left the beach around 4.30 to come back to the Roadside for showers. Following, a neat pizza place for dinner then.... PUTT PUTT Golf at Congo River Links! (yeah, amazing i know... and we got a group discounted rate!) OMG, soooo much craziness occured at the Congo. Some of which included:

Court refering to the putter as a "putt" HA! Yeah, and i quote "dangit biscuet, move your putt away from the hole!" (maybe you had to be there?)
Out of frustration (and hit number....um i dunno 10?), sweet Christi let a wordy dirty fly in front of all the kids playing in front and behind us! (she would probably kill me for tellin this story! But, it was sooo worth it, wish all could have been there)
Me telling the girls (not even thinking, honestly) as they were trying to figure out a "cute Putt Putt golf" pose, to put the golf balls in their mouth and hold their sticks (refering to the putters of course). Once Court, busted out laughing, the "o crap, what did i just say?" moment, occured. Too funny. Good move ZEB, really i know. I was just trying to suggest a good picture that's all!

And those were just highlights, wow. We then (of course) went to Starbucks, fun convo and great joe, no doubt. Sadly, we are now in the hotel room. Brett was joking about how we have gone to bed before 1.30am this trip every nite we have been here yet, in AU we don't even come close to that bed time. Haha, o well, i guess the sun just takes it out of you, i don't know.

No matter, we still had great fun every nite and im soo glad to have such great community and friends. Such a blessing to know that your friends also decide not to conform to the ways of this world, in any case... whether it be on spring break in Clearwater or hanging out in AU. My heart just broke today while i was at the beach as i saw so many folks chosing death. Not judging them by any means, but i just know that deep down, they are not wanting to continue to find a false fullfillment thru the lies this world offers. I've stayed sober, away from whatever else Spring Break at the beach can bring, and still had one of the best spring breaks ever. Im just so encouraged by the lives my friends live. Chosing to live for something bigger then themeselves, loving life and finding joy in every circumstance. Love you guys!

Now, just the drive home.... looking forward to 8hrs in a car yaaya! SB2k6 over and out.
~ZEB

SB2K6 Day Three - Sun Burnt but happy -

2006-03-26T21:29:00.000-06:00

Our crew number will decrease by four today. Todd and Leah, Yetty and Becca had to go back to the AU bubble after lunch time. With a little more room in the cars but sad they had to leave soon, we headed to the beach once again. Brett, Zachary, Locks, Leah and i played three games of volleyball with two Asian guys who were hysterical! Then, we all went and crashed on the beach for a few hours (thus resulting in a sun burn/tan). With sand all over and the weather getting colder for some reason, we headed to Ybor City for some fun shopping and hang out time away from the sun. Ybor was such a fun shopping area filled with little eateries, vendors, and the best...URBAN OUTFITTERS! Yeah, we all had way too much fun in this cool store. After spending lots, we headed back to our neck of the beach to get a little hot tub time and showers before dinner. The past two times the gang has made the trek to the hottub, we encountered sketch persons. Haahaha, the guy in the hottub when we got there today, was a sound and lighting tech for some band who enjoyed "the plant" just a bit too much, so you can put the rest of the happenings together. Nonetheless, interesting convo occurred and then, we were off to get showers. We ate at Moe's cause we wanted tonite's meal to be a little cheaper then the past nites, we then discovered that nothing was open to take part in because it was Sunday. Then just drove around to find some funness. Ended up back here at the Roadside Inn just hanging.

SB2K6 Day 2 - Beachin it up & Going Out-

2006-03-25T23:58:00.000-06:00

Today was great, my white bod saw the sun for the first time in way too long so Zach is now tan, (yay!)
Much fun was had today... the entire group went shopping for snacks, lunch stuff, etc. at the wonderful Super Target center. Next, we met up with Andy and headed to the beach were it was waaaay to cold to enjoy the sun but the attempt was made and we played beach volleyball so all was well. With sun tans received, the crew headed back to hotel to enjoy the hot tub with some "plus size", awkward/sketchy rednecks from Orlando Fla. Honestly, im not sure why we even got in the hot tub at Roadside Inn in Clearwater Fla.... but its Spring break so why not live on the edge... needless to say, i took a long shower to de-germ! Got cleaned up and we headed to a restaurant called The Dish, basically we all ate waaaay too much and feel really bad about getting in a swim suit tomorrow (ha! not really but i do feeel as if i gained atleast 10 lbs) so worth it though. Zach then proceeded to get my car lost after dinner upon our ride back to the Roadside (surprised are you?) and cause us to see atleast 30 additional, unnecessary miles of the outskirts of Clearwater. 45 mins later, the pewter scooter arrived back at the Roadside, we hung out for a bit and then off to bed! In the mean time, i some how managed to throw my phone over my shoulder in my clumsy attempt to answer a call, so im going to bed phoneless yet thinking "i wouldn't want to be anywhere else, with anyother group of people!" SB2K6 day two over and out...

What am i gonna do without a cell phone!

SB2K6 Day 1 - The Arrival -

2006-03-24T21:18:00.000-06:00

Encounter, packing, getting ready for bed, asleep by 12.30 a.m. only to get up at the early hour of 4.15am! Yup, with a little less than 4hrs of sleep this is how the great SB2K6 began.. heading to Clearwater, Fla with some great folks until Tues. I really needed this break! Trip was long but fun, me, Brett, and Clocks were in the "pewter scooter" yup, thats right, we had walkie talkies and code car names. Delirium and tiredness set in and after about 8hrs in the car, Clearwater came into the radar.
First pothole was hit: We got kicked out of our original reserved hotel room because they discovered a bunch of college kids were cramming into rooms in attempts to save money and avoid the "extra capacity fees". No worries right? We are in college and born for stuff like this? We piled back into the cars soon to find the "upscale" "resort" of the Roadside Inn, yeah thats right... people pay the big bucks to stay here (hardly)! Nonetheless, its a place to crash and its all we needed! We unloaded all our junk, showered and went on the hunt for some food in downtown Clearwater/Tampa area. A beachside hotspot, called "Frenchies" was discovered.. much fun was had, good food, good times!

Some things to mention without providing an explanation (just to keep you guessing) :

We think we saw a prostitution "invite" into the room below us after we were asked first, simply because we were all chillin in the parking lot as the "lady of the nite" was headed to her room

The Diamond Dolls "gentleman's Club?" is right next to our hotel...
(fun to joke about but, i think we should stay away from this attraction)

So far, i love Clearwater!

Workin Man

2006-03-03T15:38:00.000-06:00

So i started working at Davis & McLaughlin (thank you KA) and its pretty much a great "low key" job.... i mean im making this post at "work" what? And i get to drive around on beautiful days, what could be better? I haven't had a job since highshcool so its a bit hard to get use to again but no worries, i just glad im gonna have a little extra spending money you know. Ok, back to "work"gots to bring home the bacon according to christian..!

Weekend of Worship in TN & Beth Moore

2006-02-27T13:48:00.000-06:00

This weekend, I had the opportunity to lead in Oconee TN with some of my Macon friends. I couldn’t get anyone to ride with me so It was just me and Jesus and it was quite a ride let me tell ya! I listened to Beth Moore’s talk from the Passion 05 conference. She is so anointed wow… so passionate to know Jesus more, never settling, never ceasing to find joy and amazement in Father. A few things pierced my heart and will remain with me forever; it pierced the first time I heard it last January during the actual talk and it was so good to find encouragement in her words the Lord was speaking thru her yesterday in my car ride again.

“May my “public” zeal for Christ never exceed my zeal for Christ in private, in my closet, in the darkness, closed up in my room….private. Another way she put it, “My fake, Jesus Bravo”. So easy to come to encounter and get caught up in the “flow/sway” of worship, find your self hidden in the midst of the 800+ students? Then you have this “public zeal” of Christ but your left empty in private a fruitless life. Wow, such a perspective giving concept.

So, that was my car ride (with no wrong turns, no getting lost! yay) just Jesus, heavy in the car… Spurred me on in never settling for less then the power of the cross… its promise and its atoning magnificence…renewed my mind to the things of Heaven and its holy dweller, always guarding my thoughts with the shield of faith and the sword of truth, as to extinguish the devil’s fiery darts. That I might be empowered, upon the day my life here is over standing before my Lord, laying the extinguished darts at his feet, and proclaim… “There is my God for whom I trusted and loved!”

Burdened for these kids to experience the living God in the midst of worship in spirit and truth, the Lord was so faithful to answer our prayerful cries before we began the worship set each nite. Comfort zones were broken and stepped out of, freedom, love and joy was experienced. I pray that they continue to press into Jesus for in Him is unfailing love and empowerment that will cause this broken world to kneel to one Holy Creator God.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

“I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death.”

C.S Lewis

Amazed,
ZEB

Smart people needed...

2006-02-15T10:34:00.000-06:00

For one reason or another, im trying to attain a deeper understanding of "santification" your thoughts...?

The Son Superior To the Angels

2006-02-14T09:46:00.000-06:00

In small groups last nite we discussed our purpose in life... ultimately we came to the conclusion that we are to live daily for the Glory of Father and then reflect it the best we humanly can in our lives. Hebrews 1. 2-4 describes what glory is defined as.. it basically states its Jesus, its His radiant face and presence seated at the right hand of the Father!

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs"
"... therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Awake each morning claiming, yearning to find ultimate Joy in Him... for if this fails... you will seek fulfillment from the world, from friend's acceptance, that boyfriend or girlfriend's love, self seeking love... this fails everytime because its something that only an eternal something can fulfill. Find joy in the face of Christ, the source of Glory so that you can reflect in its totality and in humbleness!

Amazed,
ZEB

Luv Dat Community and Feb 6!

2006-02-08T14:06:00.000-06:00

Thank you so much to all who thought of me on the b-day! I love the fact that as i was logging into my email i got a warning msg. saying i must delete some of my facebook notifications because my MB limit was reached and the mailbox was full! Yes, i know its sad we (i) get so much joy out of the addicting website that is facebook especially on birthdays... practically consumes my life (and just now, after typing that crazy little story i've be convicted to cut my number of "facebook logins" to 5 per day!) haha...

Seriously, i love you all and i wouldn't be able to get through the stress and hardtimes that college brings if it weren't for you guys! The Lord has truly blessed me with amazing community here at AU and i am so thankful...wow. The Lord is so good.

So community groups happened Monday nite and i love my group o guys. Really looking forward to journeying with them towards Jesus this semester as we discover the depths of Him
(if thats even possible! haha). i love His vastness and the simple fact that we have the opp. to learn new aspects of Father each day only to realize there's still more!

Community is vital... period.
Growth, encouragement, accountability, joy, knowledge, and love. These are all necessary to us as humans and the Lord creates community for this very reason. He's all about his children and all He asks is for us to be all about Him...His glory, fame, and renown.

-Amazed-

ZEB

"You're in for a Change"

2006-01-25T22:45:00.000-06:00

Tonite, i had the blessing of playing with my boy Chase at his home church in the Gump. Apparently, they have been in need of a bass player so i told him id help out all i could. The pastor apparently really likes the bass (i think he's plays too) and therefore, he likes anyone who is willing to come play bass for his church. After the last song, he introduced me and announced to the entire congregation how happy he was to finally have a bass player! "Praise Jesus!" Followed shortly after (they are very much a talkative/responsive bunch of folk). I was a bit surprised he did the unnecessary announcement/introduction...this was a little awkward for me for two reasons... #1 i don't like the spotlite to be on me at anytime while in a worship setting for any reason, #2 It really caught me off guard! Anyway, he carried on for a few more minutes and i kinda tuned him out (i know, im a horrible person) then, he got serious and i recovered my lost of attention. He said prophetically, "Zach, you are in for a change, the Lord is gonna move inside you and change you!"Now, i know its nothing huge or life altering, but there was a lot of truth in those pastor's words to me. That pretty much sums up the past few weeks of my life since i decided to change my major. Total prospective from the Lord has come upon me in many areas of my life. He's so faithful to reveal Himself in the midst of change or to me, in this case. Just hearing this pastor say those simple words meant soo much to me, filled with encouragement, it was all i could do to thank Father. Thank Him for reminding me that i don't have to have it all together for Him to work in and through me for His good purpose! He's so quick to show himself when we least expect it or deserve it. Revealing that He is the author and giver of my life... of our lives and He will see to it that His good and perfect plan is carried out until completion in each of our lives. Father, i love that You are bigger than a time span, bigger than our hopes and dreams, bigger than our futures, bigger than our sin that so easily entangles us, thankful that You hold the scissors to cut us out of the mess we make in the entanglement (ha!). May You only continue to fascinate us. Will you keep in us a fearful reverence of our salvation... may we never get "tired" or comfortable with this person called Jesus. Risk and faith & love be the words in our hearts.

-Amazed-
ZEB

Holy Ambition...

2006-01-20T00:08:00.000-06:00

Father, you never cease to amaze me... im still processing everything you did tonite in me and in the encounter community and its real late. I've weighed the options, counted the costs and its boils down to enternal life full of unending Worship. Holy Ambition, that's what i kept on hearing then only to speak it out repeatedly as the band played their last few songs. You are giving me incredible perspective since this whole major change has gone down. PreVet to Mass Communications was huge a change... yet, im so thankful that You are unchanging and You knew right where You were taking me... You are in hard pursuit of my fresh and a little sad outlook on life, finally away from the stressful sciences courses. School is now manageable and an easier source of joy for me... because of this change, you have allowed me to see deeper into your vastness and simply say "Yes" to You. "Yes" to your call to understand this phrase "Holy Ambition," Your heart for the nations is the source of this heavenly call on my life. You are jealous for your glory and worship, none other can share in it or steal it from You.. "One day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." This "holy ambition" You are calling me to... us as the Encounter community, us as the body of Christ... anyone who calls you Savior is such a complexly simple lifegoal. If our heart's long to see your Renown and Salvation worldwide, if we wake with this desire every morning and choose to say "Yes" to You, our lives radically become bigger than ourselves... basically; Zach, the Encounter community, Christians round the world, loose themselves in a "Holy Ambition" that is totally and undeniably selfless. The unreachable are reached, the unpreachable are preached to, the closed nations suddenly proclaim the eternal goodness of Christ! Our sin some how loses its power and we finally understand that it has already TRULY been defeated and paid for. Lots of Jesus and a heart that screams for Him has little room to allow sin and/or the Devil to play. A perspective for the Nations... the source for this perspective - Jesus, the one that can prepare and equip you to carry out this perspective - Jesus. Do you see it? Do you want to see it? Christ's ministry was all about people and loving them selflessly, whose foreign hearts does the Lord what you to love and be burdened for?

"Here am i send me!"

Saying "Yes" and searching for more "Holy Ambition,"

-ZEB-

I AM

2006-01-06T12:28:00.000-06:00

And what does this great I AM say of Himself? He says to you and me: "i am the way, the truth, and i am the life. i am resurrection and the life. i am Savior. i am Jesus- the solution, the restorer, the builder, the answer, the Wise One, the Coming One, the Mighty One. i am the Lord and there is no other. i am God and there is none besides Me. i am the First and the Last. i am alpha and omega. i am the Beginning and the End. i am the Lord, that is my name, and i will not give My glory to another, or any of My praise to idols. I AM THAT I AM, and that is My name- My memorial name to every generation."

-Louie G-

Blessings,

-Melissa Benson Becoming Melissa Mayfield-

2005-12-21T17:58:00.000-06:00

Its quite hard to describe the events of my sister's wedding mainly because it was an emotional blur that had soo much planning involved yet it only lasted about 45 minutes (not including the reception party!). I get finished with finals and drive home on Wed. only to be greeted by a house full of crazy Bensons with a Zach To-Do list! I don't think i stopped from the moment i got home until the wedding was over. Nonetheless, my sister was an AMAZINGLY beautiful bride with a beautiful wedding! Funny story...at the rehersal dinner me, being the brother of the bride of course, had to say something and i had no problem with this. Its a brother's joy and honor to bless his sister and soon to be brother in law the nite before the wedding with a few loving words right? i honestly don't even get nervous talking in front of large groups so i was good to go right off the cuff (big mistake!). Yeah, all that went out the door, after the first few words of my little spill. After welling up with emotion and tears of joy upon looking at my sister all grown up and full of smiles, i lost it! Haha, i first introduced myself as "Melissa, Melissa's younger brother," yeah, i know real smooth, but i covered that one up ok. So the tears continued and i finally reached a stopping point and said all my heart wanted to say only to call Brandon (sis's soon to be hubby) in closing, the best son in law i could ask for! haha, real smooth Zach, real smooth. Maybe my public speakin class will pay off next semester, i need it! Like i said the wedding was perfect and everyone got through it with minimal tears. Poor dad, i never seen him cry soo much in my life! I can only imagine how hard it would be to give away my daughter if i have one.... man!

We had an amazing prayer time in the bridemaid's room before, wow, soo special and i am soo glad i got to pray over my sis on her special day! I couldn't be happier for Brandon and Mel and i can't wait to see what the Lord is gonna do in and thru them as a couple. Yeah, be jealous, they are coming back this Friday to Macon with nice tans... and its December, not fair!

-PS-
If you didn't realize, this Blog's title is a link to a few of my sister's wedding pics by the photographer we used, it should be updated every few days the little code thingy is benson1150 ...Check it out!

-Blessings and Happy Holidays!-

-The Color Red & Anthony Skinner-

2005-12-09T17:45:00.000-06:00

Mr. Skinner and Jason Upton are pretty much on the most played list of zach's ipod and itunes! I love it when you've heard a song numerous times and yeah, you love it and could listen to it over and over again and then, on that 2000th time, something just unfolds from the words and you are floored with the presence of the Lord. Let me share...
I was in Taylor's the other nite and i was listening to Anthony Skinner's song titled Come, like i said, i've heard it tons yet somthing jumped out at me in the lyrics... maybe its just me but i thought this concept was pretty amazing and once again, proved the GREATNESS of the One we serve and attempt to model our lives after. The song basically conveyed the fact that before Jesus' cruxification and before you and i, God in all his knowledge, wisdom, and majesty created the color red! Yeah, that was it, don't miss it! Think about that. Before we were saved by grace and faith before creation, God in his creativity and love, invisioned His beloved Son, the risen lamb's death on the cross. Such a powerful moment, an eternal life giving moment for all who would call Him savior and friend. God knew the color of his Son's blood that would be shed that day before time!

Nothing But the Blood

Your blood speaks a better word

Than all the empty claims

I've heard upon this earth

Speaks righteousness for me

And stands in my defense Jesus it's Your blood

[Chorus] What can wash away our sins?

What can make us whole again?

Nothing but the blood

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can wash us pure as snow?

Welcomed as the friends of God

Nothing but Your blood

Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace

Tells of the Father's heart to make a way for us

Now boldly we approach

Not by earthly confidence

It's only Your blood

-M. Redman

Lord, we thank you for the blood...

-Be Blessed-
ZEB

-"Thank God" Thoughts...-

2005-12-07T13:39:00.000-06:00

I was walking down the large slab of concrete/brick that is the Haley Center concourse and over heard some girl say with exasperation as she spoke about school, "Thank God I'm done with History forever!" At first, i thought nothing of this comment, and then because i was about to move on in my minds thought processes, i thought about her comment more intentionally. "Thank God..." This made me smile as i thought about it in a new light/ perspective. So easily we say those words too many times without thinking twice, some people say it thinking nothing of God... a habit maybe. Yet, to a believer or anyone who thinks about that comment a second time after it comes out of their mouth, it proves that no matter what, our Savior is who He is because before time, before you and i, He existed and exists to be lifted up and praised above everything else! That statement proves His supremacy over all and we don't even know what we are stating sometimes... Believer or non believer "Thank God" = the undeniable fact that we should exists only to lift up and acknowledge His greatness and mercy in our lives!

This may have gotten a little confusing.. it sounded better in my head... we'll do lunch over it!

-Be Blessed-

God says to you, "I love you, and I am with you, I want o see you come closer to me and experience the joy and peace of my presence. I want to give you a new heart and a new spirit. I want you to speak with my mouth, see with my eyes, hear with my ears, touch with my hands. All that is mine is yours. Just trust me and let me be your God." - The Inner Voice of Love by: Henri Nouwen

-Mr. Sam-

2005-12-04T21:24:00.000-06:00

This is Keri Anne. I am speaking on behalf of Sam the dog. I must say that I am the coolest dog out there. I do many cool tricks and I love to dance and give big smooches. Love me!

-Random... Any ol Wednesday but can't Complain-

2005-11-30T21:27:00.000-06:00

So i found a little encouragement for the firs time ever in my Organic Chem class... my professor said that if we make an "A" on the final we get an "A" in the class... pretty sweet deal if you ask me, and especially if you are failing as i am! So the day started off well. After class i headed to the gump to help the all too soon to be bride that is my sister move all her stuff out of her apt in preparation for her next move in with future brother-in-law bmay on Dec. 17,2005!

-Turkey Day-

2005-11-24T21:53:00.000-06:00

I've realized the older you get the more awkward it can be to be around family. Don't get me wrong, me and my relatives are very close and we have great relationships with eachother and have way too much fun together. I love em dearly! It just seems that the older i've gotten, i've just gotten a new prospective on things and its actually a little frustrating. I'll try to explain...
My explanation beings upon our arrival to my dad's sister's house in albany on Wed. afternoon. Hugs are given, food is munched on, dinner is eaten, the usual you know... yeah we had fun but it just all seems so fake to me the older i've gotten, Fake meaning we are just going thru the motions of "family holiday times" you know? Yet for some reason i choose to be fake also in a way... the casual conversations, playing silly games & watching T.V. The question runs thru my mind... "So, you can talk about Jesus comfortably with friends at school and immediate family but why not your relatives?" Whom i love and care for just as much as my friends and immediate family! Why can't i be intentional with my conversations instead of tuning everyone out and watching t.v. like everyone else is doing so i don't have to talk to anybody? This burden is good but its just a little confusing cause i can't figure out a solution... Any thoughts?

Going to bed... fat and happy,
-Blessings-

- ATL and Turkey Day Beginning -

2005-11-20T23:12:00.000-06:00

I've been behind i know in my postings, sorry (actually, im prob. apologizing to no one, cause nobody bothers to read about me). Nevertheless, i am posting just cause i enjoy it and if others read well, good! Left AU round 11 am to head to the ATL to hang with a friend from home that's in school at Kennesaw. Didn't get lost or ne thing so my trip started off rather well, still over joyed about my Tiger's victory in the Iron Bowl the previous day...WAR EAGLE!

Had a great afternoon, went to the "greasy V" off of 75 and then to both Guitar Centers with wade... what could be better? Hit up some Starbucks and a bit of studying cause my freak of a teacher decides to schedule an exam the Tues. we get back from Turkey holiday... suck! So after doing more talkin/laughin (as we always do!) then we did studyin,our stomachs began to talk so we decided to down some over priced ATL Japanese cuisine! The price was worth it.. best sushi, hot&sour soup, and egg rolls ever! Wade recently bought the "Evening with Shane and Shane" DVD/CD so we watched that and played some shane for oursleves after, fun times with our guitars! Shane and Shane got nothing on Zach and Wade! haha (yeah right).

Well off to play in ATL

-Blessings-

-Finding Joy-

2005-11-09T11:29:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post before i head to class... in the storm that my world is right now, its hard to be content with where He has me... pretty much feels like a desert. I woke up this morning and just claimed that i have nothing to offer but this life He has given me. Moving to the tiger transit bus stop by my apartment, the usual a.m routine, only to be picked up at 8:58 for my 9am class my day was already starting wonderfully, no offense to my little old man bus driver who does not exceed 35 mph ALL the way to the Haley center. Looking out the window frustrated still, the Lord broke me and he challenged me to find JOY in Him in the midst of a morning the devil was winning more or less unknown to me. Total change of perspective fell on me... appreciate each moment he gives and take each moment in stride with our Jesus, its honestly the only way to walk this Christian life, a lot easier said then done but it should be our heart's desire and daily goal.

-Blessings-

-MBY Fal Retreat-

2005-11-06T18:27:00.000-06:00

-MBY Fall Retreat Thoughts-

My home church’s Fall Retreat was this weekend and me and the band got back to together to lead worship for them. So me and my good ole friend Catherine road tripped it for the second week in a row. (And we’re not done yet! Next week we’re headed to Athens for the game… o yeah, get excited! WAR EAGLE). The retreat was at Shocco Springs, same place where the Encounter retreat was… pretty neat, im just glad that I didn’t get lost! (For those of you that know me, im sure you are laughing and for those of you that don’t know me… im pretty much directionally challenged). As we were unloading all the equipment and I walked into the worship room and saw the stage, I realized that I have played at this camp before (didn’t realize it when I was on the Encounter retreat because we were in a bigger room and it was in a totally different part of the camp). So, Zach smiled as memories came flooding back from one of my first MBY worship gig retreat weekends! So much fun… Pierce, P-Diddy, Ant, and Spearman… love you guys!

The turn out for the retreat was a little on the small side but it was still good to see everyone and they didn’t hold anything back in worship Friday nite. Wade’s friend from Kennesaw came with him to play lead… awesome, so glad you came Nate!

The whole time during worship, the Lord was just reminding me that these gifts and talents the Lord has given me and the band are simply gifts and should be held lightly and with gratification… My prayer was… “Lord, remind me of my smallness so I can reflect your greatness in my life to these kids and may they not only worship because You are worthy of all of our praise but because without you we are nothing, may our smallness and your Glorious GRANDNESS be the reason for our worship!”

Got up at 6 a.m. & ran with Ms. Sarah Christianson… what a stud that girl, she was running circles round me and I’m not afraid to admit it! That could be my new favorite time to run… I don’t think my body really realized what it was doing… still too early for it to register to my brain! O, really random… almost killed the entire A T O pledge class from Alabama while in my car...( i know, your thinking “From the University of Alabama? Why did you stop?” Don’t ask, well you can… it’s a pretty funny story!

-Saturday Nite Worship-

Free time was relaxing and we practice for a bit and such an expectation for Saturday nite was sensed… Dinner, prayer time and then the Lord revealed himself in an awesome way through worship and singing. From our heart of hearts with all we knew God to be to us, we began to cry out for HIM to dwell and invade us, show us something new and reveal himself as the creator of the universe, lover of our souls and divine romancer, giver of life, crucified and risen Savior! He is so faithful, as a band the Lord softened our hearts and gave us a sensitivity to the youth’s cries for Jesus, then “All Who Are Thirsty” resounded across the entire camp it felt like, as we sang, “Come Lord Jesus Come over and over again, honestly words cannot describe worship or even our small encounter… Jesus reveals so specifically and lovingly thru music and worship, I hope and pray again the Lord daily reminds me of how lightly, humbly, and sacrificially I should hold my talents and musically ability… if I lose my talent, or it is taken away I would be no different, love God any less and still rejoice in His sovereignty in my life.

Came home and took a glorious two hour nap... and could have kept on sleeping until my 9:00 a.m. class tomorrow! Highschool guys just don't find sleep a necessary part of a retreat weekend, but come to think about neither did i when i was in highschool. Im just getting old!

-Blessings-

-Jason Upton = Blessing-

2005-11-02T23:29:00.000-06:00

How I love You
You are the one
You are the one
How I love You
You are the one for me

I was so lost
You showed the way
'Cause You are the way
And I was so lost
You showed the way to me

I was lied to
But You told the truth
'Cause You are the truth
I was lied to
But You showed the truth to me

Oh God, how I love You
There's longing for You
You're the dream of truth
How I love you

I was dying
You gave me life
'Cause You are the life
I was dying
You gave Your life for me

How I love You
You are the one
God's risen Son
How I love You
You gave Your life for me

Hallelujah
Oh I sing out hallelujah
You are the one for me
Oh I sing out hallelujah

Hallelujah
You are the one
God's risen Son
Hallelujah
You are the one for me

http://www.jasonupton.com/mp3_clips/GRR/Track%2010_GRR.mp3

i have not really given upton's second album "Great River Road" a chance.... been hooked on his "Faith" album which is probably the most worshipful album i own.... really. So i put another of his albums in, "Great River Road" and listen thru it, sooo good but then i got to track # 10 the song written above (either click the link or cut and paste it into a URL strip and listen!) I really had to stop the car and just sit with Jesus. He totally captivated my attention, my heart, and my mind, this beautiful afternoon on Wire Road. Solid truth rings throughout this entire song about Jesus' character and what He has done for us! Before Christ in our lives we were LOST, BELIEVING LIES, BLIND, & DEAD! He took each of these and replaced them with being found, revealing truth, & making us ALIVE in Him...gave us life Eternal...He IS Life. So i ask myself... why do i complicate the simple and essential truth that this song and Jesus offer? Well, let me rephrase that... (the Christian life is impossible) Far too often we choose not to allow His Glory and Spirit to guide us in our weakness/ sin struggles... why? I've heard someone say or i read that, "sin is His children choosing not to see/believe God for all He says He is and promises" - a simple refusal. Claiming my small,self-constructed idols are worthy of higher praise, my life, my career, my financial stability, my instant gratification, my finding satisfaction in dating that certain person, the love he or she offers, the comfort of some earthly someone, or whatever moves the "God intended spotlight" from Him to Zach or whoever, is better then the One who SPOKE the EARTH into existence and hung it in NOTHING. We are imperfect people who must DAILY recognize our relentless need for our Savior's glory, love, peace, and joy to amplified in our lives...without Christ living in us we have not a life worth living.
Lord i pray we... i, can admit smallness the moment i open my eyes tomorrow and each day that u have for me!

-Blessings while being small-

-Death on a Cross-

2005-11-02T10:38:00.000-06:00

A medical doctor provides a physical description:
Thecross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man isquickly thrown backwards with his shoulders againstthe wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression atthe front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, squarewrought iron nail through the wrist deep into thewood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeatsthe action, being careful not to pull the arms tootightly, but to allowsome flex and movement. The cross is then lifted intoplace. The left foot is pressed backward against theright foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, anail is driven through the arch of each, leaving theknees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As heslowly sags down with more weight on the nails in thewrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along thefingers and up the arms to explode in the brain- thenails in the wrists are putting pressure on the mediannerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid thiswretching torment, he places the full weight on thenail through his feet. Again he feels the searingagony of the nail tearing through the nerves betweenthe bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, crampssweep through his muscles, knotting them deeprelentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comesthe inability to push himself upward to breathe. Aircan be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fightsto raise himself in order to get even one smallbreath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungsand in theblood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward toexhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours oflimitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenchingcramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searingpain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as hemoves up and down against rough timber. Then anotheragony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chestas the pericardium slowly fills with serum and beginsto compress the heart. It is now almost over-the lossoftissue fluids has reached a critical level - thecompressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick,sluggish blood into the tissues - the tortured lungsare making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps ofair. He can feel the chill of death creeping throughhis tissues. Finally, he can allow his body to die...All this the Bible records with the simple words, "andthey crucified Him" (Mark 15:24).What wondrous love is this? Many people don't knowthat pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ wentthrough for us...because of the brutality, crucifixionwas given a sentence to only its worst offenders ofthe law. Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be thetypes of people who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus isbeing crucified between two hardened criminals...Whatdid Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he stealanything? The answer as we all know is NO!! Jesus didnothing to deserve this type of death, yet He wentwilling to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we mightbe saved. And there, in between the sinners, was ourslain Savior for our sins. God sent his son Jesus tothis horrible death so that we wouldn't have to.

... Yet we still try to deny Him, worship our own idols, play the leading roll in our story, try to live the life alone that He wants to be glorified in and apart of...

-Blessings-

2005-10-30T21:56:00.000-06:00

-Such A Great Sabboth Was Today!-

Hanging with the fam on Friday nite, AU pulling away with a victory against Ole Miss, Nihon Express Twice today (yes! lunch and dinner, and no, i will never get tired of the best little resturant in the world), the glorious time change, and having a relaxing Sun (as my post's title describes). Side note.. watching Kill Bill Vol. 2, never seen it, very disturbing, AH! Wow, today was amazingly beautiful as has the entire last week! I love this time of year. So neat that we have such a creative creator that gave us something so amazing as Earth to live on.

So, my computerlessness saga still continues and i am still mooching off of christian's fancy smancy new Powerbook he just accquired. Thanks ole buddy for your patience and generosity... that christian calhoun quite possibly the coolest guy ever and a fantabulous roommate... hey Christian, has anyone ever said we look alike? I've been getting that alot lately! (HAAHA)

I promised more thoughts on Rita Springer so here they are...
After dining with the o-so-wise Christopher Lock at Nihon tonite and discussing Ms. Springer, the Lord let me gain just a bit more of His knowledge concerning worship. He asked me how i thought Encounter was on Thursday and i said, "well, different, in an amazing way." "She just seemed so mature in how she led our community, and i have never herd our community praise our Savior with such volume/energy." So the question arose in my head, so why does worship sometimes "feel" better or worse at times? Different with someone "famous" leading like rita springer, chris tomlin, D. crowder, shane or whoever? For me, being a musican and having played in a worship band for some time, its hard not to think and allow worship to feel easier or better when the worship band is talented and every note is correct, every beat is in time, every note sung on pitch. Being brutely honest here, i have to admit! Then right there at Nihon, the Lord reminded me that He cares very little about musical talent and abilities. Incredible lead worshippers such as springer, tomlin, hall, or shane all view their talents/abilities as gifts or blessings the Lord has allowed them to be stewards of and they hold them very lightly to themselves. That is why they are great leaders of His praise. Its a matter of the heart worship is... the Lord is teaching me more and more thru Giglio's little blue book "The Air I breath" about the one thing we are required and priviledged to take part in as believers is Worshiping the Living God. He is a jealous God and He desires our worship, He doesn't need our songs to still be God but he delights SOO much in our worship! Hard to understand that He wants Zach's worship, when at times i don't give Him the time of day and i decided to worship my small gods and idols in my life. Whether it be Rita Springer, Wade Whitehurst, Chris Spearman, Bretty D, or Tomlin, the Lord desires our COMPLETE, ABANDONED, LOUD, JOYOUS praise! Talent matters very little when our hearts focus on who He is to us and nothing else.
Don't know where i was going with all this, kind seems like i'm rambling but take it or leave it... just typed it so im gonna post it sure enough.

"Headed to watch a movie called the back of my eyelids," funny i never get tired of this one! Gotta rest up for my afternoon of driving to Athens tomorrow... yup, im going to Crowder!!!

-Blessings-

2005-10-29T00:37:00.000-05:00

-FriDay Nite In-
Yeah, i know i'm a dork, its like 11pm on a friday and im blogging... its been nice just relaxing after a busy week, but the nite is still young...many social possibilities in AU on a Friday nite when an SEC game is on the following Saturday. My sis and B-May came down tonite and they are crashing at mi casa, very fun!.... slumber party maybe... or is that just a girl thing? So last nite Rita Springer led worship at Encounter and it was UNREAL.... she's such an amazing mature worship leader it was such a blessing to be a part of a great nite of worship... more thoughts later.
For some reason, AU decided to schedule the Ole Miss game at dang 11.30 am... what sense does that make? What college student is up that early? Who wants to be up that early? Ha, well with that said...im going to bed so i can cheer my AU tigers onto victory! WAR EAGLE
-Blessings-

2005-10-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

-Steve Fee-

Strip away the evidence of me Untill Your glory is all there is to see
Lead me Lord onto the altar again
Hide me in the shadow of Your wing Guide me to the place of offering
Lead me Lord onto the altar again

Lead me to the Alar of sacrifice Where I place my heart, my will, my life
Everything before You I lay down All of my trophies and my crowns
Lead me Lord onto the Altar again

Purify my heart, consume my will Burn in me a passion deeper still
Lead me Lord onto the altar again All of me surrendered to Your ways
All for You and only for Your fame Lead me Lord onto the altar again
-Words by Steve Fee-

Yesterday was stressful for many reasons, i guess between studying for my Econ Test, life and my possible major change decision, it was just rough! So after studying all afternoon at Toomer's Coffee... (O, and by the way, i experienced my first blended Vanilla Chai... amazing it was! Thank you Mel and Krisan for intriuging my taste buds to try it, wish you could have been there to experience it!) i get home to take a study break and decide to play a little guitar and just have some Jesus time, quiet my heart and mind just for a bit. "Altar" by Steve is one of my favorites and as i was playing along with it blaring over my stereo the Lord just broke me, the words are amazing! This "coming to the altar" he talks about, is a daily activity... "strip away the evidence of me, dying to myself, coming to the end of Zach and allowing Zach to be an offering for His GLORY to shine thru! So, in the midst of my stress and frustration i heard, "Zach let it go and allow me to take that frustration and stress, lay it on the altar, and find rest and joy in ME!" Consume my will Burn and in me a passion deeper still, so broken i positioned myself to do the only thing i was created for the only thing WE are created for ... WORSHIP. In the midst of my storm, He ALWAYS calms the huge waves of life.

So on a lighter note, my laptop's AC power cable problems continue and today, sadly, my AC cable sparked and after a mini fire in Foy, saw its last bit of current run through its little wires... Ha, kinda funny yet i am now computerless until my new cable comes in from HP. Hopefully withdrawls will be minimal but it is very hard to sit in the Foy student computer lab and make this post... just not the same! At least i remembered my pass word and username this time. Well off to class!

-Blessings-

2005-10-21T22:20:00.000-05:00

-MacTown Thoughts-

Well back in MacTown and loving being home. Mom and i had such a fun nite, sushi and great hang out time. The Lord is so good! i love how the Lord creates some kind of anticipation in my heart each home coming. This weekend, i am looking so forward to some much needed fellowship with my boys and getting to hear and share what the Lord is doing in each of our lives! Wow, very funny… so our house in Macon doesn’t have a wireless router and it drives me up the wall! And i think my dad has the first laptop ever made…yup the original, so this obviously wasn’t acceptable! That’s pretty sad i know, im so spoiled in AU, u can get a signal just about anywhere u are, ha! So i took my “must have internet connection freak self” to my favorite little coffee shop on the ZBL and now I’m sipping on quite possibly the best drink ever… (Jericho Slide) & let me tell u, espresso was made famous because of this drink! Amazing, yeah I’ll be wired for a few! So the posts continues...
Strangely i feel like i’m in high school all over again, surrounded by loud teens that just got out of there prospective high school’s football games shortly to be followed by a late nite Waffle House run… wow those were the days and i feel really old, did i just refer to that group as teens? Wow, and i was just one like what? 3yrs ago? Ha, good times High School was!
Some how every time i come home my animals have gained MORE weight... mom and i had a talk needless to say, funny the dogs never gained any weight when i was the primary feeder!

Yeah, so i had a ride along on the way home and lets just say i've know her long enough to know where she lives. (Mind u she has moved a few times) So i was on the way to drop her off & my directionally challenged self ran right slap past her house she got mad and i tried to play it off all cool then bursts of laughter followed! O Catherine, good times! Promise never to forget your place of residence again... i learned my lesson!

May i never be ceased to be amazed by my preciuos Lord, thats my prayer... as mom and i were talkin & just catching up, questions and amazement just filled my mind and heart with the depth of who He is to me and how He is intenionally specific to each of our hearts! The way mom and dad see & respond to the Lord is totally different then how i may see and view Him. So neat!
Well just got the call, going to hang with the boys!

-blessings-

2005-10-19T23:36:00.000-05:00

ok this was too good not to post.. i consider Panda Chinese restaurant fortune cookies the voice of truth and reason (well not really) My fortune cookie statments are ALWAYS amazing, from there, gaaa! I so badly want to meet that little china man who sits at his typewriter all day just so zach can get his daily dose of direction (HA!)

get excited....

"Your future is as boundless as the lofty heaven"

See? There ya go, God's got me and he always proves Himself faithful even in those little ways such as a Panda Chinese Restaurant Fortune Cookie! Who says the Lord doesn't have a sense of Humor?

Going to sleep happy and full...
-Blessings-

2005-10-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

Well my afternoon turned out better than my morning so that's a good thing. Bad thing is i think i might be posting a bit too often throughout the day and in the future! O well, whats new? Zach's easily entertained and easily addicted to things like this blog site. So, a very productive afternoon.. saw some special that made me smile. Sweet krisan let me barrow her laptop cause mine is what u call broke! Yup right on the spot it just died! Somethings wrong with the power jack or source or something.. so i call up HP and i get a tech on the phone who can hardly speak the english language, this fact amuses me to the fullest extent.. How the heck are u supposed to get help with a tech prob. if u can't understand the tech's helpful steps! Ha, needless to say a 5 minute convo about my problem turned into bout 30 minutes! All because Zach couldn't understand mr. indian tech man. I really had to have him repeat whatever he said at least twice before i could decifer. ironically he couldn't help me and gave me a number to a HP service center that didn't exist apparently...cause my call never went through to ne one. Wow great customer service.

Never knew how much i depended on my laptop... wanted to get on and post this a while ago but i couldn't remember my password, yeah it was saved on my broke computer! AAHH, so an hour later, here i am on Christian's desktop! Panda for a late night snack made me happy and here i am typing away for however wants to read.

i am proud of my self... as of late, i've become quite the night owl (wink,wink)! Haven't gone to bed before 3 since DFri. (well maybe once) ah, the "business" of school!

-ps-
Mr. Rus Beasley, i owe my genius user nickname to u ole bud!

2005-10-19T13:42:00.000-05:00

Wow... something new to be addicted to, this could be dangerous. Have no clue what i am doing but am interested to see what this blog stuff is all about. Never been one to just sit down and convey my feelings on a computer but here we go... Kinda funny, was checking my "updated friends" portion on my facebook account and was inspired to create this thing ...thanks to Ms. Erin Tumlin and her recently updated profile... Ha!
Today was pretty much crappy, had an O-Chem test that went not as well as i had hoped but o well. Thats the last of my tests for the week and im going home this weekend to see the parental units and get some much need rest so i am excited.
The start of this semester in a nutshell then im going to grab some lunch... In the midst of me trying to play God and make this decision of changing my major from prevet to something else, He has pursued me more then ever! Just finished Giglio's book and was freakin floored! MY life, MY desires, MY wants, MY needs, MY lack of confidence are so insignifcant in HIS story... he cares about them yes but until i realize how small i am and how HUGE and marvelous HE is, i got nothing! Its soo hard yet so neccesary to wake up daily and proclaim my weakness and smallness to Him yet thats all i can do at this point, He is bringing me to the end of myself and I love it.. not easy but so encouraging.
K, stomach is talkin so i better answer.

Be blessed