Underoath!

I finally did it, I got to see an Underoath show live. I heard my first song by the band about 2 years and instantly they were my new favorite band and have remained that to this day. I dig their style. If you know me, you will probably say that I do not look like a hardcore guy. Truth is, I'm probably not. But, I love the music this band puts out. The emotion that you experience while listening is stellar and the the experience of their show is a totally different high.

The show was this past Sunday night at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. It is a older venue that is right in the center of downtown. I was excited about the show, except for in the past every show I've ever been to at Boutwell has been "Smoke It Up City". I was pleased to find out when I got there that it was a smoke free venue now and the police were actually enforcing it. Me and my friend Emily met two friend from my church, Nick and Iralyn, who are big music fans. I was stoked to meet these guys at church one night and find out that we love the same kind of music.

Before the show, I was going to try to be smooth and attempt to get backstage and try to score some points with the particular girl that I was with. In January, I hung out with Aaron Gillespie, the drummer from Underoath, and Kenny Bozich, Aaron's drummer in his band The Almost. While hanging out with these guys I met Graham. Graham works support for Underoath and The Almost. I was hoping that maybe he would remember me and pull some strings and get me and Emily backstage. No luck, but I didn't care. It's always worth a try.

Armor For Sleep took the stage first. I'm not a big fan of these guys. They aren't a terrrible band or anything, I just don't like them. They have one song that talks about how the weather in Heaven isn't perfect when you die. I just think that is lame. My opinion, disagree if you want, I don't really care to debate. They played for about 30 minutes and then Underoath took the stage.

I would describe it as an explosion. From the first beat of the first song it was electric and I basically lost control. I don't know what happened to me. If you know anything about Underoath, you know that they are Christians and I think this is one of the things that attracts me to this band. They do not necessarily pressure anything on you. They just let you know that they live and do everything for Jesus and that is all that matters. A cool moment of the show was when Spencer, the front man for the band, told how he defeated something that almost ripped the band apart. But only with the help from Jesus, everything was saved and they were in Birmingham that night.

That awesome part of the concert was that while these guys were playing. I found myself worshipping Jesus in an amazing, passionate way. I was moved. I looked crazy and I know it, because Emily told me that she had never seen me this way. I apologized, but she didn't care. I was praying on the way and I told God that if I can worship like I did that night at a concert with a bunch of people that probably don't understand what I was experiencing, why am I not that way at "Worship Service"? I should be more comfortable there anyway. A lot of the time while at church, I restrain myself from truly worshipping God the way I want because I am afraid that I will look stupid. And I admit, that is ABSURD. So, I have made up my mind. I am going to worship how I feel and not worry about it. Is that cool with everyone? Good.

Do Work!

Just so you know, the title is a quote from Rob Dyrdek. He's a pro skateboarder and he uses that phrase a lot. I just wanted to use it in a title, because I like it. So...deal!

The last couple of weeks have been action packed. Tons of stuff has gone down in such a short time. I've got a new roommate: Aaron Little. He's this dude from Chattanooga that I became friends with thru my neighbors. I've had members of Coca-Cola North America come to Birmingham to visit my sales territory. As a matter of fact, the President and Chief Operating Officer of the freakin Coca-Cola Company is coming to Birmingham next Friday to tour my area. AMPED about that. It is a huge opportunity for me and I am thrilled to have it.

Getting ready for another snowboarding trip in March. I am going to go riding with some guys from the University of Arkansas. We are going to Winter Park, CO. I cannot wait. It should be a great trip. We are driving from Arkansas to Colorado so that should be interesting and LONG! But you know what they always say, fun never comes without sacrifice. Kinda wish I was flying to Colorado, but I'll get over it.

I've been reading I Thessalonians and I can't get past the first chapter, really verse 3. It says:

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ".

I love the words "produced, prompted, and inspired" in that verse. Faith produces so many things. I think faith is a seed that when planted bears fruit that is out of this world. The possibilities of what faith can do or lead to are endless. I just simply have to have it (faith). The phrase "prompted by love" rocks the planet. I hope everything that I do is motivated by love. I've been shown so much love from the Father and I hope I live my life by that example. Finally, "inspired by hope". Without inspiration I have no desire. Without desire I am without purpose. Without purpose I am dead. My Jesus puts all of that in me. He is my hope and I hope that He is yours.

One Love...
Marshall