Thrice, and old friends.

My my my has it been a while since I've blogged! Nevertheless, I've found myself with a heart full of thoughts and limited outlets, so I figured I'd uncover the old blog and give it a whirl.

Upon looking at the date of my last post, I was shocked to see it almost a year ago. My next thought was the sheer awe of how much has happened in the last 365 days. I mean, a book and soap opera could really cover everything, nevermind a little blog post.

Anyway, the past should stay dead, in my opinion. I don't want to make this post a big explanation of where I've been and what I've done. I'd rather make it a celebration of what's to come, and what I'm excited about as of late.

I recently took a trip to Baldwinsville New York, a town outside of Syracuse. That single trip has changed my heart in more ways then even I understand. For the first time in a long time, I really feel God's forgiveness upon me and really living in the love that he has for me. It's wonderful! Let me tell you!

Anyway, I'd like to talk about what happened to me last night, because it just so happened to be one of the best nights of my life.

First, let me tell you a little about my love of a band called Thrice.

When I was 14 years old and just beginning to get into the church life, (see I said "church" which doesn't necessarily denote being "saved" or having a relationship with God. I'd say I was going through the motions.) I heard a song on the radio that I was very fond of. At that time, I wasn't too into underground music or anything that wasn't mainstream. Anyway, the song was just different. The musicality itself was a little mature than even I was used to and the lyrics just spoke to me in a special way, but it was more the feeling I got from it.

I see the parts but not the whole
I study saints and scholars both
No perfect plan unfurls
Do I trust my heart or just my mind
Why is truth so hard to find in this world
Yeah in this world

'Cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
And I won't close my eyes
Till I understand or go blind

That was the first time I heard Thrice. A few months later I won tickets to their concert in West Palm Beach (I lived there at the time) but regrettably, was not able to go. I'm still not quite over that missed opportunity.

Fast forward to about 3 years ago. The show was Pelican/Circa Survive/Thrice. I hadn't listened to Thrice in a long time, but mainly went to the show out of love for CC's latest and most wonderful Cd. After Circa was through (they did great) Thrice graced the stage. Although I had been removed of their music for quite some time, I was in elation and wonder of what was happening in front of me. They were not the same punk-rock band I'd heard in the middle of my teen angst. These men had evolved so much that I could barely recognize them. I was pleasantly pleased and very upset I had to leave the show early. But no matter. They made a fan out of me for life. The first thing I did the next day was pick up Fire & Water, the first 2 cd's out of their "Alchemy Index" collection. Soon after, I attained Air & Earth, and life might as well have been complete.

In the 3 years since then, I've become very fond of Thrice, and consider them one of my favorite bands of all time, if not my favorite. They're more than just some band to me. They've touched my heart. Dustin Kensrue's lyrics are in my soul and have drawn me to tears more times than I can count. He talks to God in his music, and I find God in them.

Last night, Thrice came to St. Petersburg. The unknown bands playing with them and the $30 ticket price didn't thwart me from coming in the least. I was deadset on seeing them, and hauled some friends with me (not too forcibly, they're all pretty big Thrice enthusiasts as well)

Throughout the night, a few situations happened that kind of annoyed me and almost put a damper on my night. I did my best to not let it put any sort of damper on my night, and boy am I glad I did.

The set was absolute perfection. You could close your eyes, and it sounded like you were listening to the album. But that wasn't the great part. There were multiple times where I full on worshipped God in the midst of everything. The Holy Spirit was so thick in there, I don't even know how non-believers didn't feel it. I got so much joy out of hearing the crowd chant "We are the image of the invisible" at the top of their lungs, unbeknownst to who they were giving glory too. It was such a moving hour and 15 minutes. I was driven to tears once...yeah THAT good.

...but even THAT wasn't the great part.

After we exited the building and said goodbyes to some friends, we met Dustin Kensrue in the back parking lot.

I really had to keep my composure.

It wasn't that I was starstruck, because it honestly wasn't like I was meeting someone famous. I was meeting someone that helped mend my heart, helped me see a beautiful perception of who God is, who helped me through some hard times, and he didn't even know it. No clue.

After taking some pictures and talking to him about...whatever it was we were talking about...we prayed for him. There. In the parking lot. With a crown gathered. We prayed for him. I'm in tears just thinking about it. I got to pray and bless someone who has blessed me beyond belief over the years. It was one of the most significant and memorable moments of my life. I wish I could play it over and over again in my head and feel the same things all over again. Dustin Kensrue has such a large sphere of influence, and touches peoples hearts every day. To be able so invest some prayer in someone's life was just...I'm speechless.

It was a wonderful night. With wonderful friends. Old, and new.