Matthias Replaces Judas

I listened to this CD the other day and had forgotten that this song was on there. It is amazing. I hope you get something out of it :) Open this in a new tab to listen while you read the lyrics.

Showbread - Matthias Replaces Judas
Album: No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical

It is so that my transgressions have born a withered fruit,
the sun has scorched the rising plants; alas they have no root.
The bleached bones of animals bound by leather strips,
dance through the air with laughter as I wield this wicked whip.

As you did warn me carpenter, this world has weakened my heart,
so easily I disparage, self-seeking the work of my art.
And there you have come to me at the moment I bathe in my sorrow,
so in love with myself, sought after avoiding tomorrow.
Where do you find the love to offer he who betrays you?
And offer to wash my feet as I offer to disobey you.
Your beauty does bereave me, and how my words do fail,
so faithfully and dutifully I award you with betrayal.

The weak and the downtrodden fall on broken legs,
as I walk past a smile I cast, fervor in my stead.
But my bones like plastic do buckle backward now,
I lay in this field by Judas and anticipate the plow.
I cannot be forgiven; my wages will be paid,
for those more lovely and admirable is least among the saved.
And where would I fit Jesus? What place is left for me?
The price of atonement is more than I've found to offer up as my plea.

Jesus my heart is all I have to give to you,
so weak and so unworthy, this simply will not do.
No alabaster jar, no diamond in the rough,
for your body that was broken, how can this be enough?
By me you were abandoned, by me you were betrayed,
yet in your arms and in your heart forever I have stayed.
Your glory illuminates my life, and no darkness will descend,
for you have loved me forever, and your love will never end.

That's my perspective.
Ben Peters

The Fragility of Life

So I almost broke my neck last night. I was at this place called Jumpstreet where they have this huge warehouse pretty much lined wall to wall with the most amazing trampolines ever. You can jump incredibly high and if you’re crazy enough you can even do some pretty cool tricks and flips. Well I am just crazy enough to try a lot of these tricks, most of which I have been able to perform successfully. That is until I decided to try the double back flip.

Double front flips were a piece of cake, and I saw my friend Stephen perform a double back flip so I figured, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Unfortunately I didn’t actually stop and think about the consequences of failing a double back flip (which is strange because I’m normally a “worst case scenario” kind of guy). So I go for it and get through one flip and start the second flip when CRUNCH! I landed right on my head. My neck folded in half and I heard all my back muscles and my spine popping and stretching. My forehead may very well have made contact with my sternum (and that ain’t right!).

I immediately rolled to my feet, which looking back now was probably a stupid idea when I consider what you’re supposed to do when dealing with back and neck injuries, but I digress. Upon standing up there was an immediate throbbing pain that I’m sure will be with me for the next couple days. I started stumbling across the trampolines toward the cafeteria-style tables where I slowly collapsed on one. I knew it must have looked as bad as it felt because I had random people trying to help me and get me ice packs etc. Thankfully my brother was there, firstly to help me out and secondly to make fun of me for failing so hard (he’s not heartless, we’re brothers!).

I tried to make light of the whole situation, because really I am fine (or at least I think I am, haven’t been to the hospital or anything). I told everyone to have a good time and not to worry about me, heck, I even went and jumped for a few more minutes before deciding the pain was too much to handle. The magnitude of what had transpired didn’t fully hit me until today. I could have been paralyzed or killed. My over active imagination immediately created a several alternate realities where I had been killed or paralyzed. The imagery my mind was bombarding me with wasn’t very pleasant to behold. What if I couldn’t walk? What if I still maintained my motor skills but came out of the experience with severe mental trauma or disability? Would everything I’d been chasing after in my life have been for nothing?

But I didn’t die. I’m not paralyzed. God protected me and gave me a newfound appreciation for life. There’s so much to be thankful and appreciative for in life! Thank God for the simple things we take for granted: Color, sight, sound, aromas, air, water, food, dogs, clothes, and technology. Thank God for the things that mean the most to us: Moms, dads, brothers and sisters, acquaintances, best friends, love. I’m going to try to express my appreciation for the people in my life more often from now on, not like that annoyingly cheerful guy that you want to punch in the face, but in a way that makes them feel special and cared for. You all deserve it.

Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal

Red light, can't stop so I spin the wheel

My world goes black before I feel an angel steal me from the

Greedy jaws of death and chance, and pull me in with steady hands

They've given me a second chance, the artist in the ambulance

Thrice – The Artist in the Ambulance

That’s my perspective,

Ben Peters

Second Chances

So I’ve been thinking a lot about life, people and communication recently. Over the past month I have made a couple monumental discoveries: I cannot control most things in my life, and by that I mean that I am really only truly in control of what I do and say, and that you will very rarely get second chances. Revolutionary, I know * insert sarcastic tone here * but it’s true. I grew up as a gamer so any time I would come to a point in a game where I had to make a difficult decision or fight a hard battle, I would always save my game in case I screwed something up, that way I could reload my game and take another wack at it. Unlimited redo’s! I guess growing up is similar in a way. People will make excuses for you and give you several chances until a certain age. “He’s just a kid”, “He doesn’t know any better”, “He’s still learning”.

But when you become an adult, your excuses become very limited. You’re supposed to be figuring out this “life” thing, understand how to be people’s friend and how to communicate with them. But unlike a video game, we don’t get the same second chances in life. We can’t just reload from the save point and try that conversation over again. We can’t hit reset and attempt that battle again. I think this is something that James understood quite well and wrote about in chapter three of his epistle to the twelve tribes.

James 3 he talks about how the tongue is an unruly evil. With it we praise God and curse men. It is such a small part of our bodies, but look at the power it wields! It defiles our whole body and sets ablaze the whole course of nature. It’s really frustrating actually. I don’t struggle with vulgarity or inappropriate speech (at inappropriate times). However, I am a champ at putting my foot in my mouth and doing and saying things that, while having the best intentions, are childish and turn detrimental for me.

I guess I should be thankful though. I’m a big fan of learning from my failures so as not to fail in the same way again. But what makes this possible? I’ll tell you, it’s grace and mercy. They’re the Christian equivalent of a second chance. Just as God showed us mercy and grace in the gift of Christ’s sacrifice, we ought to show each other the same grace and mercy in our relationships and communication. If you know me at all you know I say and do stupid things sometimes, so I’m asking all of you to show me that grace and mercy. Give me that second chance.

Your tongue is a rudder.

It steers the whole ship.

Sends your words past your lips or keeps them safe behind your teeth.

But the wrong words will strand you.

Come off course while you sleep.

Sweep your boat out to sea or dashed to bits on the reef.

Brand New

Play Crack the Sky

That’s my perspective

Ben Peters