Love and the Revival of Mr. White

I did get The Beatles album "Love" for Christmas and on a scale of 1 to 10 its an 11. The Beatles would be proud of the job done, I love the transitions and the sound quality is amazing. The only thing wrong is that it is missing "Let it Be" and I wished it had the full versions of "Sgt. Peppers" and "Blackbird" but the album is still amazing none the less. And I revived my Ipod (Mr. White) he was apparently just in a coma but he is back and better than ever. Until next next time, stay classy.

Styles and Genres

I have founds myself having more variety in my music lately. I just bought the new John Legend cd which is amazing and I listen to just more of everything. Which is good, you shouldn't limit yourself to just one style of music listen to it all. But one thing remains certain, The Beatles are the greatest band of all time and I will not argue with you about it. Everything they ever produced was and still is phenominal I am truly hoping Santa brings me "Love" for Christmas.

New Post

It has been forever since blogging on here. Sorry if you check regularly, but I just couldn't bring myself to write a new blog. I just don't know where I would be without my friends because I have been depressed for a while about some things I still don't really want to talk about, but life is good and God is good. I honestly don't understand why certain things have happened, but I trust God and will praise him even when things don't seem to work out for my favor. But since my last blog I have written two songs, "Fall" and "Christmas Song" both are love songs to the same girl, not that she cares. Oh well live and learn I guess. God Bless.

PS-check the songs out purevolume.com/elirhodes and myspace.com/mourningformorgan.

I Don't Know Anymore

I cant seem to finish any songs! I start but never fininsh...I'm experiencing extreme writer's block. But BRAND NEW's new album: "The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me " releases TUESDAY!!!!!! I will be there at Best Buy that morning everyone should buy this cd. And also Check out Rookie of the Year, and Boys Like Girls. They are also good....and still check me out at www.purevolume.com/elirhodes

My Prayer

God in all I do let me give You glory, I can't impress You. I just want to glorify You.

I really want to give You glory, grant me wisdom to see what You want me to see God.

Thats my prayer....also check out purevolume.com/elirhodes and myspace.com/mourningformorgan. Im in the process of writing and recording New STUFF!!! But only time will tell. God Bless

In My Life

I played last weekend @ Familar Grounds. I had a good time. My life has been hectic lately but I enjoy it, kinda wish I had a girl to spend it with. But, I'm guessing it may not be Christ's will for me right now. O well, live and learn I reckon. I can honestly say that God is good though. God is truly good.

PS- Im now on purevolume @ www.purevolume.com/elirhodes check that out and I'm looking for shows, so if you find me one let me know via phone call or @ myspace.com/mourningformorgan.

Familar Grounds

Friday night I'm playing at Familar grounds in downtown Clemson. We play around 9pm please come and support us. I'm pretty excited Im playing my first acoustic gig.

How I Feel About Christ

Break me, Break me.
Use me as You will.
It doesn't matter what I want.
May Your will be done.
May Your will be done.

It's Great to Be Depressed Together

Tonight was like a reunion. Hoyt, John P. Westbrook, and I got to finally hangout again it was awesome. We are all a little older and wiser. We shared of some experiences of our pasts that made us sad. But we were together so that made it all better. Earlier today we went to Mellow Mushroom with the boys and G. That was also a fun time.

I Can't Get You Off My Mind

This time of year I always think about my best friend Danny Craft who died of cancer when I was a freshmen in highschool. I often think of what life would be like if he would have made it through highschool with me. It makes me cry because I still miss him so much. This past weekend for some reason his absence has hit me hard. But God has a purpose for everything and although I definately don't understand how taking Danny gives God more glory I know it was His will and I trust that. I do know if it weren't for Danny's death I wouldn't be as close to Christ as I am now. Because naturally after his death I got depressed, and instead of getting mad at God and running towards sin I tried getting closer to God. I don't regret that decision one bit. So if you have lost a friend or family member don't get mad at God draw closer to Him. I promise you won't regret it.

Shane and Shane

Tonight....Shane and Shane were amazing! Thats all you need to know.

Emo...or at least what am tonight

Everytime I see you I dont know what to say.
I stand and try to catch the breathe you took away.
But sometimes i must say, I want to throw your memory away.
You don't know what you do to me, honestly.
Do you realize how bad this hurts me?
Maybe I'm selfish, maybe im wrong.
If I am so what i don't care, I've loved you all along.

There's my emo moment for the day, although I can honestly say Im excited that God still loves me...even though I screw up so much. There is nothing greater than the love of Christ. No matter how deep the pit is you're in Christ can pull you out. That makes me happy. Although other aspects of life completely and utterly depress me.
God Bless,
Eli

P.S.- If you haven't done so please check www.myspace.com/mourningformorgan its my acoustic project......please!

Downtown always = Awesome

I love going downtown with the boys. Tonight seemed to be a little different, b/c we talked about what it meant to be a Christian. We basically all came to the conclusion that being a Christian is to be like Christ. Jesus was a servant who loved and had compassion for others. We shouldn't just try and follow the "rules." We should show Christ's love through our actions and our love towards others.....well I'm off to bed, God Bless

Something New

So yea I haven't posted in a while. So sorry, I'll try and do better. Well, life has been busy as of late, i finally put up my myspace music page! I'm pretty excited about it. The url is www.myspace.com/mourningformorgan please check it out I would greatly appreciate the support. I went and saw Madison Fair this past friday and as usual they were AMAZING!!!!! I also urge you to check them out. I promise I'll blog more often just be patient.

Falling Back to You

No matter what I say.
No, matter what I do.
They're all just empty promises.
Cause I keep falling.
Falling back to you.

So thats a preview of my new song, and its extremly personal and most likely very emo.

Coheesive Coffeehouse

Lee Mcderment and crew played last night at AU. It was an amazing show from some amazing musicians. If you weren't there you missed a truly awesome experience.

What it's about does not = Me

Life and the world is so much bigger than we are. Why are human beings so egocentric? Life is always about "me", how will this benefit "me"? Jesus did not act like that, Jesus was selfless because he knew God's purpose was so much greater than himself. The fate of the world literally rested on whether or not he did what his father called him to do. Jesus did what God told him to and because he did we enjoy a relationship with him today. If we think as Christians it is all about "me" we are completely missing the point. Jesus was without sin and he was not always doing things for himself, he showed compassion and loved others and so should we. It isn't about us....it is about Christ and making his name famous.

O yea and on a side note if you think for one second Jesus had no choice in whether or not he wanted to die for us he did. Jesus did not die because he had to, he did not get beaten and tortured because he had to and wanted to. Jesus did that out of pure love. Because honestly, did Jesus really have a reason to die for us? (besides he loved us) The only thing we ever did was ruin God's perfect world by bringing sin into it. So the only thing we ever did was mess up, but God loved enough to let his son die for us, and Jesus loved so much that he actually died for us. That is riddiculous grace as Bryan Land would put it. That makes me love Jesus more and more.

college life

so yea college is awesome so far. my roomate is a cool guy too, im looking forward to everything this experience will teach me. more later.

Last Day at the House

Today is my last day at my house I've lived in for the past 15 years of my life. I move in to South Rouse at AU tommorow. It is really bittersweet. I'm starting a new phase of my life and I'm sure this is where God wants me to be. I look forward to new friends and new the education I'm going to get in and out of the classroom. I know it's time to move on and I know God will take care of me. Next time I blog I will be in my new home. Take care and God Bless

The First Weekend of August

Every year on the first weekend of August is the Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame tournament. It is the largest Isshin-Ryu tournament in the nation and possibly the world. I went and fought in it and didn't do as well as I had hoped. But, its not all about me our team did well, and Leon took home the grand championship. But then Sunday Ignite was amazing, 180 middleschoolers were there! How amazing is that 180 kids grades 6-8 in the same room hearing the word of Jesus. The best part is 21 students accepted Christ!!!!! 21!!!! Two of the boys were in my small group. Tonight really jacked me up, God is alive and working. Thank you Jesus for letting me be involved in this.

If I Were A Pirate

Sometimes I wish I were a pirate. Wouldn't that be so cool to sail around shooting cannons, sword fighting, and stealing treasure. It would be awesome I think. This is a very random and useless blog, but I thought you might wanna know that I think being a pirate would rock out loud.

Thoughts for the Day

Being a Christian is not about how "good" you can be, because in essence no one is good. The reason being is we can't even define the word good. Jesus is the only true example of good we have because He was and still is perfect. Being a Jesus lover is all about showing the world the love that Christ showed us. Perry Noble said it best, "Christianity is an outward reflection of an inner connection." This means we show the world through our actions how awesome Christ is. We shouldn't have to tell people the difference Christ has made in us, they should see it. If we as Christians focused more on giving Christ glory with every aspect of life and worked to make the name of Jesus famous we would not screw up as much. It is when we get caught in the trap of not breaking the "rules" and sinning when we mess up.

Hanging Out

It is so much fun hanging out with friends. I always look forward to the weekends to hangout with my friends. About to go do it again, I'm excited tonight is baptism!

Ending of a Chapter The Start of Another.

I was standing in a parking garage around 1:30 this morning with a good friend of mine we were discussing relationships. I told him of my first "love". That girl was the most incredible girl and I was sure God had put her in my life. After she told me we couldn't date anymore I went into a deep state of depression. Then I realized if this isn't who God wants me to be with, then the girl He has for me must be a million times better. It is amazing even how through our lows God can really rock our worlds. Well it's been close to a year since we broke up and I'm just putting to rest my feelings for her, although I still have feelings for her I have moved on and accepted the fact maybe we aren't supposed to be together. And if we are God will make it happen. In my most recent emo song, i put to rest my feelings for her with first verse of the song, so here's the first verse to "From Jumpscenes to Car Crashes"

"Read our eulogy, over this open casket. We don't have to speak, we don't want to be a distraction. Others will see us here and only time will tell. I never sent you those letters I always wanted to mail."

kicked to the curb

I love my life and my family, but as off late i feel as though Ive been kicked to the curb. O well I guess this is growing up. I'm still happy with my life and I still love my family and friends. God said life will have highs and lows, while on this earth life will not be perfect. I guess its time for me climb the hill. The good news is that through all that has been going on God has never left my side. He has been there still revealing his awesome beauty and grace. No matter what happens God makes me happy, I have a joy that cannot be taken.

Downtown Greenville

No matter how many times I go I can always find a way to have fun in downtown Greenville. There is always something exciting to do, especially when you have good friends to hangout with. So find a good group of friends and go downtown.

Orientation

So I'm more stoked than ever to go back to school in the fall. Thursday and today i went to freshmen orientation at AU. I had a blast and met some really cool people. I can't wait to move in, although my class load this semester is crazy.

Another Blog, It May Seem Random, But Thats What I Am

How far do i have to go to please you? I jump through hoops and attempt impossible stunts but you still aren't impressed. Maybe I should give trying, maybe I should try harder still. There is no way to impress the perfect, why do I try still? God, I'm getting back to basics. I just want to totally love you with everything. Nothing I could ever do could replace what Christ did for me. Im such a screw up but through grace I'm free. I'm free to have a relationship with the one true and living God. How amazing is that?

This Past Weekend

So this past weekend was really fun. Lee Mcderment played and was incredible friday night downtown. Saturday went to ATL with Merrit and we went to the Apple Store, one of the most amazing stores on the face of the earth. Then me, Nathan, and Chris went back downtown and had fun. Sunday was fun church was awesome and then ignite was of course amazing. All in All the weekend was really fun and i had a blast.

The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path

The Early November's new triple disc album (The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path) takes you on a musical journey. The Mechanic is harder rock, the mother is lighter and the path is just anything goes. The Mother and the Mechanic each talk about the person whose name is the title. And the path describes their meeting and the path they took and had a child. The entire thing is an excellent piece of music. It is definately worth the money and possibly the best CD of the summer in my opinion. Pick yours up today you wont be disappointed. The Early November will rock your face off.

PS- If you get a chance please see Brand New live, it was the best live show i have ever been to.

Mission Anderson

This week ignite (middleschool youth at NSCC) had a project called Mission Anderson. This project consisted of middlescholers going out and doing volunteer work in various locations such as: Boys and Girls club, Anderson Interfaith Ministries, The Crisis Pregnancy Center and many other places. Being an Ignite worker I was able to help out. It was truly an amazing experience to see these youth kids give up their week and just serve others. Being a servant makes you more like Christ, because Christ was a servant to everyone around Him. Jesus didnt expect to be served, He served others. And this week over 30 ignite kids rolled up there sleeves and got a little dirty to make a huge statement for Christ with their actions. Great Job Ignite! I am honored to work with everyone of you leaders and students.

What the World Will Never Take

The one thing the world can never take away is your salvation. When you are truly saved and enter a relationship with Christ nothing can change the fact that when you die you will spend eternity in heaven with God. No matter how far you stray away from Christ he is always there to greet you with open arms when you come back home to him. Just like in the story of the of the prodical son, this son made his father give him his inheritance early. When he did the son went and blew it all on the world, he got to the point where he was eating with pigs. But when he came back home his father greeted him with open arms, and gave his son more the he had lost in the first place. When we feel like God has abandoned us, he hasnt God is just waiting on you to come home, sometimes it takes you falling flat on your face to realize you cannot do life without God. But God is always there to pick us up when we fall. It's a beautiful thing that a perfect God would love imperfect beings and want to have a relationship with us even when we don' t deserve it. That is why we praise Him.