Posts (page 2)

I want to be a writer.  It's not just a desire, like "Hey, I want those shoes," or, "Man, that cheeseburger sounds good."  This is a calling.  This is something I want to do, and something I want to do well, better than anyone else, like no one else, for no one else, but for my own satisfaction, and most importantly, to glorify my Creator, my Father, my Best Friend.

It's important to know your calling.  I think it's necessary to be moving closer and closer to your goals in life on a daily basis, whether it be preparing for them or getting out and doing something about it.

Sometimes I get lazy and I'm not doing much to prepare myself and work on my goal as wanting to be a writer, but lately I've been trying to push hard towards my goal.

I love to read, but i have a terrible habit of just forgetting I want to read, and I waste time doing other things. But lately, I've been trying to read.  By reading the books of my favorite authors, and reading books that are considered classics, I can expand my vocabulary, my knowledge on who knows what, and even pick up different methods of writing.

I write as often as inspiration hits me, which is often.  I have NO clue what I want to write about or what are I want to write.  Lately I've been working on a song I wrote for the earthly love of my life :-).  I've ALWAYS wanted to write songs.  I've rarely struggled with inspiration for lyrics, it's always been putting music to it that I've had problems with, but lately I've been pushing through those struggles and coming up with some good stuff, and I KNOW it has to be God inspiring me, because I'm just not that good.

I journal, too.  I journal my quiet times every time I have my quiet time.  I have another journal that I use to write songs and poems in and other literary type things that come to me.  I also have a blog, this vox, which I don't use near as often as I'd like to, which is in part due to my lack of internet at my house.

Anyways, I say all this to point out it's important to be moving towards what you think God has called you to do.  I picked the title of this blog for a couple reasons: 1. It's from one of my new favorite songs, called Sirens by Angels and Airwaves and 2. Sometimes I struggle SO bad to say or write the things I mean.  But a lot of times, when I can't think of a word to say or write, I sit down, grab my pen and paper, or even my laptop, and I just start writing.  Oddly enough, God does something in me and good stuff comes out.

So when you feel like you have no clue what you can be doing to prepare or you feel like no matter what you say or do you're just going to fail, let me offer some advice...just sit down, relax, and DO IT.  Whatever it is you want to do...just do it.  If it's what you're supposed to be doing and what God wants you to do, what's the worst that can happen?  He's going to give you ideas, He's going to help you out, He's going to work out.

Anyways, that's all I've got for now,  I love you guys! God bless.

Zachary S. Low

I love my girlfriend. She is pretty.

I haven't written in a while.  I have no internet at home...STILL...so every time i actually think of something to blog, I'm unavailable to internet, and when I DO have internet I can't think of anything to write, so now I'm just kind of writing to tell everyone how much I love the Christmas season.

During this time of the year is when I think I'm most thankful for everyone and everything I have in my life.

I'm so glad for my parents.  I'm beyond blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and to have had a Christian education like I had.  My parents are two of my biggest heroes and I am constantly asking them for advice.

I'm thankful for my brother and sister.  I may not always show it, but I love them so much and would do anything for them.  They're always there for me, and I'll always be there for them.

I love my friends, old and new.  To those I don't keep in touch with as much as I'd like to, you know my heart, and you know you guys are in my prayers and I love you guys dearly.  I miss my high school class, and I hope you all are doing well, for those I don't see very often, if at all.  To my friends I'm closest with now, I love you guys with all my heart and I'm so glad you're in my life right now, constantly encouraging me and building me up as a person and as a man of God.  I hang out with some of the coolest guys ever, not near as often as I'd like to.  Also, you Master's kids, you've treated me as one of your own, you've made me feel apart of something and allowed me to help when I could, which I love to do.

I love the relationship I'm blessed to have with a Miss Angie Polston.  She's blessed me in ways I didn't think a romantic relationship could do, and she's constantly encouraging me to better myself and draw closer to God, which is NOT a common trait in girls today.  She's a true representation of a woman of God, and because we've kept God between us, not on the outside, our relationship is succeeding and moving forward in ways that neither I nor her could do on our own.  Not too long after I met her, she took a chance, grabbed my hand, and hasn't let go since.  I love her more than she'll ever know.

Take some time this Christmas season to remember what it's all about...God's gift to us through His son.  Bless someone with an encouraging word, don't hold back to tell someone how much they mean to you.  I love you all and hope you guys have an absolutely breathtaking and amazing Christmas.  I love you all.  God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

Revelation 3:16 - "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

I love this verse.  God doesn't want us to be partially in.  He doesn't want us to give SOME of our heart, SOME of our time, SOME of our possessions, SOME of our love.  He wants ALL of us.  Every last bit.  This entire blog pretty much came to me in an idea a week ago in morning prayer, but i've yet to had the real time to write about it so here it is.

I was praying, more listening for God than me talking, and I heard a word was brought to my mind: "Warmth."  It was freezing cold, so it obviously applied, but it's deeper than the physical warmth that we feel when we have 13 layers on and a couple of blankets on top of that.  But God wants us to have warmth in our lives.  We have a fire inside of us.  A fire that started out as a small spark and hopefully is a continuously growing fire.  That fire is the love and grace and mercy that we've been shown by God through his son, Jesus Christ.  The question I have for you is, what are you going to do with that fire?  The title for my blog today is from a song called "The Interview" by AFI, and while I'm sure they have a different meaning as to what I'm applying it to, but what are you going to do with your fire?  Are you going to let the floods of life that come and try to tear you down wash that fire away?  Or are you going to spread your fire?  Fire spreads VERY easy.  This is evident in what's been going on in California the past month or so.  You don't have to go out into the streets, tear your clothes, cry out to God, and preach as hardcore as you know how to to spread your fire.  A smile, an encouraging word, taking the time to have a conversation, taking the time to LISTEN to someone.  Fire spreads easy.  Don't let floods put it out.  Get out there and spread like a forest fire.  Who knows...like in California, your fire might make the news.

Have a great weekend, and a great Thanksgiving break, everyone.  I love you guys.  God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

So in the midst of my post yesterday, in my desperate attempt to try to lighten my own spirit and have a better day, it wasn't but a few days later that I found myself in the middle of the crappiest day I've had in a long time.  I didn't want to be in class, I didn't want to go to work later, my girlfriend's been gone for what seems like forever, and I'm super tired.  Pretty dumb reason to have a bad day right?  Well on my way home, my car makes an exploding noise (no seriously, it was loud) and my dad has come to the conclusion that i blew the head gasket on the car, which JUST happened about 6 months ago, and that it's not even worth fixing the stupid thing anymore.  SO...i'm out of a car...i have barely any money to my name, I'm already in debt to a few people, not to mention the U.S. government, and I spent much of yesterday feeling discouraged and even crying, and pretty much saying over and over this is hopeless...what am i going to do?  Well in the midst of being encouraged by my parents, my wonderful girlfriend, and my friends, I still was extremely sad.  So, I was laying in bed last night, not gonna lie, I was STILL crying, talking to Angie, and then a song which I'm sure you all know, "Only Hope" by Switchfoot comes on my iPod.  I started really thinking about it, and i mean think about it...Jesus really is my ONLY HOPE.

Then this morning on my way to class, I was listening to Switchfoot again, and then their older song "You" comes on.  I started really listening to the words, and I heard this line, my title, "I find peace when I'm confused, I find hope when I'm let down."  What a crazy "coincidence" that I spent much of last night praying for peace and that God just clears things up and gives me options to try to get me out of this mess, and that my life not seem so hopeless.

Anyways, even if you don't feel like it, put a smile on, because if you act like you're happy, before long, you'll just be happy.  So smile, because you never know who you might make smile because of your smile. Angie knows what I mean....God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

I came across this song pretty much on accident.  I'm sitting here once again in the Liberal Arts building at UCO, almost the last place on the face of earth I want to be right now.  I'm not having a great day so far, but things are starting to look up.  Anyways on to my point...

Cause I'm letting go of everything I am
And I'm holding on to everything You are
I'm letting go of everything I once was
I'm all in
I'm fallin' into Your arms again
I'm letting go
I'm letting go

Once again, I'm realizing more and more that this life isn't about me, it's about God, and how great He is, and all the amazing things that He does, not anything that I can try to reach or attain.  I'm seriously just so tired and sick of all the problems life seems to throw at me.  It's way easier to just let go and give it to God, because I'm pretty sure He can do a lot better job taking care of it than me.

Anyways, I hope this can be an encouraging word to at least someone.  Have a great week. God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

So i'm sitting in the middle of a study area in the middle of the Liberal Arts building on the campus of my school, the University of Central Oklahoma, and it's taking A LOT of effort to hold back tears.  This week has been one full of emotional ups and downs, and it's crazy how no matter what it is you're going through God can send you the smallest of things to pick you up when you're sure as crap feeling down......a hug from my parents...that song i love so much, or a new one that totally blows my mind away....friends telling jokes and just messing around to make me laugh...my beautiful girlfriend smiling at me like she does....

There's this new song I absolutely love.  It's called "The Promise" and it's originally done by When in Rome, but Anberlin has it on their newest CD.  The lyrics are just so heartfelt and make me feel like everything is going to be alright.

If you need a friend,
Don't look to a stranger,
You know in the end,
I'll always be there.

And when you're in doubt,
And when you're in danger,
You know what to do,
and I'll be there.

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say,
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be,
But if you'll wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise, I promise you I will.

When your day is through,
and so is your temper,
You know what to do,
I'm gonna always be there.

Sometimes if I shout,
It's not what I intended,
These words just come out,
with no gripe to bear.

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say,
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be,
But if you'll wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me,
I promise, I promise you I will.

This song just makes me think of two situations, two love stories, and they both make me smile super big.

Anyways, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves me, I love you, and hopefully you love me lol.  I John 4:8 - "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

So this is all for now.  Have a fantazmo day/rest of hte week.  God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

So i've been without internet at my house for a little over a week now, and it's definitely affecting my blog posting....

I've got so much i could write down, definitely more than enough for one blog post, so I'm deciding to not write much of anything today, rather, I'll go back to my journal and just transcribe parts of it that I want to write about on to here on another day.

So rather than write about what i've been writing about in my journal, today I'm going to just write a spill about my thoughts on love and relationships (and not just the mushy kinds).

When I was in high school, at the end of the my last football practice ever, the day before my final football game, one of my coaches gave a little talk I guess you could call it to the whole team, mostly to honor us seniors and what not.  One thing he said has stuck with me and will to the day i die (unless i have some sort of memory loss, which in that case, I'd have to go back and read about anything I've ever written about it).  Anyways, the thing he told us was, "Relationships are the single most important thing in your life."  Wow.  It's so simple yet so complex.  Just think about it...break it down...your relationship with God and Jesus defines who you are and ultimately where you're going to spend your eternity.  Next you have your family relationships...your mother and father who raise you...siblings if you have them...other members that may play an important part such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc.  You have your friends...whether they are best friends or casual acquaintances, they all play a part in who you are and who you will one day be.  Then there is that romantic relationship, the closest human relationship you can reach...marriage.  Every relationship in life is important, but they can easily get out of priority.  It's extremely easy to put a girlfriend/boyfriend or a best friend over spending time with God.  But if Jesus truly is your BEST FRIEND, and you have that relationship with Him...why aren't you spending time with Him?  The fact is, you spend time with those you love the most, and you spend time to build relationships.  And what about our relationships with our "neighbors" and "enemies"?  Shouldn't we spend time with them as tough as that sounds?

Anyways, this is just me writing all my thoughts down in no specific order.  Feel free to comment, but please be nice.  God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

Before i jump into this blog post, let me just say I think God speaks to His numerous, diverse children in a number of diverse ways.  I think God utilizes music, especially lyrics, to appeal to me and my desire to one day be a writer.  So with that said....

There's a new song that pretty much the whole song is just full of revelation and inspiration from God.  This morning at prayer, I was feeling tired, which is a no brainer, but in a room full of people for some reason I felt extremely alone.  I didn't feel like praying at all, to be honest, so I was just like, God, talk to me, because you know I'm tired and I don't wanna do the talking this morning.  So i was just standing there and I felt God telling me "Look me in my eyes."  I used to have a problem looking people in their eyes, because I've had a self-esteem problem for quite some time, but my amazing friends and awesome girlfriend have helped me slowly move through it.  But now, looking people in there eyes is very important to me.  I look my parents, elders, anyone over me pretty much, in there eyes as a sign of respect. I look my friends in there eyes, especially when they're talking, to give them my full attention so they know I think what they're saying is important.  I look my girlfriend in her eyes, so she knows I love her and I pay attention to every word she says.  So when God told me to look me in His eyes, I ultimately had no idea what this meant, seeing as how He's not exactly physically right in front of me.  So we sat down and I had this running in my head, then we broke off into our own private prayer time.  I grabbed my iPod and turned on one of my current favorite artists, Mat Kearney, and this song came on, it's called Breathe In, Breathe Out.  The chorus is my title, "Cause there is a light in your eyes, in your eyes."  This blew me away, it just made me realize that in the darkness that this physical earth is truly in, I can look to God, my Heavenly Father, look Him in His eyes, and see that there is hope, that He loves me, and that I'm never alone, He's here with me, and He's always going to be here with me.  There's so much more to this song that I could write about and talk about how God spoke to me through it, but this post is already quite lengthy, so if you care to know the details feel free to ask. For now, I big you all adieu, have an amazing day.  God Bless.

Zachary S. Low

But it's changed my life....

What am I doing here
If you're not with me?
What have I got to live for, if it's just my own dream
Take it back to the beginning, back to the start
When gravity's pulling, you're still holding my heart
You come crashing down
Crashing down

--Crashing Down by Mat Kearney

God's been really using this song to make me think about my life.  I love the idea of questioning "What is the point to life without You, God?"  Think about it....what do we have to live for if we're doing our own thing, not what God wants? Absolutely nothing...If we're trying to live out our own dreams instead of what it is God has for us, we're going to be borderline DEPRESSED.  God's got our heart in His hands, we just have to let Him do what He wants with it.  There's another part in this song where Mat sings, "I want to be there, I want to be where you are."  I love it...being with God is such a peaceful thought.

Also, i was looking back in my quiet time journal, a month earlier on the day it was on, and i was reading over the sermon that Pastor Tony, the pastor at my parents church, had preached on.  He spoke about becoming God's Champion, and preached about David.  One thing he said was, to become a champion you have to follow God's plan, which totally goes along with what im trying to say here.  Also, in reference to David, if you're not willing to fight the lion or the bear (just like David did, protecting his father's sheep), you're not ready to fight the giant (Read I Samuel 17:34-37).  So just a word of encouragement to everyone, let God help you take care of your lions and bears, and then God will definitely use you to dominate your Giants.  Have a great day, God bless.

Zachary S. Low