My Red & Blue

Hope Is Here

Nashville’s winter was blessed with a pleasant interruption yesterday.  A slice of spring. A warm glimpse of things to come. The city turned into a bustling world of walking smiles, shorts, and sundresses. Windows were down. Volumes were up. Parks became havens for frisbee throwers and energetic children. 75 and sunny. That weather is the weather of my SOUL. No wonder I’ve always had such an obsession with Southern California. Yesterday boosted my mood…encouraged me…reminded me of the joy that surrounds us…even on the gloomy days.

Here’s my point…

Like cold in the middle of winter, darkness surrounds us. It’s undeniable. Just turn on the nightly news. Sin has permeated the media and our culture. It’s becoming more and more difficult to find light in our society.

But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist…

We just need that one sunny day to remind us that HOPE IS HERE. That good people surround us. That there is reason to be joyful. Sometimes we get caught up in all the darkness and gloom. Sometimes it’s not easy to find the light. But if we seek it out and create light of our own, think about how big of an impact we can have on the hopeless and hurting.

No matter who you are, where you are in life, or what you’re going through…

HOPE IS HERE.

Let me know how you spread the light by tagging @myredandblue and using the hashtag #hopeishere on Twitter. I seriously want to hear your stories.

Much love,

Ben

Ephesians 5:8-14

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said: 

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

“Design Your Own T-Shirt” Contest

Hey everyone! We’re really excited to make our first run of OFFICIAL My Red & Blue merch, and we want YOU to help us design one of the t-shirts! Submit your designs as a comment to this blog post, or tweet a picture of them to @myredandblue. The winner will get their design printed on a bunch of t-shirts, and will get a merch prize pack!!! Sweet, right?!  :)

Submit your designs through February 5th, 2012, and get ready for a bunch of awesome merch coming real soon!

Can’t wait to see all your designs. And remember…

BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN :)

~ Bennnnnnjamin

Official rules:

• All designs must be original and submitted by February 5th, 2012 (11:59 PM CST).
• By submitting your design, you release the rights to the design to My Red & Blue.
• We reserve the right to alter the final winning design.
• There is no compensation for the winners other than what is specified above.

Really Mean It.

I have grown so much in the past week and a half.  My perspective has changed.  It has taken a turn for the better…a turn toward hope and reachable opportunity.  

Two weeks ago, my mind was clouded by a dangerous storm I’d like to call doubt.  If you would have asked me what I plan on doing for a living, I would have quickly told you, “I’m going to be a performing artist and songwriter.”

But honestly, I don’t think I truly meant it.  I wanted to mean it, but I didn’t.  My fear didn’t allow me to believe it with all my heart.

That changed.

Conversations happened…with Godly, inspiring, and successful (not necessarily financially) people.

Realizations happened…by taking the time to evaluate what it really is that drives me, and what it is about life that I love.

Prayer happened…and God cleared my mind of the fear that was blurring my vision.

These three things gave me a confidence that I haven’t felt in a long while.  Now, when someone asks me what I plan on doing for a living, I’ll be able to say, “I’m going to be a performing artist and songwriter.” …and really mean it.

Next time you find yourself amidst a storm of doubt, try these three things:

Talk to someone that inspires you…someone that will encourage you and pray for you.

Make a list of all the things you love in life…and build your plans around them.

Pray…because God knows the desires of your heart, and He wants to help you succeed.

What is it that you are pursuing?  What has helped you overcome your fear and doubt in the past?

Anonymous asked: What's lampcrew?

Lampcrew is basically a group of flipping amazing people. Some of my favorites, in fact.