A Letter To the Men of For Today

I have been a fan of the Christian Metalcore band For Today for about a year at the point I'm writing this. What they did to Samuel Penner is not only inconvenient to him, it is actually unGodly. Basically, his mother-in-law had a Brain Hemorrhage and he obviously had to fly home to be with his wife and her family. While all this stuff is happening at home, the band calls him and basically kicks him out "because he doesn't follow the Bible the way they do." (He follows the Old Testament) If you want to read Penner's entire statement, you can read it here.

Now onto what I meant this post to be: A letter to the band. I have no idea if they will ever read it but it needs to be written

Dear For Today,

Do you all honestly think what you did to Sam was what God would want you to do? I really have a hard time believing that He would. I was honestly heartbroken reading what Sam wrote. I have been inspired by Mattie's testimony but what does it cost anymore? I'm not accusing you of not being Christians because I don't have the right to do that. But I want you to ask yourselves that. Ask God that. If you were truly men of faith (again, not saying you aren't just making a point), you would have confronted Sam face-to-face after a show. After his mother-in-law is healed if she ever is. You would have prayed with him and honestly prayed if this is the right move You should have loved on him during this time. I lost my grandpa 5 and half years ago and it hurts still. What if I was suddenly abandoned by my best friends? I really don't know but I can honestly tell you I probably wouldn't be here if that happened. You guys were his friends, man. He trusted you. So what he follows the Old Testament and you don't? Get over it. Its not like you guys tour with Christian bands, anyway. I mean, you just got off a tour with Motionless in White. They are probably one of the most Satanic bands out there.

I'm honestly going to find it pretty hard to listen to your music anymore and am actually really close to deleting your music off iTunes and throwing away the shirt I have? Not for revenge, but because it just hurts me that you guys would do this. You guys really need to pray about your hearts and tell God to reveal whats wrong, because on the outside is looks like so much is wrong with you guys and you are losing fans everyday. Fix yourself before you don't have any fans screaming for you at shows. It truly is beginning to be the blind leading the blind to their demise and sadly, you are the blind ones.

In Christ,
Alex Vanderspek

Don't Let Me Be Lonely

Actually, please let me be lonely.

It's not like I'm not lonely enough already.

Lately, I really have felt more and more lonely.

Why, though?

I have a family and a God that loves me. I have an entire Bible Study that loves me.

So why do I feel lonely?

There are literally HUNDREDS of Bible Verses about this very subject.

 I feel like I'm right with God but I have heard if you're lonely, you aren't right with God.

As mentioned in the last post, I do struggle with things that perhaps wouldn't make me right with Him. Could that be it? I don't know.

I'm not the best Christian and I can't say I'm the worst.

The reason that I'm so lonely because so many of my friends are getting engaged or are in committed relationships. Meanwhile, I'm 21 in 4 months and haven't really been on a date and definitely haven't been kissed.

But you know what brings me hope? One day I will go on a date and be kissed and hell, I bet sparks will fly.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

That gives me hope. Who the heck knows if I will ever find a girlfriend? Who knows if I will ever get married? God does.

People tell me "There's someone for everyone." I actually don't believe that. God doesn't plan for everyone to find love. Don't let that get you down. I mean look at Taylor Swift, shes 26 in December and hasn't found  husband and is happy as anyone. 

You can be happy and not in love. I've discovered that in the last 6 months as well as putting my trust in God. Try putting your trust in God. I promise when you do, you won't be able to stop.

I will leave you with this. Actually brought to me courtesy of Stephen Christian, former lead vocalist of Anberlin. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Until next time,

Alex

Food Review: Bacon Ranch Chickstar from Taco Bell

I have been wanting to start doing food reviews on this blog for about a year now and have just never found the time or will to do it haha. But when I had the new Bacon Ranch Chickstar from Taco Bell I knew it was finally time to do this. I don't know how often I will do it, but when I find something I like, I will be sure to let you guys know. So here it goes! My inaugural food review! Enjoy!

When Taco Bell first announced their new line of their version of a Chicken Sandwich which they are calling a "Chickstar." What a Chickstar is is basically their Crunchwraps filled with their new crispy chicken and three choices of sauce (Chipotle, Bacon Ranch or Mango BBQ). Being the bacon lover that I am, I decided to try the Bacon Ranch one. First off, the size is great for the size. It is pretty heavy and just as big as my hand. So from the get-go, I knew this was going to be filling (although I got the meal and gave the taco supreme to my sister). When I say what I am about to say, it does not come lightly at all. This is the best item that I have ever had from Taco Bell (yes, this includes the Beefy Crunch Burrito). In fact, it is the best thing that I have eaten that consists of bacon.

The chicken was well-seasoned which was great of course. I don't know what it has, but the ranch sauce has a nice kick to it that is not too bad (just a spicy as the Sriracha Quesarito). Whenever you get bacon from a fast food joint, its usually really salty, soggy and more than likely not 100% made of bacon. Taco Bell does not fall under this category which is great. Their bacon was hot, real and added a nice extra crunch alongside the chicken. I'm not a big guy on lettuce but it really works here (as it does on most of TB's food). They are different because the lettuce they use is different and almost softer and more fresh, in a way, than other fast food places. The tomato dices add a nice kinda fresh feel to the food.

Overall, the chickstar is great, as you can tell from my review. I give it a 5 out of 5 and recommend it to any bacon or chicken sandwich fan. You will not be disappointed. Well done, Taco Bell, well done.