Life Is Short, Live It Well.

This year, the world has had to say "goodbye" to too many people. But among the famous people that have passed or been murdered, there are hundreds that die everyday but suddenly when a celebrity passes, we care more than we should.

Let me explain this.

On November 12th, 2009, I was in my web design design class when my teacher received a call and I was asked to go down to the office WITH all my belongings. As everyone knows, when you're called down to the office, you immediately think of every bad thing you have done. So I'm walking down there, my heart beating so fast when I walk in and see my mom crying, with my whole family there. Mind you, my mom was SUPPOSED to be on a field trip with my brother, who was also in the office. My first thought was "Oh boy what did I do to make my whole family come to the office?" And then she barely uttered the words "Grandpa Vanderspek is dead." I stood there in shock, as he was given a clean bill of heath a week before and was on the phone with my dad 18 hours before. I didn't know what to think. The whole 45 minute ride down to my other grandparents was just silent. Nobody said anything. That was the first (and last) time I saw my other grandpa cry. He is still alive along with my 2 grandmas. But I was sad. Shocked. Angry. And that's how that story fits in to this post.

6 and a half years later, I'm on Twitter late at night when I see #PrayForChristinaGrimmie trending at number 1. I click on the hashtag only to find out that she was shot. I had the same thought that YouTube comedian Jarrod Alonge tweeted: "Christina Grimmie was shot? Why would anyone shoot Christina Grimmie?" Honestly. Why? She did nothing but show love. 22 years and at the beginning of what was going to be a HUGE music career. I followed the story until the Orlando Police declared her dead via Twitter. Its almost 3 months since that happened and I still can't even as much as think of her without getting emotional.

So thinking of that, I realized something. I was more shocked and more sad at one of my favorite singer's dying than my grandpa. Thinking of that, now I feel guilty. But let me explain why I'm more saddened which sounds horrible but its the truth and honestly not as bad as you think.

First of all, Grimmie is only 5 months older than me. When she was murdered, I was only 2 and a half months from being 22. My grandpa was 71, I believe. I feel even worse that I can't remember. Grimmie's death made me realize. What if in November, after I have been 22 for 3 months, I'm murdered? Her death made me say "Wow, life is short." I almost immediately related it to Switchfoot's song "Live It Well," that released just 3 weeks before her death. She lived her life so well. She loved the Lord and died doing what she loved. Am I doing what I love? Am I living for the Lord? Answer for number 1 is no and number 2 is yes.

I work at Domino's and on the way to work, a couple days after she was murdered, I was talking to my mom. I said something that was shocking to both of us, but very true. I said "Mom, what if someone walked into Domino's today and decided to shoot the place up and I am gone?" That's still a possibility. If that ever does happen, I may not be doing what I love, but I do die a man of God and know that I am going to Heaven. But, let me rethink what I just said. I actually am doing what I love. I'm serving people and making them happy. I even got to have a short conversation about Jesus with a customer the other day. I would die happy.

That is why her death affected me more than my grandpa's.

So as I conclude this post, I want you to ask yourself: "Are you living it well?"

Until Next Time, Alex

I Don't Know About You...

So yesterday was my birthday. I turned 22 and it feels no different. Today actually really sucked. I didn’t really do much and had to work an hour and a half past my scheduled time. Another thing that sucked is that yesterday made me realize how the older you get, the less your birthday means something. It’s always going to mean something but to others they’ll either forget your birthday or have to be reminded by a Facebook notification. It almost makes me depressed to think of it like that. This whole week really hasn't been good and I just prey it gets better. 

No matter what happens, God is in control. But why do I keep taking focus off that. Why is it so hard to keep my eye on that? I struggle so much with being single and things of that nature, as you have heard before if you follow along with my blog. I don't know what to do but just please pray for me. Pray for the world because that is another reason I am and get so down.

Until Next Time, Alex 

Why I Have Decided To Retire (Monday) Messages

Dear everyone,

I come to you today sad to tell you I have decided to no longer do Monday Messages. There were many factors that made my decision. The main one was that it was not making enough impact. That may sound like I am trying to become more famous but it's not. I need people to be changed. I could careless if I am famous. But people need help. This year alone, I have brought 3 people to Jesus. None of those were because of this blog.

Sometimes chapters close. I will still be doing posts on this blog. I feel like the old posts about how my life could work better in helping people. I also felt more comfortable doing those because they weren't "forced," if you will, like Monday Messages. For awhile, I was writing them late at night because I literally had to find something to write about. With the old posts, I just wrote when something happened or I felt inspired.

Now, there are some things I have planned for the blog to make it bigger and better for everyone. I have taken the steps by starting a Facebook page for my blog. There, you will be able to see all the updates as they come. And trust me, there will be a couple big ones in the next few weeks. The link for the page is here.

I thank you for following Monday Messages since November and hope you continue to follow my blog. Thanks!

Until Next Time,
Alex Vanderspek

Top 5 Albums For the 2nd Quarter of 2016 (April, May, June)

5.) Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman

4.) Pierce the Veil - Misadventures

3.) NF - Therapy Session

2.) Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head

1.) The Summer Set - Stories For Monday

What are some of your favorite releases from the past few months?

MONDAY MESSAGES UPDATE: Sorry for the lack of Monday Messages! It has been an extremely busy Summer and have been so inactive. But fear not! Monday Messages will return in just a couple weeks with a (kind of) new name. It will now be called simply "Messages." And you will no longer just find it on Mondays. Some days are busier than others, so in light of that, I will post the weekly Messages on a day that I am less busy. Thanks for all the support everyone who reads!

Until Next Time, Alex

Band Interview: HAWAI (Indie Rock)

Hey Everyone! This is the first of many interviews I hope to do with bands that are on the rise. Hope you enjoy!

You may be sitting on the beach, drinking a Monster and chowing down on some Dorito's Sweet Spicy Chili Chips (if you're like me that is), wondering what music you should put on. Well then look no further! Orange County natives HAWAI just released their debut EP and if you like summer and indie and rock, then they are a band worth checking out. They have already played with Switchfoot a couple times but don't be surprised if you see them opening up for bands like Echosmith or American Authors. I had the chance to email back and forth with the band's keyboardist and ask him a few questions. Warning: You may laugh so hard you cry because that is what I did. Keep reading to find out which band member like skittles on his pizza.

1. Who would you consider your biggest influences?

I think we each have our own personal influences as far as what made each of us pick up an instrument for the first time or what kind of bands or songs we reference when writing, but off the top of my head, I think we can all agree on Radiohead, The War on Drugs, Bob Dylan, Rufus Wainwright, Cass McCombs, etc.

2. Even though you just released the EP, is there any plans for a full length?

Of course we are always writing and gathering ideas for what's next. We're going to tour this EP for as long as we think is appropriate and then get into the studio when we have enough material to make up what will become our first full length record. If I had to guess when that will be I would guess hopefully sometime in the beginning of next year.

3. What are 2 or 3 bands that you would love to tour with?
Hmmm... Arcade Fire would be cool obviously, The War on Drugs seem like cool guys, Mac Demarco would be fun.

4. If you could play any big festival or tour, which one would you choose?

In my opinion Coachella isn't the same as it used to be. It's far more commercial and mainstream than in years past, but at the same time if we played it then we're obviously doing something right. Sasquatch festival in Washington would be cool too.

5. Who is the nerd of the band? Jock? Cheerleader?

Jared is the nerd, just because he's the tech savvy guy. Jake is the jock because he used to be a football superstar, Bumper is the cheerleader because he's the encourager of the group (and often wears mini skirts)

6. What do you plan to do to bring your music to the world?

I guess we just want to play music that feels good to people. Music that will create sentimental moments for periods of time in people's lives. Also music that just makes you happy and you can play it at any time. Vacation, pool party, BBQ, while driving, in the morning, at night, etc etc. I guess that's a pretty cliche answer but that's what we try for.

7. Finally, each of you, what is your favorite pizza topping?

I'm a strictly pepperoni guy but I think the rest of them will eat anything. I know Jacks favorite combo is sausage and red skittles, but not many places will make that for him.

So there you have it! Are you interested yet? Then go ahead and follow the links below to listen to their Working All Night EP. You won't be disappointed.

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/7fkyNdClZ8Wo0iQabhZnTn

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/working-all-night-ep/id1117155235

Go follow all their socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

A Letter To The Family of Christina Grimmie

Dear Grimmie Family,

I cannot imagine the pain you are in right now. As a fan, as I was following the story on Friday night I was full of sadness, anger, and confusion. A life dedicated to spreading love was ended by hate. I want to hate Kevin Loibl so bad and I'm sure you do too but our Lord calls us not to hate anyone. I was depressed so much yesterday to the point that my family and coworkers were saying something and asking me what was wrong. I couldn't stop crying and although I'm better today, I'm still in pain. I never got to meet Christina or see her perform but from what people have said, she was genuine and down to earth. I got excited every Monday to see what her and Adam Levine had cooked up and then Tuesday to vote my limit of 10 times per method. I never thought that when I was talking to my classmate Alison (who just happened to be close with your daughter and sister. She has her phone number and vice versa) just one month ago about Christina that she would be gone. She was a beautiful human being. God wanted her in heaven. These past couple months, I have been dreaming of a musical project I wanted to start called The Worship Collective. What the idea/tagline was was going to be was "Mainstream artists collectively coming together to Worship God." I had several artists I wanted to recruit to be in it. Christina was included in that. I wanted to make an album where these artists were sing both covers of popular worship songs as well as one me and some of the artists wrote. I don't have near the money for that right now but now I just want to put the project to rest. But I feel like I can't. Your daughter was. Wait no, she is amazing. Her voice, her everything. She will continue to be a big inspiration to me as I pursue my music career. What keeps me from going insane is right now she is hand in hand dancing with Jesus and leading heaven's worship team.

Sincerely,
Alex Vanderspek

Monday Messages: Saaaaaame

Have you ever changed anything? Clothes? Jobs? Schools? The list could go on and on and on. If we can really look at it, we probably change SOMETHING at least once a day. So then when we think about God, it's crazy to think that He has never changed the entire time He has been a being which is forever. Just think for a moment. Never ever changing a thing you're entire life. We would eventually get body odor and wouldn't have friends. Crazy to think that I'm about to "preach" to you on one Bible verse but just watch.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Now that's hard to fathom. He never changed about anything. Now I'm sure that doesn't include shoes, clothes, etc. But what they are talking about is His love. His kindness. His mindset. Nothing He did when the earth was created is different than anything He does now. Best of all, He will never change His mind on you.

Some people think they screwed up so bad that Jesus will not love them anymore. They couldn't be more wrong. Jesus will love you no matter what you do. That's not saying go kill someone then ask Him to forgive you. That's saying that you are able to be forgiven. You ever heard the phrase "use it but don't abuse it"? The same goes for Jesus' love. His love is free. No paid sexual sin will ever bring you the joy that Jesus' love can. It'll never change. Keep that in mind as you go about your week.

Until Next Time, Alex