Yesterday went back up to Clarksville for a family reunion. Rarely do I go to C-Vegas. The first family reunion we've had in 12 years. As I traveled back home I couldn't help but think about my life and all I had went through in Clarksville.

I drove past the hospital I was born in, stayed in when I was sick, and the hospital my Mom died in. The memories played in my head like a movie. I was going to a reunion that my Momma wouldn't be at. It still hurts dealing with her loss but it's better now. I have a family of my own. Praise God for my wife, Rachel. And now we have a baby on the way. I ask God to give me the grace and strength and wisdom to be the dad I never had. I love being a husband to her. I remember looking over at Rachel in the truck yesterday thinking about all this. My life and my past. She was asleep. I felt so blessed to have her. I then looked down at her stomach and smiled thinking about our baby. The memorey montage overwhelmed my mind. I drove into Clarksville in a daze thinking about...The life I grew up in, the person I used to be, the drama and screaming, the hurting, the confusion and the crying, the lonlieness. I passed by the person I used to be on the interstate coming into Clarksville. I kept on driving. Because Christ has set me free. I am a new creation in Him. I can not go back to that person anymore. Once you surrender to Jesus, thats it. I don't have to be burdened anymore.

Sigur Ros, Track 1, ( ), whispers reminisently through my speakers.



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My cousin, Paige, sophomore and my sister, Danielle.



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Paige, Danielle, and Taylor (my Aunt's, friend's daughter).



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David, my sister's fiance.



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My cousin, J.T. and his girlfriend, Erica.



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Danielle, David, and Lee.



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The remaining immediate family I have in this picture. My aunt is the one hiding on the right. My Momma, Grandfather, Grandmother, and great-grandparents are all in Heaven.



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Struting off our full bellies. I ate 10 pieces of catfish, 2 helpings of white beans and onions, fries, and 3 glasses of sweet ice tea.



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Me, my sister, Danielle, and my little but much bigger than me, brother, Lee. Clarksville, Tn. October 9, 2005.



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This is my brother, Lee. He's went through so much. My favorite athlete of all time. Can play any sport. Former all state soccor star from Clarksville High. Has played minor league soccor and now coaches 4 traveling soccor teams. One of the most tender-hearted and loving persons i have ever met. How he even has a smile on his face after all we've endured is glory to God. I love my little brother.



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My beautiful little sister, Danielle. She is so talented. One of the smartest people I have ever been around. I'm so proud of her. She has her college degree and a professional job. She'll be married next year. An example of a woman who has been through so much pain and death yet came out on top of it all without a sour spirit. Praise God! I love my little sister.

You are Ephesians.

I took this questionnaire to see what book of the Word I am. I am Ephesians! I'll shake my tail-feather to that!...but in a Holy and interpretive way.

Wednesday night after Diversion Blue Coast Burrito was taken over by about 30-40 middle high and high school people. Here are some scenes from the carnage that ensued.



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Drew showing why he is ghetto fab.



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Micheal and Christian admiring the view of the ocean at Blue Coast.



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In my best PIRATE voice..."A motley crue if I's were ever to gaze upon such a folk!"



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Ami and what appears to be the remnants of a burrito and tortilla chips in Alex's mouth.



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The story behind this pictue is that John was trying to talk on the phone to get some baseball scores. Meanwhile, Ben goes jumping around John like a lunatic squeaking his shoes to annoy John. Mission accomplished. Ben sank John's battleship.

When it's 60 degrees, windy, and raining sideways you stay indoors. Unless, your the Alpha Omega Flag Football Team.

With Lambeau Field-like conditions AO's second game of the season was against "Dem Boyz." Coming of a first game loss to The Shockers (18-7), AO looked to get back to last years form and start it's winning streak. AO's first drive on offense started out dominant. On 4th and short AO elected to go for it and appeared to have the first down. However, the refs disagreed and AO turned the ball over to Dem Boyz.The weather dictated the offense and AO found itself having to rely primarily on the running game. AO's defense which struggled last week found itself in this game and came up huge with deflected passes and made some great flag pulls. This was clearly a different team on defense.

The winning touchdown came in the second half. AO started at their own 20 and played AO style football. Methodically picking apart the defense with roll-out short passes and QB keepers. AO controlled the clock and the ball and marched all the way down to Dem Boyz's 5 yard line. On a roll-out left the AO QB just outran the pursuing defense for the only score of the night. AO went for one point and Chase Larson was the recepient of the point after from an AO QB pass up the middle.

The game ended with the rain increasing and the wind picking up making for nasty field conditions. At just under 2 minutes to go, an AO punt saw Dem Boyz take the ball to AO's 30. Dem Boyz marched down field to AO's 5 yard line. With 10 seconds left in the game Dem Boyz QB through incomplete in the endzone to his receiver with no time on the clock. Ball game! Final score, AO=7, Dem Boyz=0.

After the game AO and Dem Boyz prayed together. Jesus Christ was given the glory and AO prayed that those that didn't know Him would come to know Him. Dem Boyz were thankful for the prayer and AO invited them to Alpha Omega on Wednesday nights.

AO plays next week at 9pm on Field 3 against "As Good as it Gets." A special thank you goes out to John Barron, Ben Yergan, Alex Lewis ("who got their first"), Garret Haynes, Michael Gibelyou, Ami Driver, Olivia Elliot, Stephan Hamby, Robert Lewis, Wes Walters, Trevor Atwood, and Forrest, who stayed out in the rain to support AO!

Last night after the flag football game I went out to eat with Rachel and her girls bible study to Bo-Bo's. Had a blast!



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Me and the girl of my dreams at Bo-Bo's Chinese Restaurant last night.



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Rachel and her junior girls bible study taking an opportunity to pose for a pic!

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Saturday started out slow because I was tired from the Echosflow show the night before. But now it's time to boogie down for Chris's wedding. All you need for a wedding are a bride, groom, mountain dew, a pewter Florida Gator key chain, and some checkered Vans.



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That's Will Smith on the left, my bestfriend in the middle, and what happens when one doesn't believe in combs on the right.



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After the Chris and Emily's wedding Rachel, me and Trevor and Keva Atwood went on a double date to Fire it Up to paint pottery...save the jokes guys. I had a blast. This is Rachel putting the final touches on the plate she painted for "Baby Julio."



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After we painted pottery we went to The Melting Pot for dessert. That chocolate is so good I could bath in it!!!!



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Speaking of chocolate here's Trevor thinking about bathing in chocolate.

Seriously. You need to catch on to what's going on with Echsoflow. To not be at one of their shows is like missing out on bungee jumping off the moon down to earth. What an experience it is to be at a live show. In an age of copycat, cookie cutter music, Echosflow, has made it's own genre. And that genre is honest, passionate, freedom based riffs and lyrics that leaves one pleading for an encore when they leave the stage. It's about time that a group of musicians became serious about honing their energies and spiritual gifts to God's Holy Cause. Be refreshed you who are overun everyday by junk food music.

Listen to 3 songs from their new EP here...
http://www.myspace.com/echosflow

Here are some pictures from last Friday's show.



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This Sunday at 4pm The Diversion Youth Group will scrimmage the Alpha Omega Flag Football Team. The next three Sundays that follow will be real games between the two teams.

Rules of the Flag Football game.

1)Rushers CAN NOT use there hands in pursuing the QB. Likewise, Blockers CAN NOT use thier hands to block for the QB...or their hips and feet. Blockers must have thier arms behind their back. The key is to keep your feet moving.

2) Once the football is caught the receiver must extend the football out in front of himself. Tucking the football is illegal as it is considered flag guarding. Flag guarding is where you place the football and/or your arms beside your flag to prohibit a defender from pulling your flag. Again, this is bad. Don't do it. Illegal it is, says, Yoda.

3)You can rush the QB as many times as you want. There are no "5 Mississippi's."

4) There is NO TACKLING, PUSHING, OR SHOVING. Any such offense will be dealt with swiftly by a very disenchanted and peeved, Clint Nadeau.

5) Bad attittudes and cry babying will not be allowed. Leave them at home with any alcoholic beverages and tobacco products you might indulge in...you better not be using that poo-poo tasting stuff!

6) In the event of a punt situation. The team that is punting can not move while the punter is punting. Any movement will result in a penalty. The punter must stand behind the line of guys on his team.

6)The Diversion Youth group team will play all members of their team. Any one who comes to play will play.

7) Read Rule 5 again...because I know somebody will not follow it.

8) You can use motion plays, reverses, hand-offs, laterals, and pitches to move your offense. No forward laterals. The QB can rush as many times as he wants.

9)Once the ball touches the ground in any situation it is DEAD. There are no fumbles.

10) We will play until the sunlight runs out or Jesus comes back.

11)Above all else, representing Jesus is why we are playing. For 3 months now Guys Rec. has been designed to help you guys have a Christ-like attitiude as you play sports. Sunday will show who "got it" and "who didn't." Any demonstration of a poor attitiude will not only be very embarrassing for you and humilating but also a good way to willing wipe Jesus Christ's Name in the sewer. Pray now that everyone will display a Christ-like attitude. Don't be "that guy" thatbreaks this rule.

If there are any questions ask me Sunday mornning. May I suggest that you who read this from the youth group to pick a captin. The captin will call the plays and keep the order of the team. Remember ENCOURAGEMENT is the name of the game and the best play to call every time. Feel free to invite your parents. No pets please because doggie ka-ka on the bottom of cleats does compliment the carpet in my apartment...Plus, it smells like...well, dog stuff. And we all hate the smell of that!

I'm excited to play Sunday. Our team needs the practice because we are a little rusty. Have an awesome weekend and see y'all at Chris's wedding.

Fighting the Good Fight of Faith,

Clint

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NASHVILLE/MURFREESBORO FANS don't forget about our show this Friday, Sept. 30th, at Rocketown on 6th Ave. in Nashville! The show starts at 8:00 PM! Five bucks for four bands...not a bad deal!

An even better deal...THE FIRST TEN PEOPLE TO PRESENT THIS TICKET (http://www.echosflow.com/refundticket.jpg) AT OUR MERCH TABLE DURING THE SHOW WILL GET A $5 REFUND for the door cost!

Here's how it works:

1)Print your ticket (and one for your friend, of course)
http://www.echosflow.com/refundticket.jpg

2)Pay $5 when you arrive at Rocketown this friday to get in.

3)Bring your ticket to our merch table and we will hand you $5 bill if you are one of the first 10 people to do this!

While we're on the topic of good deals, right now we are running a special on our black logo t-shirts - THEY'RE ONLY $8! Go to our merch page (http://www.echosflow.com/merch.html) to order one now!

Hope to see you guys Friday! You guys rock!

-John C.
echosflow.com

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AO Flag Football returns to action this Thursday at 9pm at the MTSU Intramural Field. Last year, AO saw there season come to a dramatic end in a 19-18 loss in the Intramural Championship game. It was also AO's only loss of the year.

This years team is ready to play but more hungry to go out and be lights for Christ. This year's team returns James Alfonso, Daniel Patterson, Chase Larson, Ben Brown, Colonel Robbins, Scott Maxwell, and Clint Nadeau. Coming over to Join AO from last years AO Team 2 team are Micheal Nick, Andy Nick, Brent ???, and Rob McCloskey.

Please pray for the team and for us by name. Pray that God would use us to show Christ to our opposing team, the refs, the fans that come out for both teams, and that we would be encouraging of each other.

Come out this Thursday night at 9pm at the MTSU Intramural Field to show your support for the AO Men's Flag Football Team. A great opportunity to hangout with friends (also known as "fellowship") and make new relationships with people not in your Christian bubble.

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31

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For those of you who were at Diversion Wednesday night I want your feedback on how you think the student speakers did.

Question: What did you think about the student messages? What did God teach you? Would you like to have another student led speaking night soon? Tell me what you think.

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The Promise
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paridise of God...He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. (Revelation 2:7,21:7)

The How
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through FAITH conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. (Hebrews 11:32:35, capitalization of faith done by me)

Point
We are promised by God victory if we become overcomers of the world...life, circumstances, trials, doubt, fear, sin, etc. Why isn't victory something we're experience? Obedience and faith. We acheive victory by lovingly being obedient to what God is calling us to do. As we act in faith what He is calling us to do are spiritual confidence increases. May we become a people with an unmoveable faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

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Those that are bound know not what it is to be free. The tragedy are those people that have been set free but continue to put the chains back on.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

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Go GATORS!!! Beat ut!!!!!!

Friday night Rachel and I went on a date to Red Lobster (cue music: For the seafood lover in you).

It was a fun night filled with me being constantly reminded by my wife to, "act my age." It was really quite enjoyable. Just to get a rise out of Rachel I would make random noises that would sometimes attract the attention of our nearby neighbors at other tables. What a rush! Eventually my beautiful wife gave in and preformed some rather comical noises herself. Oh! And I ate well over 100 shrimp.

You can take the Nadeau's to Red Lobster but you can...
still take the Nadeau's to Red Lobster... anytime. We love that place!

On the interstate the LEFT LANE is for faster traffic. The RIGHT LANE is for slower traffic. In the event that you must talk on your cell and drive at the same time please use the RIGHT LANE and NOT the LEFT LANE!

Thank you.

Clintos

What have I learned the past 8 months since being on staff at BABC? What has God been showing me since I've been a Youth Assistant for Chris? Ministry is not resigned for designated nights throughout the week. There were times not too long ago that I treated my walk with Christ as if I was working at a factory. I would clock in my time card on Wednesday nights and clock out as soon as the message was over. I would have three days off until Sunday so I would make like a car out of gas and coast on into Sunday. Going through worship running on fumes. All the while I was a car that needed major engine work. Engine in this case equals HEART. I had a ravaging cancer in my heart that was destroying me. The caner of SELF. Selfishness is to the heart as the Road Runner is to Coyotee. Cue song: "It's not about YOU..." It's NOT about US!!! Calling all know it alls, spoilled rotten punks, comfortable Christians, the harsh speaking, the oblivious, the unaware, the brats, the image consumed, the person that is destraught that they aren't in a relationship, the person that won't let go of past hurts and pains and everyone else (including myself)...It's NOT about US!...YOU...ME...
Then who is it about? J-E-S-U-S. Serving Him 24/7. Loving Him above all else, wanting to please Him more than anyone else (anyone includes YOURSELF), and counting people better than youself. I hate to be cliche but I will anyway...I need to examine my heart everyday. You need to examine your heart everyday. Can we get a MOTIVE CHECK?

Ministry is 24/7. There is no clocking out for the true lover of Jesus Christ. Pray for me because there are times when I want to clock out. Pray against the "ME CANCER" that desolates my heart. Ministry is 24/7. Our Christian friends need us to help them find the way, they need us to be prayer warriors for them and they need to see us putting our faith into action. Our Christian brothers and sisters and the ones' still in darkness need to see us passionate about the King we serve.

Ministry is 24/7. Have you clocked out?

It's been 4 days since we got back from Paint the Town. Already the allure of laziness has matriculated down upon me. Forming a weighty puddle upon my body I, praise Jesus, shook it off yesterday. It's good to be dry. Wiping myself off I write this blog.

What can I report back to you, the reader, of what happened at Paint the Town? I can only tell you of what I experienced. My eyes were my camera and these words are the footage of my account of what God did through others and through me.

God is in control. His hands are on the steering wheel. He is the Commander in General, the President, the Architect, and the Director of ALL directors. This meaning that He is in the process, has been in the process, and will continue to be in the process of rescuing people from sin for His glory. The part that we as a team played to bring about His glory was to tell people what He is and has been and will be up to. Enter my conversation with, Tony. The guy in the picture I'm with below.



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This is Tony and I talking about his life at the Block Party at Paint the Town.

Tony's story is that like many people you might know. Put in the person your thinking off in place of Tony and I'll bet that you've heard of his story before. Tony is from the Bronx. Born and raised. 37 years old and missing freedom in Jesus Christ by 18 inches, that is from his head to his heart. He knows about God, prays, has a roserary, says all the right things but can't say that he puts his life and trust and hope in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. See his father died 5 years ago and at the height of his grief his long time girlfriend and mother of his child decides to leave him along with their baby. Why? Because he, "needed to f****** hurry up and get over his sadness and f***** move on," Tony's girlfriend told him. This is the point where you probably are villianizing his girlfriend. DON'T! Before you read on please pray for her and ask that God would break her of her selfishness and come to know Jesus.

Don't read on until you pray for her.

That situation was 5 years ago. Today Tony is back on his feet. He is living with his Mom and has a job and wants to be there for his son, Tony Jr. (6 years old). He also wants his girlfriend back too. However, she wants Tony back but has another guy on the side who she sees as well. Tony is driven and focused on one thing...to win back his old girlfriend by getting a better job and better car. Thus, showing that he is capable of supporting his son and her. That is a good goal to have. Realistic and obtainable. When I asked Tony about what would happen if doesn't work out the way he wants it to he replied, "It's okay I'll still support my son. If it don't work out then God has other things for me." Tony is your sterotypical tough spirited, resilient New Yorker from the Bronx. His refusal to lay down and be defeated inspired me. Then God led me to ask him this question, "Tony, how do you get that strength, where does it come from?" Tony said, "It's how we was raised as kids. See I'm know lazy ***. My kid won't have no dead *** father for a father." "Tony, do ever get tired of being strong?" I said. "It's hard sometimes, yeah." I then told him about my life and the trials I went through and how Jesus lifted me up and rescued me and that He wanted to do the same for him too. Tony just shook his head to affirm me. I have never wanted anyone to "get it" more than I did for, Tony.
As our conversation closed after about an hour and a half Tony said some things that I will never forget. "Clint, you are different. I never told these things to anyone else before. I don't have any friends to tell the things I told you about. Thanks man for listening to my ****. Means a lot that you a stranger, some guy from Tennessee would want to listen to me a guy from the Bronx about his problems." Praise our King that He gave me the words to speak to Tony. Praise our Father that He gave me the love to listen to, Tony. Before we went our seperate ways Tony hugged me. It was a hug that had within it so much hurt and pain. I felt as if it had been a long time since someone had hugged him before. It was in that moment that it hit me about the seriousness and magnitude of how important it is to show Christ to EVERYONE. You never know when God will place in your path someone who is hurting and needs to receieve a touch from Jesus. I pray that you will be on the lookout for a "Tony" and love on that person as you yield yourself and heart to Jesus (John 3:30, John 15:5). "Make the most of every opportunity" (Col. 4:5) for His glory (1 Cor. 10:30) my friend.

Please pray for Rachel and I and...our little shorty! Rachel has a "bun in the oven!" We're going to be parents!!!! I'm so exciiiiiited!!!!!

If you haven't heard go to cnn.com and find out about the bombings that occured today in London.

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Pre-order the new LP "Hope's last Breath" by Echosflow now! Go to Echosflow's website www.echosflow.com to pre-order your CD! Plus checkout their new t-shirts!

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"...empty handed but alive in Your hands."

So my wife and I along with Trevor and Keva Atwood and little Micah Atwood, Josh and Jessica Miller, Daniel Patterson, James Alfonso, Amber Sutton, Chase Larson, Ben Brown, Brittany Dove, and Jeff Joslin went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee Saturday and returned yesterday around noon. It was a good time to get away and be with friends and relax. On the ajenda was an all time favorite of mine...NOTHING! A little background on the people Rachel and I went with.

I have been going over to Trevor and Keva Atwood's every Thursday night at 6:30 since my first semester here at MTSU (spring 2002). It has provided me a chance to get away from school and stress and hangout with fellow believers. Over the past 3 years there have been as many as 20 people over their house on a Thursday night. Trevor and Keva are incredible people. They give so much of themselves, time, and resources. All the guys that went to G-Burg I have known since I've been here in the' Boro...except for Jeff and I met him this semester. All the guys went to my wedding and we all play AO flag football together. There is a bond that exist between us that most people groupd of friends never find. Why? Because we are brothers in Christ and have experinced the taste of God together, worshiped together, prayed together, cried together, and been there for one another. I would be surrised if I fiond friends like these after I leave MTSU. The girls are amazing. I have also known them since my stay here in Mur-frees-boro. They are godly women who are true testiments of what a "real" women should be about. My wife being at the lead.

We stayed in a cabin just about 3 mintues from the "strip" in G-Vegas. Our cabin was nice. Air conditioned and cable tv just waiting to be used by us! We grilled out chicken, burgers, and dogs...not real dogs...hot dogs...ballpark hotdogs. For entertainment we played mafia, cranium, and phase 10. Speaking of entertainment... we watched Micha's The Wiggle's video tape. I still am lost for words by those 5 dudes dancing around in their respective colored turtle necks. Regretably, I find myself reciting some of the dialouge I heard from The Wiggle's.

Fourth of July 2005 was one not to forget. Friends, jokes, The Life of David Gayle and Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind, seeing more than my fare share of UT fans littering the strip, The italian restaurant we ate at, nightmarish bunny rabbit mascot suits, the intense game of mafia we played, the blair witch house we saw on a trail, and asking a Chick-Fil-A employee if her boss was Christian. Unforgetable.

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I am an obstacle.
A barricade.
Obstructing the Light
Dry and scorched.
A fish out of water gasping for air.

How many times will I ignore?
You bleed for me.
What holds me back?
If I could unwind all there is in my mind could solutions to problems be made?

Watch the clock circle around
Times are different, from when we were all together
It doesn't feel the same.
I move through cement as I reach for Your Book.
I can not read
I can not think
Voices in my head telling me that I'm a fake
Whats wrong with me?
What have I done?
Darkness surrounds me
I close my eyes
My life is Yours
Take and protect me
I'm down on my knees
I need to be rescued
The shadows mock my sincerity.

Just when I couldn't hold on any longer
I felt a hand catch me as I let go
I was pulled out of my doubt and my fears
You said You were waiting for me to let go.

Clint and Rachel's Wedding Video.