Shining Light

I wrote this after coming home from the national Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia, July 2010.  We had the opportunity of singing in front of a crowd of 80,000 people, sharing the stage with Switchfoot.  In 4 songs, Switchfoot inspired me, and this is what came out.

I've stood before thousands and sang aloud

Trying my hardest to please the crowd

I stood on the stage and sung through my song

Then witnessed where I really belong

I watched as they sang before my turn

And I almost missed the Spirit's burn

But memories prod keeps in my heart

What I should have felt from the very start

The purpose for my talents and gifts

And music; it's light, and the hearts that it lifts

I can be a part of the moments that change

When people's lives and minds rearrange

The turning point when they start to be

If I let the Lord do His work through me

Don’t shrink or shy from the shining light

And live each moment as it reaches it's height

The melodies I hear truly have no end

And it's always the same message they send

You have a light, a purpose, a song

Just start to shine and you won't go wrong

You will be led each step of the way

The path is laid out, as clear as day

You can't see more than a few steps ahead

But just keep stepping, you're being led

There's more in store than you can know

All you must do is let your light glow

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First blog ever

Hi.  I'm Tanner.  Normally I'd ask you what your name is and try and find out about you before telling you about myself, but we'll have to go that route another time.  So I'll tell you a little about me.  You'll hear more about all of this, and there will be other things that come up as well.  You'll find that I may not be the most eloquent writer, and my thoughts and opinions may often contradict or be severely flawed.  That's OK.

I'm 23 years old on Thursday.  I'm an eagle scout.  Not sure why that came to my mind first.  I thought of what things through my life have defined who I am, and I recently had a defining weekend at the Boy Scout Jamboree.  The youth program at church, which heavily involved Scouting, shaped a lot of who I am.  Probably what stands out more is performing with Clayton Productions.  Most of what I know, or think I know, about life, myself, and people I learned through experiences and observations during my 8 years as a performer with Clayton.

The perspective from which I look at my experiences and the people around me is deeply rooted in my faith.  I'm LDS, a Mormon, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I'm not on here to preach, but I will from time to time.  Truth is truth, and when you know the truth, it helps everything else to make sense.  With the right truths, you can make sense of anything that happens.  Just don't be afraid to ask.  And don't be afraid to believe.

There's some of the major influences that have made me who I am: an IT guy working for Equinox IT services, a student at BYU looking to major in Media Music, second oldest of 6 siblings, current member of BYU's premier a cappella group VOCAL POINT, homeowner, believer.

Pleasure to meet you.

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