Junior Year, Music, and other tid-bits.

Not sure if anyone really reads my blog, but if you do, I thank you. I set up a Twitter account recently and am still at a loss why it is useful. (Follow me @gerryberry4 --that is, if I don't delete it within the next few days :p)
This being my junior year, I have fewer classes, more freedom, but also more responsiblity. I'm working on getting my drivers license (I also recently failed the written test; luckily it only cost 3$...But in my defense, its pretty hard. They like try to trip you up...'What of the following happens when you get a DUI?'...I don't know. I'm 16.)

I'm leading worship for chapel at my school which I am blessed to be able to do, every Wednesday morning at 8:30. I learn more and more about the guitar every time I pick it up. I love its versatility, sound, and the fact that its relatively easy to learn. I think thats why so many people can play.
Now me, one of my loves (and vices, if you will) is just good, solid music. Sure, there's some mindless hip-hop you can rock out to just cruising down I90, but I do believe that there is some seriously decent secular music out there that isn't all about sex and profanity. This is the type of music I prefer (obviously), and have taken a habit of listening to ever since...well, I was raised on it. Stuff like Third Eye Blind, and Toad the Wet Sprocket... music like Creed, Matchbox 20, Spin Doctors, the Beatles (okay, I admit, the Beatles were total druggies) and Queen. But lately, I've been almost... I don't want to use the word "forcing"... but having myself listen to Christian music as much as possible. Those are the kinds of lyrics and messages I want in my heart. So if I catch myself humming a couple bars of Ke$ha's latest song, I change it to a Christian station instead and sing along. Its like I'm able to worship whenever I want. It also helps my choose what songs I want to do for chapel (So I'll say things like "Note to self: I like this...only I'll change the key to G... Chris Tomlin sings too high for me"). If I'm supposed to worship God with my life and my thoughts, I should be putting that into my heart, life, and acting on it.
Its hard to believe the holidays are rolling around again. I see commericals on TV with families in Santa Hats with Christmas music in the background, and I warily say to myself, "didn't we JUST do this?" Summer felt like vapor in the wind this year. I'll be working next summer hopefully and staying busy... I hate being bored over the summer. Still hasn't snowed yet... Not that I'm complaining.
With it being that time of year, I'm also forced to watch more football than I would like. (I have that dumb pre-game Faith Hill song memorized--complete with choreography). But at the Koep house, its just tradition. I am looking forward to all of the school time off, however.
Schoolwork is not overly time consuming this year, as I only have five classes. My two favorite classes would have to be either Rhetoric or Eschatology. (For those of you who don't attend a classical school, I'll define those for you: Rhetoric is the study of persuasive speech and composition, and Eschatology is the study of end times.) I'm currently pulling a GPA of 3.5...but only by the grace of God. To Him be the glory... I could not have done it without Him. Don't ask me how Im able to go top-notch private school, cuz it wasn't me that did it.

So besides playing guitar between long study sessions with my radio and I, these days you'll usually just find me on Facebook, Yahoo!, working on my next theater oppurtunity, painting...or perhaps at the DMV. I need to retake my drivers test. And pass...when God sees fit I'm ready, that is.

Love: The More Excellent Way

So I know this book has been out for a while now, and if you've been inside a Christian book store recently, or you attend a Calvary Chapel church, you've probably heard about it (or read it). I myself aquired it a few weeks ago, and it assisted me greatly in my speech final(ask what my speech was about. No, go ahead, really, guess!)about Love.

This book has seriously changed my life, and I haven't even finished it yet. I know it can change the lives of many as well. Chuck Smith (Pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa)covers several different kinds of love, and goes into detail about God's love for us, our love for God, and love for others. He takes passages from literally everywhere in the Bible,commentating on God's perfect, infathomable, beautiful love,a and that love demonstrated through Jesus Christ. Its not only a great witnessing tool, but an inspiration to go deeper into your walk with God; and to deepen your love for God.
Just want to encourage all of you, if you've had questions about God's great love, this is a very good read. Relatively short, but so rich with scripture and inspiration. Check it ooouuuut. :)

~~~Gerry

shout out

Hey followers, Merry Christmas :)

So recently I just started this blog, and if your here you probably know me already. I plan to post a lot more stuff soon, like commentaries, reviews, or just randomness.


Keep comin back, theres more to come :) God bless you all.

About Me

I was born in Washington, on a rainy day in January. Since then, it has rained on my birthday every single year. I have always been very extroverted--[insane, weird, crazy, take your pick]--thinking outwardly, and always keeping an open mind. I'm still that way. I'm very passionate, yet laid back. I laugh really easily, I use sarcasm frequently, I'm super clumsy. I love God, and the life He has so graciously given me.
I accepted Christ and was baptized when I was seven, and He is still, now more than ever, the Lord of my life. My parents got divorced when I was ten, and both remarried two to three years later, causing my family to double in size. Family is very important to me. I am so thankful to have the family I have.
My friends are the same, I have a few good friends (you know who you are ;) That I can come to with anything. As long as I have a couple of close friends, I consider myself blessed; I thank God for them.

Music is a big part of my life. In my house, music is never shut off or turned down. I'm positively facinated with learning all about it--its like a hobby; my favorite thing to study. I am addicted to radio, simply riveted with more and more music, music, music. I play bass on the worship band for my youth group [North Country Youth], and a little bit of guitar in whatever time I can spare.

Acting is the one thing on this planet, outside of my family, and friends--that I have this crazed, unconditional love for. I used to be really shy, but I would put on little shows for my family and my mom decided to sign me up for drama lessons and I fell madly in love with it. Not long after, I auditioned for my first school play, scored one of the major roles--and the rest is history. I've been doing it constantly, and I won't stop until I die. No matter how stressful or crazy things get, I'm always looking forward to my next rehearsal, performance, or shooting. Its the most fun I've ever had. I've been in countless plays, musicals, Shakespearian plays, and recently, starred in movies with my church that have been distributed throughout the world. God has blessed me with this talent, so I just want to give it back some, and use it for His glory.


As for my future, who knows? I've just got to trust Him, and He'll take care of everything else. =]


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


...and if you actually took the time to read that whole thing, good job. Your more focused than I am :)