Open Notebook – July 21-31, 2026

July 21, 2026

I’m doing these as monthly compilations going forward. The daily posts were simply becoming a chore to manage. This just simplifies things.

Devotion time!

Amos 7:1-9

“Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people.” Amos 7:8

Right from the devotional because I can’t really write it better myself:

https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/walking-like-jesus?ts=1784592000000

“In Amos 7, God reminded the Israelites that His standards were impartial and absolute and applied to all, including His favored nation. His laws and moral standards were like “a plumb line” (v. 8)—a weighted line used by builders to ensure structural integrity by showing if a wall wasn’t being built perfectly vertical.

While He may extend mercy, God can’t compromise His justice—which is why He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place as payment for our sin. The Bible shows us whether we’re walking in His way or not. By His grace, God helps those who believe in Jesus to live in a way that pleases Him and brings honor to Him—to do what’s right.”

So, what areas of my life can I improve upon to live closer to God’s perfect standards? Well, I can stop getting distracted by losing stuff that is easily replaceable.

…

Quote I pulled from: https://sylvisays.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-creativity-uniting

“Your mind, emotions and body are instruments and the way you align and tune them determines how well you play life.” — Harbhajan Singh Yogi

…

How to make friends on BlueSky, lol

Seriously though it’s true.

…

Sav Brown turned 30. God she’s stunning and smart and perfect! XD

… Why is it that the timeframe of anything important getting done is always a matter of people being bad and slow at their jobs?

July 22, 2026

Daily devotion time

You turned my wailing into dancing. Psalm 30:11

Psalm 30:4-12

How has music helped you to experience God’s grace? How has He turned your mourning into dancing?

He revealed the greatest country singer of all time to me. Who I am seeing back to back days and working with one of her besties on songs 🙂

Gracious God, thank You for breathing hope, joy, and new life into my days.

…

Wild Geese is back!

The world is a museum of passion projects. 🙂

This a fantastic episode, made some screenshots

“… the cadences of a half dozen languages united by common profanities…” I think it was from station eleven, what a line!

There was a TikTok that talked about going from a causal socialization culture to a planned socialization culture. Kind of what my ministry is meant to solve. (And I need to add autism advocacy but I want to tread lightly there because it’s such a touchy subject!) unplanned interactions are low stakes. I want to have little events that are daily and not like church on Sunday at all. Who knows who you’ll meet?

…

A verse I’m living by right now:

Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

…

Colorblind is so good. Because it’s Brooke, of course.

“So let’s dig in / To every finger pointing / Fascist fable”

Seriously, this girl might be one of the greatest songwriters of all time…

…

Oh shit, I had no idea this was even a thing! It’s a really short season, completely independent. Aluminum bats, 7 innings. I’m excited to see if this turns into anything. Starts August 1st and the games are streaming on YouTube. Boston hunters, New York heights, Los Angeles queens, and San Francisco firebells. Super cool! The games are all being played in Springfield Missouri. I think it’s awesome.

…

Before I sign off tonight, next week’s f211 cover is mamma Mia! I commented, The Mamma Mia cover we always needed but don’t deserve. Absolutely brilliant!

July 23, 2026

Ephesians 2:1-10 ODB

Again, how relevant can it be? This is why my New Vibrations ministry will be having intentional bibliomancy sessions where people bring in their “own bibles” like Emerson suggested. Words that they hear God speaking through, not JUST the Bible! Other religious sources that are divinely inspired, and even lyrics, poetry, and books are all equally valid methods through which the Holy Spirit witnesses to us.

Speaking of which I need to put the “My Own Bible” up on TPD AND Obscure Curiosities.

OK reading about being saved by His Grace <3

I just realized Pride Month should be Fellowship Month!

How has God gifted you? In what ways could you join with others to serve people in your community?

The Lord has given me a musical mind, and I need to help the family He has put in front of me so that the Holy Spirit can help me to uplift my Angels to where they belong!

Dear God, please help me to see others’ needs and know what You want me to do so You may be seen!

…

Great post from a GORGEOUS woman:

https://courtneyalicen.substack.com/p/im-done-introducing-myself-with-stories

I commented: “I love what you say here, Courtney. I feel like every day recently I’m shedding a skin every night and emerging a slightly better version of myself, because I finally realized that I AM ENOUGH. People have told me this before, but when you come to the realization deep down and actually act on it, realize who you are meant to be that society, bullies, and sometimes even well-intentioned fools keep you from being, that’s when you enter your Butterfly Season and start becoming who you were truly meant to be <3”

Another one I needed to comment on:
https://courtneyalicen.substack.com/p/protecting-my-belief-in-love

What I said: “I think the real problem is that love has become commodified. Just like so many other sacred things in our lives. And yes, part of it is that we just don’t want to get hurt again, and this is an animal reaction to an imperfect world corrupted by sin. Love is everything. I see people all the time say how cliche that is, that REAL ACTIVISM starts with agendas and whatnot. But the greatest Advocacy, the greatest Activism is learning to love again, better, stronger, and more openly. Unconditional, unequivocal, love, love love <3”

…

Emmalie reading great books 🙂

…

Anna vlogs from Europe! These are the Paris Diaries.

…

This song is so CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED! I heard it last year on the NPR submission video and I was thinking to myself, well, Brooke just made NPR! And I watched every week, and no Brooke 🙁 NPR IS MISSING OUT! Love this song. The lyrics are amazing, as always.

This is one of the best baseball related videos I’ve seen in a LONG time. You keep crushing it, NMF! Also I’m downloading that Hits 26 game 🙂

…

Phillies card guy found a show that was… interesting, especially the last table which was literally card guy in wonderland…

July 24, 2026

This is the day that the lord has made. I didn’t sleep all that great, only three and half hours straight with a few astral recharges, or as they are commonly known as power naps, along the way. It’s so much easier to type on the android, seriously! Still have typos but they are easier to correct. Today i listened to the new Carter Faith album and discovered rewarded play gives Walmart cards so that’s very helpful! I will use those for sure! (The first one cleared fine.)

Daily devotion after I get some sorely needed hydration.

Hebrews 6:17-20

As usual got distracted. Needed to fix my bay state login. Extremely important! Might as well fix ford while I’m at it. Okay reading time.

Short reading today. It’s not really vibing with me. I’m froggy although not foggy and sore. My body is just not in whack right now. But I do like the idea of hope as an anchor of the soul.

I like this from the devotion. “Some may anchor in unreliable things—their own ambition, unhealthy friends, or negative habits. How much better to anchor in the one whom we know we can trust and depend on. When the waves crash around us, we’ll be held fast. Our soul is anchored in God.”

That’s what I needed to hear this morning. And so much in this world that people think they need to depend on is patently unreliable!

…

MISS NATALIE! ‘Just Drive’ is a great song!

…

One of Violet’s oldest covers, and somehow still one of her best. My second favorite covers of hers besides “Wicked Game” is this old acoustic one of “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran

…

One of Audra’s most underrated covers: “Take Me to Church” by Hozier

…

Carter is so adorable. This really isn’t her style of music, but it’s cute. It got her an audience, that’s for sure!

…

Carter smokes too much. But “Dead Horse” is a GREAT SONG!

…

Check out this AWESOME cover by Brooke Surgener & the Bandits of “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow

…

I am AMAZED that Aly and AJ are still going after all these years!

…

Jess’s excellent video on JRR Tolkien’s letters.

…

Audra covering Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches”

Aunim posted the whole thing, good man:

This is also this month’s Patreon Exclusive cover!

…

Cooper Flagg (the young NBA star) is opening a card shop with his cousin IN MAINE! I mean, Flagg is from Maine, so it makes sense. But in Bangor? Mike, who is literally a Maine lifer, is right that it’s not the greatest location for it. It’ll do fine, but Portland would be way better.

July 25, 2026

2 Samuel 18:12-18

My bible is out of reach so I’m reading on the website today. Sorry Lord, I’m just really exhausted.

Today’s devotion is about serving God, not self. This makes me think about how I’ve been so concerned with my own legacy. Who cares? No one! Ironically, everyone still remembers the selfish and prideful Absalom who had no son to carry on his name. Just for the wrong reason.

From the devotion: “Building monuments to ourselves and serving our own pride and desires won’t end well. But as we humbly serve God and love Him well (Philippians 2:3-8), we’ll find true meaning and fulfillment in His presence.”

https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/serving-god-not-self?ts=1784937600000

Today’s prayer opening: All-powerful God, please help me to serve You in love and humility. You’re the only one who’s worthy of my worship.

Damn straight!

…

Took a lot of screenshots today.

July 26, 2026

And it’s Sunday! The day of Mr Jesus.

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” John 4:14

The reading skips all over John chapter 4 so I’m just gonna read the whole thing through verse 26 in my Ryrie which I have next to me this time so I don’t have to be lazy and read it on the phone… and it’s relevant because I’ve been super dehydrated for, like, years.

I haven’t read this section about the Samaritan woman in a VERY LONG time. Basically, the Jews lost the plot and He’s here to set everyone straight! GO JESUS!

From the devotion: “As we encounter people who are spiritually thirsty, Jesus’ example reminds me to speak with humility and kindness, praying for God to remove the shadow that “has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4) so they can fully understand Christ’s life-changing offer of living water.”

https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/living-water-of-christ?ts=1785024000000

AMEN! Intercession!

…

I finally had to leave sweet xoKatie a comment, especially after her call for feedback.

Katie, I discovered you last year when I was searching for hair play ASMR videos, my favorite trigger ever. It was actually a video with Sophia. But my favorite videos of yours, besides the ones with Eden who is such a darling, and your sister who is so lovely, are your solo chatty ones. I’d love to hear more about your journey in becoming an ASMRtist. You are an exceptionally sweet, beautiful, and compassionate soul. I even discovered Julie and Fern because of you (and your sister Emily of course) and you four are my main rotation of ASMRtists, all made possible because of you! You have been a major calming influence for me during one of the worst times of my life. Thank you for all that you do and for existing as such an absolutely drop dead gorgeous woman <3

And she responded! 😀 What an angel, truly the most calming and relaxing of all of them. Even Fern you can tell is doing ASMR as much for herself as the model. Jules is just more frenetic with her movements; she has a lot of nervous energy.

I adore her.

…

If you EVER doubted Olivia Rodrigo’s singing ability, here you go:

…

How did I miss this F211 cover? It’s done very lo-fi, which is cool, but it makes my chickadee’s voice sound kinda tinny. At least she’s still gorgeous <3

…

String pin bowling sucks. I agree with Phil. But to be fair they are a lot cheaper. And much easier to run.

July 27, 2026

Awesome verse for today!

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19.

I read through verse 27. It’s an awesome section that is probably great for witnessing too!

…

https://substack.com/@ontheflyway/note/p-208641777?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1jau56

This girl Nessie has a GORGEOUS voice! Holy shit. And she’s autistic, queer, neurodivergent, LATINA. Yeah, how perfect can a girl get?

I said: “Nessie, I LOVED your monologue! You have one of the LOVELIEST voices I’ve ever heard and I listen to gorgeous vocalists all day, so that’s a real compliment. You are so adorable, and please keep these up! I hate the sound of my voice, too, but I’m making a podcast just to get over it! A lot of my episodes are going to be monologues, too. As a fellow autistic, I’m so happy to meet you. We should talk! Keep following your heart!”

I gave her 50 bucks. She’s a singer. Of course she is.

…

Livie, stop killing me

…

It still blows my mind just how well Audra Miller of First to Eleven and Brooke Surgener harmonize so perfectly! Also, I love this song.

…

YAY! A lyric video for “Flutters!” Audra absolutely SLAYED this song!

…

Aww Brooke! My favorite verse of my favorite song!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbQnj52oqHH/?igsh=MmMxeTV0eGhlbmc5

…

For future reference, this is Sam Gilman’s solo music youtube channel:

https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCHZOQ-FknwpqOawI7t1X-Qw

I think I want to talk to him first and see what his plans are for launching his solo career properly, because right now it’s REALLY hard to find his stuff.

…

Yay, Gracie! Great song from a great album.

…

Alright then who is this gorgeous lovely named Karly Bowman? The song is called “Rust.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZfuCNIhK06/?igsh=d3k0b296OWt6bjdh

July 30, 2026

This is quite a post:

https://rebekahgilbert.substack.com/p/leaving-wasnt-the-hard-part

I said: Rebekah, as someone who was KICKED OUT OF THE CHURCH for being nonbinary and queer, I would say you are MORE Christian than most church-going Christians. The Bible was never meant to be taken literally. God speaks to us through everything, not just the Bible. Yes, the BIble is a very useful book and I still turn to it daily for devotion. But you’re right, what Jesus teaches and what “Christians” do often doesn’t line up at all. It’s why I’m going to be creating my own ministry, to allow fellowship for all those Christians who were left behind by dogma and wayward religious zealots. 🙂 Through music, of course!

…

This is from a paid post but this is part of the free preview, so I can share it: https://yrsadaleyward.substack.com/p/youre-not-here

“Life is a long series of presents, and if you’re to send it looking elsewhere, you might even arrive at the places you want and still look elsewhere, still rush ahead. We train ourselves out of staying. I know because I do it. The habit doesn’t just switch off when you get the result, so it becomes more difficult to feel, fully. Our work here is about decorating the room we’re in, right now,”

Sierra is definitely my type. Also maybe that’s just it is a cute little song

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbY6XzFiOVX/?igsh=NDMyODc0MGRuZjR6

Some great thoughts about muses and being mispainted.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaY1SHMBiBK/?igsh=OGQyemI1ZmpmOWly

Her name is Hailey Picardi 🙂 I like her too!

Imperfect or not this is wow

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da8x7Rvy-Gv/?igsh=MW55eDRzc2gyNjZudw==

The woman that wrote the songs that saved my life multiple times: