1. It's hard to type one-handed
2. So much for Busch Gardens
3. Friday was a very long day
4. The doctor's were very nice
5. One of them sent me to the wrong place which didn't do me much but cost me some money
6. My wrist is waaay broke
7. I hope that I don't need surgery
8. Northern HS kicked Mechanicsburg HS butt in football
9. Big screen video games are real cool
10. It was nice to watch some college football
11. Messiah men's soccer won quite easily
12. The benefit that Jazz at Lincoln Center put on was awesome
13. Norah Jones is very talented...and purty
14. So is the entire Marsalis family
15. It's been a rough go at it over the past week or so
16. DB, thanks for thinking of me
17. The Ravens really stink
18. I hope they win a couple of games
19. Thanks for the gift, DK, SM and ST
20. My youth small group is a real goog bunch of guys
21. Brewster's makes good milkshakes
22. It was nice to see the Patriots lose
23. Showering with one arm in a bag is very interesting
24. Will I ever get a job?
9.19.2005
9.14.2005
Under God
So this happened today.
I don't get it. I don't see what the big deal is. I personally enjoyed saying the word God in the pledge of allegiance, but I have been thinking about this recently and this is my question. Why does Newdow have a problem?
Even when I was in school, there wasn't a pledge nazi going around making sure that every student was saying the pledge. I am trying to figure this out, but I believe that the parents do not like this because it is teaching their kids that there is a sovereign being. Now I don't want to get into this discussion right now. I happen to believe that there does exist a sovereign and supreme being who I tend to call God.
That is not my point. This is. There were many things that I was told in school that my parents did not agree with. How did I know this? My parents talked to me about the things that I was being taught. They taught me to think for myself and not necessarily agree with anything that was said. So these parents that are suing are lazy. They don't actually want to have to teach their kids how to think for themsleves. They want their kids to not have any other opinions thrown at them by the schools that contradict their beliefs. I can't believe that somebody would be seriously scarred for life because they heard the word God everyday. How many people walk around saying 'Oh my God'? Those kids hear that word all the time.
I don't get it. I don't see what the big deal is. I personally enjoyed saying the word God in the pledge of allegiance, but I have been thinking about this recently and this is my question. Why does Newdow have a problem?
Even when I was in school, there wasn't a pledge nazi going around making sure that every student was saying the pledge. I am trying to figure this out, but I believe that the parents do not like this because it is teaching their kids that there is a sovereign being. Now I don't want to get into this discussion right now. I happen to believe that there does exist a sovereign and supreme being who I tend to call God.
That is not my point. This is. There were many things that I was told in school that my parents did not agree with. How did I know this? My parents talked to me about the things that I was being taught. They taught me to think for myself and not necessarily agree with anything that was said. So these parents that are suing are lazy. They don't actually want to have to teach their kids how to think for themsleves. They want their kids to not have any other opinions thrown at them by the schools that contradict their beliefs. I can't believe that somebody would be seriously scarred for life because they heard the word God everyday. How many people walk around saying 'Oh my God'? Those kids hear that word all the time.
9.13.2005
An Incredibly Crappy Day
What a day. Ever have a day that you wish would be over. Today is that day for me.
Where's God in all of this?
Where's God in all of this?
9.12.2005
Reflections of a Painful Weekend
1. My wrist really hurts
2. I hope it's not broken
3. JK is good man
4. It is nice to see people that you don't see all the time, but get along well with
5. ST rocks
6. The Germanfest over-cooked my bratwurst
7. Penn State won, Maryland should have won
8. It's funny what mental blocks will do in sports
9. Tennis is fun
10. The driving range was really annoying
11. Some pranks that kids pull are really funny
12. Jimmy's has good food
13. Texas beat Ohio State, WOOHOO
14. It was a great game
15. Pro football started
16. It is so nice to know what to do on Sundays now
17. Soccer was fun, I almost had a beautiful goal.
18. My wrist hurts and I hope it is just sprained
19. Women are such caring spirits
20. There is something that they have that men just don't have
21. Another year of youth group has officially started
22. The Ravens lost, daggummitt
23. I like watching football
24. Messiah men are 3-0
26. I love sports
27. I love music
28. I love women
29. I love God
30. The last four were not in a particular order
31. Try not to make too much fun of me
32. I don't think I'll be playing guitar for a while
33. Some injuries are very fluke, that doesn't mean they hurt less
34. I'm getting out of the way next time
35. I'm too competitive to
37. My wrist hurts
2. I hope it's not broken
3. JK is good man
4. It is nice to see people that you don't see all the time, but get along well with
5. ST rocks
6. The Germanfest over-cooked my bratwurst
7. Penn State won, Maryland should have won
8. It's funny what mental blocks will do in sports
9. Tennis is fun
10. The driving range was really annoying
11. Some pranks that kids pull are really funny
12. Jimmy's has good food
13. Texas beat Ohio State, WOOHOO
14. It was a great game
15. Pro football started
16. It is so nice to know what to do on Sundays now
17. Soccer was fun, I almost had a beautiful goal.
18. My wrist hurts and I hope it is just sprained
19. Women are such caring spirits
20. There is something that they have that men just don't have
21. Another year of youth group has officially started
22. The Ravens lost, daggummitt
23. I like watching football
24. Messiah men are 3-0
26. I love sports
27. I love music
28. I love women
29. I love God
30. The last four were not in a particular order
31. Try not to make too much fun of me
32. I don't think I'll be playing guitar for a while
33. Some injuries are very fluke, that doesn't mean they hurt less
34. I'm getting out of the way next time
35. I'm too competitive to
37. My wrist hurts
9.09.2005
Guess What?!?
It's my birthday. Yes, today is the 28th anniversary of my birth. Proteinstar, do your magic and find out who was born on this fine day. I could, but nah, I don't want to take it away from you. So, what feels different? Nothing. I was 27 years old, I am now 28. Whoop dee doo. I should sound more excited, but oh well.
One thing of note. I am now above the average age that men get married in the United States. Does this really mean anything to me? No, but it was an interesting stat so I thought I would post it.
Birthdays aren't a big deal to me. I guess it is because I have gone for so long without anything being done for my birthday. In no way is this a pity party, I am just trying to figure out why they aren't that big a deal for me. I guess if you always have something happen then you come to expect and look forward to it. I know that a couple things will probably happen around this time. I'll get some cards, maybe even some gifts. Somebody will take me out to dinner. People will ask me how old I am. The game night crew will probably do something. These are the usuals. But hey, maybe this stuff won't happen this year. That would be okay because I shouldn't live my life expecting people to do stuff for me.
What will I enjoy. I saw my family last weekend, I saw some friends last night. I will see different friends tonight. That will be great. Relationships are where it's at for me. That's what I treasure.
So go out and enjoy the day. You can. It's my birthday and I said so.
One thing of note. I am now above the average age that men get married in the United States. Does this really mean anything to me? No, but it was an interesting stat so I thought I would post it.
Birthdays aren't a big deal to me. I guess it is because I have gone for so long without anything being done for my birthday. In no way is this a pity party, I am just trying to figure out why they aren't that big a deal for me. I guess if you always have something happen then you come to expect and look forward to it. I know that a couple things will probably happen around this time. I'll get some cards, maybe even some gifts. Somebody will take me out to dinner. People will ask me how old I am. The game night crew will probably do something. These are the usuals. But hey, maybe this stuff won't happen this year. That would be okay because I shouldn't live my life expecting people to do stuff for me.
What will I enjoy. I saw my family last weekend, I saw some friends last night. I will see different friends tonight. That will be great. Relationships are where it's at for me. That's what I treasure.
So go out and enjoy the day. You can. It's my birthday and I said so.
9.08.2005
Honesty is the Best Policy...
...unless you are a Christian.
Have you ever noticed that you can't be completely honest with Christians? We judge each other so easily. I have been going through a rough patch recently and was journaling about my feelings last night. I realized as I was reading my writing that I would never say a good bit of it to Christians. If I did, it would mean bad things. People would think that I had abandoned my faith. If not, that they would assume that I was not serious about my faith anyway.
Why can't we just go through times of questioning and wondering where God is, why He isn't there? It is not a bad thing. It just means that we are human. Those are usually my most honest times. It doesn't make me a bad Christian to go through these things.
I hate rejection. I really, really hate rejection. I have been dealing with it for the last 15 months while looking for a job. I deal with it with friends, with women, with jobs, with God. it is everywhere and I truly hate it. It is hard to keep fighting when you are just beat down.
I give up.
Have you ever noticed that you can't be completely honest with Christians? We judge each other so easily. I have been going through a rough patch recently and was journaling about my feelings last night. I realized as I was reading my writing that I would never say a good bit of it to Christians. If I did, it would mean bad things. People would think that I had abandoned my faith. If not, that they would assume that I was not serious about my faith anyway.
Why can't we just go through times of questioning and wondering where God is, why He isn't there? It is not a bad thing. It just means that we are human. Those are usually my most honest times. It doesn't make me a bad Christian to go through these things.
I hate rejection. I really, really hate rejection. I have been dealing with it for the last 15 months while looking for a job. I deal with it with friends, with women, with jobs, with God. it is everywhere and I truly hate it. It is hard to keep fighting when you are just beat down.
I give up.
9.07.2005
All I Want for Christmas
Ah, the disappointment that we encounter in life. It stinks. I don't like disappointment. It brings us down a little bit, it doesn't let us rejoice for a bit. It is the antithesis of happiness. It comes when you want something, need something or are waiting for something and it doesn't come or you don't get it. Sometimes disappointment lasts days, months, or into the year-type timeframe. The short term disappointments are easier to handle than the longer ones, but they are no less enjoyable.
I have encountered some disappointment today. The type that is difficult to handle. The type that makes you think and ask questions like why. You don't know where to turn or what to do. There seem to be no answers anywhere. It makes it hard to concentrate. I will be fine, but today is a bit rough.
What will I do? I will go to where I feel most comfortable. First I must get outside because I love nature so much and it always comforts me. Then I shall journal and read some. It is always good to get your thoughts out, whether it is to someone or just to the air or a piece of paper. Will I find answers? No, I very much doubt that I will. Will I be soothed a bit afterwards? Yes.
I have encountered some disappointment today. The type that is difficult to handle. The type that makes you think and ask questions like why. You don't know where to turn or what to do. There seem to be no answers anywhere. It makes it hard to concentrate. I will be fine, but today is a bit rough.
What will I do? I will go to where I feel most comfortable. First I must get outside because I love nature so much and it always comforts me. Then I shall journal and read some. It is always good to get your thoughts out, whether it is to someone or just to the air or a piece of paper. Will I find answers? No, I very much doubt that I will. Will I be soothed a bit afterwards? Yes.
9.06.2005
Reflections of a Labor Weekend
1. Tennis can be very frustrating
2. Sports many times seem to be the last bastion for my temper to show itself
3. 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is a very good movie
4. I am looking forward to playing Heroes 5
5. I watched 'College Gameday' on Saturday
6. I love to learn
7. The chicken quesadilla at the Larson Student Union at Messiah College is good
8. I like walking around outside
9. It was good to go to the soccer game
10. Messiah should have won by a lot more than 1-nil
11. The girl that was sitting in the next row lower and a few seats away was really cute
12. Messiah College has lots of honnies
13. Is it wrong for a person in their upper twenties to date a college student?
14. It was great to see some of the youth from church
15. 6:30 am is early
16. My church doesn't know how to worship
17. They also have ridiculous rules about what is too loud
18. Sooo frustrating
19. It is always nice to see the fam
20. Sis, thanks for kayaking with me
21. I like to talk with my family
22. My dad is such an intelligent man
23. My mom is so sweet
24. I really really enjoyed sleeping in till 11:00 am on Monday morning
25. Penn State and Maryland won
26. The Kipona festival was enjoyable to walk around
27. Even better was to sit by the Susquehanna river, chat and watch the sunset with some friends
28. Darn mini-golf
29. I am glad that women aren't as oblivious as men
30. Ruby Tuesday's cheese fries are good
31. So are their flavored teas
32. Especially if you combine their strawberry and kiwi flavors
33. ST and SM, it was great to chat about many things with y'all
34. I had an extremely enjoyable Monday evening
35. I didn't want to go to work today
36. It is always harder after a long weekend
37. AAAHHHHH!!!
2. Sports many times seem to be the last bastion for my temper to show itself
3. 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is a very good movie
4. I am looking forward to playing Heroes 5
5. I watched 'College Gameday' on Saturday
6. I love to learn
7. The chicken quesadilla at the Larson Student Union at Messiah College is good
8. I like walking around outside
9. It was good to go to the soccer game
10. Messiah should have won by a lot more than 1-nil
11. The girl that was sitting in the next row lower and a few seats away was really cute
12. Messiah College has lots of honnies
13. Is it wrong for a person in their upper twenties to date a college student?
14. It was great to see some of the youth from church
15. 6:30 am is early
16. My church doesn't know how to worship
17. They also have ridiculous rules about what is too loud
18. Sooo frustrating
19. It is always nice to see the fam
20. Sis, thanks for kayaking with me
21. I like to talk with my family
22. My dad is such an intelligent man
23. My mom is so sweet
24. I really really enjoyed sleeping in till 11:00 am on Monday morning
25. Penn State and Maryland won
26. The Kipona festival was enjoyable to walk around
27. Even better was to sit by the Susquehanna river, chat and watch the sunset with some friends
28. Darn mini-golf
29. I am glad that women aren't as oblivious as men
30. Ruby Tuesday's cheese fries are good
31. So are their flavored teas
32. Especially if you combine their strawberry and kiwi flavors
33. ST and SM, it was great to chat about many things with y'all
34. I had an extremely enjoyable Monday evening
35. I didn't want to go to work today
36. It is always harder after a long weekend
37. AAAHHHHH!!!
9.02.2005
Are You Ready for Some Football?
Yes, ladeez and germs, football season is upon us. College started last night with one game and its full slate starts tomorrow. Pro football is finishing up its preseason and starts next Sunday with the exception of the kickoff game on Thursday. This also means that the B-E-A-Utiful weather of fall is coming.
I am very excited about all of this. I love this season of the year. I like to watch football and even more than that, I love to fall asleep for a nice afternoon nap while watching football. It means that there is now something to watch on Monday nights. But it also means that the best television show will now be on. College Gameday with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herstreit and Lee Corso. So from now till December I will wake up by 10:30 on Saturday mornings to tune into ESPN and watch this great show.
Plus the weather gets cooler and the women get warmer.
I am very excited about all of this. I love this season of the year. I like to watch football and even more than that, I love to fall asleep for a nice afternoon nap while watching football. It means that there is now something to watch on Monday nights. But it also means that the best television show will now be on. College Gameday with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herstreit and Lee Corso. So from now till December I will wake up by 10:30 on Saturday mornings to tune into ESPN and watch this great show.
Plus the weather gets cooler and the women get warmer.
9.01.2005
This is how you should pray
In small group, we are studying a book called 'The Life You've Always Wanted'. This weeks chapter is about prayer which we shall discuss tonight. This got me thinking about prayer. I am not very good at it. My mind goes everywhere and I have much trouble trying to concentrate on God. Not only that, but most of the time it feels like I talking to the ceiling. In the book, Ortberg never really addressed that issue, but he did address the wandering mind issue.
Many times when our mind wanders, it wanders to the same place. This is usually something that is going on in our lives that we are concerned with. Rather than trying to pray for the 'right' thing, maybe we should just try to pray for the thing that is on our mind. I might try this one.
Also prayer was meant to be relational. It should not be just a laundry list type thing. You don't talk to friends or family in a formula or list way. It is very conversational. Maybe this is more how we should approach God. I don't know, just some things to think about.
Many times when our mind wanders, it wanders to the same place. This is usually something that is going on in our lives that we are concerned with. Rather than trying to pray for the 'right' thing, maybe we should just try to pray for the thing that is on our mind. I might try this one.
Also prayer was meant to be relational. It should not be just a laundry list type thing. You don't talk to friends or family in a formula or list way. It is very conversational. Maybe this is more how we should approach God. I don't know, just some things to think about.
8.31.2005
The Greatest Ever...
at least in my opinion.
I have a couple of favorite speakers that I like to listen to. I thought that I would bring them to your attention so that if you hear that they are going to be around, you can go to listen to them based on my recommendation. The first is David Nasser. He immigrated from Iran and became a Christian in high school. Beyond having a very interesting story, he is funny and at the same time, very serious about the sacrifice that we should make as Christians. He has a couple of books out including 'A Call to Die' which is a 40 day journey and 'A Call to Grace'. I have read the first one and it was well worth it. The second one was released recently. Check him out. He is my favorite
Close behind is Rob Bell. He is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan. It is a very progressive seeker oriented church. He is great at taking normal things of life and applying them to God. He also has helped write short videos about fundamental points of the Christian faith called NOOMAs. These are fantastic and really minister to you. I own the first one and it definitely helps me through the harder times. he has a new book out called 'Velvet Elvis'.
Anyway, that is just some information on people that I believe are making a difference for God in this crazy, upside-down world.
I have a couple of favorite speakers that I like to listen to. I thought that I would bring them to your attention so that if you hear that they are going to be around, you can go to listen to them based on my recommendation. The first is David Nasser. He immigrated from Iran and became a Christian in high school. Beyond having a very interesting story, he is funny and at the same time, very serious about the sacrifice that we should make as Christians. He has a couple of books out including 'A Call to Die' which is a 40 day journey and 'A Call to Grace'. I have read the first one and it was well worth it. The second one was released recently. Check him out. He is my favorite
Close behind is Rob Bell. He is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan. It is a very progressive seeker oriented church. He is great at taking normal things of life and applying them to God. He also has helped write short videos about fundamental points of the Christian faith called NOOMAs. These are fantastic and really minister to you. I own the first one and it definitely helps me through the harder times. he has a new book out called 'Velvet Elvis'.
Anyway, that is just some information on people that I believe are making a difference for God in this crazy, upside-down world.
8.30.2005
The Perfect Storm
So let me get this straight. A 300 hundred mile wide hurricane with 175 mph sustained winds is heading straight for you and you are mandatorily told to evacuate. What do you do? You stay. Why? Why? I don't get it. Why are some people so stupid sometimes? I am not talking about the people that didn't have a choice. I am talking about those others that chose to stay. I have heard the crying wolf scenario. Well let's put it this way. This thing was not just going to disappear. I heard Katrina described as this: A 100 mile wide F3 tornado headed for you. Now is that a little scarier? Yep.
Why don't we always respect nature? It is like we don't really believe the power that nature possesses. And it is just a micro-comparison of God's power. It is said that the creation screams the glory of God. I believe that this is in the beauty and the terror of nature. God is a gracious God but also a terrible God that is to be feared. I don't think that I do this enough. I think that I look at God too many times as my little friend to store in my back pocket until I need Him.
Another thing about this whole storm. Governor Haley Barbour was quoted as saying. "This is our tsunami." What an incredibly stupid and egoist thing to say. The death toll for the tsunami was approximately 226, 000. That doesn't include the complete destruction of the whole area over there either. This destruction is bad, but cannot be compared. The death toll here may hit the low thousands, but nothing even remotely close to 226, 000 people. Maybe we should stop thinking that we are the center of the world. Maybe I should stop thinking that.
Maybe this small tragedy will help us though. I have seen pictures and video of horrible devastation. If I connect that with the knowledge that this is a small fraction of what damage was done by the tsunami, it hits home to me much more than it did before.
Also New Orleans was not a direct hit which is a relief for those that live in and around that city. But since they were not a direct hit, somewhere else was, the damage in Mississippi is much worst. I saw a water tower that was built to be able to withstand 200 mph winds on the ground. Wow. The awesome power of this thing.
Keep this area in your prayers. It will be a long process to begin the recovery from this horribly powerful storm.
Why don't we always respect nature? It is like we don't really believe the power that nature possesses. And it is just a micro-comparison of God's power. It is said that the creation screams the glory of God. I believe that this is in the beauty and the terror of nature. God is a gracious God but also a terrible God that is to be feared. I don't think that I do this enough. I think that I look at God too many times as my little friend to store in my back pocket until I need Him.
Another thing about this whole storm. Governor Haley Barbour was quoted as saying. "This is our tsunami." What an incredibly stupid and egoist thing to say. The death toll for the tsunami was approximately 226, 000. That doesn't include the complete destruction of the whole area over there either. This destruction is bad, but cannot be compared. The death toll here may hit the low thousands, but nothing even remotely close to 226, 000 people. Maybe we should stop thinking that we are the center of the world. Maybe I should stop thinking that.
Maybe this small tragedy will help us though. I have seen pictures and video of horrible devastation. If I connect that with the knowledge that this is a small fraction of what damage was done by the tsunami, it hits home to me much more than it did before.
Also New Orleans was not a direct hit which is a relief for those that live in and around that city. But since they were not a direct hit, somewhere else was, the damage in Mississippi is much worst. I saw a water tower that was built to be able to withstand 200 mph winds on the ground. Wow. The awesome power of this thing.
Keep this area in your prayers. It will be a long process to begin the recovery from this horribly powerful storm.
8.29.2005
Relflections of a Very Enjoyable Weekend
1. I like poker
2. I won
3. My final hand was quad 5's, AWESOME!
4. I had a very enjoyable time talking with MF
5. It was cloudy on Saturday, but I am glad it didn't rain in the afternoon
6. I wish I had played flag football
7. I had fun dropping RK in the dunk tank
8. Chicken BBQ is good
9. It is nice to chill
10. I like rain
11. Saturday night I could have just stayed out for hours in the rain
12. Spanglish is a great movie
13. It is a quirky movie that many of my friends probably wouldn't like, but I loved it
14. Tea Leoni is a very good actress
15. Naps are great
16. Pray for the people affected by Hurricane Katrina
17. The youth kickoff was awesome
18. Memphis Blues BBQ makes really good ribs
19. The dunk tank was really cold
20. Really, really cold
21. She's hot
22. It was really fun to taunt people that missed the target
23. The kids are awesome
24. I am still enjoying the read of 'Searching for God Knows What'
25. Who needs sleep when you have fun
26. Hu-min-ah
2. I won
3. My final hand was quad 5's, AWESOME!
4. I had a very enjoyable time talking with MF
5. It was cloudy on Saturday, but I am glad it didn't rain in the afternoon
6. I wish I had played flag football
7. I had fun dropping RK in the dunk tank
8. Chicken BBQ is good
9. It is nice to chill
10. I like rain
11. Saturday night I could have just stayed out for hours in the rain
12. Spanglish is a great movie
13. It is a quirky movie that many of my friends probably wouldn't like, but I loved it
14. Tea Leoni is a very good actress
15. Naps are great
16. Pray for the people affected by Hurricane Katrina
17. The youth kickoff was awesome
18. Memphis Blues BBQ makes really good ribs
19. The dunk tank was really cold
20. Really, really cold
21. She's hot
22. It was really fun to taunt people that missed the target
23. The kids are awesome
24. I am still enjoying the read of 'Searching for God Knows What'
25. Who needs sleep when you have fun
26. Hu-min-ah
8.26.2005
I like to talk
I like having small group at my place. I don't have to go anywhere and it makes me clean. Last night we had a grilling party at my abode. The burgers and corn on the cob were delicious. A member that shall remain nameless puts mayonnaise on the corn on the cob. It looks really disgusting and seems like it would taste equally disgusting, but whatever floats said person's boat.
Throughout this time we talked about a gammit of topics. Music, sports, relationships, differences between men and women, swearing, things we look for in the opposite sex, sex. It was rivoting conversation. Fun, too. Peeps didn't leave my place till after 11 with one individual staying till 12. It was great.
There wasn't a lot of debating or arguing, but just discussing. Some of us decided that it is better to be a man than a woman. (Okay that's not exactly true, but I can pretend it is) It is great to talk about issues that we all deal with.
Why am I saying this? I don't really know, but it was what I wanted to write about and I just came up with a kernel to chew on. I/we don't always take the time to talk with each other. As Americans, we always are solidly on the go and don't stop. Well, take the time to stop, listen and then talk to your friends, family, acquaintances, or that guy on the street. We should invest in people. Then they will invest in us and that would make anybody feel good.
Throughout this time we talked about a gammit of topics. Music, sports, relationships, differences between men and women, swearing, things we look for in the opposite sex, sex. It was rivoting conversation. Fun, too. Peeps didn't leave my place till after 11 with one individual staying till 12. It was great.
There wasn't a lot of debating or arguing, but just discussing. Some of us decided that it is better to be a man than a woman. (Okay that's not exactly true, but I can pretend it is) It is great to talk about issues that we all deal with.
Why am I saying this? I don't really know, but it was what I wanted to write about and I just came up with a kernel to chew on. I/we don't always take the time to talk with each other. As Americans, we always are solidly on the go and don't stop. Well, take the time to stop, listen and then talk to your friends, family, acquaintances, or that guy on the street. We should invest in people. Then they will invest in us and that would make anybody feel good.
8.25.2005
I'm P.O.'d
I don't know why but I am in a general statement of discontent and annoyance today. It's not the best thing. Here are a couple of things that have encouraged the feeling.
- It's beautiful outside and I am inside at work
- Some legalistic fundamentalist "Christian" site talked about Donald Miller and how he is going to burn in hell for using a mild swear word. Maybe they will burn in hell for judging. The Bible comes down a lot harder on judging people than potentially coarse language.
- A blog posted some asinine article from some more fundamentalist crap about singleness and it not being okay for people to be single. Don't read the article. It is the biggest waste of time.
- I don't like fundamentalism. (Could you guess?)
Pat Robertson does some really stupid things. Why doesn't he just keep his trap shut rather than continuing to give Christ a bad name for his ridiculous comments? And then he apologizes and lies about what he was recorded saying. A good example of Jesus right there. NOT!! Maybe we should keep Jesus out of politics or at least try not to throw around His name for leverage. That's a worse case of taking the Lord's name in vain than somebody saying 'O my God'.
In a totally unrelated topic, Athlete is playing a show at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30. Tickets are $19. Anybody want to go. I am looking for a partner in crime to hear some fantastic music.
- It's beautiful outside and I am inside at work
- Some legalistic fundamentalist "Christian" site talked about Donald Miller and how he is going to burn in hell for using a mild swear word. Maybe they will burn in hell for judging. The Bible comes down a lot harder on judging people than potentially coarse language.
- A blog posted some asinine article from some more fundamentalist crap about singleness and it not being okay for people to be single. Don't read the article. It is the biggest waste of time.
- I don't like fundamentalism. (Could you guess?)
Pat Robertson does some really stupid things. Why doesn't he just keep his trap shut rather than continuing to give Christ a bad name for his ridiculous comments? And then he apologizes and lies about what he was recorded saying. A good example of Jesus right there. NOT!! Maybe we should keep Jesus out of politics or at least try not to throw around His name for leverage. That's a worse case of taking the Lord's name in vain than somebody saying 'O my God'.
In a totally unrelated topic, Athlete is playing a show at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30. Tickets are $19. Anybody want to go. I am looking for a partner in crime to hear some fantastic music.
8.24.2005
Tis a Gift to be Simple
It's the simple things like the robots Stevie G draws
And the ease with which you seem to pull those tricks
There are moments of escape for every one of us
And a beauty in the times that we create
I saw you smiling
And I need my vehicles and animals
Then I will be alright
Take me back to 1979 so I can find my open eyes
He can play all by himself for many hours
I have never seen a kid who's so content
There is nothing from the outside that can touch him
'Cos he's just learning how to be alone with one
I saw you smiling
And I need my vehicles and animals
Then I will be alright
Take me back to 1979 so I can find my open eyes
Lying down on my bed
I just got another kick to the head
Oh yeah, you're a part of me
Yet another branch on the family tree
Salt on my fingers, salt in my cuts
Salt on my face and salt in my guts
It's been a battle but we've come through OK
Stop what you're doing and play...
'Cos we've got our vehicles and animals
So we're gonna be alright
And there's no need for us to go back in time
Because we've found our open eyes
-Athlete
Try to enjoy the simple things of life like we did as kids. That can be hard sometimes, but I think we would be better off for it. I know that I used to love playing with my matchbox cars. Life was so simple then. We need to capture that childlike joy.
8.23.2005
Broccoli or Cauliflower
Why do people make snap judgments? Here is the scenario. I go somewhere and have a bad experience there, or I play something and do bad so I decide that I don't like it. Not only that an instant hatred seems to develop. Why? Then if we don't like something, that means there is something wrong with it. It becomes dumb or stupid or maybe it is snooty. Either way, we come up with reasons why no one should like it. In fact, if you like it, you become dumb, stupid, snooty, etc. And when we don't like something we become grumpy anytime we have to do that activity.
I think it comes back to selfishness. I think it is natural for us to be selfish. We want it our way and I think that we struggle to think about things without considering there effect on us. Sometimes this can be good, because it means self-preservation, but far too often we become very selfish people.
So I encourage you to do something that you don't necessarily like to do because a friend of yours likes it. You may have to struggle through it, but you will make your friend happy for doing something for them. Maybe they feel often that they are always yielding to you in activities. All this will make you less selfish and you may even find that you like something that you thought you hated. Like Cauliflower.
I think it comes back to selfishness. I think it is natural for us to be selfish. We want it our way and I think that we struggle to think about things without considering there effect on us. Sometimes this can be good, because it means self-preservation, but far too often we become very selfish people.
So I encourage you to do something that you don't necessarily like to do because a friend of yours likes it. You may have to struggle through it, but you will make your friend happy for doing something for them. Maybe they feel often that they are always yielding to you in activities. All this will make you less selfish and you may even find that you like something that you thought you hated. Like Cauliflower.
8.22.2005
Reflections of a Walking Weekend
1. It was beautiful Friday night
2. StormRunner is a fun ride, especially in the front row
3. That was the fastest Wildcat ride I have ever been on
4. I couldn't find my t-shirt
5. I was surprisingly awake at 8:30 on a Saturday morn
6. Washington Metro kicks New York subway's butt
7. Madison Square Garden doesn't look like much from the outside
8. Old theatres are cool
9. There is a Concorde on a pier in NYC
10. There are a lot of movable bridges in NYC
11. That definitely allowed Ellie to geek out
12. Yankee Stadium looks boring from the outside
13. I was not impressed and I don't think it has anything to do with my hatred for the Yankees
14. The UN buildings look old and run down
15. I really like Central Park
16. If I lived in NYC, I would spend so much money
17. There are so many performing arts things that happen there
18. MOBIA was boring
19. Lincoln Center is cool
20. I would have loved to stay to see a performance, even if it included ballet and disco
21. There aren't any sheep in the sheep meadow
22. Donald Trump looks for approval through trying to show he is more extravagant than everyone else
23. That is a pretty shallow way of living
24. Jekyll and Hyde is neat to eat at once
25. Broadway is crowded on a Saturday night
26. I would like to see a broadway show
27. I am such a music geek
28. I got to see 2 of my small group guys get baptised, very cool
29. I like being outside so much better than being inside
30. I hate sweating
31. It is nice to relax
32. I like to talk
33. Especially to friends that I don't always get a chance to talk to
34. It is beautiful outside and I am stuck in here at work
2. StormRunner is a fun ride, especially in the front row
3. That was the fastest Wildcat ride I have ever been on
4. I couldn't find my t-shirt
5. I was surprisingly awake at 8:30 on a Saturday morn
6. Washington Metro kicks New York subway's butt
7. Madison Square Garden doesn't look like much from the outside
8. Old theatres are cool
9. There is a Concorde on a pier in NYC
10. There are a lot of movable bridges in NYC
11. That definitely allowed Ellie to geek out
12. Yankee Stadium looks boring from the outside
13. I was not impressed and I don't think it has anything to do with my hatred for the Yankees
14. The UN buildings look old and run down
15. I really like Central Park
16. If I lived in NYC, I would spend so much money
17. There are so many performing arts things that happen there
18. MOBIA was boring
19. Lincoln Center is cool
20. I would have loved to stay to see a performance, even if it included ballet and disco
21. There aren't any sheep in the sheep meadow
22. Donald Trump looks for approval through trying to show he is more extravagant than everyone else
23. That is a pretty shallow way of living
24. Jekyll and Hyde is neat to eat at once
25. Broadway is crowded on a Saturday night
26. I would like to see a broadway show
27. I am such a music geek
28. I got to see 2 of my small group guys get baptised, very cool
29. I like being outside so much better than being inside
30. I hate sweating
31. It is nice to relax
32. I like to talk
33. Especially to friends that I don't always get a chance to talk to
34. It is beautiful outside and I am stuck in here at work
8.19.2005
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