I wrote a blog but I lost it, and I don't feel like writting it again...sorry.

and then my lips parted....and I was doomed

Ok, I did it again. My lips parted and allowed speech to penetrate the air that my brain had not the opportunity to censor. A friend and I were driving back from a movie we had seen with two of her friends. The topic had shifted from a variety of subjects, and somehow drifted to a confession. She feared her dentist appointment that was a few days away, nervous that the dentist might decide that her wisdom teeth must be removed. As we were pulling up in her driveway, I affirmed her fears, and than stupidly said ?yeah, you don?t want your cheeks to swell up any more?. As she was putting the car in park, she looked at me with question marks in her eyes, ?What you mean, ?any more??, the statement was almost a challenge as much as it was a question. I looked at her and paused?.?Uh?um?.I like you as a person!? and on that note I jumped out of that car like my faded blue jeans were on fire. The goodbye was awkward to say the least. On the drive home I searched for some explanation in my brain why I would try to amend the situation with the statement, ?I like you as a person?. For the record, she is a very attractive girl, and I have a bad, mouth. Bad mouth, no food for you!

Poverty is not created by the poor. It is created by the structures of society and the policies pursued by society. Change the structure as we are doing in Bangladesh, and you will see that the poor change their own lives.
I also believe that providing unemployment benefits is not the best way to address poverty. The able-bodied poor don't want or need charity. The dole only increases their misery, robs them of incentive and, more important, of self-respect."
Muhammad Yunus from the book banker to the poor

Muhammad Yunus has quite the room too talk since he is the one who invented (or at least pushed) micro loans. Micro Loans have helped free millions from poverty. Perhaps simply giving to the poor is not always the best idea? On a similar subject, maybe we should rethink this idea of social security? I do not change soon though, for ideas like that don't get you elected.

It's all been said before, and better than I could...

?The Christian life is more than difficult; it is humanly impossible to live. Only Jesus Christ can live it through you as He dwells within you. The Christian life is not a person imitating Christ; rather, it is Christ imparting His life to and living His life through the person. The Christian life is not what you do for Him; it is what He does for and through you. He wants to think with your mind, express Himself through your emotions, and speak through your voice, through you may be unconscious of it.? ? Bill Bright

I think once we truly understand this concept that Bill presents to us, daily time with God will no longer be a struggle; for we will see that like breath is to life, prayer & scripture is to the believer. Any person saying he is saved by the blood of Christ and no longer needs to pray is like the idiot who says he is alive and therefore no longer needs to breath. We breathe so we stay alive, and the same is true of prayer and our spiritual lives. It wasn?t until I grasped this that my relationship with Christ really deepened, and I will confess that I still have to be reminded of it.

Innocence...

I watched a movie the other night called ''the end of innocence" with Michelle Pfeiffer & Daniel Day Lewis (I think he is a great actor by the way and yes, I do enjoy a good chick flick now and then). The movie was a PG romance genre, and to my delight had no sex in it whatsoever. No sexual jokes, and nothing that would prevent me from watching it w/ my parents. The movie itself did not threaten one?s innocence. On a side note, I recognize that the previous statement is a minimalist question. A better question to ask would be does this help me glorify or better my Walk with Christ. So many times I catch my self asking minimalist questions like I am trying to walk the fence or something. One?s faith is a lot stronger when they ask maximalist questions. Anyway, back to innocence. The word seems almost obsolete in Americans vocabulary today. I feel that I am so far from innocence. Is innocence important? In Matthew 10:16 Christ says to His Disciples, "I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves.? Can innocence be regained? Philippians 2:13-15 " It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world " Isn't that Interesting? Not through our trying do we please Him, do we be innocent, do we obey him. It is God at work in us that enables such innocence, He has the power to give innocence back to us. It makes sense, for how can dead flesh (our old self) produce anything living or qualities that living beings share.? It cannot, and that is why we need the life of Christ within us to produce life. It is so simple yet I still keep trying to pray more and read more. Without his strength it just doesn?t happen. Allow me to encourage you today to ask God for Innocence. Such a quality will enable Christians to stand out amongst a world where innocence is considered a negative connotation, and then you may get more opportunities to ?give a reason for this hope that you have (in Christ)?.

what are the points at which satan temps us?

My lifestyle has changed this summer. I believe that we as believers have so much more responsibility than just hanging out with friends and socializing. We have such a greater calling on our lives. Our pleasure can not be the only answer to life, for pleasure is fleeting. Lenord Griffith in his book titled ?God?s time and ours? states that ?Satan Temps us at the point of our physical needs. Not that we might gratify them to excess, but that we may think of nothing else and gratify them at the expense of our usefulness in this world. Satan temps us at the point of our ambitions. Not that we might engage in positive evil, but simply except the fact of evil, learn to live with it, come to terms with it and maintain a discrete silence in the presence of it. Satan temps us at the point of our religion. Not that we might disbelieve in God, but that we might demand certainty, that kind of certainty that leaves nothing to faith, nothing to God Himself. These are the moral struggles that have reality for people such as we are. The subtle temptations to renounce our duty in favor of what is attractive, that insidious allurement to a kind of a half goodness which is the essence of everything bad. And which is more productive of suffering and hatred, war and misery in this world than all the desires of wicked and greedy people combined?. Isn?t that statement challenging? I love it!

Thoughts on other religions...

When Gahndie was asked what he thought about Christianity, he responded, ?I like their Christ, but I don?t like their Christians. When I think of a Christian I see a mug of beer in one hand and a gunboat under their feet?. In context, Gahndie was referring to what he thought of the missionaries of his day in age. In all seriousness, this statement has certain implications that I want to draw out. One is the issue of drinking. I have friends of different faiths, and some of them (Hindus and Muslims in particular) refrain from drinking. Since I have been home, I have had no problem with a beer here or a glass of wine there (to put your fears at rest, it?s never in excess). The bible does not preache alcoholic abstinence as some in my past have lead me to believe, but it does preach against excess & impairment of the body (keep in mind that our Savior not only drank wine, but he made it as well, that was his first miracle.) In order to reach my friends though, perhaps abstinence is something I should consider (just as Paul became all things to all people so that they might be saved). Along a different religious thought, we are approaching Ramadan very soon. This is a muslim?s time of fasting and trying to be a better person (learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan) . I am considering joining the Muslim faith in this fast. I do not join to desire try to become a better person person, Only Christ through me makes that possible. Instead I join to share in their emphasis on the poor and hurting in our world. The fast lasts every day in September from sunup till sundown and is supposed to continually remind the person of the plight of the poor. I feel that this issue is something I could definitely continually be reminded of. Last thought, if you are witnessing to a Muslim or a Hindu, please remember that you are going to have to convince him that you love him for who he or she is and not for something your trying to manipulate him or her into. A lesson learned you could say. Rememberm, the only way to overcome others stigma is with genuine Christian Love.

My mom thinks Tom Cruise is the anti-Christ?

When did we stop caring about being stewards of the environment. It's like we want to please our selves and damn the cost. I was reading today that the biggest habitat for Manatee natural habitat (Florida). There are on average (last time anyone checked) around 600,000 sport utility boats along Florida?s coast. There are fewer than 1,800 manatee?s remaining around Florida?s cost. There are approximately 3,000 West Indian manatees left in the United States. Most manatee moralities are human-related. Most human-related manatee moralities occur from collisions with watercraft. Other causes of human-related manatee moralities include being crushed and/or drowned in canal locks and flood control structures; ingestion of fish hooks, litter and monofilament line; and entanglement in crab trap lines. Ultimately, however, loss of habitat is the most serious threat facing manatees today. This is just one creature that has suffered b/c of our ancestors. Check out http://www.savethemanatee.org/info.htm to find out what you can do. By the way, I think my mom thinks Tom Cruise is the anti-Christ. Not really, but she really doesn?t like that guy. Does any anybody else?s mom or wife feel this way?

The So Called Experts...

In 1965 the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, made a pompous statement that "So here is the Great Society. It's the time- and it's going to be soon- when nobody in this country is poor." It's interesting than that an estimated 842,000 adults and children are homeless in a given week, with that number swelling to as many as 3.5 million over the course of a year (http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov/facts/facts_question_2.asp). The president of the United States; Grover Cleveland, in 1905 stated that "Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote. The relative positions to be assumed by man and women in the working out of our civilization were assigned long ago by a higher intelligence than ours." It safe to say now that that's bogus. I am perplexed when individuals quote Genesis 3:16 to prove such a case. "To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Last time I checked, the following was a curse of the fall, and not how we were intentionally supposed to live. The American industrialist and humanitarian in the 1900 stated that "To kill a man will be considers as disgusting (in the twentieth century) as we in this day consider it disgusting to eat one." Hmm, and yet the muder ratio in the United States is highest among all developed countries, around 5.5 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder), with rates in major cities sometimes over 50 per 100,000.

What are some other predictions the "experts" or higher ups" have made?
Harry M. Warner, who was president of Warner Brothers Pictures in 1927 said "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
The President of the United states in 1876 (Rutherford B. Hayes) commented after participating in a trial telephone conversation stated "That's an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?"
Richard M. Nixon in 1973 proposed that "By 1980 we will be self-sufficient and will not need to rely on foreign enemies...uh, energy."
Dr. Dionysus Lardner (1793-1859) was a professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy at University College, London. When posed a question about the train, stated that "Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breath, would die of asphyxia."

Be careful when you trust what the "experts" or what people in authority positions state. There are many who would seek to disprove the scriptures statements, but History reveals that humanity is shown to be the fools. 2 Corinthians 3-5 state that "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. If the Lord is truth and there blinded by him, I would say they are blinded by truth. If that's the case, and many are just feeling around in the dark, then don't be supprised when they grab a theory and then declare it a sound one. Just as if I was in a pitch black room, I would begin feeling around for something to trust in. If I found something that seemed sturdy enough at a quick glance, I may end up trusting in that thing to support me. Sadly, for some it will be the end before there "stick breaks", and they will not know they were on the wrong side.

Do I really care about the Middle East?

Lebanese Internal Security Forces have reported 989 fatalities in Lebanon and Israel Defense Forces have claimed at least 159 deaths in Israel since the conflict began July 12. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/16/mideast.main/index.html) How does that make you feel? Does it enrage you? Does it break your heart? Or like me, can you easily find yourself numb to the widespread hurting, especially with constant conflict in the Middle East. With the media pouring images into our home, we can easily become desensitized to all the violence going on in our World today. We can easily dismiss it as distant, and feel powerless to do anything. Do not believe that lie from Hell, for we are far from powerless, we can offer support.
If claim to be a Christian, then I am primarily addressing you. As representatives of the Church of Christ, I think we need to offer both financial support and prayer to the violence we see. In Issues like these I feel that the church should be in the lead with giving in aid, and loudest in crying out for peace.
What if instead of the Lebanese president thanking the Iranian?s for their support, they were thanking the followers of Jesus from around the world? According to Barna polls, 45% of US adults claim to be born again in Christ (http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=2). How come there are not even 25% of US adults desiring to aid Bothers in Sisters in Christ over in Lebanon and Israel? How does that 45% feel when fellow Christian?s (let alone anyone?s) homes are flatten in Yaroun and their lives are lost? The Greek Orthodox Church in Yaroun had there confessional pushed against the main door for protection. Muslims and Christians both had taken shelter there. Their roof was pierced in many places by artillery shells. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/14/lebanon.return.ap/index.html).How do we feel when a Hezbollah rocket strike hit?s the Israeli town of Nazareth, wounding 12 and killing two children. Nazareth is mostly populated with Muslims and Christians. Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ from the Middle East need aid. "Two distinct historical experiences characterize the native Christian communities of the Middle East and Arab world: the dhimmi and the free. Over 90 percent of the ten million or so Christians of Arab lands are dhimmis and have never known a free and equal and dignified existence. They include the Copts of Egypt, the Christians of Syria and Iraq, and Palestinian Christians. The remainder-mainly in Lebanon-have managed to resist dhimmitude and remain free, though at a great cost to themselves. Today, they are freer than all other indigenous Christians of the region despite everything that has happened in Lebanon over the past quarter century. But though free they are nevertheless increasingly embattled, isolated, neglected, and marginalized. They live under the combined pressures of Syrian occupation, the armed state-within-a-state of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, demographic decline, deteriorating economic conditions, the suspension of the Middle East peace process, and general Western (particularly American) neglect."
(http://freedomhouse.org/religion/publications/newsletters/2002/Jan-Feb/newsletter_2002-Jan4.htm)
Please, let us not neglect those who are suffering in Lebanon, Israel, and the Middle East. Pray for continued peace and that both sides can be free from fear. If you are willing to donate, click on this link. http://www.worldvision.org/Worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift_middle_east_crisis?OpenForm&lid=middle_east_bluetext&lpos=subf1). Word Vision is currently aiding the more than a million who have suffered injuries or have found themselves misplaced from where they once called home. In the beginning of this writing, I proposed the question of how the loss of life made you feel? Has it changed anything in your life? Are your prayers still "you" focused? Are you content remaining comfortable and safe while those distantly from you suffer? If so, then you should be more afraid than most, for your heart has grown cold my friend. A condition that may mean your faith is dead (James 2:14-26), and possibly your soul (Luke 7:50), (John 14:12) (Romans 1:17; 3:28).

Growing...

...involves doing the right thing every opportunity a thousand times a day. Talk is cheap if we don't follow it up when no one is watching. I think this is tougher than it sounds, because the "right thing" may not be so clear all the time. Sure, some things are black or white. Others though are nine hundred shades of gray. We do a disservice by saying "Just follow Jesus" and then we think magically all problems become easy. No, it doesn't work like this. The famous behavioral psychologist Dr. Skinner made this apparent in his tests with a pidgin and a skinner box (later replicated a hundred different ways). He was able to prove that our seemingly complex actions are composed of behavioral reinforcements and triggers that shape our actions. Does this mean that holiness is a command that is easier to follow when were younger and in some ways can become habitually? Hmmmm

The Edge

He stepped up to the red rocky cliff and looked out on the vast menacing canyon below. The view shared a striking resemblance to the badlands that he had seen as a kid in Arizona. He couldn?t help but ponder where life?s journey had thus far taken him. He chuckled to himself as he remembered a saying a friend often said; "It?s called Present because each day is a gift from God". "If that?s true," he said, "I am really not sure what to do with His gift". Truthfully, he could think of a number of things that he could do with this "present", and yet they all seem to fall short. He then laughed a nervous laugh at the pun he just made. He did seem to feel a deep chasm in his heart A chasm that he was now responsible for. Through growing up, he has found that he could rely on others to spur on his walk with Jesus Christ. In High School when he first met Jesus, it was through the youth group retreats, weekly gatherings and prayer meetings that he would stay encouraged in his faith. Then in college he was surrounded with encouragement. He witnessed many who were so in love with their Maker, and he saw this lived out. But now his relationship with them had changed. He would no longer see those same people on a daily basis, or even a monthly basis any more. Now he went from having everyone to no one. Of course things weren?t as bleak as this picture his mind painted for him, but isn?t the reality that we know through our mind?s eye. And further more, isn?t out decisions and moods therefore vulnerable to our mind?s chemical state. Perhaps with a little more serotonin in his amygdale would prevent him from asking such questions. Then he would remain as high as a kite. "But what goes up must come down" he told himself. He reminded himself that it was in the valleys of this life that he had formed who he was and especially his attachment to God. He knew this wasn?t about the chemical processes in his head, even if they were responsible for what was taking place right then. This was about a choice. This September he would have no Indiana Wesleyan University. He would have no "Spring Summit" to rekindle that purifying fire within. He would not have such an abundance of friends to pour into him what he desperately longed for. There was no doubt that he still needed the Body of Christ, this was for sure. But now it was his turn, his part to play.
He looked back at the winding road he had traveled to come up to this cliff. It seemed long, but that was deceptive and he knew that the trail ahead would be much longer. Then he looked to the sides of him. He noticed a path shortly east of his position along the cliff. The path traveled alongside this menacing chasm, you could get the feel of the great divide without falling into it. The path seemed like it had been traveled often. He sighed in a tired expression and removed his backpack and set it on rock beside him. In it he had all he needed to survive on the journey. Sadly, he had already learned that he wasn?t able to take it with him. There were other packs there too. A variety of different hiking packs; some were larger, others more colorful. It would seem their owners also learned that non-of this mattered, since the pack can no go with them. He stepped back from the ledge as thoughts went racing in his head. There was still so much to do, so much he wanted to know. And yet, he felt that all events in his life were experiencing a culmination at this moment. It was like they had been quizzes that were all leading up to this final test. Quizzes that were preparing him for this day. He stepped back farther from the ledge and pondered some more. He knew it was pointless to try anymore. Trying just didn?t work. He wasn?t strong enough to try the rest of his life. "Try to grow closer to God?" No, trying was impossibility, it could not be done. He would have to surrender everything, even the act of trying. "I need you!" he bursts out from the deep chasm in his heart, stepped back a little bit more, and then lunged forward. His breaths became gasps and air flowed through his hair and around his body as he sprinted towards the edge of the cliff. He ran with as much strength as he could muster towards the cliff. When he reached the cliff, he had no time to hesitate. Instead he thrusts his legs out from the rocks, propelling him horizontally as he fell vertically. As tears formed in his eyes from the sharp wind cutting around his face he thought, "I?ve done my part, it?s your turn Jesus".

What world do you live in?

I recently saw the film "X-Men: The Last Stand" and enjoyed it very much. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat; it was full of surprises. I have always enjoyed the cartoon and comics of the X-Men. Something about the idea that there are those with special powers that distinguish them from the rest appeals to me. I also enjoy the attempt to attribute more accurate emotions to the characters. Although it is straight fiction, the realistic emotional state of the characters makes the movie that much more captivating. Movies are nice in that regard. They give us a little break from our own little world. In just a short period of time we can experience a whole range of emotions. Excitement, love, sorrow; they are all possibilities. At one moment we can feel an adrenaline rush as the main character engages in a near escape with death; the next we can feel strong dislike for a character that seeks to harm another character in some way. Movies can offer that needed break from the daily routine of daily life, or give you that ability to turn your brain off and leave your emotions on. I think it is a dangerous place though too, that place where your emotions are engaged and your captivated into another world that exists through your minds eye. The first risk is the imposing of images that invoke emotions on your conscious without critical thinking there to sensor and rationally compartmentalize it. Two, there is a tendency to desire to stay in that place of stimulated amygdala response and frontal lobe relaxation. We can't afford to stay in such a state, there is too much work to be done in this world. We can't afford to get stuck into a video game that consumes hour?s upon hours of our time. Not when there are kids still going hungry on the streets. We can't afford to watch fifteen movies in one week. Not when girls are being forced into prostitution and widows are being evicted from their homes. We can't afford to be engaged in any form of entertainment that becomes our focus. Time is too precious and life is too short to be investing in anything else besides this world and its residents. As soon as we start getting wrapped up in some imaginary world and start neglecting this one, that is when we have become no good to this world. Martin Luther King Junior once said that "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." What is the line though that separates a mere casual desire for entertainment, and a unhealthy obsession to be entertained? Is there a line? If we have to ask that, we might as well ask ourselves when it was that our lives began to end

The Children of the Landfill

This is my fifth day being back in the United States. I was only there two weeks, but it was long enough. There was enough time to fall in love with the kids from the streets. Long enough to develop relationships with the kids in the Manuelito Project. Long enough to see the needs and long enough to have the faces at the landfill burned into my mind. I still feel like what I saw was a dream, I have to force myself to believe that it is happening this very moment, the sight is that unbelievable. Imagine that you are ten years old. You have never heard the term baseball, and you have never owned your own stuffed animal. You do not have time to worry about that, you have to help feed your family, you have to feed yourself. You make money by scrounging through a city landfill, finding something that you can recycle, sell, or even eat. The trucks come and back into the large landfill, not even pausing for you to get out of the way. They dump the trash and you dig your little ten-year-old hands through the waste. You have to fight to get anything of value from the crowed that has now surrounded the newest delivery. You pick through sharp glass and rotten food, the smell no longer bothers you, you have grown up in this landfill. You have picked through trash only to uncover parts of aborted babies, been pricked by used hospital needles, and seen people run over by garbage trucks. I do not pretend to even have an idea of what it is like to live by picking through trash, making if lucky 40 cents a day. I only can imagine from the stories I have heard what the experience would be like for a child. Fortunately, there is something that you and I can do?
Check out the World Gospel Mission video on the ministry at http://www.wgm.org/cms/story/Story.asp?tid=3&did=675&pid=1846#top

It is my fifth day in hondurous right now, it the manulito project is amazing. I love the kids, and I am starting to understand more and more spanish. The girls found a scorpion in their room a couple days ago, and then it dissapeared. Also, alot of people have shotguns here. the police are deffinitly a lesser role. Everything else is great, weather is 90 degrease and high humidity (with little rain). God is doing amazing things. Please pray for Joel, a member of our team. His grandpa died two days ago. Also pray for Bethany strickland, who has thrown up the past two days. We are improving their water pipes, and so we do lots of digging, mostly with pick axes because the ground is so tough. Pray that our strength holds out, and that we are very effective in our work. The key is not to try to do it on our own strength, but God's. Pray that we depend on him instead of our own power. Thanks for your prayers, they are coveted! Buenos Dias!

Yes, but why Nyquil?

If I have any regular readers out there, my apologies for not writing regularly. I have been quite distracted by the pressures of school. In fact, I still have to finish a literature review on breast cancer, a workbook on my theology, and a presentation for a Missionary video for St. Croix's Christian Union Church. So with all that to do, why on earth would I take Nyquil? Maybe it was because I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and it was all I had. Maybe because for some reason I thought I could withstand any of the effects. Maybe I thought my daily dose of adderall would counter the drowsiness. Well, of course I fell back asleep and woke up at 7:15 in a dreamlike state. A dream that was continually pulling me back towards my bed as if I was experiencing the effects of a black whole. I finally gave in at 6:30 that afternoon. So, life lesson? Nyquil for nights, Dayquil for days...period.

How simple this Christian life can be, and yet how complicated it can be at the same time. In the past I would fill my days w/ activities or involve myself in activities that I thought God would be pleased with. And at the same time I would find that I was to busy to be in Gods word and in prayer. And yet, How easily I recognize now that any day I do not surrender to the heart of God through prayer and scripture (and a number of other ways) are days I have ultimately sinned against Him. Any day without setting aside time and seeking God is a day that I unconsciously think I can handle without Gods divine interaction in my life. How can I know what He want's me to do if I am not in tune with him? Father, before I try to do anything for you, help me to spend time with you. (Isaiah 41)

Three True Thoughts from an adult with ADD?

Background: At local coffee shop/pub (Beatniks) for St. Patrick?s day with three other friends and we are given a St. Patrick?s day party pack that contains hats, pins, necklaces, noisemakers, and pulled firework poppers.
Brief laps of intelligence: "Hmm, when Katie shot her firwork confetti popper just a second ago, it didn?t go very far. Perhaps if I shoot while pointing at her face, it won?t hurt her but give her a funny scare."
Reality: momentary blindness and irritated eyes for Katie while Nate apologizes profusely.

Background: Book check for theology 1 is due Monday. Have to finish it up on suday night. Sit down at 1:30 am to get cracking.
Brief laps of intelligence: "Perhaps if I wash the show Stargate on my computer while I type, the whole process will go by faster."
Reality: working on book till 6:00 am in the morning.

Background: I get back from class and decide to make cinnamon roles. I place them on baking pan and put on icing, forgetting that icing goes on last.
Brief laps of intelligence: "Well, perhaps even though the icing is on they will still bake fine."
Reality: Smoke alarm is going off as crisp smoking cinnamon roles are pulled from the oven.

It?s not easy being ADD. Sometimes, I have no idea what I was thinking. There is no cause for alarm. This happens 10% of the time, and God is watching over me 100% of the time. Chance of hurting others or myself, about 1% of the time. But then?we must ask ourselves, maybe it was your or my time to go. (Please don?t take anything just stated seriously, this dose not reflect the theological doctrine of this writer).

Hmmm, another romantic thing I did? When I asked a special someone to be my girlfriend, I did more than just ask. I made her a candlelight dinner with creamy Parmesan Alfredo, garlic bread, some side dish, and a cheesecake for desert. I also bought her a bear with the bear hugging a note. I have now idea what I said in the note, but I do remember the bear also had a CD on its lap. My roommate helped me to make a CD for her, and on it I am singing her a song about how much I care for her. I wrote it and ruined it after I sang it (because I sing so badly). The underlying message was that I wanted her to date me. I even humiliated myself by singing just to prove it. Final thoughts? I really hope that song never gets out on the Internet.

Don't you want somebody to love...

Most of the new blogs posted will express a theme now. The theme will last for as long as I am in this sullen state that I am in. I am a victim and a perpetrator of a broken heart. To deal with love lost, I am posting my romantic fetes. These include actions throughout the years that may have been either romantic or eccentric. I will do my best to go in order, paralleling these actions in direct relation to my age (starting at my youngest fete). Although I am trying to start in order, I also know I have forgotten many. If you were a recipient of such an action not listed, be so kind as to remind me. A first attempt at true romantic ism that pops into my head was performed when I was a junior in high school. It was sweetest day, and I was attempting to enchant my sweetheart at the time. I overwhelmed her by showing up at her door with 6 dozen different colored freshly cut roses and a potted plant (a daisy or something I think). Not 6 roses, 6 dozen roses. That?s whopping 72 roses in all. It cost me about one hundred dollars. That girl is now married to a friend of mine. Moral of the story? A young sappy boy in love goes broke real quickly.

Thanks for all I have...for I have much!

As a person who has had some amazing experiences, I consider myself blessed. Yet, what if all the gifts I have and blessings I have experienced were not for me, but so I could benefit others? And what if the more gifts you have means the more in debt you are to those around you who are lacking? There are a few who have more than I, but the majority around the world have allot less. You don't have to go far to see some one whom would love to have a roof over their heads or a decent meal. There are many who would love to be as smart as you, as well off as you financially. Many who would die do have a family like yours and have friends like your friends. Some want the confidence that you have, or the musical ability; the nice figure you have, or the athletic skill. You and I may feel at times like those who have not. We are not those that have not, we are people who have, and just don?t realize how much we have. I encourage you to give to those who lack your gifts. Give your intelligence, lend your confidence, give of your support. Share your Kindness or finances, Your health or tech skills. Even the ability to operate all your limbs is a gift, I have friends who would love to have that ability. While your thinking of all the things you have to fit in to your schedule, think of what you can do today to help out somebody else. What gift will you contribute to them that are lacking?

1 Thessalonians 5:14&15
We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
Acts 20:35
I have given you an example that by working hard like this we should help the weak . We should remember the words that the Lord Jesus said, 'Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.'"
Ephesians 4:16
He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Luke 12:48
?From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Where the heck is Anytown?

If you have ever been on a mission trip or had to raise funds for some worthy cause, you may fully appreciate this story. I had spent many hours finishing a support letter to raise prayer support and financial support. Unfortunately, there was some information I was not aware of while writing the letter. I was unsure how much the trip would cost, or even the exact dates of the trip. In fact, I wasn?t even sure of what address to leave so people could send financial support. I guess I just figured that any details could be filled in at a later date. Sure, it may have been wiser to leave those spots blank so I wouldn't forget I made up crucial information. Unfortunately, wisdom is best served in hindsight. A couple weeks went by until deadlines began approaching. I would have to retrieve and finalize my letter. I put the finishing touches on it, and had one hundred copies printed out. I then sent out 28 letters to friends and family, with 22 on standby. It was then that the phone calls started coming in and those who felt that bad news was better meant to be in person. What was the bad news you ask? I had forgotten to change the stuff I made up. Luckily the price I put was only around $800 over, and the dates of the trip were pretty darn close. It was the wrong address that was a devastating blow. The address that directed people where to mail the financial support was completely fiction. As we speak, the US post office will be continually reminded why return addresses are such a wonderful Idea. The many envelopes addressed to:
1234 Main St.
Anytown, US 12345
will never make there destination. What glint of wisdom can you derive from such a sad story? It is this? to proofread. I don't care who you are, just proofread the stupid thing.