Interests:spreading God's Good News (the Gospel), China, wolves, watching behind-the-scenes on movies, watching old movies and tv shows (old ~= pre 1965), making movies (specifically directing), wolves, math, physics, engineering, programming, did I mention WOLVES?
So, this is just a quick note. Last night I was hit by a drunk driver from the driver-side/rear on Veteran's Parkway. My car was totaled as we were sent spinning into the ditch. My passenger and I were able to walk out of it by the grace of God! I am very grateful to be alive. The officer at the scene told me that had I been struck 2 feet further up it probably would have been an entirely different story. I will post pictures as soon as I get to the tow lot with a camera. My cell phone is probably still in my car, but I am checking voicemail periodically from other phones. My passenger, Howard, was a new employee at Taco Bell that I was giving a ride home. When I was released from the hospital with just some whiplash, he was still being checked out (since he hadn't been buckled in as I had). I believe he has since been released, but have no way of getting in contact with him. I could use your prayers that he will be okay and heal quickly. Also that I would heal with no major injuries and would be able to get things sorted out. Also pray for the 40-year-old man who struck us, that he would experience God's grace and forgiveness through this and be drawn to Him. Thank you. I will try to post more details as I have time. And in all this, definitely give praise to God for His protection, provision, and peace through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit! Amen.
I just had a really good conversation with my sister last night. I was struck by my need for letting go of my foredrawn or desired conclusions. So often I claim to trust God, but I simultaneously try to hold onto the conclusion I want. I ask God for guidance through a situation, but I'm only willing to step out if I can feel confident I know what the end result will be. I drag my feet, endlessly analyzing and looking for the best course of action, but my analysis is tainted by a tendency to reach the result that I desire. This is not trust that God's Will now will always produce the best outcome down the road. This is not trust that God's plan includes pieces that I could never grasp ahead of time. This does not trust that if I remain true to the the convictions He has brought me to, I will not be let down and forsaken. Trust demands of me that I let go of the outcome, that I entrust the outcome to God, and that I faithfully and diligently take the steps of obedience He has laid before me. I may not be able to guarantee pain won't follow, but I must trust that even if pain is to follow, God's purpose will be fulfilled and I will be made more complete through it.
So I've been watching the 30th annual O. Henry pun-off videos on
youtube and was inspired. The O. Henry pun-off is an annual competition
down in Austin. If the Texas on gas weren't so high, I might be able to
go there and enter. My bad puns would probably make them ill,annoyed,
or frustrated, but at least I'd be able to say "been there, got the new
jersey". I would lose-easy-ana way. OK, I think I'm almost done, but
you can't blame me for wishing once. And if I want, I can Wishigan a
second time, but a Wish-can't-send me there. My Maine point is that
they'll all say I Nevada chance. The cold realities of this world are
so cruel; the place in my dreams is a much more Merry-land. Idaho, I
guess I'll stop with idle wishing and I'll-ask-a God who cares.
"Huh-why-he gonna do that," a Chinese man once asked my friend George.
"Why? O Ming, if you only knew..." George began to reply as he sipped
his mini-soda. "God wants to help us. He hurts when we hurt. He cares
about our missouri. Iowa lot to Him for all He has done for me."
"Really?" Ming replied. "I Nebraska-nything from God. Utah me something
new today. I heard once that Jesus never leave. Then I hear Jesus go up
to heaven. I confuse: He here, or-He-gone?" "Well, you see, it's both,"
Georgia-gain replied. "He ascended to heaven, but His Spirit is here
washingtons of people clean and bringing new life." "Oh, I...O---" Ming
stuttered and trailed off as he tried to grasp the immensity of what he
had just heard." My friend continued to explain, "You see, God created
man in His image, but man has rebelled against Him and gone his own
way. God wanted to restore us into right relationship with Him again,
but In-di-end-a payment had to be payed for sin." Ming interrupted, "I
know sin make me yucky, but why kentyucky people get into heaven and be
made good." "Because God is pure, but He also gave us free choice. We
have to choose to let Him change us. It's like MyAunt Anna's car. It
was designed and created perfect. One day it got into a wreck and was
ruined. She had to Call-her-auto repair shop and ask for their help,
because she couldn't fix it herself. She had to trust them, and follow
their instructions if she wanted it repaired. They wouldn't force her
though. If she refused to follow their directions she would be left
with a wreck that would be of no use. Similarly, God doesn't force us
to accept His redemption, but He offers us the help. Jesus death payed
the price, and now His Spirit can bring new life to those who believe."
"So, the blood of Jesus restores us to a perfect Ten,I see," Ming
finally began to understand.
1st place winner in one of the competitions at this years 30th annual O.Henry pun-off.(www.punpunpun.com) The punslinging competition uploaded on youtube is also really entertaining, and inspiring 8-D
DISCLAIMER:
Don't watch the Erik Ott routine, it's really dirty. If you do, don't
say you weren't warned. All the other ones are usually pretty clean.
This may surprise a lot of you who know me. I think dating would be fun. As a matter of fact, though I don't believe in recreational dating for many reasons, it still presents itself as really appealing. I mean, I could enjoy attention from someone special. I could feel like I actually fit in with someone and not feel as left out. I could make someone laugh. I could make them feel better about themselves and thus feel better about myself. I could enjoy special connections between two fun personalities (well, assuming I have a fun personality ;). I really could just enjoy it and not be so uptight about those deeper things for a little while, as long as we both agreed that's all it meant, right? But if I haven't been convinced by God that recreational dating is what's best (which I haven't), then this is a temptation for me since it appeals to my selfishness rather than a desire to glorify God (Romans 14:23) I think the biggest flaw in me is that very selfish attitude that just presented itself: my desire to satisfy myself in the now. As I've realized this, I've been coming to terms with my singleness again. It is easy to become distracted. Easy to become focused on self and the present pleasures this world offers. Easiness is still a poor excuse. God demands my full affections. God made me to love Him and be loved by Him for His exclusive glory. I've begun realizing again something I used to be more comfortable with: singleness is not a detriment. I haven't been shortchanged something; I'm not in need. I am blessed. I have this incredible opportunity to learn what it really means to seek God for my fulfillment, and Him only. This is something I desperately need to learn. I don't need to learn this so I can finally find a significant other. I need to learn this so I can glorify God. Everything in my life needs to glorify Him, and sadly, much of it does not. This time -- today -- is an opportunity to grow, an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to trust Christ more and allow the power of God's Spirit transform me into His likeness. Today God has called me to be single. I realize I am not prepared for anything else. It is not because there are no girls I'm attracted to. It is not because I don't think dating would be enjoyable in the now. It is not because I don't desire sharing that "special connection" with someone. It is because today I need to put my focus on God alone. Today, this is my charge. Will I be ready for a relationship tomorrow? That need not be my worry. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself." Maybe tomorrow God will bring me into a relationship, maybe tomorrow He will change me in yet another new way. This is not my concern. My concern is to glorify God with today by pursuing Him wholly and without ulterior motives or distractions. And my purpose is to encourage and aid others to do the same.
Thank you, Jesus, for my singleness. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to seek you more wholly without distractions in that area of my life. Help me to trust You to satisfy me. Help me to find my fulfillment and approval in You. Daddy God, help me to find my value and worth in the blood of Your Son that was shed for me to redeem me from my twisted and decaying self poisoned by the filth of sin. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would teach me to find direction in Your leading, to find strength in Your might, and to find affirmation in Your peace. Jesus, thank you for completing me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to grow in You and learn your ways. Thank you for this chance to understand myself and be transformed into a man worthy of Your service. I ask that you would help me to treat others with Your love and respect. I ask I would be a support to young women in You and be an encouragement to them, not a hindrance. I pray that I may be a good brother in Christ's body and point their focus to You and the work You are doing in their lives, that they may shine the beauty of Your Spirit in pure Truth and Love and Joy and be a radiating witness of You in this world. Lord, forgive me for my selfishness. Forgive me for wanting attentions that should not be mine. I pray that You might use me, but that I would not seek my own glory by trying to take a place in their life that doesn't belong to me, a place now for You alone and then, at the proper time, a place for the man You have been preparing for them. May Jesus Christ be glorified, the Father honored, and the Holy Spirit forever praised. Amen.
Now and then these feet just take to wandering Now and then I prop them up at home Sometimes I think about the consequences Sometimes I don't
Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace Sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus And you know that's all it takes
Well I wish that I could say that at the close of every day I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Job, he chased and answer The wise men chased the Child Jacob chased her 14 years and he Captured Rachel's smile Moses chased the Promised Land Joseph chased a dream David, he chased God's own heart All I ever seem to chase is me
Well, they say a race can only have one winner And you know you've got to pull out front to win God knows the only time I'm winning Is when I'm chasing Him
Well I wish that I could say that at the close of every day I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Samson chased a woman and he chased the Philistines I'm not quite sure what Jonah chased But I know he caught the sea Cain, he chased the harvest While Abel chased the beasts David, he chased God's own heart All I ever seem to chase is me And Jesus chased the moneymen And he chased his Father's will He chased my sin to Calvary And he caught it on that hill Saul, he chased the Christians Till his blindness made him see David, he chased God's own heart All I ever seem to chase is me
~ "The Chasing Song" by Andrew Peterson
The dream is fading, now I'm staring at the door
I know its over cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection, I ain't feelin what I see
It's no mystery
Whatever happened to a passion I could live for
What became of the flame that made me feel more
And when did I forget that...
I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love
and be loved by you
The dream's alive with my eyes opened wide
Back in the ring you've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the hate is spittin vapors on my dreams
But I still believe
I'm reachin out, reachin up, reachin over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And daddy I'm on my way
Cause I was made to love...
I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love
and be loved by you
Anything I would give up for you
Everything, I'd give it all away
I was made to love you
I was made to adore you, made just for you
