Just to let everyone know, I have officially decided that the Ps2 is the work of the devil. Recently I have decided that I would like to become nostalgic and play my beloved final fantasy games again. What with summer and all this free time I figured why not, I have the time. Wrong. Turns out this is the machine of death and it will not read a single disc that I put into it. I don't know how to make it work and it is obviously causing me grief. I will never be happy again!! This is such a dumb problem to have.
Well off to a better topic. Today I got to plan out an adventure. Now I just need to fix my ripstick so it will work. If anyone knows if regular roller blade wheels work on a ripstick please let me know.
Oh you Ps2 and keeping me from my childhood. How I resent you.
Have a blessed day
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Almost there!
Wow this has been a lot harder than I expected. I figured that I would be really hungry for the first day or so, but after that it would pretty much just be a dull pain. that part I was right about. Too bad I didn't expect the super low energy, or headache, or constant pain in my whole body. It has really made me think. I'm only doing this for about 3 days. That is nothing. Many people fast for longer than this. Jesus and many others fasted for much more than I am doing. Some went many more days without food, while others went days without food or drink.
This to me shows how much more I have do grow. I still have so much closer with God I can get. It is tough, but I'm growing from it. Never before did I realize how hard fasting was and how serious it is when spoken of in the bible. All the stories about fasting I have never truly taken seriously. I have just read them and never realized how hard it is and how strong the people were that did it for so long.
As I am writing this I am struggling with whether or not I should even make a post about this. As I was reading I have come across scripture that says to essentially keep it to myself, not to do it for glory from others, but to keep it in secret between God and I (Matthew 6:16-18). I have reflected on this, and I do not think that I am writing this to be boastful in anyway, nor am I trying to say that I am more superior to anyone else. I am merely expressing my feelings on the matter. Still this is an important thing to remember, I do not need to draw attention to myself for this. I know that I have been showing how tired I have been, and I really think that this is something I need to work on. I should not be making it apparent that I am fasting. It is tough, but something I need to work on.
So far I have learned how small I am compared to God. I have realized how much I rely and look forward to food; how unnecessary the foods I eat are. At this point I would gladly eat anything. Why do I make meals such and extravagant part of my life. I need to eat the best food, only what I want to eat, and I must enjoy it. Where in reality all I need is something to sustain me. God will provide with what I need. I must look to him and trust in him. That is something that I truly need to work on. What a growing experience this has been, hopefully I can take what I have learned so far, and what I will continue to learn, and apply it to my life in the future.
Have a blessed day.
This to me shows how much more I have do grow. I still have so much closer with God I can get. It is tough, but I'm growing from it. Never before did I realize how hard fasting was and how serious it is when spoken of in the bible. All the stories about fasting I have never truly taken seriously. I have just read them and never realized how hard it is and how strong the people were that did it for so long.
As I am writing this I am struggling with whether or not I should even make a post about this. As I was reading I have come across scripture that says to essentially keep it to myself, not to do it for glory from others, but to keep it in secret between God and I (Matthew 6:16-18). I have reflected on this, and I do not think that I am writing this to be boastful in anyway, nor am I trying to say that I am more superior to anyone else. I am merely expressing my feelings on the matter. Still this is an important thing to remember, I do not need to draw attention to myself for this. I know that I have been showing how tired I have been, and I really think that this is something I need to work on. I should not be making it apparent that I am fasting. It is tough, but something I need to work on.
So far I have learned how small I am compared to God. I have realized how much I rely and look forward to food; how unnecessary the foods I eat are. At this point I would gladly eat anything. Why do I make meals such and extravagant part of my life. I need to eat the best food, only what I want to eat, and I must enjoy it. Where in reality all I need is something to sustain me. God will provide with what I need. I must look to him and trust in him. That is something that I truly need to work on. What a growing experience this has been, hopefully I can take what I have learned so far, and what I will continue to learn, and apply it to my life in the future.
Have a blessed day.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Food?
Well lots on my mind right now. Tomorrow my friend and I plan to begin a three day fast. When asked why at first I was fairly unsure. I knew that I was doing it for religious reasons, but I wasn't actually sure what those were. Recently I have put thought to it and realized that I am doing this to build my faith up. Throughout the bible there are many times when apostles, prophets, and kings fast to show their humility and their subservience to God. As I have thought about it, I realized that I do not do these in my life very well. Rarely do I give thanks to God for everything in my life or realize him as my lord and God. I'm really not sure what this fast will hold in store for me or what it will be life. But what I do know is that I will use it as a humbling experience. Every time I feel and pang of hunger I will take it as a reminder of my God and how he is in control of my life. The pain I feel is nothing to what he has done for us. I will use the time that I have used for food, and instead use it as time to reflect on God's glory, to praise and spend time talking to him, and to delve into my bible and understand his word. I'm so excited for how this will affect my life and my faith; I want to draw myself closer to my God and build a stronger, more intimate relationship with my Lord.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
This Had A Lame Title, So I Deleted It
Well, just a little bit of forewarning on this one, I'm pretty sure it will be a long one.
So today was Baccalaureate at my school. For anyone who doesn't know, Baccalaureate is the religious side of graduation, essentially it is a religious service for the graduating class and families. It started out with the usual, the band played as we all walked in and was followed by a prayer to start us off. The Bell choir sang The Lord Bless You and Keep You and also another song that I'm not sure what it is. Then we had the sermon. I'm very frustrated with myself right now as I cannot remember the name a of the speaker. I know he had a doctorate and a masters in ministry and divinity, and I also know that he used to be an assistant principal at our school. He was also a football coach at Permian I believe and has done sermons for the Sooners religious groups. He lives in Arlington and is a local preacher at a Methodist Church I believe.
He had a powerful message. Spoke on the topic of dreams, dreams and how we can, and should attain them. He told us that he had been reading a book on dreams when he was asked to speak to us and that he felt that this was a great moment for him to speak out and to share this message. One of the main scriptures he used was from proverbs 13:19 in the New Living Translation.
He told us a story from his life in college. He came from a poor town and was pretty much living off of his scholarship money to get through college. He got his vouchers and used them to pay for his tuition and books. Then he took on a part time job to get a little spending money. This is the point where he was shaken. He was out on his way work and looking out the window of his friends car he said that he fell in love. She was a Chevy Nova, cherry red with 350 hp, and priced at $1100. He couldn't afford that, there was no way that he was ever going to be able to make that kind of money. He dreamed and drooled over that car and then he got a phone call.
They said that his scholarship money was in and that he would need to come pick it up. Thinking that he has already used his money to buy his books and everything he is shocked when they tell him that he is getting a refund of $1200. He can finally afford her. His dreams can now come true.
Later on, while in his dorm room, one of his friends friends drops by because he heard of the refund. He offers to double the money within a week. Curious, our preacher asks him how, and is told that if he gives this guy his money, he can go out and by and sells drugs and split the profit with him. Our preacher immediately says no and asks the guy to leave.
Then a few days pass and he remembers something his father used to tell him: "never put all your money in one item, always keep a some money in your pocket." Now he has come to a dilemma. And at this point Mr. Drug Dealer smells blood. He comes by again and offers his proposition. Sensing the hesitation he is quick to reassure him that he can get all his money doubled in a week and that he can be trusted, no worries. Our preacher, after much deliberation, decides that he will give him $500 and if he works that our that he will give him the rest later.
As it turns out, the guy used the money, bought drugs, and was using them with his girlfriend. Horrified, our preacher storms up the floors and confronts him. The guy confesses and apologizes and tells him that he will get the money back.
As small of a dream that it might be, he almost lost his dream car because he didn't stay strong. On a larger, and much more important scale thought, he almost lost everything. You see, the other guy said that he had a gun. Our preacher had gotten himself into a mess. He was mixed up in some shady things that he should have just stayed out of. All his dreams, his whole life could have changed right there.
It all really made me think. I wish that I had a video or someway to convey everything he said, but I hope that the point was made. It is a problem that every man, from the beginning of time has a had to deal with. Evil is always around, lurking and waiting to seduce us to give in to it. We have to focus our dreams, and keep our eyes set on our goals. We can't let the world get in the way any stop us.
Just as important though, is what we set as our goals. Are your goals selfish goals, or do they benefit others? Are your goals worldly, or will they continue with you on into heaven? I think these are all important questions we must ask ourselves.
Now the second part of the post, and the shorter part.
Baccalaureate was a great experience and something that really made me think. One of my biggest fears about college is finding a strong church home; being able to place myself in unfamiliar territory and worship the same as if I was at home; be comfortable to show my faith in a strange and new place. I'm terrified. Baccalaureate really helped to alleviate some of those fears though. I was sitting in a room, full of my school friends, people who I much too rarely share my faith with, in a church service, hearing the words of God. It really made me think why don't I do this more often, it isn't bad at all.
It was different than ours at Legacy, but it was still a good service. The preacher was Methodist, but I really enjoyed him. It made me want to go visit other churches, to see what other services are like, to praise and worship God with people that I have never met before. I'm really excited about it. I think it will totally change my worship and open my eyes to new experiences. I love my church, but I think that this will be a positive experience, and definitely something that I can learn from.
Thank you lord for what you have done for me. You are an awesome and almighty God. I am yours and thankful for it. I want to live my life for you always.
Have a blessed day
So today was Baccalaureate at my school. For anyone who doesn't know, Baccalaureate is the religious side of graduation, essentially it is a religious service for the graduating class and families. It started out with the usual, the band played as we all walked in and was followed by a prayer to start us off. The Bell choir sang The Lord Bless You and Keep You and also another song that I'm not sure what it is. Then we had the sermon. I'm very frustrated with myself right now as I cannot remember the name a of the speaker. I know he had a doctorate and a masters in ministry and divinity, and I also know that he used to be an assistant principal at our school. He was also a football coach at Permian I believe and has done sermons for the Sooners religious groups. He lives in Arlington and is a local preacher at a Methodist Church I believe.
He had a powerful message. Spoke on the topic of dreams, dreams and how we can, and should attain them. He told us that he had been reading a book on dreams when he was asked to speak to us and that he felt that this was a great moment for him to speak out and to share this message. One of the main scriptures he used was from proverbs 13:19 in the New Living Translation.
"It is pleasant to see dreams come true,That alone was a powerful message. How often do we truly think of that. Do you turn from evil to attain your goals, or do you just put them on hold because it is the easy thing to do? How many times have we given up on something because we were too engulfed in evil, it was too much a part of our life and we were afraid to change it? He made a great point when he brought up how we view and run from evil. If evil was simply the little creature in the red costume with the pointy horns, how hard would it be for us to just turn away and say no? It evil was ugly and unpleasant looking would it be hard to turn away from? No, the thing about evil is that it looks so desirable. It is so pleasant and alluring that we are drawn to it, not pushed away from it.
but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them."
He told us a story from his life in college. He came from a poor town and was pretty much living off of his scholarship money to get through college. He got his vouchers and used them to pay for his tuition and books. Then he took on a part time job to get a little spending money. This is the point where he was shaken. He was out on his way work and looking out the window of his friends car he said that he fell in love. She was a Chevy Nova, cherry red with 350 hp, and priced at $1100. He couldn't afford that, there was no way that he was ever going to be able to make that kind of money. He dreamed and drooled over that car and then he got a phone call.
They said that his scholarship money was in and that he would need to come pick it up. Thinking that he has already used his money to buy his books and everything he is shocked when they tell him that he is getting a refund of $1200. He can finally afford her. His dreams can now come true.
Later on, while in his dorm room, one of his friends friends drops by because he heard of the refund. He offers to double the money within a week. Curious, our preacher asks him how, and is told that if he gives this guy his money, he can go out and by and sells drugs and split the profit with him. Our preacher immediately says no and asks the guy to leave.
Then a few days pass and he remembers something his father used to tell him: "never put all your money in one item, always keep a some money in your pocket." Now he has come to a dilemma. And at this point Mr. Drug Dealer smells blood. He comes by again and offers his proposition. Sensing the hesitation he is quick to reassure him that he can get all his money doubled in a week and that he can be trusted, no worries. Our preacher, after much deliberation, decides that he will give him $500 and if he works that our that he will give him the rest later.
As it turns out, the guy used the money, bought drugs, and was using them with his girlfriend. Horrified, our preacher storms up the floors and confronts him. The guy confesses and apologizes and tells him that he will get the money back.
As small of a dream that it might be, he almost lost his dream car because he didn't stay strong. On a larger, and much more important scale thought, he almost lost everything. You see, the other guy said that he had a gun. Our preacher had gotten himself into a mess. He was mixed up in some shady things that he should have just stayed out of. All his dreams, his whole life could have changed right there.
It all really made me think. I wish that I had a video or someway to convey everything he said, but I hope that the point was made. It is a problem that every man, from the beginning of time has a had to deal with. Evil is always around, lurking and waiting to seduce us to give in to it. We have to focus our dreams, and keep our eyes set on our goals. We can't let the world get in the way any stop us.
Just as important though, is what we set as our goals. Are your goals selfish goals, or do they benefit others? Are your goals worldly, or will they continue with you on into heaven? I think these are all important questions we must ask ourselves.
Now the second part of the post, and the shorter part.
Baccalaureate was a great experience and something that really made me think. One of my biggest fears about college is finding a strong church home; being able to place myself in unfamiliar territory and worship the same as if I was at home; be comfortable to show my faith in a strange and new place. I'm terrified. Baccalaureate really helped to alleviate some of those fears though. I was sitting in a room, full of my school friends, people who I much too rarely share my faith with, in a church service, hearing the words of God. It really made me think why don't I do this more often, it isn't bad at all.
It was different than ours at Legacy, but it was still a good service. The preacher was Methodist, but I really enjoyed him. It made me want to go visit other churches, to see what other services are like, to praise and worship God with people that I have never met before. I'm really excited about it. I think it will totally change my worship and open my eyes to new experiences. I love my church, but I think that this will be a positive experience, and definitely something that I can learn from.
Thank you lord for what you have done for me. You are an awesome and almighty God. I am yours and thankful for it. I want to live my life for you always.
Have a blessed day
Monday, May 11, 2009
God really spoke to me tonight. I don't even have time to go into everything that was said, or how i feel about it all, but i just wanted to say that I heard his voice. He was calling me to live for him. To allow myself to be used for his work. To give my life for him. I yearn to accept it and I plan to. I hope that I can truly be a light for my God in this world. I need some help though. Keep me accountable. Call me out, I can take it. I can't wait to see what the next year hold for my friends and I. I will be amazing to see how we all change, scary, but amazing.
That, in a short version, is what I was thinking tonight at our senior banquet. It was a great time and I loved it all.
That, in a short version, is what I was thinking tonight at our senior banquet. It was a great time and I loved it all.
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