One of the greatest songwriters I have ever heard is Rich Mullins. Many people know him as the writer of the song Awesome God. All his music causes me to reflect on God and my life with Him. I think the one song that most reflects my walk is the song Hold Me Jesus. I think why I connect so much to Rich’s music is the fact he is not afraid to let you know he has doubts, weaknesses, and temptations. He writes about the full scope of faith. Too many people are afraid tho let their fans know they are weak at times, but God uses the weaknesses we have to help bring others to Him. If someone sees us struggle but remain faithful, that is a witness. Here is the video for Hold Me Jesus. You might want to mute the U2 streaming video on this page to hear the song. I am also including the link to the video incase the embedding doesn’t work, because half the time it doesn’t for me.
Archive for the 'personal' Category
I used to post items while I was at work, but it was discovered and I got into trouble. Then I joined facebook and became addicted to the Texas Hold-em application there, and played that in my free time. So, I don’t play that as much. I plan to begin posting again, not regularly, but at least once a week.
I know it has been a while since I posted anything. The truth of the matter is I have become addicted to the Texas Hold’em game on facebook. I tend to play that when I am online. Sorry. I will try to get better. An update on my reading list. I have recently read Nation by Terry Pratchett. He is the creator of the Discworld novels. Nation is not a disc world novel but it is very compelling reading. Although set on a fictional island, the island is basically in the South Sea. A tidal wave has destroyed life on many of the islands and civilization must begin anew. It is a wonderful look at the fight of old traditions vs new traditions and the struggle of faith when bad things happen. A worthwhile read.
I have also been reading the Sharon Kay Penman novels about the struggle between Wales and England. The first one, Here Be Dragons, starts with Richard the Lionheart and his brother John and goes from there. The next two, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, continue the story. The last one ends with Edward Longshanks on the throne and the final absorption of Wales into the English monarchy. The first book is a tough read but you can see Penman’s storytelling improving through out the novels. The final novel is very well told and compelling. I have just discovered she has two more books that deal with events that occurred historically during this time period but did not have the time to fully discuss in her trilogy. It is overall a good read.
One of the thoughts that have been going through my mind since I joined facebook is the college years. I reconnected with many people I haven’t seen or heard from in almost over eleven years. Man the memories are still fresh though. I remember the hill to Henderson Hall, the cafeteria, late night adventures to Perkins, the grease pit in town (the name slips my mind now), even the classes and the discussions I had there. Man, life has been so different since then. I have never regained the sense of family I had there. The large group of friends that did everything together. The few that held the group together. I have tried in church, work, and other ways but the comraderie is not there. I have found other ways, though, that are just as good and even better. I have a beautiful wife I love greatly. I would not exchange her for a hundred friends. I hope though that I can maybe recapture some of the spirit from that time. The late night discussions with Bryan, and Bryan, and Brian, and Chris, and Chris, and Scott, and all the others that enriched my life. It is partly why I started this blog, in hopes they would find it and think the same way, I want some of it again. I think it can only enrich our lives. I know we are all in different places, and any interaction will be shaped by the new lives we have, but to find a new balance would be wonderful. So, if we ave a glass, here’s a toast to the friendship of the past and a renewed friendship for the future for all those that wish to join me. Cheers.
In the Moments
We live a new life
In the moments.As we laugh,
As we cry,
These times
Make us new.
Looking deeply in the eyes
Of your destined bride,
That is a new life.
Holding your new born
Fresh from the womb,
That is a new life.
Kneeling beside the bed
Of a loved one dying,
That is a new life.
These moments
Forever change us
Creating a new life,
In the moments.
I finally took the plunge and joined facebook. I immediately found several friends from college. I also started a game with my friend Jeremy and my brother Gene. So in about 30 min I found 10-15 old friends and began socializing. I guess it won’t be long before the naughty pictures start going up…wait, I wasn’t supposed to mention those.
I have always heard from hockey fans and radio hosts that if you go to a hockey game you will begin to enjoy it and become addicted. I am a person who is willing to try anything twice. I try things twice so just incase the first time was an abnormality, the second time is a better indicator of the exprience. If the first time is bad but the second time is good, then I know the first time was a fluke. Now the exprience will get a third shot. If both times I tried something was bad then I know I probably will not enjoy whatever it is I’[m trying.
So, I have been to two hockey games now. I didn’t enjoy either one. I guess I will never enjoy hockey. I think part of the problem is I have no exprience in playing to sport. I have tried to ice skate, I know it is difficult. I know everything that hockey players do is hard, but the fact I have never done it means I can’t really appreciate the difficulty. I also think part of it is how quiet it is when the puck is in play. The announcer is not describing what is happening so I’m not really sure what is happening. I don’t know. It also doesn’t help that the Hurricanes were destroyed in both games I attended so fans were not as excited.
Alas, the schools were close yesterday and today for snow. It was rather sad. We were working on exams and now have to figure out how to finish them. There will also be no transition time, even a day, between semesters to prepare. I can’t wait for the the legislature to change the school start time law back to its original form. We desperately need to be able to finish the semester before Christmas. That gives teachers an opportunity to compose themselves and prepare for new students, while on block schedule. The need would not be as urgent if we were still on a traditional schedule. The students would be missing midterms not finals right now. It is just frustrating now because we can’t get tests and scores compiled in the manner we need. Please change the law!
I have not dropped off the face of the Earth. I have been busy though. I have not been able to use my down time at work to post anything lately because they are cracking down on this type of thing. I have also started working a third job. Yes that is three jobs. Needless to say I have been busy. I am also looking into a family tree beta program ancestry is running to try to get a family tree started. I will update you more on that later. Having been so busy I have not had time to blog and when I have had time to do anything I have only wanted to sit and do nothing. We have also been trying to watch all the DVD’s we got for Christmas. I may post something tomorrow. Hope the New Years is going well for everyone.
I went to the early voting place yesterday. For the first time I voted my conscience rather than practicality. I voted almost straight ticket Libertarian. The only one I didn’t vote for was the person running for Senate. I have been impressed by Dole, so I stayed with her. Yes I know some of you will be happy, some will be sad. Many will say I threw my vote away. In this world and with the choices we have, though, I was not happy with either candidate or party. Real change would be if a third party, especially one that stands for personal liberty and responsibility, were to be elected. Given the fact that both mainstream candidates supported the “bailout” and both seem to want to continue to expand the power of the federal government, neither share my view of limiting government and returning responsibility to the people or the states. I do not agree with everything the Libertarian party stands for but I have come to believe that neither mainstream party represents my views at all. Since there are not a lot of Libertarians running, though, some races I did have to choose from Democrat or Republican.
I am tired of people wanting the government to run their lives. The government seems happy to step in an oblige. I want people in office who will say, “No, its your responsibility to find what you need. We will not give it anything to you just because you scream for it.” I obviously am not heartless. If there are people, which I know there are, who truly can’t fend for themselves, than we need to help them. But, I believe that private entities in the community should be the driving force for that help, not Washington. Neither party seems to believe that any more. Not that one of them didn’t stop believing that in the 1930’s.
Is my vote just wasted. No, I truly believe that this may help create a basis for change in the future. Libertarians need to start winning ballot recognition and keeping it. Once they are permanently on the ballot then they will begin to be invited to debates. In NC Mike Munger was invited to too gubernatorial debates. We need to see a national push for presidential debate representation.
Change, true change, comes gradually. Sudden events that seem to force change really force compromise, which is not change, it is repeating the status quo in a new way. For real change to come to Washington we need new ideas. Neither party offers new ideas. There are only the old ideas dressed in new clothes. One day I hope they will be exposed, like the emperor was. For now, we must be patient. Change will come.
Thanks to the help of my family, we got all of our big heavy items moved last weekend. We still have a few small items, but it should be okay. Now we just have to figure out where to put everything. I own too many books.