I am clumsy. Very very clumsy. I had several paragraphs of eloquently written dialogue about my bust job and how I forgot how much I enjoy writing for myself, but I hit the back button and lost it. Pretend this is that.
Moving on...
I like to write and get things out of my system. A lot of people like to talk, paint, or even exercise, but I prefer to write. It is strange though because in the same way that some people talk ages to open up in conversation I take a long time to convince myself to write or make time for it.
So what to talk about? Who knows, lets see where this takes us. I'll start with my job. My job is insane. On non game days, or 10 out of the summer, i have it pretty easy. Just 9-6 of non stop scheduling, writing, and dealing with player stuff. On game days: Yikes.
I have duties at the office to take care of from 9 until 2. At that time I go pick up the player uniforms after our game day meeting and head to the ballpark. Once there I set up the dugout, get water for both teams, lay out the jerseys, set up parking, get my spot set up if i am doing online play-by-play, or get my spot set in the dugout, then help everyone else set up the park. We usually finish just as the gates open. After an hour of hawking programs, helping with tickets or picnics, delivering food, etc. I either do the play-by-play or help in the dugout until the game ends.
After the game it's thirst minutes to write my press release and update the website then help with cleanup. Usually i get my story up adn sent out, get the uniforms bagged and leave the stadium around 12:30, get home at 1, and get ready to do it all again the next day. Road games are pretty much the same, except add in three hours for laundry instead of clean-up and 3-6 hour bus rides.
I'm not sure why i felt the need to tell that, but it's there so enjoy it. Moving on, I am not happy because of the amount of time the internship takes. I knew it would be insane, but i thought I would get to come in later on home game days, etc and its very frustrating not getting to spend time with the people I love.
I have really focused recently, however, on trying to return my focus to God instead of my aches, pains, complaints, etc. It is not easy, but it is refreshing. I need to do that much more frequently, and that is something that I am working on. Hopefully I will learn how to do that better no matter how busy my life is.
One of the best things about how bad life can be is the unexpected places God likes to show up and surprise you. Sometimes it is subtle, a beautiful tree or flower. Sometimes a surprise that makes you smile, like a deer in the mall parking lot. Sometimes it is a smack in the face of the reach God has.
I was talking to one of the players on our team. He is by no means a bad person, but not the type you expect to be open with faith. He is a bit of a party-er, but again a heck of a guy. I was talking to him before a game and I saw some writing on the bill of his cap. I thought it would say "Power," "Focus," or something like that. Instead? PHIL 4:13.
I asked him what verse it was and without hesitation, despite his teammates around him he responds "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It was just so refreshing to be hit by that. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal at all, but it is one of those "Wow, Jesus is everywhere, in everything, and he cannot be held back" moments for me.
Anyway, it feels good to talk so I hope to keep this going and soon. Thanks for reading!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
I'm Baaaaaack
So, I skipped all of April on accident, and now almost half of May. The good news is that now that finals are over the blogging can resume!
Man, what a wild semester, year, everything this has been. If you are reading this you are subject to my will as far as what I choose to write so get ready.
First, I am incredibly blessed. I have an amazing family, both immediate and extended, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. The time between my last post and this one has been insane, here's the rundown.
I did not get the internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I was crushed of course, as I really had thought that was what I was supposed to do. However, a few days later I received an unexpected phone call. A few days later I was the new intern for the Brazos Valley Bombers. The Bombers are a wood bat collegiate only summer league baseball team located here in Bryan-College Station, Texas. It's kind of like a AAA team but the players cannot be paid or they would lose their eligibility.
The best part of the internship is the work I will be doing. I will be writing all of the stories and press releases, keeping statistics for the team, doing some minor assistant coaching tasks, booking hotels, etc. I am also going to be traveling with the team on road trips. I am beyond excited, even though I know I will be run ragged by the time the summer is over.
Marissa, my amazing, incredible, talented, beautiful, and remarkably patient-with-me girlfriend also got an internship with a company in College Station that does t-shirt, web, and other parts of design. She got it in less than 24 hours. You can check out her blog and some of her work, including the t-shirt design that basically got her the job here.
Glad you're back. All during the end of this semester, I have been consumed by trying to understand Spanish. Spanish is fine, but my professor has been, for lack of a better word, unhelpful. I'm glad the class is over, but I hope I was able to pull off a "B" somehow.
April 30th was the birthday of my favorite sister, M.C. She turned 25 and she is a wonderful example in my life. She is currently heavily pursuing journalism, and I could not be more proud of her after she recently got an internship as a photographer for the Salem News near Boston, Mass.
We had dinner that night in Houston at a place called Armando's that was incredible, and I got to hang out with my sister, her amazing friend Laura, Marissa, and my extended family.
The next day was my dad's wedding. It was certainly an interesting and difficult night. I was asked to say the prayer before dinner, and that was very difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it. After the dinner was over, he and his bride left and the rest of our group strolled over to the bar at the hotel the wedding was at. After some time there my cousin Katie and I decided to give wedding crashing a try. All I will say about that is that it was a great success.
These past few days have been all about finals. On Tuesday I had three. For the first time in my life I did not sleep at all. Monday night became Tuesday morning without my body ever touching my bed or sleeping for one second. I was frustrated because I cam so close to getting an A in one class from all that work (just 4 questions short), and my Spanish test would have been just as hard if I hadn't studied. Oh well, at least the semester is over.
Well, I'll stop here for today, that's all I care to talk about right now. I will make an effort to resume my blogging asap. Thanks for reading!
Man, what a wild semester, year, everything this has been. If you are reading this you are subject to my will as far as what I choose to write so get ready.
First, I am incredibly blessed. I have an amazing family, both immediate and extended, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for. The time between my last post and this one has been insane, here's the rundown.
I did not get the internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I was crushed of course, as I really had thought that was what I was supposed to do. However, a few days later I received an unexpected phone call. A few days later I was the new intern for the Brazos Valley Bombers. The Bombers are a wood bat collegiate only summer league baseball team located here in Bryan-College Station, Texas. It's kind of like a AAA team but the players cannot be paid or they would lose their eligibility.
The best part of the internship is the work I will be doing. I will be writing all of the stories and press releases, keeping statistics for the team, doing some minor assistant coaching tasks, booking hotels, etc. I am also going to be traveling with the team on road trips. I am beyond excited, even though I know I will be run ragged by the time the summer is over.
Marissa, my amazing, incredible, talented, beautiful, and remarkably patient-with-me girlfriend also got an internship with a company in College Station that does t-shirt, web, and other parts of design. She got it in less than 24 hours. You can check out her blog and some of her work, including the t-shirt design that basically got her the job here.
Glad you're back. All during the end of this semester, I have been consumed by trying to understand Spanish. Spanish is fine, but my professor has been, for lack of a better word, unhelpful. I'm glad the class is over, but I hope I was able to pull off a "B" somehow.
April 30th was the birthday of my favorite sister, M.C. She turned 25 and she is a wonderful example in my life. She is currently heavily pursuing journalism, and I could not be more proud of her after she recently got an internship as a photographer for the Salem News near Boston, Mass.
We had dinner that night in Houston at a place called Armando's that was incredible, and I got to hang out with my sister, her amazing friend Laura, Marissa, and my extended family.
The next day was my dad's wedding. It was certainly an interesting and difficult night. I was asked to say the prayer before dinner, and that was very difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it. After the dinner was over, he and his bride left and the rest of our group strolled over to the bar at the hotel the wedding was at. After some time there my cousin Katie and I decided to give wedding crashing a try. All I will say about that is that it was a great success.
These past few days have been all about finals. On Tuesday I had three. For the first time in my life I did not sleep at all. Monday night became Tuesday morning without my body ever touching my bed or sleeping for one second. I was frustrated because I cam so close to getting an A in one class from all that work (just 4 questions short), and my Spanish test would have been just as hard if I hadn't studied. Oh well, at least the semester is over.
Well, I'll stop here for today, that's all I care to talk about right now. I will make an effort to resume my blogging asap. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ha Ha, Very Funny...
On Tuesday I had an interview with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Overall I feel like the interview went well, but it ended with "I have a few other interviews to run this week so we will be in touch on or around Friday."
Lessen learned: Be careful what you ask for.
Let's backtrack for just a minute.
I have applied for an internship with a fairly hefty number of companies and Enterprise was the first to respond. Going in to my interview on Tuesday, I had a lot of thoughts rushing through my mind. I guess the best way to get my point across is simply to state the following: Enterprise is a great company, but I am conflicted because it is not major-related for me. So going in to the interview I was trying to determine the correct course of action to take.
There were a few possible outcomes in my mind before the interview began.
1. I would not be offered the job and would be back to square one.
2. I would be offered the job, and given time to make a decision.
3. I would be offered the job, but forced to make a decision at that time.
The most appealing to me was #2 and the reason why is that quite frankly if ESPN calls how could I turn it down? I would feel bad if I had to accept the job and then reject it later, possibly ruining Enterprise's chance to get an intern for the summer. I realize that getting an internship with ESPN would pretty much take a miracle (currently praying for said miracle), but I would feel bad if that happened. So, going in to Tuesday I prayed that I would have time to make a decision on the Enterprise internship.
Well, in a way I got what I asked for. Of course, I have not been offered the job, but if I am, it will not be until Friday. My prayer for more time was answered, I just should have been more specific...
So if there is a moral to this story, prayer works, but be specific!
Lessen learned: Be careful what you ask for.
Let's backtrack for just a minute.
I have applied for an internship with a fairly hefty number of companies and Enterprise was the first to respond. Going in to my interview on Tuesday, I had a lot of thoughts rushing through my mind. I guess the best way to get my point across is simply to state the following: Enterprise is a great company, but I am conflicted because it is not major-related for me. So going in to the interview I was trying to determine the correct course of action to take.
There were a few possible outcomes in my mind before the interview began.
1. I would not be offered the job and would be back to square one.
2. I would be offered the job, and given time to make a decision.
3. I would be offered the job, but forced to make a decision at that time.
The most appealing to me was #2 and the reason why is that quite frankly if ESPN calls how could I turn it down? I would feel bad if I had to accept the job and then reject it later, possibly ruining Enterprise's chance to get an intern for the summer. I realize that getting an internship with ESPN would pretty much take a miracle (currently praying for said miracle), but I would feel bad if that happened. So, going in to Tuesday I prayed that I would have time to make a decision on the Enterprise internship.
Well, in a way I got what I asked for. Of course, I have not been offered the job, but if I am, it will not be until Friday. My prayer for more time was answered, I just should have been more specific...
So if there is a moral to this story, prayer works, but be specific!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Check it!
Here is my first post on TAMUtimes! Please read it if you have time as i could really use the feedback! Thanks again!
Oh and I promise I will continue to post here!
William's First Post
Oh and I promise I will continue to post here!
William's First Post
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Exciting News
Howdy everyone, I have exciting news. Starting very soon I will begin Blogging for TAMUtimes, the Texas A&M official Blog! Be sure to check it out from time to time, as the other writers are all awesome!
You can follow this link to see the site: TAMUtimes.tamu.edu
Seeing as in that blog, just like this one, we are free to write about whatever we want to I was hoping to get a few suggestions. Please comment anything that you would like me to write about, especially pertaining to life as an Aggie, life in College Station, or something along those lines.
Don't fret, I will continue to post on this blog, they only allow me one or two a week on that one! You will hear from me soon!
p.s. how is this for my thumbnail pic for my profile on TAMUtimes?
You can follow this link to see the site: TAMUtimes.tamu.edu
Seeing as in that blog, just like this one, we are free to write about whatever we want to I was hoping to get a few suggestions. Please comment anything that you would like me to write about, especially pertaining to life as an Aggie, life in College Station, or something along those lines.
Don't fret, I will continue to post on this blog, they only allow me one or two a week on that one! You will hear from me soon!
p.s. how is this for my thumbnail pic for my profile on TAMUtimes?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
This one's short, I promise!
First, thank you to anyone who has actually taken the time to read my last few epic posts.
I love this University, and today as I was walking across campus, thinking to myself I had an idea. We hear them all the time, Aggie Jokes. Some people are offended, some people ignore them. I happen to like most of them, at least the ones in good taste. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself you are going to have a long life.
So here is my suggestion. We should have some type of campus wide contest to see who has the best Aggie Joke. I plan to email our president about my plan later today. Let me known what you think! But first: two jokes to get you started.
Why is there no ice at Texas A&M? The Aggie who knew the recipe graduated.
What do all the Coke bottles at Texas A&M have printed on the bottom? Open other end.
I love this University, and today as I was walking across campus, thinking to myself I had an idea. We hear them all the time, Aggie Jokes. Some people are offended, some people ignore them. I happen to like most of them, at least the ones in good taste. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself you are going to have a long life.
So here is my suggestion. We should have some type of campus wide contest to see who has the best Aggie Joke. I plan to email our president about my plan later today. Let me known what you think! But first: two jokes to get you started.
Why is there no ice at Texas A&M? The Aggie who knew the recipe graduated.
What do all the Coke bottles at Texas A&M have printed on the bottom? Open other end.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
That which is Caesars
For those of you living under a rock: There was, is, and likely there will continue to be a huge fight over health care in America.
The fight came to a head when the bill passed in the house. I'd like to take a minute to express my thoughts and feelings on the whole situation, but I promise to keep my comments rather depoliticized.
Let me start by saying I do not disagree that the nation's health care system needs an overhaul. Furthermore, some of the things in the bill I don't hate.
I struggle tying myself to any one political party. In fact, I favor the advice of George Washington who despised parties. I dislike the whole political machine.
"They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests." - George Washington - Farewell Address
So for some background let me explain my political standing in order to frame my forthcoming comments.
I like the constitution. It was written by some darn smart people and it has remained almost completely unchanged for over two hundred years. I would like the government to have as little power as possible and be as small as possible. I am willing to pay taxes to fund a standing army to defend this nation and do things like build and maintain roads. Beyond that I want to be left alone.
Through this lens it is easy to see why I hate this bill. First and foremost, let me just say that for the life of me I cannot understand why I can drive to Louisiana and buy a coke, a lottery ticket, a car, and so on but I cannot buy health care there or in any other state. If someone could explain that to me I would really appreciate it. I feel like that alone would open up the market to a novel idea that our friend the government seems to have forgotten: competition. And what does competition do in a free market? DRIVE DOWN PRICES. Problem solved. Furthermore, Amendment X, the last in the Bill of Rights, reads "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Where does the government derive the right to stop the interstate trade of health care?
The government has no grounds to force me to purchase health insurance. This bill will make that a law. That is absurd. I will be required by law to buy something. There are similar situations in that you have to buy insurance for your car, but you don't have to buy a car. This gives you no choice. I have not read one line in our constitution that gives the government the right to force American citizens to buy something. After just re-reading Article I of the Constitution I have still not found any language allowing the congress to pass any law that requires citizens to buy something.
Getting back to the whole political party thing, I don't like them but I feel it's worth noting when every single member of a party votes for or against a bill. I keep hearing from Nancy Pelosi and others that this bill is what the American people want, but that is not what I have heard. The intent for congress was to represent the will of the American people, and while this is never easy, I am willing to bet that less than a majority of Americans support this bill. Ignoring for a moment the fact that I think the bill is unconstitutional, I feel our lawmakers owe it to us to serve the will of the people.
One of the things that upsets me the most is the stance of the bill on Abortion. Regardless of whether you think abortion is murder even immediately after conception or just fine until birth you should not have to pay for others to have abortions. Yes, that is right, your tax dollars, the money your employer pays and that is drawn from your paycheck will fund abortions. My stomach turns because I am opposed to abortion. It turns also because this is like using taxpayer money to pay for health care for illegal immigrants, oh wait... But especially for something so controversial and so important to so many, how can you force someone to pay for something they do not want, and that they are morally opposed to.
I guess the reason I am upset is because I am tired of being told what to do and government waste and because my generation will have to foot the bill for this.
Some of you have heard of my anger over the letter from the Census Bureau telling us we would be getting the census form, (a letter telling us we would be receiving a letter) followed by the form itself and a separate letter with numbers to call for help that could have been stuffed in the census envelope so as to not pay for extra postage. Then you have the commercials and advertisements in other mediums. Your taxpayer dollars were used to make those commercials and ads and mail those extra letters. How many millions of dollars were wasted?
"The bureau is spending $133 million between January and May." - Foxnews.com
The ads were made in 28 different languages, "including some as obscure as Hmong, a southeast Asian dialect."
Now I know the power of advertising, but lets remember one important thing. You are required, by law, to fill out this form. talk about out of control spending. How do they justify this?
Just remember, every time the people of this nation let another one of their rights be taken we slip closer towards complete government control. If that is what you really want, then start celebrating because we are close.
Summary for those of you who don't want to read this whole thing:
1. I do not support this new health care bill because:
a. It is a direct infringement on both state and personal rights
b. It funds abortion
2. I want the government to have as little impact on my life as possible.
3. I'm sick and tired of being told what to do by the government
4. I'm tired of foolish government waste
5. I'm tired of our government spending money it does not have and sticking us with the bill.
Jesus taught us to care for one another, he taught us to give and give and give. Jesus did not say that the government should take money from people and redistribute it to others based on their judgment.
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'" - Mark 12:41-44
If the poor lady who gave what little she had, just a few pennies, had been forced by the law of the land to give it would it have meant as much? No. Charity is a decision to give, it cannot be forced.
I want to care for the people without insurance, but lets do it the right way. If we removed barriers to interstate trade to drive down costs and cut down on bogus malpractice to took care of our good doctors more people could afford health coverage. Those who wish to not buy it should not have to, but it should be available at a reasonable price to all. Those who want it but cannot afford it after that need our help and I have faith that the generosity of the American people, the most generous nation on earth, would be enough.
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." - Matthew 22:21
I use a lot of quotes, but let me finish with one all my own. Care for your neighbor because you want to and you know through the example of Jesus that it is right. Charity by force does not benefit anyone, it creates a society of people who think they are entitled to teh fruits of the labor of others.
Ok, one last quote from someone else.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”—Author Unknown
The fight came to a head when the bill passed in the house. I'd like to take a minute to express my thoughts and feelings on the whole situation, but I promise to keep my comments rather depoliticized.
Let me start by saying I do not disagree that the nation's health care system needs an overhaul. Furthermore, some of the things in the bill I don't hate.
I struggle tying myself to any one political party. In fact, I favor the advice of George Washington who despised parties. I dislike the whole political machine.
"They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests." - George Washington - Farewell Address
So for some background let me explain my political standing in order to frame my forthcoming comments.
I like the constitution. It was written by some darn smart people and it has remained almost completely unchanged for over two hundred years. I would like the government to have as little power as possible and be as small as possible. I am willing to pay taxes to fund a standing army to defend this nation and do things like build and maintain roads. Beyond that I want to be left alone.
Through this lens it is easy to see why I hate this bill. First and foremost, let me just say that for the life of me I cannot understand why I can drive to Louisiana and buy a coke, a lottery ticket, a car, and so on but I cannot buy health care there or in any other state. If someone could explain that to me I would really appreciate it. I feel like that alone would open up the market to a novel idea that our friend the government seems to have forgotten: competition. And what does competition do in a free market? DRIVE DOWN PRICES. Problem solved. Furthermore, Amendment X, the last in the Bill of Rights, reads "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Where does the government derive the right to stop the interstate trade of health care?
The government has no grounds to force me to purchase health insurance. This bill will make that a law. That is absurd. I will be required by law to buy something. There are similar situations in that you have to buy insurance for your car, but you don't have to buy a car. This gives you no choice. I have not read one line in our constitution that gives the government the right to force American citizens to buy something. After just re-reading Article I of the Constitution I have still not found any language allowing the congress to pass any law that requires citizens to buy something.
Getting back to the whole political party thing, I don't like them but I feel it's worth noting when every single member of a party votes for or against a bill. I keep hearing from Nancy Pelosi and others that this bill is what the American people want, but that is not what I have heard. The intent for congress was to represent the will of the American people, and while this is never easy, I am willing to bet that less than a majority of Americans support this bill. Ignoring for a moment the fact that I think the bill is unconstitutional, I feel our lawmakers owe it to us to serve the will of the people.
One of the things that upsets me the most is the stance of the bill on Abortion. Regardless of whether you think abortion is murder even immediately after conception or just fine until birth you should not have to pay for others to have abortions. Yes, that is right, your tax dollars, the money your employer pays and that is drawn from your paycheck will fund abortions. My stomach turns because I am opposed to abortion. It turns also because this is like using taxpayer money to pay for health care for illegal immigrants, oh wait... But especially for something so controversial and so important to so many, how can you force someone to pay for something they do not want, and that they are morally opposed to.
I guess the reason I am upset is because I am tired of being told what to do and government waste and because my generation will have to foot the bill for this.
Some of you have heard of my anger over the letter from the Census Bureau telling us we would be getting the census form, (a letter telling us we would be receiving a letter) followed by the form itself and a separate letter with numbers to call for help that could have been stuffed in the census envelope so as to not pay for extra postage. Then you have the commercials and advertisements in other mediums. Your taxpayer dollars were used to make those commercials and ads and mail those extra letters. How many millions of dollars were wasted?
"The bureau is spending $133 million between January and May." - Foxnews.com
The ads were made in 28 different languages, "including some as obscure as Hmong, a southeast Asian dialect."
Now I know the power of advertising, but lets remember one important thing. You are required, by law, to fill out this form. talk about out of control spending. How do they justify this?
Just remember, every time the people of this nation let another one of their rights be taken we slip closer towards complete government control. If that is what you really want, then start celebrating because we are close.
Summary for those of you who don't want to read this whole thing:
1. I do not support this new health care bill because:
a. It is a direct infringement on both state and personal rights
b. It funds abortion
2. I want the government to have as little impact on my life as possible.
3. I'm sick and tired of being told what to do by the government
4. I'm tired of foolish government waste
5. I'm tired of our government spending money it does not have and sticking us with the bill.
Jesus taught us to care for one another, he taught us to give and give and give. Jesus did not say that the government should take money from people and redistribute it to others based on their judgment.
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'" - Mark 12:41-44
If the poor lady who gave what little she had, just a few pennies, had been forced by the law of the land to give it would it have meant as much? No. Charity is a decision to give, it cannot be forced.
I want to care for the people without insurance, but lets do it the right way. If we removed barriers to interstate trade to drive down costs and cut down on bogus malpractice to took care of our good doctors more people could afford health coverage. Those who wish to not buy it should not have to, but it should be available at a reasonable price to all. Those who want it but cannot afford it after that need our help and I have faith that the generosity of the American people, the most generous nation on earth, would be enough.
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." - Matthew 22:21
I use a lot of quotes, but let me finish with one all my own. Care for your neighbor because you want to and you know through the example of Jesus that it is right. Charity by force does not benefit anyone, it creates a society of people who think they are entitled to teh fruits of the labor of others.
Ok, one last quote from someone else.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”—Author Unknown
Monday, March 22, 2010
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin
How strong are you?
I don't mean physically. I mean how strong of a person are you. What would it take for you to give up your ways, your beliefs, your faith?
I've been reading the book of Daniel. Wow. What an intense book. I have found that I have to re-read almost every line to keep up with what is going on. I want to keep my focus for once so back to strength.
Have you ever been threatened because of something you believed? Have you ever been criticized, ridiculed, laughed at, or made fun of because of what you think? The smart money is betting on a yes. I know I have and it sucks. It hurts, and it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.
However, have you ever been threatened by death for what you believe? Now, I know you have all heard this song and dance before, but I just can't help thinking about this when I read Daniel.
The book contains two stories of this idea. The first is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You might instead remember them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The second is about Belteshazzar, a.k.a. Daniel. Kind of makes you wish you used to have a crazy name that God changed later huh?
I read these stories and I am amazed for a number of reasons.
First, I cannot think of a time when I have not been nervous to talk to someone who disagreed with me or challenged my faith. These men were told to worship a false god or king and they didn't even hesitate. I love the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when the king threatens to toss them into the fiery furnace.
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.'" Daniel 3:16-17
You have to love this commitment. Without a second thought they stood their ground and said no. But beyond that I love what they said next.
"'But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'" Daniel 3:18
I love that complete commitment to faith. Not only do the men say that they will not serve his idols but they would rather die than do so.
Now Rollin and a few of the other guys tease me for always saying "I completely disagree." They are saying "I would rather die than ever come close to agreeing with you." Perhaps I should adopt their saying, give it a try for a few days.
Just in case you don't know the story, the king has them bounds and thrown into a furnace so hot that it kills the men who throw them in when they come close to it.
The king looked on the furnace.
"He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'" Daniel 3:25
The second story is quite similar. The short of it is, the king is convinced to outlaw prayer for thirty days to any man or god, except for the king himself. He is convinced of this because the other leaders just under the king are jealous of Daniel and wan to get rid of him to usurp his authority. The king agrees.
I love Daniels reaction to the decree.
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10
Not, "Daniel was scared and hesitated." He went home and did what was right without so much as a deep breath. The men caught him praying and demanded he be killed. The king loved Daniel and fought for him, but eventually gave in and cast him into a den of lions.
"The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'" Daniel 6:16
The king was not thrilled by this situation.
"A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?'" Daniel 6:17-20
By now you should know that Daniel was fine, but we'll get to that in a minute.
This is my hope for myself and for you. I hope that we can become people not just of faith, but also of strength. I hope that we could be as fearless and faithful as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23
Let us trust in God the same way. And let us no suffer the fate that befell Belshazzar. God told him, in the form of a hand that wrote on his wall:
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Daniel 5:25
The words were Aramaic.
Mene means God has numbered your days and brought them to an end.
Upharsin means that your kingdom will be divided.
But Tekel is the one I fear the most.
"Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27
I don't mean physically. I mean how strong of a person are you. What would it take for you to give up your ways, your beliefs, your faith?
I've been reading the book of Daniel. Wow. What an intense book. I have found that I have to re-read almost every line to keep up with what is going on. I want to keep my focus for once so back to strength.
Have you ever been threatened because of something you believed? Have you ever been criticized, ridiculed, laughed at, or made fun of because of what you think? The smart money is betting on a yes. I know I have and it sucks. It hurts, and it is embarrassing and uncomfortable.
However, have you ever been threatened by death for what you believe? Now, I know you have all heard this song and dance before, but I just can't help thinking about this when I read Daniel.
The book contains two stories of this idea. The first is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You might instead remember them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The second is about Belteshazzar, a.k.a. Daniel. Kind of makes you wish you used to have a crazy name that God changed later huh?
I read these stories and I am amazed for a number of reasons.
First, I cannot think of a time when I have not been nervous to talk to someone who disagreed with me or challenged my faith. These men were told to worship a false god or king and they didn't even hesitate. I love the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when the king threatens to toss them into the fiery furnace.
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.'" Daniel 3:16-17
You have to love this commitment. Without a second thought they stood their ground and said no. But beyond that I love what they said next.
"'But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'" Daniel 3:18
I love that complete commitment to faith. Not only do the men say that they will not serve his idols but they would rather die than do so.
Now Rollin and a few of the other guys tease me for always saying "I completely disagree." They are saying "I would rather die than ever come close to agreeing with you." Perhaps I should adopt their saying, give it a try for a few days.
Just in case you don't know the story, the king has them bounds and thrown into a furnace so hot that it kills the men who throw them in when they come close to it.
The king looked on the furnace.
"He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'" Daniel 3:25
The second story is quite similar. The short of it is, the king is convinced to outlaw prayer for thirty days to any man or god, except for the king himself. He is convinced of this because the other leaders just under the king are jealous of Daniel and wan to get rid of him to usurp his authority. The king agrees.
I love Daniels reaction to the decree.
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10
Not, "Daniel was scared and hesitated." He went home and did what was right without so much as a deep breath. The men caught him praying and demanded he be killed. The king loved Daniel and fought for him, but eventually gave in and cast him into a den of lions.
"The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'" Daniel 6:16
The king was not thrilled by this situation.
"A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?'" Daniel 6:17-20
By now you should know that Daniel was fine, but we'll get to that in a minute.
This is my hope for myself and for you. I hope that we can become people not just of faith, but also of strength. I hope that we could be as fearless and faithful as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23
Let us trust in God the same way. And let us no suffer the fate that befell Belshazzar. God told him, in the form of a hand that wrote on his wall:
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Daniel 5:25
The words were Aramaic.
Mene means God has numbered your days and brought them to an end.
Upharsin means that your kingdom will be divided.
But Tekel is the one I fear the most.
"Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27
Friday, March 12, 2010
Road Trip
This was written over the period of roughly a week.
Today Marissa and I drove from College Station, Texas to Questa, New Mexico. For those of you who do not know, Questa is near the top of New Mexico, right in the middle.
The drive was amazing.
There are some things about a road trip that are just plain awesome. There are also some things that are just horrible. Leaving at 4 a.m. was horrible. 4 a.m. I mean I have gone to bed at four, but to be awake with plans on remaining awake until the day is over at 3 in preparation to leave at 4 is gross. We hit the road.
It is an eerie feeling to drive for miles without seeing another car. That is what much of the morning was like. The first two hours of our voyage were an attempt to keep one another awake. Almost immediately after the sun rose, roughly two hours into our journey, Marissa took a nap.
It is a lonely feeling to be in a car with someone and be unable to talk to them. You go into the don't make a sound mode and in my experience this is the time when you make the most noise. Perhaps it is just my nature, but the more effort I put in to being quiet the less successful I usually am.
Marissa's nap was a great time of reflection for me. I got to really think and talk to myself without any distractions for almost an hour. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to Marissa, but it was nice to have some time to just think. After solving roughly half of the worlds problems, and none of my own, Marissa woke up for good.
Our journey took the two of us across Texas. Starting from College Station we drove north to Fort Worth, and then west, through Decatur, Childress, Memphis, and eventually Amarillo. Somewhere between Memphis and Amarillo I fell asleep. Fortunately it was Marissa's shift behind the wheel. I swear, she moves like a soft breeze. When I walk across a room the earth shakes and I usually break at least one thing. I slam doors, stub toes, and drop things. I cannot count the number of times Marissa has come in to my apartment, come up stairs and walked into my room before I even knew she was there. I even know that she is coming, but somehow she opens a door that is loud as heck and closes it silently, slides up the stairs unnoticed, and opens my door, which needs WD40 without a sound.
Now I cannot sleep in moving vehicles. Airplanes, buses, cars, it doesn't matter. I suppose it was sheer exhaustion that got to me, but part of it must have been the feeling of security in trusting the person behind the wheel. I know bus drivers have licenses as do pilots, but knowing it was someone who I love and who loves me helped.
Love is an amazing thing, and I will talk more about that in a later post because it would keep me up all night and I need sleep.
Back to the trip.
I woke up just in time for the landscape to begin to become interesting. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, but there is just so much flat land. On the other side of Amarillo is Dumas. Dumas, now there is a town with an unfortunate name. I wonder how many people have made a joke at its expense.
Dumas leads on to Dalhart, which has to be pronounced with a thick drawl or it just isn't right. Finally, after thirty eight miles of literally nothing you reach the state line and the aptly named Texline.
Finally the scenery was changing. Mountains began to appear.
--
Skiing is exhausting, especially when you spend half the time getting back up. In spite of this, I must say that I am still a fan. It's a strange feeling to glide along on snow, shooting down a mountain. I wonder who first had the brilliant idea to tie a stick to each of his feet and slide down a mountain on them.
In any event, skiing is fun. I think my favorite part is riding the lift. There you are sitting on a bench attached to a cable hanging sometimes seventy plus feet over a mountain. It makes me think that if I can trust the people who put this thing together to get me up to the top of this mountain without killing me having faith should be a walk in the park.
I love the silence. It's the kind of silence you can feel. Sometimes people say "silence is deafening." This is so true on a ski lift. You can hear your thoughts. Also, ski lifts provide some of the most amazing views of God's creation available.
Maybe that's why I like skiing. I love scenery, really of any kind. The whole way to and from New Mexico I kept saying to Marissa "Isn't this beautiful?" That question was usually met with a reminder that I was saying that dead grass stretching for hundreds of miles is beautiful. I will admit, the dead grass isn't all that impressive, but its the idea of the whole landscape stretching out before me that appeals to me.
If you have ever molded something with your hands you know what I am talking about. Even the imperfections are beautiful. Skiing also offers some amazing views. I think I like it most because of this. This fact also makes me a horrible skiing partner. I want to stop every five feet and just look. I guess it goes back to my thoughts about taking it slow and taking everything in. I cannot multitask so the stopping is necessary and I often did it without thinking about it.
Day one was all but an exercise in futility for me. I spent more time on my bottom than skis for most of the day. I finally felt like I was starting to get it right before lunch. Coming down the face, or main slope to the lodge, I was moving quickly and doing well. Then a small girl, probably five or six fell in front of me. I adjusted my line to go wider, and this took me to a fenced off area. I cut hard back to the open slope and I was about to smile that I had neither killed anyone nor crashed when the tip of my right ski slipped around a ski pole that was being used as a post for the fence.
That was the longest instant of my life. In my mind I could see the ski slowly sliding around the pole, as my boot got closer and closer. The pole caught my boot and I was launched down the mountain, skis and poles spreading to created a debris field of roughly 20 feet long by 10 feet wide.
Ouch.
I landed on the front of my body, and the water bottle I had been wearing around my jacket landed right beneath my gut. Having the wind knocked out of you is awful.
In any event, I survived day one without any broken bones or major injuries.
Day two I was much more successful but a snowstorm cut the skiing short around 2. We went to a different place, and I liked the second one a lot more. It was much smaller and it had more trails to explore at a more William-like speed.
Day three we went snowmobiling. It was awesome! I'll spare you the five paragraphs of details and just say do it if you never have.
The trip back was amazing as well. Marissa and I were prepared this time to get a picture of the Camels near Decatur and the Cadillacs near Amarillo, though my commentary about when to take the picture of the cars ruined that chance. Sorry again Marissa!
Dinner at Luby's in Waco and a short last leg of the trip and we were back in College Station. Roughly 2,000 miles driven in two days with two days of skiing and a day of snowmobiling sandwiched in there. What a trip!
Today Marissa and I drove from College Station, Texas to Questa, New Mexico. For those of you who do not know, Questa is near the top of New Mexico, right in the middle.
The drive was amazing.
There are some things about a road trip that are just plain awesome. There are also some things that are just horrible. Leaving at 4 a.m. was horrible. 4 a.m. I mean I have gone to bed at four, but to be awake with plans on remaining awake until the day is over at 3 in preparation to leave at 4 is gross. We hit the road.
It is an eerie feeling to drive for miles without seeing another car. That is what much of the morning was like. The first two hours of our voyage were an attempt to keep one another awake. Almost immediately after the sun rose, roughly two hours into our journey, Marissa took a nap.
It is a lonely feeling to be in a car with someone and be unable to talk to them. You go into the don't make a sound mode and in my experience this is the time when you make the most noise. Perhaps it is just my nature, but the more effort I put in to being quiet the less successful I usually am.
Marissa's nap was a great time of reflection for me. I got to really think and talk to myself without any distractions for almost an hour. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to Marissa, but it was nice to have some time to just think. After solving roughly half of the worlds problems, and none of my own, Marissa woke up for good.
Our journey took the two of us across Texas. Starting from College Station we drove north to Fort Worth, and then west, through Decatur, Childress, Memphis, and eventually Amarillo. Somewhere between Memphis and Amarillo I fell asleep. Fortunately it was Marissa's shift behind the wheel. I swear, she moves like a soft breeze. When I walk across a room the earth shakes and I usually break at least one thing. I slam doors, stub toes, and drop things. I cannot count the number of times Marissa has come in to my apartment, come up stairs and walked into my room before I even knew she was there. I even know that she is coming, but somehow she opens a door that is loud as heck and closes it silently, slides up the stairs unnoticed, and opens my door, which needs WD40 without a sound.
Now I cannot sleep in moving vehicles. Airplanes, buses, cars, it doesn't matter. I suppose it was sheer exhaustion that got to me, but part of it must have been the feeling of security in trusting the person behind the wheel. I know bus drivers have licenses as do pilots, but knowing it was someone who I love and who loves me helped.
Love is an amazing thing, and I will talk more about that in a later post because it would keep me up all night and I need sleep.
Back to the trip.
I woke up just in time for the landscape to begin to become interesting. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, but there is just so much flat land. On the other side of Amarillo is Dumas. Dumas, now there is a town with an unfortunate name. I wonder how many people have made a joke at its expense.
Dumas leads on to Dalhart, which has to be pronounced with a thick drawl or it just isn't right. Finally, after thirty eight miles of literally nothing you reach the state line and the aptly named Texline.
Finally the scenery was changing. Mountains began to appear.
--
Skiing is exhausting, especially when you spend half the time getting back up. In spite of this, I must say that I am still a fan. It's a strange feeling to glide along on snow, shooting down a mountain. I wonder who first had the brilliant idea to tie a stick to each of his feet and slide down a mountain on them.
In any event, skiing is fun. I think my favorite part is riding the lift. There you are sitting on a bench attached to a cable hanging sometimes seventy plus feet over a mountain. It makes me think that if I can trust the people who put this thing together to get me up to the top of this mountain without killing me having faith should be a walk in the park.
I love the silence. It's the kind of silence you can feel. Sometimes people say "silence is deafening." This is so true on a ski lift. You can hear your thoughts. Also, ski lifts provide some of the most amazing views of God's creation available.
Maybe that's why I like skiing. I love scenery, really of any kind. The whole way to and from New Mexico I kept saying to Marissa "Isn't this beautiful?" That question was usually met with a reminder that I was saying that dead grass stretching for hundreds of miles is beautiful. I will admit, the dead grass isn't all that impressive, but its the idea of the whole landscape stretching out before me that appeals to me.
If you have ever molded something with your hands you know what I am talking about. Even the imperfections are beautiful. Skiing also offers some amazing views. I think I like it most because of this. This fact also makes me a horrible skiing partner. I want to stop every five feet and just look. I guess it goes back to my thoughts about taking it slow and taking everything in. I cannot multitask so the stopping is necessary and I often did it without thinking about it.
Day one was all but an exercise in futility for me. I spent more time on my bottom than skis for most of the day. I finally felt like I was starting to get it right before lunch. Coming down the face, or main slope to the lodge, I was moving quickly and doing well. Then a small girl, probably five or six fell in front of me. I adjusted my line to go wider, and this took me to a fenced off area. I cut hard back to the open slope and I was about to smile that I had neither killed anyone nor crashed when the tip of my right ski slipped around a ski pole that was being used as a post for the fence.
That was the longest instant of my life. In my mind I could see the ski slowly sliding around the pole, as my boot got closer and closer. The pole caught my boot and I was launched down the mountain, skis and poles spreading to created a debris field of roughly 20 feet long by 10 feet wide.
Ouch.
I landed on the front of my body, and the water bottle I had been wearing around my jacket landed right beneath my gut. Having the wind knocked out of you is awful.
In any event, I survived day one without any broken bones or major injuries.
Day two I was much more successful but a snowstorm cut the skiing short around 2. We went to a different place, and I liked the second one a lot more. It was much smaller and it had more trails to explore at a more William-like speed.
Day three we went snowmobiling. It was awesome! I'll spare you the five paragraphs of details and just say do it if you never have.
The trip back was amazing as well. Marissa and I were prepared this time to get a picture of the Camels near Decatur and the Cadillacs near Amarillo, though my commentary about when to take the picture of the cars ruined that chance. Sorry again Marissa!
Dinner at Luby's in Waco and a short last leg of the trip and we were back in College Station. Roughly 2,000 miles driven in two days with two days of skiing and a day of snowmobiling sandwiched in there. What a trip!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Happenings
So I found out yesterday that I have an aggressive staph infection. How lame is that? Very. Staph is a pretty lame thing to have. It isn't really all that bad, but it's contagious so you have to be careful around other people, and it slows you down.
On a lighter note, the medicine the doctor gives you to deal with this is sulfur based. Because of this it turns your bodily fluids Gatorade orange. Sweat, tears, well I'll let you ponder the others but yes, it does turn it orange. I didn't believe him, but its true.
You are probably wondering why I just told you that. Me too! I should be studying for my Spanish test, but I am having trouble focusing. I wonder if that is from the medicine, staph, or just my normal mindlessness.
Anyways, it's time for me to get to work, so I must depart. Have a good one!
On a lighter note, the medicine the doctor gives you to deal with this is sulfur based. Because of this it turns your bodily fluids Gatorade orange. Sweat, tears, well I'll let you ponder the others but yes, it does turn it orange. I didn't believe him, but its true.
You are probably wondering why I just told you that. Me too! I should be studying for my Spanish test, but I am having trouble focusing. I wonder if that is from the medicine, staph, or just my normal mindlessness.
Anyways, it's time for me to get to work, so I must depart. Have a good one!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Happy Lady
It is not uncommon to exchange fake greetings with people in the elevator, on the bus, or at a crosswalk. It is, however, uncommon to have a deep conversation with someone in one of those situations.
Today I stood waiting to cross the street on the way to my class. A lady walked up to me, carrying one of those postal service bins full of mail. She was not a postwoman, she was simply taking the mail from her work to the post office to mail.
"Why hello there!" She greeted me like an old friend.
"Hello," I responded.
"Isn't this weather wonderful?" She asked.
"Yes," I said, "it's a shame the weather isn't like this all of the time."
"Oh I disagree. If the weather was this perfect every day we wouldn't stop to thank God as often as we should."
I was dumbstruck. I had never met this lady before, never spoken to her before in my life and she just said that?
A flood of emotions overtook me as I walked across the street when the light changed.
"Have a great day!" she said as she walked the other way.
I managed to squeeze out a "You too," before she got out of earshot.
My head was racing at this point. Why had I been struck by what she said. It wasn't a big deal, but in a way it was. It saddens me that I was taken aback because that kind of thing shouldn't bother me.
Did she know I was a Christian? Better yet, did she care?
Thank you Happy Lady, you made me think. You made my day.
If we meet again, I hope we can sit and talk for a while, but sometimes a conversation lasting only seconds says more than one could that lasts hours.
So keep smiling, keep spreading the love. We should all take a page from your book.
Today I stood waiting to cross the street on the way to my class. A lady walked up to me, carrying one of those postal service bins full of mail. She was not a postwoman, she was simply taking the mail from her work to the post office to mail.
"Why hello there!" She greeted me like an old friend.
"Hello," I responded.
"Isn't this weather wonderful?" She asked.
"Yes," I said, "it's a shame the weather isn't like this all of the time."
"Oh I disagree. If the weather was this perfect every day we wouldn't stop to thank God as often as we should."
I was dumbstruck. I had never met this lady before, never spoken to her before in my life and she just said that?
A flood of emotions overtook me as I walked across the street when the light changed.
"Have a great day!" she said as she walked the other way.
I managed to squeeze out a "You too," before she got out of earshot.
My head was racing at this point. Why had I been struck by what she said. It wasn't a big deal, but in a way it was. It saddens me that I was taken aback because that kind of thing shouldn't bother me.
Did she know I was a Christian? Better yet, did she care?
Thank you Happy Lady, you made me think. You made my day.
If we meet again, I hope we can sit and talk for a while, but sometimes a conversation lasting only seconds says more than one could that lasts hours.
So keep smiling, keep spreading the love. We should all take a page from your book.
Monday, March 1, 2010
This is the sound, of you
There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~William P. Merrill
Music is amazing. It can make the hair on your neck stand up, it can make you smile. It can make you delve into your deepest thoughts and emotions, it can make you cry. Sometimes I feel like a walking, living, breathing radio.
I think I got that from my mother. She is amazing, and one of the things that I love about her is the love of music she showed me from a young age. I mean, come on, she bought me a tuba.
All my childhood I can remember the sounds of the piano echoing down the hallways. Either my sister or my mother would sit, for hours sometimes, and just play. Happy songs, sad songs, it didn't matter to me.
I was, and still am, the guy who sings barely loud enough to be called a whisper at church. But catch me alone and odds are I'll be singing something.
Do you ever catch yourself singing out loud as you walk across campus? I do, almost every day. Thankfully, no one has said anything to me about it.
Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them! ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
There are few feelings better than singing out so fully that you can feel the bottoms of your lungs cry for air. Give it a try, who cares if you get caught!
Music is amazing. It can make the hair on your neck stand up, it can make you smile. It can make you delve into your deepest thoughts and emotions, it can make you cry. Sometimes I feel like a walking, living, breathing radio.
I think I got that from my mother. She is amazing, and one of the things that I love about her is the love of music she showed me from a young age. I mean, come on, she bought me a tuba.
All my childhood I can remember the sounds of the piano echoing down the hallways. Either my sister or my mother would sit, for hours sometimes, and just play. Happy songs, sad songs, it didn't matter to me.
I was, and still am, the guy who sings barely loud enough to be called a whisper at church. But catch me alone and odds are I'll be singing something.
Do you ever catch yourself singing out loud as you walk across campus? I do, almost every day. Thankfully, no one has said anything to me about it.
Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them! ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
There are few feelings better than singing out so fully that you can feel the bottoms of your lungs cry for air. Give it a try, who cares if you get caught!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Trust
I've been holding on so tight
Look at these knuckles
They've gone white
Let It Go - Tenth Avenue North
Tonight was a long night. This week was a long week. Lets face it, its a long life.
Now that is not a bad thing, in fact I completely disagree with that thought. (That was for you Rollin.) Life is long, but it is so short. We are a flash in the pan, a blink of the eye. We don't have the time to hold on to the bad. That is how we get overwhelmed.
Trust me, I know a lot about not letting go. In fact, if it were some kind of competition I am pretty sure I would win. This is the ultimate of "do as I say, not as I do" suggestions, and you know I'm right.
But it is more than just letting go of the hurt, the pain. You have got to face it head on. Now this one I fail miserably at. The amazing thing about life is that every second is an opportunity for a fresh start.
Now, if you haven't realized this yet, 99% of this blog is me talking to myself, telling myself what I need to do. But, you are probably, no I can pretty much guarantee you have or will read at least one thing that hits home for you too.
Why are you striving these days?
Why are you still trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
Yep, I'm listening to them right now. Good stuff too, you should definitely be listening to them as well.
That is how I feel some times. Sometimes, more often that sometimes really, I feel like nothing I do is ever enough. That no matter how hard I work, how hard I try it just isn't good enough.
We can't do it alone. We need help, and sometimes the best way is to let yourself be overcome.
I'm a shipwreck a sailor lost at sea
You're a tidal wave
And you're crashing over me
Caught in your current and I'm sinking
But drowning peacefully
I'm crying out come rescue me with love
Like a child needs a night light in the dark
Lord, light me up I'm lovesick for
Just one touch
You're all I need
But you never seem to be enough
Lovesick - (You Guessed It) Tenth Avenue North
So drown in his love. Even if you feel like you have nothing, he will sustain you. I love that the chorus ends with "But you never seem to be enough." I have literally spent hours praying and thinking about that one line. What does it mean?
Tonight it hit me like a sledgehammer.
The important word in that line is "seem." He is more than enough for any of us. Why do we not trust in that? We convince ourselves of the lie that he might not come through or that he might not be enough. It's almost laughable. Why are we so foolish? Why am I so foolish? He only died to save every person who ever has, is or will live. Yeah, he can't possibly help me.
So crash over me, pull me under. Tell me to let it go, and be there to listen. Be by my side when I fall, when I cry in the darkest of the dark nights, when I call. Rescue me with love.
Rescue me. With Love.
He is meek, he is the Lamb led to slaughter. He is mighty, the lion of Judah. He is LOVE.
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" - John 1:29
"Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.'" - Revelation 5:5
Look at these knuckles
They've gone white
Let It Go - Tenth Avenue North
Tonight was a long night. This week was a long week. Lets face it, its a long life.
Now that is not a bad thing, in fact I completely disagree with that thought. (That was for you Rollin.) Life is long, but it is so short. We are a flash in the pan, a blink of the eye. We don't have the time to hold on to the bad. That is how we get overwhelmed.
Trust me, I know a lot about not letting go. In fact, if it were some kind of competition I am pretty sure I would win. This is the ultimate of "do as I say, not as I do" suggestions, and you know I'm right.
But it is more than just letting go of the hurt, the pain. You have got to face it head on. Now this one I fail miserably at. The amazing thing about life is that every second is an opportunity for a fresh start.
Now, if you haven't realized this yet, 99% of this blog is me talking to myself, telling myself what I need to do. But, you are probably, no I can pretty much guarantee you have or will read at least one thing that hits home for you too.
Why are you striving these days?
Why are you still trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
Yep, I'm listening to them right now. Good stuff too, you should definitely be listening to them as well.
That is how I feel some times. Sometimes, more often that sometimes really, I feel like nothing I do is ever enough. That no matter how hard I work, how hard I try it just isn't good enough.
We can't do it alone. We need help, and sometimes the best way is to let yourself be overcome.
I'm a shipwreck a sailor lost at sea
You're a tidal wave
And you're crashing over me
Caught in your current and I'm sinking
But drowning peacefully
I'm crying out come rescue me with love
Like a child needs a night light in the dark
Lord, light me up I'm lovesick for
Just one touch
You're all I need
But you never seem to be enough
Lovesick - (You Guessed It) Tenth Avenue North
So drown in his love. Even if you feel like you have nothing, he will sustain you. I love that the chorus ends with "But you never seem to be enough." I have literally spent hours praying and thinking about that one line. What does it mean?
Tonight it hit me like a sledgehammer.
The important word in that line is "seem." He is more than enough for any of us. Why do we not trust in that? We convince ourselves of the lie that he might not come through or that he might not be enough. It's almost laughable. Why are we so foolish? Why am I so foolish? He only died to save every person who ever has, is or will live. Yeah, he can't possibly help me.
So crash over me, pull me under. Tell me to let it go, and be there to listen. Be by my side when I fall, when I cry in the darkest of the dark nights, when I call. Rescue me with love.
Rescue me. With Love.
He is meek, he is the Lamb led to slaughter. He is mighty, the lion of Judah. He is LOVE.
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" - John 1:29
"Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.'" - Revelation 5:5
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Let it out
I've been listening to Seabird's "Don't you know you're beautiful" a lot recently. In concert the lead singer said it was a song about coping with divorce, and reaching out for help. This is true, but it is so much more than that.
"And all this time saying you were fine, and everyone still to blame.
Well there you are, you and your broken heart. It's written all over your face."
These lyrics should speak to all of us. We all have a hurt that we won't share with others, but why? What are we afraid of? Are we so scared of revealing that we aren't perfect, or that we have been hurt that it's worth it to go on in that awful state. I am as guilty of this as anyone, and I try to let it out, but it is hard. So where do we go from here?
What I have found is that not only am I unable to talk to the people around me I struggle to even talk about it to myself or in my prayers.
I'm too proud to ask. - Enter the Worship Circle
It's hard to be vulnerable, admit it, it is. No one likes to be vulnerable, that is not a radical statement. Why are we this way though? Why have friends if we aren't even going to talk to them? Why pray if we can't pray about the things that hurt the most.
Can you undo me, enough to heal me?
Take that first step, step out on that edge, see what happens. I need to do this as much as anyone, but what if you did that? How would that feel? How would that look or sound?
If you are approached by someone who is hurting this is what I ask of you. Drop whatever you are doing, stop texting, playing video games, working on homework, whatever and just listen. You don't even have to say anything, just shut up, pay attention, and be there. Respond if they want you to, if not, just be there to listen.
For those of us who need to talk (yes that is you) take the risk and say something. If you have before, you know how good it can feel, if you haven't yet, it's time you found out.
We only have one life, we only have the people in it for a short time.
Don't you know you're beautiful - Seabird
I see you laughing
But I know inside that you're crying
Just tell me what happened when things went wrong
We'll try to make sense of it all
Please don't blame yourself
Cause you're not by yourself
I've been right here all along
Don't have to be alone
Because you've always known
Wherever your heart is my home
"And all this time saying you were fine, and everyone still to blame.
Well there you are, you and your broken heart. It's written all over your face."
These lyrics should speak to all of us. We all have a hurt that we won't share with others, but why? What are we afraid of? Are we so scared of revealing that we aren't perfect, or that we have been hurt that it's worth it to go on in that awful state. I am as guilty of this as anyone, and I try to let it out, but it is hard. So where do we go from here?
What I have found is that not only am I unable to talk to the people around me I struggle to even talk about it to myself or in my prayers.
I'm too proud to ask. - Enter the Worship Circle
It's hard to be vulnerable, admit it, it is. No one likes to be vulnerable, that is not a radical statement. Why are we this way though? Why have friends if we aren't even going to talk to them? Why pray if we can't pray about the things that hurt the most.
Can you undo me, enough to heal me?
Take that first step, step out on that edge, see what happens. I need to do this as much as anyone, but what if you did that? How would that feel? How would that look or sound?
If you are approached by someone who is hurting this is what I ask of you. Drop whatever you are doing, stop texting, playing video games, working on homework, whatever and just listen. You don't even have to say anything, just shut up, pay attention, and be there. Respond if they want you to, if not, just be there to listen.
For those of us who need to talk (yes that is you) take the risk and say something. If you have before, you know how good it can feel, if you haven't yet, it's time you found out.
We only have one life, we only have the people in it for a short time.
Don't you know you're beautiful - Seabird
I see you laughing
But I know inside that you're crying
Just tell me what happened when things went wrong
We'll try to make sense of it all
Please don't blame yourself
Cause you're not by yourself
I've been right here all along
Don't have to be alone
Because you've always known
Wherever your heart is my home
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Love for Professors?
Does anyone else feel guilty when they write a book report for a class because you spoil the ending of the book for your professor? I always do.
Poetry
One day, I sat in on Marissa's Physics class. Instead of getting a headache trying to figure out what the heck the guy was talking about I wrote some poetry after reading some of William Blake's for my English class.
On Justice
Oh sweet justice with blind eyes,
How can one serve thee?
Human work never satisfies,
But if it could, what glee!
For human hearts once were lost
And now feel only greed.
Why can't we humbly bear our cross
And help the ones in need?
It's said the last shall be first
That those with eyes can see
But why not act now? Why not quench thirst
And begin perfect eternity?
That poem was a combination of my thoughts as well as an echoing of William Blake's "The Human Abstract" from Songs of Experience.
This poem is a bit darker, just a fair warning.
Where is the Love?
Hatred, anger, lies, deceit
These were the nails in hands and feet
That hung my lover on the hill
And since that day grown stronger still.
How can we hate those we don't even know
Enough to leave them freezing in the snow?
Why such anger for another
Who, with God as father, is your brother?
Lies are words up from the vent
Where the evil one was sent
And the sin of deceit
Makes the dark lords quest complete
How can two brothers so hate?
What makes partners so irate?
The same reason he was nailed to a tree
He who valued, over his life, we?!?
I know that I have a ways to go with the whole poetry bit, but sometimes it just feels good to get it out there. Have a wonderful day, smile at someone.
On Justice
Oh sweet justice with blind eyes,
How can one serve thee?
Human work never satisfies,
But if it could, what glee!
For human hearts once were lost
And now feel only greed.
Why can't we humbly bear our cross
And help the ones in need?
It's said the last shall be first
That those with eyes can see
But why not act now? Why not quench thirst
And begin perfect eternity?
That poem was a combination of my thoughts as well as an echoing of William Blake's "The Human Abstract" from Songs of Experience.
This poem is a bit darker, just a fair warning.
Where is the Love?
Hatred, anger, lies, deceit
These were the nails in hands and feet
That hung my lover on the hill
And since that day grown stronger still.
How can we hate those we don't even know
Enough to leave them freezing in the snow?
Why such anger for another
Who, with God as father, is your brother?
Lies are words up from the vent
Where the evil one was sent
And the sin of deceit
Makes the dark lords quest complete
How can two brothers so hate?
What makes partners so irate?
The same reason he was nailed to a tree
He who valued, over his life, we?!?
I know that I have a ways to go with the whole poetry bit, but sometimes it just feels good to get it out there. Have a wonderful day, smile at someone.
What's the rush?
I alwyas see people rushing. I am always rushing, you are always rushing, and you have seen it as well. I wonder, why is it that people are in such a rush. What are we losing by taking it easy? What are we missing when we rush?
I'd like to tell a story to illustrate this point.
I was in the Boy Scouts until I turned 18. My three greatest memories from scouting are being selected to join the Order of the Arrow (a secret society), going to Sea Base - living on a sailboat for a week - and going to Philmont.
Most of you have never heard of Philmont, so quickly, it is a "high adventure" scout camp. it is located in north eastern New Mexico, and it is essentiall a huge mountain park. My trip to Philmont was a roughly 100 mile hike through the mountains over the course of 10 days. Here is where I will begin to tie this rambling back to my point.
Every day we would break camp at 4:30 or 4:45 and hit the trail to the next camp. We would hike at a 16 minute a mile pace when going up hill and even faster when going downhill. For those of you wondering why that matters, that is extremely fast.
There are 2 main events that always reappear in my mind when I catch myself rushing. Some of the greatest beauty to be found is in the landscape that has yet to be altered by man. We went through mointain passes from your dreams, into valleys of whistling aspen, and across real bubbling brooks with jumping fish. We saw deer, foxes, a bear, and many other beatiful creatures, some more closely than we might have hoped.
But the most amazing thing I saw happened on the fourth day of our hike. We were walkigng next to a stream, and not fifteen feet from the trail there was a massive beaver dam. The beavers were hard at work building the dam and I must have seen fifteen or so of them slapping mud into the dam with their tails, caring for their babies, or just playing and splashing. This was beaver heaven. We stopped upon my request and my dad and I took a few pictures while the others rested.
That evening before we went to sleep, as was our custom, we shared our high and lowlights from the day. I went next to last and I was surprised when noone mentioned the dam. When it was my turn I said "the beaver dam was one of the most beautiful and perfect things I have ever seen. It was so amazing to see them working together and having a blast." 10 of the 11 other people in my group (everyone but my dad, including the other 2 leaders) looked at me and sai "What beaver dam?"
Two mornings later we broke camp from an amazing place, Cimmaroncito, (amazing becuase that was the only stop with showers) at 4:30 as usual and headed out. We left before the other two groups from our troop, but though nothing of it. When we finished the trip some three days later we were greeted a the end of the trail by our head scoutmaster who had driven up from Beaumont to greet us.
He asked us how we liked the cake they sent to Cimmaroncito to be left for us at 7a.m. We had missed it because of our rush to get to the next campsite.
So whats my point?
Slow it down or you could miss the dam cake.
But seriously, ever since then I have caught myself rushing, and those memories, as well as others have helped me to remember that we only get one life, one day at a time. This world, and the people in it are amazing. Don't take it for granted.
I'd like to tell a story to illustrate this point.
I was in the Boy Scouts until I turned 18. My three greatest memories from scouting are being selected to join the Order of the Arrow (a secret society), going to Sea Base - living on a sailboat for a week - and going to Philmont.
Most of you have never heard of Philmont, so quickly, it is a "high adventure" scout camp. it is located in north eastern New Mexico, and it is essentiall a huge mountain park. My trip to Philmont was a roughly 100 mile hike through the mountains over the course of 10 days. Here is where I will begin to tie this rambling back to my point.
Every day we would break camp at 4:30 or 4:45 and hit the trail to the next camp. We would hike at a 16 minute a mile pace when going up hill and even faster when going downhill. For those of you wondering why that matters, that is extremely fast.
There are 2 main events that always reappear in my mind when I catch myself rushing. Some of the greatest beauty to be found is in the landscape that has yet to be altered by man. We went through mointain passes from your dreams, into valleys of whistling aspen, and across real bubbling brooks with jumping fish. We saw deer, foxes, a bear, and many other beatiful creatures, some more closely than we might have hoped.
But the most amazing thing I saw happened on the fourth day of our hike. We were walkigng next to a stream, and not fifteen feet from the trail there was a massive beaver dam. The beavers were hard at work building the dam and I must have seen fifteen or so of them slapping mud into the dam with their tails, caring for their babies, or just playing and splashing. This was beaver heaven. We stopped upon my request and my dad and I took a few pictures while the others rested.
That evening before we went to sleep, as was our custom, we shared our high and lowlights from the day. I went next to last and I was surprised when noone mentioned the dam. When it was my turn I said "the beaver dam was one of the most beautiful and perfect things I have ever seen. It was so amazing to see them working together and having a blast." 10 of the 11 other people in my group (everyone but my dad, including the other 2 leaders) looked at me and sai "What beaver dam?"
Two mornings later we broke camp from an amazing place, Cimmaroncito, (amazing becuase that was the only stop with showers) at 4:30 as usual and headed out. We left before the other two groups from our troop, but though nothing of it. When we finished the trip some three days later we were greeted a the end of the trail by our head scoutmaster who had driven up from Beaumont to greet us.
He asked us how we liked the cake they sent to Cimmaroncito to be left for us at 7a.m. We had missed it because of our rush to get to the next campsite.
So whats my point?
Slow it down or you could miss the dam cake.
But seriously, ever since then I have caught myself rushing, and those memories, as well as others have helped me to remember that we only get one life, one day at a time. This world, and the people in it are amazing. Don't take it for granted.
Monday, February 22, 2010
From Cynicism to Love
"Pity would be no more, If we did not make somebody Poor; And Mercy no more could be, If all were as happy as we."
William Blake - The Human Abstract - Songs of Experience
Blake here asserts that pity only exists because man has created the state of poverty, and likewise that we have created happiness and unhappiness and therefore we need mercy to console the unhappy. These are difficult comments to attack, and strike me in a new way each time I read them.
Ghandi once said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
He is right.
Let's forget reality for a moment and view the world idealistically. If all people acted the way Christ did, there would be no need for mercy and pity, there would be no evil, and there would be no hate.
Back to reality, we are not all like Christ, nor are we all Christian. So where does this leave us?
Let's now examine this from the opposite perspective. If we all did behave as Christ, and had from the beginning, there would have been no need for him to come. If we had behaved as Christ from the start he would have no purpose to serve. Some could argue that he therefore still served no purpose, but I would beg to differ.
Humans are not like Christ. We do not love fully, we do not always choose the right path, and we (Christians) need his guidance.
So lets take Blake head on, and explore his thoughts a bit more. His statements are quite true but he neglects a number of key facts. Without unhappiness there can be no mercy, but without unhappiness there can be no happiness. Without Pity there can be no Joy.
Blake's Poem ends: "the Gods of the earth and sea Sought through Nature to find this Tree, But their search was all in vain: There grows one in the Human Brain."
The middle of the poem is concerned with the creation of peace through fear, as well as Cruelty, false humility, Mystery, and Deceit.
These are all creations of man, yes. I would argue a few new ideas.
Love is the only force that cannot be held back,
Like Thunder it shakes the earth.
Like a great wave it pushes all else away, under, out
It is the only thing you get more of the more you give it away.
Without love there is fear
Without love there is hate
Without love there is nothing
But take heart, love does not keep score
Love does not grow tired of waiting,
Like the prodigal son, you are welcomed back by love
Wrapped in its arms so strong until you finally give in
Love will not give up on you,
There is no limit on love, you cannot be left out
All who want shall receive if they will only give
All that is required is all you have
All your hate, lies and guilt must be cast away
Dive in headfirst
Dive in to love
Don't check to make sure its deep enough, it is, I swear
Dive in to love, the Love that before the world was made is
Many things he said, all were important
But above all remember this
Faith, hope, and love will be all that remain
But the greatest? Love.
A few other thoughts on love:
There is only one happiness in life -- to love and to be loved.
George Sand
1804-1876, French Novelist
“Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.”
Gary Zukav
“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
And a personal favorite from a book that means so much to me:
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
Morrie Schwartz - Tuesdays with Morrie
William Blake - The Human Abstract - Songs of Experience
Blake here asserts that pity only exists because man has created the state of poverty, and likewise that we have created happiness and unhappiness and therefore we need mercy to console the unhappy. These are difficult comments to attack, and strike me in a new way each time I read them.
Ghandi once said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
He is right.
Let's forget reality for a moment and view the world idealistically. If all people acted the way Christ did, there would be no need for mercy and pity, there would be no evil, and there would be no hate.
Back to reality, we are not all like Christ, nor are we all Christian. So where does this leave us?
Let's now examine this from the opposite perspective. If we all did behave as Christ, and had from the beginning, there would have been no need for him to come. If we had behaved as Christ from the start he would have no purpose to serve. Some could argue that he therefore still served no purpose, but I would beg to differ.
Humans are not like Christ. We do not love fully, we do not always choose the right path, and we (Christians) need his guidance.
So lets take Blake head on, and explore his thoughts a bit more. His statements are quite true but he neglects a number of key facts. Without unhappiness there can be no mercy, but without unhappiness there can be no happiness. Without Pity there can be no Joy.
Blake's Poem ends: "the Gods of the earth and sea Sought through Nature to find this Tree, But their search was all in vain: There grows one in the Human Brain."
The middle of the poem is concerned with the creation of peace through fear, as well as Cruelty, false humility, Mystery, and Deceit.
These are all creations of man, yes. I would argue a few new ideas.
Love is the only force that cannot be held back,
Like Thunder it shakes the earth.
Like a great wave it pushes all else away, under, out
It is the only thing you get more of the more you give it away.
Without love there is fear
Without love there is hate
Without love there is nothing
But take heart, love does not keep score
Love does not grow tired of waiting,
Like the prodigal son, you are welcomed back by love
Wrapped in its arms so strong until you finally give in
Love will not give up on you,
There is no limit on love, you cannot be left out
All who want shall receive if they will only give
All that is required is all you have
All your hate, lies and guilt must be cast away
Dive in headfirst
Dive in to love
Don't check to make sure its deep enough, it is, I swear
Dive in to love, the Love that before the world was made is
Many things he said, all were important
But above all remember this
Faith, hope, and love will be all that remain
But the greatest? Love.
A few other thoughts on love:
There is only one happiness in life -- to love and to be loved.
George Sand
1804-1876, French Novelist
“Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is.”
Gary Zukav
“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
And a personal favorite from a book that means so much to me:
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
Morrie Schwartz - Tuesdays with Morrie
First Post! An Elegiac Sonnet for Class
Yeah, that's right, a sonnet. Take it or leave it.
Last grip lost, complete isolation now
The carcass hauled away, forever gone
And left in a dark place so far below
The world knows it has witnessed its last dawn.
Death’s hold is strong, never before beaten.
Millions have tried but all will lose, surely.
Mountains of corpses, piled to be eaten
By his militia of plague, his army.
There is no hope, only acceptance sad
Knowing it is over, the task complete.
What joy can be found in this cruel fad
That draws many, for the fiend, to their feet?
Then suddenly the stone is rolled away
The grave empty, the sun rises, new dawn!
Well this was my attempt for extra credit in my English class. Hope it entertained you.
Last grip lost, complete isolation now
The carcass hauled away, forever gone
And left in a dark place so far below
The world knows it has witnessed its last dawn.
Death’s hold is strong, never before beaten.
Millions have tried but all will lose, surely.
Mountains of corpses, piled to be eaten
By his militia of plague, his army.
There is no hope, only acceptance sad
Knowing it is over, the task complete.
What joy can be found in this cruel fad
That draws many, for the fiend, to their feet?
Then suddenly the stone is rolled away
The grave empty, the sun rises, new dawn!
Well this was my attempt for extra credit in my English class. Hope it entertained you.
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