Will Interests Ever Gain A Noteworthy Dance?

Sentimental...

2007-03-17T21:55:00.001-06:00

Wow, for once in my life I'm feeling sentimental... we just got back from Magdalena. I didn't leave home very excited, and quite honestly questioned the use of our short term little trips, but God taught me a lot, it was so encouraging to see the growth of the church down there and the heart of those serving there and working with the kids. I was able to have some good discussion with some of them and gleaned some great insight into God's work down there.

Continue to be prayerful for Magdalena as the Spirit expands the place and the devil combats it. Continue to be prayerful for mission growth in the church. Also, please be prayerful for me as I have an upcoming interview with the Mission's Committee for Japan and the future whatever the Lord would have. I'm so touched right now by God's power and sovereignty. God is so much bigger than all our anxieties and all we lack, He's waiting on surrender to show us this, if only we can let it all go in trust and abandonment, He will provide and His will is done.

One of my closest friends, Joe Marquart, started repenting on the trip, and that was followed by Whitney Menold and Rachael Young. The later were Christians. Please be prayerful for each of them. I am just overjoyed to see God working, to hear of His work breaking up strongholds of the devil in Africa, India, and Japan, to live within His work here in Illinois, to taste of it in Mexico, and to know that it is a result of His Spirit moving, and souls being empty and uprooted from their comfort and selfness into a passion for Christ's glory. PRAISE JESUS!!!

Lastly, I'd have great pictures, but my still new camera which I just got repaired after breaking the screen on my first trip with it broke on the 2nd day in Mexico... I asked someone to toss my a Frisbee so I could catch with one hand and take a picture with the other, I missed and it knocked my camera out of my hands (I got the picture though!) and broke the lens...

You're Invited!

2007-02-03T00:48:00.000-06:00

World Invite is coming your way! Good Lord be glorified, amen?!
AC World Invite 2007

Break

2007-01-17T16:10:00.000-06:00

How was everyone's break?? Sorry for the long absence.
I went out to visit my good friend Johnny K. with my cousin Ryan the 27th of December...

Then came back the on the 29th, picked up my new camera in Morton at the FedEx depot and headed to the home of Tim B. (where I previously was bucked off a horse) for his birthday celebration and a place to sleep for an hour. Upon awaking at 2:18 I had to head to Goodfield to meet the bus for Jamaica. There's an interesting story of keys not being where they needed to be at 2:45, but for sake of space, let's just say I got there. I then went to Montego Bay CCCD with a Peoria/Leo based group. Fantastic trip. Incredibly hard working and loving work team, I was impressed. loved the Jamaican culture as always. Incredible country, they just need their men to step up and start caring, the country is incredible. CCCD is a great organization. We met the president, he has a very Godly vision for the place.

I returned home from Jamaica at 4am, stopped by David Thymes place and did a few loads of laundry, got an hour of sleep or so and left at 7:45am to meet our group and head to CO. We arrived in Keystone on time. I semi blew over right across from us. I boarded at Keystone, Breck, and Copper (3 of 5 days) and visited Craig Hospital in Denver that Friday after no major injuries on the slopes! That was great. I'm actually sleeping better, yet I think I bruised some part of my back, any impact, even a cough hurts. I can't run or jump for the time being... The legs feel good though, so I don't know what to think, some things improved some deproved, but hopefully all gets better soon. Wouldn't trade the slope time for a second though, great trip! At Craig, I talked to a few patients and said hello to everyone. I rode a Greyhound bus there and had a layover... isn't that crazy! Layovers on bus rides...Then I got home stayed with my wonderful family and my cabin mates and started up the 22 hour semester. Superb!

the substance of faith

2006-12-25T15:25:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I just read through Hebrews and was most absolutely taken by chapters 11-13. The faith strengthening power of "hearing" such passages was incredible. I was reminded of a conversation I had with Eric Huber as he explained how faith isn't blind. It's not; faith has both substance and evidence. If your faith is waning, start looking through the evidence for the Bible. Read through Hebrews 11 and study some apologetics if you need solid evidence of the validity of the Word. Most of all pray and let your eyes be opened, the Bible is filled with evidence of the unseen GOD!

The things that we hope for: our true home and the praising the unhindered glory of God... the substance of this hope is our faith. It's real, and although the devil does everything he can to make it seem distant, if not completely dark and blind, the evidence of God's work is everywhere, even in this fallen world. Share this substance, let the Message be heard that faith may abound! Ah fair stranger, heaven is our home, alas there will be no more faith and no more hope, only love brother and sister! Until then let it be heard, share the substance.

Merry Christmas to all...

2006-12-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

Lilly Praise Adore Devote Serve

woot woot

2006-12-12T17:47:00.000-06:00

school's done (basically), i got a perfect little job (wasn't looking), i got a new song to record, my room is clean, jamaica, colorado, Christmas, God's name being glorified, mom's computer finally works, my computer works, i got the perfect new snare drum head, i'm walking, God's moving things big times

good little things, good big things, i must testify, life's a blessing

Blogging and Finals

2006-12-07T14:00:00.000-06:00

So I'm curious... based on the suffocating amount of comments I've received nearing the end of this semester, how many of you are keeping up on blog readership and analysis this week?
Disclaimer: there is no research that proves that the end of the semester has any relationship to the readership of "Will Interests Ever Gain a Noteworthy Dance"

Missions and God's Leading

2006-11-29T00:27:00.000-06:00

I'm a bit late on this post, yet this is no indicator of writing. I've been prayerfully working on an in depth Bible Study and report of the Church's role for missions and humbly present the document via the link on the sidebar. When you have the time to read through this, I'd encourage you to dig into it and I welcome your input, proofing, and thoughts at anytime (feel free to email me things I've overlooked, this document is sure to grow, but I believe it's a good starting point). There is some great wisdom from some of our ministers and elders and most importantly the Bible. I pray the result draws us each closer to God and His will in whatever unique way that may be that His name be glorified. God bless!

Let's Pray for Others.

2006-11-19T20:19:00.000-06:00

Having a struggle with belief? Don't be fooled, we all do sometimes. Start praying for others, family, friends, the billions throughout the world with little to no real exposure to Christianity, the millions throughout our nation and the world that get fed up with hypocritical Christianity, for your brothers and sisters, who just like me, aren't perfect, yet are called to represent a Deity that is. Pray for God's will. Pray to be overwhelmed with the Spirit that it could enter the hearts of others. Pray that Satan is abased as the angels fight his demons at this very moment over millions of souls. Pray for a deep hate of the devil and all his ways. Pray that we forget our lives apart from the relationship we have with God. Pray for individuals, pray for groups, pray for the world. Pray for the persecuted, the pained, the abused, broken hearted and lost. Pray for those with incredible disabilities, depression, hunger, and pain that we can't imagine. Forget yourself. Pray for church leadership, that the only focus would be the glory of God, never that of an institution, pray for pray-ers, pray for God's will to be done in reaching the nations, pray for those who persecute, torture, oppress, and use our brothers and sisters, pray for forgiveness when we individually sin against our Holy Holy Holy God and Him alone, pray for focus throughout each moment that we not act in pride, prejudice or in lust as it defames His name. Pray that His name is made famous, pray that God is glorified through every the inner man of every soul. God cares about His name. Look around you, beyond you, and believe. God be glorified amen.

Songs and Rodeos

2006-11-13T18:28:00.000-06:00

In this case, the pictures aren't completely self-explanatory.
I've been at work on four songs in the somewhat recent past. Two of which are done and posted! One is by Mark Miller and Jeremy Davis, both gifted musicians and Godly inspiration. Jeremy wrote the song you'll hear a few weeks ago and we recorded it last Thursday. The other song is called "Untold Stories" which is the second I've written. I was going to post the lyrics here, but you can read them on the myspace page as you listen to the music. It's written about the lives of martyrs and the persecuted Church of God. May the good Lord be glorified through each of these! The other two songs are collaborations with some folks around here. You'll soon hear "The Love of God" and "Free Waters." ALSO, I got a new Martin guitar which is getting some good use... I LOVE IT!

As for the second picture... this weekend I was in Tremont for invite-a-friend. I was at Tim B's place and we went out to look at his horses. He rode one bareback and it looked super gentle. I've been wanting to ride a horse since my injury so I decided to take a turn bareback too. I got on and gave it a kick (isn't that how you make the things go???). His horse wasn't trained to work with that so it started bucking, which freaked me out because the one thing I'm not supposed to sustain is "big impacts." Praise be, none of them hit me hard and with in three of them I got tossed/bailed into the manure so even the landing was okay. All things work together:) There was just 4 of us there, but we chuckled quite heartily after it was clear we were injury free. After I discussed proper technique with Tim, he assured me that such an event would not happen again and the best thing to do when you get knocked off a horse is to get back on, so I thought it best. I calmed down the horse and petted it, and Tim said he'd lead it around for me. I got on, and within a few steps the horse proceeded, once again, to start bucking... in which case I jumped off straight away, pretty smooth. I decided it would be foolish to try it again and went in to take a picture and a shower. Good weekend all around.

Where do we go?

2006-11-05T20:45:00.000-06:00

Where do we go when we need shelter or a friend?
Where's our hope for the lost around us?
What do we do for the souls in this world?
How do we understand His perfect will and help His cause, and
What do we do when it seems like one event smashes religion and witness in the face? (link)
Don't be deceived, There's no room for God in religion.
Get to the root my friend... back on our knees again!

My prayers our with Bro. Ted, that the Spirit would deliver his soul from his addictions and give him grace for repentance. This hurts. I pray also for the people who use this event as another excuse, it's wrong, it has repercussions, BUT...
Take courage Brother and praise Him Sister that it's the Holy Spirit ALONE that changes hearts!
We PRAY for the Spirit to be strong in His people, overcoming of the principalities and powers of this world.
It's a battle out there my friend, gird up your loins soldier!
His grace is enough, ever reaching down in love, His grace is enough for me!

Bama

2006-10-30T17:57:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the comments on one of my favorite posts I've ever written... it meant a lot to me (I suppose that's my reward for the sabaticle from blogging).
Here's something happy though. Athen's Alabama this weekend. It was fantastic, nothing like over 5 hours straight of Gospel, bluegrass, and 4 part whatever. Psalm 100 and Living Waters and Deer Fry International blessed us along with two bluegrass bands from some loving southern churches, all gathering at the Apostolic Fellowship Center in South Tennessee. Good trip, good culture, pray for the growth of the Athen's church. Here's soem sweet pics:

Living Waters

Family Bluegrass Band

Psalm 100 playing the flutes

Full Circle

DFI

AC Fellowship Center

On considering death...

2006-10-23T09:12:00.000-06:00

Good morning, afternoon, eve, night to each of you. I have returned from my longest hibernation from the wonderful world of blogging, in spite of its many intrinsic benefits and pleasures, afresh and rejuvenated. The comment was made that my blog was dying... quite valid as there's never been a period of over a week (sometimes with an extra day) where I haven't updated, and then you get slammed with this. Here's hoping I didn't throw off any bodily cycles or throw anyone into a depressing aftershock, and in all reality, I trust that I didn't. Alas, if was a good break, but one I won't readily take again.

the strange paradox here being: instead of this blog lying weak in a hospital bed, near ready to give up the ghost, I feel it is tritely like a bear, awakened with new life from a wonderful hibernation, seeking and searching for food, and bare and vulnerable by removing it's excess baggage. Yet death is not far from my mind this morning. My great aunt's visitation is today, I just heard she pasted away. I awoke to read Psalm 49, a psalm to be heard by all the inhabitants of the world (vs 1), which speaks of living and dying, and the fact that you take no earthly possession with you. The fact that all die, wise men, and foolish alike (vs 10), man with honor and pomp does not remain (12), be not afraid of ungodly rich people, they will perish, their glory is fleeting (17), yet in God we will be redeemed from the place of death (15). As I walked up to my room just moments ago I noticed a spattering of dead lady bugs on my recently swept carpet (I got a lot done during my blog hibernation), they had not earlier been there. I arrived at my easy chair and broke open My Utmost for His Highest. Today I read Jan. 19, about faith it said, "The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real. As soon as God becomes real, other people become shadows. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever perturb the one who is built on God."

Life is fleeting, collapsing, gasping, desperately empty apart from God, death comes quickly, and is very real, so real we might as well speak flippantly thereof. But a life built on Christ, it sees right through the devil's lies of what this life is for, it sees the folly of pomp and pride, the foolishness of possession and outer beauty, the Rock doesn't even quiver under such lies. It lies in steady peace, knowing that nothing can take its life away, not death, not spawn, torture, nor pain, possession, or lack.

Christ's Prisoner's Prayer

2006-10-04T09:07:00.000-06:00

Eph. 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Bro. Matt preached from this a while back in Bloomington and the prayer has stayed close to me since. It's a prayer for an early church, a prayer I'd encourage us each to pray for among our church, and Christian's as a whole. There's a tremendous potential for unity within the breadth, length, depth, and height of God's knowledge obliterating love.

Comments by Kirby

2006-09-26T14:56:00.000-06:00

So folks, Kirby wanted to share with you the "problem(s) with blogs"... in his own words (certainly not mine:), here he is:
greetings and thanks Justin for the invitation today. As many of you know I am not a blogger for a few reasons. One is it usually is just a place for peoples opinions. Yes some people care about opinions but most the time, it just an opinion and I really don't care. I know, I sound as if I only care about myself and am not concerned about others. Well, that is not my point. I do care about others and if someone wants to share something with me, just give me a call and talk to me about it. But blogs are just usually a place were people write and write and write and write just to unload on something I really don't care about. What about unloading your pains to a friend to help develop better relations. A friend can help you and you can talk it out. Instead of getting the every body and their brother knowing you ideas and your problems. Reason #two, I takes away time. For example, I should be doing homework right now and you most likely have something else to do also. I also could be doing exercise or devotions or other good events that would better benefit me than unloading all my problems are telling you what I did today. Seth and David will get home from tutoring and wonder how my homework went that I stayed home to do. I will have to confess that I wrote on a blog instead of doing homework, and therefore, might also miss out on other wholesome events because I wasted all my time on a blog. Well, what about the more personal posts on blogs like what happened to you today. Will, again, I really don't care what you ate, or how you slept, or what you are wearing, or how your room mate is taking up the computer with his blog. I don't care that the guy that sits next to you in Chem class has B.O. and you can't bear it any more. Or how your teacher is mean and gives out bad tests. and bla bla bla. Again, if you want to talk to me about it that would be great. I love good TWO way conversations. Sure I see a few advantages of Blogs. Maybe you are funny and always write funny comments that cheer people up. As long as they don't cross the line thats fine with me. Okay, only two more reasons, my fingers and arms are getting tired and I am worried about getting carpel tunnel. Most bloggers will spend thousands on surgery when they are middle aged because of the constant typing that they do. Okay last reason, are you still reading this? Will if you took the time to read this long message and still are reading it without blowing my off then my last reason might not be right. But do people really read the really long blog posts that go on and on and on and on and on. Again if you are still reading this, you have proved me wrong. I usually don't read anything past two sentences. I give up and go back to whatever I was doing before I started. Yes I have gone to blogs and that is why I am writing this. A few other reasons that I have that I will not write one are, they promote gossip, they are sometimes false and so on. Thanks and I hope you understand
Kirby Leman
ISU blog critic

Back when I was in the Navy

2006-09-18T21:58:00.000-06:00

[Click to Enlarge]Oh yes, and here is the old tube organ I acquired from my neighbor. It's got vacuum tubes... they look awesome and sound warm, full, and retro, and they glow (excellent bonus feature). I can't really play much... but it's nice.

Clean air to share

2006-09-11T14:24:00.000-06:00

It's one of the few places on earth where air is as fresh and clean now as a millennia ago. Pollution, germs, and viruses can't be found. What a healthy place to live, eh?! You'll rarely find a soul there though because it's also the coldest place on earth. With temps under 100 F, the South Pole is too cold even for germs.

Some churches bear a striking resemblance to that sterile atmosphere. The truth of God is preached, Scriptures are meticulously quoted, and error has no chance to survive... but neither does life. (This isn't a call for compromise, it's a call for nurturing...) The spiritual temperature there is subzero, those weak in faith engage in icy arguments (Rom. 4:1), they are not selflessly helped, instead they are given a cold shoulder of judgeful disregard. Individuals who threaten to invade comfortable cliques are left out in the cold (3 John 5-10). Those who come in receive so much more judgment than love and welcome arms that many leave...... As the body of Christ we are to present the Truth to non-believers as Christ did, with grace: warm, compassionate, and inviting. When Jesus got mad it was nearly always at hypocritical "religious people," not lost sinners who knew they had a need to fill. Our goal is NOT to keep out "germs;" it's to create an atmosphere where the spiritually sick can find healing. That's also a challenge to the "healed" to stay "healthy and fit" for the sake of the sick...

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another (1 Thess. 3:12)

Sections taken from "Our Daily Bread"

College and the Holy Spirit

2006-09-04T13:58:00.000-06:00

Happy Labor Day!
Just another reminder of why we're in school:
Bible Study Monday & Thur night at ISU, Singing Monday (thankfully for others!) and Sunday eve, Church Wed night, and Home YG stuff on Friday (with church on Sunday of course, and any extras). How blessed we are, so much wonderful spiritual meat for us! This is all well and good, but a relationship with God is direct, you and Him. In order to change hearts, we need to be on our knees praying for the SPIRIT to work, for brokenness of our wills, and studying the Word so that we are able to display Truth in our day to day lives when called upon, and that we can have the grace to apply It to our lifestyles. We know faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God: if I want faith to move mountains I'd better study, read, and meditate more. That's a challenge for myself, I know many do wonderfully, but I'm sure we can all still do more.

We've been so blessed with having such a wonderful week of Godly events, that we should be impassioned to share this with others. Develop relationships with classmates with the purpose of loving them to the point of desiring their salvation: get them a Bible or take them to a Bible study, so many are already doing that, AWESOME! That's certainly the best reason to go to class. Pray for the students and relationships developed in class and then just watch the Spirit work. There's no stress in it, because it's not of us, God does the changing. College really does place us IN the world, so it's important to take advantage of these relationships that are formed, that they not lower us, but that through the Holy Spirit, they bring others into light.

Sometimes, the effects can't even be seen, but the example we are can bring people one step closer or one step further from God, which way are mine going? Yours? Again, convicting application for me.
Keep praying. That is the best thing to do, call on the Holy Spirit to change the heart. It's not the church, it's the Holy Spirit that brings souls to repentance, in the heart. We (us or the church) have NO power to save. We're just an avenue for God to work, and it's important we remember that, and pray for the SPIRIT to do the changing... and He will!

Things to be thankful for, ISU outreach: Singing at the nursing homes, The International Dinner (which reaches out to Internationals who may return to native, sometimes little or unreached nations!), group prayer meeting (it all starts on the knees), Bible Distribution, Campus Evangelism, Coffeehouse Worship for the less fortunate in the community, possible serving at the local soup kitchens, Intercity Tutoring, and opportunities to bring others to church and Bible Studies, one of the best is right in the classroom... any others?
Let the Spirit Work!!

Just slap an Ichthus on It

2006-08-27T16:00:00.000-06:00

IN livelifeonpurpose it talks a little about our will and God's will. My spin on it:
God doesn't want to become a part of OUR plans, he wants us to become a part of HIS plans. We can "Christianize" almost anything (not to say this is always wrong:), but I don't think that if Peter would've simply slapped an Ichthus (Jesus fish) on the back of his fishing boat it would've had the same effect as actually dedicating His life to God's purposes (of course he could've called it his personal "mission," that'd help the situation wouldn't it?).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we can't do a job "heartily as to the Lord" that isn't dominantly "Christian"... it's a question of wills. Are we doing something of our own accord because it gives us OUR security and seems best to US, or are we seeking to do God's will no matter the cost? Certainly a good thing to think about, and check what our priorities are in this life.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Mat 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

"The reason (so much goes unchanged in the world) today is that Christians are busy doing great Christian things." Claude Hickman

The American Dream can become a subtle nightmare for the church to slip into. (1 Timothy 6:9, Example: Deut. 8:11-17, and of course resulting in luke warm Christianity like the church of Laodicea Rev. 3:16)

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

The Call to Prayer [New Song]

2006-08-19T13:30:00.000-06:00

I'm really quite excited. I wrote and recorded my first song (that I'm going to make public anyway:). I made a Myspace Artist page and put the song on there. Click the link below and it'll automatically play.
The Call to Prayer

There's two guitar lines, bass, drums, and vocals, and lots of takes:)
If you like it, please share it. It's available to download (besides stream), but if you do, purpose to give specific money to charity. Check out the AC Servant Fund for missionaries. It's up and running (I believe), and that's a great place to start!
All for His name's glory.

Here's the Lyrics, and my post:
[Rev. 5:9, 7:9]
Jesus Christ, I come before Your throne,
I come to You alone! (2x)
Sometimes I'm so impatient,
Sometimes I just want to scream,
But if it was truly up to me, I know I couldnt change a thing,
No nothing
So I cry

CHORUS:
Your name is so holy (2x)
Your will will be done
The nations will be reached (praise You last time)
Theyll see the glory of Your Son (worship Your Son last time)
Of Your Son (sweet Jesus last time)

I hear You say that every tongue, every tribe, and each nation,
Will praise You in eternity,
Theyll praise You in Eternity,
And theyll sing
-CHORUS-
How can we help you?
When will we see?
Then I remember, the only person I can change is me,
and the only way well do Your will is just to pray,
So I say
-CHORUS-
BRIDGE:
I throw up my hands
Oh the impossibilities
Frustrated, so tired where do I go from here?
But then I see hope, theres a rainbow in the fog,
Well send and support to the glory of the Lord,
now I pray
OUTRO:
Well worship Your Son (2x)
Your name is so holy
Thy will be done
By the way... read this link.

dEnvER~clArCksViLLe~hoME [worship]

2006-08-12T11:40:00.000-06:00

I'll weather the weather whether or not we're together.
I returned from Denver for my re-eval at Craig. There were some fantastic opportunities to really get to know some patients. I had one of the most challenging conversations of my life with one, it basically started out by him asking "who the f*** is God" to do this to someone... by the end, totally through the Holy Spirit, the guy was crying and had some understanding and acceptance, but it was completely humbling, why did I get to be the one standing there? Overall, I can remember, it's extremely encouraging to meet a SCI who is walking. My eval went really well, they found one spot on my right ankle where I can't feel soft touch at all, that was kinda fun, I didn't know it existed because if I touch it with my hand I feel it through my hand and the whole area is always tingly anyway, which I've come to appreciate. I talked to my surgeon, what a guy. My doctor got me an inflatable thing to put under a mattress when I travel somewhere so that I don't need a recliner, that'll be sweet. Overall, I obviously had very little to check out, I basically needed nothing. What a blessing! Two other friends of mine were back for a re-eval, both doing very well. One of my favorite guys, Danny, a middle aged quad STOOD UP in his power chair!!! He can walk like 300 feet in a walker. He's one of the most amazing stories I know. He still has really weak arms though. I love spending time out there. It was good to hang and worship with the Denver church too, they've been wonderful. Plus I met one night with my Hodel cousins and Brett, Justin, and Quinn Steffen, who were in the area! Wonderful time.

So then I was on vacation for the last 5-6 days in MO. It was really nice, great times with the family, but I'll spare you all the details. I read a lot (for once), started and finished Joni (she's the quad who paints with her mouth, very good book to read, it'll show you just how blessed you are), and finished livelifeonpurpose, an important book/Bible Study on the Christian's duty for mission's. I'd encourage everyone to discerningly read the book, it will challenge you.

Finally, with that in mind, the book reminded me of real worship through the lyrics of Ross King's "worship" song "Clear the Stage":

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
if that's the measure you must take to crush the idols.

Jerk the pews and all the decorations too,
until the congregation's few then have revival.

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends,
until you're broken for your sins you can't be social.

Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store
and know that great is your reward so just be hopeful.

'Cause you can sing all you want to, you can sing all you want to,

you can sing all you want to and don't get me wrong,
but worship is more than a song.

Summer School Flies [Flys]

2006-07-25T14:11:00.000-06:00

Comprehensive Final in Major World Religions that I feel well prepared for, likewise one in business that should be fine, and a single test left in Psych. That's all for summer school and it absolutely flew.

Lots of God-revelation this summer. I'm excited. Colorado check up for a week followed by a family vacation in Missouri. That'll be quite nice. Than the fall semester starts.

Talk about blessings of praise. I got my digital piano and an 'almost free' tube organ that sounds stenchin' retro! For the record, there's been some decent recording taking place this summer, but you'll have to wait for some mastered material to be released later into the school year. If you write a song... we'll play it. Hmmm... at our discretion I'll add. Strangely enough, I'm not sure who "our or we" is referring to.

Pathetic Pranks

2006-07-18T13:55:00.000-06:00

Although I've done my fair share of pranks, both sweet in their own right and rather lame or simply floppy, I am flabbergasted at a certain episode performed on our humble adobe (my old abode, The Shack btw). What's your opinion on such nonsense as follows:) What would you do?:

A dear relation of mine and her room-mate wanted to come over one evening to play ping pong. After a guilt trip of how terrible I would be if I turned them down, I had no choice but to let them come over. I then must leave them there to go to a meeting and when I return, after entrusting them to my place, I find a (admittedly small) spattering of prankage. Really all they did was remove the labels off a few cans and switch around the cereal bags and boxes. Yet, the point remains that they pranked someone who had left them with the responsibility of keeping the house. What satisfaction is there in such a deed? Or should have I been more conscious? Ah what perplexities one's life can evoke...

So, why write about the days of yore at The Shack??? I finally opened my unidentified can last week... it was tomato soup. I basted hand-skinned chicken legs in it along with hot-sauce, onions, and mushrooms. It was actually a surprising delight. I guess in retrospect I can respect...

Speaking in all seriousness... Today is the one year anniversary of my accident. It's been a little/lot weird today. For all those who knew me before, through, and after the accident, thanks again for the prayers and support. It meant and continues to mean more than you could possibly imagine. Give the world Jesus. Count your blessings each day, focus on the eternal things, and never underestimate the power of prayer and the mercy and sovereignty of God. All praise and glory to Him, what a fantastic year!

Who are We?

2006-07-12T13:05:00.000-06:00

This devotional prayer shed some light on the foolishness of judgment:
1 John 3:1: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.
Thank You Lord, for loving me despite my sinfulness, despite my ignorance, despite my clumsiness, despite my stubbornness. May my own difficulty in loving those I consider imperfect make me ever more awed by the wonder of Thy love for me.

Delicious: Hungry for the Word as a Japanese Beatle

2006-07-06T13:23:00.000-06:00

Title: [from Wed. night church]

Introduction:
John 9 = Bible = Relevant: follow along

Body:
2His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?
3Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him.
4We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight...

At Gold's there's a blind Christian who comes in to work out and I've had a few very encouraging conversations with him. What some must suffer to the glory and work of GOD... all the more reason to use what you've been given for His glory. This man wanted so much to go on work missions, but couldn't do much work in unfamiliar surroundings...

Healed blind man to the Pharisees question of how he was healed:

27He answered, I already told you and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Can it be that you wish to become His disciples also?

Their response and ignorant justification:

28And they stormed at him [they jeered, they sneered, they reviled him] and retorted, You are His disciple yourself, but we are the disciples of Moses.
29We know for certain that God spoke with Moses, but as for this Fellow, we know nothing about where He hails from.

Courageous blind man's flippant response (deliciously coated with sarcasm:):

30The man replied, Well, this is astonishing! Here a Man has opened my eyes, and yet you do not know where He comes from. [That is amazing!]

Pharisees call him an unqualified sinner to speak such things and throw him out.

Conclusion:

35Jesus heard that they had put him out, and meeting him He said, Do you believe in and adhere to the Son of Man or the Son of God ?

36He answered, Who is He, Sir? Tell me, that I may believe in and adhere to Him.
37Jesus said to him, You have seen Him; [in fact] He is talking to you right now.
38He called out, Lord, I believe! [I rely on, I trust, I cleave to You!] And he worshiped Him.

More of the Central Theme: We're here to bring glory to the Lord!

Jeremy Stoller just started repenting! Ya'll keep him in your prayers.