Mind Wonderings

stick - members - vascular

2009-11-06T15:07:00.012-06:00

Stick (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stick) definition of the word stick on dictionary.com
–noun
1.a branch or shoot of a tree or shrub that has been cut or broken off.
2.a relatively long and slender piece of wood.
3.a long piece of wood for use as fuel, in carpentry, etc.
4.a rod or wand.
5.a baton.
6.Chiefly British. a walking stick or cane.
7.a club or cudgel.
8.something that serves to goad or coerce: The threat of unemployment was the stick that kept the workers toiling overtime.
9.a long, slender piece or part of anything: a stick of candy; sticks of celery.
10.any of four equal parts in a pound of butter or margarine.
11.Sports. an implement used to drive or propel a ball or puck, as a crosse or a hockey stick.
12.Aeronautics. a lever, usually with a handle, by which the longitudinal and lateral motions of an airplane are controlled.
13.Nautical. a mast or spar.
14.Printing.
15.the sticks, Informal. any region distant from cities or towns, as rural districts; the country: Having lived in a large city all his life, he found it hard to adjust to the sticks.
16.Military.
a.a group of bombs so arranged as to be released in a row across a target.
b.the bomb load.
17.Informal.
18.Slang. a marijuana cigarette.
19.Informal. an unenthusiastic or uninteresting person.
20.Informal. a portion of liquor, as brandy, added to a nonalcoholic drink.
–verb (used with object)
21.to furnish (a plant, vine, etc.) with a stick or sticks in order to prop or support.
22.Printing. to set (type) in a composing stick.—Idiom
23.short or dirty end of the stick, Slang. the least desirable assignment, decision, or part of an arrangement.
Origin: bef. 1000; ME stikke, OE sticca; akin to OHG stehho, ON stik stick; akin to stick 2 Related forms:
stickless, adjective
sticklike, adjective

members (http://www.bing.com/search?q=members&src=IE-SearchBox) the first 10 result descriptions I got on Bing.com

Get the most from your membership. Find useful articles, tutorials, customization tips, online support, upgrades, and more at Member Center. Need the latest MSN software?

A member is a person who belongs to a group of people or a group such as a company or nation who belongs to another group like an alliance or consortium.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member

Welcome to the who.com, the official home of The Who online.

Welcome to Midlands Co-op Members Membership Benefits. Be a share owner of Midlands Co-op, have your say, vote in our elections and apply for the Midlands Co-op Members Card.

Mechanicsburg. Serving select member groups in Pennsylvania.

Membership in 2009 The Council is composed of five permanent members — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the ...

Representative Offices [A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y] List by State/Map Search Member Sites. A. Abercrombie, Neil, Hawaii, 1st; Ackerman, Gary, New York, 5th

RThe Original Sound of the Suburbs, One of the Original And Best Punk Rock Bands to come out of the UK in 1977, JC Carroll, Nigel Bennett, Chris Payne, Nicky Tesco, Adrian ...

Meet the New Members

A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a parliament. In many countries the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have ...

Vascular (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vascular) meaning looked up on wikipedia

Vascular
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In zoology, "vascular" means "related to blood vessels", which are part of the Circulatory system. An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood.
In botany, plants with a dedicated transport system for water and nutrients are called vascular plants. Vascular plants include ferns, conifers and flowering plants. A vascular bundle is part of such a transport system.

so what do these words have in common? where did they come from?

These are a mere 3 words that I randomly selected when I sat down to write. These three words each came from a different person, a different source (book, article, computer), and where completely taken out of context. I've decided to also define each by only the information I gathered from these individual words, each of which I decided to define through different means(see above).

we see many things, read many things, and hear many things every day. We gather information, lose information, and are manipulated by the information we read and hear whether we wish so or not. The media has a huge hold over our perception of the world and how we view things, yet, even with this hold things can be seen hidden deep within.

At first glance nothing is gained and no sense can be managed from these polar opposites, and yet after closer thought one begins to make connections or maybe a story, or at least an explanation...

Take a moment, what do see?

What do you come away with?

For me these words fall completely into place. A stick by definition is "a branch or shoot of a tree or shrub that has been cut or broken off." This is most likely your first inclination of what a stick is when you hear that word. And yet depending on your culture, mood, or what you are doing other things begin to come to mind. Just read through the list and you can easily see a wide variety of subjects and objects. But for now I will begin with this simple definition that a stick is just a branch of piece of wood that has been broken off of a tree or larger plant structure.

Next is member, this word I defined directly by our media. I defined it by what we fed our selves everyday about that word, and the first things that come to mind, or that were forced to recognize and associate with that word. One of the descriptions states there are: "five permanent members" for that given council. So this begins to beg the question of what is the difference in permanence and temporary membership? how do I get a membership? what kind of membership and I looking for? another result states that: "members of the lower house". this indicates we are lead to believe that some members are higher or lower quality that others. Is it better to be a higher or lower? is it best to even be a member?

the final word is that of Vascular. I decided to define this by the online database of wikipedia, due to its ever increasing use for defining things or quick access. I also picked it because it symbolizes and utilizes us in determining a meaning or explaining something. Wikipedia is not an organization that knows everything it is in fact website that allows all of us to help contribute and define everything. Sometimes it is an expert on that given topic, other times it is an average person that stumbled across a word that was not defined and began the process for everyone to contribute. The word vascular on wikipedia has little information. it is short and to the point, but does it encapsulate the essence and entirety of what vascular is or was? vascular according to wikipedia is "related to blood vessels". We can also tell that this is not the actual organ tissue, but instead is something that describes a characteristic of that tissue. it later states that to be vascularized is to be "heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood". This implies that vascular can have varying amounts. It later states that in botany vascular plants are those that have "dedicated transport system for water and nutrients".

So what can be gained? learned? discovered? anything? or are these three words merely three words floating around and manipulated by our environment and our own connotations and implied meanings based on our own experiences?

well for one thing no person will come away with anyone exact meaning or even possibly a full understanding of what these words truly mean and entail, but my understanding is that:

A stick is broken, discarded unwanted., but a member is something valued. Vascular describe something that transports and enriches, while a stick can be used to tear others down. so where is the connection?

Members are those that give to an organization, they give nutrients, information and help when they need it and help provide for it just like vascular plants are describe as. as this institution or organization or council grows and reaches out it creates branches that also create potential. Potential to grow farther, to reach more, but also to break off. The larger the membership the easier it is for members to break off and become a mere stick laying under a beautiful tree. If too many of these members break off, the the tree will fail. But without the members the tree would still fail. So members are essential, and sticks are inevitable. We must remember this in life. We need others, we need to reach, grow, and create branches, but we also remember that with that growing comes risk of failure or losing a piece of ourselves, but without growing we never truly blossom into the person we could be.

We just have to remember to hold firm and remember who provide to true nutrients to help our lives expand.

Push Too hard, Give too much, and I lost the map

2009-11-05T15:57:00.005-06:00

Push Too hard, Give too much, and I lost the map

We strive for our best, we long to be the best, reach our full potential, and thus succeed.

We give everything we have to go where we want to go or give up on our dreams and focus on our perceived reality.

So what is the Reality?

Is it the desk in font of us? the paycheck we settle with every two weeks? or is it something more?

Hollywood has created movies depicting alternate realities or things where certain people can twist reality. The Matrix comes to mind automatically for me. The Matrix tells how life is not how it appears and is in fact a figment of our imagination.

So stop!

Think...

If life is not how it appears, but instead had a completely different set of rules, a completely different make up of forces, or "realities"... what would you do? where would you go? what would it look like?

Did you have a dream as a child of being a doctor? or a nurse? a veterinarian? maybe a firefighter? and what are you now? have you settled for something else? are you living your dream? is it still your dream?

what road are you traveling down? Have you pushed to hard? Have you given up too much? are you Lost?

Stop...

Think...

What if life were different?

...

Why can't life be different?

...

Back to the matrix... So life in the "World" was different from the real world, the world of truth. and yet in essence it was the same. You can be the same person in or out, you can make the same decisions in or out, you can be what you want to be in or out of the "world".

What did you gain from reaching the real world? well you lost your dream, you lost what you knew, you lost your innocence.

But what did you gain?

You gain a better understanding, you had a broader vision of the world as Truth that few could even comprehend, you also had a new plan, a new map, but did that mean the old directions wouldn't work?

In life we have a set goal, a set idea of where we want to go, what we want to do, what we want to accomplish. Many think they are unrealistic, many give up on themselves because they don't think they have time, or it would take a miracle. Well Miracles are possible and anything is possible if you have the right map.

Israel had the right map, they had the Torah, the book of the law, the map that would guide them to ruling the world under god's glorious name...

Or so they thought.

They had the right map, they had the right plan, the goal, the idea of where they wanted to go...

but they stopped, they got sidetracked, and they forgot. just like we do, just like we do with our goals in life, and just like we do with God.

We keep pushing to hard.

We keep giving too much.

We keep losing the map.

But God's still here, and he shows us that miracles are possible, and that sometimes reality is only the beginning of a greater reality hidden right under your noses.

The Mountains still Surround Jersusalem

2009-11-04T21:29:00.004-06:00

In the Italian renaissance period The bottega system ruled the art production of Florence and the other surrounding societies. The interesting thing about this system of production was conformity and the passing on of traditions.

You see, the way a new artist was trained, was by the boy becoming an apprentice to a master who would provide for him and train him in return for his work in the bottega. The training would involve copying the master's drawings, then after that copying and drawing, on would draw from paintings and works of art in the churches or public art collections of the city of Florence or whatever town they happen to be in. Not until you became an advance student or a master would one even dream nude studies. The works of art in the renaissance many times were all very similar for this reason. Because all the artist were trained one after the other with the same basic techniques, the same patterns and works of art, and were generally required to complete the same subjects over and over due to the all encompassing Catholic church at this time.

So it is no wonder why art history can be so challenge for those without a keen eye for many of these images have very slight differences, but when you start placing them in a line you can see a gradual progression from this to that which happened slowly over many decades and through the contribution of hundreds of artists. And yet today we live in a modern society that thrives on creating that which was never created before, that which looks nothing like anything else, or is made for the mere fact of how cool or awesome it was to make it. Back then artist didn't have the luxury of being able to just create and sell. Instead they had to sell themselves with each commission they received in order to receive another. Artist were poor, they hardly received a paycheck for their work after paying for supplies, living quarters, food, and assistants. But art was continued to be produced, and still is, and will be for long to come.

This little dive into history can show us many things. It can show us that over time and contribution many together can grow and create something that becomes beautiful, but sometimes the road is not easy, or fair, or even right. also it should be known that the bottega system began to fall apart after a few centuries. It fell apart for many reasons, but one of the main reasons was individuality. Individuality also has many great qualities of not always following a trend, getting more perspectives, and not always having to rely on others. But individuality tends to help things to just get more muddled and people begin to drift apart.

But it should be remembered that in Israel's history their were many ups and downs. they went this way and that and traveled from one land to another, But always they were god's people. And always the mountains continued to surround Jerusalem. And always God surrounded them with a special relationship that the other nations had little understanding of.

Many times as an artist I feel disconnected from reality, many times I just don't understand why you can't do that or don't understand this or that. But that's the case with each of us. In each of us there are things that we understand or see from a certain perspective that few if any others do like a modern artist. But at the same time we live with others and communicate with them and we still have that communication and struggle and building up and tearing down of each other toward a common goal whether we realize it or not (just like the Workshops in the Renaissance). And their is a battle between the individual and the body that we continually fight with for control. But we must remember that the mountains still surround Jerusalem, whether were alone or in a great multitude. For God Loves Each of us, and in each of us their is room for the individual and the collective group, as long as God takes center stage and and we go to him in the mountains in stead of waiting in the valley and as long as we live and grow together and keep our hands free to help our neighbor up when he or she falls then together we can stand and rely and lift each other up.

Green Eggs and Ham

2009-11-03T21:19:00.004-06:00

Did you ever have green eggs and ham?
as child I can remember our elementary teachers doing a Dr. Seuss Unit which included a day of us all trying Green eggs and ham. I of course would not stand to try it, not because of the green coloring, but because I despised eggs and didn't care for ham as well.

But why don't I like eggs or why do some people get queasy when their food turns green?

Well Why did God choose the Israelites and not the Moabites, or the Egyptians to develop a special relationship with?

Why do we do anything?

Well I am reminded of these things when reading Gen. chapter 10. In which recounts the genealogies of Ham Shem and Japeth after the Flood. and One would suspect that God would say something or denote this son or any other number of things to make his future line clear. Or perhaps he Choose the eldest son? well looking back a few chapters in 5:32 in states that when Noah was 500 years old he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japeth. Well why all lumped together? it's three sons so they could not all be born separately and Noah still continue to be 500 years old. But also you would think that it would say something like it did with Cain and Able if they were triplets... But besides that if you continue a little farther in Chapter 9 Noah plants and grows a Vineyard and becomes drunk (which by the way is the first indication of either of these activities though perhaps wine or something was created before the Flood since it had not rained... but hten again it hadn't rained...) Well what does it say in 9:22

"And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the naked ness of his father, and told his two brothers outside."

It even flat out says the father of Canaan which is then reiterated in chapter 10. then read down a few more verses...

9:25-27

"So he (NOAH) said, Cursed be Canaan; a Servant of Servants He shall be to his brothers..."

Then you read these genealogies... Yes it's longer, yes it's more detailed, but no their is no indication of it being a portion of God's Chosen people. And it's quite the opposite. The beginning chapters make Ham's descendants appear inferior, childish, and cursed. They are destined to become servants and thus they later became.

So what does this mean to us? It means look around you, look at the past, look at yourself. Yes perhaps your not the strongest, the greatest, or anyhting spectacular, but you are still a human. You are still created in God's Image, And even a cursed people like Israel that faced many things in there existence. God has a knack and a gift and a desire to hang on to, to love, and cherish those less fortunate, the cursed, and the deprived. So count it a blessing that life is no simple easy train ride; for pain is how we grow, time is how we measure what is important in our lives, and Our actions and thoughts is how we show others ourselves despite our Green eggs and ham that is buried behind us.

Tension

2009-11-02T23:27:00.004-06:00

It's 11 weeks until I travel across the world to a country I've never seen, and only read and heard about. Part of me can't believe it's so soon, while the other still wonders partially if it really does exist.

but it reminds me of how similar we all are; just as people in Maine are similar to people from Alaska and California and Florida. But in the same way we are no different than those in Europe, or Italy, or even Haiti. Like the paper I am writing now, the people 500 years ago are no different than those living today or the cavemen that the Gieko commercials are imitating.

Why do we seem so different? Why do we feel so strange or disconnected with them?

I think we are just unsure what to make of their customs, their beliefs, and their language. We think they are different or wrong in some way when in fact how do we not know we are the ones that are wrong?

This reminds me of something we talked about in bible class today. The gentiles were not being accepted by the Jews in the early Christian church because the Jews wanted them to be Jews first then Christian just as they had (acts 15). Well Christ died not just for the Jews but for the gentiles as well. Just as in Psalms 72 and Amos 9:11-15 it talks about the Davidic kingdom ruling the world or bringing back god's greatness on the earth. It is a vision of the best possible scenario.

It makes me see through the history of Isreal how taking advice from the outside world and trying to use it to better our own selves or societies just ends in making things worse. Instead we should listen for God and and read his word and not take things at face value. Just as Israel wanted a King so too do we long for our king. But we must remember the differences in perspective. The Israelite King was one to help shine it's light through the nations and failed. we wait for our king who is the light, but we must all help share the light for there is no glory in being alone!

What Changed

2009-08-02T22:20:00.004-05:00

VBS song I learned today:

hello, *clap clap*
again! *clap clap*
were here with all our friends *clap clap*
its good, *clap clap*
so good *clap clap*
to praise the lord and sing together
hallelujah *clap*
hallelujah to our king

its so good to be together,
and say hello again

(repeat and speed up each time)

In bible class this morning we talked about the stoning of Stephen. In chapter 6, it tells how he became one of the 7 selected to help the widows that were being overlooked cared for. later on it tells how (verse 8 and following) that members of the Sanhedrin rose up and argued with him, but were unable to cope with his wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking, but later in verse 13 it tells how they brought forth false witnesses against him after he was brought before the council. then in chapter 7 he gives his famous and very well put story, beginning with Abraham and then working to Jesus and then putting on them. but the main thing this morning was in verse 57, 58, and 8:1 it says in verse 57 and 58 that "they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and rushes upon him with one impulse. And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul." then in 8:1 "And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death."

and I started to think about how things are in chronological order. now Idk exactly how long its been. but it hasnt been more than a year or two for sure I would say since christ's death. and what I found interesting or made me think was about how different stephen's death and Jesus's deaths were and yet were very similar. they both were brought before the sanhedrin with very much the same with basically the same charges, and false witnesses. But Jesus said very little in his defense, and Stephen spoke a lot (not that it's really that important or even still the main point that made me think)

The thing that made me think was how they died and when. Jesus was brought to the Roman authorities because in John 18:31 it says that the Jews said they were not permitted to put anyone to death.

So what changed? these are the same men mostly I'm assuming, same charges for the most part, same circumstances and same basic things at stake. So why did they go ahead and kill this man, in a somewhat impulse move?

I don't really know the answer... or even really had a clue... it just made me wonder what had changed and how much pressure the Christians had put on them by just doing things differently...

and if anyone has any information or idea or anything I'd love to hear them.. but I just found it interesting and hope you did as well.

this is first song that played randomly when I turned on my computer and I haven't hear it in years, and it really just made me happy after a mood of seeing kids smile and learn about God. Hope the words can do the same for you.

Everyone's Happy by GH

(chorus)
everyone's happy. (cause) Everyone's free
to do what you like
and to do as you please
you sit in your homes
and you watch your tvs
but you're always to busy
to think about me

I stood along beneath a lonely sky
with nothing to eat
as the tables passed me by
they say I'm crazy
and they tell me that I lie
but no one can listen
if no one can hear
You'd rather smile
than to show any fear

(Chorus)

Some of my friends
were prostitutes and thieves
Yeah sin is sin, you see different degrees
but ti my father
your just killing me
at least they would listen
to what they'd hear
but you'd rather smile
than to show any fear

(chorus)

oh I was beaten
and blood ran down besides
whipped and chained
to take my pride
and when it was over
I allowed myself to die
so maybe you'd listen
and maybe you'd hear
but you'd rather smile
then to show any fear

(chorus 2xs)

Late Night Wish

2009-08-01T21:39:00.002-05:00

I was cleaning up my computer and ran across an old poem/art project that I did last fall. So sit back and I hope you enjoy my "Late Night Wish"

Night One

The long day is over
You have one wish
To be under covers
That you’re going to miss

Your roommate is sleeping
But you’re at the desk

You type and you type
Going without rest

You moan and you study
Going nowhere
You push and you pull
Your mind every which way

The moonlight is shrinking
And the sun warms the sky

And you remember your homework
Sitting nearby

You grab it once more
And read it out loud
Hoping you might
Do your best once more

A test is next week
But that’s far away

But don't think about it now
You’ve got to get this
All in your head

Be productive
And write your memoir

You've got to finish studying

To make the final score
And save that late night wish
To help you soar
Behind your eyes
To see no more

On that fateful night you’ve
Been waiting for

Afternoon

It’s just a bit later
On that fateful day
The long night is over
But the day just began

With a few heavy sighs
And the wink of an eye
My mind starts to wander
Of the days gone by

I remember the castles
And stories once told

Of dragons
And wizards
In a fairytale world

It once captivated
My young little brain
But now it’s just a dream
Where I wander there and back again

With my teacher talking
And my friend sitting nearby
Or that fellow up font with the purple necktie
You would think I could keep
My mind from unwinding

But the past
And the stories
That once were told
Seem much better than
The actual real world

So despite, my lifeless state
I’m still captivated
And ready to create

For my mind keeps reeling
In this dreaming state
But I still wish I had gotten
A few more hours
Away in my bed

Night Two

The sun begins to set
On this continuing day
My eyes begin to fall
And my thoughts begin to sway

The lights begin to dim
And the stars blink away
But it’s but twice another day

My hands won’t get to stop
Because the teachers keep assigning
And the day is hard to keep fighting

It’s going to be another long night
Without a flight of imagination
And sleep out of sight

A test is next week
But that’s far away

But don't think about it now
I’ve got far more
Floating in my head

Here is a paper
And a reading to do
O look it’s supposed to pour
If only I wanted it too

It’s the college life
Where I paid to be

I’ve got a full plate
And a long night it would seem

So perhaps I’m crazy
But this ain’t easy
And the distant future’s hard to see

But if you just keep focus
And don’t find this a sham

You can see through
My late night command

And make it to
Your own fairytale land

It's Only a Step, but Stretches a Great Span

2009-07-20T21:09:00.006-05:00

40 years ago today we touched the moon. 40 years ago the impossible became possible as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. From that moment on Neil's name went down in history along with his famous phrase: "One small step for man, One giant leap for mankind" but what made this moment possible? Was it not the numerous calculations, work, and everything going correctly. Just the same, we live we work and we strive to achieve a leap for mankind. It is not because we can, but because we want to, we have too. We always seek to know, to learn, to understand, to explore. We all eat, breathe, drink, and are human. We are all human and part of humankind, but more importantly part of this world, and yet we are separate. What makes the human different from the animal? Could it be our connection to God? Are we the only species that believes in the afterlife. What makes us different? or are we truly as different as we think?

We as a country reached the moon, we as a country unite under one flag, we as Christians unite under a loving and just God. We as Christians took a step, and made our commitment to God. We as Christians took one giant leap of faith and gave our lives. We died to this world we call home for the eternal one. We entered into an embrace with the father, just as the world embraced these heroes we remember on this day. Just as these men's loving families wepted with joy and embraced their loved ones when they reached the earth, So Christ and the Father will do when we reach Heaven.

So remember this day. Remember it as a day when man achieved the once impossible. But it is a day in the past, one of great importance that shows how far we have come. But look forward to the future, to the heavenly mansion, to a day of far more importance and celebration.

Refresh

2009-07-19T19:30:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time since High school. It feels just like yesterday I was traveling the halls among my friends and life was much different. The world was smaller, everything seemed so far away, and everything we seemed not to matter in the long run. But these days life is different. The world is larger, with so many possibilities and choices to be made, and every choice has a bearing on where you decide to end up. Choices is the truth of life. You can choose anything, but its with what you can live with, what you want, or what can happen. Life is now quickly changing from the comfortable surreal world of the comfortable home we've grown in, to that of a large expanse with roads leading everywhere and a plethora of questions.

"I'm no longer in Kansas"
In two years schools over, the real world begins, and it will more than likely completely disconnect me from most if not all of my high school connections. In two years The surreal world ends and another one begins to be created. We are creatures of habit, we love routine, and more than likely many of you I'll never see again. I challenge all of you to not always stay in routine your entire life, for what is a life with no adventure or without following your dreams. To all of you if I see you again please take the opportunity to say hi, don't forget to introduce yourself. I will miss many of you in the years to come, and I hope many of you I can stay in contact with. But this is a post about where I am in life. I'm on the verge of transformation. I'm on the verge of the real world. I'm on the verge of leaving the surreal. Life moves fast I realize that now, but I've been lucky enough to enjoy it. I've been lucky enough to be able to slow down and enjoy it with friends and I am thankful for the friends I have made. But I'm looking to the future and I know things will change and I know new memories and friends will be made and I can't wait to embrace the future, but I want to take it slowly one step at a time to enjoy all I can.

Connections

2009-06-14T22:06:00.002-05:00

The mind is a marvelous thing. It allows the person, if allowed, to imagine, create and connect things from the past and present. One idea from years ago can come running back and be lifted into a new idea in a matter of seconds, only to be lost in half the time.

I have spoken of reaching for goals, and letting the mind wonder, and thinking outside the box. This blog is merely and outlet of thoughts with connections I can scarcely describe or begin to understand. It is an outlet and free flow of consciousness the begins with an unknown ending that causes me to wonder where it may go and end.

With time I think I'm learning much to the secrets of life. What per say can these secrets be? well I feel they are not truly secrets, but really the overlooked and the opposite of what we might think. It seems the common expression today is I don't understand, I don't know, or what if? What if we dug deeper, by digging less. In our information-ally enriched society we long to dig, to read between the lines, or find the hidden understanding. I feel however we miss the point many times or skip past to the ending.

We don't need many words, like solomon a simple saying can be more insightful and challenging than a dictionary or terms. We have learned to react. We have learned to do as much by doing as little as possible. We have learned not to take some things at face value before we peal back the layers.

Many people have asked me what I want to do in the next few years, what job I want to get, or what my goals are. And without a doubt I can say I will go, where I end up; because I am, who I am. I have many possibilities, options, and goals I want to accomplish, but only one truly matters. And that is becoming who I truly am. My actions, my goals, and possibilities will be formed around who I am and value. But you only become who you are by letting yourself believe in your true values and desires.

The true secrets to life are right in front of our faces and we scarcely recognize the existence of such a simple answer or are willing to accept what it entails.

We are what we are; we will be who we want to be; and we will chase what we truly want to chase, if we let ourselves.

For me, life is the rest, the pause, and the enjoyment of the moment not the activities and the day to day chores.

What is it to you?

Living MY Life

2009-06-13T23:19:00.003-05:00

Life is distracting. Life for many is all about what is going on around them; who is wearing what, what the next scandal is, or what is the best way to wear my hair. Life lived in such a way leads to never becoming one's self. Without living your life you never have a life, and without having a life how does one expect to feel satisfied?

These past few months I have been caught up in the game of Life. I've lived focusing on school, or the next event, or that one girl that keeps sitting beside me. It has been an exciting adventure and I have learned and accomplished much, but at what cost? I seem to have put many things on hold and have bypassed many things.

I have learned a lot this past year one of which is to look back on the past and learn, and not give in to the same things that you had before. One great example is the bible. It is a text of repeated blunders. From the beginning it is a story or overcoming and learning. As the story progresses it continues to reflect upon itself. It even points out continued faults of God's people repeated generation after generation for thousands of years.

Just like god's people thousands of years ago we continue to fall into these same mistakes just as we ourselves fall into the same things over and over. Whether they are temptations or sins, or just putting things off until another time. We are human, we make mistakes; but our goal is to learn, to adapt, and to put into practice what we have learned.

I have learned a lot this past year, but the most important thing is to live my life; to chase YOUR goals; and to learn from your mistakes. Without taking a chance on yourself and giving yourself a shot, you will never be completely satisfied. You will always wonder and wish, but you will only be able to act for so long; so stop, think, and reach for your goals.

Come Back After the Paint Dries

2008-11-11T13:53:00.004-06:00

This semester in school has been a time sucker. I have little time to do anything, but what is assigned, but it has become a great learning experience. I have grown and expanded and come to know who I am and what I understand much more clearly than ever before. much has happened is these past few months. we've elected a new president, for better or worse, it's who we've gained and now after a splitting of the country we must come together under one flag, under one symbol and under one man. and while he holds not the whole country in his hands, but is a symbol of who and what we represented. He is someone that we have chosen to be our leader for these upcoming years.
Our economy has suffered greatly and has fluctuated up and down and has scared many citizen and other countries around the world, yet it is hanging on still. and numerous other incidents around the global and right down to your own backyard or living room.

But the one thing that has become more and more evident in these past few months is that you have to wait for the paint to dry. When you want to put a second coat of paint on a wall or canvas you need to wait until the first is completely dry. This can be the hardest thing for any designer, artist, homeowner, or politician, but it is a necessity. but what I've discovered its more than just waiting, it also gives you the chance to step back, get your mind off of it, and come back with fresh eyes. These fresh eyes help to find mistakes, problem areas, or rework something to make it more pleasing or stable. These periods or breaks can be more productive than the actual painting or planning.

But this concept applies to more than just painting, it applies to politics, natural human growth, school, religion, etc... Taking a min. to step back get away and come back with fresh eyes can help you clean up the plan, the picture, the mistakes and redirect everything in a more clear, planned and elegant direction. so take a second, stop and smell the flowers, read a chapter of your bible that you've been wanting to read, or maybe wait for the layer of paint to dry before laying another layer on. Take a break in your busy schedule an reflect and remember where you came from, how you got to where you are, and where you want to go.

True Colors

2008-06-10T22:36:00.003-05:00

I was reminded of this when an episode on the history of paint came on the history channel, and now even more I can see the significance and power of work camps and symbolically taking down the fence and removing the bushes and trees we put up to block either imperfections (that paint does help cover, yet can not still be seen on close inspection...) or to just be ashamed of the truth of to be associated with that color or whatever it may be.

the church is paint on wood, on metal, on flesh - to show the world the true colors of the underlying reality principles. We are the Paint, Neigh We are the Colors of the world, the reflection of beauty and a creative spirit larger than ourself. We are the true colors of Christianity, the world does not see the words, but they see our lives.

Reality principle number 1 - We are fragile, we need protection from the elements so we don't wear, rust, and become dust. We can not live in the open of the world, we would fade fast and would soon end in misery, and receive all our pleasure and rewards and treasures in that short time here on earth. The paint we coat our lives with as Christians helps protect us, it shows us how to live, and also builds up our inheritance for the long hall where moth and rust will not destroy.

Reality principle number 2 - were not the center of the universe - their is something bigger, something greater than you or me. We are not just a structure, or lone being created by an inconceivable small chance, we have a plan a purpose a direction that only could be given to us be the author, creator, writing himself into our story. We just have to learn and accept the fact that we are not really in control. We have control of our decisions and our direction, but the path and stipulations have been set long before our short life. We must give the center, our pride and earthly desires, up and let God work through us to do his purpose that he shows us to accomplish more than we can ever fathom and more than we will see in our lifetime or small scope of senses that he gave us to view this play we are in.

Reality principle number 3 - we do not really have it until we show it, we can't show the world, until we put it on. We can not possible expect to be Christians unless we act like one, sound like one, look like one on the inside and out. Like paint we have to put it on before we can see it all together. We can not know the outcome until its done. We can ponder or in-vision or think we know, but we can not fully see, until it is shown.

Reality number 4 - were not all the same exact color, yet all have the same base. we have a foundation of pure white that not only gives us a firm base and something to draw strength from, but also helps to show our colors better and more brilliantly for the true creator and center of our lives, family, communities and world. We all have strengths weaknesses for a reason, we were all made to help something or someone in a special way, and when we all combine our strengths we cover up our weakness and create a front of more than this world, we create a movement that will change the world.

We make life, religion, and God to hard. We have more than we could ever read or understand about it, but we already have what we need. We have ourselves and a small little book of guidelines and a church, a family, a brother to lean on. we don't truly need that much to understand and grow in faith and understanding. We just need to use the time we have to learn and understand the simple truth of the matter. And to realize we'll never figure it all out or understand why, but to share the gospel we need to make a united front and work as a team, a unit, a family. We need to stop making so many rules and regulations and just look at the simple truth. We are nothing, we are not in control and only one thing will save us. But how do we do that? We dedicate our lives to giving up ourselves for a purpose a being so powerful, mind blowing, and life changing. We don't return to the world, but create a new world of eternity, happiness, and peace.

This all sounds simple enough, and yet is so close to impossible to accomplish. I know for a fact I have as much work as the next to lay on the paint, but first we must set our minds and focus on the goal. Not a number, or figuring out what's "right", or opinions, but on the one who will provide if we give it all to him.

Reflection

2008-04-23T19:31:00.001-05:00

The other night I was walking back to my room and looked toward the sky to see a very tremendous sight. The moon shinning in all its glory, yet even then something wasn’t quite right. The clouds and haze had covered it just enough that the light peaked few, but all will still fuzzy. Now this may sound a little Odd, but at the moment I stopped and my jaw dropped, That has been how the world has been for me and in everyone’s lives so much and especially for me recently.

So what am I saying exactly? Well there are so many directions this concept can go, but the main one that applies to everyone is that we see God’s Glory through the stories and writings in the bible, in the people we see, and the world he created, but still we can’t quite get it; Were still a little off or things maybe are just a little fuzzy. We don’t have all the fine details and everyone will never agree on every point.

But we can all see the light, and most would agree that it’s really there and not a figment of our imagination.

But he called us to be a light so that his light might shine on earth, yet we are all separate, and with numbers comes strength. So when we come together as a Christian body we not only are worshiping, but we are also reflecting the very thing God shows us. We reflect a body of light one that is not all completely the same and maybe a little blurry on some thing, but people should not be able to overlook the light. They have the option of ignoring or not accepting it, but if the light is not being shown then we have to ask why?

Why can no one see the light, why can we as a body not even see the light?

We spend enough time looking at ourselves and making sure we look presentable in the Earthly realm, but how often do we look to the spiritual? When was the last time we compared our spiritual lives and activities with what the spiritual world calls for; once a day? Week? Month? Maybe even year or years? And yet God calls you to keep our minds on that continually.

So next time you look in a mirror or the son just stop think, am I going the right direction?

When was the last time I focused more on spiritual perception than earthly? And I’ll admit I fall into this trap over and over, yet with a group of believers tied together with the common bonds of Christ and the bible as a guide we should together build a strong light one that does begin to resemble the spiritual realm and then, will we truly begin to make progress towards accomplishing our goal of spending eternity with our Father in the beautiful mansion he has prepared for us in a land of Paradise.

Proud to be Different

2008-04-19T01:47:00.002-05:00

We were all made different; to act different, have different talents. Then why do we all try to be the same? It has been the worlds curse to us to dictate the culture and many beliefs the world holds as truth. We were all made in the Image of God, yet we all are different and for good reason. We are also called to be different, to stand out from the world and to be a shining light of hope and eternal happiness.

In Ezekiel we read about the many strange doings of the prophet and how he not only made the point and explained things, he also stood out. But he did not just stand out because of who he was he went out of his way to have people as him what the purpose for what he was doing.

So when was the last time someone asked you, what are you doing? How many times to we just blow it off and say nothing. This is our chance to explain whom we are, to create a deeper relationship and to be the shining light. Now that doesn’t mean run around and act stupid and then shove your beliefs down other’s throats, and that also doesn’t mean stand on the corner of the street and scream about the final judgment and how all sinners and need repentance.

It also does not mean you have to make that many changes. You may have to be slightly more outgoing or ignore normal traditions of the world you’ve been influenced by (which in a few years will be completely different, just look at how fast clothing styles come and go!) But it means you have a talent. You have something or things that you can use to show a light even just a glimpse to the world.

I’ve recently changed to a belief not to hide the gift God has given me for art. I know I’m not the best and I never will be, but I have a gift for using it and making it appealing to others. I can sit for hours and work alone or on a crowded street, and it everyday helps strengthen my love and passion for what I Love and have adored and what I feel I was made for.

Now the question is how to use it? What do I do when I’ve discovered my gift? Or how do I start to begin learning to look?

They’re is no one way or correct way to reach a use for a particular use of a gift one can use, But there is a wrong way. The wrong way is: A) to not use it at all and B) not give god the glory.

But how do we use it? How can you not see is really the question. It will be something you love anyway and you will want to participate and use it in some way or another. It may not come to you over night or even in a week or two, but over time it will be revealed to you, it is something to think, pray, and meditate about. But in the mean time do whatever you can to cultivate and grow your gift to something great to show God’s glory and power.

I do not know where this training will lead me. I do not know how I will influence or use this gift as a light, but I do know I will not ignore it. I will leave it to him, do as much as I can with it and see where it and my heart takes me and where God guides me.

So don’t sit back, be a Christian and do what your called, find your gift by trying everything (and it can always change with time) find something you love and use it. Whether its art, music, writing, teaching, speaking, listening, encouragement, even if your good at babysitting or serving food you can still be used in God’s service. We were not all created equal or the same, but different; and these difference should be acknowledged and capitalized on to spread the light.

We have all been given something special from God to use, so lets use it!

Can You Live Without…?

2008-04-17T10:35:00.002-05:00

10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Luke 13:10-13 NIV

Have you ever play a sport and the coach tells you or everyone practices with his or her weak hand? Does he tell you that to make fun of you or just for kicks? No everyone knows that to be good you have to be able to use both your left and right, so you can use both on the court or field.

Have any of you been forced to maybe not use a limb (arm, leg, etc…) maybe broken it or something along those lines? Was it your strong or weak hand?

Well recently I fractured the radius on my dominant arm, which cause me to change many routines and do things in different ways. It cause a lot of problems at first, and still does from time to time, but you learn to overcome and do things differently without using your arm. Now I didn’t have to have a sling or anything and I could still use it to maybe write and draw with after a few days, but it has started to help me truly understand this verse and another that I’ll get to in a second.

Jesus has the power to Heal, to bring back your life, as you know it. Now I know my arm will heal soon, but it still makes it tough in the mean time. Jesus could just say a word and it would be healed… We need to rely on him for healing, but we also need to be patient an dlet him work in his own time. And in the mean time maybe I’ll learn something or see something in a different way.

But it has also made me think about other things…

7"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

Matthew 18:7-9 NIV

Self-sacrifice is something Jesus also called us to. We have to be willing to tear away anything that will hinder us from his way weather it’s our dominate hand or leg, our tongue, family, TV, or even friends…

To me, my dominant hand is my whole livelihood for the rest of my life. Being an art major loosing my right arm could have serious consequences, but it may also have a better outcome if something were to happen to it. I may be able to spend my time doing something more important or do something better with my left hand who knows. We have to be willing to give up anything, and leave the decisions to him and make the best of every situation.

As Christians we have to keep our minds open and our heart focused and with him we accomplish anything and everything and without we will do nothing but hinder those trying.

Be a child, one of God. Focus not on the past, the future, but the present, and hold nothing back.

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Matthew 18: 2-6 NIV

Which Way is UP?

2008-04-09T15:29:00.001-05:00

Some times the world feels far away, sometimes you feel it up close and personal. Right now I have had little time to sit and reflect, little time to spend looking and seeing the spiritual or even stopping to breathe.

This has been a trying week or two, so many decisions, work to be done, tests, projects, and answers to be decided. The work is nowhere close to concluding, but I need to breathe. I need to stop and breathe in and reflect and see what value I’m getting from these few days, this work?

I’m meeting new people, making friendships, learning, and I feel something reaching deeper. Paul speaks of growing stronger in trials and trying times, I feel this may not be as intense or trying as things he faced, but even now I can feel a closeness closing in; now that I can see, breathe, hold.

I’ve been wondering and no answers are coming, I’ve been pointing up and screaming inside for answers and peace, I feel like a psalmist in which all answers remain unseen. But then I remember on one of Rob Bell’s Nooma videos I saw so long ago, one of complete silence and words. I’m reminded that silence can speak louder than words, and that sometimes we need to be quiet to hear God. Patience is the key to understanding, but sometimes we also need to be assertive.

Abraham asked God to save Lot and his family from destruction in Sodom and Gomorrah. And He didn’t stop once he continued, and eventually they all escaped the wrath poured out on Sodom (besides lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt).

So I’m saying I don’t know which way is up! I don’t know where I’m going, what I should do, where I’m heading. I’m calling for answers to find the narrow path set before me. I need a light to get brighter, a path to start coming to view and stop treading the dangerous dark waters. Maybe this is calling for trust in him? Maybe it’s reminding me that I’m not in control? But I think I’ve hit a turning point, a point where I need to find the light, direction.

Maybe I can discover which way is up!

He Went That A ‘Way

2008-04-01T10:19:00.005-05:00

Raindrops keep falling on my head… yes it’s raining outside! And having to be in it has just reminded me of my last post and looking to the sky to see God’s glory. But the rain also showed me something else.

We can’t completely focus on the sky and outside ourselves. He has never left us; he’s in the world right now he is in the chair your sitting in, the trees outside, and even the worlds and the computer your looking at now; but most of all he’s in your hair, your hands, your feet, your nose, your mind, your elbows, your armpits, and your heart. He’s in everything. We can sit and see god’s creations all around us. We can sit and watch the sky above us move and change, but we can also look in the mirror and see God’s likeness. We can see beauty, tenderness, and compassion. We can see careful craftsmanship and a Love for us his sons and daughters.

We can look around and see God in some many people in so many ways that it’s astonishing to think He can be so creative, and perfect and yet we can all be so different. It’s also amazing how you can look at yourself and even if there are things you don’t like or aren’t please with, they make you who you are, who God made and loves. Maybe you have freckles or a mole on your neck, or you’re bald and you don’t like being that way, but maybe God wanted you that way, not everyone can look exactly how they want, or we’d all look very similar, and I believe diversity is a Gift from God. And the little things we perhaps don’t like can also teach us that were not perfect, that’s why were human, but we die to this world and then it’s not our human bodies that really matter anyway, it’s the spiritual wellbeing that is the most important. And you are unique and have a special gift that no one else has that you can use to share your spiritual wellbeing, to those still worried if his or her hair looks perfect.

So sit and stare at the sky, take in his beauty, but when the rains start coming down don’t forget to look inside and rejoice in being different and unique, because God lives inside of you, not just all around you.

Kid's Play

2008-03-27T10:32:00.003-05:00

Someone told me the other day they can't remember the last time they really looked up at the sky and the clouds.

Do you find yourself starring at the sky?
or are you focused on what is going on in the here and now?
Does it seem childish?

In ancient times and even not that long ago when the world lived by their own agriculture, People looked to the sky. The looked for rain, they praised the rain; most civilizations even devoted a God to that of the sky and rain and placed them in the sky.

In the early 20th century we finally captured the power to fly, before that all we had were air balloons and gliders.

As children many lie on their back and look at the clouds or play with kites or just lay back and enjoy the great big blue sky.

So what is it about the sky that draws us in?
Why have Humans been so interested in the sky that we live? It hasn’t really changed or grown or shrank, it still looks basically the same? So what is it?

Well I’ve always enjoyed nature and the sky, and recently I’ve made some connections. To us the sky doesn’t end. We can’t see the ends we know it keeps going we have faith in that. The sky is continuous, eternal like God. We must trust that it will still be there and we have faith it won’t end or change, because it never has. God doesn’t change either; just how we perceive him does. Blue is a calming color and that is what God generally is, he calms us he’s strong and stable. The sky gets lit up with beautiful colors from time to time and it just shows Gods glory and beauty like he himself is. He also gets angry and fills the sky with clouds and storm, yet even in this time he still is beautiful in a new way. He’s firm, just, and strong.

These religious applications are only a few, but you can see just focus on one thing in nature and you can see god’s glory shine through in so many ways. But then again he did make it.

Have you ever looked at an invention? You can see what the inventor was trying to accomplish just by looking at it. A microwave: used to heat things up quickly. The pencil: someone wanted something to write with that was easy to make and cheap an something everyone could use.

What about the world? He made the world, to show his power, made us to show his love…

So why do we feel childish when we sit and relax in God’s creations? Why do we feel inferior when were outdoors to those making money in their office? I think the world needs to literally stop and smell the roses, maybe then people could understand God’s power and love.

But even more maybe people will remember what it was like to be a kid again. I think that is the bigger problem. Yes as we grow we are suppose to get older, but we make excuses for knowing things or doing things just because we are older.

Well Christ called us to be like the little child, and I think it’s more than having a pure heart I think it’s also being a little naïve and not fully understanding this world, because we don’t really belong here anyway. But even more than that it’s having creativity, not caring what the person next to you thinks, and enjoying the world we live in.

So maybe next time you have time just go outside sit relax maybe look at the sky or the trees or even be a little kid, play in the dirt, get dirty and just have fun and worship God by your actions of enjoying his creation and not complaining.

Just be a Kid!

And leave it to him, your father.

The Game, it has no Rules

2008-03-17T17:17:00.002-05:00

1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.

2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."
So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, [b] in his native land. Balak said:
"A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

Numbers 22:1-6 NIV
(Story continues through chapter 24)

The Search for weapons of Mass destruction plagued our Televisions for months and still does from time to time. I do not want to talk about the politics or even if anything was right or wrong for the United States or what other countries have done, but What if these weapons were located in certain people(s) or countries hands and were operational (which more than likely some has them somewhere...)?

This could cause great panic in the world if others knew of the lingering threat upon their delicate body, surroundings, and family. This sense of Fear and searching for the last resort is what Balak is feeling. He sees a massing army of people threatening his countries well being. He has also seen what these people can do and acknowledges that this is the Weapon of mass destruction of the day. These people from Egypt Contain power over their surroundings and he is sacred.

So he calls on one man to curse these people so that he may live. The ironic part is, this man Balaam is from God (he receives his answers from God the same God as the Israelites, whether he Knows or acknowledges that or not…), the same Destructive power represented in the army he is trying to curse. So since He will not curse himself he instead blesses the destructive power knocking on Balak’s door.

I feel this is how we have begun to view Christianity.

We view it as me verse Satan, a type of game we’ve created using the Bible as the foundation. We see him crouching at our Door and we hurry and sweat to find a cure or a way to keep him out because we know he is more powerful than us. So we call on God to curse Satan, we call on him to hide us from his sight and to bestow on us great peace and prosperity.

Yet we have forgotten that he has given us what we need, he will keep from us what we cannot handle, yet he will not stop testing and strengthening our lives to fight the fight. We need to stop hiding in the hills calling on curses of Satan, but we need to go down and join God’s army.

Now Balak could not go down and join the Israelite, but we have been given that opportunity from God, and Christ.

But this is not the only Lesson that we can learn from this Story. In fact there are innumerable lesson, but I would like to point out one last thing. Balak and Balaam look down at Israel from a hilltop and Balak asks for Balaam to bring down his curse on the people that are laid out before him. It seems very similar to Satan when He tempts Christ on the mountaintop, but more significantly if shows that People are always watching. And Him being scared reveals that other people generally know how good of a job we may be doing, even more than ourselves. Balaam and Balak are watching the Israelites form above, and I am guessing Israel has no idea these men are even near by. Yet just their presence creates something significant where they go. So next time you enter your office or classroom remember you never know who is watching. How is scared of who could be effected by just you mere presence in their area could result in tremendous things, but that is not to say one should not confront others, that is also important to express feelings and grow a relationship and connection to spread the joy you know!

Silence is Noise

2008-03-12T23:39:00.001-05:00

Have you ever sat in solitude in a busy place? Or with a group of friends?

Do you ever sit back and take things in?

We I know I am most likely a minority, but I greatly enjoy watching people and especially listening. If you do not know me very well you may find it strange that a hot debate can be going on, and I may have strong opinions, but I would rather sit and listen than jump in. While I will admit is one of my weaknesses I am in the process of changing, but it does have its place.

I have known many people to find it strange that I say nothing or just take everything in. Some think it weird or maybe I’m just awkward to be around I do not know… but in this silence I have discovered something unusual.

We have grown up in a world of Noise, or constant commotion. Some people have found that silence is unnerving and they cannot possibly do it for long periods of time. I on the other hand I greatly enjoy peace and quiet and have discovered that you can accomplish much by doing nothing. One can develop new gifts such as patience through long silent sessions and also forces one to think deeply.

But in our world of noise silence is very much out of the ordinary. I feel if Christians from time to time would just sit down and stay quiet we may accomplish more than standing on a soapbox. If we can carry patience to our busy or noisy lives and take time to in our busy days to just sit back and listen. Maybe not be obvious about it, but take in your surroundings, and then block out the world and search for God. Listen For his voice in the chaos of this world and maybe you’ll get a reply.

Your silence may also not only serve to benefit yourself, but it may also bring attention on yourself, to your peaceful state and your intent on listening and keeping your lips shut. They may start to ask questions and you can then explain and maybe work right into a great conversation that may change a life or at least plant a seed.

So if you get a chance take a moment reflect, work on patience and find peace in a busy chaotic world full of noise, and who knows silence may speak louder than words.

Let’s recap:

Entry 1: Think
It’s all about how we think; we need to change from just thinking to thinking bigger, grandeur and putting into action.

Entry 2: Egalitarianism
We have come so far from Moses. Moses talked with God and we sit wondering how we could even compare with Moses. We put ourselves down just because we feel inferior to the past.

Entry 3: Choice
We have the choice for who we are and where we go, but nothing is ever set in stone and we can always change for better or worse.

Entry 4: Passion
We’ve grown numb to passion in Christ, and sometimes we need to rest and reflect and renew our spirits to continue the fight at full strength.

Entry 5: Change
We don’t know God’s plan, we can only try our best to follow Christ and change from our past.

Entry 6: Tools
Tools for Christ: Ear (Hear God), Hands (serving in communication), Feet (serving by Doing and going) and by using our tools we will separate ourselves and cleanse ourselves from the world.

Entry 7: Desire
“Not because I can, but because I must” We should not live for Christ because we can, but for a desire and longing to be great for him and not ourselves.

Entry 8: Best
Lives has ups and downs, but in everything do it to the best of your ability.

Entry 9: Focus
We need to focus on practicing our faith instead of knowing, for we will better understand our purpose by doing not watching.

Entry 10: Silence
Silence may speak louder than words

Learn your alphabet

2008-03-10T00:43:00.002-05:00

I talked last time about living to the best of your ability, but I’ve been reflecting about life and where I’m being lead and I’ve come to a conclusion. We should Live and then learn.

Have you ever watched a kid try something new? Or maybe you can remember when you first learned to write?

Someone showed you what to do, you may not of completely understood what you were doing, you just followed the example. You practiced the shapes and sizes of letters and spacing, until you felt comfortable with it and could write any time. Then you learned to fine-tune your writing. Maybe you learned new fonts of more about how to write, and how to use words. You learned in school how to “Properly” express yourself.

But here’s the problem, we’ve grown up in a society that incorporates this mind–set, but teaches more so the characteristics of knowledge over doing. In history or writing class you research and learn before you write. In school we study and study before we do anything with what we want to be.

Our society focuses on knowledge and not living.

Look at a major candidate in money given to students in college. It’s not based on how outstanding you live your day, or treat others; it’s based on your act score, or how much you “Know”.

We as humans learn more not from sitting and listening or taking it in, but from hands on. Being an art major I learn more about painting from painting, than from reading about it. I would rather someone show me how to do something, than open a book and read about how to.

But that’s what Jesus did for us. He gave us this book, a guideline for our life, but he also sent us examples. I think we need to focus less on doctrinal discrepancies, little details, and facts. We need to turn our focus to living and showing, and not just telling, the world (our community, even our friends and family) Jesus.

We are to be Christ and he will be in us, we are not called to know everything in this book, in fact for centuries many Christians didn’t even own their own copy.

In fact not even until hundreds of years after that were verse and chapters put into the text to better reference our resources. These have advantages, but I think only once we have learned to live. For new Christians it breaks up the story making it easier to pull things out and dwell on them rather than the whole picture.

We need to learn to live and then learn to better understand who we are called to be.

Calling ourselves Christians doesn’t make us followers of Christ, and in fact calling ourselves Christians, but living a way that is contradicting to his word can give bad name and have the opposite affect on the world than were are called to.

Our actions are what the world sees!

so let's start back at the basics. Learn the basic outline, practice the shapes, fine-tune our living and then learn to express ourselves through Christ, just like we learn to write.

Loops or Balloons

2008-02-24T14:59:00.004-06:00

I feel we have a problem! So what’s our problem? Well let’s start at the beginning…

The alarm rings, you possibly roll out of bed. You get dressed, make yourself presentable, you grab your keys and stumble outside. The cold air hits you in the face, but you’re not all awake anyway. You make your way to the food line. You give them your card and pay your money. You look at the lines, And frown, nothing. You sigh and head for what’s left; cereal. You reach for a bowl, but what to get? Fruit loops or lucky charms? You just pick one and head for the table and sit down.

Do you think about your food? Do you even stop and think about what’s going in your mouth?

Its here that I’ve discovered a problem; we need to remember:

What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "

Matthew 15:11

But I’m not really talking about what you’re eating, even if it’s probably not good for you.

It’s more about what you’re feeding yourself; it’s your thoughts.

So fruit looks or lucky charms with marshmallows shaped like balloons?

I think this is where the problem lies. We as Christians see life like a bowl of fruit loops (or cheerios…. Etc…) everything is nice orderly; everything is basically the same maybe a few color changes or broken pieces here and there, but over all pretty much a perfect world. Yes, we view our Christian walk like a orderly pretty easy basic walk, that has a few changes maybe a broken piece or deformity here and their, but other than that pretty monotonous. We follow the commandments, talk to people, read the bible, sing songs, act nicely to people… etc…

But in my opinion life isn’t like a bowl of fruit loops; it’s like Trixs. It’s got those monotonous or plain “boring” pieces (as kids may say) as a majority. But it’s also got what kids crave: those amazingly delicious rainbows, stars, … and balloon shaped sugar morsels called marshmallows. Life is much more like this bowl. It’s got ups and downs and long boring streaks and also those large clumps of sweet heaven.

You might ask ok so life has ups and downs big deal. Well it is a big deal, especially in our religious walk. We have to remember life can’t always be a high and it won’t always be a low, it’ll mostly be somewhere well between the two.

But what does this have to do with feeding our thoughts?

I think many of us just sit back and coast through life. We think God won’t let our lives get too bad, and we have a few ups, but the most part were numb and just getting by. You see we are feeding ourselves this epidemic of fruit loops. We thrive of the norm, or of being “good”. But God didn’t call us to float by. He called us to take chances, to trust him. Maybe with that kind of attitude we can see the valley and the hills. When we finally see this roller coaster of life we can realize that we need to embrace and savor the high points, but we also need to recognize the lows and understand that, like Moses and Joseph before us, God will give us what we need to get us where we are for him.

So what makes this a big deal? The answer is we don’t care! I know I do it often, I just, I don’t care. I don’t’ care about who broke up with who, or what someone wore, or even what’s growing in someone else’s room. Now many things in life don’t really matter, but it is affecting our churches. You look at the churches, people just going through the actions, don’t even really know what’s going on with the church, or why even they are even there, other than they are suppose to be there. So how can we get that feeling back? And yes I’ll admit it, I’m victim to all these things, but how can we learn to enjoy the moment?

Well it starts with what we feed ourselves. We need to continually remember and reflect our purpose. But most of all we need to learn how to be emotional again. The bible shows a society of weeping, tearing clothes, gnashing of teeth; but what do we do today? We don’t show emotion; even the most emotional of our time are nowhere near this extreme. You may say well that is because our society has changed, but the action is not the point of the weeping as much as expressing your feelings. These actions just help to let it all out.

I wish we could live where we cared not for the world, but just expressed our feelings however we felt best, not caring what anyone else thought. I wish I felt as strongly about something as the men and women of the bible did. We need to really feel, to seek something attached not to our heart, and mind, but also our soul: our everything.

So next time you venture out of your bed, and grab a bowl of cereal, even if you go for the fruit loops instead of the Tixs, just remember life is no picnic, it’s a mountain range. So rejoice in the Lord, praise him with everything, but most of all do it with everything and don’t hold back.

In everything you do, do it to the best of your ability and that includes living!

Not because I CAN

2008-02-23T20:57:00.002-06:00

I have been reading a book called the "Agony and the Ecstasy" by Irving stone. It’s about Michelangelo (the painter). I am not extremely far, but one statement he writes really struck me on many levels.

“I’m not an artist because I can, but because I must.”

Now this is s true statement for myself. I am an artist and it’s not just because I can, but because I also have a desire to create. The more I thought about this quote, the more I realized it also transcends to my religious living. We are not called to be Christian just because we can. We are not called to follow the rules and live just to make sure we get our spot in heaven.

“1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

Matthew 18:1-3

The disciples still don’t get it. They still are trying to just make it to heaven. They are not worried about the present, just their well being in the future. Am I going to be safe? Am I going to be special? Will I be great?

But what does Jesus say? He calls a child over. He calls us to be like a little child? Now I’ve heard this story over and over, but just recently I think I’ve started to really understand his concept.

A child has a desire to play, have fun. He does not go out of his way to bore his life. The child does what he or she wants to do for the most part. We as adults or even teens and young adult have “Grown up”. We’ve been changed by the world to accept the monotonous job scene and school; or back then they were learning a job or working for their parents business or trade.

But what does that mean? Why a kid? Does he want us not to work, and just have fun and do what we want?

No he wants us to take Christianity like a Kid takes a crayon or a stuffed animal. He wants us to desire it. Not just do it, not just play with Christianity in our free time. He wants us to live it. He wants us to be like the little kid from Charlie brown who carries his blanket with him everywhere. Jesus is calling us to always have it at our side.

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”

Mark 9:35

He’s not calling us to become great here on earth; he’s calling us to be great for him. We can all be Christians, but only the one who lays it all down; the one who becomes a child and only carries his or her blanket will be first for Christ. For Christ laid down his life, for us. He lived his life with the downcast, the crippled, the sinners, and those who really needed him.

So be innocent, be naïve, be cheerful, and truly desire Jesus with all your heart, not just your mind. Carry with you everywhere his truth, study learn, and talk with him, and your life will change to not that of this world, but that of a child and Christ.

The Cleansing

2008-02-21T10:49:00.004-06:00

“The priest is to take some blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.”

Leviticus 14:14 NIV
(Also see) Leviticus 8: 23,24

But before both of these:

“Slaughter it, take some of the blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hand, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides.”

Exodus 29:20 NIV

But why the right ear, thumb and ear lobe? What does that mean? Have you ever truly looked at the text, wondering? Well don’t stop their dig deeper.

What is this passage for? It is located in the section of consecrating the priest of Israel.

What can we understand about the specific body parts…
The notes located at the bottom of the passage of my NIV study bible say this:

29:20 right ears. Symbolizing sensitivity to God and his word. Right hands…. Right feet. Symbolizing a life of service to others on God’s behalf.

But is that right that’s on person’s interpretation. What do I believe? I think that is right, but I think we may be able to take it even another step farther.

What is the ear used for? Listening. What has God called us to do?

“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.’”

Exodus 15:26 NIV

“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’”

Mark 9:7 NIV

We are called to just be doers of the earth, but to listen to the voice of God, no matter how soft the whisper. WE need to tear the distractions away from our lives and take a moment to listen. Which is one reason I believe he created the Sabbath for the Israelites. They have little to do but to listen and think and ponder, something we do not do enough of in our fast paced society.

Last of all he puts blood on the feet., or the big toe. Once again, yes serving, but what else. The Foot is used for what? Well walking and holding us up. Jesus tells us in the Great Commission to:

“(16) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. (17) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (18) Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

We are called to walk, to reach others, to teach and preach the name of Jesus to the world. Now today you do not necessarily have to walk, but back then to get anywhere or talk to anyone you had to walk and use you feet.

The foot is also used to hold us up. I do not know if you’ve ever thought about that. But foot is a solid foundation and a limb that keeps us upright just like God keeps the world upright. He keeps things going, and also gave us something to stand on: the Word of God and his Son Jesus.

So what about the Hand? The notes say service as well. Yes the foot and hand do many of the same things. They help reach people and hold us up and all that, But the hands do something even greater.

Have you ever meet an animated talker? The one who talks, but has to move their arms to tell the story? Or a deaf person who uses sign language? Or maybe a couple that holds hands? There are numerous examples of this, but the hand is a tool for communication. We help communicate and do things with our hands, and God calls us to do that in a Godly manner.

So what doe that all mean to us? Well this was what was done to cleanse, the body to be clean before God. That is what many of the rules in the books of Moses are for. The rules are for safety, health and to keep the body clean of pure, before God.

But we also need to be clean before God. Now we don’t go through this elaborate ritual to accomplish it, but we can focus on the elements and keep them in mind.

The ear – listen for/to God
Hand – Godly and serving in our communications
Feet – serving others by reaching out, going places, taking that extra effort

And by doing these things we will cleanse ourselves, before God. And it will help us to stop think, reflect, and separate ourselves from the world.

The Past

2008-02-19T22:59:00.003-06:00

Have you ever looked back on your life or events that unfolded and wish you could change them? Do you ever wish things would be different? I know I have and I’ve been thinking a lot about the past lately. But what happens when I start thinking about the past is I begin to also think about the future.

In bible class we have been talking about exodus, Leviticus, and numbers, and Deuteronomy, and Joshua, and Ruth. And not only that but just things that have been happening to me and around me have been cause me to reflect and question my actions and where I am going.

And I think it’s safe to say that to change a state of mind one has to also re-examine the past and the actions he or she did in order to fully change.

So what does that mean? Do we just sit back and think? Do we ask questions? Talk to others? I don’t know it’s what I’ve been dealing with. How can we know the answers? How can we decipher what we should do or where we should go? I think it’s so more complicated than many today try to say it is. We get stuck in groves and we fill our lives with distractions to hide the truth or distract us from really digging down to think.

I know I haven’t taken some things as seriously as I should have in my past, but I’ve learned. I’ve learned to take everything seriously! But I still come to cross roads. Did I make the right decision? How do I know I did? Many of these I still have no idea or what it will lead to. All I can do is try to lead my life in Christ’s example, unlike the Israelites who failed over and over again in my readings.

But I’ve been ready a lot of art history lately. And someone said it recently something I have heard over and over, but It just struck home form these past few weeks.

We are all unfinished!

We don’t know the outcome or where the chips will fly. We can only attempt to make copies of Jesus to the best of our abilities.

So Reflect check your past

Remember the Israelites we all make mistakes, just keep from it.

Are you Numb

2008-02-04T00:48:00.001-06:00

It is that time of the year. The one where it is cold outside and everyone bundles up to stay warm. Well have you ever stood outside in the cold? At first it almost burns or hurts. Your fingers and whole body eventually go numb. This numb feeling is something I would like to focus on.

Do we sometimes enter in Christianity with a desire or burning to live for Christ, but over time it starts to fizzle or just to become monotonous. Sometime I feel numb to life, and to God. I feel I’m doing ok, or I can just get by this week. But that is not what he wants; he wants all of you, focused and determined.

In my bible class we are reading a book and one small section of the chapter is about fasting and how it was emphasized by the bible and even the early Christians, but here in the western culture we are surrounded with food and a desire to stay filled that few ever experience this, I know I haven’t.

We also need to empty our minds and fill not at first with anything, but slowly let Christ envelop our minds and for us to dwell on him.

17After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")

20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

Mark 17:17-23 NIV

Another thing I have noticed is the increase of activities on Sunday or the Sabbath, day of rest, for Christians. God emphasized in the beginning that he rested on the 7th day. And I feel if we follow this example and slowed our Sundays down and took time to really relax and even renew our minds and focus on him we may live a healthier more Christ focused life. And I know I fall into this rut of having schoolwork I have to finish on Sunday or things I have to get done, because I just don’t have time to do everything on Friday and Saturday.

But I feel a need that Christians need to learn to focus. We need to fight the numb feeling the one of over-saturation or apathy the world is flooding at us. We need to rest, relax maybe fasting and get our minds reset to face the battle we are fighting.

So I am going to challenge myself and you if you wish to revive your mind refresh and renew and refill it with Christ and a new focus for your life. Hopefully this will become a regular or frequent ritual for your life as I hope to do in mine. But perhaps skip one meal and instead focus on Christ; empty your mind use emotions, be passionate. Do what it takes to get that numb feeling in the open and then throw it aside. If you have to weep and wail or even tear your clothes whatever it takes to clear and reset your mind for your true purpose.

So Take a moment and stop and smell the roses, look at what God has done for you.

If you have to stand in the cold air feel the numbness that your soul may be experiencing, Do IT!

Do you have the desire?
The passion you once had?
Or do you need a Vacation?

Are You Numb?

We are the Light

2008-02-03T01:27:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I posed the questions to myself, WHO AM I? Do I see myself at the same level as a biblical character? Christian leader? A Christian? Role Model? Who or what am I?

“So God created man in his own image.
In the Image of God he created him;
Male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27 NIV

We are created in God’s image! But what does that mean? Does that mean we look like him? Does that mean we act like him? Do we share emotions with our world?

“’You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, Knowing good and evil.’”

Genesis 3:4-5 NIV

So are we like God on the inside, our emotions, our decisions, and knowing good from evil?

We do share all these aspects, but the knowledge of good and evil comes after his statement of being made in his image. This “In his Image” has to refer to something we already have, but what do we already have?

In my human anatomy drawing class, we draw quick sketches. We take a minute or two to quickly draw the person standing before us. This is not a detailed sketch, we are not concerned with patterns on the shirt, or facial details, or even what color they have on. We just try to get the outline, the basic shape, and the quick outline of the figure.

This I feel is very much like what God meant by that statement. We are not exactly like God, we do not know everything, and we didn’t create the world. But we do both hold a similar structure, or outline if you will. And one of those similarities is “choice”. We can choose what we do, where we go, what we listen to. And Eve had the same thing thrown in front of her. She made a choice to be “more like God” knowing good and evil, when in reality she already had a small grasp on good and evil. She knew eating the fruit was not what God wanted, but she still made the choice, just like God chose to create us.

But this still does not answer the Question. Who Am I?

Well you are who you make yourself be. God gave us the choice to live how we want. We are all our own individuals and all have to make our own decisions.

“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.”

Matthew 5:8 NIV

3”No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

Luke 11:33-36 NIV

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Matthew 5:14 NIV

We make choices everyday, from choosing how to live, to what to eat, to our future, to even which socks to wear. These choices reflect who we are. Are we following Christ’s example, staying pure? Lovable? Trustworthy? Would You be comfortable Standing in front of everyone, telling everything you ever did, or telling your parents or church your thoughts? Because that’s how Christ wants us to live! He wants us to be accepting of differences, of problems, of baggage. That is one problem I am seeing with our churches, and our lives (even in mine). We pass each other, just saying our day is fine and holding up a smile, while inside were hurting. So how do we change it? How do we become Christ? I don’t know, but I know that we can study his word and that will help us better understand him. We can pray and communicate with him, and we can also make changes in our choices.

Are you ready to change your outline?

Can you Change for God? And live the way he made us to be?

WHO AM I

2008-02-01T14:13:00.001-06:00

"'...So Now, Go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'
But Moses said to God, 'Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'"

Exodus 3:10-11 NIV

Moses killed an Egyptian, fled and started a new life, now God is calling his name to go back and face his fear, his past, and the world he thought he had forgotten about

The first steps are the Hardest. Moses thought himself unworthy of this task; do we feel the same way? Are we taking after the environment we live and putting up a mask to block ourselves from the world.

But what does God say?

"And God said, 'I will be with you.'"

Exodus 3:12a NIV

God was not only going with him but he was always with him.

Moses was saved from death by his mother and the princess of Egypt. He was schooled in the finest schools in Egypt and lived a very privileged life compared to his family and nation.

Now God was calling him to use what God had given him, to use his schooling and his saved life to make a difference.

I feel we are so much like Moses and we can learn so much from his example, not just the miracles he preformed, but how he lived. He lived in ignorance not knowing that God had planned this from the beginning. This is ironic also because this story directly follow genesis, which ends with the story of Joseph. Joseph faced many struggles, but always gave the glory to God and understood that even being sold by his brothers was part of God’s plan.

How often do we as Christians feel second rate or inferior to this characters listed here in the bible. We feel like Moses. He had grown up hearing about Abraham and Joseph, and now he had run away, but God called his name, and I am sure at the time Moses had no idea the impact he would have, or where his path would lead, but God called his name and with a small nudge followed.

Maybe we as Christians need the same encouragement as Moses, we need a little nudge in the right direction, and we need to forget that we are inferior to biblical characters, because they were humans just like us. We need to stop running and turn around and ask questions just like Moses.

Am I inferior? Proud? Righteous? Am I who I say I am? Am I being truthful?

WHO AM I?

It Starts with a Seed

2008-01-31T10:09:00.002-06:00

"Then Jesus Said, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which is a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched its branches.'"

Luke 13: 18,19 NIV

"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Matthew 17:20 NIV

"Jesus Replied, '"Love the Lord your God with all you Heart and with all you soul and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment.'"

Matthew 22:37 NIV

This blog is not to tell about my day or rant and rave, but to develop my mind , not to 'Wander', but to 'Wonder'.

Jesus tells us in scripture that we are to love him and if we have faith even as little as a mustard seed we can move mountains.

But not only that he also tells you the kingdom of God starts with a spark, a mustard seed, that with the proper nourishment and love it grows into the mightiest tree in the garden reaching to others (supporting one another) and starting new trees (and follow Christ words of taking his name to the four corners of the earth).

We are not part of a game, or tradition of our parents and forefathers, but a war. One being fought right now all around you, but most importantly inside. Deep down inside where it hurts. Where we have bottled up all emotion and where we can be real. Well its time to let it out, and be real with ourselves, with our friends and with God, for he already knows the truth shouldn't we!

Are You Ready for a Journey?
(I know I'm not and you shouldn't either, but it's where we need to go)