::choose joy::

Be Still My Soul - Katharina von Schlegel

2006-10-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

::choose joy::

Hairy Sinks

2006-10-03T20:06:00.000-05:00

I realized two things tonight.

I really detest trying to wash sinks that have hair all over them. Hair just won't wash down the drain - it sticks to everything and is disgusting.

I am much more thankful for the hair on the sink than I was before the epiphany struck me tonight. The hair on the sink represents someone. That hair was owned by someone. Someone close to me - for they either live in or visit this house. I would much rather have the hair sticking to the side of the sink than to realize when the hair is gone that I've lost a family member or friend.

Hair on the sink = thankfulness to God for the people He has placed in my life.

But Nathan and Brian - please don't shed on purpose!
And, yes, Rachel, hair in the sink is just slightly annoying.
I don't ever remember so much hair collecting at my family's home while growing up... hmm... I must have a great mom!

::choose joy::

Chrysostom

2006-09-25T11:35:00.000-05:00

John Chrysostom's (347-407) Homily XX is a very thought provoking commentary on Ephesians 5.25-33.

"Being better than most is not good enough. 'Being better' was never the goal."

::choose joy::

Twenty-five Trips Around the Day Star

2006-09-18T18:49:00.000-05:00

O Wondrous Love

O wondrous love
That will not let me go
I cling to You
With all my strength and soul
Yet if my hold should ever fail
This wondrous love will never let me go

O wondrous love
That's come to dwell in me
Lord who am I
That I should come to know
Your tender voice assuring me
Your wondrous love will never let me go

I'm resting in the everlasting arms

In the ever faithful heart

The Shepherd of my life

You carry me on

Your mighty wings of grace

Keeping me until the day

I look into Your eyes

O wondrous love
That sings of Calvary
The sweetest sound
This sinner's ever known
The song of Your redeeming Son
Whose wondrous love
Will never let me go

O wondrous love
That rushes over me
I can't excape
This river's glorious flow
You overwhelm my days with good
Your wondrous love
Will never let me go

(c) Sovereign Grace Worship
Steve Cook / Vikki Cook

How can I begin to recount the blessings that God has given me thus far?
My Messiah alone deserves all the praise, glory, and honor.

::choose joy::

Girlfriend

2006-08-31T20:01:00.000-05:00

Pronunciation: 'g&r(-&)l-"frend
Function: noun
1 : a female friend
2 : a frequent or regular female companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

@>~>~~

The above definition is courtesy of Merriam-Webster Online.

Fine and good.

But I have a big problem with the term "girlfriend." The word is used so flippantly and haphazardly that using "girlfriend" in describing the woman you are serious and purposefully courting but are not yet engaged to seems almost disrespectful and dishonoring. "Girlfriend" carries with it so much baggage from the world's ungodly views of romantic relationships. I refuse to use it.

Why does there seem to be an abundance of synonyms for "boyfriend" that allow one to escape the world's typical assumptions regarding that word? In applying a label to the woman you are courting - there seems to be very few options. "Girlfriend" sits at one end of the spectrum and multiple names only appropriate for a fiancée at the other end. There seems to be no happy medium.

Believe me, I've looked.

Any suggestions?

In the mean time, I get to look forward to a long weekend with the marvelous woman ("You are the best, Rachel! I miss you so much!") that I (the suitor) have the honor to court. Terms and labels probably won't matter much.

"...a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31.30

::choose joy::

Painful Yet Good

2006-08-24T05:37:00.000-05:00

Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it.
--Psalm 141.5a--

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9.8-10--

::choose joy::

Taw

2006-08-22T21:14:00.000-05:00

Lord, in Jesus' name and through His blood alone I approach Your throne...

May my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.

May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.

May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.

May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.

Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.

I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
--Psalm 119.169-176--

Amen.

::choose joy::

God Must Pay The Price

2006-08-17T05:50:00.000-05:00

"God created man, created him to be His own... God set him in Eden to live in fellowship with Him, but man sinned. Man became the slave of evil. He cannot break free. This is precisely the situation that the ancient world saw as calling for an act of redemption. We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price.
And the great teaching of the New Testament is that God has paid the price. He has redeemed us. Christ became our Redeemer.... To release the slaves of sin He paid the price. We were in captivity. We were in the strong grip of evil. We could not break free. But the price was paid and the result is that we go free."
--Leon Morris, quoted in Humility: True Greatness

<><><><><>

C.J. Mahaney's book, Humilty: True Greatness, is something else. There have only been a few Christian books that I have read where I have had to brush away tears from my eyes and set the book down. I'm not even half-way through this small book. This last chapter described James and John and their request of Jesus detailed in Mark 10. And what transformed these two men from self-confident, prideful disciples into humble servants and martyrs?

The Savior had died as a ransom.
The James and John we see back in Mark 10 were emphatically not laying down their lives for others, but they would be wholly transformed. And the explanation for this transformation wasn't just our Lord's example but our Lord's sacrifice. His sacrifice was a ransom for sin, and its effect was a liberation for James and John from their selfishness and patterns of pride.
Here were two men transformed into humble servants of the gospel and servants of the church by the Savior's sacrifice. Two men who ended their lives truly great in the eyes of God.
Why? How?
"The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
--C.J. Mahaney, Humilty: True Greatness

<><><><><>

In other random news...

Well, let's just say that God is very good! Joy runs rampant!

I know, I know... I didn't give you any decent, juicy, or personal information. If you ask me specific questions - I'll be more than happy to answer them... but not via xanga. I'll have to be careful answering questions over the phone too, now that I think about it. My cell phone minutes have been depleting exponentially this past month. *gasp*

::choose joy::

Jehovah Tsidqenuw - The LORD Our Righteousness

2006-08-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.

"The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.

"So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land." --Jeremiah 23.1-8

::choose joy::

Expect No Perfection

2006-08-03T12:42:00.000-05:00

"He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more. He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it. When our virtues become more mature, we shall not be more tolerant of evil; but we shall be more tolerant of infirmity, more hopeful for the people of God, and certainly less arrogant in our criticisms." - C.H. Spurgeon

::choose joy::

Love and Faithfulness

2006-08-03T05:38:00.000-05:00

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
--Proverbs 3.3-6

::choose joy::

Accepted

2006-07-28T05:45:00.000-05:00

As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man.
--Proverbs 27.19--

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
--Romans 8.1--

@>~>~~

Life is not a formula; life is a relationship.

::choose joy::

No good thing does He withhold...

2006-07-24T22:18:00.000-05:00

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you. --Psalm 84.1-2,10-12

::choose joy::

The Wonder Of It All

2006-07-17T05:21:00.000-05:00

Se tu fossi nei miei occhi per un giorno
Vedresti la bellezza che piena d’allegria
Io trovo dentro gli occhi tuoi
E nearo se magia o lealta

Se tu fossi nel mio cuore per un giorno
Potreste avere un’idea
Di cio che sento io
Quando m’abbracci forte a te
E petto a petto, noi
Respiriamo insieme

Protagonista del tuo amor
Non so se sia magia
O lealta

Se tu fossi nella mia anima un giorno
Sapresti cosa sono in me
Che m’innamorai
Da quell’istante insieme a te
E cio che provo e
Solamente amore

@>~>~~

Last Saturday, I asked a father permission to court his daughter. So this Friday, I traveled to Northern Michigan and asked this beautiful and Godly young woman myself if she would allow me to pursue her heart and hand in marriage through the process of courtship. And, though I still cannot fathom the blessing of it all, Rachel Britton agreed to give me the honor of courting her.

I don't think I have awaken from the dream yet. This will be an incredible adventure as Rachel and I seek to glorify the Lord -- together.

My joy and excitement know no bounds!

~~<~<@

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory...

::choose joy::

Anticipation II - The Place of Grace

2006-07-12T20:06:00.000-05:00

This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
--1 John 3.16--

I wandered out to the old bridge in Merritt Park on my rollerblades tonight. I hadn't planned on staying long, but for some reason I stopped... This week has been agonizing... I've gone from excited to very anxious to extremely excited. I've cried. I've laughed. I've wondered about the past. I've wondered about the future. I've tried to see things from God's perspective. I've tried to figure out if people can see Jesus in me.

I've tried to sleep - with only limited success.

I love standing on that old bridge and watching the water flow away down stream. It's so peaceful. No one wanders by. No cars zoom past. I can stand there and meet with my Savior. I remember back in mid-December running to the bridge and basically having a pity party in front of God. In the end, it was a wonderful opportunity to readjust my perspective and set my focus back on Jesus Christ. Tonight was different, though. I didn't have a pity party. I just wondered - wondered how I could ever really be like Christ. Wondered if I was really trying to know God. Wondered if I was letting the Holy Spirit work through me. It was such a good time on that old bridge - readjusting and refocusing. Asking God for wisdom. It's easy to talk with God there. Everytime I have met God on that bridge... there's peace. Not because I am perfect... but because I have a perfect Savior. God is not finished with me... and I am so excited to see what the future holds. God holds my future and I could not be more thankful or ecstatic.

Yes, I'm beaming right now!

::choose joy::

Anticipation

2006-06-13T05:48:00.000-05:00

I am so excited. Three days...

It is simply impossible to concentrate at work.

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. --Matthew 23.11-12

::choose joy::

Pugged

2006-06-07T21:03:00.000-05:00

Rollerblading is a great outdoor activity. Especially when you have a pug attempting to bring you down. It's all you can do to keep from laughing as he snorts and coughs while struggling to stay with you. The poor blighters can't breath or run! I felt bad for the pug's owner... she kept calling for him to come back but the idiotic dog continued to follow me even though he had not a chance in the world of catching up.

Random story, to be sure.

Oh yes. I also received the results of my blood test today. The numbers look good - quite good. I particularly like the total cholesterol and HDL values. God has blessed me with excellent health and I would be remiss not to recognize that fact and thank Him for it.

If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip. --Psalm 37.23-24,30-31

::choose joy::

Morning Devos

2006-06-02T05:41:00.000-05:00

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you. --Psalm 33.20-22

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you. --Proverbs 2.1-11

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." --Matthew 12.33-37

::choose joy::

Correspondence

2006-06-01T20:51:00.000-05:00

I discovered last night that, in Jane Austen's time, correspondence between two unmarried and marriageable unrelated young people of the opposite sex was a sign that the two people were engaged. It's an interesting notion to say the least. I happened upon this information after finishing Persuasion - a book that rivals if not betters Pride and Prejudice. I have not been able to find any additional sources to verify the idea that correspondence was limited by propriety to be between engaged couples in the late 1700s and early 1800s. If it was an actual issue of propriety in the time period - and I suspect it was - what does that say about our day and age? Is it safe and prudent for such a mingling of the sexes as we have today to continue? Are we as a society and as individuals destroying the catalysts for marriage without a second thought as to the implications? The barriers and protections for women in the past were there for a reason - what are we doing to ourselves? And, perhaps most importantly, how shall I then live in a way that is wise and honoring to God and the women He has placed in my life?

This morning I led the men's Bible study at First Watch. I talked about "worry" - drawing from Matthew 6.25-34 and looking at the rest of the "Sermon on the Mount" to discover ways to keep from worrying and reasons why we don't need to worry. The study went well... and it was a much needed reminder for me. It is so easy to lose perspective and start fretting about things that ultimately don't matter. So very easy. I don't know how to listen to my own counsel. God is perfectly in control - and if He is, why do I worry?

::choose joy::

It's A Great Day On The Rock!

2006-05-06T13:23:00.000-05:00

It's a great day, what a great day
It's a day for singin' hallelu
It's a great day, what a great day
It's a day for singin' hallelu

~~<~<@

This is my last section of the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) to memorize!!!!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. --Matthew 7.24-29

@>~>~~

Optometrist Appointment @ 9.30 -
'To See or Not To See?' that is the question. Goggles, glasses and/or contacts?

Mystery Dinner @ 6.00 -
Assume the persona of Jasper Herbert, Treasurer for F.U.D.G.E Church.
"You like your fancy clothes, fancy cars, fancy trips. You even have a fancy wife. You take your job seriously and are always trying to come up with incredible new ways to raise money for the church... like the time you tried to get money at the "Dunk the pastor in the baptismal tank!"
Should be interesting if nothing else! :-P

::choose joy::

Honestly?

2006-05-04T22:45:00.000-05:00

Shall I set forth the truth? Claro que no.

But I shall anyway.

Today was a most discouraging day. For Many and Varied reasons.

I realized late this evening that I had one unread C.S. Lewis book left on my dresser, Present Concerns. Upon the discovery of this fact, I resolved not to retire until I had read the book in its entirety. Lucia Micarelli's music from a farther room was then turned on to provide a beautiful background of violin music. The Muses would be pleased.

I am currently only halfway through Present Concerns - and I just finished a marvelous article "Talking about Bicycles."

I just remembered that I should have called home this evening for I shan't get the chance 'til Monday now.

Curses.

*****

Success. A las doce menos cuarto.

It's a terrible thing to be trapped behind the bars of your own making.

::choose joy::

Six-Figure Job!

2006-05-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

Turns out moms should be paid over $130,000 annually!

::choose joy::

Sound of Silence

2006-05-03T05:48:00.000-05:00

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. - Revelation 8.1

This is why there will be no college or professional sports in heaven. :-D

Hey now, that's not how the joke usually goes - it could have been worse. ;-)

@>~>~~

Love is better than the rest
It's better than success
And all that you possess
Love is better than the best
The greatest thing of all is love

::choose joy::

Applicable Thoughts from "Rethinking"

2006-05-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

"Don't get me wrong: I believe wholeheartedly in the sovereignty of God. At the same time I also believe we have free will and a responsibility to pursue God's will for our lives. God's sovereignty doesn't mean we are puppets who cannot take action until he pulls our strings. On the contrary, we are expected to live our lives in ways that follow God's will and do what is right in his eyes. When we misunderstand God's sovereignty, it can become merely an excuse to be lazy and justification for our refusal to assume our God-given roles. We must cooperate with what we know to be God's will for our lives - whether it's loving our neighbors or honoring our parents. Obedience requires action."
--Debbie Maken, Getting Serious About Getting Married

::choose joy::

Incomplete Thoughts

2006-04-28T05:48:00.000-05:00

[ed. This pen 'n' paper journal entry is dated 27 April 2006.]

Some interesting discussion w/ Brian last night about faith and doing "unknown" things for God.
"...because he considered him faithful who had made the promise..." [Heb. 11.11] - which describes the faith of Abraham and Sarah. They did something that seemed absolutely crazy for God. God said "Go" - and they went - without knowing where to go! But we - we know that God has been faithful - I have seen God work - and we have the completed Word of God! What is our excuse? Should we wait for a specific call from God (i.e. go to Iquitos, Peru) before attempting something daring? Or, since we already have our marching orders (i.e. "go ye therefore...") should we set out on something daring without knowing a specific goal? Abraham just went, without a final destination. He didn't have the luxury of God's Word. We know God's will - maybe not to the level of detail we want right at a particular moment - but let's face it, we will never be surprised - "oh, that's what I was supposed to do?!" Should we hold back until God hits us on the head with a two-by-four?

<><><><><>

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. --Revelation 3.1-3

::choose joy::

Lazy

2006-04-25T05:53:00.000-05:00

The book of Jude would never pass as a sermon these days... it is too harsh.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. --Jude 20-21

@>~>~~

I never post anything even remotely personal on here anymore... it's just as well. Xanga-stalkers don't learn too much then.

I have four emails that I have put off writing for over a week. And it's bugging me. As much as I love email, I can't write a half-hearted one for the life of me. I haven't had a contiguous block of time to write a proper email, let alone four. Why is life is so crazy? The better question is: Why don't I make writing those emails a higher priority?

To those four people - I'm sorry.

If it makes it any better - prayer has been a much higher priority than email - so that's still happening.

::choose joy::

Agapeland

2006-04-24T22:04:00.000-05:00

Today I received all the old Agapeland music in the mail - including "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" (*sniff* - great memories from Canadian Adventure), "Music Machine," "The Birthday Party," and "The Story of Little Tree." Yes, all eleven CDs would be classified as children's music - but the music is catchy and the words are simply outstanding. Many of the short song snippets I spout out on occasion come from Agapeland's music library. I think these CDs a worth-while investment - they are resources not to be lost. Let's just say that I'm collecting for the future. ;-)

What can I give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can I give?
What gift can I bring?
What can I give to the King?
What can I give to the King?

Give Him a heart that's opened up wide
Give Him a life that's got nothing to hide
Give Him a love that's tender and true
And He'll give it all back to you
Yes, He'll give it all back to you

What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give?
What gift can we bring?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?

Give Him all glory, His people on earth
Give Him all praises, this day of His birth
Give Him all honor in all that we do
As He's given His life to you
As He's given His life to you

What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?

::choose joy::

Arise, My Soul, Arise

2006-03-27T07:24:00.000-05:00

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne He stands,
Before the throne He stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
Before the throne of grace,
Before the throne of grace,
He gladly takes my sinful place.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effective prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive, forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive, forgive,” they cry,
“This ransomed sinner must not die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
He sees the priceless blood,
He sees the priceless blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With boldness I draw nigh,
With boldness I draw nigh,
And “Abba, Father, Abba, Father,” I cry.

Arise, my soul, arise; I can no longer fear.

Hunger and Thirst

2006-03-22T21:54:00.000-05:00

Matthew 5.6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Isaiah 55.1-3
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David."

Deuteronomy 8.3
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Psalm 42.1-2
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 63.1
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

John 6.35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 7.37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Revelation 21.6
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Philosophy of Blogging

2006-03-08T06:45:00.000-05:00

Paper and pen are so much more powerful than ones and zeros. Here's my philosophy of blogging: Blogging is useful for keeping friends generally informed, but that's about it. If you want to tell a specific person something - tell them to their face. Don't drop subtle hints. If you're going to rant and rave about your frustrations, do it on paper... there's no way you can handwrite 80 words per minute. The exercise in patience will do you good. Furthermore, guy/girl relationship discussions should be strictly forbidden. Enough said. Go now and do otherwise.