Well for all of those who actually care to read my mindless ramblings I am here to announce my epic departure to a land with greener grass and fresher water... Tumblr!
Now furthermore, to all of those who would wish to keep reading my mindless ramblings the webdress is http://ramblingsofafool.tumblr.com/ so I hope to see you soon and fast!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Nature's Highway; A Road less Traveled
The fire is warm
and welcoming; as if
every crackling spark
is bringing us closer
together.
Fireflies dance overhead
like a tiny million
fireworks applauding
our simple act.
The stars that blanket
above us, sway to the
song of the night sky.
Our boots, lying next
to our bare-feet,
caked with mud tell
stories of past
adventures.
The open tent door
is an invitation,
asking us to take the
rest it offers, but not
telling us to hurry.
The fishing poles speak
of battles; some won,
others we lost.
While the night wanes
to an end we are
reminded of our
memories of trips past,
and the longing for more
to come. And as the once
populated field
disappears in the rear
view mirror we know
our task: Not to wait
too long before we
enter into nature
once more.
“Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” - John Muir
and welcoming; as if
every crackling spark
is bringing us closer
together.
Fireflies dance overhead
like a tiny million
fireworks applauding
our simple act.
The stars that blanket
above us, sway to the
song of the night sky.
Our boots, lying next
to our bare-feet,
caked with mud tell
stories of past
adventures.
The open tent door
is an invitation,
asking us to take the
rest it offers, but not
telling us to hurry.
The fishing poles speak
of battles; some won,
others we lost.
While the night wanes
to an end we are
reminded of our
memories of trips past,
and the longing for more
to come. And as the once
populated field
disappears in the rear
view mirror we know
our task: Not to wait
too long before we
enter into nature
once more.
“Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” - John Muir
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
By The Way; The Song
Verse 1:
It's like I'm drowning out here in the open sea
I wonder how you feel when you're with me
I'm thinking I'll never make my way back to shore
Or maybe we'll sail these waters forevermore
Chorus:
By the way I just wanted to say
Hey hey I wanna spend every day
Just this way just you and me
Verse 2:
When I'm with you I feel lost in the blue skies
Do you feel the same when you look in my eyes
I am as light as a kite with nowhere to go
Your face as bright as the sun when it starts to glow.
Chorus: (2x)
It's like I'm drowning out here in the open sea
I wonder how you feel when you're with me
I'm thinking I'll never make my way back to shore
Or maybe we'll sail these waters forevermore
Chorus:
By the way I just wanted to say
Hey hey I wanna spend every day
Just this way just you and me
Verse 2:
When I'm with you I feel lost in the blue skies
Do you feel the same when you look in my eyes
I am as light as a kite with nowhere to go
Your face as bright as the sun when it starts to glow.
Chorus: (2x)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Rationality, or Lack Thereof
"I don't think there is an example. My belief in Jesus did not seem rational or scientific, and yet there was nothing I could do to separate myself from this belief." - Donal Miller, in Blue Like Jazz.
I the book Blue like Jazz, Donal Miller takes Christian theology, spirituality, faith, which ever word works best for you, and simplifies it down to 20 topics a fifth grader could understand. In chapter 5, entitled Penguin Sex, he talks about the rationality, or lack thereof, of Christianity. Penguins are mentioned because when they mate the female lays the egg, gives it to the male, and then up and leaves, just like that. And for about a month or so the males just sit around, sit on the egg, and wait for it to hatch. When that month comes to an end the females, by some unknown feeling, head back to their husbands (if you can call them husbands.) They always make it back the day their egg hatches, not one day too late.
We, as Christians, have an unknown feeling not to much different from that of a penguin. Except ours tells us to follow Jesus, we have no rational reason behind it. "I don't think you can explain Christian faith either. It's a mystery. It can't be explained, and yet it is beautiful and true. It's something you feel, it comes from the soul."
I the book Blue like Jazz, Donal Miller takes Christian theology, spirituality, faith, which ever word works best for you, and simplifies it down to 20 topics a fifth grader could understand. In chapter 5, entitled Penguin Sex, he talks about the rationality, or lack thereof, of Christianity. Penguins are mentioned because when they mate the female lays the egg, gives it to the male, and then up and leaves, just like that. And for about a month or so the males just sit around, sit on the egg, and wait for it to hatch. When that month comes to an end the females, by some unknown feeling, head back to their husbands (if you can call them husbands.) They always make it back the day their egg hatches, not one day too late.
We, as Christians, have an unknown feeling not to much different from that of a penguin. Except ours tells us to follow Jesus, we have no rational reason behind it. "I don't think you can explain Christian faith either. It's a mystery. It can't be explained, and yet it is beautiful and true. It's something you feel, it comes from the soul."
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thoughts From a Hammock; Part 2
Here I am again... I guess it's to be expected, where else can I go? The sky is blanketed in rain clouds, covering as far as I can see. And yes, it is a bit cliche, but where is the silver lining? No, I'm not completely in a bad place in my life, but I'm kind of feeling out here on my own. Just as the rain starts trickling down, I realize, it's going to turn up eventually; that I know, because God's always here with me, helping me through every waking second of this mess I call a life. The rain picks up, even more, to the point of pouring. I start thinking, why am I complaining? My life is blessed in every way. I put my trust and faith in my Lord to carry me when I can't walk and to push me when I can't continue. But for now, I think I'll just enjoy the rain and the presence of my Father and Friend: Jesus Christ.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thoughts From a Hammock; Part 1
5 minutes in and I'm already thinking. Overhead flies a bird, chirping as it perches on a branch. I wonder if it knows. Knows how envious of it I am; envious to be free, not constrained by time or worries or the cares of life. Feeling nothing but the wind beneath it's wings and the steady rays of sun giving heat and light to this beautiful May Sunday. What has it done to worry about it's day; Nothing. Why then can't I let my life loose and give it to God to help me deal with. Clouds float on by, above me. I start wishing, wishing to be up there; among the clouds and living life by a whims, like they do. Knowing no sense of purpose or fear, only going where the breeze pushes them to. Having no figure to conform to, shapeless celestial bodies taunting me, reminding me that in 30 minutes life will be calling my name. Drowning me with its "schedules" and "agendas". I know this sense of simplicity will leave me soon. Soon flooding my thoughts with anxieties of the future and regrets from the past. But for now its me, my hammock, and the peaceful world God has given me today. These are my thoughts from a hammock.
Monday, April 5, 2010
These Hands
These Hands, bruised, cut, and dirty from work.
These Hands, worn, tired, and tender from life.
These Hands, tough and calloused like his Father's.
These Hands embrace and love like his Mother's.
These Hands, have no ring adorned fingers.
These Hands rejected by their own
These Hands beckon the little ones to draw near.
These Hands calm the hearts of men.
These Hands bring healing from a touch.
These Hands still the raging seas.
These Hands are bound and led away.
These Hands suffer though they are pure.
These Hands, weak and wounded from carrying the weight.
These Hands are pierced by me.
These Hands are pierced because of me.
These Hands are pierced... for me.
But These Hands are not finished yet.
These Hands have removed the stone.
These Hands left the tomb.
These Hands have beaten death itself.
Finally, These Hands will come again!
These Hands, worn, tired, and tender from life.
These Hands, tough and calloused like his Father's.
These Hands embrace and love like his Mother's.
These Hands, have no ring adorned fingers.
These Hands rejected by their own
These Hands beckon the little ones to draw near.
These Hands calm the hearts of men.
These Hands bring healing from a touch.
These Hands still the raging seas.
These Hands are bound and led away.
These Hands suffer though they are pure.
These Hands, weak and wounded from carrying the weight.
These Hands are pierced by me.
These Hands are pierced because of me.
These Hands are pierced... for me.
But These Hands are not finished yet.
These Hands have removed the stone.
These Hands left the tomb.
These Hands have beaten death itself.
Finally, These Hands will come again!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Lord Wants a Relationship With... Me?
"The arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight
You can rest inside, it's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the ragging sea is calling you his child
So be still and know He's in control, He will never let you go."
I first heard those lyrics in the car with my brother. The words hit my eardrums, resounded, and then re-resounded. At first it was nothing but lyrics to a song to me.
When we got home I was listening to that same CD, and that song came on again. This time I realized how absurd that sounded to me. I mean, come on. We've all heard the story of the disciples on the boat when a storm came. Jesus was sleeping, they woke him, scared stiff. He rebuked the storm, and... well it listened. He told the winds and the waves "Quiet! Be still!" And they did exactly that. So I didn't really see how that same voice could want to call me, a hell-deserving sinner, his child.
But now I see why. He doesn't see my sin. Heck, He doesn't even see me. He sees His son, His son's life, and his son's blood that covers my sin.
Lyrics were taken from Fee's "Arms That Hold the Universe"
You can rest inside, it's gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the ragging sea is calling you his child
So be still and know He's in control, He will never let you go."
I first heard those lyrics in the car with my brother. The words hit my eardrums, resounded, and then re-resounded. At first it was nothing but lyrics to a song to me.
When we got home I was listening to that same CD, and that song came on again. This time I realized how absurd that sounded to me. I mean, come on. We've all heard the story of the disciples on the boat when a storm came. Jesus was sleeping, they woke him, scared stiff. He rebuked the storm, and... well it listened. He told the winds and the waves "Quiet! Be still!" And they did exactly that. So I didn't really see how that same voice could want to call me, a hell-deserving sinner, his child.
But now I see why. He doesn't see my sin. Heck, He doesn't even see me. He sees His son, His son's life, and his son's blood that covers my sin.
Lyrics were taken from Fee's "Arms That Hold the Universe"
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Being Anchored in The Gospel
This last weekend our Church went on a retreat, and guess what we talked about. Anchors.
Anchors, yaya, those kind of anchors, the big steel things that boats toss over the edge during a storm to keep them grounded where they are. How are those related to the Gospel of Christ? Well just as those anchors were used to ground and steady boats during a storm; so is the Gospel used to be a foundation for our faith, so when the storms of life and trials come like driving rain we will can stay strong in our faith because of the Gospel.
The Bible gives us a clear picture of what the gospel truly is:
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." - Romans 3:21-26
Whoa, slow down there! Justified? Propitiation? Redemption? What do all these big four-syllable words mean?
Well in simple-mans terms, this is the gospel spelled out easily: Basically God sent his own son, his perfect son down to Earth do live the life we couldn't live in our sin and He then died the death we should have died. Through that god satisfied his wrath for our sin on his own son. Because of that we all are declared not guilty in God's eyes, and all of this was a gift; Not because we deserved it; Not because God thought we had earned it, but because He Loved us enough to do that. And all we have to do is believe that He did that for us, and that it is the only thing that can save us.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1
That might just be the most wonderful sentence in the entire Bible, because if that sentence was not true, then even though God sent his son for us, that would all be for not, because when Jesus was up on that cross, we canceled the power of sin and condemnation.
So whether you've been a Christian all your life, and are still struggling with some foundational Gospel issues, or have just experienced the love of God for the first time, we all can learn a thing or two from the basics, THE GOSPEL!
Anchors, yaya, those kind of anchors, the big steel things that boats toss over the edge during a storm to keep them grounded where they are. How are those related to the Gospel of Christ? Well just as those anchors were used to ground and steady boats during a storm; so is the Gospel used to be a foundation for our faith, so when the storms of life and trials come like driving rain we will can stay strong in our faith because of the Gospel.
The Bible gives us a clear picture of what the gospel truly is:
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." - Romans 3:21-26
Whoa, slow down there! Justified? Propitiation? Redemption? What do all these big four-syllable words mean?
Well in simple-mans terms, this is the gospel spelled out easily: Basically God sent his own son, his perfect son down to Earth do live the life we couldn't live in our sin and He then died the death we should have died. Through that god satisfied his wrath for our sin on his own son. Because of that we all are declared not guilty in God's eyes, and all of this was a gift; Not because we deserved it; Not because God thought we had earned it, but because He Loved us enough to do that. And all we have to do is believe that He did that for us, and that it is the only thing that can save us.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1
That might just be the most wonderful sentence in the entire Bible, because if that sentence was not true, then even though God sent his son for us, that would all be for not, because when Jesus was up on that cross, we canceled the power of sin and condemnation.
So whether you've been a Christian all your life, and are still struggling with some foundational Gospel issues, or have just experienced the love of God for the first time, we all can learn a thing or two from the basics, THE GOSPEL!
Friday, March 5, 2010
My Way Home; The Song and The Story Behind That Song
The Story:
"Food and Gas - 45 Miles"
Drive Past
"Next Town - 63 Miles"
Drive Past
Watch as the speedometer reaches 74, with nothing around me but the monotone sound of the engine, and faltering yellow lines every 10 feet on the desolate road under my wheels.
Desolate, just like me.
I wonder to myself if they have even noticed that I left; probably not. But neither would I, if I were them.
Nothing but me, my wallet with a total of 36 dollars and some odd change in it, and my guitar case, whose ever hour is spent silently collecting dust, and the desolate road under my wheels.
Desolate, just like me.
Pull in to some no-name, one street town. All lights are out at 8:59, except for one lowly gas station with two pumps, one pump, the other is broken. Step inside to get some dinner and maybe a drink. "Rusty" read the clerks dirty name tag, poorly fastened to his oil stained shirt. Talk to him for 20 minutes or so.
First conversation, in 3 hours and 17 minutes and 42 seconds.
He said something, muffled by his beard with the stench of alcohol on his breath, but I still heard. That sentence caught me like a dear in the headlights on a desolate road, like the one I just pulled off of.
Desolate, just like me.
Thank him for his time and services, fill up with gas, using the rest of my 36 dollars and 83 cents. Pull out of gas station, back on to the one desolate street of that town.
Desolate, not like me, not anymore. I have found my way home
The Song:
Verse 1:
I ran away looking for a place to call my own
A place to call my home
And she probably doesn't still remember
That night in December
Chorus:
I see her standing there as my train pulls near
All my fears leave when she smiles back at me
I don't really know why I left
I only know is that I've found my way home
Verse 2:
I had never looked back since the day I left that day last year
I left what I held dear
And I have now found out what I most missed
Was what she had promised
Chorus
Bridge:
Well I've been up and I've been down
I was feeling all along when I left that town
I'm back home and I can see
What I really needed was right in front of me
Chorus (x2)
Outro:
I've found my way home
Now I'm home
"Food and Gas - 45 Miles"
Drive Past
"Next Town - 63 Miles"
Drive Past
Watch as the speedometer reaches 74, with nothing around me but the monotone sound of the engine, and faltering yellow lines every 10 feet on the desolate road under my wheels.
Desolate, just like me.
I wonder to myself if they have even noticed that I left; probably not. But neither would I, if I were them.
Nothing but me, my wallet with a total of 36 dollars and some odd change in it, and my guitar case, whose ever hour is spent silently collecting dust, and the desolate road under my wheels.
Desolate, just like me.
Pull in to some no-name, one street town. All lights are out at 8:59, except for one lowly gas station with two pumps, one pump, the other is broken. Step inside to get some dinner and maybe a drink. "Rusty" read the clerks dirty name tag, poorly fastened to his oil stained shirt. Talk to him for 20 minutes or so.
First conversation, in 3 hours and 17 minutes and 42 seconds.
He said something, muffled by his beard with the stench of alcohol on his breath, but I still heard. That sentence caught me like a dear in the headlights on a desolate road, like the one I just pulled off of.
Desolate, just like me.
Thank him for his time and services, fill up with gas, using the rest of my 36 dollars and 83 cents. Pull out of gas station, back on to the one desolate street of that town.
Desolate, not like me, not anymore. I have found my way home
The Song:
Verse 1:
I ran away looking for a place to call my own
A place to call my home
And she probably doesn't still remember
That night in December
Chorus:
I see her standing there as my train pulls near
All my fears leave when she smiles back at me
I don't really know why I left
I only know is that I've found my way home
Verse 2:
I had never looked back since the day I left that day last year
I left what I held dear
And I have now found out what I most missed
Was what she had promised
Chorus
Bridge:
Well I've been up and I've been down
I was feeling all along when I left that town
I'm back home and I can see
What I really needed was right in front of me
Chorus (x2)
Outro:
I've found my way home
Now I'm home
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