tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168407952009-10-14T07:23:35.732-07:00Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-34131818732982471102009-02-01T23:55:00.000-08:002009-02-02T00:48:18.327-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dress For the Life You Want...</span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">i've noticed....</span></div><div><br /></div><div>i've noticed that i have been slowly drowned by my circumstances... in the last year i have slowly, almost methodically let myself be controlled by one circumstance after another... whether it be what job i'm in, where we are living, what classes i have, or whether or not i can contact friends that use to be so close... i have let  these things chip away at who i am...</div><div><br /></div><div>once i was a man who lived outside his circumstances... a man who knew who he was, knew he was strong and could do anything... but... giving into my own weaknesses and doubts i have now seen myself become nothing more than one big reaction... i react to my surroundings, i react to my lifestyle, i react to my job, i react to whatever current situation in which i find myself... i have become a man who is powerless, because i have given up the power given to me, which is to be strong and courageous no matter what life throws at me... yes, i have let myself be chipped away little by little until nothing seems to remain of the man that once was...</div><div><br /></div><div>there is no strength... there is no courage... there is no freedom... there is only reaction...</div><div><br /></div><div>but...</div><div><br /></div><div>God be praised...</div><div><br /></div><div>God be praised that He is forgiving... God be praised that He has been strong through my weakness... God be praised that He cares enough about this broken shell of a man enough to reveal to me that i can rise above my circumstances once again... God be praised that He can and will undo what i have become... God be praised that He can mend these broken bones so that they may rejoice in HIS goodness!</div><div><br /></div><div>i have been driven by my circumstances lately... but no longer... as they say a man should always dress for the job he wants... i shall dress for the life i want... no longer will i dress to match my circumstances, i will dress to match the truth of God's love and work in my life...</div><div><br /></div><div>a friend once told me that wherever you go, there you are... no matter where we live, no matter what we do, we are always inside our heads... we live between our ears he told me... the point he was making is that no matter where we live, what job we have, no matter what type of circumstances we find ourselves in, you are always with yourself and you must always be true to who you are... one cannot let themselves change based on location, occupation, or lifestyle... and i cannot let myself be overwhelmed by these things either... i am who i am, and no matter where we live, no matter what we do, i will be who i am... </div><div><br /></div><div>and i need to be true to who i am and live as the man that i am called to be... i cannot wait until i get the job im preparing for, i cannot wait for the location in which i would prefer to live, i cannot wait to live the lifestyle and have the friends that i desire...</div><div><br /></div><div>if i am not me even in the remotest of locations, in the worst of circumstances, then i will not be me anywhere... and if i am not me, then i am nothing...</div><div><br /></div><div>i know the man that i am... regardless of what my circumstances have tried to tell me... no matter what my depression has tried to tell me... no matter what my overwhelming negative personal thoughts may tell me... i know the man that i am...</div><div><br /></div><div>i am a strong man... i am a man of God... i am a man of courage... i am brilliant... i have talents and insight that most don't... i have gifts and abilities that are unique to me and will be used for great things...</div><div><br /></div><div>i will no longer squander the greatness that lies inside of me with false humility or negative thoughts... i have the wonderful things inside of me because i have purpose, because my life has meaning, even if my circumstances may try to tell me otherwise... i have a calling, as dim as my circumstances may have tried to make it seem... i have been given such great things, and no longer will i quench the Holy Spirit's gifts to me by being controlled by anything else...</div><div><br /></div><div>i will dress this day, for the life that i want... i will live this day as the man that i am called to be...</div><div><br /></div><div>i will use all the gifts i have been given and will not be ashamed...</div><div><br /></div><div>thank You... thank You, Father for Your patience... thank You for your provision and for carrying me when i am too weak to even crawl... thank You, for doing far more abundantly beyond all that i could ask or think... You amaze me in the way You work... such freedom in Your love...</div><div><br /></div><div>i will no longer be driven by things too weak to control me...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-3413181873298247110?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-24168504523747821462008-05-20T23:44:00.000-07:002008-05-21T00:13:26.036-07:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">time has had it's way with me...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div>i have an incredible, wonderful wife...</div><div>i have an amazing, beautiful daughter...</div><div>and though i have all that i could ever desire for companionship contained and fulfilled solely in these two people, my heart longs for something that i really do not desire...</div><div>my heart longs for friendship with believers... this is not a longing from my mind, nor from my will... it is a longing that goes beyond me and my desires... after spending years where i am the last thing i <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">want</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">is to see another believer... yet the longing exists and it grows daily...</span></span></div><div>we have not been going to church lately... not because we don't love God, not because we are not Christians, but simply because we are worn out... worn out with the futility and nonsense we witness daily...</div><div>but no matter how worn out i may tell myself i am, i am wearing out resisting this longing in my heart... this longing for fellowship... this longing for community...</div><div>augustine has said "the church is a whore, but she's still my mother"...</div><div>i am feeling this right now...</div><div>i am worn out with the nonsense, the drama, the futility... but however bad it may seem, i need the church... i need the fellowship of other believers... i need to speak, to teach, to learn, to grow... </div><div>there may never be all good in any church here on earth, but right now i'm sure there will never be all bad either...</div><div>i have spent so much time pointing out the imperfections in my brethren... yet i realize now that i need them to help perfect the many, many imperfections i find in myself...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">time has had it's way with me,</span></div><div>my broken, tired hands can't build a thing</div><div>the wires that have held me still,</div><div>embedded now in flesh, define my will</div><div><br /></div><div>the idle of my days has won</div><div> the empty i have fed has made me numb</div><div>despite what you will find in me</div><div>the failures of my past still swell beneath</div><div><br /></div><div>i need a heart that carries on through the pain</div><div>when the walls start collapsing again</div><div>give me a soul that never ceases to follow</div><div>despite the infection within</div><div><br /></div><div>our careless feet leaving trails</div><div>never minding the fragile dirt we all end in</div><div><br /></div><div>this is where i find my fall</div><div>the cares that held my life don't work at all</div><div>and every step away from here</div><div>is closer to the plague i hold so dear</div><div><br /></div><div>awaiting my end</div><div>breathing in the day that finds me new</div><div>redemption begins</div><div>bleeding out the flaws in place of you</div><div><br /></div><div>-demon hunter</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-2416850452374782146?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-72780941155973561892007-03-28T19:52:00.000-07:002008-11-13T09:45:45.101-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">God Scares Me...</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047181282141225554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AiEDQ_rn1EM/Rgswoo8HQlI/AAAAAAAAAAM/4StOqK5fhH0/s320/Hurricane%2520Isabel.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>but God is a loving God... yes, but He is still God...<br /><br />i love storms... i love watching the dark clouds drift in from the horizon, encompassing the sky as far as the eye can see... it thrills me, becuase it scares me... i remember standing outside our trailer with my dad during storms when i was younger... bad ones... watching the clouds twist and turn, lightning streaking across the sky, imagining a tornado dropping and destroying all that was around me... it thrilled me, becuase it scared me...<br /><br />hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms... these are things that thrill me because they are huge and deadly...<br /><br />and i agree with Piper that this obsession with powerful things comes from our instilled longing for God... we long to be near the Almighty... and many times i picture myself in the arms of forgiving omnipotence, not scared, but thrilled... thrilled because He who could certainly destroy me in ways that do not yet exist, holds me close in love...<br /><br />but tonight, that thrill is giving away to fear... not fear that i will be destroyed or forsaken, but that i may fail...<br /><br />i am studying the judgment of Eli and his sons... they were called to serve God forever, but they failed miserably, yes disgustingly... and because of this, not only was their call withdrawn, but they were judged...<br /><br />i have a calling on my life to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... yes, a wise man reminded me of this recently... and many that i attend college with have this same call...<br /><br />but this call is not without condition...<br />this call has been given and can indeed be taken away...<br /><br />these gifts are not my own...<br />these gifts have been given and can indeed be taken away...<br /><br />God has called me, and this scares me... this call is not my own... it is not to do with as i please... it is not for me to determine what i will or will not do... and it is by no means mine to take advantage of...<br /><br />the reality of God is very close to me at this moment... yes, there is thrill knowing that He is my Father... yet i remain overwhelmed with the knowledge that He is my Master...<br /><br />and while there are probably few who will understand this, or feel this intense fear that i have it is very real at this moment... if you would like a taste, picture yourself sitting out on the porch watching that amazing storm... not on the Weather Channel, but in your front yard... only there is no imagination involved in that tornado that is about to take your life...<br /><br />yes, God scares me... may it ever be this way...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-7278094115597356189?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-81321134230669299872007-02-13T20:33:00.000-08:002007-02-13T20:35:16.100-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">People hear only what they want to hear... Always...</span><br /><br />For some reason (whether it be bad Christian contacts, an unclear view of Christianity, or just a general dislike for Christianity and a rebellion against God) many have this view of Christianity that says man is worthless, destined to a life of self defeat and guilt; all is evil, nothing is good except this spoiled, red-headed step child of a god who demands way too much; charity and concern for others is a mere facade, a false projection of the Christian life that is in place to somehow fool the rest of the world into believing Christians have good character, a self defeating projection since the very nature of Christianity seems to be untilled land, infertile for any seeds of love to grow, selfishness and arrogance incarnate; a religion of mass ignorance and herd-like mentality, a tell-me-where-to-go-because-i-dont-want-to-figure-it-out-on-my-own-religion...<br /><br />Of course, views like this, many times, are not so much persecution, but merely an acting out of basic human character: we look at the worst and blanket it over the rest... i believe it is referred to many times as stereotyping... its everywhere (and to avoid stereotyping, i will not say everyone does it); after 9/11 muslims are the anti-christ to many, although there are many muslims who, while by there own creeds they should be, are not oppressive or hostile... oppression comes from people, not from ideas or religions, even if those ideas demand oppression... for example, many deny Christianity on the basis of its oppression... while there has been oppression in the past through different Christians, Christianity is not an oppressive religion...<br /><br />so, someone may look back in history and see the major oppression of the RCC, they then come back to today and cast that blanket over evangelicals... or they may even cast the fundamentalist blanket the same way... after all, didn't many of Mohammad's ideas stem from his encounters with false and/or perverted Christians?... and didn't many of our God-rejecting "great minds" whose works are studied today also form many of their views based on false views of Christianity... even further, the cornerstone of many modern day views and worldviews is called "anti-theism"... (seriously, how serious can you take something when it is merely built of the rejection of something else? funny how modern worldviews all begin by saying: "theism? nu-uh")<br /><br />it has been a real struggle being in college... i study so many ideas from so many sources it drives me crazy sometimes... everyone has an opinion, everyone has a bias... and what seems most frustrating, is that some of the most ignorant, biased minds of the past are those held in high esteem in much of american academia today... with every new idea and every new opinion i encounter i find myself confronted at all angles with attacks... this world is so hostile toward Christianity... and while it has not caused me once to feel any doubt, nor has any other worldview or theory shown me any substantial proof to "disprove" my faith, i constantly feel the need to bring the truth to these people... i am in constant diatribe with these many worldviews and opinions... but one thing that i have come to realize recently is that people are not always reasonable... so, logical arguments based on reason and fact have no power against heated opinions...<br /><br />so what am i to do in a world where people hear only what they want to hear, always?.. maybe i can try to be more like Jesus... maybe i can spend a little less time mulling over opinions and discussions and spend a little more time talking to someone who has noone to talk to... may be i could spend a little less time tied up in my own academic affairs and a little more time teaching someone about the Kingdom of Heaven... maybe i could spend a little less time in my own selfish affairs and a little more time fulfilling the needs of those who are in need around me... maybe i could spend a little less time worrying about the ignorance of Nietzsche and the bias of Freud and a little more time studying the truth of God's Word... and maybe i could spend a little less time focusing on the opinions of a biased, fallen world and a little more time focusing on my heavenly Father...<br /><br />yes... that sounds refreshing...<br /><br />after all, people hear only what they want to hear...<br /><br />Always...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-8132113423066929987?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1154487585643931942006-08-01T19:37:00.000-07:002006-08-30T19:44:00.640-07:00<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">She is a jewel... A precious treasure with no end...</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4353/1609/1600/lins15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4353/1609/400/lins15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>She is my beloved... She is my bride...<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-115448758564393194?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1151605449958160662006-06-29T11:23:00.000-07:002006-06-29T11:24:09.980-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Stalemate...</span><br /><br />So... Now what?...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-115160544995816066?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1150309189577456082006-06-14T10:38:00.000-07:002006-06-14T11:29:03.976-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Spill Me...</span><br /><br />My heart has been heavy these past few days (weeks even) and it seems that tears are always right beneath the surface... Yet I don't know why... I know many things that have been bothering me lately, but none that I have been able to nail down and put into words or even real thoughts... I think that's why its been bothering me so much... It's uncomfortable...<br /><br />This post may not be the most legible, but here are my "thoughts" as I try to put them into words... Bear with me as I spill my heart, right or wrong I don't know, but honest nonetheless...<br /><br />I am terribly bothered that every question answered in my life raises a dozen more... Concerning humanity... Concerning this world... Concerning church...<br /><br />I hate church... I don't hate THE Church, but I hate church... With so much "this should be this way" and "that should be that way" where does humanity fit in? Some say we should do music traditionally, some say we should do it "contemporary"... Some say it doesn't matter what you wear, some say you need to look nice... Some say the sermon should go this long, some say it should be as long as God wants... Some say we should have this many services, some say we should have only one... I don't care...<br /><br />Whatever happend to just <span style="font-style: italic;">being</span>? When I think about even those who would desire to mold and shape the church into what it was "in the beginning," I realize that this too is a futile matter... The original church wasn't "some kind" of church set up or model, it just <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span>...<br /><br />Linsey and I have been struggling with lack of desire to attend church... I don't know all the reasons why and this is no attempt at excuses, just my heart... I don't want to find a church that "suits me." I don't want to find a church that has music I like... I don't want to find a church that has a great "model." I just want to find a church that "is." I want to <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span>... I want to rest... I don't want to be busy in church business... I want to rest in Bible study... I want to rest in prayer among friends... I don't even know if I am explaining any of this right... I don't want to be forced to hug someone in church during the "appropriate time" and have strangers rattle off a "how are you today"... I want to embrace my brothers and sisters in Christ...<br /><br />I am bombarded every day at my college with messages and sermons and the like each one saying something different about what the church should be or do or look like or sound like or... So much opinion... So many agendas... It makes me want to scream... Literally...<br /><br />My heart breaks for the days when a couple friends and I would sneak into the church and have a time of worship together and pray and talk... My heart aches for the days when Bible studies among friends and anyone who would come were daily activities... My heart is broken right now as I remember the simpler times when I just <span style="font-style: italic;">was...</span> I wonder how I could have fallen so far... These memories cause me to hate church as it is... These experiences let me know that THE church IS real and makes me hate to go to chapel at my college...<br /><br />These burdens are great on my heart as I long for the <span style="font-style: italic;">reality</span> I once knew... I am encumbered with a burden I do not believe the Lord desires me to bear...<br /><br />I was told when I left for college that this college would dry me out... It has...<br /><br />I am in college, many times wondering for what purpose... My desire is not to work in church... My desire is to minister in life... To <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span>, rather than <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span>... But I am always reminded that God has called me here, and so here I stay... But still, I do not believe my purpose is for church... I believe my purpose is for THE church... I long for nights resting in Bible study among friends and outcasts...<br /><br />Arguments can be made about "well, the church should be like this or like that," or that I am wrong in this or in that, or that I should not forsake the assembly... I don't care...<br /><br />I will <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span> the assembly... Among the outcasts...<br /><br />As I ponder all of these things I recognize this heaviness of heart... It is a heaviness that I have missed for a long time... It is the heaviness of my calling... It is the voice of God...<br /><br />These tears below the surface... they are water to my soul... Life again to my parched soul as I am reminded to just <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span>...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-115030918957745608?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1148397647941859902006-05-23T07:30:00.000-07:002006-05-23T10:10:30.326-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Free To Be You And Me...<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyone hear about the new "reform math"?... Yeah, its the math where you don't have to get the right answer as long as you do the problem right... Ok... Let's think about this... It's math... If you do the problem right, you get the answer right, if you do the problem wrong, you get the answer wrong... There is really no way around it... But now, there are apparantly schools attempting to teach kids "reform math" so that nobody is wrong... It's supposed to help kids learn somehow...<br /><br />You know, it is one thing to tell a parent they are not allowed to spank their kids, but now we can't even tell them they did something wrong?... The funny thing is that the math is changing because the "traditional method" didn't help kids learn enough... Funny how you can add "traditional" to anything today and it automatically becomes antiquated and in need of "improvement"... Asinine... There is a difference between what is traditional and what is right...<br /><br />Seriously, what pathetic moron would think up such a thing?... I guess that we can't have absolutes in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> because it may offend somebody... Or, it may cause somebody to think logically and put two and two together to equal absolute truth in the world... (pun intended)...<br /><br />In an age when science rules because it is more "logical" than "religion" (although what was once good science is quickly becoming what one may now call, "reform science") it is mind boggling how people have exchanged true logic for such pathetic nonsense...<br /><br />Funny how the age of reason would lead to such an unreasonable end... Man didn't need revelation to find "god," only reason... 'Course, now he doesn't even need that...<br /><br />Yeah, I know I was talking about math, but the problem goes deeper than some moron who can't add... It goes to what kids would learn (or not learn, rather) through an idea so stupid...<br /><br />This whole post-modern thing is so dumb...<br /><br />People follow scientists over preachers because scientists claim to be logical and preachers are merely folk-lore story tellers... But, when you really look into a lot of scientist's claims on how God isn't, you find no logic, only bias... (don't get me wrong, im not saying science is bad, but there IS bad science... it is the science that people have begun to create through their bias rather than facts...) The same goes for this whole math thing... Let's just "be free to be you and me"... Nobody is wrong... Except the Christians...<br /><br />And its not even as if we are teaching this in college as a "new way to think" or some crap like that... It's teaching kids that it is "the" way to think... Let's disregard all logic and all absolutes... Then we will have a nice leaderless country built on nothing, inhabited by lifeless, whiny, thirty year old children...<br /><br />But... People hear only what they want to hear... Always...<br /><br />I thank God that this is not all there is... For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain... I hate this world... I hate that so many people speak and say so little... I hate that the words that should be heard are heard by so few... I long for that city whose builder and founder is God... (and has proper mathmatical measurements...) There is truly no satisfaction in this world...<br /><br />Oh, Lord... When will You rise up?...<br /><br />Oh, Lord... When will I rise up?...<br /><br />Father, may my obedience be true to You... For where else can I go?... You have the words of life... I live to follow You... Please lead me through this sick world to accomplish Your will...</p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-114839764794185990?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1145387870849210052006-04-18T11:53:00.000-07:002006-04-18T12:25:16.796-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Would You Like A Little Gospel With Your Water?..</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br />Christian Liberalism means: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross." - H. Richard Niebuhr<br /><br />While I do not have any specific point in quoting this statement, I found it quite interesting and thought that others may as well... It's funny how in the desire of some to make the Gospel "relevant" and unoffensive... ... well... there is no unoffensive Gospel...<br /><br />God is not a Precious Moments cartoon...<br />So, suck it up...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-114538787084921005?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1141620462999504512006-03-05T20:34:00.000-08:002006-03-05T20:47:43.013-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Your What Keeps Me Believing This World's Not Gone Dead...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br />I am blessed beyond measure with the most beautiful woman... She adores me... She cares about me... She has this look in her eye when she looks at me that I can't quite explain... It's as if there are pillars in her eyes that reflect her strength and loyalty... Pillars of passion and beauty that overwhelm me... I know it may sound a little weird, but I don't know how else to explain it... I have never felt so firm or safe as I do when I look into her eyes... I see her and know that there is nothing in this life that we cannot overcome... She tells me she loves me and her eyes sparkle with a burning passion for life... Oh my gosh, I can't even explain it... It is as if there is not enough world for us to conquer... What shall we do when we are finished?... We are conquerers... We are alive and not dead... We shall turn this world upside down together...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-114162046299950451?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1139329084317751102006-02-07T08:13:00.000-08:002006-02-07T08:18:04.336-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Organized Beyond Recognition...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br />It is quite possible, probable even, that I am ignorant and/or naive... But I really do not enjoy my Baptist Life and Work class... It just seems to grind against every other class I take... While the ideas set forth with the many orginizations and "conventions" really do seem ideal, are the goals not being lost in the over-abundance of process?...<br /><br />Again, it is quite probable that I am ignorant... I usually am... But I have found that, being ignorant, only through the honesty of my ignorance will I come to know what is right...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113932908431775110?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1139266707221830962006-02-06T14:30:00.000-08:002006-02-07T17:41:45.046-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">I Used To Want To Change The World In Brotherhood, </span><span style="font-size:180%;">Us Two... </span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">But Now, My Friend, I Only Want To Save It </span><span style="font-size:180%;">From You...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br />These are lyrics from a Project 86 song... They went with a secular label - Atlantic I believe - hoping to be able to have more influence on the world... What they came to find out was that after not getting a hit single, they were dropped like last weeks garbage...<br /><br />This also reminds me of Constantine's rule in Rome... Before Constantine, Christians led hard lives in Rome... While they were not slaughtered everyday as it may seem, Rome was an unfriendly place to live for Christians... Constantine came into rule believing that his victory was given by the God of the Christians, so he converted to Christianity as well as the entire empire... So, in this new Christianized Rome, Christians had a newfound freedom and a wonderful outlook as they now had the backing and favor of the emperor... New highs would be reached for the Gospel with the support of the empire... But, as would be expected when the church turns their faith and provision expectations from God to the world, the situation soured quickly... Instead of Christians being unaccepted and persecuted, you were now persecuted and outcast if you were not a Christian... Needless to say also, the church was no longer filled with believers to worship God and spread the Gospel, it was now filled with politicians seeking status and recognition...<br /><br />The world can never support the church... Neither government or orginization... The seperation there is between chuch and state, while many Christians are irritated with the way it is used in America today, is much better than the alternative... Which is exactly why it was initiated in the first place... The world's government has no place in church affairs... In the same way, the church has no business "Christianizing" the government...<br /><br />Expecting the government to force or "allow" prayer in public schools should not be a concern... Christian parents teaching their children at home how to pray should... Making kids say "grace" before their school lunch will not save our children or make them more moral... They are public schools... They are not Christian schools... We have no business trying to force Christian teachings onto unbelievers... (Redemption is what the lost need, not Christian morals)... Just like the Jews had no business forcing Gentile Christians to be circumcised...<br /><br />Expecting the government to leglislate Christian morality is not going to get someone saved... Banning homosexual marriage is not going to get homosexuals to stop being homosexual... What the church <em>needs</em> to do - yes, I am about to state what the church needs to do - is put down their petitions for prayer in school, heterosexual marriage, and the ten commandments and spend time with a lost person...<br /><br />Hug a homosexual...<br />Invite a sinner to dine with you...<br />Stop toying with the government and tell someone about Jesus...<br /><br />After all, Jesus never commanded us to change the government... He told us to make disciples... And I assure you, that no disciples will be made with petitions... I promise you, spending time telling people the Gospel will accomplish wonders for the kingdom of God and the world while forcing the government to leglislate Christian morality and practice will create hidden sinners...<br /><br />Let go of the government and grab hold of Jesus... I mean, does it not disturb anyone else that 98% of church growth seems to come from someone getting mad at one church and moving to another?... This should be evidence enough that the church's time and effort are being sadly wasted in politics...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113926670722183096?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1138382606073835562006-01-27T09:09:00.000-08:002006-01-27T09:23:34.253-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Spiritual Abortion...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br />When a person comes to Christ, his mind is not automatically formatted into Christianity, nor is he instilled with all there is to substantiate his faith... Anyone can clearly reason this... So, why is it that many times (not all times, mind you), the most training and teaching a new believer gets is a "warm" welcome at the altar by those on their way out the door? When someone comes to Christ from a background devoid of church and any form of Chrisianity, do we really believe that they are going to automatically know to come to church, or how to study and pray, or how to live their lives for Jesus Christ? Of course not! These new believers only know two things: one, how to live the life they have always lived, and two how to live the life they have always lived... There is no knowledge of godly living to many new believers (moreso for those brought up in the Bible-belt) only the sense of need for their Savior... So, (and I have seen this) when all that a new believer receives after making that profession before the church is a "warm" welcome and a quick baptism, they are going to go on living the only life they know... So, it is imperative that we train these newborn babes in Christ about their new faith and about godly living... This is my point, I feel a strong desire to do this... I could think of nothing better than spending my life bringing up new believers in their faith... To show them all that Christ offers for them, to show them the goodness and strength of their Lord... To show them His benefits and His power... To show them the Savior's face that they may never look away... To give them legs to stand on their own... (Not in opposition to the church, mind you, but that their faith may not be rooted in a man, but in thier only mediator, Jesus Christ)... These legs were given to me, and it is my desire to give them to others... So, let us not abort our newborns so that we can get good numbers on baptism, but lets teach them how to eat and walk and speak and think... Let us tell them "why"...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113838260607383556?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1138125376684218012006-01-24T09:39:00.000-08:002006-01-24T10:42:53.773-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">You Hate Us Because We'll Never Go Away...</span><br /><br />"The word used to describe the Christian in the New Testament is highly significant. It is the term <em>hagios</em>, often translated "saints." It means <em>holy ones</em> by its root suggests [it's meaning as] <em>different.</em> The Christian, therefore, is a person who is <em>fundamentally</em> different.<br />Men always view with suspicion people who are different. Conformity, not distinctiveness, is the way to a trouble-free life. So the more Christians [take] their faith seriously the more they [are] in danger of crowd reaction.<br />Thus, simply by living according to the teachings of Jesus, the Christian [is] a constant unspoken condemnation of the pagan way of life. It [is] not that the Christian [goes] about criticizing and condemning and disapproving, nor [is] he consciously self-righteous and superior. It [is] simply that the Christian ethic <em>in itself</em> [is] a criticism of the pagan way of life. "<br />--Bruce L. Shelley<br /><br />While there are those who are self-righteous and superior in their own eyes, this was eye opening to me to see that it is not the church's fault that the world views Christians the way it does. It is the world's fault. The church is merely an excuse. Again, there are some valid reasons for a person to dislike the idea of "church," but overall, they are merely excuses. The world sees even the most gracious, loving Christian as self-righteous and condemning. Even Christ, to the world, did not come for love and forgiveness, but for judgment. So, this man's words ring all too true today (even as his words were concerning the early church) to show that the world, not God's people are in the wrong. I spend much time trying to figure out ways to undo what I believe the "church" has done to make Christ look bad in the eyes of the world, but I realize that the world is the world and is going to think and act like the world until they are finally brought out of the world by Christ.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113812537668421801?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1137645222250070372006-01-18T20:27:00.000-08:002006-01-18T20:33:42.266-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">All of me...</span><br /><br />Classes have started... As have my second and third jobs... Exhausting, yet satisfying... I am with the most amazing person I have ever met and plans are in the making for it to be this way forever... I love her so much and enjoy every moment we spend together... She brings relief to the exhaustion... I have been working on some writing, a short story to be exact that I am very excited about... Just moved in with Taco, a friend from the school... Its nice to live in a decent sized house rather than a very small apartment (no offense at all to Daniel, the place rocks! lol)... Anyway, I have been going almost non-stop since 4:45 this morning and it is now 10:30 at night, so I am going to zone out on some Aqua Teen Hunger Force and then dream about my future bride until morning... I love you Linsey...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113764522225007037?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1137297300432731752006-01-14T19:49:00.000-08:002006-01-14T19:55:00.446-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Tonight...</span><br /><br />So alive in my sight,<br />Is this perfect night tonight,<br />To fight away the jeers,<br />Of these cacophonous, overbearing fears,<br />To come alive to the sound of life,<br />The magic of peace’s beloved wife,<br />Returning to my body and what is me,<br />Through my own eyes now can I see,<br />That I am alive and not dead tonight,<br />Nor shall I die in this melodious light.<br />-Keith<br /><br />Like it, love it, leave it... Just let me know what you think...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113729730043273175?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1137139545621743082006-01-12T23:43:00.000-08:002006-01-13T00:07:43.463-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Slitting Our Wrists, Running For Sympathy...</span><br /><br />As I read over the lyrics to this most wonderful song again, I can again scream with Paul, "O wretched man that I am, who will save me from the body of this death?" We are all our own worst enemies; our fears, our likes and dislikes, our preconceived notions, our arrogance, our stereotypes, our -isms, our... our humanity... These things fight against us everyday, and most of the time we see them as friends, not foes and they defeat us in our own camp... The things we desire in our lives sometimes seem to be the furthest things from us and the things we wish to be burned into oblivion are right there with us, taunting us... So what exactly is a man to do who carries the burden of his humanity with him everywhere? There are many, many books on this subject... Some agree with others, but mostly they focus on their idea and obviously disregard any other view on the matter... And, being a Christian, I have read a few of these type books... What I have found though, is that Paul, in his cry to God for deliverance from his own sin, does not follow a twelve-step program to righteous living, nor does he blame demons, or angels, or others, and he most certainly does not try to justify himself or condemn himself... He simply cries out to God... And he praises God for this deliverance... Now, this does not give us any steps toward righteous living, and I am not trying to exegete this text, but rather observe it... But what this does give us is the foundation for all righteousness in our lives... It does not give us methods, or even "practical" and efficient programs, but rather, it shows us in Whom our righteousness is to be found... It is not found in ourselves, but in Christ... So we can stop exhausting ourselves on ourselves, but rest in Christ... Now, I am not offering any "practical" ways to do this (this is a blog, not a sermon) but I am just observing that all we need for both righteousness and obedience in our lives is and will be found in Christ Jesus alone... Live by faith, trust the Savior... And never be arrogant when "you" "succeed"... Remember, minutes ago you were slitting your wrists, running for sympathy. . .<br /><div></div><div> </div><div><em>I will not forget the day when the sides were chosen,</em></div><div><em>Me against me against... me...</em></div><div><em>Clothing so drenched with sweat,</em></div><div><em>And the teeth that were clenched...</em></div><div><em>Who can I trust when I...</em></div><div><em>Grabbed hold my enemy's neck...</em></div><div><em>And choked 'till he ceased...</em></div><div><em>Blistered with disbelief I awoke dead...</em></div><div><em>When I awoke I couldn't believe,</em></div><div><em>It was me...</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>So many times we smile in pride,</em></div><div><em>Putting such faith in what we've accomplished...</em></div><div><em>But minutes ago we were slitting our wrists,</em></div><div><em>Running for sympathy...</em></div><div><em>-</em>Project 86</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113713954562174308?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1136177393018471372006-01-01T20:34:00.000-08:002006-01-01T20:52:45.286-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Your's is not to question, </span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">but only to obey...</span><br /><br />I have been thinking alot lately about things, analyzing my life as I often do, and have realized that my observations of the world, more specifically: the church, have become a way to ignore my own life... In my pursuit to see things that are wrong in the world in order to learn from them, specifically: comparing todays church with the beginning church, I have gotten into the habit of finding all the things that "need changing" in the church and in American Christians today so much, that I have begun to ignore aspects of my own life... And yes, it is so easy to look at the speck in your brother's eye and not the plank in your own, which I am sure is the reason Jesus warned against it... So, I realize that it is not my place to question the church, or to judge my fellow brothers and sisters, but to seek righteousness and holiness in my own life... Now this of course does not mean that I become ignorant or naive, but I will take my place again as servant of Jesus Christ, rather than "defender of all that is righteous and holy in and out of the twenty-first century churh" (would that make me the Pope? lol)... The Church belongs to Christ as do His children and I am sure that He can deal with His own... I will just live my own life and do as I am told by Jesus Christ... Mine is not to question, but only to obey...<br /><br />"You can drown<br />In your own mistakes<br />Burrowing into the black<br />Or you can take My hand"<br />Double<br />Edged<br />Sword<br />My every word<br />"This gift was never yours<br />So why would you ever think<br />That the words you said were your own?<br />I have chosen<br />And breathed<br />And forgiven<br />And changed<br />And purged<br />And cleaned<br />And forgave<br />And bathed<br />And carried<br />And soothed<br />And burned<br />And spoken and spoken and spoken and spoken and spoken and spoken and spoken...<br />Yours is not to question...<br />but only to obey."<br />-Project 86<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113617739301847137?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1133831667726754762005-12-05T17:13:00.000-08:002005-12-05T17:14:28.213-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">The Man...</span><br /><br />As I went up the stair...<br /> I met a man who wasn't there....<br /> He wasn't there again today....<br /> I wish....<br /> I wish...<br /> He'd go away...<br /><br />--Timmy, Identity<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113383166772675476?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1132119694629163762005-11-15T21:29:00.000-08:002005-11-15T21:41:34.646-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Don't Pity Me...</span><br /><br />I had a recent comment on my blog that really made me step back for a minute and look at my life again... When I share my testimony with people or speak of things that have occured in my life, they are hurt for me... But to be hurt for me completely misses everything that my testimony is about... I do not share my testimony with people to show them how hard life can be, or even to make them feel sorry for me... I am not proud of my past, so I definately do not share to impress people... The only reason I share my testimony with other people is to show what God can do in a person's life by showing what He has done in mine... I have absolutely no reason to be pitied... I have absolutely no reason for someone to feel sorry for me... I have life... And no matter what is taken from me and no matter what happends to me in this life can change the fact that I am a child of God... On top of this, God has been faithful to provide for me, lead me, and bless me in every way I could hope for... There is nothing I have endured, or had taken away in my life that I have not received back tenfold... I do not understand it, but I know it... I am not rich, I am not famous, but I have all that makes this life wonderful... God's grace abounds to me in all things... It always has and I know it always will... So to those who will never read this, when I tell you about my life, do not pity me, do not feel sorry for me, because if you do, I am wasting my breath... Rather, stand in awe with me at the greatness of Jesus Christ and the way He has made for us into the Kingdom of God... Be changed by Jesus... If I speak words to be pitied, then I am to be pitied... Don't pity me...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113211969462916376?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1131981337979842712005-11-14T07:02:00.000-08:002005-11-14T07:17:28.533-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Linsey...</span><br /><br />I have attempted multiple times over the last few weeks to write on my blog about the woman I have fallen in love with, but I always end up getting frustrated when I cannot find words to express what I see in her and what I feel for her... It is the same way when I try to take pictures of her... I have found that, for some reason, as beautiful as a picture of her is, they are weak to replicate her beauty... She has a glow, a radiance about her that does not show up in a picture... It is the same with words... I cannot find words to express the beauty of the three unique freckles under her left eye... I cannot find the words to describe the smile that she smiles only for me... I cannot find the words to adequately describe the way this smile shines in her eyes and fills my chest with emotions I cannot express and words that I do not believe exist... I cannot express how beautiful she is when she laughs at a movie or is captivated by the suspense... They cannot express the deep friendship I feel in every one of our conversations... They cannot express the joy I feel over all that we have in common... They cannot explain how she becomes more beautiful every time I see her... They cannot express the beauty I see in her eyes and in her heart... They cannot describe the passionate boldness of her heart... And they cannot express how wonderful it is to be with one who is ten times more than what I would have hoped for in the perfect woman... And all that I have been through has been well worth it to be with her...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113198133797984271?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1131950920370896782005-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:002005-11-15T21:20:10.020-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Cynical...</span><br /><br />I have been thinking about my cynicism for a few days now, analyzing and what-not... I believe that in America today, cynicism is a good trait to have, but, like all things, must be in measure... I have seen my own cynicism go from a healthy awareness of reality, to what is right on the verge of judgementalism and stereotyping... This, is not healthy cynicism... So, like always, I must set out to find the balance between extremes... In this particular case I must balance between ignorant bliss in the mediocre world of the pop-christian cattle-drive and the harsh unloving heart that springs from judgements and stereotypes... This should come as no surprise though, since I have always found God's will in the hardest place to stay: in the balance...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113195092037089678?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1131599572425150222005-11-09T21:10:00.000-08:002005-11-09T21:12:52.440-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Self Portrait</span><br /><br />This is actually something that my wonderful friend and mentor sent me about six months ago. Although it is his self-portrait, it captures me precisely and I do not think I could have worded it any better myself.<br /><br /> It would be an understatement to say that I have always been a bit of a rebel. As far back as I can remember I have wanted to do things my own way. In my wild youth I reveled in being a part of the radical counter-culture and as an adult I have always found it difficult to be satisfied with maintaining the status quo.>> I guess you could say I have authority issues.>> I don’t like being told what to do. I don’t like feeling manipulated. I thoroughly hate being forced to go along with someone else’s program when I would rather do things differently.>> I realize that I can be critical. I am not proud of my cynicism but I am aware of it. And I am painfully cognizant of the fact that I often see things differently from most others. It’s a curse I have lived with for a long, long time.>> Now lest I be too hard on myself I am also a pretty nice guy. I’m honest, considerate and I try to be faithful to the principles of godly living that Jesus taught. Of course that’s not always easy, but it is a consistent goal of mine. And as strange as it may seem, most of the time my nature and my intentions are not at odds with one another.>> It is not impossible to be a godly cynic.>> Having said all of that I have lately found myself struggling with an identity crisis. I haven’t exactly grown up to be the person I expected to be. Nor have I reached any discernable spiritual plateau. My faith is stronger than ever, but I am really having difficulty figuring out what to do with it.>> I am tired of church shopping and church hopping. I am tired of denominations and doctrinal differences. I am tired of being a “good Christian”. I would rather just be like Jesus and leave it at that. And the real truth is, in order to follow Jesus you have to be out of step with the world. Unfortunately, it seems that the church has lost the will to be different in a world where conformity is rewarded.>> That’s why every church I pass on the way to work is having the same VBS program this summer. That’s why all the church signs have the same idiotic sayings on them. That’s why the church seems to be so irrelevant in today’s culture.>> Years ago while Jamie and I were on our honeymoon in New Orleans I read some graffiti on a wall that said, “Tourist are cattle”. The point was obvious. Now it seems to me that it could also be obviously stated that most Christians are cattle. They go where they are told to go, do what they are told to do, believe what they are told to believe and easily regurgitate what they are told to say in any given situation. I’m not sure that is what Jesus had in mind for us.>>>> And so here I sit, waiting and wondering what the Lord has in store for me next. I have made a clean break from the pseudo-Christian pop culture that I have been railing against for years. But I’m really not sure what to do with myself now. I feel as if I am sitting at a crossroads waiting for something to happen, but what “it” will turn out to be is unknown.>> It is not a very comfortable place to be. Then again, Jesus never promised us comfort. He only said that the journey would be worth it in the end.>> I’m counting on that.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113159957242515022?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1130826152279272042005-10-31T22:03:00.000-08:002005-11-07T21:45:12.546-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;">Burn the Tracts...</span><br /><br />If I step on your toes here, oh well... It's my blog... If you don't like it, don't read it... Yesterday, I was at work and found a tract about Halloween... First of all, I HATE tracts... Let me tell you why... When I worked at Walmart for about three years, I saw more tracts lying on counters and urinals than you would find at a Christian bookstore... But guess what I NEVER saw, not even once... That's right... One of those people witnessing or even caring to talk to someone about their problems... It seems as though, for some ungodly reason, that it is just okay to drop tracts around and run back to the sanctuary to tell your Sunday school class about what great witnessing tools they are and what a great Christian you are for all the people you may have helped... (Cynical? I think not...) On top of the fact that it is an asinine idea, the tracts SUCK... They are either half the gospel available for all who want to be confused, or they are just a quick, "Hey, your going to Hell" message... Give me a break... What ever happend to loving people? What ever happend to getting to know people? Oh my gosh, they're not saved!!? Well, we all know you can't be seen around them!!! Drop a tract and run! Ok ok, back to my point... So, I was at work the other day and found another tract which I read right before dropping it in the trash... It was about Halloween... It was an eight year old girl telling another eight year old girl all about Halloween... She went in depth to tell her young friend about the pagan rituals and bla bla about sacrificing children and how people are going to Hell for celebrating Halloween bla bla bla... In short, this whole tract was trying to make sure that Halloween remains now what it may or may not have been hundreds of years ago... Too bad these Christians can't take the same care to abolish Santa and the Easter Bunny... If they are going to be so incredibly anal to make sure that what is now just a fun occasion for children to dress up and get candy remains a pagan child-sacrificing holiday, then why not be anal about steeples and all the other things that may or may not have at one time been used for pagan uses? Just give me a break... Of all the problems we have in this world and all the people who are lost, is it really beneficial to be so freaking pissy about something so freaking stupid? And even so, lost people are going to act like lost people no matter what, and getting them to stop celebrating Halloween or any other holiday isn't going to get them any further away from Hell... Love these people... Burn the tracts... Screw Halloween... Screw the American Christmas... Screw the Easter Bunny... They don't matter... None of them... People matter... Love matters... Jesus matters... I wish we could all see this just a little clearer... I wish I could just see this just a little clearer...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-113082615227927204?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16840795.post-1129150756875945892005-10-12T13:40:00.000-07:002005-10-12T14:15:26.323-07:00<span style="font-size:180%;">A Comforting Thought...</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I am among the least of all men; unfit for society and uninvited to the crowd... Not worthy of living and, somehow, too good for life... Yet grace is fluid to fill the void, the empty space that my figure leaves in this misshapen world... To bring all that I lack, everything, into glorious existence in this awkward carnal asylum... And to come, I know I have a home where I shall be among the first of all men... My weakness will be strength and my loss will be reward, when I see Your face and recieve the fullness of all that I do not deserve... All that I do not deserve...</span><br /><br />This is mine, not Andrew's... Mabye you can find comfort as well...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/16840795-112915075687594589?l=allyourheroesaredead.blogspot.com'/></div>Sojournerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804328548228719271noreply@blogger.com5