Christmas is over...

12.26.2008

Well, Christmas is over. It was a long day...I didn't get to sleep last night until close to three a.m.; I was wrapping presents. I had so much fun watching my family open my gifts to them! I was very excited to receive an electric epee. It is an upgrade over the one that I received last year. I have a feeling that having two epees will greatly adjust my mental game while fencing. I will not be so tense or nervouse regarding my only sword breaking or becoming damaged.

My family and myself went to our relatives in New Castle. I must admit...I did have fun inflicting a sort of revenge on my cousins. In years past, whatever room the "younger set" gathers in is dominated by annoying music and video games. I took a wierd sort of pleasure in playing my classical guitar all evening...at least it kept the noise levels down.

It's way past time for me to go to bed, we have guests for dinner tomorrow - or I guess tonight - for dinner, so I need to get some sleep at least.

Christmas Eve contemplations...

12.24.2008

I'm feeling contemplative tonight...

I'm contemplating...
...a recent conversation with a friend.
...what my life needs to look like in order to accomplish certain goals.
...what my "lesser" goals need to be in order to accomplish my "greater" goals.
...the awesome gift that the Lord gave to me and all mankind: His Son, Jesus Christ.
...life, and how it is actually worth living if it is lived for Christ and follows God's will.

It's Christmas Eve, and my family and myself read the Christmas story (from Luke this year), and sang Christmas carols. (I had a random thought...my sisters both play harp, my brother plays piano, and I play both guitar and tin whistle. I could record my sisters playing harp, and myself playing tin whistle, and then get the necessary cables for our keyboard and my dad's guitar to connect them to a computer. My little brother could use the keyboard as a MIDI synthesiser, and I could play straight into the computer on the guitar. Between the four of us kids, we could have a quintet.) Now I'm sitting in my room, contemplating STUFF. In years past, I thought more about what I was getting rather than what I was giving. This year, however, I have a job. I have money from that job...or rather had money. I had a tremendous amount of fun shopping for my family. I have yet to even really wonder for more than a fleeting moment what I will be getting. That's a good thing...it shows that I have changed my mindset....

Anyway, I have to wrap those gifts now, and then probably get some sleep...or read some more of The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. Good book, I will have to put up a "review" sometime.

Merry Christmas!

Time to rest for awhile...

12.19.2008

Well, my paper is done. Soon I will upload the final draft to Google Docs, and then the link above will link to the final paper.

It's been a long few weeks...but I'm much relieved. Amazing how much stress was associated with this paper...I didn't get to bed until 4:30AM, but I feel refreshed and alert, ready to take on the world. I've been listening to some sermons of Mark Driscoll's, I will probably be posting on those soon. I need to put up a Christmas post too.

I applied for Verity; just got my acceptance paperwork yesterday. I need to fill it out and send it back.

I am looking forward to a rest for awhile, I've been working hard and am ready for a break. I don't have any classes until after Christmas, so I am finally starting to feel "in the Christmas spirit."

Late night...or early morning is more like it...

12.14.2008

Figured I might as well post before I catch a nap before I head to church. I've been working hard on finishing back assignments for PHC; class ends on the 16th/19th (different due dates for final exam and final draft of my paper). Tonight I worked on the notes for my College & Career class at church. Myself and some of my friends took our sisters out for a brother/sister date night yesterday evening - which was just a few hours ago. We went to The Claddagh (an Irish pub with family dining as well), then to Butler for the Come Rejoice! concert. After the concert a unanimous decision was made to go downtown to The Chocolate Factory for drinks/dessert, and then pictures and just hanging out on the Circle. Caileigh and myself did not get home until after midnight; the shot of espresso that I added to my hot chocolate has been in my system for quite awhile, keeping me awake.

I'm almost positive that I will want to edit this post later, but who knows - or better yet, who really cares?

It's late...but it's done...for now...

12.01.2008

Well, I'm done with the rough draft of my research paper for PHC. I'm exhausted, so I'm not going to post much now, but I just wanted to point out that I put a link on the top left, with the other links in the title to my paper on Google Docs if anyone is interested. The topic is global warming...might be an interesting read. Who knows...

What people really mean...

11.26.2008

At work today I heard "have a good Thanksgiving" many, many, times while carrying out groceries. As I worked and observed, I noticed a common theme...never once did anybody mention being grateful, rather, most people just complained about "having to do Thanksgiving" and "cook for the relatives."

Eventually, I saw another theme: every person that talked about having "a good Thanksgiving" equated "good Thanksgiving" with "opportunity to stuff my face with good food that I didn't have to cook, and not feeling guilty about it."

How sad and pathetic."Opportunity to stuff my face"? What happened to being thankful for what God has given us? What happened to being thankful for living in this great nation, the United States of America?

Am I this way? I do not think so. Here are some things that I am thankful for:

•  My family - I don't always get along with them, but they keep me sharp in my faith. I don't always agree with them, but I love them, and they love me.
• My friends - I don't make friends easily, but the ones I do have are true as steel. I know that they have my back, no matter what. I am very thankful for them.
• My stuff - Yes, I am thankful for my stuff. God has blessed me with many things, I am thankful that He has.
• My country - Even though I do not agree with all the political leaders, the USA is still, in my opinion, the best country in the world.
• Soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere - They are the reason I can post and be free. They are the reason I can live without fear.

These are just some things. I think I have demonstrated my point - BE THANKFUL THIS THANKSGIVING. There are many things to be thankful for - perhaps you can post some things that you are thankful for in the comments.

Just Thinking...

11.25.2008

Just thinking...
Over all the mistakes I have made in the past, and the recurring nature of them.
About how my life has been following a pattern, and what that pattern looks like.
Of why I keep making the same mistakes.
About how to get out of the cycle.
And wondering if the patterns in my life are all bad, all good, or a mixture.
About how to break bad patterns in my life.

Why do I make the same mistakes? Over and over I see myself do something that I have done before with bad consequences. My action may not be sin, but it is not beneficial either. Just because I can do something doesn't mean that I should. Mark Driscoll has mentioned several times in his sermon series on the Song of Solomon (The Peasant Princess) three criteria that should be considered before doing something:

• Is it lawful? Meaning, is it not just strictly legal, but does the Bible expressly say that it is a sin? Does the Bible imply that it is a sin? If the Bible either expressly or by intimation says that it is a sin, then don't do it.
• Does it violate your conscience? Not just your conscience, but anyone else who is or would be involved?
• Is it beneficial? Not just not harmful, but does it do you and other good?

If I start applying these to my everyday life, to all of my actions, then I think that I will be able to break the bad patterns that I have been following. I will need to replace them with beneficial habits and patterns.

Done with my musings for now. The next few days are gonna be crazy - I will post on that tomorrow!

Click this title...

11.24.2008

This is an email that was sent to me. I encourage you all to do this...it really is neat, and doesn't take much time at all.

"Something cool that Xerox is doing

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them..."

I'm Back

11.05.2008

It's over. I'm home. I'm exhausted. I'm depressed. Over the next few days, I will post a digest of each day's events, backdating them to the correct day. For now I just want to say one thing: Last night the guys had one last debrief, after we knew who was our new president and after we knew that Sodrel lost. It was a quiet and somber time, but God gave me something to say then that I want to share now.

In Romans 8:28 we are told that all things work together for good, for those that love God. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans that he has for us, and that those plans are good plans to prosper us and not to harm us, and to give us hope in the future and for the future. Taking these two verses together is really all that is keeping me from beating my head against the wall, or just sitting and crying my eyes out. I don't know how God is going to work what happened during the elections for good, but I know that He will, and I know that He is not just wandering aimlessly but has a plan. I have a hope in the future, because God gave it to me. He gives it to all who will take it from Him. I have claimed that promise.

When my mind has settled, and I have recovered somewhat from this past week, I will probably post some thoughts on why things went this way, thoughts about the week, and just stuff. Whatever the Lord wills.

Day 4

11.03.2008

The rest of the day went well. We finally got to eat, after waiting for what seemed like forever. It was a long day today, yelling my head off was probably a bad idea, my voice is gone. My throat hurts. Melissa was awesome, she treated several of us to Starbucks. Her dad brought mine back to the lodge as I don't stay at the house with the girls. We played some card games and a new game based on questions. Fun times. We had a good time of prayer.


November 3, 2008
Barnabas Lodge, Jeffersonville, IN

Today was the last big push. We traveled on a tour bus to several different locations. We waved signs, yelled our heads off, and did lit drops. We cheered for Sodrel at a rally, a press conference, and at a coffee shop rally. A lot of our time today was spent on the bus. I learned that the man with the iPod is truly the man in demand...Some funny things: while on the bus, I "treated" (or tortured) the back of the bus with my impersonations of Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Toby Keith, and tobyMac. Fun times, good laughs. At the end of the day we played games at the Lodge. I learned a new game, "The Question Game." So much fun. 

Right now I'm sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up. We have done lit drops all day, and some sign waving and a press conference. It's been a long day, I'm ready to be done for the day. I remembered my ipod today for the bus, I forgot it yesterday. I will post again later.

Day 3

11.02.2008

Today was another long day, but more fun then yesterday. Did a lot of lit dropping and phone banking. I obtained multiple t-shirts, as I need to bring at least one or two back with me. The only way I am able to get shirts is to wear them, so they all smell of Axe. Had some weird people answer the doors, but over all the responses were mostly positive. I talked to the guys about focusing on the positives and not the negatives of the campaign.


November 2, 2008
Barnabas Lodge, Jeffersonville, IN

We went to Church this morning at Graceland Baptist, the church hosting us. It was a typical Baptist service, with the whole focus on the altar call at the end. We had a little free time and lunch, and then we got back to work. The afternoon was pretty normal - we did literature drops and then phone banking. When we got back to the lodge, we played some games. After that I led another debrief, just talking over what we had done that day, and in prayer.

Day 2

Today was a long, hard day, but was very fun. Lit drops all day. My group- Mr and Mrs Steele, Kayla and Megan Steele, Drew, and myself. This is actually the first time that I have been with a parent chaperone on an SAT. Good, I guess, but not as much chances for having fun. The Steeles are fun, but not as much fun as Jeremey was last year. Anyway, today was lit drops, tomorrow is church and then whatever else we are needed for. Pray for ENERGY!


November 1, 2008
Barnabas Lodge, Jeffersonville, IN

Today started at around 7 am. Got up, showered, got ready for the day. We were taken to our different team locations on a tour bus and dropped off at our different points. My team was the last team on the list. We spent the morning knocking on doors and talking to people. We ate lunch at McDonalds (ugh) and got back to work. My team finished about two hours early and chillaxed at the pick up point until 6:30. We got picked up and, to shorten the story some, after a few delays and much embracing of chaos we got back to the Lodge. From there we went tot he Republican Campaign HQ in Jeffersonville to get dinner and for our evening debrief. Tomorrow we are going to church at the church that is hosting us: Graceland Baptist. We played some "Liar" aka "BS" and went back to the Lodge. We played "Spoons" (and forks and knives) and "Kemps" and the guys had our nightly debrief. Clayton led us tonight. He encouraged us to remember that while we may work hard, we need to pray even harder, because the outcome of this election is in God's hands. We eventually went to bed, but stayed up talking for hours. I am actually writing this on Sunday, as I fell asleep sometime last night before I wrote anything down. Until tomorrow's post...

11.01.2008

It's just a little boring right now on the campaign trail. I'm just sitting waiting to be picked up with the rest of my group. We finished two hours early...GenJ efficiency for you. Well, that's why I'm here. To work hard and fast. I'm spending my time right now thinking over what I want to share with the guys in debrief tonight. Unfortunately I don't have my Bible with me. I need to remember to bring it with me tomorrow.

Day 1

10.31.2008

Another change of plans: I'm going to post short posts every night in a digest, and then when I get home I'm going to post the full version that i am writing down.
That said, here goes.

Today started the SAT for Sodrel. Started working as soon as we got here, and am just now going to bed. Did the normal SAT stuff- phone banking, literature, sign waving. Had a debrief with the other guys, and now time to sleep. Tomorrow will be more interesting.


October 31, 2008
Barnabas Lodge, Jeffersonville, IN

Today was the start of the Student Action Team for Mike Sodrel. Arrived in Jeffersonville around 11:30 and got to work right away. Did the typical stuff - phone banking, folding literature, and sign waving. I led a debrief for the guys. We went over what we learned today, what we wanted to keep each other responsible in, and what we are going to do this week. We talked about what our attitudes need to be toward our fellow volunteers, the girls. I encouraged them to remember 1 Timothy 4:12 and to be leaders. It's been a long day, the first of many to come.

I'm on my way now. I've had a great couple days leading up to today. I'm praying that God will give me grace for this next week on the campaign trail, for strength and endurance in the days ahead. I appreciate the prayers of you all.

Change in plans...

10.30.2008

Due to some changing plans, I will most likely not be able to post every night. I will post what I can, when I can, and will post from my cell phone still, but daily digests may not be up every day. I will definitely post for every day, but not necessarily on that day. Comments would be appreciated, any encouragement would be awesome.

What's coming up/Some thoughts on Driscoll's recent sermons

10.29.2008

I will be campaigning for Mike Sodrel for Congress starting on Friday. It will be a rough campaign against Baron Hill in District 7, around Jeffersonville. I intend to post daily a digest of the day, what God has shown me, what I have learned, prayer requests, etc. Lord willing that should be up before midnight every night. I will also try to post some pictures and short posts from my phone of interesting happenings or people.

Listening to Mark Driscoll's sermons on the Song of Solomon has been revealing. I am learning how I need to treat my future wife, while at the same time I am learning how to prepare myself for my future wife. Some randomish thoughts, not neccesarily in order of sermon:

• My standard of beauty is my wife. 
• If I don't have a wife, then I can't have a standard of beauty. This extends to my wife before we are married - when I know who God wants me to marry, that is my standard of beauty for the rest of my life.
• As my wife changes, my standard of beauty will change.
• I must serve my wife.
• While I am to be the leader of the home, I am to serve my wife. Serving my wife will include spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
• Mark Driscoll: "See, it isn't French kissing at all. It's Biblical kissing." (On Song of Solomon 4:11)
  

10.27.2008

I now have unlimited texting, so I plan to post to my blog more often now. I've been listening to Mark Driscoll's sermons every week, they are available as a podcast on iTunes. He is going through the Song of Solomon right now. I will post some thoughts on that later.

Session Eight - John Piper (Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross)

10.02.2008

(I Corinthians 1:17, 2:1)
(Colossians 3:17)

There is a way of speaking that takes away from the power of the Gospel.

Everybody can have an "eloquence problem," its not a matter of education or not.

Paul isn't rejecting eloquence, but the use of eloquence to exalt oneself above the power and glory of the cross.

Two-pronged criteria:
- All about being clever
- Failing to use language for Christ's glory?

How am I using my words?
- To make me look good, smart, or clever?
- Or to exalt Christ?

Reasons to use eloquence:

1. May keep people focused - help their weaknesses
2. May bring an adversary into agreement/respect
3. May stimulate emotional/physical sensitivity
4. May increase impact by memory
5. Can increase the power of words

Yes, there is Christian eloquence. Faith comes by hearing the Word. The Word is eloquent.

God will glorify Himself either through or despite my eloquence. He is sovereign. In my worst moments He can save a sinner.

Session Seven - Paul Tripp (War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God's Sake)

Luke 6:43 - The Bible teaches to my heart. [My heart is my soul/spirit]

Rather than saying "I didn't mean that" say "Will you forgive me for saying what I meant?" After all, nobody says anything that wasn't in their heart to begin with.

My greatest communication problem is me.

Sin is fundamentally anti-social.

God has invested words with power - we are not to abuse it. My words can destroy a person. (Galatians 5:13)


Love -

"Willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not demand reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving." - Paul Tripp

Session Six - Kauflin, Piper, Taylor, Tripp (Panel Discussion - Piper, Tripp, Kauflin, and Taylor

Self-forgetfulness
- Forget myself, don't look for others praise. I can crucify my want for praise when it comes up - I must not gratify it.

Session Five - Daniel Taylor (The Life-Shaping Power of Story: God’s and Ours)

"The single best way of conceiving of faith is through a story of which you are the main character." - Daniel Taylor

This is the best way because:

• God created us as story-creatures
• Stories make connections
• Propositions (hypotheses) are the "shorthand" for the stories
• Stories create communities
• We are created for stories
• our brains store stories best
• made to be in a relationship - best way to communicate is through story
• Each of us needs a "master story"
• Stories are about choices and their consequences
• Stories call us to action
• Stories have the power to change us
• Stories are strong and complex enough to contain pain, failure, and mystery
• Stories are the foundation for meaning and significance
  

Session Four - Mark Driscoll (How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words)

9.30.2008

Christians are to feed the sheep.

• Not be friendly to wolves
• Rebuke the pigs (swine)
• The pigs are people who don't act like Christians

"We use good words for good things and bad words for bad things and when we use good words for bad things it just confuses everybody." - Mark Driscoll

Shoot the wolves (false teachers)

• Wolves need to be blown up, but sheep need to be shepherded. (Matthew 23 - "Jesus shoots the wolves")

"The problem is some people won't fight; the problem is some people won't stop fighting." - Mark Driscoll

"They were saying a little circumcision brings you closer brings you closer to God, he [Paul] was saying that they should go varsity." - Mark Driscoll on Galations 5:11-13

"You say a Pharisee's mom shagged the Devil and it's on. Always." - Mark Driscoll on Matthew 23

"Good morning Lord, it's me again. CURSE ERASMUS!" - Mark Driscoll paraphrasing Martin Luther

• Bark at the dogs
• Religion is not ridiculous
• Jesus and religion are different

"...those white-shirted boys driving their bikes to hell." - Mark Driscoll defining Mormons

• Pray for the Shepherds
• Pastors have a difficult job - they have to decide who is a sheep, pig, or wolf.
  

Session Three - Bob Kauflin (Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing?)

What happens when we sing?

Luther - we should have his passion for singing, but not his attitude towards those who do not enjoy singing.

We worship a triune God who sings, and wants us to be like Him.

Music and words are not meant to clash or undermine or supersede each other, but to use both for god's glory. Music was made to complement the words.

• Singing can help us remember words.

Melodies must be effective - not bland, but not too hard to remember.

It matters not only what music, but what words we sing. The words are most vital. The words of the song should reflect the Word - they should have the principles in the Bible.

• Singing can help us engage emotionally.

Major key + fast tempo is "happy music."
Beats, songs, other aspects are greatly influenced by the culture.

I need to be rock-solid on what is in the Word, and use discretion and wisdom in what the Word does not discuss specifically.

The mood of the music should match the words.

Singing should be an emotional event - it enables us to connect theologically profound truths with our love and passion for the Lord.

• Singing can help us use words to demonstrate and express our unity.

People sing together in all sorts of weird places. Single thoughts are better sung together than changted together, if bonding is to occur.

Believers can express their common belief together through singing.

The purpose of instruments is to support the words of the song.

Musical creativity in the church has its limits.

We must be clear that it is the Gospel and not music that unites us.

Session Two - Driscoll, Ferguson, Piper (Speaker Panel)

Points on session one:
   - Teachers will be judged more strictly than those they teach.
   - The first step must be asking God for wisdom.

Communication is:
   - Instant
   - Constant
   -Global
   - Permanent
Be careful what you say, you have to live with it forever!

Micah 7 - God will execute judgment for me, even in His displeasure with me.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
   - Oprah, many others
   - Feel-good religion

Session One - Sinclair Ferguson (The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing of God: An Exposition of James 3:1-12)

The practical purpose of Scripture is to make us mature (mature Christians).

A perfect man can control his tongue entirely.

In order to become a mature Christian i need to learn to bridle my tongue.

Bridling the tongue includes not only knowing what words to say, but when to speak and when to remain silent.

The tongue:
    Difficult to tame
    Inordinate power (tiny, yet strong)
    Is a destructive powerhouse
    Is plagued by deadly inconsistency.

Here's what I'm going to do...

Okay, I'm going to post my notes for each session, with the first session's post coming right after this one. I will link the title of each post to the Desiring God conference audio/video download page for that message, so if you want to listen or download the session you can do so easily. I pray that this will be a blessing to anyone and everyone who visits.

A new focus for my life...

9.29.2008

I just got back from the Desiring God Conference in Minneapolis this morning. I don't have time right now to say what my new focus is, but that will be up soon. I will just say, that going to this conference and watching and listening to all of the speakers was awesome. I don't use that word lightly. It has given me a new perspective for life and a new perspective on why I am alive.