ikyam

The world is changing

2009-11-11T11:04:00.002-06:00

This is a real interesting video on how technology is changing us and how we're changing the technology that is changing us. It follows, then, that we're changing us. Yet it seems like we're not quite sure how we're doing it, or what we're changing into.

I think this video is interesting to anyone. For me it is interesting to view as a theologian. How does technology change human knowledge? If we are reconstructing and participating in shaping "truth" and "knowledge", how does that effect our humanity? Are we becomming our own gods?

Everything is Spiritual

2009-09-04T12:39:00.003-05:00

This is the first part of a pretty awesome lecture that Rob Bell gave in Grand Rapids. (the others are also on youtube) It talks a lot about our nature, spirituality, science and scripture. let me know what you think.

DND at the Book Store

2009-04-05T23:11:00.003-05:00

So I was sitting in Boarders Books for most of today. I had to write a paper for my western christian thought and life class which is less of a class on western christian anything and more of a class on The Enlightenment. This upset me because I am not a fan of studying The Enlightenment, not because I don't enjoy learning about what happened or reading the writings of the Philosophes. I don't like it because its difficut to make sense of especially when I need to write a book review on two long books about two scholar's ideas about the period. I would much rather write an essay on it myself than try to make sense of these other guys' arguments.

But anyway, I was sitting in boarders and there were these two people next to me who were talking about DND. They were both photographers and looked pretty normal. One was a farely attractive normal looking woman which made this even more bizzare. As they talked all I could do was laugh and I was getting nothing done. So i put on my ipod so I couldn't hear their conversation and could actually get my homework done. Yet this didn't help much.

I could concentrate for about 3-4 minutes. In between songs I caught parts of their conversation. This is how it went:

Song...."But I'm an Elf, and I can see in the dark so I could sneak up"...Song..."You don't know how many times I tried to poison her. I amazed she's still alive"...Song..."Wouldn't happen! I have a claymore! Have you seen a claymore?!?"...Song..."They weren't too happy because I took all the gold and got the most experience"...Song..."But I work for the King. I'm practically royalty"..Song...

I couldn't stop laughing. That was the most unproductive hour I had today.

My Friends' Skit

2009-03-17T17:40:00.002-05:00

I was down in Florida last week for CTK's 50th anniversary. They CTK Dance Team put on this Skit. It was pretty amazing to me as it reflected many of the things that I, or people I'm close to, have experienced.

WOW

2009-03-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

This is amazing!

Dog Dreams

2009-03-07T11:49:00.001-06:00

I haven't been here in a while

2009-02-25T14:22:00.003-06:00

So it's been a while since I've blogged. I've moved from a once a month blogger to a once every month and a half blogger...a disturbing development. But now that the old computer is fixed and I'm done with finals. I can finally blog again.

It's been an interesting past couple months. I've interviewed with 6 different churches for possible jobs come summer. While I don't get full say in who calls me, I can give suggestions. So far my favorites are churches in Defiance, OH and in Davenport, IA. They are both positions that would really allow me to be myself and use my talents and skill fully. All of you who know me know that I wouldn't fit in just anywhere. I'd like to say that I'm like a wild lion that cannot be tamed, but in reality I'm like a wild ostrich that can be only partially trained and that is just plain goofy. So I guess we'll see where God places me. I just want to be somewhere where I can be the most useful and learn the most. Hopefully I'll find out in the end of April.

PC stands for Puky Computers

2009-01-01T16:15:00.002-06:00

My computer, that is 9 months old, died the other day. Since the first week I had it, VISTA worked horribly. With a 2.00GHz processor it often ran slower than my old laptop with a quarter of the processing power. Even the first day I used it most of my programs quit responding. A month ago Fire Fox and Itunes weren't able to connect to the Internet and now my computer won't boot up.
Right now I'm trying to find out if Gateway will repair it. Either way, I''ve probably lost all of my calander info I need in the coming weeks and will be without a computer for the next month!

When I think back to last year's purchases, my favorite was an Apple product and my least favorite was my PC. I am so upset. Whether I can fix my PC or not, I'm never buying another PC again.

Image that makes me cringe taken from here

I'm so excited and I'm such a nerd

2008-11-18T21:08:00.000-06:00

not happy

2008-10-15T16:25:00.003-05:00

I hate drugs. I don't want to have to take them. They rarely do what they are supposed to do without doing 10 other things they shouldn't. Well the last couple of weeks have been pretty tough. Most of you know that I've had health problems and chronic pain for many years. Recently things got a little worse and it became difficult to even hold my head up without assistance in some way. So in order to get through class and to actually be able to pay attention and study, I started taking Vicodin. An amazing thing happened. I felt pretty good. Better than that even, I felt normal. I could sit without agonizing pain. I could concentrate on the lectures and I actually was able to think through the pain and participate in the class discussions. These are good things....right?

Well today I went to the doctor to get a refill on the prescription. I assumed this wouldn't be a problem. It's the only pain killer that I've ever taken that has helped my back pain in the last 9 years. Yet the doctor wouldn't budge. He said he couldn't give it to me for chronic pain because he didn't know what was wrong with me. We'll doctors have been trying to find out what's wrong with me for 9 years and no one has been able to figure it out. So does that disqualify me from being able to live a normal life. I am obviously not addicted to vicodin. The bottle I've been using recently is from 5 months ago and I still have a half used bottle from 5 years ago. I simply take it when I absolutely need it.

So instead I get prescribed two the few pain killer I haven't tried yet. Both have all sorts of bad side effects. Yet these are deemed safe to take. I'm so upset. Yet what choice do I have? I've got to try them the only other options are to either curl up and never leave bed until they make me when they kick me out of the Sem or to walk around as I am until I collapse or push my body to the point until I perminantly hurt myself. If this happens I am buying a cain, quiting the sem, and going into medicine so that I can take care of myself and take out my anger on everyone else with witty sarcasm.

I'm just glad the new Ray Lamontagne album came out. It's calmed me down enough where I can think straight again.

El Cinder in Color

2008-09-28T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Observant & the Anawim

2008-08-15T16:10:00.008-05:00

Back in early spring I attended an emergent conference down in St. Pete Bch. One of the main artists was a singer/songwriter Preson Philips. He looked like a biker. He had a large orange beard and wore leather boots and a leather hat. During the breaks he'd lean against the side of the church and smoke his pipe. He didn't look like someone you'd expect to be leading worship. I liked that about him right away. His music was equally unique and far from what you'd expect from a typical worship leader. Just him and his guitar, Philips music was a raw as his open soul that flowed through his songs. This is some of the best music I have ever heard. You can download his album for free at presonphilips.com If you can, please donate some money to help support Preson. He deserves it.

Visitor

2008-07-15T19:51:00.005-05:00

I found a Gecko in my bathroom today. He was really small, about 2 inches long. He even matched the color of my carpet. I saw him and thought I would release him outside. When I caught him, I cupped him in my hand. I must have used a bit more pressure than I thought because when I opened my hand, there were two things moving around. He was on one side, his tail was twitching away on the other. This was both cool and a bit disturbing. When I opened my hand a second time, he jumped out and ran into the printer I have on my floor. I hope he finds his way out, or I'll be taking a bit more of Florida home with me than I thought...except for the tail of course.

It's good to create

2008-07-11T12:00:00.007-05:00

We recently went through sermon series covering "The body of Christ." The idea of this comes from the writings of Paul the Apostle where he stresses that all those who were baptized into Christ are part of the Body of Christ. Just as every part of the body has it's functions, every member of the Body of Christ plays a function and that each function is necessary for a healthy body.

So in this sermon series we focused on how all of us have a part to play, even if we don't know what it is yet. Everyone has something wonderful to give to the body of believers and the world at large.

Christ did an odd thing when he left this world. He demonstrated his divinity by rising from the grave. He showed his love, mercy, and forgiveness by his willingness to go to the cross and forgive those who put him there. Yet after all this, after he demonstrated the He was all we would ever need, He left and said we would be His representatives.

So when everything is going good, all the parts of the body are working right and people see Christ's love in the way we live. But when one part of the body isn't working well, the rest of the body feels the effects. This sermon series was designed to help people give thought to what gifts they bring to the table. So hopefully people can figure out what part of the body they are and how they can do it better, or they can give some thoughts on how they can maybe take a bigger role.

To help drive this point home, Pastor mike asked me to create a picture or silhouette of Jesus. He wanted to somehow connect people's names and functions onto his body in some way. I could have probably gotten away with just making a silhouette, but I thought it would be cooler to have his face and hands. So 23 hours later I ended up smelling like linseed oil and mineral spirits and I had my first painting done in 7 years.

I left Christ's "body," or robe, white and we attached multi-colored tags that had a line for a name and a section that said "I'm doing my part by...." I incorporated the colors of the tags into the lettering and in small amounts into the painting itself. After the sermon, people were asked to bring up their offering and their tag, I and Pastor Mike put the tags on the painting as quickly as possible. It turned out pretty well, it had a Gustav Klimt affect going on with flat clothes on a modeled body. I was pretty happy with the end result.

It was difficult to give up control of where they were placed. It was also a little disappointing that it wasn't filled up any more than it was. Yet it still serves a theological point. The body of Christ will never be complete until the final day. There are many that he still wants in his family, many who still need to discover his love. It's a good reminder to share the message of His love with other people.

This was a great experience for me. Like I said, It's been about seven year since I painted. I felt alive and in a creative fire. I hope I continue to find and make time for this kind of stuff in the future.

"I'm sailing! Look at me! I sail!"

2008-07-01T20:30:00.012-05:00

Well I have to admit, I've been down here for almost a year and I haven't done too many "Florida things." I haven't even been to the beach very often. I don't even have much of a tan. Yet, I have been able to do some fun things in recent months.

Around Memorial Day, Jeremy came down to visit me and we ended up at Clearwater beach. We went Parasailing. It was pretty sweet. We got up there about 800 ft. The view was awesome. Here are a few more pics from it:

Cool Guitar

2008-06-30T23:06:00.000-05:00

Mission Trip

2008-06-26T20:33:00.008-05:00

So it's been a pretty awesome couple of weeks. One of the big highlights was to go on a mission trip with my high school kids down to Immokalee, Fl. It was pretty sweet. You might even say it was Mantastic. We did a lot of awesome things. We did a lot of work at a food bank sorting canned goods. We moved about 7 tons of cans. I got into it....literally. It was good to work so close to my kids and compete, sing songs, and stuff.

We also worked a few days with an organization called Ihope. We helped clean out FEMA trailers to help get them ready for this year's hurricane season. Besides that, we worked on Nina's house. She was living in a house with substantial damage from last year still. Her house was essentially gutted from the rain damage. Her roof leaked, her steps were rotted, and she had no kitchen sink or cupboards. During our time there, we replaced her roof and helped build a new deck and stairs. It was pretty sweet because it was great to help Nina and it was my first time roofing.

We also spent a day in working at the Guadalupe Soup kitchen. It was a truly humbling experience. We arrive around 8 am in the morning and there was already many people lined up in the front of the building waiting for lunch. For many people this is the only meal they get a day. In the back of the building there was also a ling. Many were waiting to take showers as they did not have any plumbing at home.

We live such lives of luxury while others can't feed themselves or provide for their families. The people at the Guadalupe center never complained about what they were eating. They were just happy for the food and the showers. Many of these people lived in two room houses with eight or more other people. That was crazy to think of. I get cramped in my little house all by myself.

I wish I would be content with much less. I wish I would be more giving and less self-serving. Yet I am sure that I'll slowly forget my experiences on the mission trip. I'll slowly feel less guilty about spending money on useless things and will want way more than I have. I'll forget how good it feels to give and want to hang on to what I have. I hope I'm wrong. I hope that this mission trip has changed the way I'll live, what I set my priorities on. I guess only time will tell.

A Mustach Moment

2008-05-31T11:57:00.001-05:00

It's comming....

2008-05-11T18:37:00.003-05:00

"It was a good day.....for Ted"

2008-03-30T15:03:00.006-05:00

Last week a few of Nate's friends from STL came down to visit him. Let me just say, it was a good time. We all hung out for a few days. One of the Days we went to the aquarium in Clearwater. Let's just say it was sweet. There was rumor that one could pet stingrays and see and possible touch Manatees. Let me tell you there were not Stingrays at the present time and there were never Manatees.

We decided to watch the dolphin show which was pretty sweet. We waited for a while because it started raining. Then we had to watch an angry dolphin blow water in the air in protest because of the rain. It was intense....the dolphin anger. Yet soon, his love for his purple hula hoop calmed his soul once more and he was ready to perform.

During the time we waited for the act to begin, they asked us to guess the girth of the dolphin from one side of his dorsal fin to the other. I inspected him from one angle, moved to the other side of the pool and checked him out from another side. A girl came by and asked if I had a guess. I said, "47 inches. No! 49! But I'm probably two over." The girl gave me a look like, "You're on crack" or "wow, right on." Then she walked away.

So right when the show was about to begin, they called the dolphin over, attached the measuring tape to his fin, and had him spin the tape around himself to be measured. The young lady took the microphone and announced, "He measures in at 47 inches." I turned to my friend Liz and said, "That's what I guessed at first!" Luckily, no one else was even close, so I got to go down and pet the dolphin and feed him some fish. It was quite possibly the best moment of my life. It was amazing. It was a good day.....for Ted.

My Dad

2008-03-20T08:36:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, my Dad is a published poet and is the Poet Lariat of Grand Rapids. On Sunday He had a large article written about him in the Grand Rapids Press. I'm very proud of Him. Read it if you get a chance.

Nalduik Bloodeye in Color

2008-03-18T21:33:00.003-05:00

And All The Peoples Rejoiced!

2008-03-16T13:26:00.003-05:00

Well, I've got a new computer. I can once again hold my head up high in Star bucks when I'm working on a sermon or a paper. I can also cancel my cable and watch all the good stuff on the on line. I could play some WOW if I so chose to. I could also listen to my music while working on GIMP. Oh yeah, I could probably use a web cam now and not have everything freeze up on me (very bad for on line role playing).

What is going on?

2008-03-11T17:17:00.003-05:00

So the other day, I was driving home from work taking the same route I've been driving at least once a day for the last 7 months. I look to the right. I see the botanical gardens....then the park...then...WHAT!!!!! an apartment complex????????? I swear I've never seen this string of apartments in my life. Never! Yet, there it is.

I thought maybe it was new construction. Nope! The buildings are older and are occupied. Then I thought perhaps there was foliage in blocking the view from the road. Nope! Not that either! It is clear by the poor condition of the lawn and the weathered fence that this simply isn't the case. The only option is that it has always been there or I jumped to a parallel reality where the only difference is this apartment. Oh yeah....I saw a rooster hanging out in front of it today. Lent is getting long....

El Cinder

2008-02-28T23:52:00.003-06:00

El Cinder was an early member of the Nexus League. He was instrumental in rescuing Dog and Yhhric when they were in the process of being hung in Meldui. As the ropes were tightening around Dog and Yhhric's necks, El Cinder actually cut the nooses with his arrows. From that time on, Yhhric considered El Cinder his master and spent every opportunity learning at his feet.

El Cinder was eventually killed by Jakos Grandrock. He sacrificed himself to spare a village from destruction as Dog, Yhhric, and Dirkus helplessly looked on. To this day, Yhhric still wears El Cinder's cloak in remembrance of his fallen master.

Lord Christian

2008-02-27T23:43:00.006-06:00

Lord Christian is one of the greatest heroes of Solroc. He played a major part in ending Bane's first rise to power in the Emerald Age. Somehow he has survived throughout the centuries and has resurfaced to create the Nexus League. He is currently striving towards Bane's final defeat.

The Coward, Nolderon

2008-02-26T00:08:00.005-06:00

The transmuter, Nolderon, was one of the early members of the Nexus league. Yet, his thirst for power was greater than his quest for freedom from the rule of Bane. When the opportunity arose, Nolderon betrayed his friends, and lead The Empire to the hidden fortress of the Nexus League. As a reward, it is suspected, Nolderon was given great power and was turned to a lich by Bane himself.

Elisia

2008-02-24T21:54:00.005-06:00

So far, the Druid Elisia's past is shrouded in mystery. At the battle of Zyrintoc, She came to the aid of Yhrric during an encounter with The Soulless. She sought him that day as a mentor. Since then, she hasn't left his side.

I failed my saving throw!

2008-02-18T19:40:00.000-06:00

Olthea

2008-02-15T00:33:00.004-06:00

Yhrric revisited

2008-02-03T15:09:00.000-06:00

This is the same drawing as below. I painted it with the Gimp2.2.

Yhrric

2008-01-31T22:16:00.001-06:00

I hope I didn't make a mistake.

2008-01-23T18:59:00.000-06:00

I did it. I bought it. I hates it that I bought it, but I did. I had a $25 gift cirtificate to Wal-mart and picked up Lost season 3. I wasn't too happy with it when I watched it on TV. There were too many commercials and It didn't hold me as well. I did watch most of the first two seasons on DVD, so maybe I was too spoiled. But, the episodes I did see of the first two seasons did seem to have less commercials and better breaks. I guess we'll see. I'm contemplating not watching season 4 or reading any of your blogs until it comes out on DVD.

Now That's Dramatic

2008-01-19T15:23:00.000-06:00

SO VERY DRAMATIC

Time, the past has come and gone

2008-01-08T22:26:00.001-06:00

More and more I am amazed at how quickly time passes us by. I am even more amazed at how much things can change in a year, how much I have changed. The first half of last year was one of the worst of my life. My A.D.D. kicked into high gear, my back was doing worse than it had in a while, and all the struggles in school had left me feeling as if I had wasted the last couple years of my life. Last year was also a year of great loss: my sweet grandmother, Matt's wonderful mother(my aunt and second mom), and my faithful friend, Shadow.

The middle of my year was a mix. It was Marcy. She really forced me to take a good look at what I was working towards and to figure out if it was right or not. In many ways it tore me in two. In the end, thought, I had to trust in God to let her go so I could continue following the path He had placed me on. Though it was rough loosing her, I am glad that I felt the warmth of her light, even if for only a season. She taught my heart how to love again.

Oddly enough, the second half of '07 was one of the best five months of my life. I love Florida. I love the people God has placed in my life. They lift me up and encourage me constantly. I feel as if I am nearly complete. I see accomplishment where I thought would be failure. My health is returning to me. I feel more like myself, more balanced, and more in tuned with God's plan than I have felt in years.

As always, I thank God for all those people He has placed around me, old friends and new. If I have any new year resolutions, I think it would probably be to draw closer with friends and family and to try and live a less self-focused life. I guess we'll see how it goes.

Movie Night

2008-01-07T15:06:00.000-06:00

SO I saw a couple of good movies the other night. The first film is entitled "Once." It is awesome! The film's two main characters are musicians in real life: The Frames' front man, Glen Hansard and Eastern European pianist Marketa Irglova. It's like watching a live acoustic concert. The music is amazing. The acting is charming. So Watch it. It was so good, I bought the sound track the day after I watched it.

When I got home from Nate's house, I flipped on the TV and found one of my favorite films was on. It's an Italian film called "Life is Beautiful." I was a little disappointed that it was doubed. I enjoy the subtitle experience.

The film is a comedy placed during WWII in Italy. The main character, Guido, spends the first half of the movie doing crazy antics, tying to win the heart of his love, Dora. The second half, he uses his antics to try and convince his son that the concentration camp that they are in is part of a giant game that they have signed up for. Its touching and hilarious. You should check it out.

Is this Christmas?

2007-12-24T14:11:00.002-06:00

I'm hot. I'm glad that I decided to check the weather before going to church. I was about to put on my suit then I checked and its a cool 77 degrees. I opted for the khakis and a short sleeved shirt. I think I might wear sandals to church. I'm not sure yet. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin

2007-12-19T21:58:00.000-06:00

So I opened my mail box today and found a magazine inside. It was an issue of Flying. I'm a little confused. As much as I'd like to know the "top 10 expert IFR safty tips" just in case I was sitting in coach and the stewardess screams out, "does anyone know how to fly a plane?" I wonder why I would need to know them know since I do not fly. This magazine showed up with my name printed on in, a lot of info blacked out, and my address on a sticker over it. I checked the site. Subscriptions cost money. There is a price of $4.99 on the cover. How did this come to my house???? It's a Mystery!

On another note, I went shopping today and realized that I have a sentiment of entitlement. The bill came to 71 bucks and I thought, "this is ridiculous!" I know food costs money. I know I bought more than usual. Yet, I still felt as If it were owed to me that I get all the food I want at a good price. I know i shouldn't feel entitled to good cheap food. I should just feel lucky that safe food is readily available and that I can afford to purchase it. It is strange how when we regularly receive something, we start to think it is owed us, when in reality, nothing really is.

You strange to us that's when we gettin dangerous!

2007-12-17T21:22:00.002-06:00

So first off, yes, I took the above picture this very day. So if you were planning to visit me this year, you will not be able to feed or molest the gators.

That said, I've been livin' pretty dangerous lately. I am not sure why, but I've done some pretty stupid out-of-the-ordinary things. The first was that I had an egg thrown on my car on Halloween. I knew it was going to ruin my paint, yet I did nothing for three weeks. Yup my paint was ruined. Second, my car suddenly started making jubbly noises. I turned off the car and went and immediately checked the oil. The dipstick didn't have any oil on it except some pasty tary stuff on the bottom. Yup I knew it was a problem. It had been about 9000 miles since the last oil change, but I just couldn't bring myself to get an oil change, knowing full well it could ruin my car.

Luckily, after the oil change and some wonderful special additives, my car is now running normal. I just realize that my back pain must be really brining me down if I can't even take care of basic things. Now my back actually feels a lot better than it has in years. I think it might be the business of the schedule as well. I love my life right now and can only think of a couple ways in which it could be better. I just wish I knew what is off so much that I would do such stupid things.

Japeenees

2007-12-06T22:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T18:36:00.000-06:00

This is my Thanksgiving day sermon that I gave this morning. I just wanted to say that I love you all and am so thankful that you are my friends.

"Bonedigger bonedigger, Dogs in the moonlight"

2007-11-10T12:44:00.001-06:00

So, I've noticed the last few weeks that there is a new addition to the neighborhood, at least I think it is a new addition. I'm not really sure. Just as of late, I have heard a whole heck of a lot of dog-speak going on. This dog lives on the other side of the tall fence in my back yard. I haven't seen this mystery dog yet, but I am thinking about standing on a chair to take a look at my dog.

Yes, its true. I said it. I believe this animal on the other side of the fence belongs to me. Why, you might ask. Well, I think this dog is mine because he truly acts as if I were his. Let me tell you why I am getting this impression. 1) When I leave the house, the dog always starts to bark. (The dog lives behind my house! I exit from the front!) 2) When I come home and shut the door, the dog welcomes me back with barks of joy! 3) Doing random things in my house like shutting doors, playing music, talking on the phone all evoke a reaction from this animal(my dog).

So, I assume that he must be mine and I just have been neglecting to take him out of my neighbor's back yard. Furthermore, I have left him in the neighbors yard for such a great amount of time that I have forgotten when I bought him, or what he even looks like. Yet, I know that he is mine, because he reminds me of it every day!

Sermon anyone?

2007-11-01T16:15:00.001-05:00

Well, this was the second sermon that I have preached here at Christ the King. We record the service every week and post the sermons on the internet. I tried to get a copy of the contemporary service, because it felt so much more natural to me. Unfortunately, our camera men are not nearly skilled enough to be able to follow me while I walk around the entire church. I swear, I would have moved less if I were on a long coffee table talking about Lions and Superman. Since this is the only copy that I have, you'll have to just watch me speak from the pulpit and, you know, look all pastor-like....I know, hard to believe.

Tedlar the Feather Foot.....I'm hoping

2007-10-20T14:55:00.000-05:00

I've been putting it off for years now. Four years ago, when I reinjured my back, my D.O. said that I would have back problems all my life if I didn't get some custom made orthotics for $360.00. Being the man who owned my body, and not the man with 12 years of medical school, I decided that I didn't need such a product. It was an easy dicison since I was broke beyond belief,the orthotics were too expensive, and they cheap Sixty dollar ones didn't seem to want to fit in my new shoes anyway.

I am still having problems. While my back has gotten better overall, it still gives me pain every day. In the last couple years, I have also had such bad problems with my leg muscles that I've had a couple guys suggest the orthotics again. I am just sick of not being able to exercise my lower body and not being able to walk or stand for too long. Today I finally decided that I had the money and the incentive to spend an entire paycheck on something I'll be standing on all day. The only thing that stinks, well besides the price ($480.00), is that I'll probably have to get new shoes as well. I just bought new Nikes 3 months ago, but it seems as if the orthotics won't fit in them. Oh well, it will all be worth it if I can move like a used to.

Raise the Roof

2007-10-13T22:31:00.002-05:00

I love my Jorb. This is the second concert that I have gone to in the last month and a half, and it was FREE! I got to see Kutless, the Newsboys, and some new jamband called Newworldson. The picture above is from the Newsboys. It was pretty sweet. They had two giant bubble jets that filled the air with bubbles. It was awesome. The picture above doesn't do it justice. All the lights were reflecting through changing all sortsa colors. It was cool.

2007-10-12T12:41:00.001-05:00

So yesterday the Firemen came to our preschool for fire safety week. When I heard about it last week, I jokingly said I wanted to ride the firetruck. So Yesterday, the preschool director, the janitor, and the assistant pastor all pulled me out of my office and convinced me to go check things out. So on my way over there, I spotted a larger lizard and snagged him on the way. So I walk up to these firemen and preschool kids in my nice dress clothes gripping a lizard that is going absolutely nuts. He was bitting at the air and waving his arms around. He looked like kermit the frog when he says "Yay" and looks all excited. So the firemen, were like, "um, so you've got a Lizard, huh?" It was cool. I let him go after I showed him to the kids.

So later that night, I was walking next to this building and a little lizard was on the wall. He did this crazy back flip, matrix style, and landed right under my path, moments before I stepped down. The little bugger killed himself. I wasn't too happy about it. I like my lizard folk. Why in the world would he jump right in front of my foot? I decided that it was equivalent to stepping in front of a dump truck. I just wonder what would cause a lizard to just want to end it all.

Rock the Universe

2007-09-09T13:40:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I took 19 kids over to Orlando to go to Universal Studios. An event called Rock The Universe was going on. It was awesome. I got to see two of my favorite Christian artists, Tobymac and Jeremy Camp. It was cool. Both rocked the place. It was great to get out of town and chill with some really cool people. Both are the type of men I aspire to be like.

Tobymac is all about diversity, about come as you are before God. He welcomes you where you're at. He said we can build the most impressive buildings, wear the best clothes, talk the best "Christian" talk, and appear successful, but it means nothing. People will only listen if we live a life of Christ's love. This is where I'm at. I want to live a life of love. I want to meet people where they are at and show them the love of Christ. I want to show them that he loves them no matter where they are from, where they are at, or what they have done. I want to show them how He changed me.

I try to walk by faith. I try to live my faith. I've given up so much to be here. Many don't understand it. Many think it is foolish. There are times when people try to pull me away from this, and convince me to change my path. I hope someday they can see why I must walk this road. Christ's love compels me. It compels me because this country has missed the message. You don't have to be holy and perfect to come to Him. You can't be! No one can. The church is for those who realize they are lost, not those who think they are perfect. The church is church is for Christ and his mission to call all people to him. It isn't some exclusive club that is focused on itself.

I'm still waiting for the "sweet"

2007-09-04T22:02:00.000-05:00

First they are sour, then they are sweet. That is what the commercials say. We'll, I'm still waiting for the "sweet" I went to go see the Borne Supremacy the other night. I got tempted to buy a bag of sour patch kids, and...well...I did. This used to be no problem at all. I used to eat these guys all the time. Nothing ever happened except an occasional raw tung. Well, in recent years my body has decided that sour patch kids were poison. Yup, thats right. It was all fun and tasty eating these guys. Now I have a rock baby gestating in my kidneys. Yeah, I know. I brought it on myself. I tried to drink tons of water to see if I could keep it from happening, but no luck.

Florida

2007-08-19T13:41:00.001-05:00

So its been about two and a half weeks since I arived down in flordia. Things are pretty good down here. My church is awsome. The people are awsome. I'm pretty sure the job is awsome, though I still haven't hit full stride yet. Things are overall pretty good. There are little lizards everywhere. There are probably at least 15 right out side my window right now. I think they are what I like most about Florida. They are always just chillin or dancin. Either way, very cool.

I am still getting settled in here. I haven't unpacked all of my stuff yet. I still have boxes sitting in my living room. I have been to the beach only once, and that was at dusk. I think I want to work on my tan a bit before blinding all them beach goers. I still haven't gotten the internets hooked up yet at my house. So I haven't really been on lately. Besides that, there isn't all that much new. It is difficult being away from eveyone I know and care about. But, there are a lot of good people down here and a new assistant pastor that I sorta knew from the Sem. So, I have been doing some things around town. Mostly, I am too tired or busy to be down from all the things lost. At least thats what I try to do. Overall though, things are exciting and good.

These look like fun

2007-07-23T21:20:00.001-05:00

Rejected Wii play games.

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one week....

2007-07-23T00:31:00.001-05:00

Well, It's one week away. Next Monday I leave for vicarage. It is hard to believe that I have only one more week here with Marcy. It is sometimes hard to just have fun with her because we both know our time is short. There is a tendency to focus on the sadness of the looming separation. Knowing what is coming though, I think we are doing an excellent job at enjoying the time we have left.

It is kinda funny. I have spent the last couple years wishing I was some place other than St. Louis. Now for the first time, St. Louis feels like home. When I dropped Marcy off last night, I came back to my dorm and it felt so empty without her. It is going to be very difficult to leave her behind.

I am trying to look forward though. I'm not doing a very good job, but I am trying. It helps that I have been talking to the people at the church where I'll be serving. I have to act excited when I talk to them. I also know that I would be excited if the situation were different. I know I'll learn a lot. I know I'll grow a lot. I know that I will become a better man for it. I just have to look forward to that, and look forward to returning to my love.

Call me Natalie Imbruglia

2007-07-06T00:27:00.000-05:00

For all those in town, I'll be back on Sunday night. I'll be home for about a week.

With that said....I'm torn. It feels like the jaws of life just opened my chest and I'm just waiting for someone to rescue my heart from this car wreck of a life I've got. Why can't anything be easy? Why is there always a struggle? When does the hurting stop? Someone once said that if something is not hard to attain that it isn't worth having. Maybe he was right, but I wish the things worth having, in my life, came at a slightly lower cost.

The above metaphor isn't perfect. I know where I want to be and I know where I feel I have to be. In a little over three weeks I'll be moving to Florida. I thought this would be a struggle when I first was assigned the position. Now....It seems impossible. I've wanted so much to be here, to being a vicar and getting a real taste of what it is like to be a pastor. Now I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can leave the girl I love.

This really hit me tonight as I realized how quickly we are running out of opportunities to see each other before Sunday. It made the reality of Florida much more real. Marcy is perfect, perfect for me in every way. She is the sunshine in my life and gives me the greatest of joy. She is even going to wait for me when I'm away on vicarage. This is great, real great. I've finally found her. I just don't know how I can live without her now.

I think this is going to be one of the most difficult years of my life. I fear I might be so sad that my vicarage would be pointless. I fear I might not even make it there, that I might drive half way to Florida and turn around. I fear I might not be cut out to be a pastor after all. I fear I might be good at it. I fear I might loose her. I struggle. I'm torn.

I trust in God's purpose and his timing in all of this. Everything will probably work out fine. I just struggle with my capabilities. I struggle with decisions I feel I have to make and decisions that I want to make. I just struggle with a loneliness that threatens to reclaim and a purpose that threatens to elude.

Praire Dog

2007-06-22T18:34:00.000-05:00

Drama Chipmunk

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Happy Da!

2007-06-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

There I was, pretty happy with my life. Every thing was going pretty well. Then I met Marcy. Now I'm miserable, miserable every time I'm away from her, that is. hehehe. Things are going real well. I've never clicked with someone this well before. She is everything I've looked for in a woman and I'm completely in love.

So I haven't really posted much because I have been spending so much time with her. Mind you, I probably was due a month long dry spell in posting anyway. I mean.... that's just what I do. I'm going to try to post more. If I slack, Neil will feel even more justified in not posting.

I'm a believer!

2007-06-19T22:04:00.001-05:00

The first weekend I was in STL, a group of us were going to go in on a pizza. In the midst of deciding what we were going to get, someone spoke up and said, "Whatever you do, don't get Imo's! That shit's nasty!" Everyone else who had lived in STL more than a few days concurred. I have never once heard a good word spoke of Imo's pizza since that day.

Well the other day, my girlfriend's* parents invited me over to eat. Specifically it was Marcy's plan to get me to try the much resisted Imo's. Well it worked. I can't turn down a good girl, I can't turn down her parents, and I definitely can't turn down a free pizza.

I must say, Imo's is good, pretty darn good. It has a wonderful thin crust that I like. Most non-St. Louians don't like the "Tangy Provel Cheese." Yet, I kinda liked it. In fact, I couldn't stop eating. So if you happen to come to STL. Give Imo's a try. To use a Dave critiquing method,
IMO's: Eat It!

*If you are wondering who this mysterious girl is, she is amazing. I'll post about her soon.

Festival

2007-06-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

I feel kinda Bad. This is the first Festival that I have not gone all 3 days, or at least all day on two days. What has become of me? What has become of us? I was able to make it for a few hours last night. It was good. I went down with Jeremy and Travis. Neil almost made it down there. By the time he was ready, I was already tucked out. He was a sad sad Neil. Hopefully, we'll be able to make it down there next year. The Souvlaki is still calling me.

Don't question a man's decisions in May

2007-05-27T11:33:00.000-05:00

Watch this:

Now watch this:

Mustachio

2007-05-24T13:37:00.001-05:00

So I was over at Shedu's last night and we were looking at the crazy happanins on Crazy Mom's blog. For some reason, I brought up how I rarely look at Dan's blog. Sure, he doesn't post that much. Yet, that doesn't stop me from checking out Matt's blog. I came to the realization that I don't check it much because it is a dead end.

I daily travel down a number of blog paths. Sometimes I start with Crazy Mom, sometimes 64 Tacos. Regardless, there is always a path. With Dansy, I get there, read what is written, or what is not, and then I go to the right side of the screen. What no exit? Dead end! (when I told Neil about this, he said: "Dan is the end of the Internet.") I don't know why this bothers me. I could just hit the "back" button, but that would be like a u-turn. I'd be passing things I just looked at. I could just type in a new web address, but I don't like being on the webs if I have to actually type. I'd rather click my way through it all. So, if you ever wonder why I comment on your blog long after your post date, this is why.

DOG!

2007-05-15T00:10:00.000-05:00

So you are probably wondering why there is a picture of me, making a crazy face, alls the while sporting a shinny nose. Well, remember that movie, unbreakable, where a handful of people found out that they have superpower? I figured mine out. I was in the gym today, you know, pumpin' Iron. I decided to do some incline bench press. I was finishing my last rep and put the bar up on the rack, or so I thought. The bar was resting on the corner if the guard and when I let go, 130 lbs came crashing down on my face. I managed to actually move my hand quick enough to get under it and help break the blow, but the bar hit me square in the nose.

It was a little sore and felt warm, but I felt it and there was little pain, no blood, and no broken bones. My nose is impervious to crushing and cleaving. Now I must decide if I should use this power for good, or evil. Oh yeah, in the picture, I am practicing my "don't mess with this nose" face, for when I become a superhero

Its like a time capsule and shit

2007-05-10T18:59:00.000-05:00

I am amazed at how long people will leave crap up on the internets, and I mean all of them. It can't be free to keep something this long, can it? If it has been free, why hasn't it been deleted. I mean, don't they see that no body visits some of these old site? There are only two explinations. 1) Zooty.Tripod.com has a cult following in India, or 2) Kato is paying for it, waiting for me to become a pastor before disseminating pictures of Tarty T-bone to my congregation. Either way, It is good to remember the good old days, when I was Black.

Nipon ku ku

2007-05-08T20:33:00.000-05:00

So I did a whole buch of reseach in the library this morning. Yet, when I reached for my binder with all my work for this project, as well as everything else I am working on, it wasn't there. I went around campus a few times looking for it. I remebered leaving the library with it but it wasn't in my room. I started thinking aliens, but I found my missing copycard in the library and started thinking like my stupidity think. "If I was Ted's stupidness, where would I set all the important things in life? Ah, the free book pile in the mail room." There it was. I am supprized I didn't leave my wallet there for everyone as well.

In the middle of this, I was talking to this girl on the internets. She is Christian, beautiful, and she contacted me. We were hitting it off pretty well, and talking about the music we like. She mentions an artist I do a seach for him and can't find it. I then type: "I am looking for his music all over the internets, and I mean all of them, and I can't find anything." A normal person just would have erased the s in internets and not add anything. I of course had to bring in humor from our group. I might as well have showed up on a date with a mustach...

Nelduik Bloodeye

2007-05-06T01:24:00.000-05:00

It's true

2007-05-05T18:59:00.002-05:00

Hairytale

2007-05-03T21:43:00.000-05:00

Toothbrushing by aweekofkindness.com

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I shedu ever looses his job, I know what he can do

Another Step

2007-04-26T18:36:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that I have been down here for two years already. I have three weeks to go until this quarter is over. Last night we had our Vicarage assignment service. In a meeting a couple months ago, I asked to go to St. Paul, Mn. Then Dr. Neilson asked me If i wouldn't mind going closer to home. I figured I was going to Detroit or Chicago. Right before the Call Service, Neilson told me my supervisor was going to be here. So, I naturally thought I would be going to Chicago, because every other place would be too far to drive from. The whole service I am thinking how cool it is going to be to live in Chicago. Then as they get to the end of the alphabet, I stand up, move to the front, and await my assignment. Then I hear my name: "Georgia-Florida district..." I was so stunned I just moved up, shook hands, and smiled at people. President Meyer asked where I was going and I couldn't tell him. I am going to Largo, Florida, right outside of Tampa. It should be real cool.

Shades

2007-04-21T18:57:00.000-05:00

This was fun. I have been messing around with a free image software called gimp. Its pretty cool. It can do most of the stuff that Adobe Photoshop can as well as many of the tools of illustrator. It is still taking me a while to learn all of the tools, but I am happy with what I can do right now. Either way, it is fun to mess around with this stuff again.

Jakos Grandrock

2007-04-20T13:31:00.001-05:00

Jakos Grandrock is one Bane's most trusted Generals. He is the Dragon Rider and was responsible for the destruction of the Nexus League's mountain base north of Meldui. He killed the great Elvin archer, El Cinder, and has since been Yhhric's arch nemesis.

The Soulless

2007-04-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

I must also say, Good job, Shedu! Check this out, Pete.

Finrax, king of Zerintoc

2007-04-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

Rifftrax

2007-04-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what happened to the guys from MST3k? Well, Mike Neilson and Kevin Murphy(the mad doctor) now run this website. They sell MP3 "riffs" that you can run simultaniously with your favorate movie. Sure, you don't have the nice silouettes of Mike and the robots, but still. I think I will need to watch the LOTR or starwars

Addressing a post from some time ago

2007-04-10T01:47:00.000-05:00

You know, I have been really wanting to respond to this post for a very long time. However, since you address so many things, I never knew where to start. Since I have a test tomorrow and I do not yet know the material at 1 in the morning, I figured now would be a good time to respond.

I guess I would say that I do indeed feel God in my life, at least much of the time. Though sometimes he feels very far off, almost absent, other times I feel Him next to me and in this I am more certain than anything else in my life.

I know you mentioned the "euphoria" as being the catalyst of your religious experience. If I understand you right, you believe that you were somehow tricked into feeling this way, in believing something that wasn't there. While much religious music and architecture it meant to affect the person, it is never meant to deceive them. Generally it is supposed to inform the worshiper/visitor that they are in a special place, a place set aside(holy)for God. In essence, it is supposed to quite all the distractions in your mind so that you can reflect on the holiness of God.

I do not know about the alter call stuff and all that entails, since I am Lutheran and we do not do that sort of thing.

I would like to address your post-experience reaction. You discount your experience because in the aftermath, the joy or emotion or whatnot faded as time goes on leaving you feeling mislead. I want to ask you a question: what indeed did you do to foster the faith that was apparently started at those times?

Many people will have a fervor for faith in God but then they do nothing with the gift that they were given. If you do not believe in double predestination and if you believe that you have free will, that means that you have to do something to seek God. He is not always going to be in your face. He is not always going to make things great for you, because he wants you to seek Him. He is not going to radically change the way you think because he values your free will. If you want to know Him and if you want Him to change you, you need to hear what He has to say. You need to stay in his word, seek his guidance, and pray for his spirit.

Some people say they don't need someone else telling them how to view and understand God. What arrogance! Didn't you need someone to tell you how to understand science, math, the English language? No one would say,"I don't need someone else to tell me what happened in the past. I can know it on my own without archaeological, eyewitness, and historical information." That would be ridiculous. The same goes with God. You can have a vague idea of what God is by observing nature, but this is but a shadow. You can't truly know God unless he reveals himself to you. He does this through his Son, Christ Jesus. And we read what his Son had to say and, most importantly, what he did, in scriptures.

You say you wonder why you why God hasn't touched your life. Well, I gather from what your wrote here and our conversations in the past that He has. Yet the question remains, what did you do in response?

I will respond to one more thing. Many of you have blamed Christians for acting in various ways and not always acting as they should. I must stress, Christians are sinful people like everyone else. Some do not have good instruction and believe they are better than others, but this simply is not the case. Christians are not perfect, and they never will be in this life time. That is the whole point. That is the whole reason Christ came. Anyone that claims he is perfect, or even a good person by God's standards, is fooling himself. Christ died for us because we are slaves to our sin and are, by our sinful natures, enemies of God. Yet while we were still in our sins, Christ died for us. In your baptism, you are brought into this new covenant with Christ. This is our central message. This is what we proclaim. Don't let "Christians" get in the way of your relationship with Christ.

Long post. I'll stop now. As always, no offence taken from yours or any other's views. I welcome and comments of reflections.

Krowen, son of Derkus

2007-04-09T22:22:00.000-05:00

Here is what Shadow looked like when he was young

2007-04-09T22:19:00.000-05:00

Today

2007-04-07T04:34:00.000-05:00

The night before Shadow died I was trying out a new photo program. As I was speaking to my mom about what they were going to do with Shadow, I pulled up his picture. Here we were talking about this old dog, diseased and in so much pain. We spoke of how we had no choice other than to let him suffer or to put him down. Throughout all this convincing ourselves of his sorry state and his need for his suffering to end, I was looking at Shadow's portrait. I began to imagine him young again. Soon I found myself erasing the signs of age. I darkened his fur, returned the shine to his coat, and erased the pain from his eyes. It all felt so surreal. He was old and at the very end of his life, yet here I was trying to make him new again.

Tonight in church, this experience came back to me. I realized that what I was trying to do with Shadow, was what Christ actually did for us on Good Friday, what he began that day on the cross. I heard His words, "Behold, I make all things new."(Rev 21.5) On that cross, He began to wipe away all of our signs of age. He started to smooth out our wrinkles. He began to take away our pain. Yet He didn't just do this on the surface. In fact, he didn't even start there. He began at the source, our souls.

He began to make you new that day. He died on the cross for you, so that age, disease, and death might not claim you and hold you forever. He died so that He might give you life. So today, don't trust in yourself. Don't fool yourself into thinking you hold back the inevitable. No matter how how hard you try, you will grow old and you will die. There is nothing you can do to hold these things back. Trust in Christ. Only He can make you new.

Good Bye, My Old Friend

2007-04-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

Shadow

1994-2007

Izzimeth sketch

2007-03-30T14:38:00.000-05:00

Let me know what can be changed, Shedu. I am working on a more finished and more dynamic picture, but want to know I am drawing him right before hand.

How Precious

2007-03-28T20:24:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Shedu for putting these up

Derkus

2007-03-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

I don't know how this happened, but I know God's involved.

2007-03-23T19:24:00.001-05:00

You Are 64% Gentleman

You are definitely a gentleman. You're very considerate and you have excellent manners.
Occasionally, you slip and do something foolish... but usually no one notices!

Are You A Gentleman?

Great pictures

2007-03-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

These are the best pictures ever

Dogimed

2007-03-21T01:58:00.000-05:00

And Yhhric, don't die!

Softball

2007-03-20T20:16:00.000-05:00

Today was a good day. I decided that I was going to play softball the year no matter how I felt and so far its been turning out alright. It was rainy and muddy on the field and we had a lot of errors. Not too many people showed up, so I got to play a little more that I have the last couple weeks. I was surprised that I actually out ran and overshot a fly ball to right. I also beat a throw to first which I thought I wouldn't make. All I could hear was my little league coach screaming "Run Torreson, Run!" It felt good.

MAN IT IS HOT!

2007-03-13T11:54:00.000-05:00

I like humor. I think I am a pretty funny at times. But, I think God is funnier. Here is yet another poof He exists. Well, not really proof, but it must be Him or the aliens playing a joke on us.

I just think it is great that it seems every event or expedition that is aimed to showcase or record Global Warming has occurred at the same time as a blizzard or snowstorm. A handful of summits on global warming have been canceled this year because of extreme cold. An expedition to the north pole was just canceled because it was so cold that people were getting frostbite and their vehicles wouldn't start.

Now I believe that there is a current pattern of global warming right now. I am not towing the republican line or anything. Now I do think we are either experiencing the the warm end of a natural cyclical process. On top of that, I also think that the earth is still warming up from the Ice age, or "last Ice age" as scientists like to call it. So while I do think it is getting warmer, I just think it is funny that every time Al Gore opens his mouth it snows...a lot.

2007-03-07T01:40:00.000-06:00

I wanted to say how deeply I feel for the Dave Matt and Sarah and all those who loved Suzanne. She was a very special lady who really showed the love and joy of God in her life. While we know she is with Christ, it is still hard for us left behind. She sees the resotration of things now, while we remain in this broken world. Yet our hope is that we too will one day stand beside her in the presence of God. This chapter from Romans has always given me comfort in of the most difficult times in my life. I pray that it will strengthen you now and in the years to come.

In the Love of Christ,
Ted

Romans 8
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Future Glory

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that^[i] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

More Than Conquerors

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Who Knew?

2007-02-19T21:46:00.000-06:00

Who knows the Butaby's the best?

2007-02-06T21:45:00.001-06:00

Create your own Friend Quiz here

So long for now

2007-01-26T15:55:00.000-06:00

One of the great joys in my life was going to Parkers Prairie, Mn every summer and most winters. It was always with great anticipation that we made those last 25 miles after Alexandria. Sometimes I would doze off to try and make the trip seem shorter, because the anxiousness was too much for a boy to handle. Yet, I always managed to be awake when we rounded the final bend of Mn-29, just in time to catch the growing expanse of Lake Adley. How I love that lake, waves licking air, glistening in the sun. I can picture it now with clarity that is hard to fathom. It is like it’s on the other side of a great chasm that I cannot cross. I can see it for its beauty, but cannot be there for time is too large a span to be crossed.

Parker's Prairie was right after that lake. We would pull into my Grandparent's small driveway. An old red tractor, a couple sheds, an old aqua blue fishing boats, piles of firewood, and an old picnic table filled the yard. Usually towels and linens would be hanging from a couple clothe lines. Behind those, we would often find my grandparents working in their garden. I remember running to them, trying to be the first to feel their love.

My grandfather passed away 8 years ago, a few months after the picture above was taken. My family flew out for the funeral. My grandmother was never the same. Since then, there was always some distance in her eyes. It was as if she was looking over that same great chasm that I see now, when I look for my grandparents.

Earlier this week, she found her way across. She spent her last weeks in a great deal of pain, unable even speak in her final days. The last time she spoke she asked one of her nurses if she was a Christian. The nurse then asked her and she answered, "Oh, yes, I love the Lord." After that, she could not muster any more strength to talk. In her final days, my aunt played a tape that my Grandfather had made of himself singing hymns. When my mom called, to tell me the news, she said that "Grandpa sang her into heaven."

As I write this, my family is getting ready to go to the funeral home. So much of me wants to be there. So much of me wants to see that town that I love so much. Yet, it wouldn't be the same. I yearn for the life and the love that once resided there. What I yearn for is on the other side of that chasm that I still cannot cross. Yet I can see it clearly: two young figures standing in a garden, smiling with those familiar eyes.

You....Shot...ME!

2007-01-21T15:19:00.000-06:00

Read this and laugh

Bathroom Nazi

2007-01-19T01:15:00.000-06:00

I don't ask for much in life. I'm a pretty simple guy. I don't get too fussy about things. Up until I moved to St. Louie, alls I really wanted was a beautiful woman, 20s rolled on command, and all change returned to me rounded to the nearest 64. Things have changed though.

I crave and covet creature comforts that I once took for granted. One such comfort is being able to stand in front of a urinal without stepping in a puddle of the drippsies. Every day I ask myself, "ARE WE FREAKING KIDS!?" I don't understand it. Urinals are made to be stood over. Our man-bodies are meant to pee on, pee over, and pee beyond any object we see fit. Yet strangely, in this life, many master only the "pee on" stage. I mean, seriously, our man-parts are meant for precision as well. That is why we don't have to sit on a target just to hit it. We can stand from some distance and complete our desired objectives. With all these skills, why then did someone persistently pee on my floor, for the last 5 months?

Last weekend, I finally had enough and wrote up a nice sign requesting that the urine flow where it ought to go. Problem solved, or so I thought. Now instead of standing over the urinal, they are just sprinkling the toilet seat. Why do they always think they can slip by the seat without leaving a trail. It rarely works! I guess I just need to write another sign or just lay down another protective layer of paper.

Jello

2007-01-18T01:23:00.000-06:00

See that Clock there, the one on the tree? That is how I feel most mornings. I am not really trying to complain, since that is what generally goes on in these types of things. It's just lately I have found myself draped over my desk in my early morning classes. It is not even that I am that tired. Most mornings I afeel okay once I get up. My back just generally doesn't want to hold my body together if I don't get enough sleep. It is a strange feeling. I know this isn't that cool of a post, but it is that time of the month were I realize I haven't posted for about a month. But don't worry. I have an idea for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll remember. Would anyone like to email me to remind me to post?

Cause we bad boys fo' life

2006-12-19T15:45:00.000-06:00

I did one for Thor too.

If I could be an animal, I'd probably be a tree Kangaroo

2006-12-18T19:35:00.000-06:00

Once again, I have not blogged much as of late. I guess I really don't have much to say...because I don't have much of a life. I think that is why I feel like I would enjoy being a tree kangaroo. Here is this kangaroo is sitting in his tree in the middle of Borneo and BAM, out of nowhere comes some hairless dude that he has never seen before and he wants to rub his belly. Now that is cool. I want my life to be like that. I am sitting in complete isolation. I just want see something new...and...well...maybe get a belly rub out of it too.

No, Seriously Guys, I think somebody shaved this cat.

2006-12-15T23:36:00.000-06:00

Mel

2006-12-14T22:11:00.000-06:00

That's how I learned

2006-12-14T22:09:00.000-06:00

Enjoyable

2006-11-24T00:02:00.000-06:00

Yhrric

2006-11-06T23:41:00.002-06:00

Derkus never lets me shoot arrows

This is great

2006-11-04T03:10:00.001-06:00

I want it!

2006-11-02T22:38:00.000-06:00

I'm so tired, I feel like this cat

2006-10-31T14:23:00.000-06:00