You may have already seen this video as I think it made the rounds a year or so ago. But I watched it again today and was glad I did. It put some things I am going through right now in perspective. When you are down, get back up, even if it takes 100 tries.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Dear Diary
Today is only 4 hours old and its already been bad. I hate feeling like I have been thrown under the bus, especially by people I like. I hate when you trust people and then they turn around and make me lose trust in them. I hate when bad things happen to good people. It's just been a miserable day. So much so, that it has made me physically sick. I don't have anyone to tell right now, so I thought I would tell you.
Now I feel like Debbie Downer.
Now I feel like Debbie Downer.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
I like this quote....
I was looking at other churches websites this morning (read into that what you will) and found a quote I really liked:
The success of a chuch is not measured in seating capacity, but rather in its sending capacity.
Thoughts?
The success of a chuch is not measured in seating capacity, but rather in its sending capacity.
Thoughts?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Guess Who...
Guess who made these comments:
****************: I believe in the father, son, and Holy Spirit, and I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit on many occasions in my years on this earth.
Reporter: Can I ask you theologically, do you believe that the resurrection of Jesus actually happened, that it actually historically did happen?
****************: Yes, I do.
Reporter: And, do you believe on the salvation issue -- and this is controversial too -- that belief in Christ is needed for going to heaven?
*****************: That one I'm a little more open to. I think that it is, as we understand our relationship to God as Christians, it is how we see our way forward, and it is the way. But, ever since I was a little *****, I've asked every Sunday school teacher I've ever had, I asked every theologian I've ever talked with, whether that meant that there was no salvation, there was no heaven for people who did not accept Christ. And, you're well aware that there are a lot of answers to that. There are people who are totally rooted in the fact that, no, that's why there are missionaries, that's why you have to try to convert. And, then there are a lot of other people who are deeply faithful and deeply Christ-centered who say, that's how we understand it and who are we to read God's mind about such a weighty decision as that.
Reporter: And your attitude toward the Bible about how literally people should take it.
*****************: I think the whole Bible is real. The whole Bible gives you a glimpse of God and God's desire for a personal relationship, but we can't possibly understand every way God is communicating with us. I've always felt that people who try to shoehorn in their cultural and social understandings of the time into the Bible might be actually missing the larger point that we're supposed to take from the Bible.
****************: I believe in the father, son, and Holy Spirit, and I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit on many occasions in my years on this earth.
Reporter: Can I ask you theologically, do you believe that the resurrection of Jesus actually happened, that it actually historically did happen?
****************: Yes, I do.
Reporter: And, do you believe on the salvation issue -- and this is controversial too -- that belief in Christ is needed for going to heaven?
*****************: That one I'm a little more open to. I think that it is, as we understand our relationship to God as Christians, it is how we see our way forward, and it is the way. But, ever since I was a little *****, I've asked every Sunday school teacher I've ever had, I asked every theologian I've ever talked with, whether that meant that there was no salvation, there was no heaven for people who did not accept Christ. And, you're well aware that there are a lot of answers to that. There are people who are totally rooted in the fact that, no, that's why there are missionaries, that's why you have to try to convert. And, then there are a lot of other people who are deeply faithful and deeply Christ-centered who say, that's how we understand it and who are we to read God's mind about such a weighty decision as that.
Reporter: And your attitude toward the Bible about how literally people should take it.
*****************: I think the whole Bible is real. The whole Bible gives you a glimpse of God and God's desire for a personal relationship, but we can't possibly understand every way God is communicating with us. I've always felt that people who try to shoehorn in their cultural and social understandings of the time into the Bible might be actually missing the larger point that we're supposed to take from the Bible.
Silver Taps
There are a lot of opinions about Aggies, especially in East Texas. You either hate us or love us. It didn't used to be that way here until UT Tyler became a 4 year school and those poor misguided students started believing they were Longhorns instead of Partriots. But I digress.
I am proud to be an Aggie this week. As you may know, a great Aggie student from Tyler was killed Monday morning on her way from Tyler to College Station. She was supposed to get her Aggie Ring -- the ultimate symbol and tradition of being an Aggie -- on Tuesday. Instead, she was part of another tradition -- Silver Taps. Taps is a tradtition that sets us apart from other schools and is, apart from Aggie Muster, the most moving non-religious experience I have ever experienced. As we Aggies say, "From the inside looking out, you can't explain it; from the outside looking in, you can't understand it."
From the Aggie Traditions website:
By far, one of Texas A&M's most honored traditions is Silver Taps. Silver Taps is held for a graduate or undergraduate student who passes away while enrolled at A&M. This final tribute is held the first Tuesday of the month when a student has passed away the previous month.
The first Silver Taps was held in 1898 and honored Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the former governor of Texas and president of A&M College. Silver Taps is currently held in the Academic Plaza. On the day of Silver Taps, a small card with the deceased students name, class, major, and date of birth is placed as a notice at the base of the academic flagpole, in addition to the memorial located behind the flagpole. Around 10:15 that night, the lights are extinguished and hymns chime from Albritton Tower. Students silently gather at the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross. At 10:30pm, the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad marches into the plaza and fire a twenty-one gun salute. Buglers then play a special rendition of Silver Taps by Colonel Richard Dunn. Taps is played three times from the dome of the Academic Building: once to the north, south, and west. It is not played to the east because the sun will never rise on that Aggie again. After the buglers play, the students silently return to their homes. Silver Taps is a sacred tradition that Aggies hold dear.
I am proud to be an Aggie this week. As you may know, a great Aggie student from Tyler was killed Monday morning on her way from Tyler to College Station. She was supposed to get her Aggie Ring -- the ultimate symbol and tradition of being an Aggie -- on Tuesday. Instead, she was part of another tradition -- Silver Taps. Taps is a tradtition that sets us apart from other schools and is, apart from Aggie Muster, the most moving non-religious experience I have ever experienced. As we Aggies say, "From the inside looking out, you can't explain it; from the outside looking in, you can't understand it."
From the Aggie Traditions website:
By far, one of Texas A&M's most honored traditions is Silver Taps. Silver Taps is held for a graduate or undergraduate student who passes away while enrolled at A&M. This final tribute is held the first Tuesday of the month when a student has passed away the previous month.
The first Silver Taps was held in 1898 and honored Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the former governor of Texas and president of A&M College. Silver Taps is currently held in the Academic Plaza. On the day of Silver Taps, a small card with the deceased students name, class, major, and date of birth is placed as a notice at the base of the academic flagpole, in addition to the memorial located behind the flagpole. Around 10:15 that night, the lights are extinguished and hymns chime from Albritton Tower. Students silently gather at the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross. At 10:30pm, the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad marches into the plaza and fire a twenty-one gun salute. Buglers then play a special rendition of Silver Taps by Colonel Richard Dunn. Taps is played three times from the dome of the Academic Building: once to the north, south, and west. It is not played to the east because the sun will never rise on that Aggie again. After the buglers play, the students silently return to their homes. Silver Taps is a sacred tradition that Aggies hold dear.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Now What?
Well, yesterday was a busy day as I was election judge in Arp. There were some pretty strong opinions and everyone wanted to make sure I heard their opinion (as if I had some power to change anything). Most old people are always complaining about the new-fangled electronic voting machines. Young people are always nice and seem excited to vote. The middle-aged white men, though, are the absolute worst. They listen to Limbaugh and Hannity and believe everything they hear. By the end of the day, I was ready to zone out and crash.
Of course, we all saw the writing on the wall when it came to the Republican presidental race. So, as you have probably noticed, I have cleaned up the sidebar and replaced all my Huck signs with a sole McCain sign. Can't really get excited about him now, but maybe (hopefully) that will change. Huck still is blogging, so I left the blog link for now.
Of course, we all saw the writing on the wall when it came to the Republican presidental race. So, as you have probably noticed, I have cleaned up the sidebar and replaced all my Huck signs with a sole McCain sign. Can't really get excited about him now, but maybe (hopefully) that will change. Huck still is blogging, so I left the blog link for now.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thoughts
Its been a while since I have posted anything new. Vacation, sickness, and a lot of work has kept me away. Our small group had a great discussion on Monday night. I won't go into detail, but the topic really bothered me but I did not really know why it bothered me so much. Then, last night, I was reading a magazine that touched on the topic and it had the following scripture from James 2 I thought I would share:
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:1-9
This scripture gave me a new perspective on a few things and confirmed in my mind my position on the topic. Just something to think about.
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. James 2:1-9
This scripture gave me a new perspective on a few things and confirmed in my mind my position on the topic. Just something to think about.
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