Oh gee ehn.

We're leaving bright and early this morning for a week of evangelism training and beach witnessing otherwise known as Operation Good News. Oh San Diego, how I've missed you.

Bit more about the week here.

See you all in a week! Prayers would be much appreciated.

Wall-E.

I feel that posting these makes me a semi-sellout to the culture that is Internet. But they really are true.




I've started to hate what the internet does to you. I hate the fact that I can communicate better through words said through my fingers than the ones that come through my lips.

Oh god, Wall-E might come true.

End of the beginning.

Does anyone else long for heaven?

Sometimes I wish I lived in a box. Then I wouldn't have to clean my room. And I wouldn't accumulate things I didn't need.

What? Xanga?

So, call me crazy, but I've been reading old xanga posts. Remember that? I hadn't until this afternoon. Looking at my subscriptions, practically everyone I knew had one. And if you did have one, I've probably re-read your entries :)
It was nice to find some old pictures as well. My comp crashed way back when and lost many... as well as poems. I figure I have more room to stockpile things digitally rather than physically.

This was from June 1, 2005. Junior year.

I hate common courtesy. For this reason:

Once we get over our egocentric arrogance about the fact that people don’t really want to know how we are when they say ‘how are you?’ we can see that it’s just an American way of acknowledging our presence. Be honest. By filling empty space with meaningless talk just releases more tension. Honesty and compassion are more attractive than seemingly necessary vocal rituals.

The watermark of the church of Acts was this:

As a people they had decided to live under the direct rulership of the Spirit. They rejected both human totalitarianism and anarchy. They even rejected democracy, that is, majority rule. They had dared to live on the basis of Spirit-rule; no 51% vote, no compromises, but Spirit-directed unity. And it worked.

(These are my thoughts as well as some of Richard J. Foster’s. I paraphrased this from "Celebration of Discipline".)

Guys, let’s make this summer count for something. What does your heart burn for?

Sigh. Truth is truth and truth doesn't change.


Note. In one of my posts, I called someone a she-stud. Who was I? Oh gosh.

Found these little nuggets as well:
"Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they find laughable." -Anon.

"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you." -Cheers

Auntie Jo.

Auntie Jo died last Sunday. She was my grandmother's sister. When you have a family as small as mine, you get to know relatives pretty well. So now you will get to know her.
Auntie Jo and Uncle Dyke moved to South Africa in the 70s... I never got to go visit when she was alive, and I really regret it now. Since the family is in South Africa, she seldom came back to the U.S. In my twenty one years, she visited maybe seven or eight times for an extended period of time. But the times I did get to know her, I cherish now. She was a beautiful lady who always had a small smile that you never really knew if she was being coy or trying to stifle a laugh. When I was younger, we would take drives and go to Yosemite with her. She brought me a small set of wooden African animals and would play with me. These were beautiful times.
When I got older, I think my favorite times were when I'd go out with her when she'd go out for a smoke. We talked about everything. She would ask me about politics, church, my future and the family... always listening intently and asking the right amount of questions. We'd go back and forth asking each other questions, being serious, cracking jokes, and being philosophical. These were my favorite times, and the times I wish to remember. One time we had a particularly interesting conversation about social justice while eating pie. She really liked pie. But I'll never forget her comment: "I think the surefire way to know which people are your equals...are the people you'd invite to eat dinner with you. And anyone is welcome with me." I really enjoyed getting to know Auntie Jo. Whenever she was around, I felt like she had always been there. She just had this warm way about her that made you feel like you mattered. I always felt so comfortable with her around. You know people are great when you feel it when they've left you. I recently heard that you don't take a legacy around with you, but once you leave, it stays alive inside of the people you touched. She left a legacy and will be greatly missed. I love you, Auntie.

and the Truth will set you free.

You remember me
before I learned to run
At the kissing tree
before I learned my guns
We were 17
17 years young
I am still running
I am still running


I had no idea the pain would be this strong
I had no idea the fight would last this long
In my darkest fears the rights become the wrongs
I am still running, I am still running I am still running I am still running

Build me a home
inside your scars
Build me a home
Inside your song
Build me a home
inside your open arms
The only place I ever will belong

I am still running
I am still running
I am still running
I am still running
Build me a home
inside your scars
Build me a home
Inside your song
Build me a home
inside your open arms
The only place I ever will belong
The only place I ever will belong
inside your open arms
The only place I ever will belong


Last night I heard Andy Stanley say that when God hits you with truth, it's like the most bright, blinding light you've ever seen. You're squinting, straining, and want to turn your head away to the darkness to which you've already been adjusted to. To the God you've manufactured and are safe with. But if you take the time to keep your head inclined to the light, your eyes will eventually adjust to the Truth that is the Almighty, and you will ultimately be set free because of this Truth. But only if you take that truth seriously. Many times we ignore it. We ignore grace. And it's slapping us in the face. And we keep slapping back with our dirty ignorance.


And this song is bringing me to tears...

Do you remember when
You were way back then
You held the world inside your hands
When you told me love
Was the strongest stuff
Your strength was innocence

But, oh man
The signs of the times are omens
You're starting the day in
No man's land again

Who are you gonna be?
When you're on your knees, who do you believe?
Fear is a lonely man
You've been given innocence
You've been given innocence again

You should know by now
That your darkest hour
Is when your broken heart goes down
It's a bitter end
When the sweet begins
Grace is sufficiency

But, oh dear, we'll never deserve it
No dear, we never could earn it
Now, here, the choice is yours

Grace is high and low
Grace is high and low
Grace is high and low
We'll never be the same



"I Am Still Running" by Jon Foreman
"Innocence Again" by Switchfoot respectively

Just so happens.

I just verbalized this to a friend today, then found it on this week's postsecret.
Maybe I'll believe it now.