As I’ve sat here over my turkey sandwich and pondered the meaning of life and other such quandries, I’ve arrived at some random thoughts.
1) For one, tonight I’ve realized that I really need to get away from smileys. Specifically I’m referring to the 
’s that are often sprinkled in one’s emails, postings, and handwritten communique. I’ve realized that I use these way too often, perhaps a long-encumbant hangover from my instant messaging days long ago. So goodbye, ’s! I will now practice a one-per-communique limit.
2) I’m definitely looking forward to going back to school! It’s been nearly two years since I sat in a classroom as a student. God has been doing lots of amazing things in my life to prepare me for ministry but more lies ahead and I’m totally excited to see what will happen over the next few years as I head to Northwest Baptist Seminary. It’ll be a challenge, but God is faithful and doors have been opening and He will continue to provide. If all goes well, I should be taking a class next quarter to somewhat “ease” my way into it all.
3) I’ve been small, per capita, for most of my life. I was born at a whopping 10lbs 5oz and 23 inches, but since then I’ve consistently been below-average in height and weight. For most of my life I’ve been made fun of, picked on, pushed around, or ignored because of my size. From time to time I’ve proved myself a worthy competitor regardless, but it’s always bothered me. Over the past few months I think I’ve finally reached the point where I’m fine with it. It’s not apathy, either. It’s acceptance. Yoda would say that “size matters not”, and I agree.
4) I really miss singing. There was a time when that was all that I wanted to do. If I could’ve I would’ve sang as an occupation. When my stomach condition hit me back in early 2004 that dream was pretty well shattered. It hit me in my fourth semester studying voice and as my stomach worsened I lost just about everything I’d gained. It makes me sad. I wish I had an answer as to why that had to happen, but I don’t.
5) God is good! Oops, there’s another smiley. Oh well. I’ve been reflecting a lot on God’s faithfulness and the blessings He brings into our lives; I’m looking for them. It’s so natural to just go through each day, from sunrise until we lay our heads down again, just trudging along. Every day just feels a bit more special when you look for the ways in which the grace and faithfulness of God is displayed in even the little things we encounter! That being said, I’ve been looking the past few days and can definitely say with joy and confidence that God is good!
Those are my random thoughts for now. Till next time.
-in HIS strength,
Stephen
Ezra 7:10
I was hoping to learn a little bit about Northwest University’s grad programs for Education but they cancelled the information session due to weather. Geez. It’s been nowhere near snow or “bad weather” since this morning. Oh well. It seems that I won’t really be able to attend a session with them along those lines for at least a couple months now, which pushes it past the application date. It wasn’t meant to be, perhaps. Regardless, one of the ladies with the program told me there is no certification for bible or theology and that “the state doesn’t require certification” to teach those things. What she’s not understanding, however, is that pretty much every Christian school in Washington DOES require teacher certification, so regardless I’d be stuck learning and being certified in a liberal arts discipline that I do not plan to teach.
Confused? Yes I am. It somewhat feels like I’m back at ground zero, looking for a new job, furthering my education, and not living on my own. Among other things.
“I felt sorry that I had no shoes until I saw the man who had no feet.” It could always be worse. Regardless of what may be uncertain or unsatisfactory from my perspective, the faithfulness of God could not be overstated! He is always there, watching over me and guiding my steps. I wish that I was more in step with the Spirit, being filled and guided by Him in all things. I am happy to say that my time in His Word and in prayer is growing and becoming more real and personal each day. Something about me is changing – and heck – among many other (and more important) things I am actually gaining some weight for once! I’ve gained ten pounds in the past three weeks; that’s a miracle for me!
Regardless of whether or not I stay in my current job, or start a new education, or remain single, or ever reach my target weight, or WHATEVER else, I know that I cannot fail to take my mind off of the upward calling of Christ. If I forfeit that to gain anything else, than I’ve lost focus of the one thing our eyes must never falter from. It would seem that if I do not fail to continually grow and become established in Him, then such things will be added unto me; He will always take care of me until I transition from this life into glory. As easy as it is for me to say that, I pray with all of my heart that I would put that into form and action. I pray that I will be a pliable clay in the Potter’s hands, that He might shape me, and mold me, and smooth out the ridges while conforming me to the image and example of His perfect Son.
Goodnight; it’s time for me to get some rest.
-in HIS strength,
Stephen
Ezra 7:10
Only the legendary John Rambo could give these words a legendary status. Saw the new “Rambo” earlier this evening. Definitely not a kids movie, certainly not a chick flick, most assuredly not for the faint of heart. Wow. The story was more than could be expected given the genre and reputation the Rambo franchise brings to the table. I think it was also the only Rambo movie in which the title character did not appear shirtless once. Entertaining stuff, though!
In the spirit of manly movies, here’s a little fun trivia for ya; I’ll give five bucks to the person to answer this question correctly. To which super star Hollywood muscle man does the photo-cropped arm in the upper right belong to? Hint: Even given the context of the post, sorry, it’s not Sylvester Stallone.
I wouldn’t say that a whole lot has happened since I last posted, but since it’s been a full week since then, I figured I would do what I could.
Things used to be different in the Christian community. Many centuries ago, rather than choosing to enter into full-time ministry the church chose you. The leadership of the region would appoint young men and train them for to be bishops and pastors. Some of the men chosen actually ran from the church out of fear. Why were they afraid? Because of the responsibility. They took seriously James’ words when he stated in his letter, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” They understood the concept that they were the shepherd of souls and that they would be held accountable for what they taught their sheep as well as how and where they led them.
Ever bite into a fresh and tender chocolate chip cookie expecting it to be something wonderful – a truly taste-bud quenching enthralling experience – only to have it ruined by raisins? Ever slide a forkful of the most derelict and horrifying meatloaf which your eyes have ever encountered and yet been warmly embraced by a surprising delight? My night was a little bit like the latter.
This is by no means fresh news, but I found this interesting quote by the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. I’m trying to imagine what the responsive outcry from Americans would be like if one of our highest officials said something like this. These words are an excerpt from a press conference speech (I believe) which he gave back in September upon announcing that he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques.
“Immigrants, not Australians, must adapt. Take it or leave it. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
I was taking a break while studying for my Sunday school lesson tomorrow and I ran across this video. It was made by students at the Vancouver Film School and it made me laugh. My assumption is that the people who put it together were just having fun and not necessarily putting forth any certain viewpoint on creation or any particular worldview. I’m posting it because I found it, well, amusing. Enjoy!
Actually, perhaps in the words and worldview of Mr. Carl Sagan, “The cosmos is all there is, or was, or ever will be.” We’re all made of star-stuff!
Here is but one of MANY reasons to understand the correct way by which we should study, interpret, and apply Scripture!
WARNING: It’s just a little gruesome.
HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) – A man who believed he bore the “mark of the beast” used a circular saw to amputate one of his hands, cooked it in a microwave and summoned authorities, Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies say.
The man, in his mid-20s, was calm when deputies arrived at his home in this north Idaho town Saturday afternoon, and neither he nor the severed hand bore any noticeable tattoo or other mark, sheriff’s Capt. Ben Wolfinger.
“It had been somewhat cooked by the time the deputy arrived,” Wolfinger said.
The man, whose name was withheld, was in protective custody in the mental health unit of Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, where he and the hand were taken by ambulance. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Johnson would not say whether an attempt was made to reattach the hand, citing patient confidentiality restrictions.
“He put a tourniquet on his arm before, so he didn’t bleed to death,” Wolfinger said. “That kind of mental illness is just sad.”
The New Testament book of Revelation contains a passage in which an angel is quoted as saying, according to the New International Version of the Bible, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury.”
The book of Matthew also contains the passage, “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
Wolfinger said he didn’t know which hand was amputated.
Source: http://www.komotv.com/news/local/13560282.html, “Man sees ‘mark of the beast,’ cuts off and microwaves hand”
It all started with the most weak-sauce fireworks presentation my eyes have ever gazed upon!
I’m starting to get the feeling that 2008 is going to be nothing short of an interesting year. Generally speaking I would not consider myself to be the type to make predictions or assumptions concerning the near or distant future. It would seem, from past experience, that the more I plan the more my plans get upset by the onset of reality. God has a way of both opening and closing doors where we have not planned, and for that I am grateful. Ultimately, He knows what is best for us and our own plans often run in contradiction to what might be considered “our best interest” in terms of eternal perspective.
