10.18.2009
10.06.2009
Hey everyone meet my pet. His name is Peeve.
It bothers me something fierce to listen to a father speak negatively on the things that bring joy to his son(s).
Men, Fathers...read Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge.
Don't wound your son(s) heart.
Men, Fathers...read Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge.
Don't wound your son(s) heart.
9.18.2009
Hebrews 12:1-13; committed to memory
Hebrews 12:1-13
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers that have disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more then should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but our God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers that have disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more then should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but our God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
8.26.2009
13. Garden
My all-time favorite band--Needtobreathe--just released a new album. It's called "The Outsiders". I preordered it recently and got it just a day before it released in stores. I must say, I'm very impressed with this one, and do like it better than their previous album. There's a song on it called "Garden" that really rung loud with me this morning. It goes a little something like this...
Won't you take this cup from me
'Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
I pray you'll save their souls with it
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
In this hour of doubt I see
But who I am is not just me
So give me strength to die myself
So love can live to tell the tale
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
Father let my heart be...
For you
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
Father let my heart be after you
Won't you take this cup from me
'Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
I pray you'll save their souls with it
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
In this hour of doubt I see
But who I am is not just me
So give me strength to die myself
So love can live to tell the tale
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
Father let my heart be...
For you
Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you
Father let my heart be after you
8.21.2009
My passion for baseball
So, I had a friend tonight who's still in college ask me to help her with an assignment. She's a Spanish major and her assignment was to ask a big baseball fan why baseball is their [or our nation's] favorite sport. This assignment somehow ties into how most people think that Latin American/Spanish people only like soccer, but in fact there is a huge fanbase for baseball among these Latin nationalities. Either way, that question that would seemingly be a simple or semi-short answer turned into an essay for me. I told her I was just going to start thinking back on the time when I got into it, and move forward with the story, letting my memories flow out onto the virtual paper as they came to me. It is now, more-or-less, an essay. That being said, I really enjoyed reliving a lot of those memories and thought I'd share it here with you all too. Hit up the comment section after the break and let me know what you think.
-------------------------------------
Why is baseball your favorite sport?
-------------------------------------
Baseball became my favorite sport when I was about 12 years old. I wasn't a fan of any sport at the time, really. I just loved playing outside as all kids do. I wasn't raised by parents who were fans of any particular sport, so I just didn't really experience it much.
But when I was 12, a close friend asked me to play little league baseball with him. I didn't think I would be able to because of mom’s work schedule and didn't think I would be able to make it to some of the games. His dad was his coach though, and they get two choices to "freeze" players so they don't get picked for different teams. His dad froze me and his son, so this way he could pick me up and take us both to the games. My mom was able to come to most, if not all, of the games, but she just wasn't able to get me there at the time I needed to be there.
It was about this time that I developed a passion for baseball. As I learned more about the game, there became nothing I liked more than playing catch in my friend’s field, pretending we were the greatest of the great outfielders of the time, making spectacular catches (i.e. Ken Griffey Jr.). It didn't matter to me how miserably hot it was outside. While playing baseball, the elements were never a bother--no matter how extreme they were. I would play in three feet of snow if there were enough willing people.
I began watching the Atlanta Braves on TV around this time as well. I immersed myself in the sport to try to learn more and get better. Through playing the game, and watching it at home, my mom developed an interest in the sport and she became quite a big fan of the Braves as well. When I was 13, mom brought me to my first Atlanta Braves game. My interest in the sport skyrocketed even more. Being at the game in person was an experience like no other. The place feels enormous to a 13 year old. There's a certain grandness about it that's hard to put into words. You're in close proximity of role models and superstars--those you watch on TV and strive to imitate on the little league field. Then there are the aromatic clouds of hotdog, cotton candy, and roasted peanut smells as you walk by concession stands. Then there's the thrilling excitement of reaching up into a crowd full of hands, hoping that the foul ball headed your way will actually make it into your own. I caught one of these once, albeit it was a homerun, and not a foul ball. The rush was incredible, and only increased when the home team chanted at me to "throw it back", as the homerun did not belong to our team. And then it sailed back onto the infield. I'm still not sure to this day if that was the coolest or the stupidest thing I've ever done, baseball wise anyway. Part of me wishes I still had the baseball fan's ultimate souvenir.
Another reason baseball excites me to the core is that it is NEVER one sided. I don't care if it's 10-0 and late in the game. It can still turn around. I've seen it. For example, at the first Atlanta Braves game I attended the Braves were losing 6-0 in the 6th inning to the Philadelphia Phillies. At the time, Philly was the worst team in the Eastern Division, so it was pretty depressing to be losing to them during my first trip to Atlanta's stadium. The next inning, the Braves' bats could not be stopped, and they hit two (2) grand slams in that one inning. Count the runs in that. Eight. The Braves scored eight runs on two grand slams that inning, and went on to win the game 10-6. You never heard so much thundering excitement, whistling, clapping, and hollering in your life. The energy that was created in that inning was indescribable.
I'd have to say though, that the energy in that moment was topped a few years later in 1999, when I had the ultimate privilege of attending Game 1 of the World Series--Braves vs. Yankees. We sat in the 2nd to the top row in the upper deck of the stadium--by far the highest up we'd ever had to sit at a Braves game (mind you, these were $100/seat tickets, so we bought what we could afford). It was mid-October. It was freezing cold...something about 40-50 degrees with a wind chill factor of about 10 degrees less than that if I had to guess. There was no empty seat in the stadium, and that's not an exaggeration. It was elbow-to-elbow with like-minded fans and unlike-minded opposing guests, all cheering and jeering alike. But then when the pre-game singing of the national anthem started, and we saw the enormous American flag manned by what seemed like hundreds of people, stretched from left field all the way to right field, a silent hush fell over everyone. Though we were not all in agreeance to whom we wanted to win the game, there was a unified respect in the air around us for our nation. A few patriotic verses and colorful fireworks later, the umpire yelled "PLAY BALL!", and a thunder of cheers swept across the sea of people. Though I had attended many professional baseball games by this time in my life, this was, without a doubt, a brand new experience on all facets of the game. This game is never, ever the same. And that’s one of the many reasons why I’m passionate about it.
-------------------------------------
Why is baseball your favorite sport?
-------------------------------------
Baseball became my favorite sport when I was about 12 years old. I wasn't a fan of any sport at the time, really. I just loved playing outside as all kids do. I wasn't raised by parents who were fans of any particular sport, so I just didn't really experience it much.
But when I was 12, a close friend asked me to play little league baseball with him. I didn't think I would be able to because of mom’s work schedule and didn't think I would be able to make it to some of the games. His dad was his coach though, and they get two choices to "freeze" players so they don't get picked for different teams. His dad froze me and his son, so this way he could pick me up and take us both to the games. My mom was able to come to most, if not all, of the games, but she just wasn't able to get me there at the time I needed to be there.
It was about this time that I developed a passion for baseball. As I learned more about the game, there became nothing I liked more than playing catch in my friend’s field, pretending we were the greatest of the great outfielders of the time, making spectacular catches (i.e. Ken Griffey Jr.). It didn't matter to me how miserably hot it was outside. While playing baseball, the elements were never a bother--no matter how extreme they were. I would play in three feet of snow if there were enough willing people.
I began watching the Atlanta Braves on TV around this time as well. I immersed myself in the sport to try to learn more and get better. Through playing the game, and watching it at home, my mom developed an interest in the sport and she became quite a big fan of the Braves as well. When I was 13, mom brought me to my first Atlanta Braves game. My interest in the sport skyrocketed even more. Being at the game in person was an experience like no other. The place feels enormous to a 13 year old. There's a certain grandness about it that's hard to put into words. You're in close proximity of role models and superstars--those you watch on TV and strive to imitate on the little league field. Then there are the aromatic clouds of hotdog, cotton candy, and roasted peanut smells as you walk by concession stands. Then there's the thrilling excitement of reaching up into a crowd full of hands, hoping that the foul ball headed your way will actually make it into your own. I caught one of these once, albeit it was a homerun, and not a foul ball. The rush was incredible, and only increased when the home team chanted at me to "throw it back", as the homerun did not belong to our team. And then it sailed back onto the infield. I'm still not sure to this day if that was the coolest or the stupidest thing I've ever done, baseball wise anyway. Part of me wishes I still had the baseball fan's ultimate souvenir.
Another reason baseball excites me to the core is that it is NEVER one sided. I don't care if it's 10-0 and late in the game. It can still turn around. I've seen it. For example, at the first Atlanta Braves game I attended the Braves were losing 6-0 in the 6th inning to the Philadelphia Phillies. At the time, Philly was the worst team in the Eastern Division, so it was pretty depressing to be losing to them during my first trip to Atlanta's stadium. The next inning, the Braves' bats could not be stopped, and they hit two (2) grand slams in that one inning. Count the runs in that. Eight. The Braves scored eight runs on two grand slams that inning, and went on to win the game 10-6. You never heard so much thundering excitement, whistling, clapping, and hollering in your life. The energy that was created in that inning was indescribable.
I'd have to say though, that the energy in that moment was topped a few years later in 1999, when I had the ultimate privilege of attending Game 1 of the World Series--Braves vs. Yankees. We sat in the 2nd to the top row in the upper deck of the stadium--by far the highest up we'd ever had to sit at a Braves game (mind you, these were $100/seat tickets, so we bought what we could afford). It was mid-October. It was freezing cold...something about 40-50 degrees with a wind chill factor of about 10 degrees less than that if I had to guess. There was no empty seat in the stadium, and that's not an exaggeration. It was elbow-to-elbow with like-minded fans and unlike-minded opposing guests, all cheering and jeering alike. But then when the pre-game singing of the national anthem started, and we saw the enormous American flag manned by what seemed like hundreds of people, stretched from left field all the way to right field, a silent hush fell over everyone. Though we were not all in agreeance to whom we wanted to win the game, there was a unified respect in the air around us for our nation. A few patriotic verses and colorful fireworks later, the umpire yelled "PLAY BALL!", and a thunder of cheers swept across the sea of people. Though I had attended many professional baseball games by this time in my life, this was, without a doubt, a brand new experience on all facets of the game. This game is never, ever the same. And that’s one of the many reasons why I’m passionate about it.
8.11.2009
Color me confused but...
I just don't know how God can work so much good out of so much bad. It's a mind blowing mystery.
Thank you.
Thank you.
8.06.2009
Getting organized...
Wow, I really shouldn't be awake right now, but I hate to put the brakes on progress when things are coming along nicely. Room transformation FTW!
8.04.2009
25 going on....30-something?
Ok, if anyone of you know me, you would probably know I'm not into the whole "Karma" thing, but I think I just got what was coming to me.
Jonathan--Remember when I heard about your birthday and I thought you were quite a bit older than what you actually are? Today a guy at work who is in his early 30s could have sworn I was "at least my age", as he put it. I usually have people think I'm a few years younger than I actually am, or still mistake me for a college student--but being thought of as 30+ is a first!
Oy. I feel old. (-_-)
Jonathan--Remember when I heard about your birthday and I thought you were quite a bit older than what you actually are? Today a guy at work who is in his early 30s could have sworn I was "at least my age", as he put it. I usually have people think I'm a few years younger than I actually am, or still mistake me for a college student--but being thought of as 30+ is a first!
Oy. I feel old. (-_-)
8.02.2009
[sigh]
...this has been one challenging, tiring, fun, and emotionally charged weekend. Not all at once though. It just hasn't been a "normal" weekend, if you will. I feel extremely drained right now (and still hot, as the A/C won't be fixed until Monday).
On a happy note (those have been few this weekend), in visiting with Mom this afternoon, she used her magic mom powers to pretty much eliminate all ink pen stains from my clothes. It was pretty unbelievable. I wish I had taken pictures of the clothes before she did her magic, because I was certain that it wasn't coming out. There is still visible stains that wouldn't come out of one pair of work pants, but if that's all the damage that's done, I've come out pretty well.
Immersion (Discipleship class I've been attending for the last 4 weeks) has been great, and we wrapped up our final meeting tonight. It was a really great experience...there wasn't a whole lot of "new revelations" or things I hadn't heard before, but it was good to hear it all again. Tonight especially, with the detailed breakdown of the process of discipleship. Discipleship isn't a title or status to finally "reach" or "obtain". It's an ongoing process. Ongoing. Doesn't end. And there are several different stages of the process that you could be in at any point in your life depending on the circumstances. This post isn't meant to get into all the nitty-gritty of what we talked about, but perhaps I'll delve into that later this week as I try to reflect on what we talked about and let it sink in some more. In short--I'm glad I went.
Have a good week, friend(s).
-B
On a happy note (those have been few this weekend), in visiting with Mom this afternoon, she used her magic mom powers to pretty much eliminate all ink pen stains from my clothes. It was pretty unbelievable. I wish I had taken pictures of the clothes before she did her magic, because I was certain that it wasn't coming out. There is still visible stains that wouldn't come out of one pair of work pants, but if that's all the damage that's done, I've come out pretty well.
Immersion (Discipleship class I've been attending for the last 4 weeks) has been great, and we wrapped up our final meeting tonight. It was a really great experience...there wasn't a whole lot of "new revelations" or things I hadn't heard before, but it was good to hear it all again. Tonight especially, with the detailed breakdown of the process of discipleship. Discipleship isn't a title or status to finally "reach" or "obtain". It's an ongoing process. Ongoing. Doesn't end. And there are several different stages of the process that you could be in at any point in your life depending on the circumstances. This post isn't meant to get into all the nitty-gritty of what we talked about, but perhaps I'll delve into that later this week as I try to reflect on what we talked about and let it sink in some more. In short--I'm glad I went.
Have a good week, friend(s).
-B
8.01.2009
"You got red on you."
Ah, the classic line from the comedic zombie horror movie "Shaun of the Dead". This weekend's theme continues to ring loud and true with things going wrong for me. I was pretty successful today in getting things done like yard work and all of my laundry. What went unnoticed though, whilst washing and drying clothes, was the Pilot branded Precise V5 rolling ball extra fine point pen still clipped to one of my work shirts. Color: Red.
I now have two pairs of red splotched work pants, one red splotched work shirt, three red splotched non-work t-shirts (that I happen to really like), red splotched favorite jeans, and red splotched boxer-briefs (yea, that's how I roll, what of it?). All of the underwear looks like something horrible happened down there. TMI? Maybe. But this is my blog, and I'm miffed so tough cookies.
I now have two pairs of red splotched work pants, one red splotched work shirt, three red splotched non-work t-shirts (that I happen to really like), red splotched favorite jeans, and red splotched boxer-briefs (yea, that's how I roll, what of it?). All of the underwear looks like something horrible happened down there. TMI? Maybe. But this is my blog, and I'm miffed so tough cookies.
A turn for the worse...
So, it turns out that the A/C compressor is out on our A/C unit, not the freon. This means that they won't be able to get the part until Monday morning, which also means it's going to be hot in this household until probably late afternoon Monday. Oy. Not my weekend apparently.
It's Hooooooooooooooooooooooooot!
Yesterday I had the busiest work day of my life I think. Aside from my Pizza Hut days when every friday/saturday was a madhouse.
Came home yesterday to broken A/C in the house. Well maybe more like "non-functioning". Nothing appears to be broken. We think it's just out of freon. My landlord came by and assessed the situation though, and he's got someone coming in today to fix it around 2PM. Let's hope it happens, because as much as I hate heat, I can't take much more of this. Didn't sleep here last night--thanks to Clay and Heidi who opened their home and welcomed me to their extra beds.
Today I needed to do yard work, because, let's face it, if you've seen our yard recently, you'd agree that it looked pretty nasty. Our grass hadn't gotten mowed in a couple weeks since the one good mower I was borrowing I had to bring back, and the freebie mower recently given to me will notcrank (what is this...I'm not southern!) start. Really doesn't start now that the pull starter string snapped whilst trying to start it initially. So Bill, my neighbor was kind enough to lend me his electric mower today. So that's what I've been doing...cutting grass, trimming bushes and hedges, etc. I'm feeling a little lightheaded though because its not much cooler inside the house. I think I need to rest a bit.
Until next time, blogger.
Came home yesterday to broken A/C in the house. Well maybe more like "non-functioning". Nothing appears to be broken. We think it's just out of freon. My landlord came by and assessed the situation though, and he's got someone coming in today to fix it around 2PM. Let's hope it happens, because as much as I hate heat, I can't take much more of this. Didn't sleep here last night--thanks to Clay and Heidi who opened their home and welcomed me to their extra beds.
Today I needed to do yard work, because, let's face it, if you've seen our yard recently, you'd agree that it looked pretty nasty. Our grass hadn't gotten mowed in a couple weeks since the one good mower I was borrowing I had to bring back, and the freebie mower recently given to me will not
Until next time, blogger.
7.29.2009
Snail Mail!
I received the first of what I hope will be several hand-written letters from Katie in the mail (read: mailbox, not inbox) on Monday. She's so great! There's something extra special about reading, writing, and sending mail the old fashioned way. Maybe it's the fact that you won't find "FW:FW:Fw:Fwd: tHiS iS sO tRuE OmG!1" anywhere in the message. Perhaps it's each imperfect pen stroke, unbound by their margins, that add so much more character to it. But whatever it may, it sure makes a person feel good!
7.26.2009
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