I work at the Rock City Starbucks.
Today two Vietnam Vets reunited with each other after parting ways in 1965. I talked with them for awhile and they showed me some pics from their photo album. I told them about writing my SIP on Vietnam. They said my B would have been an A if I had talked to them. I said they should have reunited a few months earlier :)
I am off to EMT now.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Lately
I graduated from Covenant
I work at the Rock City Starbucks
I am in an EMT course through July. Tonight is IV's :(
I miss Chip and Sasha.
I work at the Rock City Starbucks
I am in an EMT course through July. Tonight is IV's :(
I miss Chip and Sasha.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Billy Cruthers
I traveled with my dad last week on one of his business trips. On Friday I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana waiting for my dad to finish his meetings. I was aimlessly driving around and stumbled across a firefighter's museum. Of course I went in. It was a pretty cool place located inside an old firehouse.
The one thing that struck me more than anything else, and perhaps more than anything in a long while, was the story of Billy Cruthers. Billy was an 8 year old boy who contracted polio back in the day. Like many others, he needed the help of an iron lung. The Fort Wayne Fire Department took the task of dealing with iron lungs in the city, which was especially brave since no one yet knew how the disease spread. So the firefighters helped Billy with his too. They became his friend. They helped him with the iron lung, and did many other things for him, and they even stopped by just to see their friend Billy. When he graduated high school, his graduation cards failed to be printed, so the firefighters went to his house and climbed the roof to announce via a bullhorn that Billy had graduated.
But the saddest thing about it was that Billy never recovered. He spent 17 years almost exclusively isolated to that machine. And then he died at 24, just slightly older than me.
I am amazed that Billy graduated high school, even though he was stuck in that thing. And that was when high school was hard. Or harder, anyway.
The one thing that struck me more than anything else, and perhaps more than anything in a long while, was the story of Billy Cruthers. Billy was an 8 year old boy who contracted polio back in the day. Like many others, he needed the help of an iron lung. The Fort Wayne Fire Department took the task of dealing with iron lungs in the city, which was especially brave since no one yet knew how the disease spread. So the firefighters helped Billy with his too. They became his friend. They helped him with the iron lung, and did many other things for him, and they even stopped by just to see their friend Billy. When he graduated high school, his graduation cards failed to be printed, so the firefighters went to his house and climbed the roof to announce via a bullhorn that Billy had graduated.
But the saddest thing about it was that Billy never recovered. He spent 17 years almost exclusively isolated to that machine. And then he died at 24, just slightly older than me.
I am amazed that Billy graduated high school, even though he was stuck in that thing. And that was when high school was hard. Or harder, anyway.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Uganda
Heading to Uganda again this Thursday. Please pray for:
The ministry. That God would bless the time for both us and the Ugandans. May people come to know Christ, and may the American and Ugandan Christians edify and encourage one another. May we grow in our relationship to God. And may God be glorified!
That no one would get sick. That I would not get sick. I got sick twice last year. And pray I come back healthy and energized because the fire academy starts two days after I return.
Pray for safety for the duration of the trip.
Pray for Uganda.
The ministry. That God would bless the time for both us and the Ugandans. May people come to know Christ, and may the American and Ugandan Christians edify and encourage one another. May we grow in our relationship to God. And may God be glorified!
That no one would get sick. That I would not get sick. I got sick twice last year. And pray I come back healthy and energized because the fire academy starts two days after I return.
Pray for safety for the duration of the trip.
Pray for Uganda.
Monday, April 30, 2007
No Title
One more final, and then this year is finally over. Tonight I shoved my historiography final under Dr. Green's door. At last, historiography is in the past.
I don't feel like it is summer break though. Uganda and the Georgia Fire Academy still loom ahead of me, and each require much time and effort. I guess summer won't really be here for me until July. Hopefully I can start window washing then. Perhaps another glorious summer at the University of Arkansas awaits me. Washing windows all day under the hot sun. But I actually do enjoy the job, somewhat.
Today is my dad's 53rd birthday. I wonder what it's like to be 53. Hard to imagine having a conscious memory of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. I wonder what my conscious memory of the 00's, 10's, 20's and 30's will be.
My eyes feel like they are about to bleed.
I don't feel like it is summer break though. Uganda and the Georgia Fire Academy still loom ahead of me, and each require much time and effort. I guess summer won't really be here for me until July. Hopefully I can start window washing then. Perhaps another glorious summer at the University of Arkansas awaits me. Washing windows all day under the hot sun. But I actually do enjoy the job, somewhat.
Today is my dad's 53rd birthday. I wonder what it's like to be 53. Hard to imagine having a conscious memory of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. I wonder what my conscious memory of the 00's, 10's, 20's and 30's will be.
My eyes feel like they are about to bleed.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Funny Stuff from US Environmental History
Dr. Morton is funny. There was a lot of funny stuff this semester. Here are a few things I remember. Listed is both class content and funny Morton stuff.
The Cuyahoga River catching fire. Several times.
"Spontaneous combustion isn't something that is suppose to happen to a river." Morton
"I have long had an interest in both salmon and dams." Author Richard White
"Acts of God!" Paul Morton in a booming voice. Multiple times this semester.
Large Pig Feces Ponds.
There is a farming town with 0% unemployment, but everyone is 30% below the poverty line. What the?? But have no fear, for a big CEO said, "I know these people. They are happy people. They are happy driving their tractors." This CEO ranted on why this situation was justified. It was ridicoulous.
Well, there was probably more. Perhaps you should just take the class.
The Cuyahoga River catching fire. Several times.
"Spontaneous combustion isn't something that is suppose to happen to a river." Morton
"I have long had an interest in both salmon and dams." Author Richard White
"Acts of God!" Paul Morton in a booming voice. Multiple times this semester.
Large Pig Feces Ponds.
There is a farming town with 0% unemployment, but everyone is 30% below the poverty line. What the?? But have no fear, for a big CEO said, "I know these people. They are happy people. They are happy driving their tractors." This CEO ranted on why this situation was justified. It was ridicoulous.
Well, there was probably more. Perhaps you should just take the class.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Liturgical Forms
In the United Reformed Church I attend back home we use liturgical forms for some elements of worship, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper. I have come to love the forms because they explain the particular event so clearly, and have been such a comfort and help to me. I especially love the forms for preparing to take Communion, which we usually read the week before Communion Sunday. It can be hard to listen to the pastor read such a lengthy form, especially after doing it so many times, but I really have come to love them. Here is one of the Communion preparation forms, if you so wish to read.
Preparatory Exhortation
Beloved in Jesus Christ, since we hope next Lord's Day (or: since it is our privilege this day) to celebrate the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we are called to prepare our hearts by rightly examining ourselves. For the apostle Paul has written: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27-28). Let all of us, then, examine our lives and, considering our own sin and the wrath of God on it, be sure that we humble ourselves in repentance before God.
Let us examine our hearts to be sure that we trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, and that we believe our sins are forgiven wholly by grace, for the sake of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross.
Finally, let us examine our consciences to be sure that we resolve to live in faith and obedience before our Lord, and in love and peace with our neighbors.
God will surely receive at the table of his Son all who truly repent of their sins, believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and desire to do his will. All those, however, who do not repent, who do not put their trust in the Lord Jesus, and who have no desire to lead a godly life, are warned, according to the command of God, to keep themselves from the holy sacrament. If we are living in disobedience to Christ and in enmity with our neighbors, we must repent of our sin and reconcile ourselves to our neighbors before we come to the Lord's table. For if we partake of the sacrament in unbelief and willful disobedience, we eat and drink judgment to ourselves.
This solemn warning is not designed, however, to discourage penitent sinners from coming to the holy sacrament. We do not come to the supper as though we were righteous in ourselves but rather to testify that we are sinners and that we look to Jesus Christ for our salvation. Although we do not have perfect faith and do not serve and love God with all our hearts, and though we do not love our neighbors as we ought, we are confident that the Savior accepts us at his table when we come in humble faith, with sorrow for our sins, and with a will to follow him as he commands.*
[And since it is necessary for us to come to the sacrament in good conscience, we urge any who lack this confidence to seek from the minister or any elder of this church such counsel as may quiet their consciences or lead to the conversion of their lives.]
All, then, who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who earnestly desire to lead a godly life, ought to accept the invitation now given and come with gladness to the table of their Lord. That we may rightly examine ourselves before God, let us seek his gracious help through prayer.
Almighty God, who has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who has provided a most wonderful communion with him through the mystery of the sacrament, we ask you for grace to enable us to prepare our hearts to receive holy communion. To all who sincerely believe in your Son and truly repent of their sins, grant assurance of your gracious readiness to receive and bless them in the supper of their Lord. To all who have not repented and have not put their trust in the Lord Jesus, grant a restraining fear of this supper, lest their condemnation be greater. But have mercy upon these and grant them grace to repent of their sins and seek their salvation in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We confess, O Father, that we have all offended your majesty and deserved your judgment. We have transgressed in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. We are truly weak. Be merciful, O God, and grant us your pardon. And let us come to the sacrament in the joy of your forgiving love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, one only God, lives and reigns forever. Amen.
Preparatory Exhortation
Beloved in Jesus Christ, since we hope next Lord's Day (or: since it is our privilege this day) to celebrate the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we are called to prepare our hearts by rightly examining ourselves. For the apostle Paul has written: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27-28). Let all of us, then, examine our lives and, considering our own sin and the wrath of God on it, be sure that we humble ourselves in repentance before God.
Let us examine our hearts to be sure that we trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, and that we believe our sins are forgiven wholly by grace, for the sake of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross.
Finally, let us examine our consciences to be sure that we resolve to live in faith and obedience before our Lord, and in love and peace with our neighbors.
God will surely receive at the table of his Son all who truly repent of their sins, believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and desire to do his will. All those, however, who do not repent, who do not put their trust in the Lord Jesus, and who have no desire to lead a godly life, are warned, according to the command of God, to keep themselves from the holy sacrament. If we are living in disobedience to Christ and in enmity with our neighbors, we must repent of our sin and reconcile ourselves to our neighbors before we come to the Lord's table. For if we partake of the sacrament in unbelief and willful disobedience, we eat and drink judgment to ourselves.
This solemn warning is not designed, however, to discourage penitent sinners from coming to the holy sacrament. We do not come to the supper as though we were righteous in ourselves but rather to testify that we are sinners and that we look to Jesus Christ for our salvation. Although we do not have perfect faith and do not serve and love God with all our hearts, and though we do not love our neighbors as we ought, we are confident that the Savior accepts us at his table when we come in humble faith, with sorrow for our sins, and with a will to follow him as he commands.*
[And since it is necessary for us to come to the sacrament in good conscience, we urge any who lack this confidence to seek from the minister or any elder of this church such counsel as may quiet their consciences or lead to the conversion of their lives.]
All, then, who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who earnestly desire to lead a godly life, ought to accept the invitation now given and come with gladness to the table of their Lord. That we may rightly examine ourselves before God, let us seek his gracious help through prayer.
Almighty God, who has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who has provided a most wonderful communion with him through the mystery of the sacrament, we ask you for grace to enable us to prepare our hearts to receive holy communion. To all who sincerely believe in your Son and truly repent of their sins, grant assurance of your gracious readiness to receive and bless them in the supper of their Lord. To all who have not repented and have not put their trust in the Lord Jesus, grant a restraining fear of this supper, lest their condemnation be greater. But have mercy upon these and grant them grace to repent of their sins and seek their salvation in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We confess, O Father, that we have all offended your majesty and deserved your judgment. We have transgressed in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. We are truly weak. Be merciful, O God, and grant us your pardon. And let us come to the sacrament in the joy of your forgiving love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, one only God, lives and reigns forever. Amen.
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