My Year in Review (Final)

I don't want to write about part three of the year. It was really good, though not without its challenges. Basically school happened. Covenant is going well, better than it has in the past. Cross country was really good. Really happy to be back with West Brow Fire & Rescue. So good to be near friends like Scott and Jamie Laslo, Uganda people, and my brother and sister.

New Movies of the Year:

I watched Dogville and Annie Hall, among other movies, with Steve Larsen in Kansas City back in January. That was so much fun. These were probably the best movies I saw this year.

I tried to read a minimum of 10 books related to Christianity this year. I only made it to 7, but I am happy. I've developed the habit :) I strongly recommend Growing Up Christian by Karl Graustien. It is simple and easy to read, and very important and influential for one's faith. If you have never read theology, please begin with this.

But the book I have truly come to love this year is Holiness by JC Ryle. Its topic and elements are basic Christianity. But even more, the elements discussed are necessary for being a Christian. Ryle shows how holiness and sanctification are essential to being a Christian. He shows the real, deep, narrow path that a true Christian must walk. It is not optional, you either are such a Christian or you are not one at all. Hebrews 12:14b says, "without holiness no one will see the Lord." And I place myself first at the line in need of holiness; this book is convicting. Go forth, buy, and read :

http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/2388/nm/Holiness_Its_Nature_Hindrances_Difficulties_and_Roots_Paperback_

My Year in Review (2)

Uganda through the summer...

Man, what should I say about Uganda. I just completed my cross cultural task here at Covenant, so I spent alot of time thinking and writing about that trip. I don't really want to write down everything I did there either. In general terms, it was a really good trip, though it was difficult. It certainly was a high point of the year, and it has changed me for the better I think. The spiritual fruits in my life are subtle I think, and perhaps slowly developing, but I think (and hope) they are present.

I spent alot of time evangelizing there, and that was good. I wanted it, and needed it. I don't think it is my spiritual gift, but I know I can do it. I really wish I did it here in America, and that can be changed.

I met alot of cool people, Americans and Ugandans, and I still keep in contact with people from both countries.

We got back, and I was sick for a week. Spent the next few weeks doing I don't know what. Readjusting, getting healthy, being a little depressed, confused, and in a surreal daze. 4th of July was good. Spent alot of time at Shawn Vicker's place, which is always nice.

Somewhere around here I realized I wanted to go back to Covenant. The fire academy fell through due to late paperwork on my part, but I am kinda glad. Covenant has been really good this year, and I am getting alot of firefighting preparation here too.

Then I got work with the window washing company again. Overall it was good, though I didn't like traveling all the time. Yet, it made work exciting. It really was kinda fun working all over the U of A campus. I remember spending the hot, muggy evenings running. Such memories.

Then the great backpacking trip with Charlie and Dr. Stevens at Mount Rainier. Such a good trip. Seattle was great too. I really would like to live up there after college. Such a beautifal and exciting place. I'll have to see what God has in store though.

Then Covenant...

A Contrite Repentance

"For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

In Psalm 51 David does not disparage the Old Testament ceremonies; rather, he reveals how in and of themselves, the blood offered by the priests avails nothing. Without true sorrow for sin, sacrifices would not cover the guilty person's transgression. Likewise, Jesus has not made atonement for those who do not exhibit repentance in their lives (Heb 10:26).

False repentance, attrition, is being is the sorrow we have for the consequences of our sin without being ashamed of violating God's holy standards.

True repentance, contrition, realizes our transgressions are heinous because they violate God's holy character. God will never despise those who express contrition; He forgives all those who repent in humility (Ps 51:17)

If you have a contrite heart you can be assured that you have been forgiven. If you are sorry that you might get caught, you are in danger of having a false repentance. Ask the Spirit to produce real sorrow for sin in your heart today.

-From the November issue of Tabletalk Magazine, produced by Ligonier Ministries

Album of the Year

Out of all the music I bought this year, I have to give Derek Webb's She Must and Shall Go Free album the award of the year. I primarily chose it because it is the first Christian album from a contemporary Christian artist that I've enjoyed in...years. The music is good and the lyrics are good. "Wedding Dress" is a great song about our unfaithfulness to God; "Lover" is a great song sung from the perspective of Christ; and "She Must and Shall Go Free" is a great song about the church and how Christ has freed us from the debt of our sin. I also liked "Crooked Deep Down" in part because the music sounds kinda like it could have come out of Sun Studio back in the day. I don't like the music from his last two albums, though the lyrics are still good. Ha ha, "I don't listen to the music dad, I just listen to the lyrics." Anyways...

Other good albums I bought this year:
Bill Mallonee: Yonder Shines the Infant Light
Vigilantes of Love: Killing Floor
Bob Dylan: Nashville Skyline

My Year in Review (1)

I am working on a paper right now and it is slow going. Therefore, it is a good time to update this thing. I haven't really written much this semester, but that's ok because I don't think people really read it.

I thought I would enjoy writing a several part series reflecting back on this past year. If nothing else, I will enjoy reflecting on all that happened this year. In a general sense, it has been a good year. I can easily divide the year into three periods: the first contains everything from the New Year to Uganda, the second contains Uganda and the summer, and the third contains the fall semester to the end of the year.

The year started out uncertain. I wasn't in school anymore, and I still didn't have a job. But shortly after the New Year I began working with Steve Larsen. I traveled to Kansas City each week to assist him, and to do some construction work. It was interesting, and I fondly remember my time in KC. It was fun to learn about the city, to see new sights, and to get to know Steve better. And the food and drink...amazing.

In February I started working with my neighbor, Peter, at his physical therapy office. At first the job was interesting, but it quickly became slow and frustrating. I didn't have much to do there, and the days dragged on. I enjoyed being home, but I already missed school and people. I visited Denver at Mizzou a few times, which was fun.

Eventually it came time to head for Uganda. I was pretty nervous. I had struggled, off and on, with doubt and worry about the trip the whole year. I headed to Scott and Jamie's house a few days before the trip, and enjoyed my time with them. Then came the day to leave...

November

Yep. One more busy month, then some freedom.

October

It is October.

The Wrath of God upon Runners

Eric Liddell said, "When I run I feel God's pleasure."

Nathan Beverly said, "When I run I feel God's wrath."

I wish I was like Eric, but I think Nathan is right.

Lynden, Washington

Charlie and I traveled to Lynden, WA while in Seattle so as to visit Rev. G's old pastorate. I was really excited about going there, and up to that Sunday morning I was unusually comfortable about going. Sunday morning my struggle with anxiety kicked in and I was pretty nervous about going to a new church, though still excited. Charlie and I did not have very formal clothing since we just came off Mt. Rainier, and we knew we would stand out in a dutch reformed church. We drove by it first since we were pretty early and we saw people walking up in pretty formal clothing. That made us more nervous, but we had a good time laughing about our situation. When we pulled into the parking lot and got out Charlie pointed to this little "poster" dutch child wearing knickers, dress shirt, and full tie. It was so funny; Charlie lost it and had to take a minute to laugh it all out, but you probably had to be there. Of course we go in and the place is full, so an usher leads us to the very front row, which was the last thing we wanted. Unfortunately we didn't talk to many people, but we met a few high school/college students. And the worship was so refreshing and the sermon was powerful. Why not listen to it here:

http://www.lyndenurc.com/Audio/Abounding%20Grace%20Lyndn%208-26.mp3

U2 on the Simpsons

I'm addicted to these online videos. Homer as a potato man...so funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-1I99BAP0&search=u2%20the%20simpsons

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caNl6Pb20rk&search=u2%20the%20simpsons

And why not...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYfKM1jEotg&search=u2%20Santiago

the days...

get up at 6:15

breakfast by 6:30

windowashing begins anywhere b/t 7 and 8

lunch 12

resume windowashing 12:45

eat dinner anywhere from 5 to 6

run 8:00

try to sleep at some point despite the muggy arkansas heat

I Think I Will Post Stuff Again

I love knowing what my favorite bands play at their concerts, even if I'm not at the show. But these set lists I viewed firsthand. Well...enjoy. And kudos to the first person to realize this blog is revived.

Bob Dylan at the Shrine Mosque; Springfield, MO; April 22, 2006:

1. Things Have Changed
2. The Times They Are A-Changin'
3. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
4. To Ramona
5. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
6. Love Sick
7. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
8. Ballad Of A Thin Man
9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
10. Cold Irons Bound
11. Lay, Lady, Lay
12. Cat's In The Well
13. It Ain't Me, Babe
14. Summer Days
(ENCORE)
15. Like A Rolling Stone
16. All Along The Watchtower

Dave Matthews Band, UMB Bank Pavillion, St. Louis, MO; June 1, 2005

1. The Best of What's Around
2. The Stone
3. Dream Girl
4. Hello Again
5. American Baby
6. Too Much
7. Louisiana Bayou
8. What Would You Say
9. Time Of The Season
10. You Might Die Trying
11. Everyday
12. Stand Up
13. Where Are You Going?
14. Hunger For the Great Light
15. Two Step

Encore:
16. Steady As We Go,
17. All Along the Watchtower

U2; United Center, Chicago, IL, May 12, 2005

Vertigo,
All Because Of You,
Elevation,
Gloria,
The Ocean,
Beautiful Day,
Miracle Drug,
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own,
Love And Peace Or Else,
Sunday Bloody Sunday,
Bullet The Blue Sky / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet) / The Hands That Built America (snippet),
Running To Stand Still,
City Of Blinding Lights,
Original Of The Species,
Pride (In The Name Of Love),
Where The Streets Have No Name,
One

Encores:
Until The End Of The World,
The Fly,
Mysterious Ways,

With Or Without You / Strangers In The Night (snippet),
Yahweh,
Bad / Norwegian Wood (snippet) / Sexual Healing (snippet) / 40 (snippet)

Bill Mallonee and the Vigilantes of Love; all the songs from 3 different shows; Nashville, TN; Athens, GA; and St. Louis, MO

1. In Time With Yours
2. Bearing the Load
3. Nothing Like a Train
4. Goes without Saying
5. After all this Dust Settles Down
6. Where the Light Does Fall
7. High...and Lonesome
8. Who will you Love
9. Good Luck Charm
10. The Kidz on Drugz (or Life)
11. I Will Never be Normal (after this)
12. Solar System
13. Friendly Fire
14. Two Become One
15. Resplendent
16. Extreme North of the Compass
17. It could be alot worse
18. Apple of Your Eye
19. With any luck at all (we may live to tell about this)
20. Opposite's True
21. Flowers
22. November Wind

may have been others here, and much overlap

Dead Blog

I'm pretty much done with this blog. It served its purpose.

Growing Up Christian

I've been reading a pretty good book titled "Growing Up Christian" by Karl Graustein. Though much of what he writes is pretty basic, I still love it. It primarily targets Christian teenagers, though it applies to anyone who has grown up in a Christian environment (but even those who didn't still benefit from it). It addresses many issues I struggled with (and struggle with), and I really, really wish I could have read it when I was a freshman in high school. Back then I really struggled with my faith, primarily because I don't think I was a Christian then. Though I claimed to be, I didn't understand the Gospel, at all. But if I had read this book then, maybe God could have gotten the message through to me. So if any of you want to borrow it, let me know.