Perseverance in Truth

2006-08-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

Wow. It has been a very long time since I last posted here. I guess it's time for an update.

I am still working at Tenaya lodge, it's a job, I like it, but I hate it too. The work is good, the people aren't too bad, and the pay is good, but the hours are the worst of any job I've ever had. I have a good week when I work two days, most of the time I'm not working at all, which isn't very different from before I had the job. So I'm looking for something full time. But I'll stay at Tenaya until I do find something else.

It's been a full third of a year since my last post.
I have a new car, a 1971 Dodge Dart. It's a great car. I'm in the process of writing a novel and a devotional, I figure if God gave me a skill to write, I'll use it to glorify Him. Still single, still living at home. Still haven't lost any weight. Still haven't made anywhere close to enough to get into flight school. But I'm still working, that's all I can do.

I feel like I need to break away. From what, I don't know. But there's some kind of freedom out there I haven't had before, or maybe I had it once, a long time ago, I can't explain it, but I need it. I guess it's time for something new. Haven't got a clue what.

Keep me in your prayers, I need it.

God is good, there ain't nobody better!

2006-04-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry. It's been a while since my last post here. I came back from Tennessee. It was a good trip. I should travel more. Oakhurst is a wonderful place, but it is nice to get away sometimes.

I got a job working at Tenaya. The one place I said I'd never work at. I'm a Houseman slash a/v tech, so I set things up for conferences and dinners and things. So far it's a good job. Pays well.
All the other guys there are thin as rakes, I feel a little out of place sometimes, but I'm trying my best to do what I need to do. It may take a while to get in the groove, but I'll get there. Before summer hopefully. I hear it gets really busy in the summer.

Well, that's what's been going on.

I'm praying about getting a real discussion group going with some friends. There are some minds that I want to get together to get some good discussion about the Bible. I hope I can get everybody I want.

2006-03-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

Tennessee. I'm going to Tennessee. Of all the states in this country, Tennessee was not one of the ones I'd have figured I'd go to. But this afternoon/evening, I will be getting into my sister and brother in law's Ford Aerostar with my dad and we are going to drive from here(Oakhurst) to there(Clinton, Tennessee) in approximately four days. Bakersfield tonight, Flagstaff tomorrow, Oklahoma City Sunday, then we head to Nashville Tennessee on Monday where we will be meeting my sister and brother in law and on Tuesday we'll then travel to Clinton which is where they're moving. Then we(my dad and I) are going to be staying in or around Clinton from Tuesday to Thursday night, then we're flying back from Nashville to Washington DC to Los Angeles and I'll never know why a longer flight is cheaper... a full 8 hours stuck inside a flying aluminum bottle. Don't get me wrong, I love flying, when I'm actually at the controls... I can't think of any worse torture than to be stuck inside a pressurized flying bottle with just an 8 inch window to look out of. Honestly, given the choice between an airline flight and driving back, I'd drive. It's longer, sure, but you see more scenery the closer you are to it. We could rent a four wheel drive and drive through he mountains, maybe up through Montana, that'd be awesome. Then back down through Washington and Oregon, I'd like that a lot. I saw a documentary on the Channeled Scablands in eastern Washington, and ever since then I've wanted to go check it out. Some day I will. But our tickets are already bought...and I'm not the one planning this trip...unfortunately. This will be my first cross country road trip though, and I've always wanted to drive through the Southwest, so I suppose I'll just have to deal with the flight back, maybe I'll read a book...

Of course, ariline flights aren't all bad, sometimes there's turbulence and things get a little exciting. I've seen a cup of water hit the ceiling of the cabin and splash all over the place. That was pretty funny. Takeoffs and landings are pretty good too. There's nothing like the feeling of being accelerated to two hundred miles per hour from a dead stop in less than a quarter mile. And it's fun to gauge the skill of the pilot on landings, that's the toughest part.

But alas, the Channeled Scablands and Montana will have to wait until another day.

I'm missing Church and Bible Study next week because of this trip. But I'm bringing my Bible and notebook so it won't be a total loss.

I'll be back in almost exactly one week from right now. The house is going to feel very empty with them gone. And they're taking their xbox with them... I am sad they're going, I'm gonna miss hanging out with Mark, my brother in law. And I'll miss my sister and nephew. But this is best for everybody, I know. Belive me, I know.

And so I'm going, I'll be gone for a week, then I'm coming back. There you have it.

2006-02-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

Rap Concerts are interesting things. I've been to two now. DC Talk way back when they were still together. And last night down in Sanger. I went to see T Bone with my friends. I don't really listen to a lot of rap, but T Bone's lyrics are really good. T Bone is kind of a Gospel Rapper. It was very loud and I'm actually surprised that my ear drums aren't damaged. But I enjoyed it.

On the ride down there, I had my hand out the window shaping it into a wing and creating lift. When we stopped or slowed down, there was no lift of course, so my hand wouldn't fly.

So we're all wings. When we're moving, we can fly, when we're stopped we fall. It is imperative that we continue moving in our walk with God. If we stop or slow down at any time, we can fall. Now, I don't know what you think, but when planes fall out of the sky, it's a bad thing. So don't stop, and don't slow down, keep going. Keep flying, don't stall out. The Engine we've got never fails and never sputters so stick with it and you'll fly higher than you ever thought you could.

God is good, there ain't nobody better!

2006-01-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

Dack seems to be coming along nicely. For those of you who do not know about Dack, Dack is the combination of Dave and Jack. "Jack" is something of a joke among my friends. A couple years ago I went camping with two friends of mine and in the time we spent up in the mountains, my friends discovered that I am very um...interesting. This was the personality that I generally hide in public, the real me, essentially. At the time, I came up with the name "Jack" for my more exciting personality that I usually hide. It's three parts Han Solo, two parts Indiana Jones, with a bit of Jack Sparrow thrown in for flavor all in a Dave-shaped container. Now, this third part, "Jack Sparrow", came about after the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, but I did come up with the name "Jack" long before that movie.
And so, recently, I've been getting tired of being boring old Dave, the aloof, quiet, patient shell I keep "Jack" hidden in. So, I'm going through the process of bringing out more of "Jack", though I don't want to lose the virtuous "Dave", I have decided to attempt a merging of the two.

All this is a fancy way of saying that I'm gonna try to be more outgoing. I could have said just that, but I wanted to give the history of the thing. I figure most of the people who read this blog care about me, so they should know what's going on.

On Saturday I think I did well with this. I went down to Fresno to Mazzei flying service to ask about flight school, and I think I came across fairly well.

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2005-12-30T15:30:00.000-08:00

Streamlined. Functional. Efficient. That's what I like about airplanes. The whole structure is devoted to keeping itself in the air. The wings providing lift, the tail keeping it straight, the engine pulling it through the air. All the different parts working together to get you from point A to point B.
I'll take a pretty little taildragger over a 747 any day. Aviat, Cessna, Piper, even an old Staggerwing would be nice.

I wish I could fly. I wish I had the money to pay for flight school.

"I want to fly, into the sky
And turn my back on this old world,
And leave it all behind..."

-Shawn McDonald, Simply Nothing, Gravity.

2005-12-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

God is good.

That's all I have to say.

2005-12-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

They were stealing my peace! They didn't know it of course, but they were doing it just the same. I forgave them as always, and I took my peace right back. Even though they're my friends, my brothers, if I have peace about something I'm not gonna let them take it even if they want me to spill my guts. Especially if they want me to spill my guts. I was perfectly fine until they wanted me to spill my guts to them. I had peace. Not a single worry, and I still don't, because this is a God given peace and it's not just gonna go away. It's staying. And I don't need to spill my guts to them every time they see me thinking about something.

Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who has any inkling about what's really going on. It may not be true, but sometimes it feels like it.

The real question is who can I share this peace with. I'd like to share it with a few people, but I don't know if they're ready to listen just yet. It's sometimes hard to bring up a subject like this, in a serious context with certain friends of mine. On the other hand, it's possible to share it with maybe one or two people who would, perhaps, understand. But it's a delicate situation.

Until then, I'll keep it between me and Jesus.

"Let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]." Colossians 3:15

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2005-12-19T16:40:00.000-08:00

Just another step. One more stride toward the Truth.
Every day.
Every hour.
Minute.
Second.

With every breath. One more step.
Every thought.
Every word.

Everything said, spoken or unspoken.

Life consistently interrupted by Truth. Broken by Grace. Twisted into Love.

Threading a tapestry of yourself, using the colors of who you know you are. And along with your colors, threading the color of Truth, Grace, Love, Purity. The One Thread that will hold it all together, making it unbreakable.

All to the Glory of God.

Peace hold you.

2005-12-13T22:46:00.000-08:00

Good night! It has been a good night. Ooh, here we go.

Isaiah 47:10,11 and Isaiah 48:9,10

"For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said 'No one sees me.' your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; and you have said in your heart, 'I am and there is no one besides me.' Therefore evil shall come upon you; you shall not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to put it off. And desolation shall come upon you suddenly, which you shall not know."

"For My name's sake I will defer My anger, and for My praise I will restrain it from you. So that I do not cut you off. Behold I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."

There I was sitting in Bible Study, it was just beginning and we were worshiping with Promise and her guitar. I was singing and reading those two passages over and over. I've recently been slipping a little bit. More than I should even on my worst day. I didn't know what was going on. But it all came to a head tonight. As I sat and read those passages, I came to the realization that this was me it was talking about. Really, truly. God was speaking directly to me! Those two passages described exactly what was going on! I have been tested in the furnace of affliction! Haha! God is good!
I've got such a peace now. Something I haven't had in way too long. God is so good. I need to start worshiping more again. I've discovered that's why I was slipping in the frst place. I've got a lot of good music I can worship with, I just need a place to be alone with Jesus. That's the hard part. My car broke down, that was my main place of worship time. Everywhere I went I'd have David Crowder or Newsboys going. I miss singing in my car. The truck I'm borrowing from my parents doesn't have a cd player. A real bummer. I need an adapter or something, seriously.
I'll find one.

God is good! All the time! There aint nobody better!

2005-12-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

"...Rise, Peter, kill and eat." Acts 10:13

Stick with me here. Going in a different direction with this.

First off "Rise".
Get up off your bum and stand up! "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1Cor. 16:13 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand." Eph. 6:13
You can't do anything sitting down. To do anything you must stand up and be sure of what you are standing on. You are as strong as the foundation you stand on. So Rise.

"Kill."
Take away that which hinders you from your goal. You can't eat unless you kill first. "And from the days of John the baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12
Nothing of vital importance can be accomplished without a violent struggle. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Under God's authority, nothing can stand against you. You know where you stand, fight according to your foundation.

"Eat."
"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:14
The solid food of the Word comes when you have "exercised your senses to discern". This comes when you know where you stand, and how to fight according to your foundation. When you exercise this knowledge, the solkid food of the Word comes to you, and this is where you can come closer to completeness in the Word, and closer to God.

God is good. All the time.

2005-11-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

I have to retire a good pair of shoes tomorrow. These shoes have been places. In these shoes I climbed my first mountain, went on my first jaunt with a real backpack, and hiked up a snow covered mountain. They've been good shoes, they've served me well. I've done more in these shoes than most other pairs I've had. I'm kinda sad that I have to retire them. If I could repair them , I would. But I think they deserve a break. I will retire them and replace them with the new version. Tomorrow.

2005-11-15T06:12:00.000-08:00

Colossians 1:29 AMP

"For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightliy enkindles and works within me."

Wow, huh? Think about it. "...striving with all the superhuman energy whuich He so mightily enkindles and works within me."

All the superhuman energy within me. The Holy Spirit and His power which is in us. Striving in accordance with the Holy Spirit.

Last summer I learned what it was like to strive with all of my own energy on a certain hike while working at Summit Adventure. The only thing that was holding me back was the pain from the scar tissue in my lung from when it collapsed when I was born. I was really going, and I felt like I could have gone on forever.

As human beings, as created, we are strong. Very strong. Though, even though I felt like I could have gone on forever, I would have had to stop eventually. Because as strong as I am, the physical part of me still requires food and water to survive.

But we are neat little packages aren't we. Created in the image of the Godhead. Genesis 1:26 That's gotta be the all time coolest thing ever. In His image. But think about it. As strong as we are, we are nothing compared to God. He is omnipotent, (all powerful), and He is in us. Think about that. And think about what Paul said in Colossians. "Striving with all the superhuman energy" If that doesn't blow you away, meditate on it until it does. I mean, I'm young yet, and I don't know really what it means in its entirety. But even what I can understand with the eternal power of God and His great love for all people, the power of the Holy Spirit is with me. And I want to strive with Him for His work in His strength. With Him, I will go on forever.

God is good. All the time. Selah.

2005-11-08T17:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. I should say something.

I don't want to work at Tenaya. Nice, high-class places like that don't make any sense to me. I'd rather *clenches teeth* dig a trench. It pays well, good clean work, vacuuming, moving tables, setting them. It'd be perfect if it wouldn't drive me nuts. I know it would. First off, they'd make me shave my goatee, cut my hair, and dress in black and white, essentially taking away every bit of individuality I've got. Then they'd put me in a building all day, confined like a prison. And to top it all off, if all that were not enough, I'd be around...tourists. Rich people who can afford to stay at Tenaya. People who don't care a whit about the natural beauty of this place. I love 'em, but I don't like 'em.

The ruminations of a local Oakhurstian. I'd rather spend a morning in the cool of the High Country than in some puffy, froofroo bed.

I may be broke, but I've still got my dignity. And I've still got Jesus, He'll never leave me. He's all I've got to be satisfied with. And what a satisfaction is He. Even broke, I am blessed beyond measure. Well and truly blessed.

There is a path before me, but my eyes are closed. Am I too afraid to take a step? Or am I waiting for clarity? It's sometimes hard to tell the difference.

2005-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Drats! Foiled again! There I was, all set up to write a book, with a story all my own. Then boom. I see a move that had my idea a long time ago. The movie "Serenity" based on the TV show, Firelfy. I'd never seen the show, for lack of cable, so I thought that there was nothing like it out there. And I had this idea of a realistic science fiction story set in our future with starships and everything. But it's already there and I don't want to look like a copycat, so I have to rethink my story. Bummer.

It was a good movie though.

2005-09-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Worship is good. I enjoy worship. It's good for you. You know, it's basically what these bodies of ours were made for, glorifying God. I don't think there's anything better than doing exactly what you were made for. Really, truly. Nothing better than that.

You know, I was looking at a list of Christian denominations and you know what I saw? Hundreds of different churches. I want to know, WHY??? I want to know why people tear apart the Bible and believe pieces and parts of it. Why don't they take the whole thing, read it, believe it, and have that settle it? Why? This I do not understand. It is His Word! The only Truth on this planet! God is too big for us to understand, so why do we try? He will tell us what He wants us to know, what we need to know, if we listen patiently with nothing of ourselves getting in the way.

God is good. All the time. There ain't nobody better!

2005-09-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

I left my watch at the church. It was a good wedding though. But I left my watch at the church. The tux wasn't actually as bad as I was thinking, still, it was a tux... and I left my watch at the church. It was actually a cool tux, I just didn't like wearing it, I couldn't wear my watch with the tight shirt sleeves. So I left my watch at the church.

But it was a good wedding, and the tux wasn't as bad as I was thinking, it was actually pretty cool, but it was a tux, and I didn't like wearing it.

But I left my watch at the church. My wrist is naked, it's got that tanline that comes from always wearing a watch. I miss my watch.

2005-09-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well. My friend is getting married today. Which is cool. Only drawback is that I've got to wear a tux. I hope he appreciates what I do for him. I'm happy he's getting married though. It's a good thing.

I hope I find a girl who doesn't want a big production wedding. Simple works best for me. But that's just me... Most of my friends want all the trumpets and fanfare you can get. Not literally of course, I'm not even sure if they know the meaning of the word fanfare. That's what I get for being the most eloquent of the bunch... *sigh*

So yeah, if you're out there, oh future wife of mine, just remember, keep it simple. Okay?

That's all for now.

2005-09-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, time for a new blog post.

Stuff's been happening lately. Nothin' too big, unemployed yet again...

I'm starting to think that I should get myself into a real job. Possibly auto mechanics. We'll see.

Got a couple new shirts. Long sleeved. Crazy huh. Have to roll them up to keep my style... They look okay though.

I've decided that I shouldn't watch movies that have that chick flicky love junk. Just makes me want to have a girlfriend. Just saw "You've got mail". I thought it was funny, considering a certain awkward position I found myself in recently. Suffice it to say there were a few parallels. Nothing like a good P.I.C. to brighten your day. Stands for 'Potentially Interesting Complication' in regards to females and myself. We don't mix real well unless there's no way that there could be any kind of romance. Female friends are good. Anything else is awkward, at least as far as my experience goes.

There you have it. I would like to have a girlfriend someday. But not until awkwardness takes a hike.

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better.

2005-08-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Whooooooo!!!!

Rain! Lightning! Thunder! haha! First storm in what feels like forever. Beautiful.

God is good! All the time! Whoooooo!!!

2005-08-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Well, there was no hope, not in the way I thought at least. But God's will be done. He knows better than me how to live my life. I'm not crushed, because there was nothing to crush. I've finally learned to guard my heart. I no longer fall fast and hard for girls. It won't happen.

Well, maybe once...

2005-08-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

I cut my finger today. But it was a nice clean cut, didn't hurt. I was trying to carve a piece of wood and I slipped. Same finger I had five stitches in from slipping while trying to carve last year. This cut doesn't require stitches. I'm glad my knife was nice and sharp, makes for clean cuts and quick recovery. *grin*

2005-08-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Something's happened. I'm feeling joy, peace, love. Whod've thunk it? How on earth can this happen? Maybe because this has nothing to do with the earth. I haven't felt like this since...well, I dont want to think about then. This is now.

Hope.

2005-07-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hmm. In the last week, I've noticed that it is beneficial to be blessed with both brains and brawn. So to speak. I mean, not to toot my own horn, but I was told that I'm becoming a 'myth and a legend', simply because I did by myself what took five people last summer at Summit, moving tables was all. I was a little sore the next day, but it was pretty simple.

I get the feeling that people are impressed by me. The other night we went up to a place called the 'balls', it's a big rock climbing place. I spent the night without a sleeping bag. Everybody made a pretty big deal about it. It was just one night. It was rather cool with the wind, I just had my long coat and my boss let me borrow his son's coat. I zipped it up and stuck it on my head and slept. Well, kinda slept. I figure if it werent for all the shivering my body was doing, I could've slept a little more. But I've never seen so many stars than I did that night. The Milky Way was so bright, vivid, and I saw stars where usually I'd just see black space, the whole sky was full of them. And the mountains, don't get me started on them. Awesome. I just sat there and thought, "God made this so I could look at it." He said it was good, I agree wholeheartedly.

And well, I'm pretty content with myself at the moment. To be honest. But more accurate to say that I'm glad God blessed me the way He did.

God is good! All the time! There ain't nobody better!!!

Sheesh.

2005-06-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Seems I can't go even a single day without something coming up. I shake my fist at it. I think we're undergoing an invasion of cute brunettes. They find me, I don't know how, but they find me somehow. So she comes up here at base, me blissfully ignorant of everything but the truck I'm washing, talks to me, of all people, wants to know if someone was here, and there's this lovely, semi-awkward situation where she's telling me the 'camp name' of someone here at Summit and asking me if she's there or not, I can't keep track of all these different names for different people.
Long story short, the person she was looking for wasn't here, so she left. Leaving me grumling about cute brunettes and why the heck they want to talk to me. Do I have a sign on me somewhere I can't reach? I mean, really folks, something's gotta be goin' on here.

And at the coffee shop too! The girl was all flirty with me! Has something come over all brunettes suddenly?

*sigh* Busy day.

2005-06-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Is it profitable to understand? Sometimes all the effort I put into attempting to understand something just leaves me with more questions.

Considering feelings, the sort of which lead you to contemplate talking to that girl who was selling or giving away puppies or kittens in front of Raleys. I don't think I really want to understand those kinds of feelings. And yet, here I am, torn between the desire to go back to her, and knowing that I will not.

Why not? You ask. Well, you've heard that old saying: People are always a fraid of what they don't understand. But then, if you're one of the guys, you'd say: Fear is of the devil. Which is quite true. And I know perfectly well that if anything is God's will, it will work out, if not, then it won't.

She seemed to recognize me, and she seemed familiar, which could mean a lot of things. Embarrasment among those things. If I know her through one of the churches around here and she has a boyfriend, there's embarassment. Then you'll say, why not just say hi and figure out why she seems familiar, then your mind will be put at ease.

Then I say what if she's not attached? Hmm? What if I go say hi and try to figure out why she seems familiar and we end up spending the day together and having dinner and getting into a relationship? I mean, that'd be fun and all, and a new experience for me, but I'm more concerned about what God wants for me this day. Above all else, I think He wants me to spend time with Him. And thinking about this cute, familiar looking brunette selling or giving away puppies or kittens in front of Raleys, it can only detract from my time with Jesus today.

So I'll leave it in His capable Hands. If I am indeed meant to know this girl, if it is God's will, then I will. And that's all I need to understand.

2005-06-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm here at Summit Adventure. It's pretty cool. Sleeping outside is awesome. So cold, I love it. I haven't been able to do any backpacking yet, but we spent three nights at Kelty Meadow Campground, that was really cool. We had an entire day just to sit and talk to Jesus up there, that was awesome.

There is a surprising number of Star Wars fans here. The Boss's kids enjoy playing wih sticks as lightsabers, this I also enjoy(I'm a little kid at heart).

There really are a lot of cool people here, rock climbers, backpackers, they're a lot of fun to hang out with. I hope I get more chances to hang out with them over the Summer.

Life is good. God is good. All the time. There ain't nobody better!

2005-05-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Perhaps not the greatest timing...right in the middle of finals, but hey, we're back. And it looks like things are gonna be just as good as before, if not better.
Still the coolest person I've ever known.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's okay. I just felt like saying something. Because what has happened is really cool, I've found an old friend again. And it looks like I'm not going to bored anymore...

2005-05-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

I'm excited. I get to sleep on a porch. All Summer long. Right across the lake from where I grew up. I get to build things, and fix things, and make things look good. I get to maintain vehicles. I get to make new friends, and hang out with them and talk about Jesus. All Summer long. And I get to go backpacking. Backpacking! I have always wanted to do that. And I get paid $300.00 a month for doing all this. Am I blessed? I think so!

Working at Summit Adventure is going to be wonderful. It's the last camp on my list. I wonder if I'll end up staying. I'd like to, it's a ministry that I'm really excited to get into. Backpacking, telling people about Jesus, it doesn't get much better than that.

God is good. All the time. There ain't nobody better!

The Journey.

2005-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is actually a story I wrote for a friend. I modified it from the original.

The journey began, a simple way of going, though it promised to be long and arduous at times, but the traveler deemed himself ready. Taking the first steps, he found that it was a good way of going, that the end of the road would bring him to where he needed to be, where he wanted to be. He enjoyed the beginning stretch of the journey as it found him in high spirits and filled with joy. Nothing could touch him, the ground beneath him firm and stable. But soon, the road wound up becoming steeper and harder to follow, it became narrower and in places, the road could barely be seen. For the first time he found himself frightened by losing the path. There were markers signaling where the road should go, but after a while, even those disappeared. Finally, he stopped. The last marker was at the base of a huge mountain. He arched his neck back but could not even see the top of the mountain for it was hidden in clouds. He thought he could make out the thin line of a path winding back and forth up the mountain. But he could not see where he could get to that path. He knew that he had to get to the top of the mountain, somehow, for that was where he needed to be, where he wanted to be. But there he stood, he thought: Perhaps I can move around the mountain and find an easier way to go. So that was his decision, he stepped off the end of the path and began traversing the rough uneven ground, his feet slipping beneath him. But instead of heading in the direction of where he knew the path to be, he moved off in the direction where he noticed that the mountain seemed less steep. But before he got anywhere close to the mountain, he came upon a cliff unexpectedly and slipped off the edge. He fell down onto a ledge, unhurt and alive, but farther away from the mountain than he had ever been before. There was no way to climb the sheer rock face. If there was someone with a rope, they could come find me and pull me up. He thought. But there was Someone. Someone with a rope at the top of the cliff. He only had to cry out and the rope would come down and he would be saved from the ledge. The One with the rope knew that there were many who fell off this cliff onto the ledge, and He would always be faithful to reply to anyone who called out for help. And after He would pull them up from the ledge, He would guide them to where the One True Path started back up and they could continue their journey to where they needed to be, where they wanted to be.

If you find yourself on a ledge, don't accept it as your fate, there's still a mountain to climb after all. Sitting on a ledge will get you nowhere, and feeling sorry for yourself helps nothing. You need to realize that the ledge is not where you should be, and you need help to get off the ledge. You can't do it on your own. The faithful One with the rope is ready and waiting to take you from the ledge. All you have to do is trust Him.

2005-04-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was crackng myself up again today....
Some things are just funny you know?

I don't really know how I feel about this change I've been going through since working at Calvin Crest. I'm more outspoken than I was before. Last night I was talking to Keith and I actually raised my voice in public! I NEVER would have done that before. I don't know if I like being outspoken. It reminds me of who I was when I was younger. Nobody liked me back then. Well, I had my friends, but back then I was the leader of my friends. In my 'click' I was the one who made the decisions. People depended on me. I was good at it. But I was a kid, a smart kid, but a kid nonetheless.

And now, that leader mindset has shoved its way back into my head, but I haven't got anybody to lead. And my friends are suffering for it. One in particular, who just happens I'll be visiting tomorrow.

Goodness, I wish I knew what I was doing before I do it. But I've learned something new about myself. Which is only half good, since learning it produced drama in a few relationships. Drama sucks. I have some apologizing to do, I didn't mean to hurt anybody(I didn't even know what I was doing), but it's my responsibility, because it happened on account of me.

I do wish there was somebody out there I could teach. Somebody I could help.
God has appointed me to be a leader, of what or who, I don't know. But I'm gonna need a whole lot more preparation until He can really use me in that. I want to be ready for when God decides to use me. So that's what you can pray for me.

2005-04-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Laughter is a good thing. I just don't know if laughing at yourself is good. It is fun. Suddenly realizing you know nothing after believing you know everything. To me, it's a good reason to laugh at yourself. I find it stinking hilarious.

There's something I want to get off my chest right now, but I have to wait for it.

You know, it's the little ironies that really get me. Sometimes I just bust up laughing. It's a good thing.

2005-04-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

The following didn't actually happen, but it's a good summary of current events:

"Hey."
The young man looked up from his reverie, noticing that his friend had just spoken to him. "Hey, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothin' much." His friend replied. "What's goin' on with you?"
"Not much, just sitting here, alone, until you showed up. I'm..." The young man seemed to be at a momentary loss for words.
"You're what?" His friend asked.
"I don't know. Just bored, I guess."
"Somethin' bothering you?"
"What do you think?"
"Oh, that..." Now his friend was at a loss for words.
"Yeah, just a little on edge maybe." He explained, practically gritting his teeth.
A slightly confused look passed over his friend's face. "Why... no, I know why it bothers you, but, should you really let it get to you like that? I mean, it's not even your problem."
Now he really gritted his teeth. "I know. It's just... it shouldn't be a problem at all!"
"Whoa, man, no need to yell, I'm right here."
"I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't let it get to me. It's just that it's such a huge change and...and..."
"And you can't help."
He steeled himself. "Yeah." He said in a huff.
"You don't even know what it is."
"I know... not knowing things always gets me into trouble. But I can't just give up. She's my sister."
"Maybe you should just take a break. Let whatever it is take it's course. She'll come around, I just know it."
"You're probably right. She's always been strong. If she still has a fraction of the strength she had before, she'll overcome it. I should just not worry."
"That's right you shouldn't. You've already said what you felt you needed to, you don't need to worry."
"You're right." he said, breaking a small grin for the first time in what felt like ages. "Thanks."
"It's what I'm here for Dave." His friend told him with a pat on the shoulder.

2005-04-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

I saw a meteor fall out of the sky last night. The cool part was that it must've been less than three miles away, if I hadn't been driving, I may have even heard it. It was bright, kinda bluish in color as it broke up and burned as it fell. That was pretty cool. I'll bet I'm the only one who saw it. You always see those things from far away, I wonder what the odds are of seeing a meteor large enough to make it to the ground instead of burning up in the atmosphere.
That was pretty cool.

2005-03-29T23:33:00.000-08:00

I feel like I should say something intelligent.

2005-03-29T00:50:00.000-08:00

Humph. I had it all worked out. Then I had to go and ask for advice... I guess I'll spend a couple days praying about it. See what Jesus tells me, b'fore I try to get to know her. Patience.

2005-03-28T19:34:00.000-08:00

Sheesh, what is it with me and girls lately?!

2005-03-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

Whelp, I think life's a bit more interesting than it has been in the past, quite a turnaround huh... All these things going on, with the possible ministry up here at camp, and also, doing something that really makes me wonder about some things I've believed of myself in the past. Inviting a girl to hang out with me, so I can get to know her and invite her to our Bible study. She's in my Trig class and we've been aquaintances forever, we say hi to eachother, but not much else. Hey, Steph, sound familiar?
Anyway, figuring that the last time this happened with a girl I became awesome friends with her eventually, why not try it again? I mean, I have precious few female friends, I could stand to have another. Of course, there is a limit to my assertiveness, being the shy guy I am, and having it difficult for me to effectively communicate whilst in a large group(that'll change someday), I wrote her a note with my phone number on it. I plan to give it to her the next time I see her, which will be tomorrow.
So pray that she won't see it as some kind of come-on, though, I might be interested in her, and if that look I got last time meant anything, she might be interested in me, but at the moment, I just want to be friends, to get to know her, and invite her to Bible study.

2005-03-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah. That girl I told you about the tall, pretty one with short dark brown hair, yeah, she's a twin. And believe me, that can get stinking confusing right there. Not like it really matters terribly, InterVarsity left today... I laughed at myself. Twins, the one girl I noticed out of the whole group and she was a twin... I was all like "Was it her who smiled at me or her..." It got pretty confusing... They didn't look exactly alike, I could tell a difference, but I just wasn't sure which one it was...

But like I said, it doesn't really matter, they're both gone.

2005-03-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

My goodness! I almost forgot to say something about the beautiful weather we had today! It snowed! And it's stinking cold! I shoveled snow today! I love shoveling snow! It's like one of my favorite things to do!

InterVarsity is up here this week. There's a girl I want to say hi to. She's tall and pretty with short dark brown hair. I don't know if I'll get a chance to say hi or not, it's okay if I don't. No biggie. She is pretty though. And she did smile at me more than once...

Oh Dave, get over yourself...

2005-03-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

Perhaps I am not so bored as I think... Some things you just need to get past before you realize the Truth of the matter...

Yeah, I've had more exciting times in my past, but that doesn't mean I'm in a rut. The world hasn't seen the last of Dave Ramsey just because I'm bored...

You know what's crazy. I opened a door for a girl tonight at church, without even thinking, never even saw her before...weird. That's generally not something I do on a whim...not to say there's anything 'special' about that particular girl, I simply wasn't thinking. If I'd thought about it, I most likely would have waited until she went through the door before I even approached the door. But For some off reason I walked up to the door right beside her and opened it for her. Maybe I'm turning into one of 'those guys' who open doors for girls... That's actually kinda scary if you think about it. I mean, if I actually used my charm...no, that's too crazy to think about. I'm a gruff and scruffy mountain man. What use have I got for charm?

Craziness.

2005-03-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

Who am I kidding. That's not why I'm bored. I'm over her for the most part. Though it seems to be worst on Saturdays...

I am bored. But this particular boredom is only about three weeks old. How would you like it if you couldn't talk to your best friend anymore? Huh?

Goodness, still naive...

I'm stinking bored and all I can do about it is post on my blog.

2005-03-12T17:43:00.000-08:00

I am dead away bored out of my mind. At least I know what my problem is. I believe I shall tell a story.

There was a time, a little over a year in length, where I found myself comfortably stimulated mentally. In other words, I wasn't bored to death. Quite the opposite was true. I was actually excited time and again, that doesn't happen to me often. The source of this excitement (no kidding) was a girl. To preserve her privacy, we shall refer to her as "Ricochet" Now, Ricochet was no ordinary young woman. I owe much of what my Spiritual life is now to God working through her. She was/is an amazing young woman. If it had been possible I'd have seriously considered her to be a potential girlfriend. I don't say that lightly. I've never had a girlfriend and it takes a lot for me to be really attracted to a girl. But she definitely had it all. She was a true Jesus follower, she was probably smarter than me, she was a writer(an extremely skilled one at that), and to top it all off, she was as much of a Star Wars fan as I am.

The only problem was that we never actually met. I met her on the StarWars.com message boards. Right away, I could tell she was something special. Even without actually seeing her. I think she noticed something about me too because she ended up putting me into a story she was writing. She gave the excuse that I had a cool Star Wars name, but I think there was something else there. It took her about a year to write the story, and I assisted her with it over email. Those were exciting times. Some of the most fun I've ever had was emailing her about her story and seeing how it panned out. She was an awesome writer. The story was eventually finished, and it was a true masterpiece. I'll still never delete it from my computer.

But you know what they say about "all good things". I had known that it was God's will that we cut off communication for almost six months before it happened. I had learned what I had needed to learn from her. But still I hoped, foolishly, that we might meet in person. But it was not to be. We parted, both knowing that it had been the right thing to do.

But still, I don't think I'm completely over her. Every so often I think about how good it was and imagine how completely awesome it would be to just sit down with her in a corner booth somewhere and talk our heads off about Jesus and Star Wars. I would be happy with that.
I told her that I hoped we'd get to meet in Heaven. But I still wish that we might someday be able to meet down here.
So yeah, without people like Ricochet in my life, I'm dead away bored out of my mind.

But God is still good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2005-03-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm up at Calvin Crest now. The people here are kinda fun. They were concerned about scaring me during our meeting last Sunday night. They might find out that behind my calm, stoic exterior, I can be just as weird as them. Not to say that they're 'weird', due to the negative connotations of the word, but they're camp people, and being camp people entitles them to a few eccentricities. I don't hold it against them. So yeah, I'm having fun here.
I still need to talk more though. I would like to get to know these people better, and that entails speaking. So pray that I find my voice to say what I need to.

Well, that's all for now, there'll be more later, count on it.

God is good, all the time, there ain't nobody better!

2005-02-22T01:39:00.000-08:00

This is something that I never expected I'd do. Work at Calvin Crest. Growing up in Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, I had the pleasure of signing up for summer camp at Calvin Crest. When I was very young, I went to Miwok Village. When I was still young, but not 'very' young, I spent a week every summer at Sherwood Forest; my Sherwood name, not quite as original as some, was "David Diamondback" as in the diamondback rattlesnake(I had a thing for reptiles back then). Then when I was in Junior High, I went to boomtown, had a tan bandana first time, then a green one, I still have both. But once I hit highschool, I stopped going. I don't really know why. I entertained thoughts about doing Outpost, but I never went for it. But since then I've been to a few retreats, dinners and such up there, I've always liked the place. My oldest sister was summer staff there once. And my middle sister did Outpost. I actually did a babysitting job at Cedar Lodge once...went for a little hike with this cool little kid, that was fun.
Now, I've worked at most of the Christian Camps in the area, Sugar Pine, Camp Oakhurst, and Emerald Cove/YSSC, I guess Calvin Crest is next on the list...then after that, maybe I'll see about working at Summit Adventure. Who knows? Hmm. I wonder if anybody else has worked at all of them...I could be the first one.
It's not set in stone yet, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to do the Common Fire thing for the next few months. I don't know what kinds of ripples I'll send into the bucket, but I think it'll be a good thing.

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2005-02-11T02:14:00.000-08:00

Something came up very recently. Something that God had prepared me for. God is good, and He is always faithful.

Jesus tells us that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. And also to love our neighbors as we do ourselves. Those are the first and second greatest commandments. So essentially, as His followers, we are all called to love.

Now, forgiveness is a big part of love. We all grew up hearing John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." NKJV. This awesome love of God gave all of us the ability to be forgiven of our sins. Indeed, Jesus atoned for our sins as He died on the cross.

If, then, we are called to love our neighbors(whoever they may be), should it not seem fitting that we too forgive them? I mean, really forgive them, finding no fault, and seeking no judgement. For men are not the judges of men, but God judges every heart in perfect justice. In forgiveness, you can show that you do not seek vengeace for wrongs done, vengeance is the Lords anyway. By forgiving others who wrong you, you show God that you are worthy of being forgiven. "For if you forgive people their trespasses[their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will forgive you." Matthew 6:14 AMP. And conversely, "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses." Matthew 6:15 AMP. What more incentive do you require? This is repeated throughout the New Testament. Luke 6:37 is another example.

It has been Said to me, personally, that I am to forgive those who sin against me the very moment it happens. Now, this I have had no trouble with, for God has made my capacity for love pretty big. I would encourage everyone who reads this to also take this with you. To ask God to give you love, so that you might forgive those who sin against you, and let it go.

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2005-01-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

Alright guys. I've thought about it. I never meant to demean our friendship. I never meant to fall away from being your friend. I'm sorry.

Your comments bring me back to the point in my previous post about wise counsel. Being called wise counsel is nothing to balk at. Just because I do not need 'a best friend' doesn't mean that you all are any less of a friend to me. You guys are my family, I don't need any more incentive to get back into our friendship.

In a sense, I do just need Jesus to be my 'best friend'. That doesn't make you guys any less important to me. It doesn't! I don't have a human best friend, but I do have you guys. I do care about you, and I really do consider you guys my family. But as far as best friends go, I need Jesus to be that, He's big enough to be my best friend and I want only to focus on Him right now. I need to do that.

Being called wise counsel is not an insult. If someone told me that I had given them wise words, that'd be one of the greatest compliments I could recieve.

And Jon, I can handle myself with any spirits that might be messing with me. Trust me Jon, I've dealt with all this 'wife stuff' before, I know how to deal with it. And this time I won't let another girl to get to me, no matter how much it feels like God wants me to, at least, not until I grow quite a bit more.

We'll talk more later. I'm sure of it.

Thanks guys. I'm glad God gave me people like you to make sure I'm never complacent for too long. I'm also glad that all this happened so that I know more about both myself as well as knowing more about how things are really supposed to happen.

Okay, now we need to talk again. I'll see you guys tomorrow.

Complacency

2005-01-26T01:56:00.000-08:00

Complacency is the antithesis of growth. This is truth. Complacency breeds stagnancy. I have learned the threat of this truth this very night. Where you are not growing continually in the Word of God and not seeking His will on EVERYTHING, no matter how trivial, or indeed unrelated it seems, you can grow stagnant, you find a place you feel comfortable and you rot there. It takes a pretty big kick in the pants to get you out of this rut. For me, tonight, it was the pain of lonliness. For those of you who do not know, I have never had a relationship with someone where I could call them my 'best friend'. I do indeed have very wise and Spirit filled friends, Paul, Jonathon, Keith, Stephanie and others. But none I can say are my best friend. Indeed, I did not realize this until this night, walking around my quiet, mountain neighborhood, that I have become stagnant in my desire for a best friend. This is not a bad desire, Jesus wants me to have a best friend. But He wants me to desire Him more.
This is twice now, that I have tried to seek other things before Jesus. Oddly enough, females entered into the equation both times. God knows he can use females to break me, and when I need to be broken, He does it. God is so good that he will begin the change in me when I am unwilling do to so myself. When He want's me to change, I'm changing, there's no two ways about it.
We must all continue to grow in Jesus, and never find ourselves in the same place for too long. No matter where you are, no matter who you're with, you must be constantly growing in Jesus.
We will all be held accountable for every idle word we speak. Therefore do not speak idleness, but speak for Jesus always. Never find that you are growing dependent on people to guide you, never allow people, no matter who they are, to stand between you and God's will. If the anointing of the Holy Spirit is in you, He will teach you. You have no need to be taught by others about Him. Though, taking wise counsel is wise. God gives us friends for a reason.
I have committed myself to the Lord. Therefore I must be constantly growing. If I find myself in one place for very long, I will grow complacent and comfortable and I will rot. I do not want what God has given me to rot inside me. I must continually grow in Jesus so that whatever His will is, I will do without hesitation.
I do not require a best friend. Not yet. God will give me a wife who will be my best friend. But it is imperative that I get to know Jesus first, before he can give me a best friend. And getting to know Jesus will take up enough of my time for me to be unable to to have any other best friend. I know now that I prayed in err. I asked Jesus for a best friend. But I already have one! I do not need to have another human like me to be my best friend, not until I am married. I need only wise counsel by those whom God has given me to be my friends.

If you are willing to accept it, this is true for everyone who has committed their life to Jesus.

I'm done feeling sorry for myself for not having someone to spend time with. Because I do have Someone. Someone Who knows me better than I do, He knows better than me how to live my life. Someone who has Done and will Do anything and everything for me. It is the least I can do to give Him all of my attention. I will allow Him, and He will continue His work in me. So should we all.

It might do well to meditate on what I have learned here, it may have pertinence to you as well.

2005-01-21T01:25:00.000-08:00

*carries soap box to street corner, sets it down and stands atop it*

Okay. This's what I've got to say. If you know me, you know that I do not like phones. Now this is not news, but what might be news would be the fact that there is another method of communication that I have an almost equal dislike of. Now, keep in mind that I prefer face to face verbal communication to any other form.
This is my reasoning:
When you're talking to someone, verbally, face to face, you have a very good chance of really understanding the other person. Not only do you have the words they're speaking, but the manner in which they are spoken and also any non-verbal additions to the conversation ie. body language. Telephones are able to effectively communicate the first two, but they leave out body language, which in many cases is essential to effective communication.
Now. There is another form of communication that is indeed less effective than telephones. Not only do you lose body language, but you also lose how the words are being communicated. So essentially you have one third the effectiveness of a normal conversation. This other form of communication I'm talking about is the internet.
*insert droll, frustrated expression here*
One of the worst things about communicating over the internet is that there are some people who can only use that form of communication to speak to some other people. Sure, with the internet, you've got plenty of time to think about what you're going to say, but the other person can only read you, they can't listen to you or watch you.
The internet can be heaps of fun, and even with just being able to read what other people are saying, good things can still happen. I may not like it, but I have indeed learned almost as much from typing to people as I have speaking to them.
But I still don't like it. It's too easy. With the spoken word there is more risk involved and therefore it is more conducive to growth. So there is my reason, there ain't no rhyme, at least not unless you're actually talking to me...

*gets down off of soap box, picks it up and walks away from the street corner*

This has been an official protest made possible by the Dave Ramsey "Rules of Communication". No animals were harmed during this official protest. If you have any questions referring to the Dave Ramsey "Rules of Communication", please direct your inquiries to the author of this blog. Have a nice day!

2005-01-11T01:39:00.000-08:00

Well guys, I'm back from Australia, but you already knew that huh... I'm registered for two classes at "Oakhurst Center". Trigonometry and General Philosophy. You may ask, "Hey, Dave, did't you say you wanted to get into writing? What do trig and philosophy have to do with that?" I'll tell you. "Way back in the day, before I grew up, I wanted to be a scientist. The reason I took trig was so that I could go on to take physics. Though, at the time, I was terribly distracted, yes, by a girl... no need to get into that now. My mind wasn't in school and I lost all motivation for it. So, I made an informed decision to take a break. I would retake the classes I didn't pass, later. And, well, now is later. And I think I have at least a small measure of motivation and determination to get it done. I have five classes I need to take again, and over this semester, summer semester, and if all else fails, fall semester, I will be working on clearing up my transcript so I can possibly transfer to a nearby university to get into writing."
My only hope in all of this is that it is God's plan for it to happen. But I'm committing this all to Him, and He will do what He wants with it.

2004-12-19T03:31:00.000-08:00

Well guys, I'm in Australia. The flight down was very long. Just about 14 hours in the air. And you know, I wish I'd been flying myself, it got very boring. Don't fly Qantas, they show bad movies. And Stephanie, no, I didn't get wings, you weren't there to talk me into it... :) They din't give me peanuts, but they gave me a bag of goodies that I didn't eat...we flew into Sydney then transferred to a flight to Brisbane, pronounced (bris-ban). When we got to Brisbane, the people who were supposed to pick us up were five kilometers away at the "international" terminal, we flew in to the "domestic" terminal unbeknownst to them. Good news though, Rick Jackson, our leader, was indeed able to come along. But yeah, my first ever experience in Australia was walking five kilometers in the summer heat, lovely... We stayed at a hotel in Brisbane the first two nights, and we've been going around downtown Brisbane handing out tracts and "talking" to Japanese people. Though, I can definitely see a much larger group of people who need Jesus, not just the Japanese. You guys would love it here. There's definitely some wicked that needs to be thrown out. I've asked God about it but He says that it's not up to me to do it. I would if He wanted me to. Tomorrow we're going to the beach. Some of the group are going to try to surf.
I miss you guys. And tell Keith that he doesn't ever need to bother going to Australia, his wife isn't here. :)
It's interesting, I feel comfortable here, it's my kind of place. I never would have thought that about a city... But it's different here, more relaxed, laid back...not like America where people expect so much out of others and everybody's in a rush to get rich. Australians are interesting people, one of their main sayings is "no worries", and that's how they live. But all that said, you don't have to worry about me staying here, believe me, I'm looking forward to going home(with an Australian accent)...
Keep praying for me, I'm gonna need it big time. Discernment is what I'm going to be needing most in the next week, so please pray that for me. You're all still in my prayers too.
Let's see, its just about 10 pm here Sunday night, that means it's about 3 am Sunday morning there. 19 hour difference, Brisbane is 19 hours ahead of California.
So yeah, I'm having a good time. I'm actually talking to people, but they're mostly already Christians. We're working with a presbyterian church here, so maybe I can get some 'untie my bowtie who stole my honda' goin' on. That'd be cool, get some baptisms in the Holy Spirit. I don't know if that's what God wants, but I'll be praying about it. You guys should too actually.

PS. Christy loves you too Stephanie! :)

God is good, all the time, there aint nobody better!

2004-12-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Australia. From the 13th to the 28th of December, I'll be in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It'll be summer there. With my hat, I hope to be mistaken for a local :). I've been mistaken for an Australian before because of the hat. Anyway, the reason I'm going is to go preach to people. Japanese students actually. My church sent a missionary couple to Japan and they moved down to Australia because there is a large population of Japanese students there because, in actuality, they don't want to go to school in America. They feel that Australia is safer and much closer to Japan. The team I'm going down with are going to help the missionary couple who have started a church for the Japanese people there in Brisbane. So, that's what's up. I appreciate your prayers.

2004-10-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

How can a fish understand how a bird flies?

Bear with me here…

A fish swims, it understands the water, and it knows how to live there. It can't imagine anything beyond the water. Fish aren't prepared for life out of the water. People who live according to the world are fish and the world is their lake. Though, unlike people, fish can't change to live in the open air. By the grace of God, people can see what's beyond the water and see that it is better. It takes a long time though, to adapt. They have to grow lungs and wings if they are to fly and live in the open air. It is a spiritual evolution, if you will.
If the lake is the world, then the air above is life abiding in Jesus Christ. There is a far grander world than the lake everybody seems to live in. If you will allow Jesus to pull you out of the water, and begin His masterful work in you, you will go from gills to lungs, and fins to wings. And you will: “…mount up with wings as eagles…” Isaiah 40:31
In this spiritual evolution, the old creature is gone where the new creature flies on the grace and love of God. If you live as a fish in the lake, do not be afraid to be taken up into the air. For though you lose the world and it’s treasures, you will gain a grander place with treasures more beautiful than you can possibly imagine.
But it does not end there in the air. There is indeed no end to the changes if you choose to live according to the air. If you let go of your life and allow Jesus to fill you with His Spirit, He will change you even more. Turning your wings to flippers, but retaining your lungs, you will live in the water, but not according to the laws of the water. Breathing air, the fish will see that you are different, and they will ask you (a dolphin) how they too can breathe air.

How can a fish understand how a bird flies? It must see and know that there is more to life than being a fish in the lake. It must see that there is something much better to breathe than water. It must choose to be changed. The change is not always easy or quick, but the result far outweighs the trial of change.

2004-10-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Woohoo! God is good! Our God is an awesome God! He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power and love! Woohoo! Yeah! I've been sanctified man! It's a Holy Ghost party! Woooooooooo!!!
So, what have you done for Jesus today? Hmm? You know it's a friendship right? Friendships are indeed two way streets, you know. Jesus died for you, but He's still alive so you can do things for Him. You know, I hear he loves everybody, and he wants everybody to know him, so why not go tell somebody about Him? He'll love it!

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2004-10-06T01:48:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a plane. I need to fly again. I flew a plane once. I was sixteen. It was wonderful. I don't know why, but I feel safer with a pair of wings holding me up than being strapped into a climbing harness. That actually doesn't make any sense, but it's true. Although, planes are indeed more comfortable than harnesses... I love planes. All planes, any planes. I can't say that I enjoy being a passenger on an airliner though. Too confining, I'd rather be flying myself. I'll stick to small planes. No "push-button" flying for me. Gimme a Cessna 177 and I'll be fine. http://www.aso.com/ad/85012/ext-2.jpg I think that one suits me. 65,000 bucks, but hey, if God wants me to have it then that's fine with me. A truck, a plane, and a nice big piece of land in the high country and I'll be happy. But not my will, but God's be done. I'd give it all up for Jesus. No doubt. Heaven will be much nicer anyway.

Jonathon, one question. What's a bennie?

2004-09-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Imagine if you will, a world where no one is the same. Every person is unique, but they all seek the same goal. Now, imagine that goal. Whatever it may be. If all the people in the world seek the same goal, will it be denied them? And imagine the sense of unity among all people, as they strive together for this goal. Billions moving as one.
Now imagine the church. The Body of Christ. Is the Body of Christ unified as a whole? Do all followers of Christ seek the same goal? Do some of them sit in church and soak up sermons that they'll forget as soon as they leave, while others preach and prophesy about the coming of Our Lord? A call to unity is what we need, people. The Body of Christ, as a whole, reaching out to the ends of the earth, bringing healing, peace, and the Holy Spirit wherever we go. Would you deny the Grace of God to that small child growing up in filth? Would you deny Paradise to those whom you love but never reach out to? Christianity is not solely a "sit-down-and-pray religion", it is a relationship with your God, a friendship with Jesus. You know what He did for you. What will you do for Him?
We separate ourselves because we cannot agree on some things. If we dwell on our similarities, rather than our differences, a unity can grow from there. All those who call themselves Christians believe that Jesus Christ died to free all people from the bondage of sin. That in itself is enough for Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Baptists, Mennonites, and all other Christian denominations to be of one accord, to have unity. That is the body of Christ, it has many different parts, but if we all know Who to worship and what to do with what God has given us, then we will all be seeking the same goal as a whole. All of us have a part to play, not everyone will speak in other languages by the Holy Spirit, not everyone will prophesy, not everyone will heal the hurting. But I tell you, if you believe, truly believe that God can use you, He will.
You are worthy no matter what sins you may have committed. Jesus never condemns, He died so no one will ever have to be condemned. Turn away from the flesh and from this world of conformity and seek Jesus with all your heart. That is His will for you.

"The Lord is my shepherd." Psalms 23:1 He is my leader, I follow him, he knows where I'm going, I do not. I am but a sheep, mindlessly gnawing away at the grass that He has led me to. I don't know what grass is in store for me in the future, but God will always be my shepherd.

"I shall not want." Psalms 23:2 As long as I follow Him, my every need will be met. I will be blessed with that which God desires me to have, according to His will and timing. He knows when to lead me to new pastures, and if I follow when he leads me, those new pastures will be more abundant than I could ever imagine.

God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better.
Woohoo! Go Jesus!

2004-09-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

I got rained on! I wore the hat and the jacket, it was wonderful. In the words of my friend Stephanie: "Yay!" :) It's cold, I'm happy. But the clouds are gone for now. No more rain for a little while. Too bad. I'd love to see some snow. It's cold enough right now for it. Alas, the sky is clear. Most people would consider that a good thing. But I grew up in Oakhurst. :)

I was happy all weekend. God is blessing me big time. It may take a little while for those blessings to show themselves, but that doesn't matter, God's timing is better than mine. "God knows better than me how to live my life." -Dave Ramsey. The further I go down the road, the easier it is to trust in Him, the more I need to trust in Him. God is so good.

2004-09-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord! There were clouds in the sky today. I don't think I saw a single patch of blue sky all day. It was wonderful. I didn't have to squint or wear sunglasses. It was cool all day, even the air coming through the broken air conditioner in my car was cold. It wasn't quite cold enough to for a jacket, probably sixty to seventy degrees. I prefer hat and jacket weather myself. Hat and jacket weather means: cold enough to wear a jacket and snowing or raining hard enough to wear a hat. I don't do umbrellas. My umbrella is my Indiana Jones/Aussie hat. There are actually some people who would not recognize me without that hat on. It works for when you're in the sun all day too. I highly recommend getting a hat like mine. Sure, it might mark you as a back-woods type person, but that's not an entirely bad thing. If you're curious, I do wear the Indiana Jones jacket too. Indy's one of my two favorite movie characters. The other one is Han Solo. :) I figure dressing like an archaeologist/adventurer from the '40's is better than dressing like a space-smuggler from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... And it's not all the time, only when the weather permits, obviously. But alas it wasn't cold enough today for the hat and jacket. But it was a lot cooler than it's been lately, to quote my friend the Holy Thug: "Glory hallelujah, praise the Lord, grace like rain." Oh, by the way, I am BLESSED! God is so good. Trusting in Him is so freeing, I don't have to worry about ANYTHING! It's awesome. God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2004-09-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! God is so good. If anybody tells you that true friends are not blessings from God, they are a lying to you and the truth is not in them. It's late and I'm feeling happy and silly at the same time, it's kinda fun. Yes, I'm a guy and I used the word "silly". I'm confident in my masculinity enough to do that. *grins* Anyways, God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better!

2004-09-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

God is so good. He'll bless you with things you never realize you need. He'll bless you with more than you thnk you deserve sometimes, but you do deserve it. To Him, you're worthy of all blessings. Never mind your sin, get rid of it and forget it. Your sin is nothing next to the Grace of God. We are not mere flesh and bone anyway, we are created in God's image. God said: "Let US make man in OUR image, according to OUR likeness." Genesis 1:26a. He was speaking as One, but also as Three. Not only do we look like Him, we also have a soul and a spirit like Him, though in and of ourselves, we have no real power other than that which He Himself bestows on us. We are indeed a reflection of God, and just as we can manipulate our reflections with mirrors and lenses to create images, so God can manipluate us(if we are willing) to show Himself to those who need Him.

2004-09-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

This is my first post. But I suppose that's obvious. Thanks go to Stephanie for introducing me to blogging. This should be fun. I might even preach a little(or a lot). Last time I had any kind of journal it was a notebook with pencil-smudged pages. That was way back when I thought I had something to write about. But now, I definitely do. God the father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I couldn't imagine a better trio to expound upon. The Creator, Saviour, and Sustainer of all of His children. God is good. All the time. There aint nobody better! *grins*