Thursday

The Importance of Hell

by Tim Keller

1. It is important because Jesus taught about it more than all other Biblical authors put together.

2. It is important because it shows how infinitely dependent we are on God for everything.

3. It is important because it unveils the seriousness and danger of living life for yourself.

4. The doctrine of hell is important because it is the only way to know how much Jesus loved us and how much he did for us.

full article here.

God is enough.

For the past couple of months I have been thinking and praying about this phrase "God is enough." I've just been thinking, what would be the effect if everything we do reflected the realization that God is enough.

While sitting in a freshman orientation class, we were in a computer lab and the librarian was showing the class how to use the internet and look for books and research. (how many times have you sat through one of those before?) At that moment I began to feel like my life was wasting away, this is pointless, I wanna just leave and eat. Then out of nowhere I stumble across this article about children being used as soldiers. It caught my attention and stumbled across a profound quote that really shook me and has been haunting me. It was by a boy named Salifu Kamara, it said, "I was not born a boy soldier; my captives forced me to become one. I had to obey them to stay alive today. When you have nothing left but God, that is the time you realize that God is enough." (here's the story)

I'm not sure the means or what it means to have nothing left but God. It's a phrase that at times scares me as a christian to say that God is enough because there is so much that I want, money, success, attention, girls, comfort, etc.. In my heart I know God is enough, but my head wants to doubt that and say that there is better satisfaction in other things. It just does all sorts of things to me thinking, what it would look like, if the way we lived reflected the realization that God is enough. I want my life to have purpose, and when I take away everything about life that is meaningless: selfishness, anger and concern over stupid small things, worry, unsatisfaction, overspending, desire to be accepted, I end up with nothing left but God.

Freakin' Texas

If you paid any attention to the republic convention, the Texas delegation should've caught your eye at least once. Decked out in cowboy hats, sparkles, and shirts of the Texas flag (notice I capitalized Texas, because I am proud of the state, just when this happens I question myself).


"ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Delegate Dawn Gilbert has gotten her fair share of attention at the Republican National Convention this week.

She wanted a hat to wear, so a friend decked out a Dr. Seus hat with a boat on one side, a basket of blueberries and a lobster on top.

She has been interviewed by several news outlets, including some individuals from the Republic of Georgia.

Across the floor was the Texas delegation, who waved their cowboy hats in sync. She stopped by.

“Well boys,” she said she told them, “how’s this for a hat?”

“Now that’s a real hat,” Texas said......"

"If you want know how to act at a convention, check out the Texas delegation. First, they all wear the same outfit topped with a cowboy hat, so they are really noticeable. Anyway, the Texas delegation also leads cheers. On Tuesday night, during some of the breaks, the delegation would yell "McCain!" and the alternates would respond with "Palin!" They're also encouraging people to stand up and wave their signs, and they even tried to get the wave going."

Dandelion Heart

This is a new song I've been working on. While praying and talking with a friend of mine we got into an interesting conversation. He was telling me how hard his past was, and how making the transition back into high school was scary because he felt old and had this fear of not succeeding. I can relate, I'm not sure where I'm headed, but I think it's too early to worry about that.

are you way up there?
I hope that you are listening, hope to hear you whispering
how long can this heart beat
sink or swim is what they tell me and I'm a little scared
I'm jumping in the deep
but you can turn it all around and put me back in
the ground where you once found
my dandelion heart

what have I become
Am I the only one still hanging from a tree
shaking like a leaf
what if I should run
I'm like a ghost with noone to haunt
running in the dark

You will always shine
and together we'll brave the winters
you'll open up my eyes
and let me see your bigger than
what the world keeps telling me
what the world keeps telling me
You will hold me in your hands
and there i know my heart will be safe

you can change my mind
change is strange but im still listening, hardly hear you whispering
you know i can't stand long
had to bring me to my knees just to put me back on my feet
Lord your all i need
cause you can turn it all around and put me back in
on the ground where you once found my dandelion heart

Top 10 Tracks This Week

1. Sylvia Plath- Ryan Adams
2. Here Comes the Flood- Peter Gabriel
3. Possession- Sarah Mclachlan
4. Videotape- Radiohead
5. Time to Pretend- MGMT
6. Lost! and Lost?- Coldplay
7. Hold On- Emmylou Harris
8. The Embrace- Unwed Sailor
9. Heart Attack Time Machine- Waterdeep
10. The Night Starts Here- Stars

As of Aug. 29, 2008

School has started and it's nice to finally get back to learning. I'm usually not real excited about the curriculum school's have, but college has given me hope. Here are some things I'm looking forward to:

1. Reading victors and vanquished in history class
2. My essay about creation vs. evolution
3. A psychology project, which I am not quite sure what it is, but it looks promising.
4. I'm an ace at algebra so I'm the genius in that class

Currently I have a borderline mullet, one could say, which will hopefully be taken care of soon. We have finally began working with the church, planning and looking for ways we can help others and build friendships. I hope it does not turn into a thing were we just throw money at people and do some random acts of kindness just cause we feel obligated. I hope God will allow us to build friendships and meet some great people on the way.

Be Thou Our Vision

Be Thou our Vision, O Lord of our hearts;
Nothing be all else to us, save that Thou art.
Your our best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Your presence our light.


Riches, we don’t need, nor man’s empty praise,
You’re our Inheritance, now and always:
You and You only, first in our heart,
High King of Heaven, our Treasure you are.