Legalism and Learning

If at all possible, stop reading this blog right now and go get the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. I suggest reading it as soon as possible. It is full of things no one has ever explained to me before about being more like Christ.

Likewise, I started the book The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley today and it is also full (so far) of things no one has ever explained to me before. Also, I need to read Hebrews as soon as I get a chance.

Here is something I've been thinking about lately. Whose idea was it to read one or two passages a day of the Bible? Why do we not read the Bible like any other book? I've been realizing that my legalistic quotas of Bible-reading-time are not doing anything for me. I need to start reading the Bible like a real book. That's not to say that the Bible isn't a real book, but it's so much more than any other book that I should at least be able to treat it like all the other books I read! It just doesn't make sense.

Tolerance

Here's a short post for you. Some interesting things that have coincided.

I'm reading this Ted Dekker book (Sinner) about the future where tolerance has made religion basically a secret.

On Monday in my College 101 class we talked about the goodness of tolerance. yay!

I was so conflicted!

How do I tell these people "Christ is the only way!" in a way that is loving? (And not "shoving down their throats"-ish.) That is a very popular stereotype of Christians.

I'm sure Driscoll or someone like that will tell me it doesn't matter when their souls are on the line, but I'm certain I can do this in a non-rude (and I say 'rude' loosely) way.

Oh the dabates that topics like these cause.

Things I Learned Today:

A Starfruit

Riding a bike for a long distance is painful when you don't do it for a month.

Metal dog food can lids are can be very dangerous.

My house has four different kinds of medical wound cleaner. My dad was unaware of that fact.

Pizza Fusion is too expensive for too little not-good-enough food. Sorry Eric, I just don't see the benefit.

Zac Efron is a better actor than Matthew Perry. (via 17 Again)

Elise Rojo is a very good singer!

Macs do not have the capability of putting folders together at the top of a list of files. (but that negative is WAY outweighed by numerous positives.

How to eat a Starfruit, and that they smell like roses; but taste like a cross between a lemon and an apple.

The order in which to read a whole bunch of Ted Dekker's novels.

charity : water.

So I stumbled upon this charity today and really like the idea. They give 100% of money they receive to fund water projects (such as building wells) in places that don't have clean water. They say that $20 will supply one person with water for life, and they sell 5 "charity : water" livestrong-esque bracelets for $20 here. If anyone wants to give me four dollars for one I'll order them and pay the shipping. And if nobody wants to, I probably will order them anyway.

Thoughts.

I've decided that it's been far too long since I've read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so I shall start again soon.

There's a watch somewhere in my room that has gone off at 2 am for at least three months. Usually I sleep through it, but I've been awake when it's gone off the past three nights! I need to fix my sleep patterns, especially since I have to wake up at 3:50 am friday morning for work. hmm...

I've been considering buying a moleskine or using one of the blank ones that I keep buying because I like them so much to use for a sort of illustrate-my-way-through-the-psalms type thing. I don't know though. Thoughts?

So far my experiments with the new cameras are going great! I've put up to albums of them on my facebook page.

I'm just trying not to think about people moving away and/or my own uncertainties at this point.

Trey wants him, Riley, Eric, and I to start a Thinklings-type blog. I really like the idea. We're working through names.

Ai is getting better and better.

James Roberts has asked me to consider helping lead worship with him for the college and young singles group at church on Sunday mornings, but I don't know if I should. That possibility has been bouncing around in my head for a week or so. I would love to do it, but I don't know if I'm willing to commit to being there every week yet. I was considering visiting some other churches this semester-not because I'm looking for a different church, but because I'm curious about how other churches do things. Then again, I think I would really, really enjoy it. I will have to pray about it.

...What piano would I use though?

"I will not let go 'til you are."

I'm fairly certain that after this week everything will officially have changed.

This weekend has been a much needed chill-out time with my family and favorite cousin, Melody :) We're staying in a condo/hotel thing on the beach in Port Aransas (by Corpus). Our room is on the 8th floor and has a fantastic view of the shore:

I haven't taken a ton of pictures, but I plan on going on a walk a little later and photographing a bit of the town and beach and stuff.

Tomorrow we get back.

I feel like this week is going to be ridiculous.

Monday I've accidentally half-committed to do a whole bunch of different things with different people. I told some friends from school that I would have dinner with them at the Crepe Paris Cafe on Louetta and Steubner Airline, but I don't think that's going to happen because they haven't said anything more about it and I'd rather do the other things I have planned. I planned to do a photo shoot with Taylor so I can get some color stuff done with my new cameras (which I am excited about), also I'm playing volleyball with some people tomorrow (which I'm also excited about!). But it's also Melody's last night here :(

So yeah. Lots planned for tomorrow! Hopefully we'll get back early...haha.

I'm already looking forward to J&T in November!

I Am Understood?

Sometimes it's embarrassing to talk to you

To hold a conversation with the only one who sees right through

This version of myself

I try to hide behind

I'll bury my face because my disgrace will leave me terrified

And sometimes I'm so thankful for your loyalty

Your love regardless of

The mistakes I make will spoil me

My confidence is, in a sense, a gift you've given me

And I'm satisfied to realize you're all I'll ever need

You looked into my life and never stopped

And you're thinking all my thoughts

Are so simple, but so beautiful

And you recite my words right back to me

Before I even speak

You let me know, I am understood

And sometimes I spend my time

Just trying to escape

I work so hard so desperately, in an attempt to create space

Cause I want distance from the utmost important thing I know

I see your love, then turn my back and beg for you to go

You're the only one who understands completely

You're the only one knows me yet still loves completely

And sometimes the place I'm at is at a loss for words

If I think of something worthy I know that its already yours

And through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again

You've just patiently waited, to bring me back and then

You looked into my life and never stopped

And you're thinking all my thoughts

Are so simple, but so beautiful

And you recite my words right back to me

Before I even speak

You let me know, I am understood

The noise has broken my defense

Let me embrace salvation

Your voice has broken my defense

Let me embrace salvation

--"I Am Understood?"

from RK's Two Lefts

There is so much I relate to in here. "Through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again."

"Before I even speak, You let me know, I am understood."

I love that concept. God knows our problems and our praises. He knows our hearts. Our sinful selves try to get away, but he continually draws us near to him.

"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

Lomography? Yes.

35mm Fisheye Camera

This camera basically takes a picture in a circle format

instead of a rectangle.

Examples:

So tight!

35mm Action Sampler Camera

Basically what this camera does is take four pictures

on one negative over the course of 1 second.

Here are some interesting (albeit cute) examples:

Okay, so only one of them is cute, but still. haha.

I bought these two cameras yesterday from amazon and I'm really excited to get them in! :) These will be great to have for future experiments with Eric on Intentional Accidents!