January 29, 2004
24 and counting...
So, 24 isn't such a bad number. It has lots of factors: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and everyones favorite 24.
So what's it like to tick back another one on the ol' odometer of life...? Pretty much like the last one.
Its nice to know that I can still put down a full applebee's appitizer sampler and a killians without breaking a sweat.
So long 23... you have been good to me.
Posted by paul at 11:16 PM | Comments (3)
January 28, 2004
Kingdom Business
On close scrutiny of just about anyone else’s life I can see at least a partial and often times a blatant disregard of diligence and time management. It is overwhelming and therefore I see the need to consistently be guarding my emotional backlash from turning into that little child who sees another misbehaving and shouts at the top of his lungs: “He’s not doing kingdom business!”
Now of course when I am sitting down and rationally thinking about this reaction (as I am now) it is easy to see that obviously different people have differing priorities in close congruence with their differing personalities. To some a relaxing walk alone is just what they need to unwind and boost their spirits to tackle another tough task. Others enjoy highly physical activity such as Basketball, while others pursue intellectual outs.
Can I judge these before me as unwise, or unfruitful? Or just simple-minded busybodies? Surely not. They are innocently attending to what matters to them most and hopefully what matters to them most is kingdom business. And that final decision is ultimately up to them.
Posted by paul at 08:39 PM | Comments (3)
January 27, 2004
Once upon a time...
...sitting at a stop light I peer into my rear view window out and through my ice encrusted back window at the driver behind me.
He is a tall thin middle-aged man with wire rimmed aviator style glasses. His face is drawn and tired and his thin knife like nose curls down drooping over his upper lip. Slowly and calmly he raises a solitary bony finger and plunges it deep into his right nostril. He fishes around a little and I can see his glasses tip and roll. Apparently satisfied he removes the digit from his nose and returns his hand to its former position below my line of sight.
This drama unfolds in simplicity with an air of the everyday adventure. I am awaked from my trace like state in studying this peculiar character by cars passing me. I am forced to take my turn left and divide paths with my infamous gold digger and leave him to his lonely life and to his nose.
The End
Posted by paul at 09:36 PM | Comments (2)
January 26, 2004
New Theological Idea
So while in the shower this morning after working out I discovered something so revolutionary that it is easy to see that we as a society are about to make a quantum leap per say.
I would say that currently we are still ripping bread apart and soon it will be sliced.
We also have used the the square wheel so long that the edges have worn off and it is soon to be round.
Can you feel the anticipation...
Here is the new method of washing your hair:
Put shampoo into palm of hand
Rub hands together
Press palms into side of head
Move head around vigorously
Rinse
Repeat as necessary.
And that is it folks...
(I can't believe I am not charging for this... Next new ground breaking idea I have I am going to charge a dollar or something.)
Posted by paul at 12:46 PM | Comments (4)
January 25, 2004
Question of the Day
"How long is eternity?"
Posted by paul at 11:00 PM | Comments (2)
January 23, 2004
Success #2
So how in the world do we succeed?
Is it right to have a drive to excel?
James and John (The sons of Zebedee) went with their mother (wife of Zebedee) to Jesus and asked to sit at his right hand and at his left. This was a big deal and Jesus told them that he couldn't grant that privledge. But, he didn't scold them (or Zebedee who wasn't even present) for trying. He just told them how to succeed in his economy: "Be the sevant of all."
So really success is being the servant of all. Steps to success are being the servant of some around you?
I see very little way of serving mankind as a whole other then creating a cure for cancer or better yet taking the sins of the world on my back and redeeming those that are bound by that sin.
Any ideas?
Posted by paul at 07:51 PM | Comments (1)
January 22, 2004
Success
So appropriately after a string of failure posts I think that I will do one on success.
Success is dangerous. Multiple times through out the Holy Scriptures we see people get prideful or even corrupt through their own perception of success.
I believe that a correct perception of success is as if not more imoprtant then a correct perception of failure.
In God's book more often then not a person success is quickly followed by pride, and then consequently their partial or complete desctruction.
So therefore, how do we rid ourselves of the oldest sin in the book, pride.
Posted by paul at 08:30 PM | Comments (2)
January 21, 2004
Failure #3
So if everyone who has been posting has such a gaal-darn good attitude about failure, why don't we live different lives.
What is the secret of taking these attitudes that we have been pulling from books, famous people and even from our own experince and actually giving ourselves a more cheery outlook on life?
Seriously if we believed what we have been saying then nothing NOTHING should hold us back... ever.
Posted by paul at 12:49 PM | Comments (2)
January 20, 2004
Failure #2
We all fail. I believe that failure is as much a part of the human life as death is. Without death time loses its significance and I believe that the crud of this world would get us to the point where we would welcome an escape from this planet.
Failure is similar, but not the same. As Mike commented in the last post there is purpose in our failure. Death is a result of failure and as Mike also said it brings us to the "foot of the cross". In non-christianese that means that we get humbled to the point where we realize that our failures will cost us everything.
Our failures our paramount to our existence before we realize there is something more. I have mentioned before (back in July I believe it was my second post...(I thought it was a good one but I had just a few readers) If you want to go back and look at it.(http://www.lonestrangers.com/blogs/paul/archives/000007.html))
Both Judas and Peter betrayed Christ. But their response to that failure was different. With the Holy Spirit's help Peter went on to lead the church in Jerusalem while Judas took a nose dive into a field.
We all have failed. We all will fail. The question is how will we respond.
Posted by paul at 12:16 PM | Comments (6)
January 19, 2004
Failure
I am going to fail. It is inevitable. The only way to completely avoid failure is to stop trying.
I have failed many many times in the past, and I expect to fail many many more times in the future. In fact I expect to fail almost every person I know in some way or another.
When I look at my record I realize...
that I am a failure.
Posted by paul at 03:47 PM | Comments (4)
January 18, 2004
Cool Room #2 (the ultimate bachelor pad)
I was just thinking as I was driving home from soundly beating three girls at the card game hearts that it would be really cool to come home to an apartment similar to the one that I think they had in the most recent spiderman movie...
Open the heavy door and enter the studio apartment. The kitchen is in a corner to your right complete with overstocked frig, with a dinning room on the same side of the room to your left. You walk straight ahead out into the "living room" area of the apartment. The wall opposite the door you came through is large "I" beams with panes of glass in them with the windows looking out over the city from seven stories up.
The floor is wood with rugs covering the area in the living room between several large overstuffed leather pieces of funiture. A couch, a small couch, a recliner, and a coffee table are complimented by an automan that at first seems out of place untill you discover how useful an automan can be when lounging. Several guitars stand ready to be played at various places around the room. A comfortably sized TV and accompaning sound system sit in the corner between the kitchen and living room.
The walls a a reddish brick and the room is completely square and open except for a short wall (about 5 feet long) dividing half the kitchen from the living room. At the end of this wall is a spiral cast iron stair that runs up to the loft that sits over the kitchen and the dining room. It has a heavy railing and deep carpeting. Since the windows run the length and breadth of the outside wall plently of light comes through both day and night. Only lamps are needed to light the poker games played, watched sporting events, and jam sessions.
I come home after a long day doing this and that. Hang my coat up on the tall coat rack sitting almost under the stairs. Pull off my shoes and pad up to collapse on the disheveled bed fully clothed to fall asleep to the sound of rain patting against the window.
Posted by paul at 12:33 PM | Comments (1)
January 17, 2004
Going Urban?
I have started studying and praying about a church plant to chicago and SLT.
I didn't get very far before I ran across this ministry.
GYCM
Especially interesting is this page "Planting Churches - Urban Style!"
They seem to be thinking alot of the same things that we are...
Anyway..
The whole idea of a church plant to inner city chicago has been a goliath to me as I have dreamed about my future after Ames and the Rock. If I or anyone else goes they had better go with a lot of humility and a lot of grace.
I'm zealous... not stupid.
Posted by paul at 06:00 PM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2004
Back to School 2
I look at the faces of my fellow students feeling a kindred sense of belonging. These comrades carry their brotherhood unknowingly and without pride. I could approach any of them and develop a rapport within minutes if they would only being willing to talk about the many similarities that are inerrant between us. Talk of classes and professors, those foreign TA’s, and even food service would be easier than any that could be had in corporate world.
I will make the most of my last semester. I encourage you, as well, to make the most of this semester as if it is your last. (Even if your last semester has already past) This life is a grass that springs up in a season and then is withered by the sun and wind and then it dies.
Posted by paul at 12:36 PM | Comments (1)
January 12, 2004
Back to School
Well its that time again...
I walked the well worn sidewalks of the ISU campus with a sense of rememberance. This will most likely be the last first day of school that I will have, at least in my continuous education.
After this semester I will no longer be one of the all inclusive, ubiquitous, crowd called american college youth. No longer will I hale to the irresponsibilities of the child-like adults which so overrun this town with their vile social manners and piles of pop culture and fast food garbage.
Sigh... I will miss it despite the fact that I despise it so...
Its good to be almost done.
Posted by paul at 12:24 PM | Comments (2)
January 08, 2004
frost
tiny intricate stars cover the exterior of my windows
vapor pours from my mouth and rises towards the glass
the steering wheel pulls all of the heat from my hands
they feel leathery and thick as I vigorously spin them together
the car starts with a roar and a choke shaking itself back to life
I pull my coat tighter around to still the trembling of my jaw
the tires groan and crunch over the icy white carpet
as the sun smiles half heartedly at my sleep cheered eyes
I am off through this maze of humanity
praying to the one that always hears
and being certain of what I do not see
Posted by paul at 12:39 PM | Comments (1)
January 07, 2004
May 29th
Is the big day! We don't have a church yet but we do have the Hyde Arts Center for the reception. (we booked it at about 3:30 this afternoon)
The arts center is beautiful with a turn of the century ballroom/auditorium with balcony and big stage for the lone strangers to play.
We are still making final decisions on catering...
What say you: (pick two of the following)
Chicken
Roast Beef
Pork Loin
Meat Balls
or Fish
???
Posted by paul at 06:07 PM | Comments (6)
January 06, 2004
Sorry to all you faithful readers...
...but come on I am trying to plan a wedding here!
(By the way if you haven't heard how I proposed... It was very romantic.)
It has been interesting to see things from this side. We are thinking about having the wedding on May 29th which means that it is only 144 days away! And that is not much time to plan a wedding when most couples start a year out. But we are looking at receptions halls and it is going to be sweet!!!
A verse that has been a constant in my prayers throughout this process is Ps 5:3 which talks about ordering your prayer in the morning and eagerly watching to see what the Lord will do. I appreciate your prayers.
Posted by paul at 12:00 PM | Comments (4)