Lincoln Blogs

Cheers Dundee!

2006-02-24T01:11:00.000-08:00

So, yeah, I got a car. It's wonderful. I have freedom, I can get places on my own, it gives us another person to pick people up for church which is sometimes kinda tricky...just all around it's a great thing that I now have transportation. However, having a car comes with it's risks. It might get scratched, it might breakdown, or in my case, you might lock your keys in your car......twice. There's no need to explain how it happened twice in a week, but it did. The first time, it was an expensive mistake, to the tune of 35 pounds (which for my American readers would translate to about $60).
The second time was the interesting one. It happened on a Sunday when we(Liz, Hayley, and myself) got back to my place after church. It was cold, drizzly, windy; just perfect to go along with my mood after I'd locked my keys in my car for the second time in a week. Being a Sunday, some locksmith places weren't open, other locksmith places don't do cars, the police couldn't help, and the place that could do it wanted to charge me 100 freakin' pounds!!! No, thanks! Here's where living in Dundee comes in handy. A couple good friends of mine from church haven't always been church-going people, and have been associated with people of a slightly shady reputation(but, I should add, are as faithful as anyone now). So they start making phone calls. The calls sound a little something like this:

-Hey (name here), it's Hayley, how are you?
-Fine.
-Good. I know this is really cheeky but do you know how to get into a car without smashing the window?
-Umm...what kind of car is it?
-It's a Hyundai Accent.
-Ok, see if you get a coat hanger...(then several ways of getting into the car were shared).

Then we went with Greg, who has recently been baptized into Christ, and is a great example of the power of Christ, but who also had a really rough youth, and he showed us a few ways(see Liz Cail's blog for picture). He told us that he was never a car theif, but some of his mates were, so if we couldn't get it then he'd make another phone call and get one of them down to help. But then something happened that surprised us all. I broke into my car myself! Just the old 'coat hanger down the side of the door and pulling the latch up' worked like a charm. So that was it. After calling lots of locksmiths and lots of possible car theifs, I ended up breaking into my car on my own. It made for one of the more interesting Sundays I've had in a while.

Part II

2006-02-16T00:34:00.000-08:00

Subway- Italian Herbs and Cheese bread, Chesse steak sandwich with lettuce, onions, and southwest sauce. I beg my readers(both of you) to do three things in life: first travel...even if it's to the other side of your state, go see how other people live. Second, read good books(this is only assuming that its not taking away from reading the Bible), go see how other people think. Third, eat this sandwich. Subway is a glorious place and lights shine down from above when this sandwich is put together. Trust me, just do it, your life may never be the same.
Car- This car far outweighed any expectations I had of a car I might drive over here. It looks nice, it drives nice, and it has a freakin sunroof! I will now take this time to officially name my car. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Claire(I know there might usually be a picture here, but just imagine for now)!!! I'm just going to ignore the fact that it costs a fortune to fill it up with petrol.
Nickel Creek- (start with a moment of silence while I gather my composure before talking about this) Throughout history, songs have been inspired by major events, i.e. war, death, victories, homecomings, and of course many others. Well, there should be a song written about this concert. I sat 10-15 feet away from the stage. The girl didn't get my phone number, but I'm pretty sure we caught eyes once, and oh yeah, there was a connection there. There really aren't words in the english language fit for describing such an event as this concert. It's not really fair though, because I am convinced that the members of Nickel Creek aren't human, they are actually angels. Human fingers just don't move that fast. So if you're still wondering exactly what I thought about Nickel Creek....yeah, they're ok.

Happiness and contentment are the fruits of joy. Joy comes from giving your life back to the one who gave it to you.

Part I

2006-02-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

First in the set of 2 blogs: Looking forward...

Each day brings me joy. It's not all the same kind of joy and it comes from a wide variety of sources. For example: the 81 year old man from church who lets us listen to his clocks that play music(he has several) all at once. That symphony of mechanic tones brings me joy. It is a far different, however, from the kind of joy I get from being out in the Scottish hills surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and waterfalls.
Friday the 10th, Saturday the 11th, and Wednesday the 15th each have something in them that is going to bring me a great deal of joy, in three very different ways.
Friday, Feb. 10th (At the time I'm writing this, I'm talking about tomorrow)- a six and a half minute walk from my front door will get you to the newly opened SUBWAY in Dundee! I will be partaking in my first Subway sandwich at this new location tomorrow. For many reasons that could make this post a whole lot longer, Subway brings me joy.
Saturday, Feb. 11th- My daily schedule, my work in Dundee...heck, my life will change this day. For this is the day that I will obtain my 1999 Hyundai Accent. That's right, I'm getting a car!!! The joy this brings me rivals the joy of a mother who has just given birth.........well, maybe not, but I think you get my point. I've never been more excited about driving on the wrong side of the road in my life.
Wednesday, Feb. 15th- Sweet Afton, Lighthouse, Ode to Butterfly...that's right, Nickel Creek is comin' to Scotland. Nine of us from church here are going up to Aberdeen to watch the stylings of one of the best bluegrass/country/easy listening bands to ever grace human ears. I'm going to need to get back home pretty quickly after the concert, because the girl in the group will have my phone number, so I'll need to be by the phone when she calls me.

This is the before blog. When these events have taken place I will write again.

Joy is a seed. Happiness and contentment is what it sprouts.

What'd you say?

2006-01-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

Before I left for Scotland, people would ask me lots of questions that started with "Are you gonna...". Well, after tonight, I am able to tick off two of those things I was asked about. I can now say I've worn a kilt, and I can now say I've eaten haggis. Both of these occured because we celebrated a special person here in Scotland by the name of Robert Burns. Those of my readers(both of them) that are familiar with Chi Lambda Phi know that they have a "Robbie Burns" dinner each year. Well tonight, I did the real thing. Robert Burns is a famous Scottish poet who wrote poems the way Scottish people speak. Now it's necessary to note that not all Scottish people talk like this, although some do, it's not a common thing everywhere you go. There are people, however, that can read it fluently and understand what it means (I am not one of those people). His poetry is well known by people all over Scotland, enough so that he has a holiday. The following is the first three paragraphs of a poem that was read tonight before we dug in to our feast of haggis.

ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the pudding-race!
Aboon them a' yet tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o'a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin was help to mend a mill
In time o'need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin', rich!

Haggis isn't nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be...if you can get past the thought that you're eating sheep inards. I actually quite enjoyed it.
So...kilts, haggis, I'm becoming more and more Scottish as the days go by.

Light the Fire

2006-01-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

So I hear Oklahoma is burning up. That's not cool. But one story I heard from my mom got me thinking. One fire in Ardmore was apparently started by a cigerette not being properly put out before being disposed of. That one spark cause a fire that burned 22 houses. A fire that started small was made to be something big because of the wind. There are 2 different kinds of flames. There is the flame like you'd find on a candle, that with even the smallest burst of wind will extinguish. But then there are flames that are bigger, and with the wind only get stronger. We sing several songs that use fire as an analogy for the life within us (Light the Fire, Pass it On, etc.). If you are relying on your own fire, then its likely to be a flame that goes out quickly from the slightest breeze. But should you choose, as I have, you can have access to to a fire that will not go out. There have been winds trying to blow it out since the beginning of time, but you cannot extinguish a flame that is started by the one who created fire. So either use your own flame, and continually be searching for something else to keep you temporarily lit, or get to know fire's creator and the winds of life will only make you stronger.

A bit of irony about the OK fires: the governor has offered to give the OK fire departments a load of money to keep up the work they are doing. That money comes from the "Rainy Day" fund.

i'm back

2006-01-18T15:59:00.000-08:00

OK, well, it's been a long time, but after talking to Bonnie, I realized that I probably should be updating my blog. And she's right, I need to be writing about my experiences here. She is going through the same thing that I am so I look to Bonnie for encouragement and any advice she would have to offer. So, for my first blog back, I say thank you, Bonnie. You are a very special person and I'm blessed to be able to call you a friend.
So this past few days, I went down south to England's Lake District. We hiked for 2 days and had SUCH a good time. The second day, our route started out going pretty much straight up a pretty large hill. Any feelings of being tired or hurting from walking up a VERY steep hill were quickly curbed by the fact that right beside us was a cascading waterfall rushing forcefully down the hill. Once at the top, I realized that we were in a large valley. It happens to be the spot that gets the most rain of anywhere in England. Luckily, we did not experience that firsthand. At the summit, I could literally lean back and be held up by the wind gusts. Not often do I experience wind that could actually knock me over, but I did and it was quite exhilarating...and cold. Our descent was once again accompanied by a waterfall, this time a bit more gentle in nature, which led to a tarn(a natural lake up in the hills). From there, the rocky path guided us slowly down back to our starting point. This was my 4th full-day hillwalk(that's what they call hiking here), and I'd say it was my most enjoyable. Snowcapped mountains, cascading waterfalls, colorful valleys, and the company of 4 great ministers of the Lord's church made for one great day.

nae bother

2005-08-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

Aye, today was brilliant. This one lassie that's nae been comin' ta church came taday. I's well cuffed w' her bein there. She does nae want'a come much cause of some bad stuff tha's happened. I'm off to eat with her tomorrow at KFC. Oh, their twisters are well good. I'd fancy one a'em for every meal like. Last night I caught The X Factor on the tele. It's the same as American Idol excep' there's cate'gries like. There's a 25 and older tryout and a tryout for groups. These 4 blokes that came in 5th last year came back and sang and they was pure dead brilliant. Simon Cowell is a judge and he's dead mean ta the ones that are nae good. I was in stitches at stuff he'd tell 'em. He just couldn't be bothered with the ones that kep' speakin' ta' him. Ahnyhoo, the church ladies made up a box of messages fr me to stock ma fridge like. I's so chuffed. They're grand. They take care of me like i'm their own wee son. They keep on like 'at i'll nae be hurried comin' home. o/j (only jokin'). We thought about goin' to the pictures tonight, but me and ma mates couldn't be bothered, we were just knockered fr no good reason like. K, i'm bout ta be over ma bed. Thanks fr readin'. Cheers. Cho.

hillwalking

2005-08-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

So apparently, "scattered showers" means something different here than it does in the states. Yesterday, I was initiated into Scottish hillwalking. Now, as this may sound like an easy and relaxing activity, nothing could be further from the truth. Hillwalking is as strenuous an activity as anything and requires being in decent shape to enjoy it at all. Ian Starrs, Jon Galloway (two ministers from nearby)' and I drove to the bottom of Ben Vorlich ('Ben' is not a famous hillwalker, but the word used for 'hill') and started up. It wasn't long before these "scattered showers" started and continued throughout the majority of our day. "Scattered" must mean "constant and relentless" here in Scotland. Anyway, we hiked for a bit over 2 hours until we reached the peak of Ben Vorlich, where we could see....well, nothing. You'd think after hiking up 3,000 feet in the highlands of Scotland that you'd have a pretty good view. Well, not if you're engulfed in the clouds that are "scattered". But once we came down a bit, we got under the clouds and had view of some of the country's finest hills. It was truly a great experience, even if we were soaked and almost blown off the mountain by gusts that were pushing 70 mph. I'll be going hillwalking about once a month from now on. I'm feeling more and more Scottish the longer I stay here. My next goal is to do something big enough so I can be knighted...I'll let you know how it goes...

2005-08-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

As most of my readers know, I am currently living in the beautiful city of Dundee, Scotland. Dundee is in far east Scotland a little more than ah hour north of Edinburgh, roughly an hour and a half from Glasgow and a quick 20 minute jaunt north of St. Andrews. These are things you could learn from looking at a map. I'd like to share with you some facts about Dundee that you won't find on any map, fo sho...

-Dundee is the birthplace of James MacDonald. You may not know that name, but i'm sure you'd recognize his voice...well, at least one of them. He was the voice of Mickey Mouse from 1946-1976.

-The only freakin' place I know that has a women's only H&M. That's all I have to say about that.

-You'll find here in Dundee the ship RRS Discovery. It sailed in 1901 as a research ship to Antarctica. It is one of the last wooden 3-masted ships to be built in Britain and it is the ship that the spaceship Discovery is named after. It is now docked here and is used for various reasons throughout the year. For example, Patrick Sullivan, the youth minister i'm working with, and his fiance are going to be married on board the Discovery. I think that's pretty cool.

-Last, but certainly not least (get ready for this one, you might want to sit down), Dundee is the teen pregnancy capital of Europe. I don't mean Scotland, I don't mean the UK....Europe!!! If you think about all the cities that we beat out, that's pretty unreal. But it won't take long, walking around town seeing as many strollers as you do cars (only slightly exaggerated) being pushed by girls who should be watching Mary Kate and Ashley movies, to realize that this is a true fact.

Just a little food for thought for y'all to chew on a bit. May your days be merry and bright.

Bring it on.

2005-07-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's going to be amazing! I just can't wait! It's just about time! Just about now, kids all over the UK are preparing to go to camp and spend a week growing closer with their friends from home and away, and make new friendships that will last ages. These kids are practically giddy about camp. The last time I saw someone this excited Michelle was finally getting the owws-cream she's been waiting for. However, this isn't what i'm soooo excited about. Let me tell you why i'm so excited...myself, Angie Risley, Bonnie Mayes and Andrea Lemmons are all working for churches throughout the UK trying to bring people the good news of Jesus Christ, and I know that there are many other people involved in the same work looking for the same results, people coming into a saving relationship with God through Jesus. I'm so excited to see the work that God is going to do in the UK after the camps are over and people are excited about sharing what they've learned! Just watch. God is going to do amazing things before our very eyes. Lead, follow, or get out of the way, cause we're in for a wild ride. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Apologies

2005-07-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I must apologize to the city of St. Andrews. A couple free tickets fell in to my lap to the tournament that I mentioned in the previous edition of Lincoln Blogs (read the previous blog if you don't know what i'm talking about), so Jason and I went. There was like a billion and a half people there and it was a really nice golf course. Oh, and they weren't high school kids, they were like professionals and stuff. And the guy that I thought gave himself a stupid nick name...I was wrong about that too. His name is Tiger Woods and I watched him play golf today. I don't know if you guys have heard of him but you should check this guy out, he's pretty good at golf. He's winning that tournament. Before I watched him, we walked around with the wife of one of the players, Kenny Perry. Kenny played good today too. His wife was nice. So, i'm sorry for making fun of you St. Andrews. You are a nice town, and kinda pretty too, if you like old castles and hills and stuff like that.

Who are these kids?

2005-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

So get this, I'm living in Dundee, Scotland, right? Dundee is about 40 minutes north of this town called St. Andrews. I guess it's a cool town or whatever, but anyway, they are so rude. The people of St. Andrews are making the interns and me move out of our flat for like 10 days. Apparently there is some golf tournament there in the next couple weeks, which you wouldn't think would effect us, right?....wrong! I guess they take golf here seriously or something cause they are bringing in security and all that jazz. The security men that are coming in for this little tourament are staying at the flats that I live in now, and just cause of that they are making us move out! It's probably some high school tourament and they are worried about them getting out of hand cause high schools around here are pretty rough sometimes. Oh, and I heard one of the players gave himself a nickname like Lion or Bear or something ridiculous like that. I don't know who these kids are or even if they are any good at golf, but I guess if security is gonna keep them from getting to rowdy on the golf course, then they can stay at my flat.

singin' in the rain

2005-06-24T03:54:00.000-07:00

I've been here a week now. Ever since i've been here, i've noticed that the weather has been beautiful every day and people have commented on how strange it is that it has been this nice for this long. Also, for the past week, I hadn't really come to grips with the fact that i'm going to be here for 2 years. Well, last night it hit. Something in me finally clicked and I felt the emotion that I thought should have been there all along but hasn't been. My work here became real, my mission became real, the idea of what i've actually done has become real to me now. I woke up this morning and it was chilly and rainy outside, just like people told me it was going to be here. It is almost like the real Scotland showed up at the same time that my reality caught up to me. Being that my state of mind and the weather were so closely connected, it is blatently obvious to me that God is involved in every aspect of my mission. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Things I've learned

2005-06-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

So, i'm in Scotland. I just wanted to take a moment and share just a few things that i've learned since I left.

- Air France sucks. You'd think that since I had a 6 1/2 layover in Paris, that would be enough time to get my luggage on the next flight...well you're wrong. I didn't get it for 2 days. But no worries, it's here, i'm alive, it's all good.
- Scotland is not as pretty as I was thinking it was going to be...it's so much better.
- I was stupid and unfaithful to ever doubt that I would get all my funds raised.
- Batman Begins is freakin' sweet!
- The church here is full of amazing, loving, kind people who really know what it means to be a church family.
- Finally, there is nothing, and may I repeat, NOTHING in the world cuter than a 3 yr. old with a scottish accent.

I am here. I am happy. God is good.

Me during the past 2 weeks

2005-06-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm actually moving to Scotland....huh, how bout that.

From the mouths of babes...

2005-06-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

I've been able to experience one of the true joys of this life: leading singing for VBS with 150 kids ages 2-12. If the entire church would be more like these kids, we'd have the world saved by now. Anyway, I mentioned a couple kids yesterday that i'm moving to Scotland. The boy, whom I had just met, said, "I just moved here, and now you're moving away, I'm not happy about that." 7 year old Christopher Carpenter is now one of my best friends. The girl sitting beside him, of the same age, wrapped her legs around mine. "She's trying to kill you!", Christopher exclaimed. I replied, "What?! You're trying to kill me??" As if she couldn't get any cuter, she said "No, i'm trying to keep you here so you can't leave."
Now tell me, what are you supposed to say to that?

uhhhh...

2005-06-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

I can't say anything to you outloud.

Everytime I try I get so overwhelmed that words can't even come out! It's a strange feeling because I think about you all the time and I wouldn't think that talking to you would be a big deal, but everytime I try, I just can't. The words physically won't come out of my mouth.
Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to say to you, but it seems that I can't find the right words. It's as if i'm trying to speak in another language that you know and I don't. I know exactly what I want to say, but I don't know enough words in this language to get my point across. I'm sure there will be a time that i'll be able to talk to you again outloud, but just bear with me for now.

By the way, thanks for this weekend. You just showed up everywhere I was! I hope other people heard you yelling and saw you doing everything you did...it was pretty incredible to watch. I've told other people about the stuff you did and they were amazed as well. But what can I say, it's kinda what you do.

So anyway, take care...of my family...and i'll talk to you real soon. I love you.

Amen.

I've come full circle.

2005-05-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Recently, while standing in awe at the mere sight of the home of our President- taking in the manorialistic elegance, and even appreciating the pomp and circumstance that goes into curating a home of such prestige- I found myself noticing a peculiar detail of the estate. On the gate directly out from the front door of the White House is a button. Curious, and dangerously unthreatened by the local guard, I asked him, "Sir, is this a button I can push?" "No, you can't push that button", he replied with a firm, straight tone. "What is it?" I said as if asking to be patted down. "It's a button." That is the moment that I knew my conversation with Mr. Security Pants was over.
By my standards, that story in itself is worthy of a blog appearance. Oh, but it gets better...
I told this story to my parents and they were amused. I saw the lightbulb go off over my dad's head as he spouted out, "The doorbell!" He was not pointing out the fact that there was someone at our door, but he was recalling a story that he and mom knew well. Apparently, when I was six years old, I asked my mother, "Mom, does the White House have a door bell?" "I don't know, honey." she replied with much toleration for such a question. I followed up with, "If it does, I bet it's a big one."
My prepubescent inquisitiveness paid off! I found the doorbell to the White House!!!

Millennial Harbinger

2005-05-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

When opposed by the interestsed, by those whom the corruptions of christianity feed with bread and gratify with honor, I will call to mind the history of all the benefactors of men, and draw both comfort and strength from the remembrance that no man ever achieved any great good to mankind who did not wrest it with violence through ranks of opponents--who did not fight for it with courage and perseverance, and who did not, in the conflict, sacrifice either his good name or his life. John, the harbinger of the Messiah, lost his head. The Apostles were slaughtered. The Saviour was crucified. The ancient confessors were slain. The reformers all have been excommunicated. I know that we shall do little good if we are not persectued. If I am not traduced, slandered, and misrepresented, I shall be a most unworthy advocate of that cause which has always provoked the resentment of those who have fattened upon the ignorance and superstition of the mass, and have been honored by the stupidity and sottishness of those who cannot think and will not learn. But we have not a few friends and associates in this cause. There are many with whom it shall be my honor to live and labor, and my happiness to suffer and die.
-AC

guess who's back

2005-05-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time. I shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to. So I apologize. I'm back now.
Tonight I was the entertainment for a women's sorority that helps raise money for a town just north of Clinton. It is composed of about 12 middle aged women. I found that my key demographic for performing with my guitar is no longer isolated to 12 year old girls. Mothers of people around my age LOVE me. As long as I can keep from performing for anybody that knows anything about talent, i'm good to go.
My anger for the month has all been directed at a billboard. It says "Love God? Hate church?" It is an advertisement for a church in OKC that is trying to pull people in that don't like church, or something like that. I'm not calm enough to start to formulate thoughts for the public to read concerning this. It is just about as ignorant a comment as i've ever seen...especially on a billboard. I'm going to email the church in an effort to get it taken down. If i'm offensive to them, who cares, i'm leaving for 2 years (i'm planning on my Christian attitude to take over any minute now).
So, anyway, welcome back readers. I'll try to keep you entertained.

Thank you, Doctor

2005-03-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

I need to thank my doctor. I saw him tonight for a regular check up, but ended up needing him more than I thought. He gave me what I usually need to get through, but because of extenuating circumstances I had to go back. I went to him three times before the night was over. I had a paper to write, homework to read, people to talk to, and just to be honest I couldn't do it all by myself. He just knows. He knows when I need a boost and gives it to me without fail. Other people have other ways of dealing with situations like this saying that theirs Always works or that their Joy comes from something else they Do, but I know that my doctor will always be there for me (although recommended 3x/day). He saw me through this long night and I know he'll never leave me. So, thank you doctor. You make the world taste better.

Always

2005-03-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

God is good.

PTE

2005-03-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

So...I just got done being a part of a successful show. It was enjoyed by all and I think that I can justifiably be proud of what I was a part of. Now the show is over, and I should feel good, right? I mean, people are telling me all the time how much they enjoyed the show.....but I don't feel good. It doesn't have anything to do with the show, but mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually, I'm just not feelin' it. You ever have one of those days...the days when you're shooting way under par, batting about 0.050, the jumper won't fall, the blockers aren't doing their job and you get laid out every time? Well that was today. I can't really explain what it was, but my attitude was bad all day, until about 10 minutes before church was out tonight. With no particular stimulus, I had a Personal Theological Epiphany.

It is not until we experience times that we feel completely worthless and incompetent that we can truly know what grace is. The Israelites suffered in the wilderness, Abraham was sent to sacrifice his only son, and Jonah spent three nights in the belly of a fish; and all came out stronger and closer to God because they realized the necessity of the grace of God. Once you see that you are unworthy to be called a child of God, that is when His grace extends and raises you to become the person God wants you to be.

"Lincoln Blogs" is the title of my blog. I hope by this that we realize that everything we do either helps build a house, or tears it back down. The times that we are in need of grace are usually seen as times that our house is being torn down; but I plead that we see those times that God is preparing to add another layer of logs.

play

2005-03-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

"Hey, how's it going?"
"I'm doin' alright. How are you?"
"Oh I'm good. What have you been up to lately?"
"Not much. Just workin' and doin' homework."
"Anything else exciting going on with you?"
"Nope. That's about all I have time for these days."

Sound familiar?
My goodness, people! Do you think that God created the mountains and the trees and the lakes and the oceans and the rivers and the grass and the fields and hills for us to look at?? I strongly believe that God created a playground, not an art gallery. Quit doing homework for an hour, go outside and DO SOMETHING FUN! I think we're going crazy because we've lost the ability to outlet our frustrations onto something we enjoy. Ride a bike, take a walk, swim in a lake, climb a tree, play in the snow, walk barefoot in the grass, jump into a pile of leaves, swing on a rope swing, play tennis, play basketball, play frisbee, play golf, play soccer....need I go on?

I hope you dance...

2005-02-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

2 Samuel 6:14- "And David danced before the LORD with all of his might..."
Let me tell you what i'm tired of. I'm tired of the phrase "it's not dancing, it's choreography", as if to say that should we DARE be caught doing such a hideous act as dancing, we'd immediately be cast into the depths of hell. Forget the joy it brings those that are good at it, and the happiness that it brings those who enjoy watching it, and the laughter that it brings those who are really bad at it but do it anyway...dancing is wrong! Oh, shut up! If the Lord has blessed you with money, give to the poor; if the Lord has blessed you with strong legs, run; if the Lord has blessed you with a good voice, sing; and if the Lord has blessed you with rhythm, freakin' DANCE! There is only one kind of dancing that I would disagree with, and that's not dancing, that's making out without kissing. Ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom, polka, salsa, hip hop...whatever...if you feel like dancing, dance, and don't pawn it off as choreography.

this is philosophy

2005-02-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

this isn't very exciting i have class after this then i'm running an errand with roommate i'll be hungry then cookies this morning were good the set of this play looks good i don't know anything about the play itself is anybody running the video recorder this is boorrrrriinnnnggggg jack kilby1958 Texas Instruments this guy is smart but would be better if he'd the tree on the set looks good in the dark spring sing is soon and wow i'm excited derek made faces at me today in chapel while i was on stage he's funny shopping saturday was fun but i can't wear the clothes yet oc basketball was after that and we lost the last home game to lubbock that was really sad its my last home game for a long time i got letters sent out this weekend that's a load off today is president's day but no one at oc knows once we leave here we'll actually find out that there are holidays that people observe singing in chapel was really good today at least from the stage girls singing by themselves sounded amazing.....God is good.

my list

2005-02-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

So I apologize to all those that have read my blog before and have wondered why I haven't posted in a while. I have no good excuse, but i'm back. I have been compelled to make a list. Lots of people have made this kind of list before and i've always thought it a good idea, so i'm starting my list here. It is a list of things I want to do before I die. My list is including but not limited to (because i'm just now starting this list) the following:

1. Skydive
2. Walk the length of the Great Wall of China
3. Ski in the Swiss Alps
4. Stand on top of the Eifel Tower
5. Fish through a hole in the ice
Climb...
6. Mt. McKinley
7. Mt. Fuji
8. Matterhorn
Spend the night...
9. In the bottom of the Grand Canyon
10. In a cave
11. In the OC library
Sing...
12. On a broadway stage
13. The National Anthem at a Cubs game
14. My baby to sleep
Convert...
15. A buddhist
16. An atheist
17. A terrorist

so its not a great number to end on...but i'm out of time...have a good one.

Thank you, Robert

2005-01-04T02:11:00.000-08:00

Many times this man has been to the train station. He has admired the people that get on them, and the trains themselves have a special attraction. He's been invited on board before, but never gone. For there is something about the train that he is unsure of. He wanted to peek in many times but never really wanted to get on board. "You'll like the train" they told him. But he refused for fear of the unknown.
Then the day came that he decided. He was going to get on one of those trains. He chose his train wisely and knew it was the train for him. He went to the station with great anticipation of seeing what the inside was all about and all the wonderful things that were offered. There was still lots of time that was to pass before his train would arrive, but he had to be there when it arrived. He would not miss it for the world.
Trains came and went as he sat there waiting. His train he had chosen, but the others looked good as well. Even better than before knowing that he was really going to get on one now. It would be easier just to hop on the next one and ride it to the end....it would be fun and exciting and fulfill....most...of his needs. But no. He had to wait for his train. Other trains even seemed to stay at the station longer for him to look at more closely and think how nice it would be to forget about his that was so far away and try it out.
His anticipation was such that it beemed light from his eyes. Another man sat next to him and said, "I can see it in your eyes. I've been where you are. Don't take the easy way, for if you don't, it will make all the difference." "Thank you, Robert", the man said as he looked back at the track with a new focus.
He didn't know any more about his train than any of the others, but he knew that he picked it for a reason. For he knew that the conductor of his train took him home.

Just Do It

2004-12-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

So I was thinking...
Today, I didn't leave my house one time. You might think, "oh there are plenty of things you could have done to stay busy at home, right?" Wrong. I went nowhere, I accomplished nothing, I helped no one. Let's take a look at some things that happened today while I was sitting on my lazy a.......apple pie eating butt...
Someone got on a plane today for the first time and flew somewhere really fun...
Someone was reunited with someone they haven't seen for a long time...
Someone did something today they thought they'd never do, and loved it...
Someone fell in love today...
Someone went skydiving today...
Someone stepped in the ocean for the first time today (with recent events, lets hope that was voluntary)...
Someone skied faster than they thought they could and stayed on their feet...
Someone met the person they've always wanted to meet, and fainted...
Someone moved far away and started a new life today...
Someone ate icecream in the Swiss Alps today...
Someone played in the snow for the first time today...
Someone got worn out playing the sport they love...
Someone found Jesus today...
Someone shared Jesus today...
Someone finally got it today (it can be whatever you want it to be)...
Someone made a new friend today...
The point is this: there is life to be lived. John 10:10- ...I (Jesus) came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. The point is that we're not supposed to have days like I had today. The point is that there is too much to do to sit around and wish you were doing it. Take life by the horns and hold on for dear life and watch what God does with you.
And, oh yeah, I'm a lazy piece of crap.

2004-12-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

So I was thinking...
There are some Christmas traditions that I think have been overlooked for too long and need to be dealt with. Now don't worry, i'm not going to make some ridiculous claim, like, there is no Santa Claus, or anything like that. So, here they are...
"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." What in the world is a mouse doing in the house? And why are we so passive about the substandard living conditions of those around us that have mice running around their houses?
"He sees you when you're sleeping..." Now stop right there! Does anybody else think that that is just a little creepy?!?! Now I understand that he has to keep tabs on us somehow, but don't watch me in my sleep, you creepy old man!
So I've done some math...in a town of about 10,000 people, if you average 2.5 people per home, you have roughly 4000 homes. Using those figures to do a blanket equation for the world, there are roughly 2 billion people, meaning roughly 800,000,000 homes in the world. If Santa starts at midnight and runs his sleigh til 5:00 am, he would have o.ooooooo125 seconds at each home to deliver the presents (if you factor in time zones and take into account how each country does things differently, you've taken me entirely too seriously). So, mad props to Santa on this one for having some mad horse power in that sleigh of his.

I hope this has brought you a taste of reality to wash down that egg nog. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and may all your new years resolutions be realistic.

The setting of the sun...

2004-12-18T03:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, so here ya go again...

I was thinking...
It seems to me that lots of mistakes that are made by people concerning relationships, or generally anything concerning the opposite sex, are made at night time. And also, people tend to say things at night that they wouldn't say in the middle of the day that could possibly hurt or confuse the person they are talking to. I know personally that as the sun goes down, so does my filter. I would like to take this time to apologize to all those who have been affected by my filterless mind.
So, as we strive to make our campus, our city, our state, our country....heck, our world a better place, let us make a petition that will make us all better people! People that will not be swayed by the absense of light! Sign my petition to get curfew moved from the sinful hour of 12:00 A.M., to 5:00 p.m. We can't make mistakes at night if we're asleep! LeAnn Rimes is wrong! We CAN fight the moonlight!!! Let's keep our campus happy! Let's go to bed before the sun goes down! Who's with me???

1. Kevin Daniel Peters

2004-12-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

So, I've been frustrated. I'm upset because when I try to do homework at night, I find myself getting sleepy and not being able to complete work at all. Now let me say that i'm not writing this so that you'll tell me that I maybe should try doing my homework during the day, cause I don't want to hear it, that's not what i'm writing for! So get off my back!!! I'll do my homework whenever I........ok, I got off track, my bad....so to my point. Why did God create sleep? Why didn't he make us so that we wouldn't need sleep and we could just be going all the time? We could get more things accomplished, even for the Kingdom! So why were we made so that we need sleep? It is my contension that God created sleep so that we would have a daily reminder that we have limits, and we serve a God that does not. So, my readers of the blog, sleep in peace, knowing that God is not.

chapel

2004-12-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

So usually I go into chapel and head towards the front. I sit there because that is where the majority of my friends sit and I like it better than sitting in the back. I think sitting in the front makes for a better "chapel experience". But the other day, a friend of mine was on campus and he wasn't the kind of person that would want to sit up front, and I knew that, and that was ok. So we sat way in the back by ourselves. I got to thinking...it almost looks like the people that go sit up front are the people that think they are "better" than the people in the back. There almost seems to be a "holier than thou" attitude starting on the front row and getting more and more less snobby as you move towards the back. Being a person that sits up there, I know that this is not true by any means and I know that its harder to pay attention in the back because there is a lot more to distract you the farther back you sit in the auditorium. I just wonder...in such a small auditorium, are we that ununified? Breaking down the different sections of chapel even adds to that. But even without going into what clubs sit where in chapel, there are as many opinions about chapel in general as there are people that fill the seats. So my question for my readers is...does chapel help unify us or does it help us realize how divided we are?

You are...

2004-12-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

How you do it i'll never understand. You know just exactly what I need when I need it. You seem to reach into my deepest thoughts and strongest desires. When times get tough, you're there to help me forget about it all. When times are good, you celebrate with me. Sometimes it's rough, because you don't always just say what makes me feel good but what I need to hear. Pulling you close and wrapping you around me takes me to another place, where noise around me disappears and you are the only thing that I know, and the only thing I need. You are the strength I need to rise to higher ground. You are the comfort I need to come back down. You are the one that knows just what I need to hear. You are beautiful, you are strong, you are...my headphones.

outside the box

2004-11-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

So, imagine...
You have a chunch of clay. You have an idea of how to make this clay into a masterpiece. It is going to take a lot of work, but you're really excited about it cause you know that in the end, this piece of clay is going to be sculpted into a masterful piece of art. But there is a problem, your piece of clay has grown a mind of its own. It wants to tell you when you can work on it and it doesn't want you to do too much at a time. It knows that you're much bigger and overall in ultimate control, but it wants some say in the deal. It just doesn't understand that you are wanting to make it into something incredible that people will see and admire. It even tries to do some of the sculpting itself, and it just goes way wrong and makes things worse. Why won't the stupid piece of clay just let you do what you want to do with it?? It knows that you can do it better and that you're really in control! Why is it being so stubborn???
Romans 9:20ff

God is going to make us into the person that He wants us to be as long as we let him. The times that are rough and tough are just the times that he has to work through our tough spots and soften us up. Trust the builder.
This has been another entry into "Lincoln Blogs". Enjoy.

ADD

2004-11-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

so do i try to make it funny or make it serious...today could be a day that people want something think about since its kinda nasty outside...i wish i would have gone to class today, that's amazing...this is peaceful...there's a lot to do tonight, or a lot i could do tonight,volleyball, study, volleyball, meeting for spring sing...oh its gonna be fun, i'm glad we're starting, its a lot of fun people...i'm worried about getting everything done by the end of the semester and everything being done well, but i have to, no choice...so, i'm going to scotland huh? yep. what an awesome experience i'll be able to look back on, what a scary thought to look forward to...its almost 2:45, i have chamber singers at 3:30...i wish cocoa and carols was more fun, but its a great experience...saturday is gonna be so busy, i wonder if people will go with me...what is that pot for?...i've never seen that many light switches together...i should be working.........

Why?

2004-11-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

OK, I just don't get it. It is now officially the start of the "Christmas Season"...wonderful. This day, people got up WAY too early in the morning to go get in line at stores that open at 6 FREAKIN' A.M.!!! And they do this so that they will get the "best deals". Now, some would call me a "procrastinator shopper". I wait til probably the week before Christmas before I buy all the gifts that i'm going to buy, and not one time has anyone that I have bought for complained that they rather would have had something that I could have got them if I had stood in line from 3:00 am on. And another thing, shopping is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Tell me, what is fun and enjoyable about frantically shopping with twice the amount of people in the stores that there usually is? The American public has traded happiness for the better deal. That is NOT OK!!! We've turned it into a competition. We've taken something that is supposed to encourage the American public and make everyone happy and made it so competitive that some would consider it a sport, and it's not (cheerleading). So I ask, why? Why put lots of stressed shoppers in the same building at the same time? Why stand in lines that will be cut in half in a week? Don't trade the happiness of today in for a better deal, cause guess what, that deal will be there tomorrow. I plead with you citizens...procrastinate, and keep America happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2004-11-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to those that are spending it somewhere else today...

Happy Thanksgiving to those in Vienna...we're thankful that you're safe and that you'll be home soon!
Happy Thanksgiving to those on Pac Rim...we're thankful that God is taking care of you today!
Happy Thanksgiving to Aaron Wells...thank you, Aaron, for putting our life before your own. We miss you!
Happy Thanksgiving to Angie, April, Clint, Amy, Allison, Lailah, Travis and the others...thank you for strengthening the Kingdom through your sacrifice.
Happy Thanksgiving to our troops...thank you for allowing us to feel safe while you're in the midst of danger. You have blessed our lives.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours as God continually blesses us in unfathomable ways.

Welp...

2004-11-24T18:06:00.000-08:00

So here I am. I made fun of it like all of you did before you got into it. If I ever get boring, let me know. If you ever disagree with me, let me know. If you're ever inspired by what I write, pass it on to someone else. If I make you laugh, wonderful. If I make you cry, my bad. I might tell you what i've done, I might tell you what i'm thinking. Either way, take it for what you will. Have a great day.....see ya later.