im tired of not having money and not being able to do what i want. maybe a pile of money could just fall into my lap

IGNORING THE NEWS

do we stay in Iraq?
the answer is yes, from the man in the air conditioned office, a few thousand miles from war.
the answer is no, from the man in the marketplace, a few thousand feet from war.
the answer is yes, from the politician, seated in his plush office with mahogany bookcase and leather side chair.
the answer is no, from the soilder standing in the street with dust, trash and blood.
the answer is yes, from the woman in her house, who yells to block out the sounds of her husband.
the answer is no, from the woman in her house, who yells to block out the sounds of bombs.
the answer is yes, from the general giving the orders from here.
the answer is no, from the general recieving the orders over there.
the answer is yes, from the father at his son's wedding.
the answer is no, from the father at his son's funeral.
Perhaps there is no right or wrong answer.. perhaps we just dont want to get involved.. perhaps we dont even notice when another soilder dies. it easy beng here, surrounded by comfort. its there to distract us, acting as a blind to the truth. the truth is that its been 6 years. 6 long years. the end is not in sight. thousands, perhaps a hundred thousand more will die, before its finished. I pray that God washes the blood off my hands, for sitting on my sofa and ignoring the news.

new home

im living in Rockford, IL now... im officially moved out of my home and its a change but i love it. im so excited for this summer

The duty of the church is to comfort the disturbed and to
disturb the comfortable - Michael Ramsey

it was no accident

THE KEEPER OF THE STARS (Tracy Byrd)

It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can't believe you're in my life
Heaven's smilin' down on me
As I look at you tonight

CHORUS:
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars

Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
I know I don't deserve a treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude

REPEAT CHORUS

It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew

something to think about...

"the cheapest motel" - tracy byrd

The glasses were all plastic;
Little balls of no-name soap;
No cable on the TV;
The ice-machine was broke.
Well, I guess that's what you get,
For nineteen bucks an' some change.
But the cheapest motel in town,
Cost him everything.

They used the Bible for a coaster,
An' it never crossed their mind:
Maybe they should've opened it,
Instead of that high-dollar wine.
It was just their little secret,
A hideaway out West Main,
But the cheapest motel in town,
Cost him everything.

He went from home in the suburbs,
To an apartment in town.
From bein' met at the door by two little kids,
To a stray dog he'd found.
He paid the price for pleasure,
Now he can't afford the pain.
An' the cheapest motel in town,
Cost him everything.

They thought no-one would find 'em,
But it isn't hard to spot,
A brand-new black Mercedes-Benz,
In that gravel parkin' lot.
He fooled his wife till one night,
She saw something he couldn't explain,
An' the cheapest motel in town,
Cost him everything.

He went from home in the suburbs,
To an apartment in town.
From bein' met at the door by two little kids,
To a stray dog he'd found.
He paid the price for pleasure,
Now he can't afford the pain.
Yeah, the cheapest motel in town,
Cost him everything;
It cost him everything;
Cost him everything

i like this quote

people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

you were here

i stood at your door tonight,
and looked at your empty bed.
i could have walked away,
but i stayed instead.
i thought i saw you there,
laying down, looking so sweet.
i smiled when i saw you smile,
and i laughed when you laughed at me.
i stood there all night long,
i didnt want to miss a thing.
your beauty makes me weak,
and your eyes make me forget the world.
for you i would do anything,
anything for my baby girl.
i touched your dimples,
the ones that drive me wild.
and i kissed your nose,
which makes me look like a little child.
i rubbed your head forever,
and i didnt stop there.
your beauty is only enhanced,
by your golden hair.
i looked into your eyes,
the ones that are so blue.
so deep, thoughtful and wise,
i love to just look at you.
and i almost cried when i blinked,
because i missed you so much.
i held your hand in mine,
and got chills when you held it tight.
i know its funny, but now its time,
to hold your hand forever...
starting tonight.
but then i woke up,
and i was standing at your door.
and i realized my worst fear,
so i walked away...
and left my puddle of tears.

my girl

So I figured it was time that I put a picture of my girlfriend Alicia on here. So... here she is... the most beautiful girl ever!!!! Sometimes I just wonder how in the world a guy like me from a little town in Pennsylvania met a girl from Illinois and ended up dating her. God continues to amaze me... He cares so much about the little things. I'm amazed that he brought such a beautiful, caring, fun, loving, spunky, adventurous, crazy, sweet, smart, creative, kind, girl into my life, and I'm even more amazed that I can call her my girlfriend. I'm truly proud of her and it's an honor and privelege to have her in my life. Thank you God. I know that I don't deserve her but she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I love you Alicia and I can't wait to see you again and to see where God takes us. Know that I love you and miss you so much!!! And not a day goes by where I don't stop for a minute and thank God for bringing the most amazing and beautiful girl ever into my life. Thank you so much for being there when I need you and for just being yourself no matter what. I can't imagine my life without you... thank you so much for loving me no matter what. That means more then you know. I don't know how you put up with me sometimes, but I'm sure glad that you do. I love you my sweet camonde

uganda

i miss you

have you ever loved someone so much that nobody else understands it?

what do i want?

did you ever have everything that you ever wished for and then wish that you didnt have it? that happens to me sometimes...

:)

i think i am happier then i have ever been before!! there has just been so many good things happening lately and i am so excited about this summer and going to uganda to serve God and the people there. Im so excited that i get to go with my girlfriend who is amazing!!! im so excited to go to camp in a week to do puppets and drama for little kids... im so excited to see what God has for me next and i truly enjoy waking up each day!!

empty

i want to stop by your house tonight,
but you live ten thousand miles from me.
i want to watch fireflies flash their light,
but its just not meant to be.
i want to go to that place,
just to prove you wrong.
i want to see your sweet face,
to see where i belong.
and wouldnt it be nice,
if we all followed our dreams.
the world might be a better place,
if we could mend the seams.
but we go to war and we fight about rights,
maybe we should just slow down... and dance tonight.
but im here all alone,
and theres nobody to hold me tight.
so i sit here holding my phone,
and my tears wash away the light.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146

amazing grace

"If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third - the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there." - John Newton

ALASKA: it took my breath away

christianity at its core

St. Francis of Assisi invited an apprentice to go with him to a nearby village to preach. the young monk quickly agreed, seizing an opportunity to hear his teacher speak. when they arrived in the village, St. Francis began to visit with the people. First he stopped in on the butcher. Next a visit with the cobbler. Then a short walk to the home of a woman who'd recently buried her husband. After that a stop at the school to talk to the teacher. This continued throughout the morning. After some time, Francis told his disciple that it was time to return to the abbey. The student didnt understand. "But we came to preach," he reminded. "We havent preached a sermon."
"Haven't we?" questioned the elder. "People have watched us, listened to us, responded to us. Every word we have spoken, every deed we have done has been a sermon."

"Preach the gospel at all times and if neccesary, use words."

it all comes down to this

“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth”
1 John 3:17-18

there is a difference

all men dream dreams in the night - only the brave wake up and live them during the day

genocide

400,000 DEAD
2,000,000 HOMELESS
where: SUDAN
when: RIGHT NOW
YOU can do something

SAVE DARFUR

i try

theres so much i want to say to _______ but i just cant find the words. and if i did, they would come out all wrong. i hope you know how much i care about you.

another promise

to go along with my last post, i want to comment on abuse. this, along with cheating is the two biggest things that upset me and anger me. i hate it when i hear about girls being abused. it is something that i just cannot accept. there is never a reason to hit a girl. its that simple.. there is never a reason, no matter what the circumstance. its just something that is not acceptable.
again, to my future wife, whoever you are, i promise that i will never abuse you and never lay a hand on you. i promise.

a promise

help me understand something. why are people so stupid? i mean, they are just so stupid. for one; guys are stupid. for the most part they are just immature, and really dumb. for example, im watching greys anatomy. its basically a show about which intern can sleep with the most people and then cheat on the most people why they are with someone else. why do people cheat? its something that i hate almost more then anything... when people are together and then one or both of them cheat on each other. and you know, they are cheating themselves too. cheating themselves out of a happy, healthy, honest relationship. so why is it that society encourages adultery?
and another thing that really frustrates me and in fact angers me is when people, especially girls, settle for less then the best. heres something to think about: dont settle for the one you can live with, settle for the one you cant live without.
i want to make a promise to my future wife, whoever you are, wherever you are, if you read this, or if you dont. if i have met you, or if i havent... i promise you that i will never cheat on you. i promise

blind

Oh forgive us Lord, for so often we seek the things in your hand
rather than the things of your heart.

happy easter

like a rose, trampled on the ground
you took the fall
and thought of me above all.
thank you Jesus

so close and yet so far

most people miss heaven by 8 inches... the distance from the head to the heart. its not enough to believe in God, even the demons believe in God. its all about a personal relationship with Jesus.
please.. dont miss heaven by a few inches...

direct connect

its funny. my dad has a nextel cell phone and i hate it. i mean, i absolutely hate it. its ugly, its annoying, its big, and its complicated. i try again and again to convince him that cingular is better, but he doesnt listen. but, i learned something from his phone today.
having the direct connect feature on his phone he can simply press a button and have a conversation with someone, almost like a walkie talkie. i cant do that with my phone. even though my phone is smaller, thinner, better looking, has more features, and is more expensive then his phone, i cant simply press a button and be directly connected to someone.
now lets imagine that my dad's nextel phone is a christian. and my cingular phone is someone who isnt a christian. and the "direct connect" feature... that's prayer. a direct line of communication between the christian and God. despite being a better looking phone with more features, no matter how hard it tries, the cingular phone cant "direct connect" to someone.
prayer is simple and yet complicated. in its simplest form, its communication between God and us. its amazing when you think about it, and for too many of us christians, it is something that we do not do enough.
so even though i hat my dad's phone, it reminded me of something that i should never take for granted. the power of prayer. the power of communication between me and my creator. how many times has God said to me, "can you hear me now?"

created

"If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary
to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it, for
this is a journey of unknowables,-- of unanswered questions,
enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair."
- Madame Jeanne Guyon

there and back again

so... it has come and gone. im officially 21 years old!! exciting i guess. well, i need to go conquer the world now that im soooo old. it was a really good birthday and i got the best present ever which made my day super special!!!
*cheers*

wake up

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that, because the world needs people who have come alive." - Harold Whitman

candles & cake

i turn 21 tomorrow. not sure if i am ready...

doubt

"Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God
reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If
there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me."
- John Irving

make a difference

The elderly grandfather was walking on the beach with his young grandson. As they walked, the grandson would periodically stop to pick up beached starfish and toss them back into the ocean. The grandfather leaned towards his grandchild and said, “My child, your gesture is touching but will make no difference. Do you know how wide the oceans are, how vast the number of beaches, and how numerous are the starfish that become trapped on the shore?” The child looked up as he prepared to toss yet another starfish back into the ocean and said, “Yes, grandfather, but it sure makes a difference to this one."

better than christmas

thats how i feel right now. my life is so amazing. its palm sunday and i remember now more then ever what jesus did for me. and theres so many reasons to smile... im thankful that i have someone to remind me of that. im thankful that i have so many blessings and so many things to be thankful for. i couldnt ask for more.

yes or no

yes or no? choose carefully, because even though you have no idea, what you say can change your life.
the funny thing is that we make so many little decisions in our life that have nothing to do with being little at all. but for some reason, our little minds convince us that a simple yes or no, here and there, is rather insignificant at best. but that is not true at all. every decision that we make has consequences, good or bad, big or little. and because we are selfish we think that our decisions only affect us. how untrue that is. every little movement, decision, answer, word, and gesture that we make is like a drop in a pond. it creates ripples in every direction that changes the rest of the water, if only for a brief second. so i guess we should be aware that the next time we make a decision, yes or no, it will impact more people then we ever could imagine.

what i want

"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can." - John Wesley

just a kid

"I opened my wine bottle and took off my shoes. I found that the room had an easel, but I wasn't a painter, just a kid looking for luck..." - Charles Bukowski

knowledge

The Christian has a great advantage over other men, not by being
less fallen than they, nor less doomed to live in a fallen
world, but by knowing that he is a fallen man in a fallen world.
- C. S. Lewis

valuable

In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a
walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of
value because they were possessed and used by some great person.
It is the ownership which gives them worth. It is so with the
Christian. The Christian may be a very ordinary person, but he
acquires a new value and dignity and greatness because he
belongs to God. The greatness of the Christian lies in the fact
that he is God's. - William Barclay

how it should be...

road signs

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress
means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in
that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most
progressive. - C. S. Lewis

looking...

to be paid to do what you love, isn't that the dream? find something that you love to do and you will never work a day in your life.

on the road to perdition

someone once said, death comes to us all. all a man can do is smile back. i wonder if i will know the moments prior to my death. if i will recognize when i myself am standing on the threshold of death's door. who will be on the other side when the door opens?
i know that a small and narrow path leads to the place that i long to go. i also know this, that i have wondered from that path many times in my life. i want to say that i am on it now, but i am not certain. im certain that i am disatisfied with where i am. i want to grow. but its as if i am a plant on the edge of ruin. as if every part of me yearns to blossom, and yet i am in the winter. the sun and water has forsaken me and i am buried in snow. cold and alone. i want to feel the sun on my face more than anything.
perhaps its the dusk before the dawn. maybe i will convince myself of that just to get through tomorrow. maybe its the last night before the war. the final day of captivity before the convict is set free.
i pray that i do not disappoint. perhaps God has gotten used to disappoinment when hae looks at me. i can only recognize my failure and move on, trying to fail once less tomorrow then i did today. will i? probably not. but all i can do is hope. if i lose that hope, than i have nothing to live for. death has already assigned me a date. until that date comes, i can live.

never

"Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he
is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of
nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a
house on it." - C. S. Lewis

pure. honest. love.

one of my favorite quotes is by g.k. Chesterton and it goes like this: "i am concerned with a certain way of looking at life which was created in me by the fairy tales, but has since been ratified by the mere facts." i think its amazing and so true. i have this picture of love from movies like beauty and the beast, and sleeping beauty, and heck, even lady and the tramp. and i want that for me. i want the best... i love in sleeping beauty when the prince fights his way through all of the obstacles and thorns and dragon and fire and he climbs to the highest tower and kisses the girl! i love in gladiator, when maximus fights for what he believes in. not because its popular but because it is the right thing to do. i love in braveheart when William Wallace fights for what he knows is right. yes its hard and difficult and something that not many choose, but its the right thing to do. you may lose everything along the way, but in the end, its worth it. shouldn't every guy want to rescue the beautiful girl? doesn't every little girl grow up wishing she was a princess and wanting to be swept off her feet by her "knight in shining armor?" is that too much to ask? i guess i just want love. pure. honest. love.

i miss you maui

good quote

"i am concerned with a certain way of looking at life which was created in me by the fairy tales but has since been ratified by the mere facts." - g.k. chesterton

- 1

Hypocrites in the Church? Yes, and in the lodge and at the home.
Don't hunt through the Church for a hypocrite. Go home and look
in the mirror. Hypocrites? Yes. See that you make the number one
less.
- billy sunday

idols

Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his
heart; he goes about with it night and day; he sleeps and wakes
with it, be it what it may - wealth or self, pleasure or renown.
- martin luther

darkness and light

We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato

i want...

i want to do something significant

reflection

i hate that most christians do not reflect christ in anything that they say or do. i hate that most christians hate more than they love. and spread gossip more than the gospel. i hate that they judge more than they listen. i hate that they are selfish, and comfortable, and complacent, and stupid, and safe. jesus wasnt safe. paul wasnt safe. why do christians hide in churches? why do they hate the world?
because of this i do not even want to be called a christian. in the minds of people they will associate me with every other "christian" that they have ever met. i am a follower of Jesus. simple as that.

perspective

Darwin’s father said to him in a note “… you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.” His gardener said, “Poor man, he just stands and stares at a yellow flower for minutes at a time. He would be better off with something to do.”
Darwin was misunderstood. That is important to understand. He saw something that others didn’t. he could appreciate the beauty of a flower and stare at it for minutes. That is something special.
what is our first response as christians when we hear the name charles darwin? most would argue that he was misguided and most would be upset that he had led so many people to believe that the earth originated from evoultionary beginings. do you know that he was raised in the church and grew up a christian? what would you say if you saw darwin in heaven? personally i hope that he is there, because i would like to meet him.

on the subject of valentines day

after sitting at home alone on february 14, i decided to give some thought to the topic of love. and what a strange thing love is. since i was once again without a "valentine" i turned my thoughts to my one true love... Christ. for it is only him who truly exemplifies pure love. and seriously, im not just saying that because i was sitting at home alone on valentines day. despite how many years i sit alone on the 14th i have someone who loves me more than anyone else ever could. and Jesus deserves all the love that i have. so i might not have anyone to give flowers or chocolate to, but i have someone to give my life to, and who gave his life for me. so to my knees i fall, realizing that this is the best valentines day of all.

a sad day

"It must be an emergency when an Irish rock star is being invited to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast and the House Democrat annual retreat all on the same day. And it is. Because in this long day 6,500 Africans will die of AIDS and 110 million kids won't get to go to school." - Bono

the little things

im trying to think. but i can't remember. when was the last time i hugged someone? its been weeks. how sad. i guess that when you do something, like hug someone, you dont really think about it. you take for granted that there will be another hug soon, just as you assume that your last breath wont be the last. the problem is that when something so special becomes too familiar, it loses its appeal, its intrigue, and its purpose. i remember the last time i looked up at the moon in disbelief. it was only a few minutes ago. that is something that will always take my breath away. that, and looking up into a star studded sky. few things bring me more pleasure, or leave me in awe of their beauty. in this new year i am trying to be amused by the little things, the everyday things, that have become a routine for me. i wish that i was a baby once again, seeing this world for the very first time. i want to be amazed by the little things.

give.live.love.

as i drank a can of coke a few days ago i noticed what was written on the can: GIVE. LIVE. LOVE. i think that will be my motto for the coming year. let each of us give, live, and love like we never have before.

why do we hate?

"I've been in politics long enough to expect criticism and hostility. But I was unprepared for the hatred I get from Christians. Why do Christians hate so much?"
-Bill Clinton

eating our dinners

i watched the movie Hotel Rwanda last night which told the story of the Hutu's and Tutsi's during the genocide that took place in 1994. it is one of the best movies i have seen in a long time and it is a truly inspiring story. when confronted with what people would do when they saw the footage on television, a journalist replied:
"I think if people see this footage, they’ll say, oh my god that’s horrible, and they will go on eating their dinners.”
the same could probably be said with us when we saw the footage of the tsunami in asia, the eathquake in pakistan or the hurricanes along the gulf coast. faith without works is dead. i pray that the above quote will not be true of us. let us love one another this new year.

Waveland, Mississippi

Once again I am back in Mississippi overwhelmed by the devastation that wind and rain can cause. After my last trip here I realized that I needed to come back and that's why I am here. Its just me this time - im down here until the 20th and then I head home for Christmas. I plan to come back again in the beginning of February and stay for a longer period of time.
there is so much to do here. I could be living my life back home following the same routine every day, or I could be here, helping people rebuild a community and seeing lives changed.

tears of sorrow

i recently read an article about a church in Sacramento, California. it seems as if there is a statue of the virgin Mary who has tears running from her eyes. apparently they wiped them away and they reappeared a few days later. people are gathering from all over to see what many are calling a 'miracle'.
throughout the centuries religions change and take different directions depending upon who is leading it. unfortunately Christianity is no exception. perhaps Mary is crying because millions of people around the world worship her in place of her son, Jesus Christ.

"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." - John 3:16

self defense or personal agenda?

Every war when it comes, or before it comes, is represented not as a war but as an act of self-defense against a homicidal maniac. - George Orwell

The inevitable war

"It's not a matter of whether the war is not real, or if it is, Victory is not possible. The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous. Hierarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and ignorance. This new version is the past and no different past can ever have existed. In principle the war effort is always planned to keep society on the brink of starvation. The war is waged by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over either Eurasia or East Asia but to keep the very structure of society intact." - George Orwell

how much do you know about AIDS?

http://news.worldvision.org/WARH034F15413636E6F6D3D079DF60

katrina

it was a normal day in late August, when a hurricane named Katrina came up from the Gulf and caught us.
we all scrambled about, trying to leave town. our family and friends were scattered all around.
she came in with a fury, nothing was safe. she threw our belongings all over the place.
she caused a lot of destruction of lives and homes, some of us had to vacate to certain domes.
when it was safe, we came back to town, the first thing i noticed was the quiet sound.
no motors running, no birds chirping,
it was apparent that something was missing.
we had to travel through lots of debris, Katrina's wrath was plain to see.
now we live from day to day,
trying to cope, learning to pray.
we sift through wreckage that was once our lives, thankful for the opportunity to do so.
we have life. we have hope. we have another day.

(written by Deborah lizana, a hurricane survivor who i met in Waveland, Mississippi)

pinned on him

we pin our hopes and dreams on various things. we pin them on singers who vocalize what we want to say. we pin them on actors who portray the people that we wish we were. we pin them on world leaders who make the decisions that we ourselves wish to make. we pin them on athletes who can actually accomplish in life what we do in our dreams. we pin them on our friends who are the people that we wish we could be. we pin them on beautiful, inspiring, talented, learned, people who we adore and admire.im not here to condemn our choices. i too have lived or aspired to live through the lives of others, however I now pin my hopes and dreams on Christ, who had his hands and feet pinned to a tree for me. because he loved me first i love him and i live through him.

where is our passion?

if you don't know this about me aleady, i will say it again for all of you. i am passionate about helping people here in America and those overseas. i think that as a Christian, well forget that. it is not contingent on the fact that i am a Christian, it is based upon being a human being. i have been given much and i believe that in return, i have much to give. it is a chief responsibility for myself and for us collectively, as inhabitants of this earth.
today i read something that was written by sex workers in Zambia. it brakes my heart that someone in the twenty first century has to speak such words.

"AIDS may kill me in years, but hunger will kill my family tomorrow."

this is not necessary. it is not acceptable. until we do something about poverty and sickness around the world, we have failed our fellow citizens, and we should all be held personally accountable.

change

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

why?

why is it that Christians are among the most hypocritical, judgmental, critical,and selfish people that i know? i hate that. it is why America and the world are dismissing anyone who labels themselves a "Christian." i also hate organized religion. it has done more harm than good. i simply follow Christ. Call me naive, call me foolish, its ok. i have to cling to something and after studying and observing what the world has to offer, Christ looks better every day.

innocence

plans change

sometimes i think about my life and it seems like a dream. honestly... i think of all that i have done, all the places i have been, the amazing people i have met, the things i have learned. it truly amazes me every time i think about it and i can honestly say that i am living my dream. i know so many people who live this life doing what they do not want to do. they say if they won the lottery or had a million dollars they would live their dream. thats not going to happen though. my motto, is find something you love to do and you will never work a day in your life. i love my life and i love serving God.
where i am now is not where i planned to be, trust me... i had a different idea for my life. even two years ago i had other plans. i thought i knew what i was going to do. i was reminded today by a friend of mine, that plans change, but God does not. i am so thankful for that.
my challenge today: live life to the fullest. do something that scares you, and dont be afraid to try new things.

one

more than 38 million people around the world are infected by HIV/AIDS. left untreated, AIDS leads to an early death for people in their most productive years who are needed to raise crops and families, teach school and care for the sick.
around the world, 104 million children do not go to grade school, because their parents cannot afford fees, books or uniforms for their children.
ONE billion people survive on less than $1 a day. ONE person in seven has no access to clean water for drinking, cooking or washing.
in Africa, 12 million children have already lost ONE or both parents to AIDS.

ONE voice can make a difference. history has proven that. just this week Rosa Parks passed away. her voice made a difference simply because she stood up for what was right. she fought for equality and was among the first to voice her opinion.
we can fight to see poverty become history. ONE voice, ONE life, can make all the difference in the world.

how much?

Christianity must mean everything to us before it can mean anything to others. -- Donald Soper

this quote really challenged me and i can honestly say that it has changed my life. i need to live every minute of every day for Jesus.i wake up in the morning so i can be a living sacrifice for my creator, and i fall asleep at night so i can dream about what He wants me to do tomorrow.

our time to be great

"sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. you can be that great generation. millions of people in the world's poorest countries are trapped in the prison of poverty. it is time to set them free. poverty is not natural, it is man made and can be overcome by the action of human beings.... do not look the other way. do not hesitate. recognize that the world is hungry for action, not words. act with courage and zeal. let us work to make poverty history this year. and then we can all stand with our heads held high." -- nelson mandela

"we have the opportunity to do something that will be remembered for a long time after we're gone. in the '60's and '70's, others fought for civil rights. in the '80's and '90's, people fought against arpetheid and pulled back the iron curtain. this is our generations moment. we want to end extreme poverty in our lifetime. a child dying from a lack of food or a mosquito bite at the start of the 21st century will one day in the future appear utterly ridiculous." -- bono

http://www.one.org/

$75 goat

you can give a goat to a family in need for only $75
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?lid=gc_blue_link&lpos=subf2&section=10024

fly

He saw the bird. In the sky. Not a word. Looked up high.
Watched him soar. Such allure. Big and bold. This never gets old.
Up and down. With no sound. Dreams of him. Soaring within.
Into the sky. He will fly

misguided men

one of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. we have guided missles and misguided men."

i am very thankful that i live in the 21st century. i am thankful for the modern society that surrounds me and provides an easy life for me to enjoy. i have so much that i couldnt possibly complain about my life.
i often wonder what life would be like if i had lived a thousand or even a hundred years ago. there was a time not so long ago where people cared more about people than about other things. sure, there has always been war and it will always be prevalent, however in every new war we kill each other in a different way.
we have spent so much money and effort in sending men to the moon and exploring space and in many ways we have neglected the poor and dying.
perhaps it is time that we revaluate our priorities. we have the responsibility to care for each other. we know that much. now, let us do what we know.

beautiful

i took this picture when i was in indonesia last year. i dont know her name. she lives five feet away from a railroad track in a little shack. it is one of the saddest things i have ever seen. it truly breaks my heart.

world vision

i am passionate about helping people. my favorite verse in the Bible is James 1:27. "pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
i try to live my life by this verse. i sponsor a little girl named abigail who lives in bolivia. it is one of the best things i have ever done in my life. if you are interested in helping children please click on the link below.

http://connect.worldvision.org/person/mattmeshey?faf=1&elid=399012068

80,000

7.6 magnitude. 80,000 dead.
what are we going to do about this? it is unacceptable. i cannot, as a Christian, as a human being, live with a clear conscience knowing that 80,000 people are dead from an earthquake. we can send men to the moon, we can pay football players 10 million dollars a year to entertain us and yet we can't save lives of those who are among the poorest in the world. this is not right and i will do everything i can to see that this does not happen again. we must do something.
as edmund burke once said, "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
let us be the ones who do something. let us be the ones. now. today.

lost

i absolutely love the tv show lost. if you dont know what it is, its about a bunch of people who survived a plane crash and are stuck on an island. they are searching to be found.

the world is lost. they do not know it because they have stopped looking. i guess they think if they stop looking they aren't lost anymore.
when we are born we enter a world where we are lost. this thing that we call life could be given the title of the second jurassic park movie: "the lost world."
i am thankful that i am no longer lost. my name is written in the book of life. let us be the ones who decide today that we will no longer allow those around us to die without knowing that they are lost.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." - matthew 7:7-8

home sweet home

me and some friends in maui