|PAULINC.|

I Find It Harder.

2008-09-01T20:56:00.001-05:00

Everyday that draws to a close,
With a ribbon on top that's tied in a bow.
I know its the present that matter's the most,
But right at this moment I'm the ungrateful host.

She's a gift from heaven above,
From a God full of wonder and love.
But this selfish child is bratty and cruel,
What type of person would throw out a jewel?

This corny poem is killing me,
I feel it stinging more than the bee.
But how many times does one's pride get hit,
How many times must he fall in the grit?

Does the man make the mistake?
In which the consequence he must partake.
Or is he his own failing,
For everytime he is caught bailing?

None of it matters to me,
I am not that poor man.
I know the girl that I love,
And I will one day hold her hand.

I swear to you now that his is truth.
I know what I want, please God make it true.
I need this blessing I need to be heard.
I need to feel loved by this one single girl.

I love you God more than this life has to offer.
Please heed to my cry and make me so proud.
That I follow a God who will never forsake,
Drop his children like an old beat up rake.

So much in this life you have put there for me,
To turn to you and see your blessings.
Tell me she is one of them,
And I know not how I will say it...

But God, here it goes. Even if I never get what I want.
Even though I may scream and shout.
Know that forever and all eternity I will follow your path of righteousness and purity.
That through the calm of the day and dark of the night.
In the rush of the storm and quiet that lies in my sight,
You are the maker of all that I am.
None who I am belongs to me.
I pledge to serve you for every moment you bless me with.
Each breathe and each exhale, never were mine.
Now please Lord take this life, its not mine.
I find it harder everyday that draws to a close,
To not turn to you and say you are Lord.

Untitled.

2008-08-26T21:26:00.001-05:00

I should be dreaming about *her* by now.
I should be able to remember my dreams about *her* by now.
I should be getting over *her* by now.
But there is so little in life to hold onto,
Why should I should I let hope of *her* go?

As if the ocean wasn't big enough,
Or the sky too black.
I find myself being enveloped by something that I can not control.
This downrush and upbeat of emotion is nothing new but is always unfamiliar.
Like a cousin you only see once every year.
The riptide is pulling me out into the ocean.
Gravity is letting me float out into the black.
There are simply so many questions.
So many thoughts.
Do I embrace the experience?
Do I fight and give into my instincts?
Who will I become in this new place?
Was I meant to be pulled out?
Was I meant to let go?
How far have I gotten from God to let myself leave the shore/ground?
Is it too late for me to swim/fall back to where I belong?
I know its my fault I am out here in the first place.
But is where she is, where He is at?
Or am I attaching my faith to an object of desire?
Not of lustful desire, but a heart felt yearning.
How young, is too young to love?
But how can I know love?
Those words in Corinthians do not translate into what I am feeling, or the lack thereof.
Why can my tongue not say what my heart is feeling?
Why can my head not know what my heart is aching over?
Why dear God can I not rise above these appendages strapped to my soul?
This flesh pulls me down.
My choices pull me down.
I pull myself down.
I am the soul offender and in this.
It is my fault.
I admit this openly.
That all my shortcomings are mine and mine alone.
I am ready to finally say that it is my heart that is culprit.
That I desired the objection in my life.
I desired the lust... I desired to hurt you...
But know that I speak in the past tense.
That with your strength I may find a new chance to forge my present and my future.
That You God, all things are possible.
Amen.

Fantastic News!

2008-08-26T21:15:00.001-05:00

So I finally got around to getting in contact with MTV to suggest my
ideas for "Voice of a Generation" and they kind folks at MTV Thinks
replied in an extremely timely manner. Simply put, they said if I make
a few videos outlining my thoughts and ideas for the project, upload
them and email them the links they will consider promoting the material
through their site and if it works well enough, it may go further from
there.

In slightly less, successful news, TED has yet to
return my email I sent in nearly a week ago. In this state of inaction
I went ahead and called their main offices in NYC. I asked if they
offered any sort of student discount or financial aid support. The lady
was very kind in telling me no and that they did offer financial aid
for experts in specific fields and that they did have the TED Prize
winners. Neither of those really fit my conditions so I said thank you
and went my way.

But then later this evening spoke to a student
from my class who I decided to share my policies as the Junior Class
President with. Her first response was of shock mixed with hesitation.
Then she nearly became furious that I would institute a policy that was
for the most part singly aimed at opening up larger doors for Prom
possibilities. Apparently not every High School girl dreams of being
Prom Queen. So with some extensive explanations and a few thoughtful
considerations I retooled my "Benefits System" to include
extracurricular activities with parents notes and signatures and some
proof of said activity. And then with some more discussion we thought
of some more ways for the school to interest students in their futures
through having an Art Expo day the same day as the Art Fair. Have
artists and creative types from Photography, Film, Paintings, Graphic
Design, Musicians, Orchestras, Television, Fashion, and maybe even
Drafting and Design/Architecture fields come to speak to us briefly
about their lifestyles and careers and then have the rest of the day be
an Expo with the Art Fair open to the students and such. I mean, we
already have a Health Day, which is really for the most part a useless
day with no real purpose although the idea is good, so why not a day to
celebrate the Arts?

One thing is for certain this is going to be a big school year.

Supreme Computer God?!?!

2008-08-17T20:08:00.001-05:00

I are teh winra! If any of you can beat my score I would be so impressed. No Google or any other search engine was used for this quiz and now would be a good time for you to bow before me.

<a href="http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_cg.php?im">
<img
src="http://www.nerdtests.com/images/ft/cg.php?val=0848" alt="My
computer geek score is greater than 100% of all people in the world!
How do you compare? Click here to find out!"> </a>

BTW: I did it for teh lulz.

To Be Without Time. A Look Into Existential Theory.

2008-08-16T01:19:00.001-05:00

1:39 AM on Saturday the 16th of August 2008 I hit what I call Creative Hour. Essentially, if I deprive myself of an amount of sleep and just let myself simply drift across my thoughts as I do whatever it is I happen to be doing at that moment (tonight I was listening to instrumental/trance music while reading up on tech blogs) I hit this point where if I have a pen and paper and can just start to write and usually can reach a fairly logical conclusion to an internal discussion that is brought out by the pen by the end of my writing. Tonight's entry was fairly... perplexing. I reread it and found a good deal of truth and inspiration in it. Here is what I wrote.

I hit this wall and keep pushing through. Vibrating like the Flash. Making my way pass the impassable structure of a googleplex of atoms in a solid crystalline structure keeping me from what is beyond/within. As my individual atoms awaken to conscientiousness they find faults in the wall and leak through. I being to disappear. I begin to cease. Then, nearly as fast as it began, I cease to begin. In a moment long than an age of man, I scaled the highest peak of human accomplishment, only to find a consuming flame burning eternally bright at the top. This Earth-bound star beacons me forward along a path it has awaited for me to walk since it was, is, and will be. For here there is no time. Only distance. You simply are. The journy is merely a destination awaiting to be reached. As is all in this life, it would seem futile, except for the constant reminder that even in the stillness, we, humanity, individuals, atoms bound by chemical bonds, are always in motion. This is inescapable. And yet completely desirable. To simply be is what we already are. Time has no meaning but to define a moment of who you were, are or will be. But the past Were's are not Are's. As are Are's not Will Be's. And Will Be's are simply To Become's. But "all" are the same. The Are's are made of Were's. Will Be's are hinted at by Are's. And in the scheme of things, we exist. In one form or another. Were's, Are's, or Will Be's. This earth was made for Will Be's, is inhabited by Were's, and is owned by Are's. And when you simply Are, you know who you are. When you Were, you can not Are, and you can never Will Be. But the Will Be's were and are to come and will be Are's when eternity comes.

Abandonment

2008-08-05T22:40:00.001-05:00

Strange title for this post. I am abandoning nothing I have not already
said I would leave behind. I never left behind anything that did not
deserve to be in my past except for any real sense of normality, or
perception... If I had to change one thing in my life, it would be
perception. I never every have been adept at this. Journalism. I fail
at this. It is very hard for me to just try to write or type some
emotional characteristic of my day without doing so in conversation. I
rarely talk directly to myself. I just contemplate possibilities. Vague
and more like a day dream than anything else in my existence, such
contemplations fill my day. I do think of the future to much, and the
future becoming present. It just does not fit with a God of a Universe.
God has no need for time. Only we do. It defines how we live our lives.
We never simply are, we are always complicatedly locked in struggles
for change. Evolution. I keep think how completely absurd that title
is...

I am appalled of late at my inability to properly type, speak, form
words, create ideas. Does this mean I am at a crossroads? What do I
sacrifice when I choose one road or another. Or is it more of a
branching tree of choices rather than a road. I do like tree
analogies... They inspire, growth. As corny as that may sound it seems
that organic analogies and references of Jesus' were very successful. I
enjoy them... But I ramble. I feel that perhaps by choosing one path I
am abandoning the other(s)? Perhaps it is not so much I am abandoning,
as I am just drifting away from. Not truly forsaking, just not
choosing. But does that mean I am indecisive? Could a solid yes or no
do better than a cross evaluation from all angles? Where does logic
fail, and quantum physics succeed? Or has logic never truly succeeded?
Perhaps logic was the only thing holding us back in the first place.
Who is to say that our world does have any bounds? Jesus could walk on
water after all, so could Peter, so long as he believed. Maybe the real
question I am asking myself is, do I really believe?

Moon Theif

2008-07-22T23:52:00.001-05:00

When the moon rises up,

Getting to light the whole world.

Shining so bright,

As lie we in bed curled.

Does it conscientiously think,

Of light it is stealing,

From sun we can't see,

But nonetheless is still beaming,

Or does it justify its act,

And claim that it just borrowed?

Does the sun hate the moon,

And wish to see it swallowed,

By the darkness that surrounds it,

Consumed by the lack,

Of any sign of good within it,

For it is the deepest black.

Only the stars,

Stand out amongst the sea,

Of evil in a world,

That is a lock without a key.

But the moon is the key,

To seeing the sun,

Even though the night is black,

The moon has already won.

For the moon is like Jesus,

To a world held in darkness.

Without the sun around us,

He is the only single access,

To the God of our universe,

Who is much like the sun,

Shining bright for all to see,

Until day time is all but done.

So if you find yourself in darkness,

Just as the blackest night,

Think of our great Lord Jesus,

And your world will become bright.

-Paul Matula

[Recap: Personifying the moon and sun was only the beginning. I choose
to make the Sun act as God, and the Moon as Jesus. Wondering from an
Earthly perspective if the Sun hates the Moon for reflecting its light.
But just as with God and Jesus, Jesus shows us God and his love on this
Earth. Just as the Moon shows the light of the Sun to the world at
night. So that is my poem to represent the analogy I found between the
Moon and the Sun, and God and Jesus.]

The Roads Edge

2008-06-12T22:32:00.001-05:00

Every day we are speeding fast down a winding highway. Dips, dives, turns, and all the while we drive, there is never a guardrail on the edge of the cliff we drive along. Many times we see a little more of the bottom of the cliff and a little less of the road before us. Its a perilous journey. But the road is not where we were meant to reside. It knows not where to lead us. Every turn is judged by our imperfect eyes. The only hope we have is to be put to the wind, and jump. Slam the gas pedal and go over the edge. Take the risk and believe in the impossible. For whenever you lose faith in the unlikely, it becomes impossible. There was once a story that a business man would drive the same route to work everyday, at the same time, in the same car, with the same suit. And everyday he drove the same path, he saw the same boy, on his same bike, with his same backpack, doing something quite impossible. The young boy would ride his bike along the edge of fences on his way to school. Finally one day the man left at a different time to stop the boy to ask him why he did that. The boy said, "I never really thought about it." The man stated he was doing the impossible. The next day, the boy was not on the fences. The business man never saw the boy again. But the point of the story is, when we are told that we are insane, crazy, impossible, or what we do can not be done, it becomes so. Then how do we gain back the bliss of ignorance before our unwanted education? Can we break free of knowledge that the cliff we drive over will lead us to our death, and embrace a new hope that with faith we can do anything and everything.

Philippians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Conditionals Define My Expressions of Love

2008-03-31T21:19:00.001-05:00

If I we're a poet these words would melt and boil your very heart.

If I we're a musician I would send songs to ensure you never depart.

If I we're magician a thousand spells of love to you I would impart.

If I we're a painter my love for you would be shown through my art.

But I am none of the above, I am a choice D on a test.

I am just an average ordinary boy trying to do my best.

I love poetry, music, magic tricks, and art,

But to you my dearest passion, are the one I owe my heart.

Though I may not be a poet, I pray these words to guide you.

My words flow into music and every note I swear will be true.

The magic we will share will always seem to be fresh and new.

My dear, God has blessed us, with a passion just for us two.

I still don't know your face, or the sight of your sweet smile.

But with each day closer to you, it will all become worthwhile.

Praying for James.

2008-03-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

Fireproofsoul25 (10:06:03 PM): God I lift up James tonight here as we sit around with nothing but our hearts and you

Fireproofsoul25 (10:06:18 PM): I pray you take hold of his heart and remold it

Fireproofsoul25 (10:06:29 PM): give it a shape and strength unknown to this world

Fireproofsoul25 (10:06:44 PM): light it with a burning flame that has only been witnessed by precious few

Fireproofsoul25 (10:06:57 PM): let his own tongue be that of your pen

Fireproofsoul25 (10:07:14 PM): let him speak scripture like the birds sing praise to your kingdom

Fireproofsoul25 (10:07:31 PM): rearmor his soul from temptations and the lies of this world

Fireproofsoul25 (10:07:43 PM): may truth be his belt

Fireproofsoul25 (10:07:48 PM): righteousness his shield

Fireproofsoul25 (10:07:53 PM): faith his shield

Fireproofsoul25 (10:08:01 PM): this is all from my heart

Fireproofsoul25 (10:08:04 PM): to you God

Fireproofsoul25 (10:08:27 PM): that you let James know he is loved by the one whose own heart created the first love

Fireproofsoul25 (10:08:32 PM): who hands shaped out hearts

Fireproofsoul25 (10:08:47 PM): whos eyes saw all we can be and beyond what we can dream to become

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:06 PM): whose presences brings strength and awe to our very souls and spirits

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:16 PM): the God of the universe is smiling down on you tonight James

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:21 PM): and i pray you take heed

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:23 PM): Amen.

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:32 PM): alright i feel better

Fireproofsoul25 (10:09:35 PM): who wants pancakes?

Fruits... Where Is Your Grocer.

2008-02-28T22:39:00.002-05:00

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us these are the fruit of the spirit. If these are the fruit then where is the tree, the vine, the bush, the grocer by which I can procure you. Holy Spirit do you hold these for us to happen upon? Or are they made freely available to us everyday? No matter where they may be, fill my arms with one of each. And maybe I will actually learn to live with each as though they were a part of my own countenance.

Another Brother to Confide In: AIM Conversation

2008-02-04T01:02:00.001-05:00

Ruben, you have helped me in so many ways. Our conversation tonight really opened my eyes and helped me talk to someone new about the journey I wish to undertake. Thank you brother. May your heart be light with that High of 75. And may God truly show me the path to becoming that man of honor, that true follower of Christ who has the right words to say. Words of scripture.

Return of the Jedi (Well actually just blogging)

2008-02-03T00:39:00.000-05:00

While I may be no Luke Skywalker, I do relish the idea of possibly being a Jedi. Whether it is in real life (that would be so cool), or if I am a "Jedi for Jesus". Nerdy I know, but its always appealed to me since I was about 4 years old. A lot lately I have turned straight to my journal for pouring out my heart. I used to go and write in my journal and blog at the same time updating both. But lately the feel of paper and pen just seems a bit more natural as I read the word of God. So in order to try to breathe life back into my road to ultimate geekdom and Internet fame, I will return to the land of all that is keyboard and blogosphere. Expect a lot of updates from my journals from a couple of weeks ago and of course recently.

On to a few side notes to just go over quickly:
-I plan on now using Twitter a lot more in addition to blogging.
-I finally have a cell phone to use to my advantage for IM, texts, RSS feeds, and maybe some more.
-I successfully added iPod linux to my 5.5g iPod video and now have bragging rights to that.
-I blacked out during a 1000 meter race in my last track meet on Sunday January 27th. That would seem to be no big deal, it is track after all, but my body kept running the race. I actually finished in sixth place and received a medal for my placement. I just have no memory of actually running except for extreme pain in my abs as soon as the race started. My doctor says she has never heard of anything like this ever happening and I need tests run at the hospital and neurologist on Feb 13th or 14th so pray for that.
-I have acquired a very disturbing obsession for Miley Cyrus and she seems to be as necessary for my survival as the very air I breathe. Pathetic I know.
-While I have never felt closer to God lately than that moment on a hill in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my grades are starting to slip drastically. I am somewhat fearful for my academics but I relish the fact that I feel a great passion for the word of God and journaling my prayers lately.

So be prepared for an onslaught of posts and new information on whats happening, because it is coming...

----------------
Now playing: Jeremy Camp - Enough
via FoxyTunes

Honest Resolutions

2008-01-01T00:21:00.000-05:00

I can never make any promise to myself that i can keep. I have a really big problem with being real with myself so its hard even just to think about what i would want to change about myself. I do know a few things though because lately I have had some time to think more about them.

1) I realize I have an obsession with Miley Cyrus and it creeps me out and makes me think a little harder at the same time. She is an amazing singer. She doesn't look too bad. (I know there are more beautiful women but she is beautiful in her own right.) She is a born again Christian, which is something I take in high regard. And she seems fairly down to earth, you know for a teenage pop star with her popularity.

2) VIDEO GAMES AND LORD OF THE RINGS ARE NOT REAL. Sorry Paul but you will probably never get the chance to fight Orcs, the Covenant, splicers, or capture genetic memories from hundreds of years ago. While the morals and stories are good in themselves, you need to find the balance between reality and fiction and learn how to translate those lessons in the video games into a formula you can use everyday.

3) Speaking of formulas, start working at your academics. You excelled in your youth due to talent and never had to work hard. Now the 2 tons of bricks have fallen on you and you don't know how to deal with the work load and the stress. Pure genius can get you far but a lot of the time hard work gets you farther.

4) You know that book you have always wanted write. Yeah all 15 of 'em. At least start them. Write at least 5 pages of each or summarize what you want them to be. That book of poetry. That book of adventure. Especially that book about your eventful rise to social geekdom via Youtube, lifecasting, Digg, and possibly side hacks on your iPod along with the whole bit-torrent scene.

5) Get over the fact that you have never had a girlfriend and just tell them you love em. Not right away but actually make an effort not to let opportunities for dreams to come true slip through your fingers. You cheap, lazy bastard you. You always have a tendency to hold it in until it breaks down into something that makes you sick or comes out while you are busy being sick. (Think about that one. There is a good riddle with there.)

6) Talk to God a bit more. You take your relationship with God for granted just like your gift of academics and now you are losing both. START WORKING FOR SOMETHING REAL.

7) No matter how much you think that getting into a fight will solve your problems, you need to find a better way to work them out. Albeit these fights have not yet happened but planning how you will successfully remove one's head from their body is not exactly productive.

8) Chivalry is not dead but hell it is dying like Caesar after a betrayal from Brutus. Painful and very bitter. And the worst part is, you're are the dying tissue. The wound in chivalry's metaphorical side. So patch up and get to it. You're not done being a gentlemen yet so act like the man you still are.

9) Stop ranting like this. You sound like a douche no matter how many times people say your advice helps. Learn to listen not to advise.

10) Actually I think the first 9 covered it. This year you actually set some goals. Real goals. Not try to lose weight goals or be a better person. But goals and the start of plans. Well done.

One of the best rants I have ever had! : AIM

2007-12-18T21:54:00.000-05:00

FireproofSoul25 (9:47:45 PM): when you find yourself an incurable romantic you realize something... you're screwed

FireproofSoul25 (9:47:51 PM): sure girls think its cute

FireproofSoul25 (9:48:01 PM): "aww i want to read some of your poetry"

FireproofSoul25 (9:48:28 PM): but when your mind lies in the future, the present is the worst place to find a relationship

FireproofSoul25 (9:48:39 PM): so the breed dies out

FireproofSoul25 (9:48:43 PM): chivalry gave out

FireproofSoul25 (9:49:10 PM): and in the rubble and ruins of those ancient relics, came the perverts and "men" of today

FireproofSoul25 (9:49:45 PM): lacking morality and the depths of a soul they scavenge the earth for the helpless to snatch up and corrupt

FireproofSoul25 (9:49:51 PM): and society doesnt care

FireproofSoul25 (9:50:12 PM): so the last knights of chivalry hide in their last vestiages of hope

FireproofSoul25 (9:50:20 PM): in the pages of journals and epics and poetry

FireproofSoul25 (9:50:27 PM): to pray an eternity of prayer

FireproofSoul25 (9:50:36 PM): prayer that our age will once again rise

FireproofSoul25 (9:51:03 PM): that chivalry can find a foothold and destroy that from whence it came

FireproofSoul25 (9:51:17 PM): out of the ashes can never come goodness, but only pain.

FireproofSoul25 (9:51:23 PM): But from fire can come a good thing

FireproofSoul25 (9:51:27 PM): so instead of ashes

FireproofSoul25 (9:51:45 PM): we will burn until there will be golden hearts to replace each soul of ice

----------------
Now playing: Hillsong United - Draw Me Closer
via FoxyTunes

clean slate.

2007-11-10T21:43:00.001-05:00

Open up my eyes,
See right through my soul.
Unlock the door,
Thats keeping me from you.
Set a fire to my heart,
Flames burning with the truth.
Desires of this caged mind,
Keep them alive in an uncaring world.
Show me the love that burns within you.
Share the passions of a pure heart.
A love true and honest,
Innocent as white.
Tell me not of stains or blackness,
My soul is covered with them.
Bleach, tears, pain...
Nothing can remove this sin.
Scars etched into the soul,
Haunting this terrified mind.
A brother, a savior, a friend.
Someone to listen to my suffering.
Someone to heal this heart...

[You can respect this. I have no doubt. A revolution is a spark, the smallest of flames. Take away its oxygen, its fuel, and it suffocates in the darkness. Do not take away my oxygen. If you will not stand by me then please don't oppose me. Who would be cruel enough to reject an out stretched hand or open arms? Then I offer this embrace as a release from pain. Take heed of it. We all need a friend sometimes, I will be here waiting all the time. God bless the suffering for they shall be healed.]

Curses Of Weakness

2007-09-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

God curse my heart, for it betrays me.
God curse my mind, for it confuses me.
God curse my eyes, for they deceive me.
God curse my lips, for they hunger after That which I must wait for.
God curse even my tongue, for it curses that which I love, have want of, and need yet still to curse.

But even after I have cursed, bless my soul oh Lord.
Bless this soul that screams of passion for you my King.
Where I fall in flesh, you catch me in spirit.
May your spirit work through my soul and into my flesh that will have not need to curse it.

For though my soul burns for you,
My heart is of a lover,
My mind is of a scholar,
My eyes are of a pervert,
My lips are of passion and longing.
And even my tongue is of the witty.

Let that heart be of a lover for God and His will.
Let that mind be of a school always thinking of God.
Let these eyes be of a saint always searching for your will.
Let these lips be of passion for God's word and His kingdom.
And this tongue be of scripture, flowing forth with His word.

But even now in the silence,
In the dark, still of this night.
My soul cries out in its burden,
Of its flesh to be set right.

The Battle Is In Its Heat

2007-09-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

"God save your servant. I am cut i am bleeding, i am crying out in pain at what the enemy has done to me. Save me in my hour of need. Save those brethern who I have fought for. Show them what i tried to and failed. Lead them to your grace and evelope them in it that i may see my dreams become real and your grace in my life. God i need you to save a servants brother. Without this brother this servant can go no futher. Save your servant's brother. Bring him to your grace. Amen."- A quick prayer before I go through with this...

An AIM conversation I just had:

FireproofSoul25 (11:16:16 PM): but dude, i just want to say, be sure God is at your center

FireproofSoul25 (11:16:36 PM): just please focus on God

FireproofSoul25 (11:18:06 PM): dude God has really been working hard on me and I feel like i am failing a lot

FireproofSoul25 (11:18:14 PM): i dont want us to fail and fall

FireproofSoul25 (11:18:44 PM): can you respond or something?

*********** (11:17:57 PM): idk dude

*********** (11:18:00 PM): i dont rele liek this

FireproofSoul25 (11:18:56 PM): like what?

*********** (11:18:12 PM): were different ppl and im not rele like yu

FireproofSoul25 (11:19:16 PM): i am not pressuring you or anything i just want to be sure that your motives are right

*********** (11:18:35 PM): i want to be a kid and im working god into my center but i cant like presto chango liekt hat

FireproofSoul25 (11:19:36 PM): Dude we are brothers in christ, there are very few bonds closer than that

FireproofSoul25 (11:19:45 PM): *********** thats just it

FireproofSoul25 (11:19:59 PM): when you signed up for this, you didnt sign up for a year long course

FireproofSoul25 (11:20:14 PM): God accepts you immediately and throws you into the battle, armor or not

FireproofSoul25 (11:20:28 PM): David was a teenager when he killed Goliath

FireproofSoul25 (11:20:30 PM): our age

FireproofSoul25 (11:21:05 PM): Joseph was a teenage when he was sold into slavery but he rose above it and became the most powerful man in Egypt directly under pharoah

FireproofSoul25 (11:21:31 PM): I dont want to hear you complain about be a kid anymore

FireproofSoul25 (11:21:48 PM): i know this is hard and you probably dont want to hear it, but this is a fight

*********** (11:21:02 PM): im onyl complaining becuase you lecture me all the damn time

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:02 PM): *********** !

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:04 PM): read the bible!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:12 PM): you will see this on every page screaming out at you!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:15 PM): we need to fight!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:22 PM): what happened to our revolution?!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:38 PM): you are the one person i have met in my entire life with the most influence!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:42 PM): i envy that!

FireproofSoul25 (11:22:48 PM): you can talk to people like i cant!

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:08 PM): you met someone and your almost instantly friends!

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:11 PM): i cant do that

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:15 PM): i am not wired that way

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:27 PM): i write poetry, and think deep, and talk too damn much

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:35 PM): you are funny, and witty, and wise and you have a talent

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:39 PM): I ENVY THAT!

FireproofSoul25 (11:23:41 PM): I AM JEALOUS!

FireproofSoul25 (11:24:00 PM): you have the biggest position right now to start a fire at our school for christ

FireproofSoul25 (11:24:04 PM): i need you man

FireproofSoul25 (11:24:14 PM): i can not start without knowing you are there with me

FireproofSoul25 (11:24:36 PM): i know God is there but it feels like he has abandoned me if you arent in it with me

FireproofSoul25 (11:24:38 PM): please

*********** (11:23:57 PM): what do yu mean like

*********** (11:24:00 PM): we dont even see eachother

*********** (11:24:05 PM): and you dont liekt alk in class

FireproofSoul25 (11:25:01 PM): It doesnt matter!

*********** (11:24:11 PM): how is this gonna work?

FireproofSoul25 (11:25:16 PM): just be as glass so that people may see jesus through you

FireproofSoul25 (11:25:27 PM): a flame brighter than any they have seen

*********** (11:24:42 PM): i see

FireproofSoul25 (11:25:38 PM): a cross beaconing to the broken

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:01 PM):*********** you are my hero in so many ways

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:06 PM): you dont care what people think

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:10 PM): you do waht you want

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:29 PM): you know just what to say to get people to talk and laugh

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:38 PM): just use that for Christ

FireproofSoul25 (11:26:43 PM): thats all i am begging of you

*********** (11:26:03 PM): ok ok i get it

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:00 PM): if you could see me now i would be on my hands and knees before you

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:08 PM): i need to know that you will fight for God

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:13 PM): not for your childhood

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:18 PM): i have given up myself

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:24 PM): i have nothing left to give

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:37 PM): and i feel like i will fail if you arent there

FireproofSoul25 (11:27:45 PM): not physically but in spirit

*********** (11:27:11 PM): you cant really fail at that

*********** (11:27:19 PM): and that doesnt make sense if im not there

FireproofSoul25 (11:28:22 PM): i just need to know you will fight for God in all you do

FireproofSoul25 (11:28:31 PM): that you will witness Jesus' love to people

*********** (11:27:43 PM): not yet

FireproofSoul25 (11:28:40 PM): that you will bring them to church

*********** (11:27:50 PM): im not like able to yet

FireproofSoul25 (11:28:44 PM): and to NINE12

*********** (11:28:00 PM): mhm

FireproofSoul25 (11:29:03 PM): i jsut need to know you will fight the same fight i will fight

FireproofSoul25 (11:29:23 PM): we may not be on the same battlefield but our cause will be the same and our enemy will be the same

*********** (11:29:08 PM): i guess i can try

FireproofSoul25 (11:30:22 PM): a wise old man once told me, "Do or do not, there is no try."

*********** (11:29:31 PM): but i cant really promise i can do all thata much right now, yur expecting too much from me at the moment

FireproofSoul25 (11:30:43 PM): So what if that wise old man happens to be Yoda

FireproofSoul25 (11:31:25 PM): i just feel like its as though the week at NYC meant nothing to us anymore

FireproofSoul25 (11:31:34 PM): it just brought us closer together for us

FireproofSoul25 (11:31:37 PM): instead of God

FireproofSoul25 (11:31:46 PM): and tht alone is enough to make me cry

*********** (11:31:06 PM): i see

*********** (11:31:16 PM): well

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:09 PM): i dont know how else to say it

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:17 PM): if will not fight beside me

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:19 PM): then...

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:23 PM): idk

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:27 PM): ill fight but

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:38 PM): even the thought of that scares me

FireproofSoul25 (11:32:49 PM): who else in our school has been on a mountain top with God?

FireproofSoul25 (11:33:11 PM): who else has felt God's touch and remembers what it means to be with God

FireproofSoul25 (11:33:43 PM): who else has actually got down and dirty and served because God called them to help his children in need?

FireproofSoul25 (11:33:50 PM): i can not think of anyone else

FireproofSoul25 (11:35:09 PM): *********** please set aside your pride and give up that which you hold most dear as an offering to God that he may take it and bless you 10 times over

FireproofSoul25 (11:35:35 PM): what is it you are afraid of that is holding you back from this?

FireproofSoul25 (11:35:52 PM): i want to pray for it

FireproofSoul25 (11:35:55 PM): right now

*********** (11:35:27 PM): im not afraid of nething per say but like ur just steam rolling me with all this shit its like whoa, and im not even thatb liek "with" god and ur expecting alot from me

*********** (11:35:41 PM): but im getting stressed out so imma go for a lil

FireproofSoul25 (11:36:38 PM): why is it me you see as calling you to this?

FireproofSoul25 (11:36:55 PM): God has been screaming it to you and I am asking if you have answered the call

*********** (11:36:25 PM): not really

*********** (11:36:30 PM): you have been screaming to me

*********** (11:36:33 PM): and i dont rele liek ti

*********** (11:36:39 PM): i want you to let me find him myself

FireproofSoul25 (11:37:39 PM): then i have failed

*********** (11:36:51 PM): nah

FireproofSoul25 (11:37:45 PM): yes

FireproofSoul25 (11:37:58 PM): for over one year i have tried to lead you to that place where God is

*********** (11:37:09 PM): i just get caught up in all this stuff and i fail to relize im nto connecting with god

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:06 PM): i invited you to Vertical

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:18 PM): i suggested we do Nine12 serves

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:23 PM): then we went on the missions trip

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:31 PM): you can lead a horse to water

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:38 PM): but you can not make him drink

FireproofSoul25 (11:38:57 PM): i never thought i would have seen that quote ever become more real

FireproofSoul25 (11:39:18 PM): you go ahead and chill or what ever

FireproofSoul25 (11:39:20 PM): i need to pray

*********** (11:38:38 PM): ok

This is a friend who I have prayed for and tried to help them find God. I have no idea where to go after this. I feel like the past 2 years of my life have all be for naught. I am crying. I am not ashamed. I don't not want you to judge this person. I want you to help my never ending prayers that God may bring him to his light. Do not confront them about this if you magically find out who it is. Pray. Pray. Pray. I can never stress this enough. In all you do turn to God for assistance. So thats what I am asking of you. Pray for him, pray for me as I pray God will work on his heart. I feel like I ask too much of you guys and you spoil me and I can never give enough back. If I can I will give you guys my blessing in heaven just so I can see this friend brought into God's never ending grace. Pray...

Added in minutes after original post: In retrospect I do feel like I was hard on him, but Jesus also was hard on the people who thought of themselves as religious or God followers and did not truly lay down their life for Him or used Him as an excuse to gain earthly pleasures. I just have a really big problem who would use an experience like the missions trip we had as a way to just simply have fellowship. I love fellowship and one of my hearts desires is to somehow stay with the people from the missions trip the rest of my life as we go around the globe helping various missions teams get established or strengthen their spirits and helping them for a week to a month. I just see people who do not go on those events for God as Jesus saw the Pharisees, as people who use God for personal gain and do not give everything up to him as he has asked of us. Sorry if you think I am harsh, that is just my mindset.

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A Midnight Prayer

2007-09-11T19:31:00.001-05:00

A prayer I wrote to God last night around 11 PM-12 PM:

Dear God,

As a servant sits here, as a believer, a follower of your word, I cry out to you without words. I scream with silence. I yell out to hear the only sound is that of my own frightened heart. I can't feel you right now. I know you're there. I put my faith into you. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you will save me if I were to die in tonight. I would welcome that joy right now. To be swept away, up to you and to have that reassurance. I give you all my faith, now work in my life. If I am to be a Job, I fear I will fail you. If you aren't there, I don't want to go. I am scared to death Lord. You aren't in my school. I can't see you, feel you, I don't know that you are there. I want to bring a flame to Stillwater and set it on fire for you, but right now I am afraid of the dark. I am so glad that you gave the Ballston Spa kids each other. I am like a mouse among a crowd of cats. God I desperately need a sign for reassurance. Give me anything that will scream to me, "Paul, this is God. I want you to burn up your school with passion for me. Every fire starts with a spark. You have an advantage, you are already in flames for for me. Now stop covering up that fire and burn bright as can be for others to see. Do not be ashamed of what you have been called and created to do. Just do it, that is your calling, to do what ever I ask of you. Serve and you will be served. Just do it for me. Now." Lord speak to me like that. Grab my face and scream in it. I will do it. Lord you are all I have to offer this world. Lets give you to everyone. I pray this prayer for every brother and sister in Christ in your reach. I pray for Janelle, Allison, Sam, Lauryne, Shannon, Alicia, Kristie, Vivian, Jess, Katie, Ryan, Jamie, Mrs. Hench, Cherish, Caroline, Sarah, and all my sisters in your name. For all my brothers; James, Jon, Devin, Zach, Dave, Will, Jake, Jordan, Karl, Will, Joe, Jon, Brian, Sammy, and Gabe. Pour gasoline on us and ignite that match. I want us to be the brightest light this world has even seen burning for you. That is my hearts desire. Now work it through us I beg of you Lord. I know you will. I love you with all the pieces of my heart that you may heal them.

Good Night World

2007-09-09T22:00:00.001-05:00

May the stars smile upon your dreams even as your eyes be shut to their beauty which is but not compared to all that God has made you to be.

God Gave Him That Sign

2007-09-09T20:25:00.000-05:00

Wow my close friend in Christ was debating about whether or not to invite a kid from his school to NINE12 (our youth group) so he quickly asked God for a sign. He asked the kid what time the class they were in ended, he responded by saying , '9:12'. That made my heart jump for joy! Many people, even believers, would say that is just coincidence. I say that it is divine providence. God set up that schools schedule like that for a reason. I am going to pray for that kid and my friend. God can do anything. All you need a lot of prayer, and a lot of faith. Both of which are within all of us and inside all our friends. So nothing is impossible with God.

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You guys are just so cool...

2007-09-08T22:02:00.000-05:00

You guys are awesome. I love you all. And you know who you are. We live for a God of wonders. And he made you all so wonderful. If I could I pack it all up and find away to live with all of you and just love God 24/7. You guys are so amazing... with a capital A.

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Job: Not Steve You Fool, the Bible Guy

2007-09-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

No not Steve Jobs, even though he is pretty cool. I mean Job from the Bible. Specifically the book that a lot of people pass over before hitting up Psalms then then Proverbs. Job is one of those books of the bible that I think if you took it out and made it a separate book, it would still work. In Sunday School, I remember hearing about how God allowed Satan to test Job to the full extent of his faith and Job always remained faithful to God and God blessed him by like billions more than he previously had. To be as transparent as possible though, I always wanted to be like Job until recently. I always wanted to be tested to the limit of my faith to see how much I truly loved God. But now that I think more about that, it frightens the *something that sounds weird* out of me. I am sure that if I ever met Thomas, he would be like, "They should've called it Doubting Paul not me." I want faith like Peter had! I want faith enough to walk on waters! That is one of my hearts desires, but right now I feel so under pressure from Satan and I feel like God is telling me, 'If I wait for the perfect time to test you, you will never be ready.' So if God is testing I say bring it on, but I feel like a 3 year old trying to learn how to ride a bike again. If I fall the worst that could happen is a few bruises and God will pick me back up. But if I succeed I make myself a place in heaven more glorious than Leonidas and his Spartans could have asked for. I pray that I don't fall.

Fires of Change: Choose Your Kindling

2007-09-05T20:43:00.000-05:00

We are a revolution. I've said it a hundred times before, and I'll say it a thousand times again. Our revolution can not be a weak one though. If we are to survive we need to spread like a wild fire in a drought. Choose your kindling and set them ablaze that together you may burn entire forests. What could be better? What could be more amazing? What else is the purpose of a revolution if not to inspire change on a massive level that the world and its inhabitants take notice and partake with said revolution. So pour on the gasoline and light that match, for tomorrow, we dine on a battle field for souls and hearts. Satan has them held down, hit him hard enough with God's power, and his grip will falter and their souls will be freed and brought to Christ. But Satan doesn't just give in, oh no he will fight and try to snatch them back. Never let that happen. Fight with every page of the Bible and every word of prayer that he will fail and God will provide safety for your newfound brothers and sisters. Feed them on Jesus' words and on prayer, that they might grow in Christ and help God's kingdom grow in number. Ignite your school, house, neighborhood, job, family, friends, and the world itself with a burning desire for Christ. I want the world to know I burn for Christ. "I feel the fire burning. I am alive again. I burn for You, You got me lifted, and lifting, You lift me up." Now let the smoke clear and show the world your flame and burn brighter than they can handle that they may desire to be like you. For we are to let Christ shine through us, and he is the brightest light this world has seen.

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To Sisters In Christ

2007-09-04T23:16:00.001-05:00

Keep strong in the faith sister. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1 When I hear that verse it strikes me down to my core. We have a God bigger than the universes. He is so big it would take millions of years for light to go from one of him to the other but it takes him seconds to answer our prayers. So why should we have silly little fears when we have an awesome big God? Keep in touch and keep in God. And most of all keep the faith sister, for it is all that can get us through the day and keep us focused on God.

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Concerning Anxiety and Doubt- Matthew 6:25-34

2007-09-04T22:07:00.000-05:00

Matthew 6:25-34 (King James Version)

Concerning Anxiety and Doubt:
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6:25-34

Do not worry about how you will provide for yourself. Why do you worry about where your next paycheck or meal will come from? It will come from where ever God should so choose. If it is to be your last do not fear for if you lived a life as God had asked you to, you will be feasting in heaven and have treasures beyond measure stockpiled in heaven. Don’t worry where it will come from, because it comes from God. Put God at the center and he will give you what you require and desire. So why do you bother your minds with such ridiculous and worldly questions as where you shall get your necessities from. Jesus is our strength and hope. He is our foundation through through every storm. No matter the battle he will never falter for us and he will always be there for us. So why do you attempt to do something for yourself like a child trying to learn something by themselves? You know you need God and he can provide for you every necessity and more. Matthew 7:7-11 speaks of how God knows how to provide for us. It compares it to a family. Would a father provide a stone for his son when he asks for a loaf of bread? Would a father give his son a snake is he asks for a fish? Of course not, unless you are of evil you would do no such thing. God is not of evil and therefore would never refuse us of what we require and ask for. So do not degrade God by even suggesting he cannot provide for us by trying to do it all yourself. Only God can give you something. No matter how hard we try, we deserve nothing we work for. But God chooses to bless us. Blessings are only blessings if they are spoken. So every time you receive anything, know that God spoke over you and blessed you with his very tongue. That alone should push you try to rest upon God for everything. So I don’t want to anything by will anymore, but I have left all my choices up to God. Prayer is the most powerful sword we could possess. Mine is always drawn ready for use. When you need to use your sword, ask of your brothers and sisters to draw with you that you may accomplish the task you have prayed for with due speed and power from God. Hence forth may we be armed in God’s very spirit never to forget our sword nor brethren on either side of us. Run from sins and temptations of the world for among them lie pain and death, but run to God and straight after his heart that you may reach him and be in his grace for all days of your life and eternity. Live from prayer to prayer, not paycheck to paycheck. Because then you will grow stronger in faith and closer to God then without such acts of boldness.

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Prayer- It Works

2007-09-04T21:41:00.001-05:00

Twice in the last 24 hours has prayer radically improved the situations i have been in all because i asked for prayer from fellow believers and received it in waves and tsunamis. I have grown so close to God in the last month and yet i know i am so far. God's grace is a pure stream flowing from the high and mighty mountain bringing the purity of the peak's utmost view of the surrounding lands crashing down through a rushing brooke, to a mighty stream, to a mellow river that lasts until it once again meets the oceans of its maker in the distance. Beyond God's grace, nothing is greater. Teach my heart to sing thy praise, streams of worship never ceasing... God you truly are there. It is almost scary, and completely comforting to feel you so present in my life. I worship you with every fiber of my being and my praise will always lead to you.

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Love: God's Gift

2007-09-04T19:37:00.001-05:00

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness..." "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..." Both verses are found in 1 John 4:17-18 and speak so much power in such few characters that is really makes you think. When we truly love God, we are bold for him and openly speak of his glory and grace and majesty so that others may know this love we have. But when we doubt God, our love is tainted (I had to do a Cake reference in there) and we do not experience that boldness. When we truly love God, we know no fears of rejection and what people might think, but God's true grace shines through us and we are free and share the gospel openly. I am truly loving God. Are you?

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The Bible Says So: Wake Up

2007-09-04T07:33:00.000-05:00

So being the geek I am almost immediately after I walked the dog and ate a few grapes, I jumped on the old computer to check some blogs and do some blogging of my own. I was planning on doing a blog about John but this just really struck me.

Some of you may have heard of Lifehacker.com, it is a website where tips to improve your daily life and habits are posted in blog form. So scrolling through their RSS I saw a tag on getting up early. Now school is literally 2 days away so I will be waking up at 5-5:30 AM every morning, any help in waking up would be amazing. So after reading through the list of tips the third comment down was literally a sign from God. It simply reads, "1 Thessalonians 5:1-11". So I immediately dove for my Bible and logged into my blog to document it.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is typically passed off as a metaphor with day as modern times and the night as the time when the Anti-Christ will be upon us. It could be taken just as literally as it was written also though. Verse 5 says, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." Why should we be consumed by the night when it was made for sleep and is high time for acts of sin and drunken pleasures? The rest of the passage is quite obviously metaphorical and is an excellent read for those struggling with friends and influences that are of the world. But it brings a good point. The day was made to worship and praise God and work for the glory of his name. So set with the sun and rise with it as it is your guide in all you do for Christ's sake. We were made to worship the Son of God, even as we are his children so let us not have fear in the dark that it may remove us from his grace, but openly praise his name in every moment of the day that it may be seen as a witness to those around you. Use these words as a guide that you may not fall into temptation and loose your way in Christ but build a stronger bond with the one who has bonded us as Christ followers in fellowship and union to build a better kingdom that he has prepared for us. Anger is not its ways and should be cast out from among them, but righteousness and peace are its foundation as God has blessed those who employ them in their lives and principles to lead a life with God at its center.

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even also as ye do." -1 Thessalonians 5:11. I just wanted to give a shout out to everyone who prayed for me last night. I was hurting for no really good reason and when I made it known, I received so much joy from heaven itself because you guys prayed for me and it lifted my spirits. Thank you so much. You guys truly did comfort me and it was so amazing to feel your compassion from miles upon miles away as many of you are, that just brought a tear to my eye. God will bless you for your actions of mercy and grace. And if he some how forgets, I will be sure to bless you for it. But that wont be a problem for a God bigger than the universes could never forget such acts of love. Thank you once again.

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Spiritual Gifts

2007-09-02T20:36:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 was one of the chapters I read today and it truly answered some of the questions I was struggling with. The entire chapter was devoted to the topic of spiritual gifts and could be divided into two subtopics: 'What our gifts are and where they come from' and 'How our gifts are to be used for Christ'. The first topic is related to in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. In it, Paul refuses to let us go into the world as believers without having knowledge of our spiritual gifts. Verse 4 says, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." The Holy Spirit gives us different abilities and talents based upon the role that God has determined for our lives. Every gift is diverse and unique to that individual, but they are all given to everyone of us by the same God for one purpose, his glory.

The second topic is related to in verses 12-31. Here Paul uses the analogy of the body of Christ. Now that we have the gifts we received from the Holy Spirit, we must use they for God's glory. From one to many, returns the many to the one. "What doth it profit my brethren, that a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?" -James 2:14. For example, one gift is the hand of Christ, just because you don't use the hand to walk doesn't mean it isn't important. Another gift may be the foot, just because you don't need your feet to write a devotional or a letter, doesn't mean the foot has no value. All gifts are important no matter how unimportant they may seem at one time or another.

God Is My Salvation

2007-09-02T06:40:00.001-05:00

"Behold my God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2. What a verse. Notice how 'is' is always italicized. Because God will always be my salvation and my strength and my song. How great is our God? Great enough that he fulfills all our needs and becomes our joy. God is truly wonderful.

Faith - Works = Death

2007-09-01T23:34:00.000-05:00

Thats right if you were praying for a quick save from Hell card through Jesus, you are dead and wrong. You are dead wrong. James 2:14 says, 'What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?' Now some of you are like wait a minute, doesn't the Bible say that any man who accepts the Son will get to the Father? (I could not remember the exact verse but thats essentially what it says.) I don't think so. I believe that God rewards us based upon or works for him. If you believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the only way to get to heaven and you have accepted him as your savior from those fires of Hell, then every inch of work you do in his name to benefit his kingdom and touch lives will be rewarded with blessings and treasures in heaven. So would you rather just get into heaven and pass by? Or would you rather have a life that is full of blessings here on earth and a life full of joy up in heaven?

Your Lion On A Snowy Day

2007-09-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

Sky solemn as the dead.
Dunes of snow in the sun.
Wind whipped ice cuts raw flesh.
Flesh of one who is done.

But one more battle,
This hardened warrior must face.
The lion's roar has just sounded.
Whether run or to chase.

Any other man might run,
But this warrior begins a chase.
Running after this one lion,
He will earn his true place.

As the lion stumbles on,
Now in pain and badly bruised.
He leads this lone, keen warrior,
To a place he once refused.

The lion brought the warrior,
To the warriors own house.
Which for far too many years,
Had lacked family, friend, or mouse.

The house is all in shambles,
Just as the warriors own life.
And as he stepped through the door,
Came back memories of his wife.

This was his home!
With his wife and their children.
But all was stolen by Satan.
Just as he had done in Eden.

He chose not to cry,
But rather turned to the beast.
The lion was now a snake,
And was ready for a feast.

As the serpent coiled for a strike,
The man cried aloud in prayer.
"God if you would have me die here,
Bring me to heaven with you there."

And before the word "Amen."
Could pass from his lips,
The serpent launched a strike,
That was ever so quick.

The warrior was the victor,
With one single, swift blow.
Even as the serpent fell,
Said he, "Back to Hades! Now go!"

He had faced his inner lion,
So God gave him back his life.
He was blessed by ten fold,
With peace and lack of strife.

A Testamony of God's Awesomeness With A Capital A

2007-09-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

My church youth group just came back from a missions trip to serve in a soup kitchen/food pantry for the homeless and less fortunate in NYC and we completely brought a revolution to that area of the city. Matthew 25:34-46 says that God will bless those who serve the least of his children in heaven, and will curse those who turn down the least of his children to the fires of hell. As Christians and humans alike we need to serve the least of our kind, of our brothers and sisters that we may seek the glory of God and well being of his children. God Bless revolutionaries for they will be rewarded with the full glory of God for chasing after his heart with all there strength. Men, you will find all your hearts desires at the feet of cross if you but lay down everything you have and run without ceasing to God. Sisters, you will not be left abandoned by God. He will not forsake you and will reward your efforts if you obey everyone of his commandments. I have faith that we serve a God of wonders, and that if we serve him, his wonders will be made real in our lives. "Our God is an awesome God, he reigns on heaven and earth, with wisdom power and love, our God is an awesome God."

Confirmed : 360 RROD May Be Fixable

2007-08-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

Two videos on the tubes say that there may be ways to fix your dead 360 with the magic of towels. Yes towels. You can use them to dry your body, look like a Sith Lord, and impersonate Osama Bin Laden. And now added to that list, fixing that Demon Ring on your 300-500 dollar paperweight. It appears you remove everything but the power cord from your 360, turn it on, wrap it in towels (2-3), and set to cook for about 20-25 mins, cool and add seasoning as you please. Well maybe not seasoning, perhaps KICK @$$ GAMES?!?!?! Yeah lets go with that! But since I don't even have a 360 yet, I'll just wait to test this when it does happen, because according to PS3 fanboys, it will.

Video Numero Uno

Second Video (no more spanish, sry mi hombres...)

Power of Music: Worship In Default

2007-08-15T23:33:00.001-05:00

When you say worship, you think music. If you don't, congratulations buy yourself a latte or some other high caffine, upper class liquid beverage from your local Starbucks. Ill explain why you just spent $5.00 USD later in another post. But music has been the default expression of worship for centuries. It isn't wrong, I mean its even Biblical. Psalm 100:1 reads, "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD." Joyful noise... Hmm. Seems to me that God really likes music. Angels play instruments and sing and we make that joyful noise at the begin and end of pretty much every church service. I mean Lucifer, you know the most powerful angel ever, was head of the choir of angels for crying out loud. If that made him the most powerful, then maybe I should look into becoming a worship leader someday... But the fact of the matter is, worship music has the power to brighten our days, focus us upon God, and bring us to our knees before the creator of all we see, hear, feel, and cannot begin to comprehend. If you can make one habit of your daily life, it is to find a good solid Christian radio station, or burn a mixed worship CD, or make a playlist on your MP3 player of worship music and listen to it often. It really is important that we do this to keep us focused on Jesus. I know that if I am listening to worship music, I am less likely to have impure thoughts assail me or me to accidentally sin. So boot up that iPod or dial into that station and make it a habit. It is helpful.

Local Stations of Notice-
-93.7-AirOne- (Also can be accessed on iTunes Radio.)
-96.7-Pulse-

Bands of Notice-
-David Crowder Band-
-Hillsong United-
-Caedmon's Call-
-Delirious?-
-Jeremy Camp-
-Jars of Clay-

Prayer

2007-08-14T23:29:00.001-05:00

Prayer-
Pray for a brother in Christ, for he needs your words. He is has been on top of a mountain with God and has experienced his glory as only it can be on Earth with other believers. But as time passes and that moment grows farther away, so to seems to grow the distance between God and his son. The young man is losing ground on the mountain as an avalanche of sin and temptation and things only of the world and Satan begin to tear him down. Old habits strike fear in his heart as his flesh yearns for their old comforts. His heart recoils in pain and Satan only strikes deeper. The soul cries out for mercy and for protection from the God that allows him to suffer like this. He searches for answers, for a way out and a way to return to that mountain top. As wave after wave of attack from Satan push him to the edge, the breaking point. He bows down and tears burning down his face into the grit and dirt of what his life has become wash away the shroud over his eyes. He sees what he must do. He folds each hand within the other and closes his eyes to a calming void. Within this peace he asks a God he cannot feel to save him, to re-arm him, to bring him back to a peace where Satan cannot reach him any longer. Then he asks of his brothers and sisters, to make that same plea to God for him, because he cannot go without their fellowship and support. Prayer is his only hope now. It is his only chance for him to be restored to that peace in God he so desperately needs. So pray for this brother. Prayer for this young man. For he is a friend and needs your help now. Pray for me. Because without your prayer I don't know if I will be able to battle off these attacks.

Revolution

2007-08-14T23:28:00.002-05:00

Revolution-
We are the revolution. We are the sword, and God is our shield. Be strong against many, and strong against few. When Satan rips away your comfort, find peace in God. An army has been called. Let us not be caught in the shade of the pomegranate tree but charge the enemy fearless because God is fighting for us. Prayer is your greatest weapon, keep it out and ready for use at all time. May God's word become your words. And may you never lose hope: for your victories for God may be few and small, but your brothers and sisters in Christ are many and accepting. Through God all things are possible. -Paul Matula

God of War : Kratos' PSP from Hades Himself

2007-07-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

This is one for the ages folks. Of course God of War has always been for the ages. I mean a freakin' mortal kills the war god Ares, takes his place, and then threatens to destroy Mount Olympus itself! In simpleton-terms, some random guy from Sparta, stabs a god, and becomes really, really, powerful. But with God of War: Chains of Olympus coming to the PSP, who dares to wield Kratos' power without the portable gaming system influenced by the game itself. Currently up for bid on eBay, this, is how doom itself is played. So if you have 2 grand lying around, feel free to try to outbid the next big fanatic. But I am sure that before this is over, the price will be upwards of 2500 dollars.

E3 - That Nagging Aftertaste

2007-07-22T21:29:00.002-05:00

E3 is now well over but as reviews still are being printed, I can't help but scream out to gamers they have been duped. A lot of the gamers out there said that Sony had the best conference. Then a lot of the news agencies said that Nintendo had the best conference. Amidst the numbers ands charts that the Microsoft folks live, no one seriously loved their conference. Why is this the case? Have you all gotten memos I didn't receive? First of all Sony had too much ground to make up to truly win anything. If anything though, they did regain their previous status from their PS2 glory days. Playstation 2 was the console to get last generation. It had the games, and the fan base to build a great empire. The newest addition to the family is a city brat to say the least. It brags and boasts and costs to much money to get just right. Sony's internal studios have always mad amazing games, but it took to damn long with the PS3. I am sorry Sony, all you did was make a home entertainment center with a few good games that aren't even third party. Then the press went and screwed with our heads saying that the Wii is the best. Wait what did they say? Exactly. Its ok to try to attract casual gamers and non-gamers but probably 90% of the gaming market is HARDCORE GAMERS. Thats where your money is. You made a sweet console, now make some sweet hardcore games cause I dont want to spend 250$ just so my party can be a little bit cooler. Then the console that has the most to offer was lost in the lies. LOST I TELL YOU! The Xbox 360 has the biggest fan base, the most games, and probably the biggest online gaming community rivaled only by World of Warcraft and Counter Strike:Source. Everyone of the games debuted in E3 with one exception, is coming out this holiday season! Thats a lot of games. And a lot of quality, chunky games at that. Games like Mass Effect which will 'massively effect' you social life if you actually get it because it supposed to have well over 100 levels in the campaign. Halo 3 will undoubtedly be one of the most popular games this holiday with a fan base bad ass enough to buy replica armor models for about 3-4 g's a pop. Project Gotham Racing 4 one of the biggest names in racing sims since Gran Turismo. BioShock, a game so beautiful and fully of creativity you may think that real life looks pale in comparison. And of course it has an amazing line up of Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade titles ready to download at the click of your controller. If had to choose one console to satisfy my E3 favorite pick and my only console to last through the winter, it is the Xbox 360.

Procrastination : The Art of Mastering Boredom

2007-07-22T21:29:00.001-05:00

Being bored. We all hit that point almost daily. (Unless you are like a freak who can go bungie jumping everyday then simultaneously go and like attack some terrorist who just happened to be floating in your path as you jump off that bridge/cliff.) But even better is intentional boredom. Thats right folks, if you are reading this you are probably putting of something else much more important. The fine art of procrastination has been taught from generation to generation and is a necessary skill tree for the average human character to survive. Lets examine to Power Level this skill.

Stage 1 : Childhood.

The public school system is one of the fastest ways to level up your procrastination abilities. Some mobs to grind on this skill are, Not Doing Homework (Level3), Talk To Friends In Class (Level 7), Play Games In Class On An Electronic Device (Level 10), Sleep In Class (Level 13), Skip Class (Level 20 BOSS). After school the home and neighborhood is an excellent means of gaining new means to procrastinate. EG- Watching TV for extended periods of time (20 SP), Staring at the wall (35 SP), and wandering around cause various chaos (50 SP).

Of course there are other stages in life such as Teenage Years (Expansion Pack for Childhood), Adult Life, and Retirement. But the fact is the system has put us down by stamping away at our creativity. Fight back my people, fight back.

Transformers : More Than Meets the Eye

2007-07-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

If you have not seen Transformers yet, you have missed out on the single greatest experience of the summer. It was funny, it was intense, it was effing Transformers. I cannot describe how amazing that movie was. Forget what you have ever thought a movie based off of a Japanese cartoon show started in the 80's could be, this is amazing. My unofficial motto for the movie is- "Its fast cars, huge explosions, and giant robots. Oh yeah and there is a hot girl here and there." I will not even spoiler your movie experience if you haven't seen it yet... ROBOTS DIE!!! (sry rele i had 2 but i mean come on. its transformers!!!11oneelevenone11!!!) So go see this movie now! I will have a full review soon but this should be enough convincing.

Rings of Fire : 360 Woes Are Actually Sony's Fault!

2007-07-02T22:06:00.001-05:00

As many good 360 owners know, there is a plague amongst them and their trusty consoles. (Well semi-trusty.) The infamous ring of fire has attacked nearly 33 % of all Xbox 360's at one point or another according to a Canadian survey. (But really, why not American? I am sure that if they interviewed American consumers they would get a lower percentage. Simply because the fanboys aren't too easy to give up their hardware.) In a recent diagnosis, it turns out the parts that cause the ring of fire to occur are produced by a sub-owned Sony company. Fanboys, grab your torches and prepare to flame, I will even dip myself in oil to add to the damage you deal out whilest you flame. But this is what it looks like : Sony is a big company that owns a littler company called TeikaData Inc. that produces key components for the Xbox 360 consoles that are supposed to have a life time of 10 years or more. But some only live to around 12 months or so before massive  brand-killing failures. And guess what? The PS3 came out nearly 12 months after the 360 was introduced. What brilliant timing on behalf of Sony and what idiocy on behalf of M'Soft. Gates, you got owned, hard.

MMO's : Building Better People?

2007-07-01T23:52:00.001-05:00

Study Finds MMO Players Make Great Leaders - Shacknews

So this random study found that people who play massively mutliplayer online games, are better leaders. It really does make sense though and I can testify to it. When you serve on a CAL Team for two seasons and accept orders and give orders you almost learn to do what is needed without questioning. It truly is a beautiful thing because you learn to depend on your creativity as well as the virtually rendered man next to you within the heat of battle. Check it out. Its worth a few minutes of your time to educate yourself.

Chumby : Widget Wake Up

2007-06-28T19:12:00.000-05:00

So your "continently" destroyed your alarm clock is in the bin and you need a new one (Believe me you will break yours too after you hear about this thing.), where do you start? Well the stereo/alarm clock is always a good choice. Then there is always the iPod built in alarm you could use with your dock. (I had to use my iPod as an alarm clock for months, and since I modded it with RockBox, it was a pain to remember to turn the volume back up after a full night of iDoom or GBC emulator games.) This is where Chumby, a gadget guru's dream, comes in. This Wi-Fi enabled device, streams widgets from your PC and the Web to your Chumby. You can have blog feeds, music, videos, and pictures on your Chumby constantly updated through its Wi-Fi connectivity. So your hooked right? Not yet? Well what if we told you that it doesn't run on batteries, grabs the exact time from the web, is completely touchable, and is also open source to hardware and software mods. This is your dream programmers. Finally you can get all your internet addictions without having to touch your computer. The final Chumby's will be available for 200 $ sometime this summer and will include: a 3.5" LCD color touchscreen, two external USB 2.0 full-speed ports, a 350 MHz ARM controller, 64 MB SDRAM 64 MB NAND flash ROM, stereo 2W speakers, a headphone output, a squeeze sensor, an accelerometer (motion sensor), wi-fi connectivity, and an integrated microphone. Heck if I made enough money this summer I was going to get a PS3 or Wii in addition to my extensive wish list, but this is definitely pushing those out of it.

Juice Bags : Energizing Your Gadets on the Go

2007-06-26T22:20:00.000-05:00

Heck with all the scientologists running around Manhattan and Vegas crying Armageddon onto humanity for a lack of respect for the environment, don't you just want to rub it in their faces? Its a fact thought, we are attacking our fragile world with our industrious wastes and few of us care. Hey I am not here to preach, I want to be as green friendly as possibly but its hard when I see that 360 Elite screaming buy me and play me none stop on that 32" LCD HDTV with that shiny screen that you can see your darling like figure of a face in. But this is where Juice Bag's comes in to save the day just as Captain Planet would if he weren't blue, had green hair, and got a decent set of clothes. Juice Bag's are regular backpacks or messenger bags with a solar panel on the flap of the bag to give you 6.3 watts of power to charge anything using a CLA power adapter (You know the thing that used to be used to heat up car lighters but now is used to charge cell phones, iPods, heck can even be converted into a typical electrical outlet to do God knows what). Do yourself a favor and save about 8 plastic bottles from the landfill. Saving those poor rejected liquid containment modulators and charging up your mobile devices will set you back at most $225.00 for the new Environmental series backpacks or $175.00 for the original-not-as-completely-amazing-or-as-pro-earth-as-the-other-model Juice Bag 1.0. This is one backpack I will be sure to sport to school and camping for the next few years to come.

Escape

2007-06-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

So the pain ebs and flows.
Never can you guess which way it goes.

The pain is like a terrifying tide.
Always watching your back and each side.

Maybe a bandaid, maybe a chemical.
Nothing can heal this wound of that dark hell.

Society scars and blames the rest.
We can't going living as men without a test.

Never a challange in sight to show.
Never being able to display true strength for mates and bros.

Its a curse, its a trap.
And the only to escape is inside the dreams of your naps.

Battle for Heaven's Right (First Draft)

2007-06-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

Here I am, or rather there I lie.

Down on my back in a coffin.

Yet instead of being surrounded by mourners,

I am surrounded by the purest white.

No sun, no ground, no space to be seen.

Just me, my suit, and my coffin.

I see myself lying there as though in third person.

I command myslef to get up, screaming, begging, helpless.

Finally i hear a booming voice call my name and my body wakes,

Yet still I don't see though my own eyes.

For they are clouded over by white as pure as my surroundings.

Suddenly a firey creature appears from the white.

He smells of smoke and his name is evil.

He calls my name and horrified I stumble foward.

I shot to tell my body to stop.

Then I realize, evil is trying to steal my soul.

I tell my body to run but the beast strikes with a sword of smoke.

The pain is nearly unbearable but my body my body shows no wounds.

The counfused beast strikes again and again, but my pain numbs with each blow.

In the blink of an eye I see myself go from helpless, to warrior.

My sheild bears a cross and my sword says "TRUTH".

It is time to defend myself at the oppressor of my soul.

With each successful blow I land, I hear scripture quoted in a foreign voice.

Then I see my mouth moving with the scripture and and light pours forth.

When it is time to finish the beast, my sword drops on the weakened best,

And even as the creature is slayed I shot, "I AM HEAVEN'S CHILD!"

As the creature's body fades out of the white abyss,

The white dissolves to reveal a word that must be Heaven.

I have crossed the barrier between heaven and hell and made it to my eternal home.

My eyes change to their normal blue,

And as they blink I return to a view that is familiar.

But at the same time, what I see has never been seen by them.

Before me stands God, with him Jesus, and all around is the Holy Ghost.

In unison, all three speak the words I have lived to hear,
"Well done though good and faithful servant.
Thou stood up for me what no one else could.
Thou served me when no one else would.
And thou lived for me as all others should.
The battle you just fought was your life.
Even as the demon struck you with temptations,
You still resisted and fought knowing I would never fail you.
Well done Paul, well done my servant of the cross."

Through the tears of joy I see streets paved with gold.
A sea, clear as crystal shimmers in the distance.
The gates of heaven, made of pearls unbelievably large.
Walls, made of of diamonds and the purest stones.
But the greatest thing it that the light,
Comes not from stars, but always radiates from the Holy Trinity.
I have found my peace. Not the calm before the storm, but the silence after.

The Measure of a Woman...

2007-06-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

Is it the auburn hair that makes the sun shine brighter, capturing every golden ray and reflecting it into a beautiful nexus, a flowing waterfall spilling from her fore head down below her neck? Is it those crisp, pure blue eyes; water flowing in an endless abyss of liquid crystals that as I dive into them to steal a stare, I drown and sink in that endless chasm and not even notice I surrendered myself from body, mind, to soul and lost it all? Could it be her charm, the gentle laugh that is caged between her upper and lower lips that bursts forth with a warmth that is as inviting as it is intoxicating?. The smile that follows that exuberance that is as steady and sure as an archers arrow is to its target. But what of that target or the arrow for that matter. Do I am aim to strike her and make her mine with a blow that knocks her off her feet? Not ever for it would not do for she is the steady, the constant, the speeding arrow that when joins the target as it should. Becomes one with it. Will that archer send that arrow that desire plumetting into the depths of my own heart? Or will the archer miss only to have wasted an arrow so fine. Even worse perhaps, if the archer doesn't miss with the intention of my heart, but aims for another. But it cannot be worse. For if the arrow I love has found a solid target, even a target that is not my own, then I can be satisfied in her choice. The woman is the archer and that arrow is her love. Let God guide that arrow lest it fall short and miss and lose its archer's love.

Poisoned Choices, Lead to Silenced Voices

2007-03-25T14:18:00.001-05:00

Every secret thought,

Every little dark sin,

All that knowledge was for naught,

As the battle lies within.

It's those small temporary highs,

It's those sorrowful addictions,

As they tear apart their lives,

They creep closer to extinction.

It's their cry of rebellion,

But what to rebel against?

All they are is one more felon,

Who sits beyond an electric fence.

This is one my hopes, one of my many prayers,

That none should be like them in a world so unfair.

Its Just Another Day! I Swear!

2007-03-15T17:43:00.001-05:00

My birthday honestly means just that to me. But everyone I both knew and didn't even think knew my name had to wish me happy birthday. It was pretty cool. It was I could do but keep from telling people that it was just one more day and I didn't necessarily want the attention from them but some people just don't listen to well. Then of course track where more people wished me happy birthday but that only lasted so long. At home my parents got me an iPod. I was shocked. I really didn't ask for anything. Like I seriously didn't ask for anything but here I come home and get an incredible present. I was amazed! Then of course I went to volunteer at Vertical and go to NINE12. Brian let all of NINE12 know what day it was and I got a whole youth group singing me happy birthday. It was the perfect birthday. I didn't ask for anything but I got so much in return. I praise God for his graciousness and thank everyone involved in letting me know it was my birthday.

Virtual Insanity- The Clear Within the Clutter

2007-02-28T15:38:00.001-05:00

As most of us know, American Idol is currently in another glorious season. As most of us also know, this season has brought a lot to the stage. We have another Idol who maybe be kicked off the show for questionable material, we have an Idol who scored an amazing wife and has the best sense of humor that is completely clean which is what everyone can love, and we even have an Idol who can beatbox his way to the sun and back. Thats right, Blake Lewis has surprised us again. Last week he didn't beatbox but showed a softer side of his heart. This week Blake brought back his beatboxing and brought in some Jamiroquai. While the name is somewhat hard to pronounce he is internationally famous and has been finding it hard to take root in America. Jamiroquai has been featured on VH1 and even MTV although has never been brought out so publicly as Blake did by singing his song and adding in scat with his personality. But unfortunatly and at the same time amazingly, Chris Richardson stole the spot light with 'The Geek in Pink', and made an already good song amazing. Chris wowed me and I am sure wowed America. But back to 'Virtual Insanity', if you haven't heard of Jamiroquai until last night, download his stuff from iTunes or go behind the RIAA's back and steal some. He is a breath of fresh air to pop with amazing lyrics which really attack how we as humans can be too human. Virtual Insanity for example tell us we need to step away from the tech and get back to the rock we live on. Best of luck to all Idols still on stage.

*On a side note I have been using Performancing from Firefox to post my blog lately. I don't need to sign in on Blogger anymore to post my blogs. I click on button and start to post on a small widget on the bottom of my screen. Its awesome.

Well Its Official

2007-02-27T17:27:00.001-05:00

School is a huge waste of my time. I learn about -2% of what I should a day. (Yes I actually lose IQ points by sitting in classrooms and being bored for 6 hours a day.) We actually started Romeo and Juliet today. I did the part of Romeo just so I wont have to read another part again. Quick Poll: Who thinks its dumb how Shakespeare wrote so fancy even though he knew that half the people both in his time and today wouldn't be able to understand about 68.92% of what he was trying to say? Oh, thats what I thought, you all agree. While it is flowy and fancy it lacks a simplistic beauty that comes through understanding. When you can understand how to ride a bike that is the coolest thing ever. When you understand what is going on in a movie it usually makes it a tad bit better than if you didn't. If you can't understand what they are trying to say in a book, you throw it down, walk away a pick up a 360 controller. It is sad though that people do that because the story is really good and the characters are very detailed. (For example Romeo is the most emo person you could ever meet in the beginning scene of the story.) There is no denying that Shakespeare wrote his way into history and the fact that he is now practically immortal is no small achievement. On a side note thanks to an inspiration I found while looking at Mac Book Pros online, I have now changed nearly every visual aspect of my PC. New cursors, new themes, new Firefox widgets, new desktop, new icons, new desktop widgets, new boot screen, *gasp* and new log-on screen. Also I finally put the hutch on my desk so it actually looks like a peace of art. I am proud. =P

Babbleship. TheWineKone Says It All

2007-02-25T00:46:00.000-05:00

While I have been browsing YouTube for a few years now I have never seen anything as funny as this.

TheWineKone is my hero but certainly not my role model. But as far as I am concerned he is probably correct about Battleship. It is a huge waste of time and doesn't bring to much fun into life.

NINE12 Serves Samuel's Cafe

2007-02-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

NINE12 served Samuel's Cafe today by re-painting their walls and cleaning out their basement. The majority of the girls stayed inside the warm cafe to paint and had a good time or so I thought from their laughter. The majority of the guys however stayed outside in the freezing weather lifting heavy boxes of tiles, supplies, and concrete and dust to tote to a dumpster. On top of all that I personally had to chisel the ice, snow, frozen leaves, and rick hard dirt off of the steps down to the basement from the outside. Now I am not sure I can move my right shoulder higher than my head. I missed the free hot chocolate to get some shots of the other volunteers sitting on the couches. Besides all the pain and lack of a chocolatey, steaming beverage, I know that what I did was right and that through this cafe maybe some other teenagers will be led to Christ. That is why as Christians, God doesn't instantly bring us up to heaven because we still have a job to finish, Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things watsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the the end of the world." It is our job to give them a place to learn and grow in Christ with us to help them along in their journey. Ultimately we know we go to heaven, its what we do while we are on Earth that really matters.

American Idol:1st Cuts

2007-02-22T21:06:00.000-05:00

Well the first cuts have been made. As the unlucky four leave they have to leave singing. This has always baffled me. Why torture us with them singing if we didn't vote for them for a reason? I will have to talk Simon about that someday. But for now all I can say is... Go Blake and Chris! Blake with his sweet beatboxing and Chris with his awesome humor and the fact he choose the christian band Mutemath was by far one of my favorite Idol moments. But I can't help but feeling that everyones auditions were better than this weeks performances. For example Sundance had one of the best auditions but has been in a steep decline. I can't see him in the finals if he keeps singing this way. But everytime I look for a good performance I keep seeing the group performance with Blake and Chris with the beatboxing singing. That was the best performance I have ever seen after a few of Daughtry's performances. But America votes and America decides. The worst thing I could do now is not vote.

Snow Does Not Taste Good When Force Fed

2007-02-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

Today was the day. VPT and other people from Vertical were off to go tubing at Willard Mountain. *Phone Rings* Hello?... Oh Willard is closed?... Oh because of the snow... Ok bye. *Phone Hangs up* So instead of tubing, we had the sickest snowball war of my life. One of the first shots landed straight in my mouth. Then of course I had to hit ppl in the head and dodge everything that came my way. Juke left then dive right and fling of a snowball with a sidearm.... *snowball flies slowmo through the air, then impacts leaving a small mound of snow on the side of someones head* BOOM HEADSHOT! it was possibly the most fun I have had in a long time. But now as American Idol is coming on in T-Minus 3 mins I must take my leave. Farewell until after Idol.

Video Games. Building Better Lives.

2007-02-21T23:44:00.000-05:00

Many people view video games as a good waste of time and a place to have fun. Others take video games very professionally and see it as a place to challenge themselves and earn some extra money. Then there are the Chinese gold farmers on WoW, SRO, and Guild Wars who play 12 hours everyday constant grinding just to earn a living by selling virtual money for real money. The fact is video gaming has evolved from a past time to an American Tradition. Every one of my family members has played and enjoyed at least on video game. My mom like Super Mario Bros for the Super Nintendo (Yes it is as old as I am.), my sister like Mario too but also enjoys Runescape (An MMORPG from Jagex), my dad plays DoD on his PC with the 28th Infantry Division and Realism Unit, and I play CS:S with my CAL and TWL Teams and Halo 2 with my friends. (Now a lot of this makes no sense to you because you don’t know what a CAL is or what DoD is. The bottom of this article will have a reference.) No matter what game you play or how you play it, to have fun or to be competitive, you have to respect the communities that these games create. Brotherhoods are created over a forum and a Teamspeak or Ventrilo server. Individuals build self-esteem by completing quests and leveling up faster than their friends. Entire clans engage in friendly warfare over a PS3 or Xbox 360 controller for domination of a tournament or pride in a victory. NASA did a study that said that up to 90% of stress can be relieved by playing a single video games successfully. Not only are video games a good way to build friendships and relieve stress, they teach life lessons and improve reflexes. A child who played video games as a hobby and kept physically active would have a greater advantage against a mugger or rapist than a child who worked out for the same amount of time and instead of video games watched Spongebob or MTV for hours on end. Quests teach players to follow through in everything a player does in order to become a better player or person. Japan has been onto this hype but used a different outlet, anime. Anime characters teach the children to be better people and to stand up for what is right even if it costs them their lives or friends. Video games take that same outlet to an interactive level that is being shunned as a way to promote violence and apathy. Parents blame their children’s failures on the video games they allowed them to play, instead of taking responsibility for being bad parent and not setting good examples for their children. Save this cultural phenomenon from extinction by promoting video games good qualities and before you criticize pick up a controller or grab a headset and mouse and go tear it up on the virtual worlds within video games.

Definitions

WoW- World of Warcraft
SRO- Silkroad Online
MMORPG- Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game
Jagex- A programming company developing flash based games
DoD- Day of Defeat
Realism Unit- A modified game clan that supports realistic games play
CS:S- Counter Strike Source
CAL- Cyber Athletic League
TWL- Team Warfare League
Teamspeak/Ventrilo- programs that allow you to talk to other people over the internet

Star Wars: Love It or Leave It

2007-02-21T23:27:00.000-05:00

Some seem to lose sense of the achievements of people before their time. 3000 years ago, the Greek City-State of Athens flourished with arts and philosophers. These philosophers came up with the ideas that illness was caused by nature, not the gods. 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ claimed he was the Son of God come in the flesh to save us from Hell. 1000 years ago, the Byzantine Empire retained Greek and Roman culture ultimately saving Europe from the Dark Ages. 1776 our nations founding fathers proposed to rebel against their rulers in a viscious war to free them from taxes and a cruel government. 1960's marked women and blacks civil rights movements success. 1980's, the Star Wars phenomenon swept the nation revolutionizing movie making and culture as we know it. It created a culture full of devoted fans that many shun as nerds or geeks yet also created a means of etertainment nearly everyone has taken part in or come to love. Thats right, without those nerds or geeks, without those passionate fans, where would film-making and the etertainment industry be? Its use of simplist yet creative means to inspire children and adults into shear awe at the sight of the silver screen is felt in every movie now seen in cinemas across the world. From Lord of the Rings, to Spiderman, to Shrek, the Matrix, Blackhawk Down, even a documentary like Supersize me. Where would it be today? The answer is no one knows. Its impact is so deep and wide without it, there would only be a scratch on the surface. So before anyone tries to depreciate what went down over 25 years ago in a small rented out studio in London, remember that without it, what would you be munching popcorn to?

Indoor Track and The Real World

2007-02-08T19:37:00.000-05:00

Well although the prospect of staying in shape and making friends is appealing in sports. They have their downsides. I have obtained two concussions and a sprained ankle in just the past year of sports. While they can also seperate you from outings and fun. I have the great opportunity to go to a Sectional meet for my first year of Indoor Track at Stillwater. What is not only good about staying in shape through the now cold (finally winter has come to the Northeast) winter months, is that this the first year my high school has been large enough to host an indoor track team. Since it is our first year it is easy to hold school records. I am not complaining because I hold 2 seperate relay records for the 4x400 and 4x800 relays. But back to my complaining about Indoor Track. The great honor of going to Sectionals to represent my school is lost on the fact I will have to miss a dear friend's 15th bithday party at OuterZone Laser Tag. So it is choosing between a commitment to my team, and a commitment to my bros. Grrrrrr/Rawr.

Fixed it... finally

2007-02-05T18:17:00.000-05:00

The long weekend is over and I fixed my myspace. So with nothing better to do I have made contact table codes, and started to work on aditional navbar within the profile adding links and such under the headings. Also I found a video on Youtube I was in. (look at 3:03 into it, and I say New York State, not City.)

Myspace + Proxy + School = Bad Idea

2007-02-03T20:12:00.000-05:00

I had finally found a working proxy for my school to browse webpages with here. As with most other proxies I have tried this one did not support Java or Flash. So I used it to browse forums, access e-mails, and of course check Myspace. Knowing my school would probably ban me from use of the network for the rest of the year if they caught me in the act I always kept my hand close to the power button just in case. A teacher was coming down the row and I didn't have time to clear the proxy name from the visited list and just shut down. The teacher stood in our row for the next like 5 minutes until class ended. 'I'll just clear it on Monday', I thought to myself. I go home to find I cannot log onto my account for Myspace on any browser or with that proxy. I tried a million and a half possiblities. Then I realized that when I had shut down the PC with no precautions, my account had been frozen to that network IP. My school has the same IP address on every computer and every compter can access the main server, so in theory my account for the school is still receiving data from Myspace on the school's server even though I am not signed onto any computers. So until I can go to school and try to fix this, I may never get that myspace back forever...

Running Into

2007-01-20T17:14:00.001-05:00

Its different to be on this side of Blog. For a long time I have read everyone elses, watched their videos, and seen them express themselves. So I thought why not? I'll give it a go. I'll blog along side the best of them. And with this post, I take my first steps into history.
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