tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47850581167141904832011-11-27T18:54:40.943-05:00Wounded Warriorjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.comBlogger1251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-47770046987444855592011-10-29T20:45:00.000-04:002011-10-29T20:45:28.539-04:00epic<br><br><br>hds
I have always wondered what would happen if everyone in the world just forgave each other of their debt and we started the whole world economy over with a clean slate.jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-45661950523127994612011-10-29T08:44:00.002-04:002011-10-29T08:44:46.099-04:00Convenience Storesjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-31393578678172495352011-10-29T08:41:00.000-04:002011-10-29T08:41:34.689-04:00Bluebird in my heartCharles Bukowski - Bluebird
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I'm too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I'm not going
to let anybody see
you.
there's a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pur whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he's
in there.
there's a bluebirdjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-88172750990686599742011-02-02T01:19:00.000-05:002011-02-02T01:19:18.826-05:00Finding ForesterI am doing an exercise from one of my favorite movies, Finding Forester. Forester tells the kid to write and write and write. Do I write for me or for you....That is the discussion I am having at the moment with some friends. There is no point to writing a book if no one reads it....really? I wonder about that. Can you have something so compelling to say that you need to say it even if no jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-71329297838060584042011-01-30T07:52:00.000-05:002011-01-30T07:52:08.771-05:00Entrepreneurship of the mindA few weeks ago while listening to NPR I came across the phrase "entrepreneurship of the mind." While I immediately loved the wording, I wasn't completely sure of it's meaning. However, the last few weeks have brought me to a place where I am living it out...or getting thoughts on how to live it out.
I am a thinker, a dreamer, a philosopher. I am the "idea" guy in the brainstorming meetings.jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-63837894745551924542010-09-18T00:21:00.001-04:002010-09-18T00:22:44.975-04:00Wind in our sails vs. program at our bookstoreA few years ago I was assigned a paper on who runs the church. It was designed to get us to wrestle with church polity and I think that it is an important question. However, I always had some uneasiness with it. At the time I couldn't quite explain it, just that I didn't like the question. I didn't like the question so much that I didn't write the paper and therefore didn't pass the class....jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-35569747108593406962010-08-23T09:47:00.000-04:002010-08-23T09:47:55.578-04:00I SHAVED MY LEGS FOR THIS?!?!?As summer is ending and giving way to cooler temps, and students ready to go back to school, I am feeling lost. After spending the better part of 30 years getting ready to go back to school, I am realizing that I am done. School is over for me. And if I wasn't depressed before, typing that those words has pushed me over the edge. So what does a depressed guy do on the first day of school? Gojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-46762520857431508482010-07-25T19:59:00.003-04:002010-08-16T11:55:37.904-04:00The Musings of an Emerging Christian: A Memoir
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jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-19009529404214662272010-06-13T22:14:00.000-04:002010-06-13T22:14:12.221-04:00God wants to wrestle with usI am preaching on this story Tuesday. I came across this and need to stop and reflect for a moment. Read and weep with me. http://www.workingpreacher.org/columnist_home.aspx?article_id=29
jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-5674373195292649982010-06-13T15:27:00.000-04:002010-06-13T15:27:02.576-04:00College grads still pee their pantsI will have been a college grad for a month this week. Nothing that exciting. Just everyday life....with a lot more expectations. Every time I turn around I am hearing from family, friends, and even myself that I need to be "doing something" with my degree. What exactly does "doing something" mean? If it means peeing ones pants, then I succeed. Twice since I graduated I have peed my pants..jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-65870833025070371622010-04-14T20:56:00.000-04:002010-04-14T20:56:58.281-04:00Jesus is.....the one who hugs lepers
the one who commands the wind
reconcilor
life giver
law breaker
the one in whom all things hold together
the radiance of God's glory
the bread of life
the lion of Judah
the lamb of God
the one who washes sinners feet
the one who humbled himself unto death
the ransom from heaven
the first to practice the resurrection
the one who eats with sinners
the one whojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-37821311187635283482010-04-07T17:48:00.000-04:002010-04-07T17:48:16.791-04:00Expanding minds are a terrible thing to wasteAs I am putting the final touches on my exiting thesis paper, I realizing how incomplete the paper is. This paper could easily turn into a master's thesis. There is so much more I want to learn and read and research. In some ways I feel like I am just getting started. I also feel like I am trapped by the requirements of the degree program from doing and exploring all that I wish to. Torn jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-9892225109157876322010-03-25T15:38:00.000-04:002010-03-25T15:38:25.139-04:00Stairs to no whereThere’s a pile of bricks where Ms Pearl’s house once stood.I’d put it back together if I could. Haven’t seen her since 05, don’t know if she’s alive.Shame I didn’t visit as often as I should.Lots of things have changed since then, Have to drive 30 miles just to see what’s in,the mailbox or the news.Surprised to see whose left town,Though there’s still stubborn one’s around.We’re getting togetherjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-71232256728245465382010-03-21T16:58:00.000-04:002010-03-21T16:58:54.797-04:00Study on freedom from the law"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-29204095039902310922010-03-19T09:26:00.000-04:002010-03-19T09:26:07.517-04:00Free BirdMy theology is in the middle of another paradigm shift. I am not sure how many more of these I can take within a few short years. Read Romans 6 in house church on Wednesday night and had an epiphony of sorts over how I view freedom, the law, sin, and death. Heavy stuff for St. Patty's day. Glad I got to chill with some green beer and good friends.
I have an unformulated idea of freedom. jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-5571974780953749392010-03-11T00:57:00.000-05:002010-03-11T00:57:09.792-05:00seeing the world a little differtly
I stumbled on this a few months ago and was utterly in awe. I love the way this guys views the world. jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-29855809534580080892010-03-11T00:00:00.002-05:002010-03-18T21:51:06.093-04:00love
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jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-29287689870123470592010-03-10T23:20:00.000-05:002010-03-10T23:20:04.455-05:00JudasThoughts swirling in funnel cloud.
Voices growing ever loud.
Will I ever find rest?
Is there hope from this test?
Coins clanging in a cocaphony of madness
Is there ever escape from this confusion of
deep, deep anguish.
Or am I forever plagued with sorrow,
Multiplied by a sea of tommorow.
The only hope for I see
Is solace under that tree.
Will there be comfort there for me?
Or was my betrayal in jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-18211189633762113922009-12-21T22:26:00.000-05:002009-12-21T22:26:06.692-05:00What Would Jesus BuyWow. This is a clip from the new movie from Morgan Spurlock, the Supersize Me guy. I need to see this movie. I think a lot of us need to see this movie.
I found it online and watched about 30 minutes of it before the video froze on me. A wonderful eye opening film.jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-17612502900212658872009-12-16T14:16:00.000-05:002009-12-16T14:16:47.010-05:00Integrating FaithMy roommate has gotten laid off this last year. Twice. He worked a total of about 2 months. During the rest of time he sought God. God told him to wait and be patient. So, he took on more responsibility at the church (including leading youth group as well as going to Costa Rica), buying a house, buying a truck, and getting engaged. Quite a lot for one who is "waiting". Waiting isn't being passivejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-80660034903132407572009-12-15T20:55:00.000-05:002009-12-15T20:55:09.972-05:00Gesundheit for the soulSo next semester I have to integrate both my majors into a semester long paper and presentation. Talking tonight over dinner, I got the idea to research and write about a "Gesundheit Institute" (Patch Adams) type of center for counseling; taking the intentional community vision as well as bringing in counseling aspects. Face it, we all have baggage. Would you much rather open up to a trusted jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-24472027391952510382009-12-14T16:15:00.000-05:002009-12-14T16:15:54.119-05:00Long over due updateIt's been too long since I have written anything. From trying to finish up my last year of school, to coming down with H1N1, to just plain life, I haven't devoted the time and energy I would have liked to keeping this going. Some changes are beginning to take my life and thus this blog in a little different direction. Upon graduating this up coming May, I am helping to open up an intentional jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-3533671702363131802009-12-12T20:37:00.002-05:002009-12-12T20:38:24.709-05:00More readinghttp://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/02/03/in_the_beginning/jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-66935827065002834902009-12-12T20:22:00.005-05:002009-12-12T20:25:26.246-05:00Color adds freedom
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jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-126412072741478792009-12-10T17:20:00.001-05:002009-12-10T17:21:35.893-05:00Growing through criticismSome interesting reads. I love the when healthy dialogue challenges and grows a group of people further along the road.
http://www.geezmagazine.org/issue15/changing-the-story-of-change
http://www.geezmagazine.org/issue16/responding-to-changing-the-story-of-change
http://www.geezmagazine.org/issue16/harmonizing-without-homogenizing
http://www.geezmagazine.org/issue16/jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-87418240038266693102009-12-10T09:26:00.000-05:002009-12-10T09:26:21.457-05:00What are New Monastics?"... I am going to substitute the acronym NMI, the new monastic individual. NMIs... make up the class of people that belong to no class, have no membership in a hierarchy. They form a kind of "unmonied aristocracy," free of bosses, supervision, and what is typically called "work."They work very hard, in fact, but as they love their work and do it for its intrinsic interest, this work is not much jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-90125572840242419192009-12-08T17:03:00.000-05:002009-12-08T17:03:31.263-05:00Doors, dreams, and desicionsSomething I have been praying about for awhile is joining or starting an intentional community house. I have always pictured it being in an urban setting. God may have other ideas. There is an opportunity before me to start a new monastic community. There is a missionary family that still owns a home in Michigan. With the ecconomy the way it is, it makes sense for them to hang on to it till jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-53955742414793351512009-11-30T20:17:00.000-05:002009-11-30T20:17:23.339-05:00Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker GuyI have "fallen slowly" in love with Glen Hansard, from the movie Once. His music is nothing less than pure bliss on a cool summer day, with a light rain beckoning you to come play, but you just sit by the window cause though you want to go outside and dance barefoot, it hurts too much. So you let your mind drift back to when you and your lover used to dance in the rain and under the stars in a jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-64670576944089793432009-11-29T16:09:00.000-05:002009-11-29T16:09:57.139-05:00All this is monopoply money; it all goes back in the box at the end.Speechless. Utterly speachless. So eloquently put.
jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-1719774623503809852009-10-18T17:29:00.000-04:002009-10-18T17:29:36.297-04:00Poverty? Is it about $
What is poverty? Our church showed this video this morning. I thought it was worth sharing. Extremely thought provoking. This is why I go out to the streets and try and befriend people. This is why I bring them back to my home when appropriate. If one of your friends were on the streets, you would help them out. What is the difference with someone you don't know. The mere fact that jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-17197683623424280132009-10-07T20:56:00.000-04:002009-10-07T20:56:29.746-04:00Words to ponderRead this today and it reminded me that I need to read more Mother Theresa. A woman of great wisdom. We miss you.http://theashram.blogspot.com/2009/10/exhortation-from-mother-theresa.html
jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-54344406570676336622009-10-07T12:54:00.000-04:002009-10-07T12:54:46.608-04:00Dude where's my car?Walking out to the parking lot and noticing that yoru car is missing. It would be scary for most anyone. And it was for me today. Until I remembered that it isn't just my car. I just stepped out into my first communal experience with co-owning a car. My firiend and I are enjoying the fruits that come with equal ownership of our new car. This experience has thus far has tested my trust, jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-69593951447024839992009-10-07T11:46:00.000-04:002009-10-07T11:46:04.874-04:00New LifeIt was a cool October night. My first pumpkin pie of the season and I destroyed it. Me, along with Tyler. We were in a pie eating contest, the first to finish won a free pizza. We won. A few weeks later, a went out and had a great time watching a movie and eating pizza. As excited we were to win the pie eating contest, we were celebrating something far more spectacular with that pizza. We jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-7573082401721570752009-09-28T01:03:00.000-04:002009-09-28T01:03:16.890-04:00HomeWas reflecting on my recent trip to Seattle a moment ago with a couple of friends. I was describing how comforting it was to be thousands of miles away from anyone that knew my name. It's a comfort beyond words. Sitting on the shore, eating fish. The smell of salt mixed with beer hitting my nostrils flooded my mind with thoughts I never had before....or sense. I voiced words I never thought jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-49824164702639742642009-09-22T22:54:00.000-04:002009-09-22T22:54:54.704-04:00What do the stats show?Interesting article I came across on the growing religious trends in america.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religionPublish Post/2009-09-22-no-religion_N.htm?loc=interstitialskipjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-42138886929374729782009-09-22T10:42:00.001-04:002009-09-22T10:45:31.086-04:00the world around meI need help with something. I need help in understanding the price we put on someone's career. I found out today that a friend of a friend lost their job. Not surprising in this economy. What is surprising, at least to me, was his severance check. $10,000 a month for the next few months, can't remember how many. And more, he is terribly upset at the amount. Wait, there is even more. Sincejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-30163852699605272312009-09-21T13:56:00.000-04:002009-09-21T13:56:30.012-04:00Theology over a rainy afternoon mealWas challenged today in how I read the New Testament. We assume a lot when we read it, or at least I do. I usually take it for granted that what I am reading is more than merely recorded history. But where do I get I assumption? Is it far? The Hebrew Scriptures record many of the failures of their leaders. I respect that we have a well rounded view of, say King David. 2 Samuel doesn't havejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-33850353579425604692009-09-18T18:52:00.003-04:002009-09-21T09:49:18.733-04:00To peak or not to peakI love this question. I wish I had more time to write on it. I may sometime. I am putting in out here now cause I don't think it can wait. I would open the box because the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians says that if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, christians would be the most pitied of all men on earth. I need truth. I crave truth. At this moment, I believe the evidence best points to jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-13475353715621093832009-09-18T18:24:00.004-04:002009-09-18T18:39:04.662-04:00black and white
I saw this video a few months ago when I was out in Seattle. It is from a site called Recycle Your Faith that posts thought provoking videos every week. Our small group watched this and I was convicted. Too many times I have made life to be black and white, right or wrong. Too many times I have considered me to be on the side of those that are "right". How arrogant! I listened to this jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-70667043213255133762009-09-17T16:43:00.002-04:002009-09-17T16:49:32.781-04:00New editsWith being gone during the summer, I have kept my blogs stylistically simple; writing only. Over the next couple of weeks I will be going back over the blogs and editing them with pictures, movies, and such. So much of the story is missing hearing or seeing only my side of what was happening in Seattle. In rereading some blogs, I may find something that needs to be rewritten. In keeping with jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-14105508313355846802009-09-17T16:18:00.003-04:002009-09-17T16:41:16.932-04:00Kingdoms collideI have been reading Daniel lately. A wonderful reminder of how the christian's resident alien-ship is lived out. With Jesus came the Kingdom of God, and his followers are now living in an in between time of two opposing kingdoms. Everyday we, as followers of Christ are placed in a similar situation as Daniel. We are being exposed to the teachings of this world which go against the principles jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-81602160209666995152009-09-15T20:04:00.001-04:002009-09-15T20:08:08.267-04:00Reason<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-697475298925025952009-09-10T14:16:00.002-04:002009-09-10T14:37:43.078-04:00HorrorVoices rising. Fear, embarrassment flooding my bones. Not again. Not again.Gathering children like a hen,protecting them from the horror of what was to follow.How could they?When were they going to grow up?Protecting children!!!!????Who is going to protect me?I am the oldest, I must protect.Voices rising...if you could even call them that.Nothing distinguishable. Merely squeaks. I know their arejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-45198476293583709762009-09-10T13:48:00.002-04:002009-09-10T14:12:10.862-04:00lovers uniteFrozen. Fear gripping every word, every letter. Thoughts censored even before they are. Can I write this? Will that be the end? Will this disappear even before I get a chance to let the thoughts sit? Ready to blow with thoughts that don't exist. How can they exist? The moment I let them out is the moment they cease being. Or is it the other way around. The very fact that I kept them jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-15913886932707237992009-09-08T10:18:00.003-04:002009-09-08T10:28:21.916-04:00Please Come and Go<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Stylejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-53276222636099249852009-09-08T09:25:00.003-04:002009-09-08T10:30:52.188-04:00Dancing with my LordOh how I long to dance, dance with my Lord. To feelHis arms around me as we sway to sweet melodies. Tofeel Him caress me and hold me close, close to thebody that was bruised for me. As His hand grasps minemy heart skips a beat, for I can feel it. I close myeyes. A tear falls from my eye and I feel it again asHis hand grazes my cheek. I feel the scar. The veryplace the nails pierced His jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-60102337663239077712009-09-05T23:42:00.003-04:002009-09-06T00:30:03.352-04:00Juno and relationshipsJust finished watching Juno. Great movie. Sad. Deeply sad in a comforting sort of way. Being a man, there were some obvious ways in which I couldn't relate to Juno. But, subtly, I could see myself in her. Especially when she is dealing with the breakup of her babies adopted parents. I greatly could identify with her pain and confusion. She goes back home and asks her dad if true love is jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-88472326181538082912009-09-04T16:37:00.002-04:002009-09-04T16:51:31.414-04:00I am stil hereJust wanted to let people know that I am still active and will be blogging soon. I have gotten back from my trip out west and have been going at full speed with starting my last year of school, starting a new job, getting situated in a new house, and interning at a church. All that has kept me extremely busy, however things are starting to settle down and I plan to update my blog as soon as I jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-2136619702711266622009-08-27T16:38:00.002-04:002009-08-27T16:46:56.276-04:00What to do with this blog?I have felt for awhile now that I want to write more. However, I yet to develop the discipline of intentional, thoughtful, well crafted blogging. I have loosely been keeping this blog updated for 9 months. During these last 9 months I have felt lost on the direction this blog is going. Ramblings of my life are insightful for me, but really don't have the level of impact I would like to offer jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-51018427663134397242009-08-25T10:05:00.002-04:002009-08-25T10:24:17.654-04:00What's in a name?I have always resented not being a junior. It wouldn't be so bad if I had a completely different name as my dad, but I don't have a totally different name. No, I have the same name....only 5 little letters longer. Those 5 letters have defined me time and time again. I felt like my name epitomized my relationship with my dad. I was not the son he wanted. I was not good enough to be given hisjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-63592864257271204972009-08-10T09:57:00.002-04:002009-08-10T10:50:37.484-04:00The heart of a manI am reading "Wild at Heart" again for the first time. To be honest the last few times I have tried to pick it up I didn't get it. The heart of a man is wild, Eldridge says. Men long for danger, adventure, a beauty to rescue. It all sounded so....not me. Yet........While in Seattle, I have been befriended one man in particular. He and I have gotten to know each other, talking about life, jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-46988796074741403032009-08-09T19:15:00.007-04:002009-08-09T21:49:51.829-04:00Mars Hill ChurchSo I visited the ever famous Mars Hill Church last week. (The Seattle one, not the Grand Rapids one) I have been a mild fan of Mark Driscoll. Not agreeing with all he says, but respecting a lot of his stances on some issues. I have listened to a few of his talks and browsed some of his books. I could very much see why he is growing in popularity. So, before I left Seattle, I wanted to see with myjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-22697603928177092422009-08-09T09:03:00.004-04:002009-08-09T09:10:11.356-04:00Good MorningListening to Yellow Deli music. Drinking coffee. Catching up with old friends and family. Goodtimes.jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-16595746312410759672009-08-01T14:18:00.007-04:002009-09-18T18:13:37.847-04:00God is pro-life. Why aren't his people.Pro-life. I have come to really hate that word. Like so many other words, it has lost it's meaning. It has become to describe a stance on merely one small issue regarding the complexities of life.Life. Beautifully tragic word. It takes on so much meaning given the context.I wonder though if these two words really have much to do with each other. Pro-life and life. Sometimes they even seem like jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-34261488482338089282009-07-28T11:30:00.002-04:002009-07-28T11:37:23.465-04:00Open your eyesYour face is the only face on the planet that you can not see with your own eyes.There is profound truth in that statement. It's just too early in the morning to unpack it for you right now. But humility is a good place to start. If we are each so damn special, or better than others, why can't we do something as special as see our own face?jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-82133142447379213102009-07-24T14:27:00.005-04:002009-07-28T02:20:59.344-04:00The comfort of ignorance: a lamentSo before last week I had no idea what Nickelsville was. All that changed when Thursday night as I went to sit in with the homeless tent city Nicklesville in South Seattle. Seattle, as with all cities in the States, has a high homeless population. While this is nothing new, what is new is the rate at which homelessness around the country is growing.This economic struggle that has hit the jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-46217989801670654382009-07-21T17:52:00.003-04:002009-09-21T09:47:15.783-04:00atheismI have been doing some reading on atheism lately. A few months ago I was browsing in Barnes and Noble and came across a book written by an atheist. Not a big surprise, there are a lot of books about atheism. But something just keep drawing me to that particular book. So, I picked it up and began reading the introduction and noticed two things. First, the author was an alumni of Great Lakes jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-35265095704694334822009-07-21T15:02:00.006-04:002009-07-21T15:37:20.906-04:00My first impressions of Anne LamottRecently I have finished my first Anne Lamott book, "Plan B". For the most part it was what I expected, though I did learn more than I wanted to about women in their 50's. I can understand why she has been compared with Donald Miller. Both chat about life and are not afraid of the little quarks that make life fun. As my friend always says about Donald Miller, it was like reading a personal jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-55120230913014218702009-07-17T08:35:00.001-04:002009-09-18T18:45:12.681-04:00life after pissing in another man's bedSo in honor of my previous post, I want to share a story. I was one of those kids that wet the bed until I was, well, until I was 29 and counting. Now, no, it's not an every night event, but it has happened twice since I was a kid of about 11 or so. One of those times was two years ago, and another was just a couple of weeks ago.Two years ago, I was helping out at a men's camp out. It was great, jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-22961634892474392912009-07-16T23:47:00.003-04:002009-07-17T01:20:17.974-04:00Human-ness"Why have we institutionalized our feelings and left ourselves to grieve alone behind closed doors....It is almost like we have tried to reverse the incarnation. Jesus, who was fully divine, took on the form of humanity and was not 'out of touch with our reality' (Hebrews 4:15, The Message). We, in our pursuit of the divine, have too often forgotten to be fully human.""Our cliched words and jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-1197195011827635762009-07-12T21:44:00.000-04:002009-07-12T21:47:27.288-04:00church without wallsI have been dreaming lately. And with dreaming comes many random jumbled thoughts. Kind of like your clothes feel after tumbling around and around in the dryer. My dreams have been about being the change you want to see happen. Words from a book I am reading. I see need for change all around me, even inside of me. But I am rarely empowered to begin the changes I dream about. I wish I was. But a jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-41719872422551624832009-07-10T16:19:00.002-04:002009-07-10T17:28:23.828-04:00How do I love you, let me count the ways.....What is love, true love? I have been mulling over this question ever since last summer when I had the privilege of listening to a man ramble. His name was Aaron, lead singer of a then unknown band to me, called Mewithoutyou. Aaron spoke of love. And how he was unsure that we ever get to the place where we truly love another person. Or whether what we call love is merely a sense of gratitude jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-41205643108935361652009-07-08T23:15:00.004-04:002009-07-14T19:15:28.260-04:00An interesting read on the emergent churchGoing back to one of my original purposes for this blog: the emergent church. I came across these articles tonight. Hope you enjoy them. More comments to come.http://www.consortiumnews.com/2009/052609c.htmlhttp://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=32722jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-70987845484796068122009-07-08T19:54:00.001-04:002009-07-08T19:55:50.064-04:00The Real JesusGlad to know that others are trying to discover the real Jesus as well. I came across this today and was encouraged. http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/jesus-jr/jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-43217464918007933082009-07-07T22:10:00.003-04:002009-07-08T02:09:39.151-04:00Why I am a Christian anarchistAs the American Independence Day has come to a close I wanted to briefly state that I am a Christian anarchist. I have come to this position after a long and hard look at the position from a wide varity of angles. I won't get into all of them here. Frankly I am tired and have been typing all night. There is a baseball game on and I want to get to know some of the Mariners' players before seeing jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-88010202507741324912009-07-07T20:19:00.006-04:002009-09-18T17:18:36.925-04:00What Jesus am I following?My first solo exploration of downtown Seattle today. Needless to say, I got lost. I love getting lost. Sometimes just for fun, I purposefully go on a road trip with the sole purpose of trying to get myself lost. Rarely does it work, but when it does, it's the most exhilarating experience. I have found that life happens in the moments when one is lost. You meet people you would have never known jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-47939350203769750222009-07-06T19:30:00.001-04:002009-07-07T00:57:37.778-04:00What does Jon feel about cigars?My first day in Seattle can be summed up with one word, decisiveness. Sitting around a pool on the 4th when someone pulls out the cigars. I have been around guys smoking cigars. Even thought about it a time or two. But I never could bring myself to smoke. Never thought it was wrong or anything. I guess I never really could make up my mind. So when I was asked what I thought about cigars, Ijonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-78766776855929247712009-07-06T12:31:00.003-04:002009-07-06T13:10:06.263-04:00FootlooseThe other day I was cleaning up after a yard sale. The summer heat wave finally kicked in and I was drenched in a glossy film of sweat. Needless to say, a shower was much overdue. The shower mecca experience was too short to fully embrace, so I decided to continue in the moment through any way possible. My friends were over and waiting for me, so I ran out the door with no shoes.I just read jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-41675044412723134382009-06-10T18:50:00.002-04:002009-06-10T18:58:53.908-04:00Sneak PeakLearned that Donald Miller is having fans read his first 3 chapters of his new book. He is wanting feedback. Haven't gotten a chance to read it yet but I definitely will. Here is the link: http://donmilleris.com/2009/06/09/thoughts-on-the-first-three-chapters/jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-80669253398209235352009-06-09T15:18:00.002-04:002009-06-09T15:29:44.396-04:00Born into BrothelsIt never ceases to amaze me how much one person can do to change the world. I watched Born in Brothels last night. It is a documentary of children growing up in Calcutta's red light district. The movie is unique in that it is told through the eyes of the children. Photographer, Zana Briski, grows to love and care of a group of young children while working in the brothels of Calcutta. She jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-33379516987144807662009-06-09T13:52:00.003-04:002009-06-09T15:05:12.803-04:00Educated thinkerI have never been one to take things at face value. I don't know where this comes from. I am sure it comes from various places and people in my life. For whatever reason I was always the one that had to know __________ (fill in the blank) for myself. Like all things, this has it's positives and negatives. Somethings are much better experience through the stories and books of others. Other jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-17735450167947513482009-06-08T13:37:00.003-04:002009-06-08T13:57:58.503-04:00Writing for meThis week is a milestone in this adventure of blogging. I have doubled my readership. That isn't saying a lot, as only growing from 2 followers to 4 followers. However, it has opened my eyes to the reasons I am writing this blog. I wish to take the words of my friend Dave as I don't think I could be any more eloquent as he. "It's me... honestly, in word and thought. my heart pour on virtual jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-79757462062069638862009-06-08T13:08:00.003-04:002009-06-08T13:37:30.209-04:00Homeless guy in a Jesus T-shirt....lunch is on meDoing some reading of blogs today. Haven't taken the time to catch up on others blogs in months and feeling behind. Wanted to highlight this one by one of my dear friends. http://dcbony.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-should-church-be-doing.htmlThank you Dave, and Don for reminding me of what I should be doing. I needed to hear those words. I needed to be reminded that there is much work that I jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-21604028412646725682009-06-06T14:22:00.001-04:002009-06-06T15:12:35.476-04:00What is gold?Word of caution: do not, I repeat DO NOT, watch Pursuit of Happiness after watching Into the Wild. The contrast is too much, too unbearable. But that is what I did a few months ago, and it made my mind go wild and I lamented the state of society.While I love and adore the love and sacrifice Will Smith's character made for his son, I abhor the system that forced him into it. The system that jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-30157315079047669492009-06-04T12:06:00.004-04:002009-06-04T13:05:35.284-04:00Walking on waterI am living out a real life parable of my favorite story, that of Jesus walking on water. My favorite part of the story isn't that Jesus walked on water, but that Peter also did. Though Jesus was fully human, he was an anomaly in that he also was fully God, so to me it isn't all that spectacular that he was able to walk on water. What blows my mind about this story is that Peter, an average jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-23515167910379325722009-04-23T19:26:00.003-04:002009-04-23T19:42:53.596-04:00ResponsibilityResponsibility? I hate that word. I hate the way it is used. Like someone who is perceived as lazy is always marked as irresponsible. Like those that keep getting bricks thrown at them day after day are labeled as irresponsible. Responsibility? Is giving in to the pressure of getting a boring job that wastes your talents considered boring, responsible? Is quitting something that you know jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-18987706778634316832009-04-21T22:57:00.002-04:002009-04-21T23:15:44.616-04:00How I feelHow I wish I was there with these two......I met him on the cliffsof twin rocks oregonhe was sittin on his bedrolllookin just like richard brautiganI thought he was an old manhe wasn't but 37he said he'd been ridin trainsfor 15 yearsdrawin portraitsto keep his belly full of beerand it looked to me like he'd diedand missed the plane to heavenbut he was a nice ol' guyfor a younger manhe had a jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-32759210634956344982009-04-17T18:33:00.004-04:002009-04-17T19:14:29.644-04:00Conversations with AdamI have been thinking how one goes about capturing this moment, this very second that is forever locked in the present. Whether it be through words, music, picture, all the above, I have been engrossed in finding a way to preserve and create a fragrance out of this moment. Would I wear it? Does it matter as long as it is this second?What would your ear hear if you took it off and threw it down thejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-66407785584107672152009-04-14T13:21:00.005-04:002009-06-04T10:20:14.514-04:00Easter ChallengeSo in my Easter lament I threw out a challenge to look at the disciples and see what changed in their life. I have to admit that I have slacked in this challenge for the most part but this is one observation that I had while reading Matthew. Here is the passage:Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, "jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-60060935659039554832009-04-14T12:54:00.002-04:002009-04-14T13:06:59.967-04:00Good MorningRandom cough coming from living room.Roll over remembering a friend spent the night.Light from the dawn creeping in through the window.More sound from guest.Wondering what time it is.Here a random alarm clock from some other dorm room.Hate how paper thin the walls are.Roll over again.Pull blankets up.More noise from guest.Wishing guest would shut up.Still wondering what time it is.The alarm is jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-67276780295855696432009-04-13T22:32:00.002-04:002009-04-13T22:41:52.421-04:00SometimesSometimes...I dream about doing life instead of living it...I hate people including you...I wish I had more friends...I wish I didn't have any friends...I long for marriage...I fear the future...I am alone and love it...I am sick of my own thoughts...I crybut only sometimesSometimes...I am excited...I feel the passion burning inside me...I can't control myself...I drive for hours and tour my own jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-77715532216178809242009-04-12T22:55:00.004-04:002009-04-13T01:24:16.250-04:00Hope for a fucked up world"This ol' world's too fucked up for any firstborn son" - Changes Come Over the RhineAbsolutely love this song at this moment. First heard of Over the Rhine last summer when I got the chance to hear them live. This song was incredible. Mulling over this line this Easter Sunday.Do I really believe that there is hope? Real, tangible, solid hope. Or is it one of my many super idealistic notions jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-66864563339651220982009-04-12T21:08:00.003-04:002009-04-13T01:28:48.025-04:00couch surfingI have a heart for the road. Something deep within me longs, yearns to travel and explore the unknown. Along with this passion to see what is around the corner and past the horizon, I also have the uncanny knack of meeting random people and getting caught up in amazing conversation, even if it's only for the night. Talking with some friends the other night at our local coffee house I was jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-76507628810407302382009-04-02T23:01:00.000-04:002009-04-02T23:02:47.859-04:00new postsSo, I have done some updating and editing of old, unpublished blogs. I don't know if it possible to redo the publish dates, so you may have to do some hunting and fishing. Good luck and good reads.jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-63703756208293645572009-04-02T21:33:00.003-04:002009-04-13T01:40:20.593-04:00Writers writeSitting at dinner tonight with some friends, I was reminded of the complexity of language. Just take a moment to think about the marvelous invention of words. Words convey meaning and thought. Though words we can have relationship with other humans and even animals to a slightly less degree. Because of written language, you are reading this blog and know what I am saying. We have the jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-1519013654099281202009-03-13T22:27:00.004-04:002009-04-13T01:32:24.803-04:00survival storeJust finished reading Time magazine's article, 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1884779,00.html Much to consider. While I may at some point discuss my thoughts on the new Calvinism, I wish to explore another idea, that being the survival store. The vision they described is "a place where you can get the goods you need — low-cost food, jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-75970458751163521922009-02-27T23:54:00.003-05:002009-04-02T22:37:19.337-04:00NuwandaSo I am watching The Dead Poets Society, and as always when I watch this movie, I am feeling something inside me rise up. I am feeling invigorating, alive. I want to take over the world!....just kidding. But really I feeling inspired to do something daring, something thrilling. I want to seize the day!The question remains of what to do. What awaits around the next corner? I honestly don't jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-65923867561549449652009-02-26T22:49:00.002-05:002009-02-26T23:39:34.905-05:00What I am doing this very momentI am sitting here wishing I could write. Ideas pouring through my mind though never quite painting a picture that makes sense to me. It's almost like I am trying to force something. I am remembering the days when I looked at a piece of paper (yes, I was late to the whole technology age) and my hand could barely keep up with all that I wanted, no needed to say. Oh, how I long for those days. jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-56619619169077543352009-02-15T21:57:00.003-05:002009-02-15T22:09:22.650-05:00Living the sloppy life1 Peter 1:13 -16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-29824225301121053732009-02-12T00:40:00.002-05:002009-02-12T00:49:45.839-05:00Jesus is our blueprintSo, I have been reading a book entitled "The Death of the Custodian". It is a small little book that packs a huge punch. I will give a full review when I finish, but something I read tonight triggered my thoughts relating to another blog awhile back. I was exploring whether the New Testament is to be viewed as a blueprint or a case study. Ketcherside, states in his book that the letters whichjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-52777952129946453202009-02-09T23:37:00.002-05:002009-02-09T23:54:27.159-05:00Fighting for solitudeIn a world where people have all but forgotten what silence and solitude is, I will fight for my right to partake of solidarity. If I don't like the song, I can turn off the radio. Sick of the show, change the channel; I do have 200 of them. Bored with the movie, I can always walk out, and even get my money back. Yeah, try it, as long as it's within 30 minutes, you can leave with ease. Therejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-20066987971254745972009-02-06T00:23:00.004-05:002009-02-06T00:53:10.780-05:00AwakeningWinter has overtaken my soul. My heart burns from the bitter cold chill. Whiteness covers the barrenness I used to call my imagination. I long to look up into the stars of the night, looking for inspiration. But my eyes freeze shut. I hear voices from my past as I blindly stumble toward them. I trip and when I pick myself up, I can see. I can see, and I notice that I am no longer in a jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-54827948940209354662009-02-04T19:25:00.003-05:002009-04-02T23:00:09.366-04:00drifterI am a drifter out on an a dead end roadTrying to find my way back......home?I left home when I was 18 never to return. Holidays were spent with the grandparents, not at the place I grew up. The few weekends I did visit were pure hell. During one fight my mom told me she didn't want me there for the summer so I figured I wouldn't burden her anymore than I already did. 18 years was long enoughjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-83858703736022230722009-02-04T11:45:00.003-05:002009-02-26T23:53:57.714-05:00Are you with any particular denomination?I have been asked or heard people ask what denomination I or another group was associated with many times. All separate instances by completely different people. Each time I was with a different group, so the answer varied accordingly. However, each time it was asked there were two common denominators. One, the group asking. Two, the motivation in asking.The group inquiring on the issue has jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-48882192260623261812009-02-03T15:54:00.002-05:002009-02-03T16:00:22.959-05:00Admitting that I am a child is not easy. No, acknowledging that you are immature, foolish, and down right stupid is hard. But that is what I am doing. I am a 28 year old adolescent that longs for the day he grows into manhood. More than anything else, I dream of the day when I look at myself in the mirror and know that I am a man.But to become a man, I need to know what a man is.Where are thejonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-26111373725214592502009-02-02T19:31:00.002-05:002009-02-02T19:46:16.126-05:00Can I speak the gospel?A few years ago I was doing a comedy skit with a bunch of teenagers for camp. We wrote our own skit as we wanted something original. While it mostly was a comedy, we were also going to have a gospel presentation. I as their counselor and also being in Bible college was elected to share the gospel when we performed live. I didn't give it much though as to what I was going to say, I figured jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785058116714190483.post-24545534267206824442009-02-02T19:01:00.002-05:002009-02-02T19:24:03.239-05:00Walking the lineI no longer want to be counted among the simple or the youth or Proverbs 7. I want to be a man, to grow up, to put childish ways behind me. No longer to I want curiosity to control me, but I want to be governed my sense, God's wisdom. Oh, how I long for the wisdom of God. How close can we get to ______ (fill in the blank) without sinning? Reread that question which is so overly used by so manyjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04128053386204493313noreply@blogger.com0