God is Not a Secret

Made for Each Other

2011-05-09T18:33:00.002-04:00

"I've learned that goodbyes will always hurt,
pictures will never replace being there,
memories good or bad will bring tears,
& words can never replace the feelings."

...There's a heart out there for each of us. And we've all been there... We've all spent childhood days dreaming of when our heart will meet its match. We've all been mistaken a time or two in thinking we've found it.

Eventually, we do find it. Our heart. Not the one that we were born with, but one that was made for us.

We toy with the idea before we become sure of it. We watch that heart with a degree of jealousy, which is unfounded as we haven't yet claimed it. We put off claiming it, out of caution or fear or straight-up stubbornness.

Then finally, one day, maybe in a quirky, unlikely, even uncanny way, our two hearts find their way to each other. Perhaps they're thrown together, or trip into each other.

But from the moment those hearts join, life is better. Everything is instantly viewed on a new, grand, fantastic level. Even the smallest things. But especially each other.

Yes, when those hearts join, they sing. <3

I love...

2010-04-29T09:32:00.004-04:00

This is the result of too much downtime between classes. I made a list. :]

I love:
*Rainstorms in the summer.
*Campfires.
*Sitting around campfires way too late at night, having conversations way deeper than should probably be had at that hour.
*People who get me. There are few.
*Summer nights at the drive-in.
*SUMMER
*The first real, inches-stacking-up snow of the winter.
*My friends teasing me. Mark of a true friend. Mostly. lol
*Steven Curtis Chapman songs. Best love songs, worship songs, life songs ever.
*Skillet concerts.
*Driving by myself so I can blast any music as loud as I want, with the windows down.
* MUSIC <3
*newsboys concerts, ESPECIALLY back when it was Peter, Phil, Paul, Duncan, and Jeff. 2006-ish. Good. Times.
*Laughing at condescending people who think they're cool.
*Realizing I truly don't care what people think of me.
*Pride & Prejudice. While You Were Sleeping. Runaway Bride.
*My mom, aka Lorelai (as in Gilmore). She's the best.
*My daddy, my knight in shining armor. He's also the best.
*My hair. I'm sorry, I know that's incredibly vain.
*Hoodies. Best article of clothing ever invented.
*Cargo pants. A close second.
*Encampment 08. Don't ask me why. Absolute insanity but the best ever.
*Camping. Real camping. Not hiding out in a cabin making shake-n-pour pancakes on a camp stove set up on a counter.
*Dressing up like a pirate and going to the drive-in to see Pirates 2. :D

Another School Shooting...

2009-05-06T18:44:00.004-04:00

I caught a bit of the news last night, tuning in just in time to see that there had been an in-school suicide in Canandaigua. It's no secret that school shootings -- homicide, suicide, or both -- have become common. Since the infamous Columbine tragedy, none have been quite so memorable. They all blur together in history, one after another.

When school officials were asked what they would do to handle the situation, their response was the same as that of so many others in similar situations: raise the security.

Raising the Security

American society seems to have developed a knee-jerk response to sin. If someone was irresponsible or committed a crime with a firearm, we must take away guns from all private owners. If teenagers have sex and wind up pregnant? Well, we should give girls birth control and abortions, to hide the evidence of their sin. If a stressed-out highschooler takes out his pent-up anger by massacring his school... we should counsel surviving students on how it wasn't their fault, and tighten security to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I wonder when we'll realize that treating the symptoms doesn't free us of the problem? "If guns are outlawed, then only the outlaws will have guns," I'm sure you've all heard. Helping teens cover up their actions, making the result more pleasant and livable, only teaches them that they can get away with it. And if the unstable student has decided to end his life or commit murder, he'll do so inside or outside the school.

By one man, sin entered the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. (Rom. 5:12)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)

The movie Time Changer teaches a valuable lesson. When a relatively naive gentleman from the 1800s time-travels to our modern world, he is appalled to see the degradation of morals and ethics people are living by. He finally realizes why: When you teach morals without God, morals for the sake of morals, they are meaningless. In other words, when you tell someone "Don't do that!" but are without answer when they challenge "Why not?", your exhortation means nothing.

The heart is where sin originates. Sure, we can put on a good act. We can control our behavior, and in some cases, others can even control it for us. But if our heart attitude is sinful, then curbing our outward actions won't last. Mankind has a sin nature. We need an inner change -- a heart change.

Since will power obviously isn't enough, we can't make this change ourselves. Neither can the hurting, depraved people we see around us every day. Our hearts have been corrupted by sin, and the only one who has conquered sin is Jesus Christ. We have to put His morals, His purity, His loving commandments back in the hearts of our people. Only then will we see change.

"Things Guys Should Do for Girls"

2008-04-13T17:11:00.003-04:00

Taken from the Facebook group: "There Are Some Things Guys Should Always Do for Girls. Period." by Dan Marlowe and Justin Sullivan. Black is quoted, green is added.

The following is not a list of rules. They're suggestions to encourage guys to be gentlemen. Take 'em or leave 'em.

0. There are always exceptions to this list. The foundational exception is when you actually talk to the her and she says something different than what is included within this list. These suggestions don't provide you with the holy grail of dating or offer you the Ten Commandments for the Ladies Man, they're simply a push in the right direction for being a gentleman.

1. Open doors when possible - whether it be to a building or the passenger car door. the classic example that's stood the test of time.

3. A man should tolerate the occasional chick flick, musical, opera, or ballet - whatever her preference is - *without* complaining about it! (Because the guy may just like it.)

4. Play one of the songs that would make any woman weep like the little girl she once was (but in a good way). A brief list includes, but certainly isn't limited, to:
"You & Me" by Lifehouse yessss
Anything by Frank Sinatra
Any rendition of "Everything I Do, I Do it for You"
"Collide" by Howie Day
"Out Of My League" by Steven Speaks
And MOST IMPORTANTLY "Question" by the Old 97's (if you propose to a girl with this song, she is putty in your hands).
("Putty in your hands" is not meant to promote "using women" in any way. This group does not encourage guys to be polite in order to get her into bed.)

5. Talk! The strong & silent bit goes from intriguing to boring quite fast. amen.

6. Find out what her favorite flower is and buy them for her randomly (regardless of the situation you might be in). A simple yet profound truth: a single rose says more than dozens of anything else.

7. If you miss her, or love her, TELL HER! Even your friends like to hear it every now & again.

8. Re-enact Zales commercials (the ice is nice but certainly not mandatory). haha

9. Remember: the best gifts you can give are usually free of cost.

10. Leave a note (or send a message) just to say "hi".

13. PRIDE & PREJUDICE ...that's all I have to say about that (I mean, that should speak for itself). (It's even more impressive if he has read the book.) well I won't hold anyone to that, I haven't read the book... but the movie, yes.

15. Learn to dance! hehehehe, or teach us how to dance.

17. When she's sick, stay up with her. If you can cook (which is *always* a plus), make her some soup. If you can't cook, there's Campbell's soup at hand for you.

18. Pretend to throw her in the pool (or fountain/pond). If you really do throw her in, you'd better jump in yourself. **NOTE** There are some women who just hate this apparently, so you had better do two things: 1) Never allow your buddies be a part of it if you're unsure of how she feels about getting thrown in and 2) You had better know how she feels about it!

19. Hold her hand while you talk, drive, or just for the heck of it (it's the small things that win you big points).

21. Stupid jokes = awkwardly adorable moments. so true :D

22. Tickle her, tease her, let her tease you back without getting all bent out of shape about it.

24. Offer her your jacket/sweatshirt. (Note: you may not see that particular item of clothing for a while, if ever again).

25. Don't be too proud to apologize.

26. It's not stalking to watch her sleep if you fall asleep watching a movie. It is stalking to watch her sleep if you're standing outside her window with night vision goggles.

29. Just because you're a guy doesn't mean you are completely incapable of calling when you say you will, it just means you are highly incapable of it. There are few acceptable answers to, "Why didn't you call?", & being male is not one of them.

31. Guys - always offer to pay for the date. No matter how expensive it gets, especially if YOU asked HER on the date. [if she is willing to pay now and again, don't let your "man pride" get in the way of her wanting to give back to you. she should understand money can be tight - especially when you're always buying]

32. Always do everything in your power to keep her as happy as you can. And cheer her up in any way possible. [if she isn't always happy - and i've never met a girl who is - don't be afraid of her and don't be stupid and always, unquestioningly, blame it on PMS. be there WITH her when times are tough and she wants you there.] but don't TELL her you think she's suffering from PMS.

34. At least do everything in your power to keep cursing to a minimum while around her. If you can, cut it out period while around her, or cut it out of your vocabulary. Women don't want to hear it, guys don't care about it, adults don't want to hear it, it doesn't impress employers, and you sure won't want your children or someone else's to hear it!

35. Sometimes you have to take the initiative. Don't always wait for her to come to you, because if that's how it always is, you're going to lose her.

37. If a woman says no, let that be her final answer with maybe one question of confirmation after her first answer. Do not pressure or force her in any way after that. Don't make her give in to something she doesn't want to do.

38. Always be honest with her. No woman wants or likes a dishonest man. If you can't be honest with her, she can't trust you, and shows you don't trust her enough to be honest. Trust, honesty and integrity are just as an integral part of a relationship and just as important as love.

59 Ways to Order a Pizza

2007-12-05T13:49:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, can't wait til we need a pizza ordered for another CAP event. :D
If using a touch-tone, press random numbers while ordering. Ask the person taking the order to stop doing that.

Make up a charge-card name. Ask if they accept it.

Order a Big Mac Extra Value Meal.

Terminate the call with, "Remember, we never had this conversation."

Tell the order taker a rival pizza place is on the other line and you're going with the lowest bidder.

Give them your address, exclaim, "Oh, just surprise me!" and hang up.

In your breathiest voice, tell them to cut the crap about nutrition and ask if they have something outlandishly sinful.

Tell them to put the crust on top this time.

Sing the order to the tune of your favorite song from Metallica's Master of Puppets CD.

Do not name the toppings you want. Rather, spell them out.

Put an extra edge in your voice when you say "crazy bread."

Ask for a deal available somewhere else. (e.g., If phoning Domino's, ask for a Cheeser! Cheeser!)

Ask what the order taker is wearing.

Crack your knuckles into the receiver.

Say hello, act stunned for five seconds, then behave as if they called you.

Rattle off your order with a determined air. If they ask if you would like drinks with that, panic and become disoriented.

Tell the order taker you're depressed. Get him/her to cheer you up.

Change your accent every three seconds.

Order 52 pepperoni slices prepared in a fractal pattern as follows from an equation you are about to dictate. Ask if they need paper.

Start your order with "I'd like. . .". A little later, slap yourself and say, "No, I don't."

If they repeat the order to make sure they have it right, say, "Okay, that'll be $10.99; please pull up to the first window."

Rent a pizza.

Ask if you get to keep the pizza box. When they say yes, heave a sigh of relief.

Put the accent on the last syllable of "pepperoni." Use the long "i" sound.

Have your pizza "shaken, not stirred."

Move the mouthpiece farther and farther from your lips as you speak. When the call ends, jerk
the mouthpiece back into place and scream GOODBYE at the top of your lungs.

Tell them to double-check to make sure your pizza is, in fact, dead.

Imitate the order taker's voice.

Eliminate verbs from your speech.

When they say, "What would you like?"--say, "Huh? Oh, you mean now."

Say it's your anniversary and you'd appreciate if the deliverer hid behind some furniture waiting for your spouse to arrive so you can surprise him/her.

Ask to see a menu.

Say you'll be able to pay for this when the movie people call back.

Ask what topping goes best with well-aged Chardonnay.

Order a slice, not a whole pizza.

Doze off in the middle of the order, catch yourself, and say, "Where was I? Who are you?"

Ask what the pizza place's phone number is. Hang up, and call again.

Order two toppings, then say, "No, they'll start fighting."

Tell the order taker to tell the manager to tell his supervisor he's fired.

Ask for the guy who took your order last time.

Start the conversation with "My Call to Pizza Place, Take 1, and. . . action!"

Ask if the pizza is organically grown.

Ask about pizza maintenance and repair.

Be vague in your order.

When they repeat your order, say, "Again, with a little more OOMPH this time."

If using a touch-tone press 9-1-1 every 5 seconds throughout the order.

Start the conversation by reciting today's date and saying, "This may be my last entry."

Ask if they would like to sample your pizza. Suggest an even trade.

Put them on hold.

Teach the order taker a secret code. Use the code on all subsequent orders.

Make the first topping you order mushrooms. Make the last thing you say, "No mushrooms, please." Hang up before they have a chance to respond.

When the order is repeated, change it slightly. When it is repeated again, change it again. On the third time, say, "You just don't get it, do you?"

When you're given the price, say, "Ooooooo, that sounds complicated. I hate math."

Order term life insurance.

When they say, "Will that be all?"--snicker and say, "We'll find out, won't we?"

Ask how many dolphins were killed to make that pizza.

Dance all around the word "pizza." Avoid saying it at all costs. If (s)he says it, say, "Please don't mention that word."

Order a steamed pizza.

If any of the above practices are rejected by the order taker, say, in your best pouty voice, "Last guy let me do it."

The Best Blond Joke

2007-11-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen this, you really must. Blonds with fragile egos, refrain from clicking the hyperlink to the best blond joke ever.

What it means to be a Cadet ~~~ and a Christian

2007-05-15T13:25:00.001-04:00

Cadet (n): A student in training to become an officer in the Army, Air Force, or Navy.

Cadet is the French word for “younger son.” In earlier times, the oldest son would inherit the father’s property. A younger son, having no property, often chose the Army as a career.

Well, times have changed, haven’t they? Today, the practical meaning of the term “Cadet” could apply to a couple things. It could mean a Cadet in training at the Air Force Academy, West Point, etc. But it could also mean a teenager, in training in a military auxiliary. One such auxiliary is Civil Air Patrol. Cadets range in age from twelve to twenty-one. They learn about aerospace – the science behind aircraft and flying. They learn how to fly, and can attain a pilot’s license. They learn leadership skills, and put them into practice on a daily basis. But most of all, they learn and uphold what it means to wear the Air Force uniform.

When I put on that uniform, I am no longer merely a 14-year-old civilian. It is not simply a few pieces of clothing. It is a symbol of the honor, pride, and bravery of those who have worn the uniform. When I put it on, I represent not only CAP, but the United States Air Force. I am a CAP cadet. As such, this is what it means to be a Cadet.

CAP Core Values:
1. Integrity: My character when no one else is around. Doing what is right, even when no one else will ever know.
2. Respect: I respect and obey authority, I respect subordinates, I respect total strangers who have no bearing on my life whatsoever.
3. Excellence: Rising to the challenge. Giving 110%, even if I absolutely hate the job I’ve been given, and doing it with a good attitude.
4. Volunteer Service: Taking initiative to help out – not necessarily waiting to be asked – with out expectation of reward or recognition. Doing it because it needs to be done. It’s as much about motive as actions.

These are the character traits I am expected to uphold while I’m in uniform. But having good character for two hours a week doesn’t cut it. True, when you’re not in uniform, there may not be anyone looking over your shoulder and keeping you in line. That’s where integrity comes in. Once a Cadet, always a Cadet, 24/7.
You are representing men and women who have died defending our country.
Do not let them down.

*************************************************

A Christian, a follower of God, a believer. If you are a Christian, then you believe that Jesus Christ gave his life to save you, and that he came back to life. You have accepted that gift and given your life to God. Now, what are you going to do about it?

Your family, friends, co-workers, boss, classmates, teachers – they see you as an example of what Christ and Christians are like. There’s no uniform you can wear to let the world know that you’re a Christian. You have to tell them, and actions speak louder than words. Above all, your character matters most. (Integrity!!) People watch the way you live, whether you realize it or not. Don’t conform to the world. It can be something as simple as not following the crowd. It can be hard, but it’s worth it. You, as a Christian, have found something wonderful and lifesaving. Don’t you want to share it?

Behaving and being Godly during Church on Sunday isn’t enough. If you’re a Christian, live like it. 24/7. You are representing God, who’s son died to save you from certain death, and give you a perfect eternal life.
Do not let him down.