Well, here it is. New Year's Eve. 2005 is about six and a half hours away.
2004 was a good year. Made new friends and got closer to the old ones. Laughed (too many times to even consider counting). Cried (just enough to keep me human). Read. Wrote. Grew- in faith, in character, in height (I have now reached the very respectable height of 5'10").
There were highs and lows. I look back at the highs and smile fondly. They are many. Our Town. Granite State Challenge. Travelling over the summer. Angels, Inc. I look back on the lows (although not too often- I try not to look back on them because it counts for nothing in the future). They made me stronger and enriched my character, and for that I am grateful.
Am I going to make a New Year's resolution? Not really. I never intentionally keep them. So all I pray is that I will continue to grow in faith, in character- but maybe not in height. I pray that my friendships will continue to grow and mature, and never fail. I pray that, as Bob Marley said, the power of love will overcome the love of power, and that then the world will know peace. Wars have been going on for too long.
I also pray that you- yes, you, the person reading this blog- will grow. If you don't know Christ, I pray that He will lead you close to Him. Faith is the greatest joy and peace any person could ever know. I pray that you will be a person of great character in your dealings with other people and when you are alone, too. Learn kindness, patience, goodness, loyalty, honesty, self control. Learn to love, above all. World peace won't happen if the people of the world are not at peace in their day-to-day relationships.
This is getting a bit philosophical. I'll leave off before I start contradicting myself and rambling. God bless you, and have a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Food for Thought
-Good times are even better when they're shared.
-A good long talk can cure almost anything.
-Everyone needs someone with whom to share her secrets.
-Listening is just as important as talking.
-An understanding friend is better than a therapist- cheaper too!
-Laughter makes the world a happier place.
-Friends are like wine; they get better with age.
-A friend is someone who believes in you even when you have ceased to believe in yourself.
-Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on.
-Gems may be precious, but friendship is priceless.
-There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!
-When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one that has been opened for us.
-Don’t go for looks, they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth, for even that can pass away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it only takes a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile.
-Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you only have one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
-May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to keep you happy.
-The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes their way.
-The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
-When you were born, you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Live your life so that, at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
-I love you, not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.
-No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is won't make you cry.
-Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
-A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
-The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.
-Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
-To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
-Don't waste your time on a man/woman who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
-Maybe we're supposed to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful.
-Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
-There are always going to be people that hurt you, so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.
-Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try to know someone else and expect them to know you.
-Don't try so hard. The best things come when you least expect them to.
-Whatever happens, happens for a reason.
-Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
-Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
-Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
-Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
-If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
-If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
-It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
-Never buy a car you can't push.
-Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.
-Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
-The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late.
-When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
-Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
-You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
-Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
-Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
-We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
-A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
-Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.
-“Be who you are, say how you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~Dr. Seuss
-“A friend will visit you in jail. A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting beside you in jail laughing hysterically and saying, “That was AWESOME!””
-“A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked.”
-“When you love someone, all your saved- up wishes start coming out.” ~Elizabeth Bowen
-“There are two ways you can live. You can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein
-A good long talk can cure almost anything.
-Everyone needs someone with whom to share her secrets.
-Listening is just as important as talking.
-An understanding friend is better than a therapist- cheaper too!
-Laughter makes the world a happier place.
-Friends are like wine; they get better with age.
-A friend is someone who believes in you even when you have ceased to believe in yourself.
-Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on.
-Gems may be precious, but friendship is priceless.
-There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!
-When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one that has been opened for us.
-Don’t go for looks, they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth, for even that can pass away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it only takes a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile.
-Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you only have one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
-May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to keep you happy.
-The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes their way.
-The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
-When you were born, you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Live your life so that, at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
-I love you, not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.
-No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is won't make you cry.
-Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
-A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
-The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.
-Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
-To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
-Don't waste your time on a man/woman who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
-Maybe we're supposed to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful.
-Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
-There are always going to be people that hurt you, so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.
-Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try to know someone else and expect them to know you.
-Don't try so hard. The best things come when you least expect them to.
-Whatever happens, happens for a reason.
-Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
-Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
-Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
-Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
-If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
-If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
-It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
-Never buy a car you can't push.
-Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.
-Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
-The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late.
-When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
-Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.
-You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
-Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
-Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
-We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box.
-A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
-Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.
-“Be who you are, say how you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~Dr. Seuss
-“A friend will visit you in jail. A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting beside you in jail laughing hysterically and saying, “That was AWESOME!””
-“A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked.”
-“When you love someone, all your saved- up wishes start coming out.” ~Elizabeth Bowen
-“There are two ways you can live. You can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein
Friday, December 10, 2004
Funny Quotes
"God created a few perfect people. The rest he made right-handed."
"People are so inevitably crazy that not to be crazy would be to give a mad twist to craziness." ~Blaise Pascal
"My fellow Americans, I am pleased to announce that I have just signed the new legislation outlawing Russia. The bombing will start in five minutes." ~Ronald Reagan
"I'm proud to be called a pig. It stands for pride, integrity, and guts." ~Ronald Reagan
"To err is human. To really screw things up you need a computer."
"There are two kinds of people. One kind wakes up and says "Good morning, Lord!" The other kind wakes up and says, "Good Lord, it's morning!"
"A friend will call you in jail. A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you in jail laughing hysterically and saying "THAT WAS AWESOME!""
"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though they know you are slightly cracked."
"People are so inevitably crazy that not to be crazy would be to give a mad twist to craziness." ~Blaise Pascal
"My fellow Americans, I am pleased to announce that I have just signed the new legislation outlawing Russia. The bombing will start in five minutes." ~Ronald Reagan
"I'm proud to be called a pig. It stands for pride, integrity, and guts." ~Ronald Reagan
"To err is human. To really screw things up you need a computer."
"There are two kinds of people. One kind wakes up and says "Good morning, Lord!" The other kind wakes up and says, "Good Lord, it's morning!"
"A friend will call you in jail. A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you in jail laughing hysterically and saying "THAT WAS AWESOME!""
"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even though they know you are slightly cracked."
Monday, December 06, 2004
Thought du Jour
A quote for the day:
"Only choose in marriage a man whom you would choose as a friend if he were a woman." ~Joseph Joubert
Some of my friends have been trying to convince me why it would be to my advantage to get a boyfriend. Now, I don't mind their meddling- they want the best for me, of that I am sure- but I have been quite happy for the last 15 years without one.
I have my standards for boyfriends. I want someone who values me for who I am, and takes pride in who I am and what I do. I want someone who doesn't want to change me- who likes me just the way I am. I want someone loyal, honest, and trustworthy. Intelligence is nice, a sense of humor is a must, good looks is obviously always a plus. Personal interests should match mine enough that we don't bicker over everything. Above all, he should be a friend, as much as a boyfriend. I want someone who treats me with respect, as an equal human being, if he doesn't put me on the pedestal that I think all women deserve to be on. Courtesy and chivalry should not be dead to him. More than anything, he has to be a Christian who both talks the talk and walks the Walk. Words are meaningless without actions behind them.
I know that sounds like a superman, but I don't think it is unreasonable. Obviously I'm willing to bend a little bit, but not too much. I know there are guys out there like that. All you need is faith and time.
An author I like, Tamora Pierce, described the relationship between two of her characters like this:
"It's hard to describe a relationship like theirs to people, because most of us were raised to think love is fire, passion, and prolonged bouts of giddiness and strained emotions. The quieter kind of love looks kind of boring on the surface, even cool-hearted. Nobody wants that at first. Some people never learn how wonderful it is to be friends with a lover or a spouse, to know that here is someone you can be yourself around, and they will love you anyway, sometimes not in spite of your worse characteristics, but because of them. That kind of lover will stay with you through thick and thin, will make you feel valued always, and will make any disastrous occasion seem less so because you are with that person."
I don't know about you, but I like the sound of that.
"Only choose in marriage a man whom you would choose as a friend if he were a woman." ~Joseph Joubert
Some of my friends have been trying to convince me why it would be to my advantage to get a boyfriend. Now, I don't mind their meddling- they want the best for me, of that I am sure- but I have been quite happy for the last 15 years without one.
I have my standards for boyfriends. I want someone who values me for who I am, and takes pride in who I am and what I do. I want someone who doesn't want to change me- who likes me just the way I am. I want someone loyal, honest, and trustworthy. Intelligence is nice, a sense of humor is a must, good looks is obviously always a plus. Personal interests should match mine enough that we don't bicker over everything. Above all, he should be a friend, as much as a boyfriend. I want someone who treats me with respect, as an equal human being, if he doesn't put me on the pedestal that I think all women deserve to be on. Courtesy and chivalry should not be dead to him. More than anything, he has to be a Christian who both talks the talk and walks the Walk. Words are meaningless without actions behind them.
I know that sounds like a superman, but I don't think it is unreasonable. Obviously I'm willing to bend a little bit, but not too much. I know there are guys out there like that. All you need is faith and time.
An author I like, Tamora Pierce, described the relationship between two of her characters like this:
"It's hard to describe a relationship like theirs to people, because most of us were raised to think love is fire, passion, and prolonged bouts of giddiness and strained emotions. The quieter kind of love looks kind of boring on the surface, even cool-hearted. Nobody wants that at first. Some people never learn how wonderful it is to be friends with a lover or a spouse, to know that here is someone you can be yourself around, and they will love you anyway, sometimes not in spite of your worse characteristics, but because of them. That kind of lover will stay with you through thick and thin, will make you feel valued always, and will make any disastrous occasion seem less so because you are with that person."
I don't know about you, but I like the sound of that.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Praise God (Psalm 150)
"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre,
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with the resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."
(Psalm 150: 1-6)
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre,
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with the resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."
(Psalm 150: 1-6)
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Letter from PIF: If We Could Give You A Gift
I got this letter from a Christian band called Paid in Full over their email newsletter...Read, contemplate, and Enjoy!
If we could give you a gift ...
The stores are filled with shoppers clawing over each other to get that perfect gift. What are you going to get? What do you want?
If we could give you a gift we would give you Hope.
It just seems to us that there's not a whole lot of hope around lately. In fact, we recently had someone tell us that our music is not depressing enough for her.
There are a ton of emo artists out there singing about how tough life is and why things suck so bad. We can identify with some of their music because we've all been there. Life isn't easy. But, we don't want to focus on that stuff. We'd rather focus on Hope.
Hope is what makes us go on. It's what pulls us out of bed everyday. Hope is what gets us through the toughest times and rotten situations.
Some of you reading this just like our music but you're not all that into "God stuff." Maybe you've been burned by a church or turned off by some "Christian" who has imposed a set of legalistic, performance-based dogmas on you. Or maybe you just watch tv and you see angry "Christians" marching and screaming and you don't want any part of that. Frankly, neither do we. The Hope we would give you as a gift would not be hope in any of these man-made institutions. We'd introduce you to the author of Hope.
Is there anything we can do to persuade you to look directly at Jesus? Is there anything we can say to get you to look past all the weird stuff people do in His name and look directly at Him?
Have you ever had someone trash talk about you behind your back? Ever have someone misrepresent you to others? Don't you wish you had the chance to have people make decisions about you based on what they've found through interacting with you directly? Jesus wants, Jesus deserves, that same chance. We're convinced that if you look into His words and His life directly that you will be impacted by Hope.
This Christmas we pray that you might consider the Jesus that we know. Consider the Jesus that never forced himself on people; never demanded his rights. Consider the Jesus who spoke words of love and forgiveness to whores, cheats, drunks and politicians alike. Consider the Jesus who called to fisherman, accountants, doctors and tradesmen to follow him. Consider the Jesus who went to the cross. Discover His mission.
May you discover Hope this Christmas season. May you look past all the trappings and look directly at Jesus Christ.
Peace,
Josh, Swiff, Joe and James
If we could give you a gift ...
The stores are filled with shoppers clawing over each other to get that perfect gift. What are you going to get? What do you want?
If we could give you a gift we would give you Hope.
It just seems to us that there's not a whole lot of hope around lately. In fact, we recently had someone tell us that our music is not depressing enough for her.
There are a ton of emo artists out there singing about how tough life is and why things suck so bad. We can identify with some of their music because we've all been there. Life isn't easy. But, we don't want to focus on that stuff. We'd rather focus on Hope.
Hope is what makes us go on. It's what pulls us out of bed everyday. Hope is what gets us through the toughest times and rotten situations.
Some of you reading this just like our music but you're not all that into "God stuff." Maybe you've been burned by a church or turned off by some "Christian" who has imposed a set of legalistic, performance-based dogmas on you. Or maybe you just watch tv and you see angry "Christians" marching and screaming and you don't want any part of that. Frankly, neither do we. The Hope we would give you as a gift would not be hope in any of these man-made institutions. We'd introduce you to the author of Hope.
Is there anything we can do to persuade you to look directly at Jesus? Is there anything we can say to get you to look past all the weird stuff people do in His name and look directly at Him?
Have you ever had someone trash talk about you behind your back? Ever have someone misrepresent you to others? Don't you wish you had the chance to have people make decisions about you based on what they've found through interacting with you directly? Jesus wants, Jesus deserves, that same chance. We're convinced that if you look into His words and His life directly that you will be impacted by Hope.
This Christmas we pray that you might consider the Jesus that we know. Consider the Jesus that never forced himself on people; never demanded his rights. Consider the Jesus who spoke words of love and forgiveness to whores, cheats, drunks and politicians alike. Consider the Jesus who called to fisherman, accountants, doctors and tradesmen to follow him. Consider the Jesus who went to the cross. Discover His mission.
May you discover Hope this Christmas season. May you look past all the trappings and look directly at Jesus Christ.
Peace,
Josh, Swiff, Joe and James
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