“the father of lies comes to kill and destroy all my hopes of being good enough. i hear him say-’cursed are the ones who can’t abide’. he’s right. hallelujah, he’s right. the devil is preaching the song of the redeemed: that i am cursed and gone astray. i cannot gain salvation. if the penalty of sin is death, then death is mine. the devil’s singing over me an age old song: that i am cursed and gone astray. he’s singing the first verse so conveniently, but he’s forgotten the refrain: JESUS SAVES. HE’S REDEEMED ME FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW.”
JANUARY 20, 2009. January 20, 2010
“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor — who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
GRACE. January 10, 2010
“when nothing is owed, deserved, or expected, your life doesn’t change by the man who’s elected.“
CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK. December 28, 2009
my hope is built on nothing less than jesus’ blood and righteousness. i dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on jesus’ name.
on christ the solid rock i stand. all other ground is sinking sand.
when darkness seems to hide his face, i rest on his unchanging grace. in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
on christ the solid rock i stand. all other ground is sinking sand.
his oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood. WHEN ALL AROUND MY SOUL GIVES WAY, HE THEN IS ALL MY HOPE AND STAY.
on christ the solid rock i stand. all other ground is sinking sand.
when he shall come with trumpet sound. oh may i then in him be found. dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
on christ the solid rock i stand. all other ground is sinking sand.
HEART CHECK. December 26, 2009
“do my hands actually touch what nobody else wants to touch? am i with those people that no one else wants to be around?
these are the greatest ills of the church today: we don’t touch those that nobody else wants to touch. we tend to just touch the ones we want to touch.
i’ll be honest, two weeks ago, i failed at this completely. and i’m going to confess to you. i’m talking to this guy, and i love talking to people that make me laugh or like to talk about sports. because i get something from them. and i saw someone coming and i was going to have to give something. it was going to cost me to be around them. and this is what i did. i used my phone as a crutch to not talk to this person. i started studying this passage and had to go to that guy and tell him, “i’m sorry. i totally used this phone as a tool to not love you. and i’m sorry.”"
-does the bible bore you, todd nighswonger.
REND December 22, 2009
even now, return to me, with nothing less than your wounded, broken heart. cling to me, your gracious king. be shattered glass of empty jars. and rend. rend, rend, rend. rend your hearts.
December 18, 2009
“if god is truly god, he is sovereign-over all things, over all decisions. if god is truly god, then he chooses who goes to heaven and who doesn’t.” -rc sproul.
December 15, 2009
“what good does it do to speak learnedly about the trinity if, lacking in humility, you displease the trinity? i would rather feel contrition that know how to define it. for what would it profit us to know the whole bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without the grace and love of god? vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love god and serve him alone.”-thomas kempis.
I WANT IT ALL. December 10, 2009
use me, break me, waste me on you, lord
ruin me, take me, waste me on you
for to die is to live
to starve is to feast
and less of me is more of jesus
lord, i want it all
lord, i want it all
if i lose my life
i gain everything
and at the cross
away with all death’s sting
lord, i want it all
lord, i want it all
there is power in the blood
there is victory in jesus
come in power, wash me clean
overwhelm me with your presence
there is power in the blood
there is victory in jesus
help me glory in the cross
help me find my gain in loss
HOW TO COME OUT TO YOUR PARENTS. December 7, 2009
How To Come Out To Your Parents
By: Amy Scott, English 439V/WGST 430C
When it’s time to leave, don’t cry.
Say to your boyfriend, “I don’t know if you should be there
when I tell them.”
Tell him you’ll call when it’s all over.
Drive with the radio silent.
Hear your own voice rehearsing lines.
Remember why you have to do this.
Note your mother’s excitement to see you along with
your father’s puzzlement.
See the wetness your sweaty palm leaves on the car door
as you slam it shut.
Wonder if your father will hug you so solidly
after you tell him.
Drink coffee, listen to your mother describe the fight
between her and her best friend at Book Club.
Remember when her best friend’s son called you a fag.
Raise your eyebrows at appropriate times in her story.
Laugh at others.
Notice how your father pours brandy into his mug
then covers it with coffee.
Say, “Actually, I came home because
I have something to tell you.”
See your mom’s head tilt, inviting you to explain.
Look down at the floor, then decide that
eye contact will force necessary courage out of you.
Look up and clench your stomach.
Say, “I’ve wanted to say this for a long time.
I’m gay. And I live with my boyfriend,
his name is Sam.”
Stare at your parents staring back at you.
Feel the need to babble and fill the silence,
but resist.
When your father’s hand tightens on his mug,
put your own flat on the table.
Notice that your palms are dry.
Say, “Please say something, Mom.”
Try hard not to beg for forgiveness,
even though you haven’t done anything wrong.
Watch your parents look at each other with unreadable eyes.
Try to see yourself as they do, sitting upright at the table
where you brought your first girlfriend for dinner.
Remember the confusion you felt, liking her
but not really liking her.
Hear your mother say, “When did this happen?”
Memorize the pain on your father’s face
as he pushes his chair back and walks away.
Feel your mother’s hands on yours, grabbing tight.
Hear her say, “Don’t worry. He just needs time.”
Think about the time you’ve spent waiting for this,
worrying and drawing strength from your lover,
Sam, who came out to his parents last year.
Call Sam on the phone, with your mother holding your hand.
Tell him, “The cat’s out of the bag. It went OK.”
Hear your father pull out of the driveway, listen to the
squeal of his tires when he peels out down the street.
Ly in bed, watching the streetlights turn off one by one.
Wish that Sam was next to you, stroking your cheek
with two fingers like he always does.
Let the weight on your chest float up,
so thick you can actually see it.
Hear your father pull into the driveway.
Stay still when he comes to stand in your doorway.
Keep your eyes closed for the minutes that he watches you.
Feel his footsteps on the wood floor as he comes closer,
standing next to your bed. Feel
his hand brush your cheek once, twice.
Listen to him walk away, down the hall,
to lie in bed with the one he loves.
