theBlackPrince's Xanga

Colorado

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:24:48 GMT

With a title like that, I know this post will be good.

So, already, from the time I've gotten here, I have:

Enjoyed the wonderful mild temperatures (not too hot, not too cold).
Been invited to go skiing (hehe, only in Colorado)
Had good Mexican Food (don't have that back East)
Drove past a herd of cute baby Bison with their parents (Don't you do that everyday?)
Started to write a speech that I'm giving tomorrow (just like college)
Plan on seeing the Flying W Wranglers and the VonTrapp singers (that should be an interesting concert)
And doubled the number of kids at home (everyone else is either married or in Central America)
Last but not at all least: been able to spend some time with mom and dad (love them).

And this is just having been here for 12 or so hours (and the majority of those were sleeping, hehe).

SUMMER UPDATE:
LOG: This last year work has had me travel to: WI, SC, GA, CO, CA, MN, FL, WI, and CO. Oh and lots of DC. (Still going to: GA)
Weddings have had me at: AZ, VA, TX, VA. (Still going to: MI & OK).
Also on calendar: Southern VA for King's Dominion, IN and MI for church conference (and possibly VERY EAST VA for a day with the ponies.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:52:51 GMT

Last Night was the happiest night of my life. I have the loveliest bride-to-be.

*Edit*
-------------------------
Someone computer-jacked my computer... I am not really engaged, sorry for any confusion.

Prayer

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:07:24 GMT

I am in Texas today. But the power of prayer struck me while driving though the heart of Dallis. A dear friend (who I'm not going to tell you his name, because he was just elected student body pres. and I don't want to hurt his political career ), called me and prayed with me right then on the phone. That is just one example of the support of friends, who keep God and the center.

It reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns that reminds us that we are the body of Christ:

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

It is true that we are the body, and I am blessed to have friends and family who are His hands and shoulders, who point me to God and lift me up to the Throne. Prayer is powerful. Both praying for others, and praying with others.

Prince Caspian

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:10:58 GMT

When I saw The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I thought, "Well, that is not how I imagined it," but it was enjoyable. When I saw Prince Capian, I thought, "Wow, that was better than I imagined it."

It was not the book on screen. It was the story on the screen. I was first introduced to the books at about 1 and a half years of age when my mom would read them to me as I bounced up and down in the Johnny-Jump-Up. I loved them and still do. I was quite blessed to have my imagination ignited with the world of Narnia, so I tracked with Peter when he stepped into a place that "you may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember..." I also think they powerfully related the struggle of being submissive to those over you (including God) when we have our own opinions and ideas that we don't want to give up. Peter wanted to do the best he could and did not take the time to passionately pursue God for guidance and because of that he was weakened when he faced other struggles not to mention how it effected others whose fathers and sons would never come back. Peter's story teaches us so much about the nature of sin.

There is so much more, but I will just summarize. I loved Susan's character development. Lucy's acting was astounding. Peter's character was very strong and grew though several powerful scenes. Edmond was strong. I liked the way they based the civilization on the Spanish. It was very rich, and Caspian's character grew out of that very well.
In closing I do not think I can wrap up my thoughts without mentioning the good bye scene at the end. As I watched it I had the same feel that I had when I saw the Return of the King. When they are at the Grey Havens wishing dear friends good bye. I am going to miss you, dear friends, this summer. I love you and will be praying for you. And I am inspired by the thought that Peter and Caspian do meet again. Because for Christians we should not "be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are [brothers and sisters in Christ]."*

Anyway, these are a few thoughts from a non-movie person who knows little to nothing about literature. Take it with a grain of salt.

*Richard Bach

Monday, April 21, 2008

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:10:48 GMT

This is a challenge that I think all should take to heart. I read this today from Prison Fellowship Ministries:

***************************
BREAKPOINT DAILY TRANSCRIPT
***************************

Out of the Pew
Becoming a World Changer

April 17, 2008

If your church disappeared tomorrow, would your local community even notice? Would it be missed? What vital, world-redeeming tasks would be left undone?

You might ask yourself the same haunting question: If you were to exit the drama of life stage right this very evening, what difference would it make? Think about this question for a moment, while I tell you about the life of one man who did make a difference because he changed the course of history.

If you are a regular “BreakPoint” listener, or if you have seen the wonderful film AMAZING GRACE, then the name William Wilberforce is familiar to you. Few men have changed history as profoundly as this British statesman. His deep commitment to live out the Gospel led him to wage a monumental, 18-year campaign to end the British slave trade. This was at the end of the 18th century, when the British Parliament was virtually owned by slave-trading interests. It was David versus Goliath.

Yet this one man made a difference. If Wilberforce had never lived, Britain’s slave trade might have gone on decades longer, at the cost of thousands upon thousands of lives.

But it was not just the slave trade that he impacted, as I wrote in my new book, THE FAITH. Had Wilberforce never lived, some 60 charities would not have been founded or aided by his efforts. Crucial prison reforms may never have occurred. You never would have heard of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The British and Foreign Bible Society would not have spread the Gospel. In short, had Wilberforce not lived, his community and humanity would be much poorer for it.

So back to you and your church: Are you simply minding your own business or just caring for the needs within the four walls of the church building? Or does your Christianity have legs and arms, as well as heart and mind? When Wilberforce first converted to Christ, his life-long friend William Pitt -- the youngest Prime Minister in English history -- reminded him, “Surely the principles as well as the practice of Christianity are simple and lead not to meditation only, but to action.”

To follow Christ’s teaching means to bring that teaching to life. It means that you and I need to be change-agents. That is why I want to encourage you to check out a new book, BE A WORLDCHANGER: LIVE TO SERVE, authored by Pastor Walt Kallestad and Bob Beltz, who helped develop and produce AMAZING GRACE. In it you will read stories of world-changers past and present. You will see the connection between William Wilberforce’s campaign against the slave trade and Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.

A five-week small-group study, “Be a World Changer,” is included in the book. And you will find film clips for the small-group study guide on the AMAZING GRACE DVD. The study culminates in helping to get you and your small group actively engaged in serving the needs of your community through a “Serve Day.”

All of us would do well to take Pitt’s words to Wilberforce to heart: not just to meditate on Christianity, but to live it out in the world -- and to change the world in the process.

4,000

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:11:49 GMT

US military Iraq toll hits 4,000

The number of United States military personnel killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion five years ago has passed the 4,000 mark.

The sad thing is that that number is five years of war. In five days of peace 20,000 babies are slain.

Abortion kills as many in a day as a war has killed in five years.

Church

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:01:30 GMT

I love church. Yesterday is no exception. To quote Veggie Tales:

"I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob."

I was thinking that I cannot think of a church that I've been to that I didn't criticize, but also fully enjoy... I thought that was an interesting thought.

Invite

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:49:49 GMT

Invitation has a very strong hold on our culture. People do not want to impose on each other, these days, so a specific invitation is needed. What got me thinking about this was a conversation I had about a week ago. I was talking with a friend and told him to just come over to my place some time. He responded with insight and tact. He told me to remind him sometime. In other words, he was saying, give me a real, specific invitation. A general invite does not seem to alleviate the feeling of imposition. The new lesson I have learned is that, if I want someone to feel welcome, I should invite them.

Who Are You

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:32:35 GMT

Yesterday Pastor Brady asked, "Who are you?"

He then read from Galatians 4:4-7.

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

He then asked again who we are.

I am Jeremiah, son of God!
I am _______, son of God!
I am _______, daughter of God!

That is why Christ came to Earth as a baby. That is why we celebrate.

PS I added links to the last post that you may or may not be interested in.

I just got back from a martyr’s funeral.

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:58:52 GMT

Stephanie and Rachel Works were killed at New Life Church ten days ago by a gunman whose motive was hate for Christians. Those girls could have been PHC students, they were the type that everyone looks up to in a homeschool group. They had a heart for God, their family, and their friends. The stories about how they pointed their best friends to God and inspired them to see God's Will manifest in their lives are beautiful.

http://www.koaa.com/aaaa_featured_stories/x178233195
http://www.denverpost.com/snowsports/ci_7761443
http://www.newlifechurch.org/nln.jsp?id=21