Currently Listening Heartbeat City By The Cars see related

Okay, here's an official apology to anyone (yes, that's both of you) out there who reads this thing. Or ever did. I don't mean to get ahead of myself.

I know it's been a couple of months--school is quite hectic, and time is a precious comodity. I can't guarantee frequent updates or many updates at all, so if there is anything that needs my attention, or any questions you may have for me, please email me at: weaglewilly25@yahoo.com  I usually (okay, all the time) respond to those. I'll consider telling of my week later. I've got a history paper to write on the French/English land conflict for now. Buenas Nochas, Lunas!

Currently Reading Les Miserables see related

Here's my (now) monthly post update. For both of you who still read this. Last night we went to see the Brave's play in Atlanta. The Brave's went 6-23 or something like that in June. Not a great record. The Card's currently lead their division. Not a great chance of the Brave's winning. But, as it turned out, the whole thing was a God thing.

First, Christy Labarr came. That made my night. It's been a while--since Marannook last summer. Sure, these Xanga conversations are great, but there's something about Christy... And I got to meet Dave, one of the most interesting people I know now. And boy, is he NOT SHY!

Next, the Braves won, 14-4. That's the most runs they've scored in a game all year.

Finally, the fireworks they had for the fourth got rained out, so they shot them last night, the fifth. If you facebook, you can see my pictures.

We didn't get in until about 2:00 in the moring, 3:00 Atlanta time. On the way home, I picked up a copy of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," only the most wonderful book turned into musical in the world. Here's an excerpt. Jean Valjean was a prisoner for 19 years, and therefore has a "yellow passport" saying he isn't allowed anything, basically. A priest admits him to his home when no one else will, and gives him his finest.

"Monsieur le Cure," said Valjean, "you are good; you do not despise me. You receive me into your house. You light your candles for me. Yet I have not concealed from you whence I come and that I am an unfortunate man."

To which the priest replied: "And do not thank me; do not say that I receive you in my house. No one is at home here, except the man who needs a refuge. I say to you, who are passing by, that you are much more at home here than I am myself. Everything here is yours. What need have I to know your name? Besides, before you told me you had one which I knew."

The man opened his eyes in astonishment.

"Really? You knew what I was called?"

"Yes," replied the Bishop, "you are called my brother."

I offer this to say, this is precisely what Christ did for us. Because of our sin, we are no longer fit for communion with God, but he has transputed Christ's righteousness to us, which makes us heirs of the Kingdom, brothers, in a sense. I love the entire book, and its pictures of forgiveness and sacrifice.

If you couldn't take a hint, the entire night was one of the most perfect I've ever had. Clearly orchestrated by a sovereign Supreme Majesty. "It's a God thing."

Currently Watching Henry V By Derek Jacobi see related

I learned alot about friendship tonight. I really have some great friends, friends who love unconditionally. There was this interesting fact our pastor told us about a study that showed it took guys 5 years to develop close trust friendships. One week at marannook will do that for you. All througout proverbs there are these allusions to friendship:

Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Sometimes friends are there all the time, even when family isn't. I'm glad whoever reads this is there.
Proverbs 18:24
"A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." That's Jesus. That's close.
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." And that's how I want my friends. I hope our relationship is close enough to where you can criticize me, because our friendship is strong enough to take it.

I like this allusion from Shakespeare's Henry V, where he talks of the intimacy of his troops. He says that he would not wish one man more in that company, and if any whished to depart, he could do so with impunity, for Henry would not die in that man's presence. An excerpt from the end:

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
    For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
    Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

Henry points out that he doesn't care for the appearence of condition of the man, for if he were a friend, a brother, one of the happy few, he was all right. That's the way I hope all of you feel, like I feel for you. Friendship is an amazing blessing.

So far, my summer's been really good. We picked Allie up from Marannook last night, except I couldn't go because I had to work. Work's been a big part of my summer. Today, for instance, I'm working from 2-10:30. It gets old somtimes, but I enjoy it for the most part. What do I have planned for the rest of the summer? RYM in July. It's a PCA conference in PC beach. I absolutely love it. Then after I get back I'm going to Atlanta for a few days for a leadership conference from Chick-Fil-A. What fun... I have nothing good to write right now. I didn't get up 'til 12:15 today, so I'm still somewhat groggy. I'll finish later.  

Currently Listening Showstoppers By Barry Manilow Once in love with Amy see related

Allright. After nearly 2 weeks, I'll post again. Here's how my weekend went down:

Thursday mornin, my little band got to play at the end of the year school party. We did a few praise songs (blessed be the name, praise you in this storm, O praise Him, etc.) then some pop and rock stuff. A lot of fun overall. Friday morning, we left for Tumbling Waters campground in Almond, NC. Oh, what natural beauty. Sure, it would take 3 hour hikes, but we got to see some of the coolest sights on earth. We hiked some of the AT, climbed some great lookout towers, I'll try to post some pics.

One of my favorite joys in life is doing just that...communing in God's creation that close to Him. It's radiant and majestic, to use a few, poor descriptions. The sunsets, the views of miles of rugged terrain. Every night the campground "light's out" was about 11, but me and a few friends were given permission to walk down the road in complete darkness--there were no streetlights-- and we just sat and looked at the stars and sang praise songs and hymns. We sang alot of Nook songs, actually. It's just what my soul needs--close interaction with other strong believers, praising God for who he is and what he's done in our life. There were about 35 people total (7 or 8 families) and one night, for instance we just went around the campfire and everyone had to quote a verse or passage that has somehow affected their life. Again- it's amazing to hear that many people quote that much Scripture from memory. God is so awesome!