They said I'd be a bit tired, yes sir, they all said it down at the plant. I believe I'll have stories to tell to my kin or neighbors later on down the road in life about how I worked in a factory; the life of a factory worker is not a lonely job, for you have many comrades manning the machines, helping you pack the goods (vinyl "profiles" for the processing of windows). I'm not singing "A Hard Day's Night" yet so I'm feeling well, alert, and keen thanks to the Master's hand and provision. I prayed on the steps going down to my room yesterday afternoon, having read the last column in the War Cry, the Salvation Army's monthly newsletter, about fear. The writer wrote, very strikingly to my mind that when one is not praying continually he becomes soft, weak; I understood that any worries I have had about anything should be dealt with in front of God, at His feet, in prayer.
Last night, funny thing, I used my step dad's old small ice chest with the "Real Men Love Jesus" sticker on the front of it, reporting to my first day on the job. I had not really desired to wear my faith "on my sleave" or in this case on my lunch box, but the Lord called me to do it; for the only excuse that I had creaping in the back of my mind was that I shouldn't profess Christ's name in the workplace on the first day of work. What will people say, exclaimed the horrid thought. They would simply have to take it or leave it. And I found out that my supervisor is a Christian, who had come up to me while I was on the job, first making small talk ("Is that you mail Jeep out there...?"), and then he asked, "I saw the sticker on you lunch box." And so we eventually had a discussion at 11:45 PM on the lunch break about Scripture, and even the Somolian co-worker whose father is a minister in east Tacoma joined in. Things happen on God's watch weather you want them to or not.
And now it begins again, my friends. I ought t o go put the coffee in my thermos, drink the joe I have in my cup, check my lunch box with that sticker of inspiration, and drive off down to Fife. May you all have a good night's rest.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Time to buckle up,
Settle down,
Here you are,
Don't look down.
This morning at about I got a call, and before I picked up the ringing phone I knew it would be for me. It was from the recruiting office at Milgard, asking for me to come down to fill out some forms for employment tomorrow morning for the next evening I will be at work. I prayed for a job and now I have one. It is God's will.
I asked many times in the last two months since I returned from my extended post-high school graduation trip to California, "Whatever happens, Lord, it will be your will." It amuses me how my mind works, separating itself from a situation and in turn can make one moment in life seem like the most important thing. I look at the newness which this job brings my way, thinking it is the single event or the only thing in life which matters, and doing that creates a weird feeling in my stomach when I concentrate too much on it. I have found that this feeling is treacherous, false, blindly shallow. It is the simple emotion that is expressed in any event which is outside one's normal bout of life and living life; with this emotion, I dare not travel too far. First day of kindergarten wasn't so bad as I found out a few minutes into it. High school wasn't dream but I managed to learn some things. Earning my driver's license wasn't the elaborate, sophisticated process I had thought it would be. Life brings more than childhood stages, there are difficult ledges to climb on and valor in doing so, and in the graciousness of the Father we are not given a preview of our entire life journey before we're born.
My step dad's father, Al, is in the hospital with many complications, pain, and incoherence. He is 78 and almost completely blind. He has lived with diabetic neuropathy, an eroding of the body's nerves brought on by diabetes; right now he lives his last days on earth closer to the death than some of us, or maybe not. To conquer death not death itself was God's plan. Though we suffer for a while on earth, to suffer in eternity without God is the ultimate sorrow. But Al has been receptive in the example of the gospel, and the last time I had talked with him he seemed as one who has lived through the fire of this world and does not want to walk through the fire of death. Lord, You know Al's heart. Continue to work in his mind, and show him peace in there for the infinite life ahead.
In flesh there's birth,
In flesh there's death,
And then there's life.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
On Peace and Genuine Meaning Found in Christ
"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22).
In sin, one continually is at war with himself and God; there is no lasting peace in wrong doing. The wanderer flees unceasingly. As I said yesterday, of a widely known thought, each man, woman, and child can look heavenward and call out to the Creator and have lasting peace. In my life I ought to take more thought of the advantages which this peace prepares inside of me.
The Christian no longer needs to hunger or thirst for meaning here in this world because he has been fed and watered with the contentment found in Christ. As He said, "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33). Christians needn't any other particular to attain fulfillment inside, as there is no void to fill. When there is no hole there is no need to continue piling on substitutes for the peace he already has. If Christians pine for more, they do so in vain. Nothing else can stop the hunger or quench the thirst as Jesus does. He gives life, but the earth only gives death.
I have been trying to keep active lately, waiting for the test results from Monday to reach Milgard and in turn reach me. A lesson rings out over and over again Johnny Cash's song: "Don't take your guns to town." That's not quite it. The actual lesson for myself is that I must not restrict my ears and eyes to one goal, such as looking to the potentiality an upcoming job, but on all things in life--having broad vision and ambitions. Although, Johnny Cash has a few good points in his Western ballads (like the senselessness of killing, as one music critic pointed out), keeping our focus on the Lord is the best advice we ought to adhere to. Look at Philippians 3:20-21. The apostle Paul wrote to the church:
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
As the latest peace talks unfold between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the new Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas, who have had a few meetings in the "process," we will see how long the potential peace lasts. Each treaty seems to be made to cover the last treaty, and the last treaty for the last. This generational game of flip-flop between each nation is one more accessory which comes with time I suppose; it is never eradicated, for there is always a new conflict that will come along. John Lennon was a dreamer, I will give him that, and he wasn't the only one of the kind he supposed himself to be. But could you imagine peace between nations as the world currently now exists and works? The most effective way to have peace is to have control, something which many dictators and idealist have given a nod to; utopian despotism is the only way a world could attempt to make peace. The idea is you won't have any conflicts if everyone is on the same level. But any government of man is destined to falter.
To Pilate Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36).
In sin, one continually is at war with himself and God; there is no lasting peace in wrong doing. The wanderer flees unceasingly. As I said yesterday, of a widely known thought, each man, woman, and child can look heavenward and call out to the Creator and have lasting peace. In my life I ought to take more thought of the advantages which this peace prepares inside of me.
The Christian no longer needs to hunger or thirst for meaning here in this world because he has been fed and watered with the contentment found in Christ. As He said, "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33). Christians needn't any other particular to attain fulfillment inside, as there is no void to fill. When there is no hole there is no need to continue piling on substitutes for the peace he already has. If Christians pine for more, they do so in vain. Nothing else can stop the hunger or quench the thirst as Jesus does. He gives life, but the earth only gives death.
I have been trying to keep active lately, waiting for the test results from Monday to reach Milgard and in turn reach me. A lesson rings out over and over again Johnny Cash's song: "Don't take your guns to town." That's not quite it. The actual lesson for myself is that I must not restrict my ears and eyes to one goal, such as looking to the potentiality an upcoming job, but on all things in life--having broad vision and ambitions. Although, Johnny Cash has a few good points in his Western ballads (like the senselessness of killing, as one music critic pointed out), keeping our focus on the Lord is the best advice we ought to adhere to. Look at Philippians 3:20-21. The apostle Paul wrote to the church:
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
As the latest peace talks unfold between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the new Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas, who have had a few meetings in the "process," we will see how long the potential peace lasts. Each treaty seems to be made to cover the last treaty, and the last treaty for the last. This generational game of flip-flop between each nation is one more accessory which comes with time I suppose; it is never eradicated, for there is always a new conflict that will come along. John Lennon was a dreamer, I will give him that, and he wasn't the only one of the kind he supposed himself to be. But could you imagine peace between nations as the world currently now exists and works? The most effective way to have peace is to have control, something which many dictators and idealist have given a nod to; utopian despotism is the only way a world could attempt to make peace. The idea is you won't have any conflicts if everyone is on the same level. But any government of man is destined to falter.
To Pilate Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36).
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Seattle, Washington: Down on Alaskan Avenue, on one of the piers there, this was one of the wonderous views to anyone's eyes which have been deprived of the sight of the ships and the bay. I might describe Seattle, or what I have chanced to see in my few trips there, to the gnat's eyebrow, but I'll just say that a good feeling comes over me when I lean out on the railing overlooking the waves and simply stand there for a few minutes. Ah, salt spray!
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"...The word of God is not chained" (2 Timothy 2:9).
"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops;
Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle.
Your carriages were heavily loaded,
A burden to the weary beast" (Isaiah 46:1).
Modern man admires ancient civilizations, the Summerians for their centralized communications and cities, and the Egyptians for their superb mathematics, architecture and magnificent structures such as the pyramids. We are still in awe and are stupified by the mechanics which allowed the ancient Brits to build Stonehenge; we are romanced by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But man is mortal. We who are young should remember that nations rise and nations fall. Old men and women, in general, are more keen about life, for they are proportionally closer to the end of the span of life than the youth are.
Dynasties rise, some linger, and some fade out. The Mayans died out, but the Chinese are abundant. The Germans have had Three Reichs. The Greeks sell islands. John Lennon really digged the idea. Man has been in the game of progress for such a long time, looking to the seas, to the forests, the skies, the stars, the depths of the Universe. In so doing, man has worshiped many things in petions or praise of such things like good harvests and a newborn baby. Gold, silver, wood, mountains, the Sun, the star systems, even the planets have been worshipped. The earth has even been worshipped and is still worshiped by some groups today. Things which have been produced by the goldsmith, silversmith, and craftsmen are carried into homes and miniature shrines still today for the purpose of representing some deity or sacred place; things of man's making have been worshiped. Why not? There's God, and then there are gods. There is the Creator, and there's the creation. If it's all good, then why not call out to everything? To answer this, I will give another question: Does one compliment the casserole or the one who baked it?
It is clear that the dish of food has no feelings, or intelligence, it is not a living thing; it couldn't say 'thank you' even if you praised it for it's succulent taste or fragrance. And it also could not object to you eating it. So therefore it would not be unreasonable if you would praise the thoughtful host who made you the casserole.
To make this entry short, and perhaps to stretch this thought out for a few days, I will note that mankind has the capacity to look heavenward and praise the Lord. It is difficult to assume that all men in the past have known the God all creation by name, but it is well know that His name has been spread worldwide, starting in the beginning, spreading through Jerusalem, and entering many a jungle, forest, desert, and plateau. Bel and Nebo were deities of the Babylonians. But were they really powerful? No, they were dead, useless, pieces of dead weight which needlessly made the cattle weary as they were carried from place to place.
"I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images" (Isaiah 42:8).
"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops;
Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle.
Your carriages were heavily loaded,
A burden to the weary beast" (Isaiah 46:1).
Modern man admires ancient civilizations, the Summerians for their centralized communications and cities, and the Egyptians for their superb mathematics, architecture and magnificent structures such as the pyramids. We are still in awe and are stupified by the mechanics which allowed the ancient Brits to build Stonehenge; we are romanced by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But man is mortal. We who are young should remember that nations rise and nations fall. Old men and women, in general, are more keen about life, for they are proportionally closer to the end of the span of life than the youth are.
Dynasties rise, some linger, and some fade out. The Mayans died out, but the Chinese are abundant. The Germans have had Three Reichs. The Greeks sell islands. John Lennon really digged the idea. Man has been in the game of progress for such a long time, looking to the seas, to the forests, the skies, the stars, the depths of the Universe. In so doing, man has worshiped many things in petions or praise of such things like good harvests and a newborn baby. Gold, silver, wood, mountains, the Sun, the star systems, even the planets have been worshipped. The earth has even been worshipped and is still worshiped by some groups today. Things which have been produced by the goldsmith, silversmith, and craftsmen are carried into homes and miniature shrines still today for the purpose of representing some deity or sacred place; things of man's making have been worshiped. Why not? There's God, and then there are gods. There is the Creator, and there's the creation. If it's all good, then why not call out to everything? To answer this, I will give another question: Does one compliment the casserole or the one who baked it?
It is clear that the dish of food has no feelings, or intelligence, it is not a living thing; it couldn't say 'thank you' even if you praised it for it's succulent taste or fragrance. And it also could not object to you eating it. So therefore it would not be unreasonable if you would praise the thoughtful host who made you the casserole.
To make this entry short, and perhaps to stretch this thought out for a few days, I will note that mankind has the capacity to look heavenward and praise the Lord. It is difficult to assume that all men in the past have known the God all creation by name, but it is well know that His name has been spread worldwide, starting in the beginning, spreading through Jerusalem, and entering many a jungle, forest, desert, and plateau. Bel and Nebo were deities of the Babylonians. But were they really powerful? No, they were dead, useless, pieces of dead weight which needlessly made the cattle weary as they were carried from place to place.
"I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images" (Isaiah 42:8).
Monday, February 28, 2005
Today's Lesson: "Physicals and B#maj7"
Happy Birthday to my brother Jason. He's soaking up the winter down in Modesto, California.
Had some interesting experiences at the health clinic today, being my first check up in a great while andmy first drug screening. I won't elaborate on today's escapades, for they really have no words of wisdom in them; although, one particular physician's disdainful memories of marching band were entertaining for me as the assessment came to a close. He truthly didn't like "band" when he was in 8th grade; and I am sure by the clues that it wasn't his thing, for he made a slightly sneering face when he recalled that it all really consisted of students marching in the rain. "I hated it," he said. Those physicans can be surprising at times. All in all, it was a good visit. The results ought to reach Milgard in a couple days.
I made a stop at the South Hill Library this afternoon and picked up a copy of Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' and the music book The Definitive Jazz Collection. I have quite a good collection of Dylan albums, but evey now and then I feel especially inclined to use the free stuff from our state government's library systems, so the CD's are frequently checked out. I usually check out too many books for one sitting of a month, therefore, many books go back partially read. As for the Jazz book, I took it off the shelf wondering if it had "I've Got Your Under My Skin" as sung by Old Blue Eyes Sinatra, and wonder of wonders it did include the song! But I've discovered I'm an ignoramus when it comes to playing Jazz rhythms or chord changes on the guitar. I must learn this wonderful style of musical delight. I can play a few nice progressions (and if any potential reader cares) like Galt, Cadd9, D9 and other chords which I have no name for.
More to do and learn tomorrow. I must do some more studying in Isaiah and James; the moments of anticipation leading up to this job have taken my other desires, such as reading and studying, away and gained "center stage". Aye, the praying will be plenty abundant this evening!
Had some interesting experiences at the health clinic today, being my first check up in a great while andmy first drug screening. I won't elaborate on today's escapades, for they really have no words of wisdom in them; although, one particular physician's disdainful memories of marching band were entertaining for me as the assessment came to a close. He truthly didn't like "band" when he was in 8th grade; and I am sure by the clues that it wasn't his thing, for he made a slightly sneering face when he recalled that it all really consisted of students marching in the rain. "I hated it," he said. Those physicans can be surprising at times. All in all, it was a good visit. The results ought to reach Milgard in a couple days.
I made a stop at the South Hill Library this afternoon and picked up a copy of Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' and the music book The Definitive Jazz Collection. I have quite a good collection of Dylan albums, but evey now and then I feel especially inclined to use the free stuff from our state government's library systems, so the CD's are frequently checked out. I usually check out too many books for one sitting of a month, therefore, many books go back partially read. As for the Jazz book, I took it off the shelf wondering if it had "I've Got Your Under My Skin" as sung by Old Blue Eyes Sinatra, and wonder of wonders it did include the song! But I've discovered I'm an ignoramus when it comes to playing Jazz rhythms or chord changes on the guitar. I must learn this wonderful style of musical delight. I can play a few nice progressions (and if any potential reader cares) like Galt, Cadd9, D9 and other chords which I have no name for.
More to do and learn tomorrow. I must do some more studying in Isaiah and James; the moments of anticipation leading up to this job have taken my other desires, such as reading and studying, away and gained "center stage". Aye, the praying will be plenty abundant this evening!
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Dipping Into the Word
"Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the LORD, have created it" (Isaiah 45:8).
Salvation came a while back. It's still knocking, too. When it came it came with such a humble entrance, sound words, self-sacrifice by the carpenter called Christ, and by the "first fruits" of His life by conquering death. And by my study here, He continually mention the coming of salvation to the people of Israel; an overwhelming gift of joy was decreed, that all men, "the nations," would be blessed, "Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation..." (v. 17). At this point the context is pointed towards Cyprus, "whose right hand I have held," said God. "I even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me" (v. 4).
We were all lost; every one of us was uttering alone. Those who have yield their lives back over to Yahweh are indeed blessed because they have recognized that their reasoning won't show them joy, happiness, of life for eternity. I know there are many here in the world of men who zealously believe that the pursuit of happiness is what matters. "It's whatever that makes you happy," the overly sympathetic friend tells his chum. "It's all about you." Oh, will you not ever look at yourself in the light? Truthfully, are you that good? Gals, when all is said and done during the day, when you're home and all free of make up and formality (in any form), when you've cleaned up your face, when your peach, olive, black, brown, tan, or white skin is bare of all dress and pleasantries, do you think of what is real? Men, when all your successes have brought you to the end of the night, when no one pays you any mind, and all your certificates and plaques with snappy slogans and quite astounding victories are the only things looking back at you before you close your eyes to sleep, do you wonder if this is all there is? Or do you carry the thought for a moment, toss it away and say aloud in the darkness of your room, "At least I'm happy now"?
Dipping into the Word, something has just put itself to my attention. It faces the hope that one can look upon with the focus on the Living God.
"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Are we nothing if we have no souls? Simply pieces of wasted products of chance? John Cage, the "chance" musician didn't take the concepts of hollow art into his daily routines. The man frequently consumed mushrooms of the mind-altering kind, saying if he randomly selected any species of mushrooms like he practiced his theory about life in his music (that all is chance and meaningless), then he would die very quickly. There is no hope for the idea that all is nothing and, for he who believes that indeed is but a shell of a man, with no joy to come--no reward to enjoy. And greatness is soon lost through the generations. You may know this, that a dead emperor cannot stand up, conquer or rule.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the LORD, have created it" (Isaiah 45:8).
Salvation came a while back. It's still knocking, too. When it came it came with such a humble entrance, sound words, self-sacrifice by the carpenter called Christ, and by the "first fruits" of His life by conquering death. And by my study here, He continually mention the coming of salvation to the people of Israel; an overwhelming gift of joy was decreed, that all men, "the nations," would be blessed, "Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation..." (v. 17). At this point the context is pointed towards Cyprus, "whose right hand I have held," said God. "I even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me" (v. 4).
We were all lost; every one of us was uttering alone. Those who have yield their lives back over to Yahweh are indeed blessed because they have recognized that their reasoning won't show them joy, happiness, of life for eternity. I know there are many here in the world of men who zealously believe that the pursuit of happiness is what matters. "It's whatever that makes you happy," the overly sympathetic friend tells his chum. "It's all about you." Oh, will you not ever look at yourself in the light? Truthfully, are you that good? Gals, when all is said and done during the day, when you're home and all free of make up and formality (in any form), when you've cleaned up your face, when your peach, olive, black, brown, tan, or white skin is bare of all dress and pleasantries, do you think of what is real? Men, when all your successes have brought you to the end of the night, when no one pays you any mind, and all your certificates and plaques with snappy slogans and quite astounding victories are the only things looking back at you before you close your eyes to sleep, do you wonder if this is all there is? Or do you carry the thought for a moment, toss it away and say aloud in the darkness of your room, "At least I'm happy now"?
Dipping into the Word, something has just put itself to my attention. It faces the hope that one can look upon with the focus on the Living God.
"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Are we nothing if we have no souls? Simply pieces of wasted products of chance? John Cage, the "chance" musician didn't take the concepts of hollow art into his daily routines. The man frequently consumed mushrooms of the mind-altering kind, saying if he randomly selected any species of mushrooms like he practiced his theory about life in his music (that all is chance and meaningless), then he would die very quickly. There is no hope for the idea that all is nothing and, for he who believes that indeed is but a shell of a man, with no joy to come--no reward to enjoy. And greatness is soon lost through the generations. You may know this, that a dead emperor cannot stand up, conquer or rule.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Friday, February 25, 2005
Almost Hired
"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring unto you judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,If it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
Almost hired. I received a call from the recruiting office telling me where and when to go to Multi-Care health clinic for my physical and drug screening. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Daily I must keep the desire to serve him in my heart, pressed against the wiles of idleness in mind and bodily exercises; taking the chance to "step out" as a friend of mine recently encouraged me to do. I wish for the ways of my heart and the sight of my eyes to be able tools for the God who judges both open and secret works of man, good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14), that my youth would be a most cheerful passage into adulthood and a fond memory to seek inspiration and gladness from in the future. I stumble and trip over the sorts of snares which pervade a young man's life, such as pride and lust, envy, and laziness, but I thank the Lord that He cares for me, the bruised up, banged up sinner who has regularly proved that he is not perfect in the sight of God. But, Father, keep me in your ways. I write continually of patience and the worth of it, so please, guide me in my own persistence in this war for right actions.
As for the man who has wrinkles, permanent blue bruises on his skin, with calluses on his worn out hands, he looks back with a smile, looking back on the back-breaking work he has done in his almost centennial length of life, and his splendor is in his gray hair. He lived through it. Many a man has done that, I think, looked back and smiled; maybe a smile of ease is not expressed, but the sort of smile of laughter, of an inside joke, that makes an appearance on the aged brows of many men at the end of their life. God's calling His men out of the cities, out of the countryside, out of the ghettos, out of the farms, out of the town houses, and out of the bungalows to do His work. Am I one of those men? Yes, I am. I am hesitant? Naturally, at first, but I dare not think about running or sailing in the opposite direction as Jonah has done.
"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11).
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring unto you judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,If it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
Almost hired. I received a call from the recruiting office telling me where and when to go to Multi-Care health clinic for my physical and drug screening. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Daily I must keep the desire to serve him in my heart, pressed against the wiles of idleness in mind and bodily exercises; taking the chance to "step out" as a friend of mine recently encouraged me to do. I wish for the ways of my heart and the sight of my eyes to be able tools for the God who judges both open and secret works of man, good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14), that my youth would be a most cheerful passage into adulthood and a fond memory to seek inspiration and gladness from in the future. I stumble and trip over the sorts of snares which pervade a young man's life, such as pride and lust, envy, and laziness, but I thank the Lord that He cares for me, the bruised up, banged up sinner who has regularly proved that he is not perfect in the sight of God. But, Father, keep me in your ways. I write continually of patience and the worth of it, so please, guide me in my own persistence in this war for right actions.
As for the man who has wrinkles, permanent blue bruises on his skin, with calluses on his worn out hands, he looks back with a smile, looking back on the back-breaking work he has done in his almost centennial length of life, and his splendor is in his gray hair. He lived through it. Many a man has done that, I think, looked back and smiled; maybe a smile of ease is not expressed, but the sort of smile of laughter, of an inside joke, that makes an appearance on the aged brows of many men at the end of their life. God's calling His men out of the cities, out of the countryside, out of the ghettos, out of the farms, out of the town houses, and out of the bungalows to do His work. Am I one of those men? Yes, I am. I am hesitant? Naturally, at first, but I dare not think about running or sailing in the opposite direction as Jonah has done.
"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11).
Thursday, February 24, 2005
7 o' clock Interview
"For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29).
This day had been leading up to tonight's schedule, for I feel in all my mind that my concentration had been on the interview as I went through each other hour. But I see that I should not single out one event when even in the most uneventful day. I am looking forward to any work ahead of me in Washington and elsewhere; out of the picture, the exact "work" could be anywhere, and this opportunity with Milgard may or may not be part of the picture. I hope to know soon. I may see places I do not dream about now, places of great remoteness to me in this country and state. Wishing not to be held back by my own fears or whims, I have bridled some of my impatience; still, I give my plea to the Lord, for in every day I walk I want to do more, struggling to give up anxiousness which produces not production but various restrictions. I have words in my head that I don't perfectly articulate in speech, but then again, my thoughts aren't the pick of the litter either. Studying the words of truth gives me support now as I am in a point in my youth where I have many friends spread out over the USA and many more to meet soon enough. This study in the Word has shown me the full potential of God's grace through the many men and women who have received it. I thank the Lord that I have received it too!
At the interview tonight, in the Pultrusion Division's cafeteria I sat down with M.G., and in a straightforward talk he laid out the company's expectations, goals, responsibilities, and rules. In work wear, jeans, cutoff denim jacket with a T-shirt underneath resembling a biker gang leader, the supervisor gave me the "low-down" his own expectations of any employee or prospective employee. "Attendance problems" are not tolerated, he said. Everyone gets sick in a blue moon, he continued, "but it should be in a blue moon." I felt confidant and gave good attention to his statements and questions. I bared my juvenile experiences on the table, verbalizing the short history of my labor: odd jobs mostly, lawn maintenance, a two-month stint in a restaurant, some construction work, limited but expanding tape measure skills. The truth is known. My motorcycle captain-supervisor friend at Milgard had it revealed to him; all that is left is the next fork in the road of employment opportunity. Yes, or no? Employed or not employed? A good Shakespearean line would be in order right about now, but I'm not feeling the love of poetry at the moment.
Essentially, I thought today would bring an answer to my wondering mind, but God has placed the prospects of Milgard in my path for a while it seems. M.G. said I "won't see another weekend" the night shift I would belong to always falls on a Friday. "I want to work," I told him while we both leaned our folded hands on the red plastic table top. "Well, I guess a weekend is no good when you don't have money," he said. I don't usually do anything special on the weekends anyway, I thought to myself, but I restrained from blurting out in an echo my lack of socializing like most teenagers do. The interviewer spoke to me as if I was going to be hired, but he said all he can do is call in to the recruiting office and tell them about the further knowledge about me. I got a fistful of information on work benefits, medical, dental, and vision; and it seems that unlike "most" companies this particular one lets one qualify for benefits in two months instead of three or more. I would be under constant scrutiny in an evaluation for the first six weeks if hired, and I believe I could do well. Once I have the system, the routine, the idea of how things run I am an effective worker; and by Jove, the Lord will strengthen me and equip me in this venture.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
By my God I can leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29).
This day had been leading up to tonight's schedule, for I feel in all my mind that my concentration had been on the interview as I went through each other hour. But I see that I should not single out one event when even in the most uneventful day. I am looking forward to any work ahead of me in Washington and elsewhere; out of the picture, the exact "work" could be anywhere, and this opportunity with Milgard may or may not be part of the picture. I hope to know soon. I may see places I do not dream about now, places of great remoteness to me in this country and state. Wishing not to be held back by my own fears or whims, I have bridled some of my impatience; still, I give my plea to the Lord, for in every day I walk I want to do more, struggling to give up anxiousness which produces not production but various restrictions. I have words in my head that I don't perfectly articulate in speech, but then again, my thoughts aren't the pick of the litter either. Studying the words of truth gives me support now as I am in a point in my youth where I have many friends spread out over the USA and many more to meet soon enough. This study in the Word has shown me the full potential of God's grace through the many men and women who have received it. I thank the Lord that I have received it too!
At the interview tonight, in the Pultrusion Division's cafeteria I sat down with M.G., and in a straightforward talk he laid out the company's expectations, goals, responsibilities, and rules. In work wear, jeans, cutoff denim jacket with a T-shirt underneath resembling a biker gang leader, the supervisor gave me the "low-down" his own expectations of any employee or prospective employee. "Attendance problems" are not tolerated, he said. Everyone gets sick in a blue moon, he continued, "but it should be in a blue moon." I felt confidant and gave good attention to his statements and questions. I bared my juvenile experiences on the table, verbalizing the short history of my labor: odd jobs mostly, lawn maintenance, a two-month stint in a restaurant, some construction work, limited but expanding tape measure skills. The truth is known. My motorcycle captain-supervisor friend at Milgard had it revealed to him; all that is left is the next fork in the road of employment opportunity. Yes, or no? Employed or not employed? A good Shakespearean line would be in order right about now, but I'm not feeling the love of poetry at the moment.
Essentially, I thought today would bring an answer to my wondering mind, but God has placed the prospects of Milgard in my path for a while it seems. M.G. said I "won't see another weekend" the night shift I would belong to always falls on a Friday. "I want to work," I told him while we both leaned our folded hands on the red plastic table top. "Well, I guess a weekend is no good when you don't have money," he said. I don't usually do anything special on the weekends anyway, I thought to myself, but I restrained from blurting out in an echo my lack of socializing like most teenagers do. The interviewer spoke to me as if I was going to be hired, but he said all he can do is call in to the recruiting office and tell them about the further knowledge about me. I got a fistful of information on work benefits, medical, dental, and vision; and it seems that unlike "most" companies this particular one lets one qualify for benefits in two months instead of three or more. I would be under constant scrutiny in an evaluation for the first six weeks if hired, and I believe I could do well. Once I have the system, the routine, the idea of how things run I am an effective worker; and by Jove, the Lord will strengthen me and equip me in this venture.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The LORD has done it!
He makes this day meaningful, He makes it worthwhile.
"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountians,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44: 23)"
I had more to say, but this is all that is needed.
"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountians,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44: 23)"
I had more to say, but this is all that is needed.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Visit in Fife; Milgard On The Horizon
As I said yesterday evening, I had a job interview this morning with the window manufacturer Milgard, a business which has to be the biggest place (in many respects) that I have applied for yet. It is worth noting, though, that I have only just begun. I've washed dishes, put in duct work, ran a few wires, made a fence here and there, and sipped extra strong black coffee. Yeah, I've been around, and I might've seen a few places. I travel.
Before I lose myself on another ego trip I'll stop with the mentioning that I cannot whistle or blow up a balloon; that's a fact.
I received a letter from a friend from Modesto, California this afternoon coming back from some errends; she gave me a good three page letter, with a photo from Masked and Annonymous, with Bob Dylan standing there in a cowboy hat, posing as "Jack Fate". And she enclosed in the big envelope selected work from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. She said it will look good on my bookshelf even if I don't read it. It will be read eventually, as I have to get through several other books I have partially read and must finish. As it is, my worries are not earth shattering. That's a blessing, for sure.
Her brother, who is another swell comrade, is attending Cornerstone Bible College in Hot Springs, South Dakota and had sent me his paper on Psalm 110 upon request. It seems as I though I ought ot read it now as I curious on the context of the Psalms in the Bible, with limited knowledge on certain ones, it would be wonderful to study up on them. My friend would say, "this is a plug", as CBI is an opportunity to study up on the Word of the LORD. It is a good opportunity, and God has many students of His Word attend there (probably not all at once, though, or I wouldn't think because it's a relatively small school faculty and campus-wise). I was almost compelled to go there myself earlier last year, and even thought I was called to go; I still could be, but it's likely that God wants me in Washington for other studies (though not formal) and preparations.
"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house (Proverbs 24:27)."
Before I lose myself on another ego trip I'll stop with the mentioning that I cannot whistle or blow up a balloon; that's a fact.
I received a letter from a friend from Modesto, California this afternoon coming back from some errends; she gave me a good three page letter, with a photo from Masked and Annonymous, with Bob Dylan standing there in a cowboy hat, posing as "Jack Fate". And she enclosed in the big envelope selected work from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. She said it will look good on my bookshelf even if I don't read it. It will be read eventually, as I have to get through several other books I have partially read and must finish. As it is, my worries are not earth shattering. That's a blessing, for sure.
Her brother, who is another swell comrade, is attending Cornerstone Bible College in Hot Springs, South Dakota and had sent me his paper on Psalm 110 upon request. It seems as I though I ought ot read it now as I curious on the context of the Psalms in the Bible, with limited knowledge on certain ones, it would be wonderful to study up on them. My friend would say, "this is a plug", as CBI is an opportunity to study up on the Word of the LORD. It is a good opportunity, and God has many students of His Word attend there (probably not all at once, though, or I wouldn't think because it's a relatively small school faculty and campus-wise). I was almost compelled to go there myself earlier last year, and even thought I was called to go; I still could be, but it's likely that God wants me in Washington for other studies (though not formal) and preparations.
"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house (Proverbs 24:27)."
Monday, February 21, 2005
Burning Ceder Branches
Worked today at the neighbor's property, cleaning their pasture of any remaining fallen Ceder branches, then I stacked them on a pile of smouldering dead grass for to flame away. It felt good to get out there and be a little busy for 5 hours of good brisk work. Went to Wal-Mart with my sister for a run of eggs, a birthday card, mechanical pencils, and two "Best of" SNL DVDs. This evening before supper Dawn the secretary (or administrative assistant for those wishing for a long title) from Milgard Windows, Inc. called, asking some questions about me and the application I had sent in a few weeks ago. She gave me a time slot for tomorrow at 9:00 for an interview, and I hapily accepted. Praise Yahweh!
I'm thinking about James 1:2-4 (KJV), about the writer's saying, "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We are made stronger when we are put to the gauntlet, the trials which come around every now and them, and our faith is on the forefront of that strength building.
The counting all joy part may seem unrealistic to those who may feel every now and again that life is only troublesome, difficult at every turn, but with that outlook I can only see dispair weighing on faith's stamina. So know that all things do work out for the good, the bad result of something can be a tool in the LORD's plans. Assuming that Satan did not know of God's plan of salvation, then he may have felt shocked that the Almighty's Son was raised and triumphed in three days. It would be astounding (but not impossible) that Satan didn't have any clue to the plan of God to save man. It does not matter in any way, but it's the curiosity that makes me write and wonder.In this case of patience (it may be the theme of this blog, knowing that it certainly is important with my life) working out perfection or wholeness in a person's life, it is the reliance on God which makes the man's life good. I may be devouted to this topic, and so the emphasis on it (or maybe the bais) will overpower most of thoughts in the future. But that is fine with me. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of God (1 John 2:29)." Throwing that in I see that this production of perfection is do to the doing of righteousness and it being in the faith; and that sort of sticks to my mind like peanut butter on the roof of my mouth.
I'm thinking about James 1:2-4 (KJV), about the writer's saying, "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We are made stronger when we are put to the gauntlet, the trials which come around every now and them, and our faith is on the forefront of that strength building.
The counting all joy part may seem unrealistic to those who may feel every now and again that life is only troublesome, difficult at every turn, but with that outlook I can only see dispair weighing on faith's stamina. So know that all things do work out for the good, the bad result of something can be a tool in the LORD's plans. Assuming that Satan did not know of God's plan of salvation, then he may have felt shocked that the Almighty's Son was raised and triumphed in three days. It would be astounding (but not impossible) that Satan didn't have any clue to the plan of God to save man. It does not matter in any way, but it's the curiosity that makes me write and wonder.In this case of patience (it may be the theme of this blog, knowing that it certainly is important with my life) working out perfection or wholeness in a person's life, it is the reliance on God which makes the man's life good. I may be devouted to this topic, and so the emphasis on it (or maybe the bais) will overpower most of thoughts in the future. But that is fine with me. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of God (1 John 2:29)." Throwing that in I see that this production of perfection is do to the doing of righteousness and it being in the faith; and that sort of sticks to my mind like peanut butter on the roof of my mouth.
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