Tuesday, December 27, 2005
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year. Hope everyone's break is going well. Is anyone planning on getting together for new year's eve?
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Almost over the top
We're almost there! Only 50 more hits and my New Year's resolution for 2006 will be met! Then I can rest easy for a whole year, all goals having been fulfilled a month early.
An Interesting Christmas Thought...
I found this in a daily email I get from the Federalist Patriot, a conservative journal. I liked it, maybe you will too.
"But the nature of Christianity—the creed of Christmas—is about unpleasant realities like human deficiency and humbling ones like redemption: all in accordance with divine directives. To be wished a Merry Christmas is to be wished a closer walk, a nearer relationship, with the God whose only begotten Son...came to earth at this season. The manger thing, you know—angels, shepherds, wise men. Oh, so entangling! As it was meant to be. Oh, and, by the way, Merry Christmas." —William Murchison
"But the nature of Christianity—the creed of Christmas—is about unpleasant realities like human deficiency and humbling ones like redemption: all in accordance with divine directives. To be wished a Merry Christmas is to be wished a closer walk, a nearer relationship, with the God whose only begotten Son...came to earth at this season. The manger thing, you know—angels, shepherds, wise men. Oh, so entangling! As it was meant to be. Oh, and, by the way, Merry Christmas." —William Murchison
Friday, December 16, 2005
Redemption
"Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that
time that thine ear was not opened." -- Isaiah 48:8
There are matters within which we ought to have seen, corruptions which have made headway unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we "have not known." As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy! Admire the marvellous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet he said, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!" O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart!" -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
time that thine ear was not opened." -- Isaiah 48:8
There are matters within which we ought to have seen, corruptions which have made headway unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we "have not known." As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy! Admire the marvellous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet he said, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!" O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart!" -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
This is pretty funny stuff. I apologize for some of the crude language.
Here are the top 30 facts about Chuck Norris:
1.)Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
2.)Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
3.)When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
4.)Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
5.)Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
6.)Chuck Norris's girlfriend once asked him how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. He then shouted, "HOW DARE YOU RHYME IN THE PRESENCE OF CHUCK NORRIS!" and ripped out her throat. Holding his girlfriend's bloody throat in his hand he bellowed, "Don't fuck with Chuck!" Two years and five months later he realized the irony of this statement and laughed so hard that anyone within a hundred mile radius of the blast went deaf.
7.)Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
8.)A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
9.)Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.
10.)To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
11.)The original theme song to the Transformers was actually "Chuck Norris--more than meets the eye, Chuck Norris--robot in disguise," and starred Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger who defended the earth from drug-dealing Decepticons and could turn into a pick-up. This was far too much awesome for a single show, however, so it was divided.
12.)Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
13.)Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
14.)Chuck Norris lives by only one rule: No Asian Chicks.
15.)Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
16.)The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
17.)Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse every popped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and shit on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
18.)After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
19.)Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
20.)Chuck Norris found out about Conan O'Brien's lever that shows clips from "Walker: Texas Ranger" and is working on a way to make it show clips of Norris having sex with Conan's wife.
21.)Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
22.)Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.
23.)If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
24.)Chuck Norris punched a woman in the vagina when she didn't give him exact change.
25.)Chuck Norris doesnt see dead people. He makes people dead.
26.)One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
27.)Chuck Norris once tried to sue Burger King after they refused to put razor wire in his Whopper Jr., insisting that that actually is "his" way.
28.)One time, at band camp, Chuck Norris killed the counselor and taught his fellow children to play the way Chuck taught himself to play. These children became the members of Led Zeppelin.
29.)Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the shit out of little kids.
30.)Filming on location for Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris brought a stillborn baby lamb back to life by giving it a prolonged beard rub. Shortly after the farm animal sprang back to life and a crowd had gathered, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the animal, breaking its neck, to remind the crew once more that the good Chuck giveth and the good Chuck taketh away.
Here are the top 30 facts about Chuck Norris:
1.)Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
2.)Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
3.)When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
4.)Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
5.)Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
6.)Chuck Norris's girlfriend once asked him how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. He then shouted, "HOW DARE YOU RHYME IN THE PRESENCE OF CHUCK NORRIS!" and ripped out her throat. Holding his girlfriend's bloody throat in his hand he bellowed, "Don't fuck with Chuck!" Two years and five months later he realized the irony of this statement and laughed so hard that anyone within a hundred mile radius of the blast went deaf.
7.)Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
8.)A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
9.)Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.
10.)To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
11.)The original theme song to the Transformers was actually "Chuck Norris--more than meets the eye, Chuck Norris--robot in disguise," and starred Chuck Norris as a Texas Ranger who defended the earth from drug-dealing Decepticons and could turn into a pick-up. This was far too much awesome for a single show, however, so it was divided.
12.)Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
13.)Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
14.)Chuck Norris lives by only one rule: No Asian Chicks.
15.)Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
16.)The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
17.)Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse every popped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and shit on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
18.)After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
19.)Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
20.)Chuck Norris found out about Conan O'Brien's lever that shows clips from "Walker: Texas Ranger" and is working on a way to make it show clips of Norris having sex with Conan's wife.
21.)Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
22.)Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.
23.)If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
24.)Chuck Norris punched a woman in the vagina when she didn't give him exact change.
25.)Chuck Norris doesnt see dead people. He makes people dead.
26.)One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
27.)Chuck Norris once tried to sue Burger King after they refused to put razor wire in his Whopper Jr., insisting that that actually is "his" way.
28.)One time, at band camp, Chuck Norris killed the counselor and taught his fellow children to play the way Chuck taught himself to play. These children became the members of Led Zeppelin.
29.)Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the shit out of little kids.
30.)Filming on location for Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris brought a stillborn baby lamb back to life by giving it a prolonged beard rub. Shortly after the farm animal sprang back to life and a crowd had gathered, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the animal, breaking its neck, to remind the crew once more that the good Chuck giveth and the good Chuck taketh away.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
My Goal for the last 25 days of 2005...
...to have 1,000 hits on this blogsite.
This is in lieu of my previous [shattered]
goal of getting all A's this semester.
This is in lieu of my previous [shattered]
goal of getting all A's this semester.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Repent and Rejoice!
Brothers,
I figured I would at least make my presence here known as i am getting outposted by jason and ben. As i have been doing a lot of thinking lately, i thought i would let you all in on my inner thoughts. For those of you who don't know, i accepted a real estate position in Atlanta doing site selection and am really looking forward to it. The good news is that i will still be close by for most of you. Though worrying this semester about a job, i wondered why i put so much pressure on my self to succeed. But i realized that my job was more of an idol, searching for happiness, pleasure and success. It goes back to bible study last semester and work idolatry was what i was searching for. The list of idolatry goes on in my life but we must continously remind ourselves that if we continue to chase after these wells, we will continue to find out they are empty. As sons of God, he will always satisfy and the well will never run dry.
I figured I would at least make my presence here known as i am getting outposted by jason and ben. As i have been doing a lot of thinking lately, i thought i would let you all in on my inner thoughts. For those of you who don't know, i accepted a real estate position in Atlanta doing site selection and am really looking forward to it. The good news is that i will still be close by for most of you. Though worrying this semester about a job, i wondered why i put so much pressure on my self to succeed. But i realized that my job was more of an idol, searching for happiness, pleasure and success. It goes back to bible study last semester and work idolatry was what i was searching for. The list of idolatry goes on in my life but we must continously remind ourselves that if we continue to chase after these wells, we will continue to find out they are empty. As sons of God, he will always satisfy and the well will never run dry.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Recycling Blog Material (Waste?)
Some of y'all might not know that I keep a personal blog on the web. I posted something recently that I thought y'all might find interesting here, so I'm re-posting it here b/c I want to share it w/ y'all, too. It turned out to be a long post, so you've been warned. SDG, J
------------------
"RENT and Hope in Christ"
Sit back--this might take a while.
I've been studying at Hot Corner, and I took a "break" to check email and generally piddle for a few minutes. I got an email from iTunes that showed the soundtrack to RENT currently as the second best selling album. As I browsed the tracks to the movie version (versus the OBCR, Original Broadway Cast Recording) in 30-second portions, I listened to the "Finale B", the penultimate song before the Broadway version ends.
I have the full OBCR on my computer, so I listened to Finale B in its entirety. Over and over. And over. Now I'm sitting in Hot Corner with tears in my eyes and wanting to tell someone why.
Stage direction: Enter you.
I first heard of RENT while working for my fraternity. As a member of the "gay community", it was nearly impossible not to have heard about this musical that protrays homosexuals in very good light, as compassionate and loving people who show more virtue than the heterosexual characters in the show. The musical also protrayed sevaral people with HIV and AIDS, a relatively ground-breaking concept for a soon-to-be hit musical.
While traveling to Boston on fraternity business, I made sure to catch the show in the theater district. Carol Burnette's daughter had one of the lead roles, and I was blown away. I had listenend to the CDs over and over, but seeing the show put it all into perspective. I remember feeling such hope after that show, and I took the message of the show as one that gave hope for the future.
The next time I saw RENT was with my ex-boyfriend, Hunter. I was in law school at UVa, and RENT was going to open in Washington, DC, just two hours NE of Charlottesville. I bought us tickets for opening night, and we drove to see it. We laughed, cried, and held hands throughout the show. It was amazingly affirming and again, gave me hope that I could find love and acceptance one day.
A few months later, I bought us tickets for closing night, and as we expected, the cast sang their hearts out. It was very moving, and the show took on new meaning. I remember Hunter and I sitting next to an old couple who obviously hadn't been briefed about the nature of the show or the possibility that their season tickets could place them sitting next to a gay couple who would not hesitate to hold hands during the show. I was amused at the time and saw them as representing every gay-hater I had ever known. I pitied them, and I was happy with Hunter.
That's my history with RENT. It evokes strong emotions in me not only because the music is good, but also because of where I was in life when I heard it.
Before I go on, here is the libretto for "Finale B". Angel, the transvestite who is ultra-loving, has died of AIDS, but in a moment of pure theatre, s/he comes back on stage in the middle of this song as the show closes. Because several characters have AIDS, they voice concern about their future with the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity?", but the music accompanying it is very upbeat. OK, enough background: here's the libretto.
------------
MIMI & ROGER
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
ALL
No other road no other way
No day but today
(As the finale grows, the entire COMPANY makes its way on stage)
WOMEN
I can't control my destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
MEN
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
WOMEN
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die without you
MEN
There's only now, there's only here
Give in to love, or live in fear
No other path, No other way
No day but today
ALL
No day but today
------------
This is the hope offered by RENT, the best message that the composer and theatre community could offer. All we have is now, and all we have is each other, so find a way to ignore regret or you will "miss life". There is "no other road" but to resign yourself to the fate of AIDS, and find the love you can while you can. "Give in to love", the love found in other people.
"Without You" is a double (triple?) entendre: the two singers are both HIV positive and in love, she a drug addict, he a former junkie who must take his daily regimen of prescription drugs to stay alive. Without each other, they would die. Without their prescription drugs, they would die of HIV. Without her illegal drugs, she would die.
I remember when I heard the music and words to the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity"? It was scary, but it was reality for me, truly a "nightmare". That's what I had to look forward to: near-certain contraction of HIV at some point. Those words embodied my fear, but a fear I had somehow to accept. And I wasn't alone. Only the wilfully ignorant could pretend that those sentiments are not the present reality of the homosexual. I set my face foward and put on a brave countenance. My friends in law school told me I was a brave person for following my heart, even in the face of societal disapproval or loss of relationships, whether family or friends.
But today my tears are mixed because the words to Finale B can be reimagined in a way that makes sense of the Christian hope. Without Christ, we would die. There is no other Road but Christ, no other Way but Him, and no other day but today to
Come to this Fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet.
Plunge in today and be made complete.
Glory to His name!
So the composer of RENT speaks God's truth when he exhorts us to "give in to love, or live in fear". Amen and amen! Give in to God, or live in fear: that is a revelation of Scripture.
The composer also begins down the right path, stating "I can't control my destiny", but instead of putting our hope in ourselves ("I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be"), we should place our hope in the risen Christ. I trust my Hope, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my only goal is just to be His.
I don't know if this post makes sense. I am alone in Hot Corner and emoting more than I can handle witout expression. So there you go.
------------------
"RENT and Hope in Christ"
Sit back--this might take a while.
I've been studying at Hot Corner, and I took a "break" to check email and generally piddle for a few minutes. I got an email from iTunes that showed the soundtrack to RENT currently as the second best selling album. As I browsed the tracks to the movie version (versus the OBCR, Original Broadway Cast Recording) in 30-second portions, I listened to the "Finale B", the penultimate song before the Broadway version ends.
I have the full OBCR on my computer, so I listened to Finale B in its entirety. Over and over. And over. Now I'm sitting in Hot Corner with tears in my eyes and wanting to tell someone why.
Stage direction: Enter you.
I first heard of RENT while working for my fraternity. As a member of the "gay community", it was nearly impossible not to have heard about this musical that protrays homosexuals in very good light, as compassionate and loving people who show more virtue than the heterosexual characters in the show. The musical also protrayed sevaral people with HIV and AIDS, a relatively ground-breaking concept for a soon-to-be hit musical.
While traveling to Boston on fraternity business, I made sure to catch the show in the theater district. Carol Burnette's daughter had one of the lead roles, and I was blown away. I had listenend to the CDs over and over, but seeing the show put it all into perspective. I remember feeling such hope after that show, and I took the message of the show as one that gave hope for the future.
The next time I saw RENT was with my ex-boyfriend, Hunter. I was in law school at UVa, and RENT was going to open in Washington, DC, just two hours NE of Charlottesville. I bought us tickets for opening night, and we drove to see it. We laughed, cried, and held hands throughout the show. It was amazingly affirming and again, gave me hope that I could find love and acceptance one day.
A few months later, I bought us tickets for closing night, and as we expected, the cast sang their hearts out. It was very moving, and the show took on new meaning. I remember Hunter and I sitting next to an old couple who obviously hadn't been briefed about the nature of the show or the possibility that their season tickets could place them sitting next to a gay couple who would not hesitate to hold hands during the show. I was amused at the time and saw them as representing every gay-hater I had ever known. I pitied them, and I was happy with Hunter.
That's my history with RENT. It evokes strong emotions in me not only because the music is good, but also because of where I was in life when I heard it.
Before I go on, here is the libretto for "Finale B". Angel, the transvestite who is ultra-loving, has died of AIDS, but in a moment of pure theatre, s/he comes back on stage in the middle of this song as the show closes. Because several characters have AIDS, they voice concern about their future with the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity?", but the music accompanying it is very upbeat. OK, enough background: here's the libretto.
------------
MIMI & ROGER
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
ALL
No other road no other way
No day but today
(As the finale grows, the entire COMPANY makes its way on stage)
WOMEN
I can't control my destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
MEN
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?
WOMEN
Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die without you
MEN
There's only now, there's only here
Give in to love, or live in fear
No other path, No other way
No day but today
ALL
No day but today
------------
This is the hope offered by RENT, the best message that the composer and theatre community could offer. All we have is now, and all we have is each other, so find a way to ignore regret or you will "miss life". There is "no other road" but to resign yourself to the fate of AIDS, and find the love you can while you can. "Give in to love", the love found in other people.
"Without You" is a double (triple?) entendre: the two singers are both HIV positive and in love, she a drug addict, he a former junkie who must take his daily regimen of prescription drugs to stay alive. Without each other, they would die. Without their prescription drugs, they would die of HIV. Without her illegal drugs, she would die.
I remember when I heard the music and words to the hymn, "Will I Lose My Dignity"? It was scary, but it was reality for me, truly a "nightmare". That's what I had to look forward to: near-certain contraction of HIV at some point. Those words embodied my fear, but a fear I had somehow to accept. And I wasn't alone. Only the wilfully ignorant could pretend that those sentiments are not the present reality of the homosexual. I set my face foward and put on a brave countenance. My friends in law school told me I was a brave person for following my heart, even in the face of societal disapproval or loss of relationships, whether family or friends.
But today my tears are mixed because the words to Finale B can be reimagined in a way that makes sense of the Christian hope. Without Christ, we would die. There is no other Road but Christ, no other Way but Him, and no other day but today to
Come to this Fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet.
Plunge in today and be made complete.
Glory to His name!
So the composer of RENT speaks God's truth when he exhorts us to "give in to love, or live in fear". Amen and amen! Give in to God, or live in fear: that is a revelation of Scripture.
The composer also begins down the right path, stating "I can't control my destiny", but instead of putting our hope in ourselves ("I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be"), we should place our hope in the risen Christ. I trust my Hope, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my only goal is just to be His.
I don't know if this post makes sense. I am alone in Hot Corner and emoting more than I can handle witout expression. So there you go.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
I'm Tired
"Weary of earth, myself, and sin."
Can't you identify with this? Living in the flesh is hard. I often find myself in the place that our brother, Charles, describes. I yearn for the day when the fight is over - when my body is healed and the glory revealed. Rejoice! Sin, sickness, death, loneliness, and un-fulfillment are temporary. We will outlive them. The time is coming when the elect will be in a state of eternal, untainted peace. "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for God's people" (Heb. 4:9).
Moreover, the war has already been won. Christ has come and defeated Satan. We have access to Sabbath rest in this life. By letting go of ourselves and turning to Christ in faith, we enter it. What could be more restful than trusting God in everything? Brothers, let us believe that Christ paid for every single sin we will ever commit. Let us believe His promise to redeem us and the creation. Praise be to God for His goodness!
Can't you identify with this? Living in the flesh is hard. I often find myself in the place that our brother, Charles, describes. I yearn for the day when the fight is over - when my body is healed and the glory revealed. Rejoice! Sin, sickness, death, loneliness, and un-fulfillment are temporary. We will outlive them. The time is coming when the elect will be in a state of eternal, untainted peace. "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for God's people" (Heb. 4:9).
Moreover, the war has already been won. Christ has come and defeated Satan. We have access to Sabbath rest in this life. By letting go of ourselves and turning to Christ in faith, we enter it. What could be more restful than trusting God in everything? Brothers, let us believe that Christ paid for every single sin we will ever commit. Let us believe His promise to redeem us and the creation. Praise be to God for His goodness!
Jesus the Sinner's Friend
Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, to Thee,
Lost and undone, for aid I flee,
Weary of earth, myself, and sin:
Open Thine arms, and take me in.
Pity and heal my sin sick soul;
’Tis Thou alone canst make me whole;
Dark, till in me Thine image shine,
And lost, I am, till Thou art mine.
At last I own it cannot be
That I should fit myself for Thee:
Here, then, to Thee I all resign;
Thine is the work, and only Thine.
What shall I say Thy grace to move?
Lord, I am sin, but Thou art love;
I give up every plea beside—Lord,
I am lost, but Thou hast died.
-Charles Wesley, 1739
Lost and undone, for aid I flee,
Weary of earth, myself, and sin:
Open Thine arms, and take me in.
Pity and heal my sin sick soul;
’Tis Thou alone canst make me whole;
Dark, till in me Thine image shine,
And lost, I am, till Thou art mine.
At last I own it cannot be
That I should fit myself for Thee:
Here, then, to Thee I all resign;
Thine is the work, and only Thine.
What shall I say Thy grace to move?
Lord, I am sin, but Thou art love;
I give up every plea beside—Lord,
I am lost, but Thou hast died.
-Charles Wesley, 1739