Hiatus Interruptus

*le sigh*....apologies for long-time-no-blog, etc, etc, blah blah...(the usual)

I've had several moments over the last two weeks in which I've thought "Oh, I should blog that!"
But obviously, I didn't.

So now that I'm finally getting around to it, I have a few unconnected things to share, and will probably break them up into separate posts for you to read at your leisure.

Connections

I like finding connections, especially in movies/tv. So, here are some I've discovered recently. If you haven't seen these particular tv shows/movies you probably won't get it. If you have seen them, you probably already made these connections and are like, "Duh, Josh!"

Man in the Iron Mask - one of the king's advisors is Hugh Laurie from "House". Ha!
Full Metal Jacket - character "Animal Mother" is played by a young Adam Baldwin, star in two shows I very much love: "Firefly"-Jayne; "Chuck"-Casey
Krull - I had always heard about this movie, but had never seen it. Finally watched it last week, and was surprised to recognize more familiar faces: Liam Neeson, Freddie Jones (Thufir from "Dune"), Francesca Annis (Lady Jessica also from "Dune")

On a sadder "connection" note...upon watching Krull, I realized that it had an element in it that was very similar to an element in my novel that I thought was rather unique. Even though I honestly thought of it myself (and it is somewhat different), now I worry that people will think I lifted the idea from Krull. (And yes, I'm being intentionally vague)

I have been really fond of Netflix over the last couple of months - by using their "Watch Instantly" feature online, I've been able to catch up on quite a few movies on the list of "Ones I'd like to see sometime, but don't want to pay for rental or make time for" - notably, the three listed above.

Yet there's a catch....the slippery slope. Am I watching too many movies now? I'll discuss in the next post.

More Poems

I know I should talk more about what's goin' on with life...thoughts, experiences, etc.
But for now all you get is the last few poems for the PAD challenge. =)


4/9
For today's prompt, I want you write a poem about a memory. The memory can be good or bad. The memory can be a blend of several memories. I suppose it could even be a memory that you're not sure you remember correctly. Take your time finding a good one (or good ones).

"Trying To Remember"

What just happened?
Who am I?
My heart races as I
notice clues written on my arm
and my chest
and my leg.
I have no friends.
I have no life before
this moment.

Frantically, I search for a pen
to write down the name
of the person I just met.
Photographs seem to help,
but this one is scratched out.

Friend or foe?
I may never know.
I finally figure it out,
beyond all trace of doubt.
I kill my only friend.
My worst enemy in the end
is me.


4/10
For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about Friday. Do you like Fridays? Despise Fridays? Of course, you can also write about something that happened on a Friday--or write an ode to Fridays. Or, as you know, I'm all for seeing you attack this from an angle I haven't thought of yet.

Friday
Free at last!
Escape from Reality
with friends and family.
PAH-TAY
with my family and friends.
An escape from Reality -
I feel free at last on
Friday

4/11
For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about an object (or objects). Though you don't have to confine yourself to straight up description, I do want you to focus on object and/or make it a central piece of your poem.

Not terribly clever, but here's a cinquain about a favorite object at the center of many conversations lately.

Towering
statue of
Anubis. Is that
what it is? I'm
Lost

4/12
For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "So we decided to (blank)" and fill in the blank. Make that your title and write a poem. Some possibilities include "So we decided to plant a tree" or "So we decided to burn a hole in the sky."

"So we decided to run"

"Hah! They're nothing!" we scoffed.
Bravado and cocky confidence
swelled our heads.
Swagger and switchblades were
enough to earn fear and respect.
Six of us, only three of them - there was
no suspense here; we knew how it would end.
I began to speak,
to urge them to beat it...when the tall one
pulled out a gun.
So we decided to run.

Poem a Day Challenge

April is National Poetry Month, and a friend convinced me to participate in the Poem-A-Day Challenge. (Click the link to check it out)

Each day has a new "prompt", and you're allowed to write in any structure or style. Obviously, creativity and "thinking outside the box" is encouraged. Throughout the month I'll share my poems here every few days. Enjoy!


4/1
For today's prompt, I want you to write an origin poem. It can be the origin of a word, person, plant, idea, etc. Have fun with it.

We've been here before.
I'll go there again.
How did we become?
When did we begin?

It began "In the beginning..."
You've all heard it said.
You start when you're born,
But you don't end when you're dead.

He knew you before
He made Time or Space.
He knows each hair on your head
He cares for each line on your face.

How did He...?
Why did He...?
We may never fully know,
So just know Him, and be.


4/2
Today, I want you to write an outsider poem. You can be the outsider; someone else can be the outsider; or it can even be an animal or inanimate object that's the outsider. As usual, get creative with the prompt and don't be afraid to stretch the limits.

I feel an itch.
Is it those tiny creatures again?
Sigh. They are always
scampering and sliding and
pinching and biting.
Ack! What are they doing?
They are cutting large gashes
in my side. They're harvesting my
internal organs!! Such molestations
anger me, but alas, I have no lava to
hurl at them in retribution,
for I am only an old, grey mountain.


4/3
Take the phrase "The problem with (blank)" and replace the "(blank)" with a word or phrase. Make this the title of your poem and then write a poem to fit with or juxtapose against that title.

"The Problem With This Situation"

Whew! Made it home in the blizzard.
What's this? A flat!
Why now?
Who left that screw in the road?
Where is the jack? Ah...there...
Whoops! No spare!
Waaaaaa.....


4/4
For today’s prompt, I want you to pick an animal; make that animal the title of your poem; then, write a poem. You could be very general with your animal title (“Bees” or “Lion”) or specific (“Flipper” or “Lassie”).

"Animal"

Thump! Thump!
Crash! Crash!
Drive the beat,
then break and smash!

Beat! Beat!
Play! Play!
Keeping time
in a crazy way!

Chomp! Chomp!
Crunch! Crunch!
Tom-toms and snare
and hi-hat for lunch!

Sit! Sit!
Stay! Stay!
Dr. Teeth holds
Animal at bay!

Worship Is Dangerous

As I was driving in to work this morning, instead of my usual talk radio fare, I was listening to Fike & Dana's Make a Sound. I like when I feel like worshiping. There are many times when I worship out of obedience, or out of the knowledge that I'll be glad I did afterwards, but there's a different, special feeling of yearningto worship.

Anyways, as I was singing along with "Ascend to Heaven", there's a line that says:

"You are glorious and victorious, and you've welcomed us into your arms."

I was suddenly struck by the disparity of those two phrases.

1. God is the mighty, powerful, ruler of the universe (glorious/victorious)
2. God loves us dearly and wants to embrace and cherish us (welcomed us into your arms)

As I often do, I likened it to the whole King/medieval analogy.
Imagine a powerful, regal king holding court. He issues edicts, he pronounces judgements. He makes war and signs laws. He distributes wealth and manages the resources of the kingdom. Then, in the middle of all the "business", he stops everything and makes eye contact with you.
"Come here, my son," he says to you.
You look around sheepishly, knowing that he can't mean you because you aren't really his son.
"Me?" you ask.
As he nods with a smile, you start to make your way up the steps of the dais, approaching his throne with fear and awe.
Not waiting for you to go all the way, he rushes down the rest of the steps and meets you half-way, picking you up in a big bear hug.
"I love you. You are the most important thing to me in all of my kingdom."

In not so many words, that is the imagery and sense of God's love and presence I felt this morning as I drove. I had to stop singing as my throat closed and the tears came. I had to blink a lot so I could see the road and other cars....that's why worship is dangerous.

But even as I thought of that title (albeit, somewhat tongue-in-cheek), I realized there is more truth to it.

A while ago, our worship team covered a chapter in the book we were reading entitled, "Worship in Spiritual Warfare". When we worship, and arm ourselves with God's word, and are backed by His power (which we tap into through worship), we become dangerous to the enemy. I like that. =)

Miraculous Healing

I know it's been over a week since a post...I have things to share, I've just been busy/distracted. But I just HAD to share this. I feel it is so important that everyone I know hear this...I'm sending it out via every channel I can think of. It brought me to tears...my faith is so inspired by this.

I don't know the full story (if someone else does, please share!), but this is a pastor or Bible teacher who apparently had some health condition that affected his voice for a few years. Please, I beg you to listen to this. This is such a dramatic example....especially in the context of what he is teaching. Be patient and listen to the whole thing. IT IS WORTH IT!!!

1993 Sermon - Healing

Paradigm Shift

I have experienced times in my life when I thought things in my life were humming along nicely and I thought I had things figured out. During these times, I've been much more resistant to change and new ideas. Then there have been (a very few) times in which I was genuinely humble, realizing how little I "know", how wrong and sinful I am, how much more I want to grow and learn. Then there have been times like....well...now. Ok, not "times"....this season I am in is absolutely unique. I've dubbed 2008 the "worship" story, and have already dubbed 2009 as the "prayer" story.

I really like this new attitude I've been developing...a mind and heart open to God's voice and hand. Feeling not only willing, but eager, to be radically changed by Him, to accept 180's in my thinking about life, theology, etc. Like with anything else that we learn to trust God with, it helps when you start to see a pattern of Him answering prayers and seeing His hand on your life. I think I'm building on that now. I've seen how He's opened my awareness of worship and fellowship, I'm excited to see how God is working in my marriage and Wendy and I grow closer as we start dog-paddling out into the turbulent waters of vulnerability. And now - YHWH strikes again!
(oops...so much for cutting down on preamble...sorry)

Of course I wanted to go to church this morning, but I'll admit that I stayed up till 1:30 Saturday night, and wasn't crazy about trying to get the kids going by myself. But I not only woke up on time, I even had time for a shower and breakfast! So off to church, and again...being honest...I didn't feel like singing or "getting into worship". But as the 2nd song started, I once again submitted to discipline and raised my hands, sang out loud, and asked God to meet me....BAM! That was quick!

We're singing "Mighty To Save", and as the chorus hits, the synapses start firing, fueled by the Holy Spirit:

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

I started thinking about how mighty God is...focusing on how powerful He is. And how I've never actually seen a mountain move. Is His power hypothetical? What does He do with His power? He saves. Somehow (and by "somehow", I mean by the leading of the Holy Spirit)...this leads me down the thought path I have traversed a gajillion times. The routine is so familiar and well-known to me, it's a stale, eye-rolling bother: I call it the roller-coaster effect. I've often chafed at the feeling of futility and spinning in circles that I've associated with my Christian walk. I have a "high" spiritual moment...close to God...promise to do better...this time it's different.......and then the next day my life feels like a hum-drum routine of sin, oops, sin, oops, sin, oops...etc. (Please note: I'm exaggerating a tad to highlight the point I'm making....not quite as bleak as I'm painting it)

Anyways, this often has led to feelings of angst, despondency, failure (as a man, Christian, husband, leader, etc.) "Why do I keep failing?" "What's the point?" ad nauseum...
Then during the chorus of "Mighty to Save" the 180 hit: It's not that I keep failing....it's that He keeps saving me. I felt a surge of power as I realized (something that I've always known): I'm on the winning team! Not the going-to-win-someday-in-the-future. The winning-right-now team. The world is full of sin, and Satan has a grip on many people...but those who are hid with Christ are slippery. He can't hold on to us. He knows that as soon as we leave this life, we are spending eternity in God's presence. All he can do is try to slow down our effectiveness in influencing others to accept Christ. Those "failures" I keep feeling the futility are merely the Enemy convincing me that his grip on me is tighter than God's.

But God is "mighty to save"...He is waaaaay more powerful than ol' snaggletooth. I start feeling victory. God is victorious, because Satan will never get the upper-hand. How frustrating for him, huh? The paradigm shift for me is the change in my thinking. Taking the focus off of my continuous "failures" and focus my gratitude and love toward God for being the "Author of my salvation." Forever.

Oops! Late Post

Sometimes when I get an idea for a blog post, I start writing things down in my Google docs, to post later. I found one from last Thursday that I guess I forgot to post. I know there was going to be more to it than this (esp. #3), but of course I can't remember now....oh well.

3/12/09
Fun Stuff

Ok, instead of a long post on one thought, here's a short group of random fun things...

(And yes, fun things in boring, structured list format)
1. This morning I tested myself out to see if I'm getting better yet: I jogged up the steps leading up to my work building. It's just two flights of 15-20 steps each, but for the last 3 weeks, just walking up them would often set me to coughing. I DID IT! No coughing. That made me happy and I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm really looking forward to getting back into running again.

2. Connor randomly wrote the following phrase on a piece of paper: luv me ugl sev [Translation: Love me, Uncle Steve (my brother)] =)

3. Right now I'm listening to, and really digging, Fike & Dana's CD. Love the words of the chorus:

Ascend to heaven my soul
Breathe in the love of the Lord
Let go of all of the shame and the fear of this world
Be known the glory of God
Behold Him seated above
And in the light of His face
Begin to worship!