Informally Informal

Nick uncorked a wine.
Mom made lasagna.
Schenk stirred a salad.
Barb burnt the bread.
Kelly baked a batch of cookies.

Painted Oranges

Ever purchasae a perfectly orange Orange? Yep.
Ever been disappointed that the Orange wasn't perfect on the inside, oh so sweet and tasty, not bitter? Yep.
The more you get to know people, the less perfect those people become.
Either learn to accept that a perfectly orange Orange isn't going to be what is expected; or continue the search for the perfectly orange Orange that produces it's promised perfection.

I'm alone. I feel sad that I'm alone; though I've declined offers to be around others. Want to watch a movie?
Desiring to escape and I find myself here. Gaming is alluring, but I find that to be vain. A waste of my breathe.

I need to apologize to a friend of mine, I hurt her feelings deeply. I don't know how deep, she doesn't reveal much of her own emotion. I like a strong women...But not a lying one. Still need to apologize.

Mixed emotions...
rlp.com is on medication for depression, I've wondered if I need something similar. I'd like to think the Word of God and God's Holy Spirit can cure all of this, but I think I'm the one that's lacking...This flesh; mind, body, spirit(if by spirit you relate this to emotions that's the word I want to use)it's myself, unwilling, unmotivated to give up, to surrender.

I'm not motivated to do anything!

I find this all very vain. What am I trying to accomplish? Am I changing, are others being changed?
I suppose there is some deal of entertainment to this. It certainly is a way for me to be occupied, but sometimes I wonder. There are better ways to spend my time. I know this. It's all vain. An older more mature man said to me, "All intellectual persuits are vain." - I didn't want to believe this at first, but I suppose this is true.
-
"All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again." Ecc. 1:7
This has been for sometime my favorite book of the bible. I have met others who appreciate this book of the bible a lot, and I have met others who have a strong distaste for it. Words associated with Ecclesiastes often have a negative context associated with them. I should like to disagree with these. Ecclesiastes is the most 'real' book in the bible. At least thus as a real as life at 23.

"For in much wisdom is much greif, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Ecc.1:18

Scarlet Letters

Secret sins are nice. One gets the pleasure out of the sin that is desired, without ever having to worry about being ashamed of others knowing. Wow, awesome. A sin that's just between self and the God of the universe, who by the way can see everything.
-
This seems all too true, and yet so sad. Secret sins need to be talked about. We need healing. How can I pray for you, or how can I expect you to pray for me if I never admit!
www.xxxchurch.com

An Overwhelming Theme

Commitment. Committing to a future that no one ever knows exists. "Til death do us part" - there may be other factors other than death that part the two! Promising to "see you on Monday" - Monday may never exist for either party. These two examples seem to relate to death, but death isn't the only thing that separates people from each other, or from any of their commitments. Sometimes, and often times, it's circumstances or the results of decisions that prevent one from keeping commitments. So how does one ever commit to anything?
----
"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." Heb. 12:1.
"Endurance" - this statement shows that our lives on earth take commitment. Committing to "the race". To be "in it for the long haul". This statement makes people cringe. Who wants to be in anything "for the long haul"? It's not that we want to surrender, we are willing to fight, but we want to know that the fight will end. "Take your cross daily" ... "I die daily" - these are all phrases from God's Word. Is this what it means to "endure" - to daily offer our lives?
This is scary? Taking a shower daily is hard enough; though, it is less stressful to think, 'daily' instead of 'forever' or 'for a lifetime'. Our goal is to survive the day. "sufficient for the day is its own trouble" Matt. 6:34 This brings peace. So in our struggle to commitment we should hold on to today, while keeping commitment the ground we stand on.
---
Had a tough time unraveling the thought pattern. Don't be suprised if this one gets edited.

Ms. Jameson. You taught me to express my thoughts and feelings through words. This has become a great refuge and outlet for me, invaluable. My hope is that through words, I, like you, can help develop peoples hearts and souls to fulfill thier purpose. Thank you.

Mr. Abadir. Your commitment to love and your strong moral character shout way beyond the classroom walls - "Jesus desires you!" - To everyone you come in contact with. Thank you.

Mrs. Young. Your love and commitment to enstilling more than knowledge to EACH and EVERYONE of your students, YOU CARE! I remember that day that you were so frustrated becuase you felt so inadequate as a teacher...your desire was so strong. you almost cried. You are a great teacher! Thank you.

Mr. Kourek. Your unwillingness to bend spoke volumes to a teenager who hated rules and boundaries. You watched and witnessed a big change in my life. You were a part of it, and not only as a spectator. Thank you for my first and final F.

And to all teachers...not necessarily a thank you, but a reminder. You make lasting impressions on all your students. How do you use your influence?