Everlasting Spider Webs.

I just wanted to write something really short on here real quick.

I really think I learned a little more what beauty is all about tonight.

Here's to everlasting spider webs...

I believe in you.

Curveballs.

Isn't it weird how life just seems to fall into place almost perfectly sometimes, but other times it seems like it is hell? But, now that I think about it, if there wasn't the "hell" of life, the "falling into place" of life wouldn't be so beautiful and I
don't think I could appreciate it as much.

I guess this is easier for me to think about lately because life seems to be doing that "falling into place" thing in some ways [well, one way in particular]. I love what is happening and I love the potential of it all. I guess you can just say I'm a happy guy who can't seem to stop smiling lately. Right when you think you might have life figured out, a crazy twist comes in. Thank God for crazy twists. I always try to keep in mind what professor Snyder said... if I'm gonna be here, I'm gonna ride the freakin' rides.

Oh, another side note, I was reminded why I consider Josh one of my best friends the other day. It may sound simple or weird, but he just prayed for me at a point where I was needing it and not particularly thinking about God and it was so baller. I really love that dude. He's such a good guy with a good heart... AND leads the nation in home runs... you think the women would be crawling... sorry JT. But, anyways, thanks JT.

Tears of the Sun.

My heart breaks for Africa. I would so love to go there some day.

Rebel armies. Unmindful killings. Massacres. Cruel deaths.

It is so sad. Is power really worth it? I sometimes wonder if the leaders of these rebels look at what is going on in front of their face and wonder if 'power' is worth it. I would love to just sit down and talk with a rebel army leader. I would love to hear his insight on life. His beliefs. His thoughts. His likes. His dislikes. There are many people I'd like to sit down with and have a conversation with. It is weird to think no matter how we sin, it is equal in God's eyes. Mass murdering and a lie is the same thing to God. It's hard for me to believe, but I believe it. It is written in black and white in the Bible. I wish some people in America and Japan and England and wealthier areas realized what luck they have to live the life they live. There are people, good people, struggling to live because of the decisions of others.

I remember a conversation I had in the car with my sister. She is a nurse who works at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. I told her that I don't know how she goes into work everyday knowing that she is going to see so many sick and messed up children. She told me that she doesn't know how I deal with people that don't want to live life anymore with And Then There Was Love.

I thought it was so weird because most of the people she is dealing with really want to live a healthy life and can't. And initially I thought the people that I deal with from ATTWL are at fault because they choose their own path. And, yeah, maybe that is the case initially, but at least they are doing something about it now. At least they want out. They want out just as bad as that cancerous kid in the hospital that my sister is treating and loving on. They want out just as bad as that mother from Africa who has to deal with the contant threat of death to her and her family for being a Christian. How brave. How brave of the African and how brave of the cancer patient and how brave of the depressed person. Bravery.

This is why I do And Then There Was Love. This is why I want to eventually do missions. To stick up for the brave who simply needs someone. Don't we all need someone?

Just a bunch of rambling... but I feel like my thoughts are a little bit more clear now...

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
- Edmund Burke

My Head Spins.

I want to follow God with my heart.

Simple. Short. Eight words. Just a single sentence.

Most of the time I feel like it's a lot harder and a lot more complex than those few words.

------------------------------------

"He must become greater; I must become less."
- John 3:30

Simple. Short. Eight words. Just a single sentence.

Life is complex, yet simple. Hmmm...

So many decisions.

A Heart's Longings.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
- St. Augustine of Hippo

I went and saw "Slumdog Millionaire" over the weekend. It may have been the best movie I've ever seen in my life. I think it's because of the emotional attachment that came along with it. Ever since I took my mission trip to the Dominican a year ago, I've realized how much of a need there really is outside of America. The Dominican people grabbed my heart and held it close. They opened my eyes to the rest of the world. These are the type of people I want to help. People who are passionate, loving, and in need. Emotions ran wild within the first few minutes of the movie as they showed tin roof houses crammed closely together. This reminded me of the Dominican almost immediately. Memories soared through my head faster than the wind. My heart longs for missions and cross-cultural love. Even as I'm sitting here typing, I feel pressure in my chest as if my heart is begging the rest of my body to get up and move. I really don't enjoy Switchfoot that much, but the words "I Dare You To Move" seem to keep ringing in my head. I know where I eventually need to be. The passion is far too strong to ignore.

Love is life. That is a phrase that I need to hold onto.

A Start.

This was created out of a random 4 am conversation with my good friend and roommate Jimmy Gegner. More than anything I think this is meant for me. But, if you end up reading along and entertaining yourself with my inner thoughts and ideas, then have at it. I actually get made fun of by my close friends for my sense of honesty. This blog will be no different. This is simply my raw, unedited thoughts written down in an attempt to process them in my head. I hope these writings soothe both you and I. I will start posting some thoughts or "blogs" soon. Meanwhile, check out this video I have found an addiction in within the past week or so: