Pensador

Cabbage soup vs Chipotle

2012-01-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

So I was eating lunch with some co-workers today. It was fun and we discussed things like "what would aliens think of our government fighting internally between elephants and donkeys?" But then someone said that blogs are a waste of time and people should read books instead. I was offended by that. My friend Mrs M is an avid blogger and I so enjoy her insights on love, loss, life, laughter, and alliteration. She has a great perspective that I wish I could emulate. She's always encouraged me toward godliness and intelligence. She's also the reason I have written somewhat more frequently on this blog since this time last year. Now, if my good friend Mrs M were to write a book, I would definitely read it. But I hope that it would be filled with short stories about her life experiences, each with a golden nugget of wisdom or funny outcome. Because that is how I think of Mrs M. She's not a drawn out single purpose tale, but a collection of adventures that always delight...

...but what WOULD aliens think of our politics?

Disco

2012-01-06T12:49:00.001-08:00

Hey! It's 2012? When did that happen? Oh yeah, I was at the apartment of a friend of a friend when it happened. And it was a weird night.

I think it was the first time I'd been to what the world would call a party but I was surrounded by Christians. There was music, dancing, and alcohol, but I didn't see anyone getting drunk and inappropriate. So it was fun.

It was the first time I played twister with adults! So fun though! I won two outta three games :)

And regrettably, 1/1/12 was the first time I was seriously hit on by a Christian guy. He totally knew I've been in a very serious relationship for the last two years. But he would not stop asking me to dance. It was super awkward. But God helped me be gracious toward a brother and I kept steering the convo back to church and ministry and salvation truths. Those are much more fun than dancing with a stranger.

I am resolved once again to lose ____ pounds this year. I purchased a gym membership back in September and have been going pretty consistently for about a month or so now. I'm only eating out when with others, not just when it's convenient. And when I do eat out, I'm trying to choose the healthier options on the menu :)

I am resolved to do laundry on a more regular basis.

I am resolved to learn as much Arabic as I can.

I am resolved to grow as a young woman in the way a godly young woman should grow. To continue developing relationships with wiser women. To read more regularly books and scriptures that are edifying and challenging. To pray for the good of others and follow up on those prayers to see how God has answered. To be more feminine and learn the ways women are most efficient at what they do.

I'm so excited!!!

Cheesecake

2011-08-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Prayer is an attitude, not an action. For when communion with the spiritual Father becomes a chore and coming to the throne of the Almighty for forgiveness is just a check box on the list, then prayer is not prayer but a way of talking to yourself in third person. Did not God create the universe with but a word? Did not God plague the Egyptians? Did not God stop the earth's rotation? Did not God open the ground beneath men to swallow them alive for their rebellion? Did not God raise the little girl from death? Did not God pour His full fury upon His most precious Son, allowed His Son to be tortured and mocked, forsook His Son so that He could adopt you into His glory and into His presence for all eternity? Do you spit in face to say, "I do not really want to talk to you. But You said I must pray, it is on my list of things to do. I will mumble a few words of gratitude that are not real so that I may feel better about myself.." Christian! God has asked you into His family! The King who has the power to heal and to kill, to create and to destroy, to bless and to damn, He has invited you with the blood of His Son to come and eat from His table and to enjoy company with Him. Do you ignore Him when He has given to you that which is most cherished in His heart?!

Remember that God is. And because He is, we should run to Him in humble praise, begging forgiveness for our wrongs, asking for His strength because we have none ourselves, thanking Him for every breath, pleading for His favor on unbelievers we wish would not perish. God is deserving of more than a two sentence prayer before a meal. If you do not want to pray, do not pray out of duty, just sticking it out. If you do not want to talk to God, then ask Him for an attitude which would change your desires. This request must be accompanied with an actual desire to desire prayer and a course of action to initiate a change of heart. God will help you if you recognize your inadequacy to change yourself. If it's any comfort, every Christian, including this author, has struggled with prayer. The command to pray without ceasing is a very tall order indeed. Tall, but not impossible.

Boyfriend Challenge

2011-07-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

A need
A wink
A clean spare
A pair
A bloom
A glochid
Prickled love abounds

In loving honor of Mrs M of White Wave fame. No poet am I but your inspiration pushes me to attempt.

Carpool

2011-07-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

- I have just completed one of the busiest weeks of my 'away from the nest' life. High school reunion (which I feel too young for), bible study, small group events, birthdays, I don't even remember what I did Tuesday night (just checked the calendar, I was babysitting 5pm-12am). Life can get very crazy and unpredictable. But I actually knew I was going to be doing all this stuff before last week started. Still felt unexpected.
- And now, after a very long 192 hours, I’m feeling the effects of my nonstop activity. I’m tired after 10 hours of sleep, feel very warm, and have a sore throat. I don’t know if that’s from talking with friends for 14 hours on Saturday or if I’m actually coming down with something.
- Nonetheless, I am still looking forward to seeing my good friend Mrs M tonight… and getting a very long night’s rest after that. Though we live less than a block apart, I will be driving to her house. I don’t trust myself to walk or bike even that short a distance.

Ok, enough complaining!

- Actually, I am very thankful for the past week. Being able to spend time with my small group girls on Wednesday was such a precious time. We studied the love of God in our lives and He is the greatest gift of love ever given. I mean, He killed his own Son in a tortuous fashion, the full weight of His wrath upon the Beloved’s shoulders. That is love in purest form. I can't wait to study His truth, goodness, sovereignty, mercy, and grace with these girls!
- I went to my favorite restaurant 4 times (^_^)
- High school reunion on Saturday was interesting. Had the opportunity to ‘make up’ with a friend I had had a falling out with about a year ago. An enormous pressure was lifted. We were able to just be friends again, no drama, no hard feelings. That’s the Lord’s grace right there. We each owned up to the fault that was ours and forgave each other and now we can be friends again! Yay!
- Babysitting again reminded me of just how fun little children can be… and how much I want one of my own! That will come in due time. I must be patient, but in the mean time, I can enjoy other people’s kids! Hahaha!
- I met a strange guy at a dinner for my small group leader who just turned *cough cough* last week. He was really funny but called a mutual friend his ‘slave’ and was just a little… odd. But we could be good friends because I’m a little… odd myself.
- The Lord has allowed me to continue my feeble life trying to somehow bring Him glory while stumbling through a sin-laden world. I pray He will give me more weeks to learn about His sovereignty and mercy… but I learn better with more sleep *hint, hint*

Cardboard

2011-07-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

I love to organize. Books. Papers. Socks. Canned food. It's very fun to know exactly where everything is AND have it look nice. I usually know where everything is when it is heaped on the floor or stowed in a box under the bed, but that's not a fulfilling knowledge. It's a knowledge, not only of location, but of need for action. Yes, I know there are two towels in my laundry basket, nicely folded under a heap of clean laundry that needs folded or put on hangers. But I ALSO know that I should have put them away two months ago when I first folded them. And that I should fold and hang the laundry that's on top of them. But I am too busy, and when I'm not too busy, I'm lazy, or working on other organizing projects. I love the end result of putting things where they go, but the journey to get there, the lists and planning and rearranging, it's daunting. Needless to say, next weekend, I'm hoping to get in three solid hours of work. Starting with the laundry basket.

Resolved

2011-07-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

My roommate at the conference is a 2 month old believer. She and I had the opportunity to hang out for 2 hours on Sunday morning before the session. Over breakfast and coffee, she told me about some situations she was going through involving persecution and dealing with immorality in the workplace (artistry). I was able to share with her some of my few experiences and pointed her to a few resources. Then, the sovereign grace of the Almighty God, who loves her and knows every intimate detail in her life, allowed CJ Mahaney and Steve Lawson to share aspects of Himself to her. He accomplished through those two men that which I feebly attempted while sipping on a frappuccino. Assurance of her salvation, assurance of God’s omnipotence and omniscience, assurance of the power of the work that Christ accomplished on the cross. She so needed these words that the Lord allowed her to hear. I think I needed them too for we were both in tears by the end of each session, in awe of the mighty hand of God at work in the lives of two wretched sinners. *le conference audio

h2o

2011-06-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was characterized by water:
shower with water, take pills with water, drive through water falling from the sky, drink water with lunch, learned that water gets into log rides, shoes filled with water, jeans easily retain water, cotton does not easily relinquish water, water used in special effects during shows, rides are based upon characters living in large bodies of water... with the prevalence of water in our lives, is it any wonder that Christ calls himself Living Water? Water is essential. It is everywhere. Without it, nothing would survive. Christians, likewise, cannot live without the living water of Christ filling our minds constantly. Have you read your Bible today?

oohhh shiny!

2011-06-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get so uber excited that your muscles involuntarily tense and you giggle like a 6 year old girl? I wouldn't know what that's like, of course, but I must say I am quite excited to be hanging out with my small group this Saturday, then picking up a bunk bed for a new roommate, then going to Disneyland with some of my old Bible study peeps after church on Sunday... Booyahhhhh I am so excited!!!

Also, I am in love with my new ninja blender. He is silver and black and makes 2 smoothies for me every other day so I can have a healthy breakfast with lots of fruits and some milk. He is quite a nice blender. Especially for being dishwasher-safe. Maybe next week, he will make me some fresh salsa!

For the record, I despise all seafood. except tuna - but only when doused in mayo and relish to kill the taste.

God is

2011-06-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Not "God is awesome." Not "God is perfect." Not even "God is holy." Just "God is."

He is awesome and perfect and holy. but He is more. He is everything and beyond. Words cannot describe Him and the utter completeness of God can never be captured. No man can comprehend all that the phrase "God is" can mean. It's too high, too complex. God is all, but He is not contained by all.

My brain has imploded from lack of ability to intake those two words.

And yet, my heart is glad because of it. God is. God is! GOD IS!!! That's so amazing! I'm still geeking out about it, after all these years I've known Him.
The Lord has control; I need not worry.
He made me; I can be content.
He has promised me heaven; I have hope.
He will never sin; I have confidence.
He cares for the broken; I have joy.

Eternity will bring so much more of His character and beauty to light that I cannot wait to join His kingdom and get to know Him so infinitely more and yet never fully understand and always be learning about Him and enjoying Him and though perfect, still yearning for more of Him and not the frivolities of earth... O for that day when my journey has ended!!!

Chaotic Awareness

2011-06-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve been dubbed a scaredy cat many times. But for me, the term has taken on new dimensions. I am not just scared. Afraid. Jumpy. Nervous. I am terrified. Mortified. Shocked. I scream out of sheer terror when my father opens the door from the other side. I shout from shock when my 44 year old “big brother” friend jumps out at me from around the corner. When the lighting guy drops 36lbs of cables from the roof to the floor of my workspace. When my best friend pokes me, just once, in the middle of my back, like only she can do. Chaotic awareness has been my downfall. I will die of a stress-induced myocardial infarction before I am 40. And if I don’t, then I shall become the “crazy old (scaredy) cat lady” of your neighborhood.

Just because I'm modest?

2011-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Apparently I look like a Mormon.

I was walking in LA with a friend after dinner (probably not the safest thing to do but oh well) and we stopped to look at some lovely wrought iron work on a gate. A gentleman approached us, asking if we’d buy a book that he wrote. He was 82 years old, short, thin, but dressed in a nice suit. A grandpa style houndstooth type suit but hey, he’s old enough to be a grandpa. The book was about his life growing up in the middle east. Now my friend happens to know Arabic fluently and attempted to speak to the man a little in Arabic but this guy… my friend said he wasn’t legit. Maybe it was just a different dialect, I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt on that. I purused the book a little and saw that the table of contents had a chapter about faith. This gentleman said that his acceptance of Christ as his Savior was the most important thing he’d ever done. I was really surprised and wanted to ask more about his theology. It took a while to get him to open up about it (he kept trying to push the $20 book on us) and when he did, I cried inside. He is a “deacon” at the local Mormon temple. In an attempt to maybe witness to him, we brought up the person of Christ and his place in the trinity. I learned that God the Father has a physical body and looks exactly like Jesus?? Weird. Oh, and if you get married in the temple, your marriage will last in eternity, but not in heaven. So I guess if you’re married Mormon, you can’t go to heaven so you are forced to go to your own planet and live and populate. But if you’re single when you die, or get married somewhere else, you’re stuck in heaven without a spouse forever? So confusing and strange. He was all about being clean and moral people.

This gentleman was mad that we didn’t buy his book, mad that my friend kept trying to speak to him (he really only seemed interested in talking to me), and he had the guts to ask for my number – to give to the young female missionaries at the temple of course. And he said I'd make a great Mormon. Well, maybe... except for the whole theology part. They have a different God so it wouldn't work out for me.

Wanna get coffee?

2011-02-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

I met with a friend last night. I asked if we could be more than just friends. My proposal was accepted! I’m happy to say I now have a… discipler! Mrs. M has agreed to keep me accountable and encourage me toward godliness. So now we’re more than buddies. And I once again have assignments :)

Because there really are bed bugs

2011-01-27T00:37:00.000-08:00

I’m so not tired, I’m trying to come up with reasons to stay away from my pillow… sad times… So, I’ve started going to a Bible study at a higher education facility in my county. It’s pretty chill. 300 Asians and 8 white people cram into a room in the art center for amazing worship. From the name tag greeter people to the music to the preaching, it’s an awesome place to spend my Friday nights. Better than being alone at home watching MacGyver reruns. MUCH better. I bought my first tree on Saturday. It’s a money tree. And no, it’s not the kind with dollar bills pinned to a paper concoction, it’s a real living growing plant that has taken up residence, where else? In my accounting office. The boss says since I keep writing checks, now I’ll have a way to replenish the bank account. Too bad it doesn’t work like that bro… And if you don’t know anything about agriculture (or you haven’t been to Ikea in a while) here’s what I’m talking about. OK, enough sociability for this year… good night

Over a year...

2011-01-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

...since my last post. I don't think I have much to say either.

I moved far away from everyone. I'm still employed. I got my Accounting Associate's degree. My brother lost his first tooth. I bought a motorcycle. I sold the motorcycle and got a car. I went to Hong Kong. I came back. I moved closer to everyone. I saw snow in So Cal. I got sick. I got better.

I'm alive.

(in case there were doubts)

vent

2009-03-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve got a question/thought for you: Who do you vent to? Your best friend? Your mom/dad/spouse? I figured out (just this morning) that my vent is a coworker that I hardly ever talk to, but every time I do, just the way he asks how things are going in my life, I feel like I have to tell him all my woes. Usually I feel pretty good after our conversations too, like it was a relief to get out there how much I hate my Algebra class, or the fact that trying to figure out my schedule is harder than juggling army tanks. Seriously, this guy should be a counselor. :) FYI: My class blog project hasn’t started yet so that’s why I haven’t posted, though now I have so you can’t yell at me too loudly anymore.

hmm...

2009-02-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

Thinking is the quickest route to destruction
for thinking leads to realization
and realization can shatter the soul

"Do not dwell on the past." This is sound advice from my history professor and I suggest you listen. I didn't and now I'm hurting. Don't think about the atrocities that children experienced in My Lai during the war in Vietnam. Don't think about how the Nazis treated the Jews in concentration camps, sorting their clothes, stockpiling shoes, heaping naked bodies outside. Don't think about all the millions of people who have died without knowing Christ. It might destroy you.

In case you haven't heard...

2008-11-04T21:08:00.000-08:00

Obama is our new president. I don't know if I am exactly scared or worried by this but I am a bit apprehensive. To me, Obama comes across as being a bit too cool, a bit too likable, a bit too good to be true. I am not against having a black president. I am not against having a young president. But I do not agree with much of what democrats stand for. He wants to change things. I like changing some things, but I don't look forward to higher taxes and legalized abortions. I oppose homosexual marriage. I support the war in Iraq. There are things that I think should not be changed. The next four years should be an interesting trial for all Christians, Republicans and conservatives. I would love to know your thoughts on this event.

What's up? Definitely not stock prices.

2008-10-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

How are things going? For me, they're definitely going. I want to graduate from COC this spring which means taking 24 units in 6 months. Hard, yes. Crazy, probably. But I really don't want to take summer classes and I can't start on another degree until I finish the first one and it's so complicated, just talk to me in person if you really want to know exactly what's going on. I've also started attending Bible study for the first time in almost four years and it has been such a blessing! I love the people and the messages are absolutely wonderful! Granted, he covers more than 1 verse at a time, so he's not exactly John MacArthur, but the pastor does a good job of expounding upon the main points and making it understandable and applicable to college students. Plus it's plain old fun. I went to a football game this Saturday for my best friend's lil brother's team. watching high school football live is so much better than the pro teams on television. Seriously. I'd rather see people that I know and be right there, 20 yards from the action or however close they let you get, screaming at the top of my lungs to block and defend and "hold that line!" It's so fun! Try doing that at home and you'll end up on YouTube or AFV. Life at home is pretty much the same old thing. Juggling homework, chores, babysitting, social activities, and all the other good and not so good stuff that gets thrown at me.

Quote of the Month: October 2008

2008-10-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

The offense was so bad, a hug wouldn't do. A handshake wouldn't do. A kiss wouldn't do. "I'm sorry" wouldn't do. DEATH would do.

- Mark Zhakevich, on the benefits of reconciliation. Taken from his sermon The War is Over based on Colossians 1:19-23, specifically verse 20, "and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Only the cross or eternity in Hell can pay for sins.

I should be doing homework...

2008-10-13T15:27:00.001-07:00

Oh well. I don't like homework. Most of it is stuff I already know, like how to reorient a spreadsheet in Excel, while some of it is very repetitive, like having to find the intervals of 84 pairs of notes. 84! That is just overdoing it. In my perspective anyways.

Mid-terms are coming up. One of mine is a take-home test which totally ROCKS! The other is online, which is basically a take-home as well. SA-WEET! I love take home tests. I'm glad there's no mid-term for volleyball. I'm not too good at sports and I don't think I'd pass the test. I love volleyball though, don't get me wrong. I'm just not good at it. But today, he said we are all improving so that is very encouraging.

A lot of people have been asking about my migraines. I am currently taking medication that is helping to control the amount of headaches I get. The reason I've been having them a lot recently is just poor decisions on my part. Concerts, movies, plays, certain preservatives, and not getting enough sleep all add to the problem, even with the meds. So if you ever see me online at 11pm, tell me to go to bed.

This Wednesday is the Quarter Cookout at COC. My Bible study will be selling food for 25 cents as well as sharing the gospel and inviting people to visit the study that night. It should be a lot of fun! If you live close by, you should drop in, get some food, talk to some students, visit the Bible study, come hang out with me. Well, you don't HAVE to hang out with me but it would be nice :P

All right, I better get back to this Excel stuff before it starts gathering dust. Have a great day, week, month, year, or however long it is until I post yet another exciting episode of 'The Life of Pensador!'

PS - Start thinking now about what you want to get me for Christmas. If I come to your house while I'm trick-or-treating on halloween, I'll give you my wish list. You can never start too early for this kind of stuff you know.... JUST KIDDING!

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

2008-09-23T23:09:00.000-07:00

Considering the varying density of the succulent substance surrounding the center of said tootsie pop, and the question of what counts as having reached the center - whether the entire center must be exposed or simply a small portion and if only a small portion, how large an area – plus the varying amounts of the glucose based confection that is removed with each lick, the answer varies for each test subject during every test. Therefore, there is no answer to this question so why are you reading this?

July 4th

2008-07-04T00:04:00.000-07:00

My birthday is today. How will you celebrate it?

Update

2008-05-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

So how are things with you all? Things are grrrrrreat here! I have one day left of school. My job is awesome. My best friend is my secreterrorist (secretary terrorist) but she keeps things ordered in my schedule for me and I keep track of the ages of her family members. My friend is moving cross country this summer, which is a big bummer, but those kinds of things happen. I have discovered the cause of my frequent headaches and hopefully the cure for them as well. We rearranged the living room and I'm gonna get rid of my Ty beanies. So if you want any, let me know. That's all for now. Signing off, Pensador.

How about spending 21 years in school?

2008-03-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

So, you may know I'm pretty lazy with posting on this blog. Sorry about that. But in real life I try to stay busy with school and work and church and friends and facebook and music and reading and babysitting and homework and Little House on the Prarie reruns. But now I think I'm going pretty crazy. I have decided that not only am I going to get my accounting major which I've liked so far (it's part of my job) but I am also going to major in genetics. Now, I know that last November I said I was going to double major so you're probably thinking, in your li'l heads, "This is no news. Why is she telling us this again?" Well my li'l readers, I'll tell you something else: it doesn't stop with a major. I want to get my Ph.D. in genetic engineering. THAT's the new news. What do you think? You think I'm crazy don't you? Well my friends do but I love science. I've wanted to dive into DNA since I started high school, longer than I've been interested in accounting. The way I figure, the accounting job will pay for getting the doctorate and everything until I get settled into the lab... in like 8-10 years when I actually finish all that school.

MERRY

2007-12-25T22:53:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS!!! I had a great Christmas today. It wasn't so busy that I couldn't relax and it wasn't so boring that I was itching to get out of the house. It was serene and calm and nice. We stayed home for the holidays this year. I got to visit with a bunch of friends that I haven't seen since everyone went off to college. I liked this year's holidays. All the traditions were in place - a new ornament for each kid, Christmas concert at church, Chinese food for lunch, everyone getting sick. Yup, good ol' traditions. I pray that everything went well for all of you. I'll see you next year in the boring life of Pensador.

Quote of the Month: November 2007

2007-11-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true

Robert Wilensky

'Ello Again

2007-11-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

Life is full of surprises, eh? I loved this blog when it first started out. Now I have neglected it for so long, I doubt anyone reads it any more. That's fine by me. I will probably never be able to regularly post on here. I am not a writer and I don't generally have anything to say anyways. I have a job now though, that's pretty cool. I'm an accountant at a local Christian ministry. It's pretty fun, considering it IS accounting. Thanksgiving was good. We had two other families over and our apartment was a mite bit crowded but it was very interesting. Lots o' food of course. On Black Friday we had family photos taken. There was a great sale at Bath n Body Works too! I'm three weeks from the end of the semester at COC which I am very excited about! There's a blood drive on Tuesday that I will be participating in. Last time, I almost passed out from not preparing for the tremendous change of pressure in my body. This time I know what to expect so I should do better. I'm going to Disneyland next month with my bf and our families and a bunch o' people I work with. That should be exciting. A friend o' mine broke his femur during the last play of the last game of his freshman football season. I've changed my major back and forth and decided to just double-major for now. I'm going to play volleyball next semester. Fun stuff, eh? Not really... but that's the quick run down of what's been going on 'ere. Thanks for reading.

FYI

2007-08-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Guess what?! I have a MySpace. I actually use it more often than blogger. Sorry. Anyways, you can visit by clicking this link here. I'll admit, I'm still boring and don't post on it every day, but still...

In Case You Don't Know

2007-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am currently employed at a company. Working there is a joy. Daily I'm surrounded by men and women devoted to serving the Lord using their various talents. 'Top Dog' is my boss; he's the "top dog" of the company and a friend of my family. His secretary, 'Cat', is musically talented and gentle in spirit. 'Mr. Muscles' is a funny guy that is probably (hopefully) stronger than he looks. 'Moneyman' works on the website with 'The Seal' and 'Tall Man.' 'ING' is our techie, he knows all things electronic. In the Spanish department, is the 'CA Peruvian,' 'Vocalist,' 'Sweet Woman,' and 'Mr. Nice Guy.' There are many others that I haven't listed because I've run out of funny nicknames that would make sense. All names have, obviously, been changed to protect the innocent co-workers that have to put up with my non-sense all day. If any of the above listed does not like his/her nickname, wishes to be removed from the list, and/or never wants to speak to me again, he/she has only to drop me a note. If any employee at the organization is not on the list and wishes to be added, he/she has only to notify me.

My own nickname at work would probably be something in the likes of 'Billie the Kid.' In my opinion.

America

2007-06-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

I love America. The freedoms we enjoy in this country are innumerable. However, liberty and law are incompatible. Laws are restricting. Liberty is... well, liberating. The founding fathers created the government with a delicate balance of freedom and law. Current issues in debate are threatening the scales. The government is creating laws that allow us to kill our children because we want to. Is that liberty? The government is creating laws that allow us to participate in homosexuality, a practice that has been detested for centuries in every nation in the world. Is that liberty? These legislations are enslaving us. Not to other men. Not to the government, though that might also be true, but to SIN. Is this a path you want to follow? Christians must take an active stance in government. James 4:17 says, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." We cannot be neutral in the war against sin. Jesus said, "Whoever is not with me is against me"(Luke 11:23). Who's side are you on?

Dead or Alive?

2007-03-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was born dead. The doctor did nothing to resuscitate me. The hospital staff saw nothing wrong with my vital signs. I was a healthy newborn. But I was dead in sin, born in iniquity. The nurses could do nothing to save me from the wickedness that was in my heart. I spent the first twelve years of my life believing I was alive when the truth was far from it. Paul wrote to the Romans, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23, ESV). I was a sinner separated from God by an impossible void. I could not save myself. I had no hope. In my seventh grade year, I immersed myself in worldly pleasures. I hung out with the wrong people at school. I did not go to church or read my Bible. I constantly rebelled against my parents. But God allowed me to fall so that He alone could pull me up. A pastor from a local church visited our home in November of 2001. My parents explained to him the difficulties they were having with me. He took me aside and we discussed my situation. He clearly showed me the wretchedness of my own heart and compared it to the holiness of God. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the fact that God required perfect righteousness from me, but because I broke His law, I would be justly punished in Hell for eternity. Then the pastor revealed the glorious Gospel, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”(Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, born of a virgin, died for my sins and rose on the third day, and if I would repent and trust in Him, He would save me. That night God lifted me out of the darkness of my sin into the light of His holiness. I did not deserve forgiveness, I could not earn it, but God chose to be gracious toward me. Paul continued in Romans six,”…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The Bible makes it clear that true Christians are promised eternal life in Heaven. Because Christ paid my debt when He died at Calvary, I am no longer required to go to Hell. His righteousness is imparted to me. The Holy Spirit lives in me, guiding me in the sanctification process and assuring me of the reward to come. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). That is the story of my second birth, my live birth. I heard and believed, and now I am living to glorify my God and worship Him forever.

Quote of the Month - March 2007

2007-03-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" — Albert Einstein

UTC - Chapters 37-45

2007-03-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, back at the Quaker settlement, Tom Loker suggested that Eliza disguise herself in order to get to Canada. Descriptions were always put out on runaway slaves, so they could be caught. Finally, the Harris's arrived in the land of liberty for slaves. They went to a mission to begin their new life. Uncle Tom, over time at Legree's plantation, began to lose heart and faith. Legree took notice of that and mocked him. Tom felt refreshed, though, after the taunting. Everyone noticed a difference in Tom's attitude and behavior. Cassy wanted to kill Legree but was physically too weak. She attempted to enlist Tom's help but he rebuked her for thinking of such wickedness. He would rather she run away than murder. Legree was afraid of the attic in his house because one of his slaves had died there and he thought it was haunted. Cassy and Emmeline "ran away" by hiding in the attic. They were not discovered because everyone was afraid to go up there. Cassy stole some money to pay for a boat fare later. When Legree couldn't find his slaves, he asked Tom to report their whereabouts. When he refused, Legree beat Tom and had Sambo and Quimbo whip Tom. As a result of Tom’s testimony during his severe punishment, Sambo and Quimbo were saved. Back in Kentucky, Mr. Shelby died, leaving his estate in the care of his wife. She and Young Master George Shelby paid off their debts and gathered funds to free Uncle Tom. George found Tom by an extensive and difficult search. He came to buy him from Legree but Tom died from his lashes. Tom, like Legree's mother, forgave his cruel master before his death. George buried Tom in a little spot by the road. Cassy played tricks on Legree at night. She came into his bedroom and left like a ghost. Then she and Emmeline escaped and took a boat to Canada. She became acquainted with George Shelby and Madame de Thoux, who was George's sister. She found out that Madame de Thoux's brother was married to her daughter. Stowe's humor came into play again when Cassy fainted and, "they made all the tumult which is proper in such cases; - George upsetting a wash-pitcher, and breaking two tumblers, in the warmth of his humanity; and various ladies in the cabin... crowded the state-room door, and kept out all the air they possibly could, so that, on the whole, everything was done that could be expected (601-602)." Cassy, Madame de Thoux, and Emmeline visited the same mission that George and Eliza had gone to when they first entered Canada. Things were arranged and the family got back together again. Harry was much older and had a little sister, little Eliza. The family moved to France where George got an education and Emmeline got married. Then they all, minus the newly married couple, moved to Africa. Miss Ophelia raised and freed Topsy in Vermont. Topsy was baptized and sent out as a missionary to Africa. A wonderful chapter with which to end the story. Though Chloe's heart broke when she heard of Tom's death, she knew that Jesus could help her. Stowe ended the story by freeing all of the Shelbys' slaves. The last chapter, while providing great support and background information for the book from a historical perspective, would have been better categorized as an appendix, rather than an extra chapter, to the story. Stowe remained in third person while giving her arguments for the authenticity of her book.

UTC - Chapters 29-36

2007-03-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Because their master had not made provisions for them for after his death, St. Clare's slaves were sold at an auction. Marie refused to give Tom his freedom, even though her late husband had promised it to the honest man. Rosa was sent to a whipping house for talking back to her mistress. A whipping house was the most shameful and degrading way of punishing slaves. Emmeline, a new character to the story, was sold with Tom and two other men to Mr. Legree. Emmeline's mother tried her hardest to present her daughter as plainly as possible and not flaunt her natural beauty, but the two were separated in the end. Legree made Tom give him all his clothes and other personal belongings. He threatened all his slaves with his unusually large fist. I imagine a situation akin to Legree's plantation when I think back to pre-Civil War times. Though his actions may not have been common, the kindness of Tom's previous owners was more rare. Legree seemed to amass wealth that never was spent on anything he needed. Shelby and St. Clare, however, spent money they didn't have on things they did not need. Several of the slaves were surprised that Tom had a Bible; some had never heard of it before. Tom helped two women to grind their corn and they helped to make his corn cake. His small deeds of kindness changed the hearts of the slaves on Legree's plantation. Cassy, Eliza's mother, appeared for the first time in chapter thirty-two but was not developed until chapter thirty-four. She was Legree's mistress until he bought Emmeline. Cassy had cast a sort of spell over Legree and his slaves. She had a glare that made even her hard master tremble. Legree made Sambo and Quimbo whip Tom for not whipping another slave when he was told to. Cassy told the story of her life to Tom while tending to his wounds. She had been happily married to a man but he refused to give her her freedom. Two of her children were sold into slavery but she killed the third one when he was only two weeks old. The heart of a mother so longs to protect her children that she will kill to save them from the horrors of the inevitable. Legree was very superstitious and horrified of insane persons such as Cassy. When Sambo gave him the lock of Eva's hair that Tom had kept, Legree was horrified. He remembered his mother, who gave him a lock of her hair and forgave him for the evils he had done. Wicked men are more afraid than others because they don't know if someone wants to get revenge on them. Cassy talked Emmeline out of trying to run away and talked Legree into leaving Tom alone for a while. Legree tried to make Tom "recant" but Tom stood true to his faith. Cassy rescued Tom from another certain beating by drawing on Legree's superstitions.

UTC - Chapters 18-28

2007-03-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

Stowe shifted back to the southern setting. Miss Ophelia was greatly organized in her Vermont home, so when she saw the St. Clare house in such disarray, she immediately set to the task of cleaning up. The household cook was furious at Miss Ophelia's actions. She complained to St. Clare but he remained indifferent, as always, to the waste and deceit of his servants. Tom attempted to evangelize old Prue, but his efforts seemed to be in vain. After the death of Prue, Miss Ophelia and St. Clare had a long discussion on the ethics, or lack thereof, of slavery. St. Clare defined slavery as “my brother... is ignorant and weak, and I am intelligent and strong, - because I know how, and can do it, - therefore I may steal all he has, keep it, and give him only such and so much as suits my fancy... [My slave] shall do my will, and not his all the days of his mortal life, and have such chance of getting into heaven, at last, as I find convenient” (331). St. Clare admitted to wanting to do something to stop slavery but he was too lazy to. St. Clare bought a slave to assist Miss Ophelia. Miss Ophelia was given the chance to teach the child in whatever way seemed fit. Though several attempts were made, Topsy was a very unruly child and resisted all civility. She was a regular thief and took revenge on those that treated her wrongly, but hid behind kind St. Clare if she was in trouble. Chloe, Tom's wife, received a letter from him asking about when the money for his redemption would be sent. The Shelbys didn't have the resources to pay for him at that time, but Chloe asked to be hired out to a confectioner. She would make enough money in five or six years to earn back her husband. The Shelbys agreed to that arrangement, much to Chloe's delight. In chapter twenty-two, Eva began showing signs of illness. She became more frail than before but continued to act in the manner to which she was so accustomed. Eva began teaching Mammy to read, though Marie disapproved. Eva's cousin, Henrique, was very much like his father. He whipped servants and was severely unkind to them for the smallest mistakes and mishaps. Eva asked him not to be so harsh to the servants because he would frighten them into lying. St. Clare admitted to his brother his desire to act against slavery but was unsure of himself. His brother, Alfred, confronted him, "If I thought as you do, I should do something." Eva's health took a turn for the worse. In this time period, the doctors could not do much for those with TB, so she had to fight on her own. Marie finally took notice of her daughter's truly ill health but used it as an excuse for her own medical problems. Because she knows she is dying, Eva had a long talk with her father about her passing away and slavery. This chapter was extremely moving. Topsy has been very bad since she was brought to the St. Clares home. Finally, Eva was able to lead her playmate to Christ by showing her the love of the Savior for all people. Topsy promised to try to be good but knew she couldn't do it on her own. Topsy brought Eva a small bouquet of two flowers, one dark, one white, as a gift one morning. Perhaps it was a symbol of the friendship between the slave and her master. Eva gave all the slaves a lock of her curly hair by which to remember her. She died just after midnight. This chapter was the most touching of all. Stowe captured everything in the most expressive language. It was the most beautiful story of death that I have ever read. Eva was buried at the St. Clares' summer house. St. Clare was unaware of everything around him but was obsessed with sorrow over the loss of his precious child. Tom again tried to witness to his master and prayed for him, but seemed to be unsuccessful. Miss Ophelia tells Topsy that she can love the child just as much as her recently departed friend had. St. Clare spoke to Tom about giving the man his freedom. Tom was overjoyed but would stay as long as St. Clare needed him, until he became a Christian. St. Clare also gave Miss Ophelia legal possession of her pupil Topsy. Later that night, St. Clare was accidentally stabbed whilst trying to breakup a fight. The mortal wound reunited him with his mother and daughter.

UTC - Chapters 11-17

2007-03-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

George Harris was light skinned like his wife and able to travel about the country under no suspicion. Acting like a man of Spanish descent, George obtained a room at a tavern for himself and another runaway slave. While there, his former employer and friend, Mr. Wilson, approached him. The two discussed George's plan for escape, though Mr. Wilson tried all he could to convince George not to run. Wilson agreed to give Eliza a pin for George, in case the husband never saw his wife again. Mr. Haley went to a slave auction and bought some more property to resell. In doing so, he separated a mother from her son. Later, he would part a mother from her infant child and drive the woman to suicide. Haley was indifferent and put her death under losses in his account book. Stowe used these plot points to soften the reader's heart toward the oppressed creatures. The Underground Railroad has been a subject of interest for several years. People would risk their own lives to assist slaves on their way to Canada. Stowe draws on the heroism of that system in chapter thirteen, when some Quakers took in Eliza and Harry. I enjoyed the scene in chapter fourteen that Stowe described with wit. After Tom rescued Eva St. Clare from the river, the ladies on the riverboat competed "as to who should do the most things to make a disturbance, and to hinder her recovery in every way possible (234)." Although the entire book was heartbreaking, Stowe occasionally gave the reader something to chuckle at. Mr. St. Clare, Eva's father, bought Tom from Haley as a playmate for Eva and as a coachman for his wife, Marie. Stowe formally introduced the reader to the St. Clare’s and Miss Ophelia in chapter fifteen. Mr. St. Clare was easy going and uninterested in anything that didn't involve his daughter. Marie St. Clare was extremely self-centered and pampered, but always complained of some ailment or another. Miss Ophelia, St. Clare’s cousin from Vermont, was an abolitionist and strict organizer. She came to New Orleans to assist Marie in her household duties. Marie complained to Miss Ophelia about the way St. Clare treated his servants. She believed they should be put down and made to know their place in society. Miss Ophelia couldn't understand how St. Clare could own servants and treat them the way he did. The St. Clares and Ophelia discussed slavery’s relevance to religion and church. In chapter seventeen, Stowe focused again on the Harris's. George, Eliza, Harry, and some friends set off for Canada but were forced to detour into a range of rocks by a band of pursuers headed by Tom Loker. George, however, was armed and shot Loker when he attempted to catch them. The rest of the whites ran away, though some attempted to help Loker. The fugitives took Loker to the home of a Quaker, where he was well taken care of.

UTC - Chapters 6-10

2007-03-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

When slave trading Mr. Haley discovered his property had gone missing, he immediately tried to pursue it. However, Stowe added humor to the story through a predicament. With their mistress's prompting, two slaves, Sam and Andy, played tricks on Mr. Haley's horse. The delay allowed Eliza and Harry to get further away from his new master. Eliza, because she was a quadroon, appeared to be a lady out on business. She reached the Ohio River, but because of ice on the river, she was forced to stay in a tavern until a boat could get through. Mr. Haley was finally able to begin his search but was tricked by Sam and Andy into taking the wrong road. Mr. Haley eventually reached the tavern but Sam "accidentally" lost his hat, causing a ruckus that allowed Eliza and her son to quickly escape across the dangerous, icy river. In chapter eight, Stowe introduced two new characters, Loker and Marks, who agreed to search for Haley's lost property. Again, Stowe mirrored the character's personality in his appearance. Loker was large and sturdy with a seemingly unmovable heart. Marks was small and suspicious, like a mouse. Sam the slave recalled the events of Eliza's escape in an exaggerated fashion for the edification of the rest of Shelby's slaves. Stowe developed the Bird household to allow the reader to understand the characters but, because they only appeared in chapter nine, she didn't reveal too much detail. Stowe, in this chapter, began one of several "attacks" on the reader's heart. Tom attempted to calm his wife's fears to no avail. Haley carried off Uncle Tom and had some fetters altered to fit his new slave's legs. Young Master George Shelby talked with Tom and gave him a silver dollar, which hung around Tom's neck for most of his life. George also promised to buy Tom back as soon as was financially possible.

UTC - Chapters 1-5

2007-03-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Stowe began her publication with a thorough description of Mr. Haley. His mannerisms, speech, and personality were reflected in his appearance. Stowe gave her characters an amount of depth to aid the reader in categorizing the various personas within the book. Mr. Shelby was not given a detailed description here because Stowe chose to gradually develop his character. George and Eliza had been married after they met at a factory. They attempted to have children on several occasions but only Harry survived. Eliza became very attached to her only remaining child. This circumstance was common in pre-Civil War America. Slaves, according to their owners, were incapable of having emotions. Mr. Harris would not allow George to see his wife because she was owned by another man and he wanted George to remarry on his own plantation. Stowe brilliantly presented George's anger toward his master in his dialogue with Eliza. George decided to run away rather than be tempted to do something evil. Stowe described the cabin for which the book was named with small, inviting details. The reader first meets the main character of Uncle Tom in chapter four whilst he is learning to write. Stowe did not neglect to include a "meetin'," or a Bible study of sorts, in her book. Meetings were commonly held among slaves. Another husband and wife dialogue revealed Mrs. Shelby's abolitionist feelings. Eliza overheard their conversation about selling Tom and her son to pay off a debt owed to Mr. Haley, so she took Harry and ran away. Uncle Tom decided to stay to carry out Mr. Shelby's wishes and go with his new master.

UTC - Background

2007-01-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

Uncle Tom's Cabin has been assigned to countless high school and college students to read, study, and write about. The book tells the tale of Tom - an honest, hardworking, Christian slave - and his struggles with white slaveholders. I was recently appointed the task of reading this classic, along with some background material, and will soon have to write several essays on it. Harriet Beecher Stowe broke the traditional boundaries for women writers in the nineteenth century. Women didn't write about political subjects and they tended to use male pen-names. Her literature was not flawless but her ability to write in several forms of dialect excused her poor grammar. The south was repulsed by the accusations Stowe inferred. Southerners feared the utterly appalling truth about their system of governing slaves, so much so that they punished the inquisitive. The book was banned and anyone who possessed it was arrested. Despite the prohibitions in the South, Uncle Tom's Cabin gained extreme popularity in the northern US and throughout England. Stowe's tale of the abuses of slaveholders became the bestselling book of the nineteenth century, second only to the Bible. Impressive. To be continued...

What on earth?

2006-12-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what this is a picture of? It's very hard to be sure. Make your best guess. The answer will be revealed in the near future.

What to Do With Kids

2006-11-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

I have three siblings: Matt, Rachel, and Sam. They're seven, five, and three respectively. I get the chance to watch them every other Friday when my parents go out on a date. But I never know what to do with them. We usually watch a movie, have dinner, and play with LEGO's. But the kids are starting to get bored. I don't have money to buy new toys for them and we've exhausted our stash of kid-friendly movies. If any of my readers has an idea of what keeps kids quietly occupied, I'd be grateful if you shared.

A Year in the Life

2006-11-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

At the urging of a few friends, I will resume my postings. School, work, and household responsibilities have consumed my time over the last few months. It has been a little more than a year since I began this blog. I think I'll share a few things that have happened in my life over the last twelve months that were unexpected:

I learned how to sing opera (which is very difficult and I in no way claim to have mastered this).
I got my first job. A temporary, holiday job but I earned a few bucks.
I started driving.
I changed my major...twice. I went from genetic research to accounting to genetic engineering.
My sister was added to the cast of a play at my school. Considering she's five, that's a pretty big achievement.
I actually got sick and had to miss school for a few days.
I've gone up to complete strangers and discussed spiritual things. It's awesome to show someone his sin in the mirror of God's law and to see conviction just fall on his heart.
I've started learning basic defense from a friend. Evildoers... Beware!

The next year is going to be very interesting. I think. Some things I have to look forward to:

Taking an internet course on HTML (HyperText Markup Language).
Taking drama class again!
Volunteering at Grace to You -the most awesomest coolest place to serve ever.
Losing ten pounds. It WILL happen!
Decorating my room. I'm going with an asian theme. If you have any suggestions, I'm open.

Maybe the next year will allow more time for blogging. I will try to make a point to post at least once a month. Like I've said before, this is not a very regular blog.

BEWARE!!!

2006-07-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

I've got my eye on you!!!

Technology is Just Amazing

2006-07-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this to me and I thought I would share it with you all. Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named: BOOK. BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc. Here's how it works: BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder, which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKs with more information simply use more pages. Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it. Unlike other display devices, BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, and it can even be dropped on the floor or stepped on without damage. However, it can become unusable if immersed in water for a significant period of time. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet and move forward or backward as you wish. Many come with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location of selected information for instant retrieval. An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOKmarkers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK. You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS). Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. In addition, BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.

Quote of the Month: June 2006

2006-06-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

"The truth of the Gospel is more important than any man's reputation." Phil Johnson I believe this with all my heart but it is hard to live out. I don't witness to everyone I meet because I don't want to be called a weirdo. As Christians, we need to humble ourselves to the point of death just as our Lord Christ. If we cannot undergo a little shame for the Gospel, how can the Lord entrust us with anything?

Quote of the Month: May 2006

2006-05-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

"If you don't want the fruit of sin, get out of sin's garden." Dan Dumas

Quote of the Month: April 2006

2006-04-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

"I have not yet begun to procrastinate." Pensador

Quote of the Month: March 2006

2006-03-18T19:37:00.000-08:00

"The question isn't why God allowed people to die in a hurricane or a terrorist attack or a war. The question is why does God allow the rest of us to live?" John MacArthur

Quote of the Month: February 2006

2006-02-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

"What you are mustn't please you if you are to become what you are not." Rick Holland

Quote of the Month: January 2006

2006-01-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

"When Temptation comes, report immediately to the Commander-in-Chief" John MacArthur

Dirty Socks, Clean Socks

2006-01-09T21:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of a guy named John MacArthur? He is my pastor. He also writes books, hosts a radio program, and is president of The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. I've met him a few times at church and at Grace To You. He's always smiling and laughing. He's a great guy. Recently, John has been preaching on several doctrines presented in the Bible on Sunday nights. Recently we studied the spiritual transformation that comes by way of redemption. In Romans, Paul illustrates this concept with the old man/new man contrast. He says that we take off the old man and replace it with the new. Paul does not say to add the new man to what's already there. He says to replace the new for the old. If I'm going to change my socks, I take off the dirty ones before adding the clean. Same with salvation. In order to repent, we must strip off the sins and iniquities of our natural and sinful selves and put on the purity and holiness of our sanctified selves. You don't add Jesus to your life. You MAKE Jesus your life.

Quote of the Month: December 2005

2005-12-16T12:28:00.000-08:00

"You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." Don Green One cannot fully depend on Christ until one is stripped of all one has. No sinner will come to repentence if he still relies on something. When a sinner comes to a pit where all he has ever held onto, all he's ever trusted, all he's ever hoped in is gone, then, and then alone, can he see his need for a savior.

I Am So NOT a Spanish Major

2005-12-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

I can’t believe it! The other day, I was doing some Spanish homework on food, when I saw that the word “pescado” means fish. I ran to my Spanish/English dictionary and saw that, alas, it was true. The name of my blog was fish. It’s so embarrassing. Needless to say, I’ve tried my best to cover up my mistake. “Pensador” was the word I was looking for. So, if you see pescado, think Pensador. I stand corrected.

Are You Thankful?

2005-11-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is probably the most celebrated holiday in the US besides Christmas. We say we’re thankful for all we have but the next day we’re out buying an Xbox 360 or a new lazy-boy for the den. Its funny but its sad. Why does the thankful feeling only last a few hours on the fourth Thursday of November? Why can’t we be thankful for all God’s given us on April 15 or December 25? The original Thanksgiving was a three day feast/prayer meeting. The pilgrims were truly gracious to the Lord for sustaining them through their first year in the New World. I am thankful for salvation first and foremost. Being delivered from the gaping mouth of Hell, an eternity of smoldering punishment, is the greatest gift I could have ever received. Who wouldn’t be thankful for that? God died so I could escape Hell and I won’t be the least bit thankful? I don’t think so! I am going to spend the rest of my life, on this earth and beyond, praising and glorifying Him. Not just November 24. Not just the holiday seasons. My WHOLE life. I suggest you do the same. I am also thankful for the little things in life that I so often take for granted. A hairbrush, toothbrush, deodorant, electricity, football, razors, Duct tape, etc. there’s too many to name here. I love living in this country, being free to say write and worship whoever, whenever, however. I am thankful for parents and siblings. I am thankful for school, however boring it may be. There’s so much to be thankful for. This thanksgiving season has left an impact on me. How about you?

The First

2005-11-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

Hello! Greetings! Welcome! This blog has no purpose whatsoever but to be a place for my ramblings on about whatever I wish to share with you. If you are offended by anything said herein, you can do one or both of the following: 1) tell me or 2) leave. Please think about what you choose to write. Concerning the naming of my blog, I chose "Pensador" obviously. Pensador is the Spanish word for thinker. I have to admit, I'm not a think tank like most other bloggers but my friends do tell me I think too much. You may be asking, "When a thinker thinks, does he just think he is thinking or is he really thinking?" My answer is yes. You may also be wondering what a thinker thinks about. Thinkers think thoughts. My thoughts are mostly about school, church, singing, guitar, boys, clothes, and getting the taxes done by April 15. As far as school goes, my Calculus class has been on my mind a lot. It’s a wonderful subject and I would encourage you to take it if you haven’t already. I will apologize now for my sporadic posts. I am a student and have little extra time on my hands. I can’t tell you how often I’ll write. I can’t even guarantee one post every two weeks. Just be patient. If you get bored waiting for updates, go play Poke the Bunny. Or check out this awesome site. Until next time, Pensador