in this tent

She Said, "You've Got to Be Kidding Me!"

2011-01-06T15:16:00.008-05:00

************After snapping a few pictures at my request – knowing, of course, what lay ahead – Nichole and I drove out to Metuchen to catch our train to the city. We found a spot near the back of one of the cars, though not so far back that we didn’t have a window. The ride went well, Nichole sitting in the aisle on my right, her arm tucked into mine (I tried to keep her on my right most the

A Way

2010-12-13T15:06:00.006-05:00

This is a first step.It is messy, sloppy and imperfect. I stumble over words. I repeat lines. I make mistakes.Protim Adhikari, a seminarian and man of faith at my home church in New Jersey (Jacob's Well), gave a convicting sermon yesterday concerning, in part, boldness in faith. If you are interested, you can listen to it here (launch jukebox or download). This is a shade of my response to

June 21, 2010

2010-06-22T11:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I turned 25 years old.Being somewhat of a numerical milestone, I was encouraged (by msyelf) to consider what I have done with the quarter-century I have been given. For whatever reason, I felt it would be best to begin by comparing my life to some of the most influential and powerful people of whom I have heard. Below is not an exhaustive list – in fact, these were just the first few

My Burly Valentine

2010-02-13T22:21:00.004-05:00

So, Paul and I were driving down to Princeton this morning to do some reading and preparing for Church tomorrow. On the way there we cranked some old-school Dashboard Confessional, singing loud enough to noticably bother the older gentlemen next to us in his silver BMW. Once we arrived in town, Paul bought me a cup of coffee at Small World Cafe with some of the money we earned shoveling snow the

100 Word Stories

2009-07-15T10:54:00.001-04:00

As an undergrad (O so long ago) I took a creative writing class. For one of our first assignments we had to write a 100-word story. 100 words -- no more, no less. The point was to help refine word usage and gut out filler. I figured this would be fun and potentially interactive so, here it goes.-------------------------------------------------------------------------The match struck and flickered

Goodbye, My Little Sweetheart

2009-07-02T13:51:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I posted. I have tried a few times here and there but the system failed. I'll give you the highlights of the summer so far though.I visited my friend Paul in Jersey near the end of May. There were a lot of great moments out there, but none of them seem fitting to my most immediate mood. Maybe I'll write about it later.I also visited Amy in Chicago. I am so thankful

Stranger Distractions

2009-05-04T16:40:00.009-04:00

I am currently sitting at Starbucks, struggling to get through what is the final paper of my undergraduate career. The topic is enjoyable, I just cannot seem to put my thoughts into action. I have the answer, just not its form yet. So, with the hopes that I might build writing momentum here and transfer it to my paper...---The only thing more distracting than a beautiful woman is her absence.A

A Trip or Two or Three

2009-04-28T20:42:00.009-04:00

I'm going to New Jersey. And Mexico. And probably Chicago, Ft. Wayne, and Michigan. Maybe Missouri too.The New Jersey trip is to see my good friend Paul and apply for a job or two. We'll see what comes up. I'm excited, because this will be my first real trip in about a year (and that was just to Louisville). This will actually be my first real vacation in a year -- since I started working

Oh, Victory!

2009-04-12T11:47:00.011-04:00

Why is it victory? Why is there love? Why are you so moved?I know that you did not ask, but I did so that I could answer.Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is the day in which we Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and we do so through the power of the resurrection in praise of the one resurrected.Who cares, right?We do. You see, as Christians we have all come to this one place --

Victory of the One I Love

2009-04-12T09:33:00.006-04:00

You know the feeling you get when you start (or think you're starting) to fall in love?Especially that feeling when you see their name written or hear their name spoken. Your heart moves -- jumps -- with excitement and anticipation. You are certain the whole world saw the jump, because it so moved you. And, to be honest, you don't mind if they saw it. You just want to see the one whose name

He Died the Death I Should Have Died

2009-04-10T22:43:00.003-04:00

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the

Farewell Winter.

2009-03-19T22:58:00.007-04:00

Well, tonight is the last night of Winter.Most of you know that I love this season. Most of you don't understand why...Winter is cold. This is great for a number of reasons. First, it makes you feel alive -- mostly because, the colder it is, the more you feel like you're just surviving. I hope I go Home in the winter. There are few times I enjoy better than being one of the few people daring

"A.J. Needs"

2009-02-25T08:40:00.003-05:00

I saw this on a friends note on facebook and I thought it would be fun to try here.Instructions:1. Go to google.com2. Including the quotation marks, type "[YOUR NAME] needs"In my case, it's "A.J. needs"3. Take the top 10 results and post them.A.J. needs...1) AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).2) a date.3) a wife.4) your help.5) to go now!6) a new windshield.7) Alzare.8) to make a splash in FA.9) to

Question #3

2009-01-11T23:59:00.006-05:00

Do you ever feel like you are faking it? A simple Yes/No will do, but you may elaborate if you wish.

Pulse

2009-01-08T00:10:00.010-05:00

Days when dawn rises deftly behind sullen clouds, when the moon shields herself in her sister's shadow and the blush of the night's dew is frozen in dense mist -- these are days when, within the hearts of men, the very fibers of deity imparted pulse for One, Pure, Beauty. The Image within aches --bellows in mis-intentioned gasps --to see, to taste, to feel that which cannot here be sensed with

Good Ridance, 2008

2008-12-31T20:21:00.005-05:00

This year, to be completely honest, was not one of my favorites. It rivals for one of my least favorites, I have to say.So...Goodbye to the heartbreak, the schoolwork, the labor;Goodbye to the anger, the passion, the pleasure.Good-ridance the foul, unhappy and sad;Farewell to the good, to hell with the bad.Some say it's been 'real.' Some say it's been 'fun.'But for many, we know, it's not been

Infamy

2008-12-07T14:07:00.010-05:00

On this day, 1941, Japanese forces who had quietly crossed the Pacific Ocean unleashed a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, leaving 2,403 American servicemen, women and civilians and at least 64 Japanese warriors dead. This “day of infamy” would immediately involve the United States in what has come to be known as the World’s Second Great War, or World War II. Once arms had been laid down and the

Spot

2008-10-13T19:37:00.003-04:00

You see that red "spot" just below center there on Jupiter.That spot is nealy twice the diameter of the earth.This encourages me to remember that I am small and should get over myself.Praise God for awesome pictures.

That I Might Someday Be

2008-10-12T17:41:00.003-04:00

I just have to let you know...For those of you who have talked with me recently, you probably know that I go to a missions prayer time at my church. You know what kind of impact it has on me and why I, a 23 year old guy, continue to hang out with 70 and 80 year old people.But, I have to say it again - these people are amazing.I don't know their whole stories - I hope someday I'll gather up enough

Question #2

2008-10-02T23:30:00.003-04:00

Why do you watch sunrises and sunsets?

A Wretch Like Me

2008-09-03T21:45:00.003-04:00

There is no reason God should love me.But He does anyway.You ever have times where you think and feel that after that a wonderful display of unfaithful, sinful, hurtful, hateful, self-indulgent anti-Christian antics that God couldn't possibly love you?I have.I am having.I don't know how He can love me when I sin - especially when that sin hurts someone else. More - I don't know how He could love

That's It, I'm a Monk

2008-08-30T19:33:00.008-04:00

So, I kinda want to quit everything I'm doing, throw on potato sack and move to an isolated cave somewhere in the middle of China.Just a thought. Probably won't get around to doing it though.--"[Give thanks] to Him who led His people through the wilderness,For His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136:16)Is that you? It's sure not me. Think about that one - give thanks to Him who... who what

What A Mess

2008-08-11T11:19:00.004-04:00

First of all, thank you for your responses to "Question 1." I'll have more questions upcoming (I've got a good one in mind already).For now, though, I want to think through one of yesterday's sermons at ECC.Bob Whitaker (the main preaching pastor at ECC) took a break from his sermon series on the "fruit of the Spirit" to address the congregation about an upcoming change in the church - seen most

Question #1

2008-07-25T00:57:00.001-04:00

If you could, right this minute, be any place in the world (where you have already been), where would it be? Why?

I Have No Right To Write This

2008-07-13T15:43:00.010-04:00

I want you, wherever you are right now, to raise your hand if you want adventure in your life. I don't care if you're at home alone or your sitting at the Starbucks on Indiana Ave., go ahead and raise it high and loud. Wave it a little. Okay, you can put it down now.My guess is that, if you weren't to proud to do it, everyone who read this raised their hand. That's good. I think we are

Valley of Vision - "A Cry For Deliverance"

2008-07-10T23:07:00.014-04:00

Heavenly Father,Save me entirely from sin.I know I am righteous through the righteousness of another,.....but I pant and pine for likeness to thyself.I am thy child and should bear thy image,Enable me to recognize my death unto sin;When it tempts me may I be deaf unto its voice.Deliver me from the invasion as well as the dominion of sin.Grant me to walk as Christ walked,............to live in the

Adoption - Where I Be At

2008-07-06T18:50:00.010-04:00

Well, it has been a month since I first put down that I hoped to look at adoption. And, as you see, it's been a month since I've posted. My apologies. I assure you, however, that I have been wrestling through it on my own throughout this time and still hope to flesh out what being adopted as sons means for you, me and the world we live in... though probably not in the originally intended 8

Adoption - Introduction

2008-06-06T12:48:00.009-04:00

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His son born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He

Thoughts on "Holiness"

2008-06-03T16:26:00.003-04:00

I have just recently finished reading J.C. Ryle’s book entitled "Holiness" and found myself profoundly moved by his writing – or else, through his writing by the Spirit. Unfortunately, however, as I have read this book over a period of many months, I will not be able to converse with all of it here. In fact, I will only deal with parts his last chapter “Christ Is All.” Suffice it to say that I

[Untitled]

2008-04-30T08:51:00.002-04:00

Oh, ache,You hollow weightWho digs, unceasing,With pangs and rhythmOf compulsory want.Oh, how chapped the throat,And cracked the lips--You, withdrawer,Hold satisfaction just aloft.Oh, soul, weep without tears,Heave with no end—Hands, shake.Bowels, quake.Eyes, glaze.With no to hope mend.Yet, a moment hangsIn the hazeOf vanity’s last exhale.And quiet, swift,A breath exhumesTo hope unveiled.Oh, ache

Too

2008-03-15T17:57:00.006-04:00

LeftAll that isRightAll that isWrongThis week in Chicago, an idea was presented that struck me. The idea was this:As Christians living missionally, wemust be too pagan for our Christian friends and too Christian for our pagan friends.To be too for you, too for you in the name of You.

Rained

2008-03-15T17:41:00.003-04:00

North has rain tonight.South's hills sag,Rolling in anticipation.From East, a gray sigh.West, warm, watches quiet.Blankets curl inBlackened alone,She, Brown with East.Her load burdens,Full in arms.Her gasp, slowAnd arms fall--Hush.

Goodbye Rachel

2008-02-28T00:04:00.003-05:00

First, I didn't know her well. She was a freshman when I was a senior in high school. We were in a play together -- she had the lead part and I played the stodgy, yet respectable old man (type-casting I think) who came on the scene every other act or so. She was a good actress -- put everything into it really. I mean, she scored the lead role as a freshman.I never really talked with her after

I'm havin' one of those weeks

2008-02-21T00:58:00.005-05:00

I'm havin' one of those weeks.The kind where you really feel off. Where you feel like your stretching for something, trying too hard and faking it a little.I feel like I've been trying really hard to be funny lately. But my humor has become acidic. I hate it.I need to get my thinking straight and my actions in line. A comforting word is always better than a humorous word. Sometimes they can be

How the Rest of Us Do Valentine's Day

2008-02-15T01:34:00.004-05:00

So, today was Valentine's Day.I was thinking, however, how folks tend to act today. Valentines Day, as it is celebrated now, is an opportunity for couples to exress their love for one and other -- and, I do believe that for many couples, especially busy married ones, this is a wonderful day to remember why they are couples in the first place. There are flowers, candies, dinners, dances, rings,

And

2008-02-03T23:08:00.000-05:00

So, this one is out of nowhere, but it's so unusual that it's worth noting.Tonight, I feel beautiful.Don't know why. Feel kinda weird writing it.That's it.

Half of Three

2008-02-03T01:07:00.000-05:00

I have to tell ya, I just want to say something profound tonight. But, I've got to be honest -- nothing's coming. I have a friend who just had a wreck -- he walked. But his friends probably won't. It seems appropriate to be profound, but I cannot.All I can really say is this -- Jesus paid it all. That's it. It's finished. That's all I keep coming to. It's the most profound and absurd thing

I Am A Simple Man

2008-02-03T00:59:00.002-05:00

I am a simple man.I have never known the joy of seeing my first child. I have never known the grief of burying him. I have never known the ability to create a great work of beauty. I have never known the want of beaty in bulemia. I cannot remember the vigor and innocence of childhood. I have never known the sickness in Cancer, Lupus or Lyme. I have never known syndrom like Down's. I have never

2008-01-27T00:28:00.001-05:00

Do you ever find that life really isn't what you thought it was?I do.I have to admit, over these past four-plus years of college, I have lost much of my idealism and vigor and have found a(n) (un)healthy dose of synicism and fatalism. Largely, this has been my doing -- I have allowed circumstances to beat me into submission. Romance I believe in as a fairytale and, as the song goes, "true for

Here I Cannot Stay

2008-01-02T22:23:00.001-05:00

(best if read aloud)Adept, refined evasionMy best, most lovely skillHas led me circled, doubled --Ingrown to carnal will.Not yesteryear, but four agoMy heart did quick submitIn praise, in heaves -- in reverieI saw what errs had spent.The darkened counsel of silent hoursFull shriveled at first lightAnd lies and chains which I had donnedFell, again, from might.The months to come were lighter still

An American in Favor of a King

2007-12-26T22:44:00.001-05:00

I have found myself enthralled with the lives some of the prominent men and women of the late 17 and early 18th century in Europe. Charles XII, Peter the Great, the Sun King (Louis IV), the Prince of Orange, and King Augustus -- all are simply fascinating. Most of the men and women I have been reading about recently are sovereigns, or closely related (by blood or camaraderie), that are described

Calvin and Hobbes

2007-11-23T10:05:00.000-05:00

For those who don't yet know, I am a huge fan of Calvin and Hobbes. I know it sounds strange for a grown man to be excited about a comic strip, but Calvin and Hobbes has so much class that I'm ok with sounding strange. I just found one of my favorite strips on the net and wanted to share it with you.I think that's great.

Blogging Out

2007-11-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. This blog, as many of you know, has been a private blog for a little over a year now. It has been a safe place for me to say what I believe to the giant blogging world (as this has always been "public") but never let it come to light to people I know (with the exception of a few very close) so that my thoughts and words could not be openly contested or derided because

Psalm 29

2007-09-19T07:11:00.000-04:00

I love the Psalms. They’re so honest. They encourage and convict simultaneously. Here’s the psalm for this day.Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;Worship the LORD in holy array.The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;The God of glory thunders,The LORD is over many waters.The Voice of the LORD is powerful,

A Draft of Something Else

2007-04-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

His hands held deep in blue-jean pocketsEyes down-tilted in dark green sighsLeadened feet scuffing heavy'cross the pearl-pebbled drivewayShoulders huffed hard, shrugging off slow in purpled rain.Paced in trenching ovalsHe nods a knowing head (hung)Lips pursed tight, to damn his honest dirge.Yet one breath ripped deep, eyes closed firm as silkAnd say with crimson tongue a faded prayer"Willows drag

Meditations on Psalm 1

2007-03-03T01:34:00.000-05:00

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!But his delight is in the Law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night.He will be like a tree, firmly planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in its seasonAnd its leaf does not whither;And in whatever he does, he prospersThe wicked are not

Amazing Grace

2006-12-10T12:54:00.000-05:00

The grace of God must be amazing or else it is not grace at all.Today's topic: Love. Surprised? No, probably not. But, it's not your typical, run of the mill "ur purty" kind of love I'm talking about. This is something else entirely-- something bigger, greater... something, in fact, divine. This is the kind of love that makes the weak strong, the strong meek, the

Our Only Policy

2006-12-10T12:32:00.000-05:00

And, dear brethren, we must acquire certain moral faculties and habits, as well as put aside their opposites. He will never do much for God who has not integrity of spirit. If we be guided by policy, if there be any mode of action for us but that which is straightforward, we shall make shipwreck before long. Resolve, dear brethren, that you can be poor, that you can be despised, that you can lose

Synthetic Gospel

2006-11-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

"William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army prophesied of a false gospel that would be preached in the twentieth century. He warned of a generation that would accept a gospel that preached a faith without repentance, religion without the Holy Spirit, a salvation without Lordship and a Christianity without Christ. Are you preaching a synthetic gospel?" --Greg GordonA matter of weeks past

In Completion

2006-11-04T21:42:00.000-05:00

This world cannot contain the waiting that a Christian feels towards the hour of their Lord's returning. The joy in their present redemption, born in God's proclaimed and realized victory in Christ's obedient death and power-filled resurrection, too overwhelms the boundaries marked by the containments of this world. The Christian is in every way unfit for this earthly tent of ours, and our

Then On My Eyes

2006-11-03T20:21:00.000-05:00

Was I born to purple hues--A hazy light apart from You?No, better black, so blind was ISo never could I see Your light.Curled, like in a mother's wombMy soul it heaved and churned for TruthBut bound within this wall of sinMy heart is drowned and eyes are spentWoe to me! I cannot seeJudged as dead, damned righteously--Then on my eyes, a crimson dropI blink it in, my darkness lostAnother drop here

To Be

2006-11-03T20:05:00.000-05:00

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building form God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be