Christ Animated

This blog is essentially my own personal journal. Though slightly modified (and edited) for semi-public consumption, it is a record of my thoughts and feelings at the particular, specific time of the writing.  Many posts I have read and re-read after writing, have removed certain specifics, added a little clarity (or muddied it), etc. Some posts I have decided not to publish at all - they are simply too personal. Please keep in mind, if you are one of the limited number (the privileged few) that read these blogs, that I am being the real me. I am baring some of my struggles, my doubts, my grasps at growing in my faith, etc. I am deeply in love with my Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and I am so grateful for His incredible grace!  When I gripe or struggle or whatever, please understand that I am just being honest about things with which we all struggle in varying degrees at varying times.  Extend the grace to me that you wish to be extended to you as you share your own struggles

It's just after the rain, I hear the mockingbirds sing Life still goes on in this cold, wet Spring But my heart still hurts, as my head's thumping Keeping time with the pains I can't forget If I say I'm apathetic but I'm angry about it Does that mean I'm a liar or just a confused nitwit? Why do the slightest things make me just wanna spit? And what can I do about them, anyway? From my house I can hear the interstate hums And the trains on their multiple day and night runs And the dog next door that can't shut its gums And an owl that seems to be lost But the sounds that I so very much long to hear The talking and laughter that sound so dear From those who are longing to have me near Are what I desire to hear the most

Ever play the game Hungry Hungry Hippos? Don't deny it. You'd play it right now if it was on the table in front of you. It's a great game ... teaches you about manic hysteria, incredible greed, eating disorders, which way the table or floor leans in your house, etc. Through HHH we, as children, also learned that hippos have incredible stretchable necks, and come in rainbow colors. And, that you never, never, ever want to get between a hippo and his marbles.  How Hungry Hungry are we as adults? Are we that indiscriminate when it comes to the things we pursue in life? If we're pursuing financial success, family success, relationship success, and we go after it with a certain amount of gusto - fine. Nothing wrong with that, in itself. But if we're going after success (however we have defined that for ourselves) with reckless abandon, just grabbing what we can, as much as we can, without regard for anyone other than ourselves, we've reduced ourselves to

You don't have to walk me home I can see my way just fine I can see you'd rather be alone Than to have your hand in mine And though you smile, I see the tears Just behind your eyes Afraid to say the love just isn't there Afraid to say goodbye Your body language said it all Didn't need to speak a word I hoped that I just read you wrong Trying to avoid the hurt But as the minutes floated by And your eyes avoided mine Couldn't help but think I'd cheated you And this was just a waste of time The things I've said to you are true Not holding on to sympathy I hope you find what you've been looking for Even though it isn't me Ashes to ash and dirt to dust Shake them from your feet Walk away with downcast face And say that it isn't me Lie if it makes you feel free

What matters most to you? I've asked that question of myself so many times, in so many forms, that I have long since lost count. What matters to me? I mean, really matters ? Does it matter if I don't get to watch the show or movie I was wanting to see? Really? Does it matter if I don't get to read the book I wanted to read, or see the concert I hoped I would get to go to ... really ? What matters? Does it matter whether I get to spend time with my children? You bet it does!  Does it matter what we do during that time, or just that we get to do whatever it is together ? Easy answer. I spent about half my day today with one of my closest friends, doing something I had originally planned to do by myself. Spending the time with my friend made the experience so much more enjoyable. And, I quickly found myself not caring what we were doing ... just that I got to spend the time with that person. I'm grateful for that opportunity. That matters to me. Does it matte

Hey, just sittin' here thinking 'bout you Guess I got nothing better to do When I remember all the good times (it takes me awhile), I can't help it, I start to smile And I wish You were here in my arms Remember the last time I saw your face? When I dropped you off at that Louisiana place? And you smiled and waved as you walked away Little tears starting to form on your face And we wished Neither of us had to go But my darlin', oh, my sweetheart How much do I love you?  Oh, where should I start? I see your eyes and your hair and the funny way you stare in my mind as I hold you in my heart Oh, my daughter, I wish we never had to part Lying here awake, it's 8:32 I love it when I get to talk to you Your voice always reminds me of home Wherever it is is where I belong And I'm so glad I get to call you mine It won't be long til I see you again Are you havin' fun with your mom and your friends? I hope you and your sister neve

Yes. I am Home Alone. Well, not really alone. My teenage son and his friend are here, in the music room. But I'm in the living/dining/library/open room, by mah-sef. Watching YouTube videos, typing this blog, glancing occasionally at Facebook.  Bored.  Could I be out somewhere doing something with someone? Maybe. But what, where, and with whom? Interesting questions. Unsure of the answers. Then I couldn't leave son-n-friend here. Incidentally, "Home Alone" was the movie we watched when I went on my first date with my kids' mom. Hmmm. Oh, well. Home alone. Almost.

Do you sometimes wish you had a talent you don't already possess? That you could sing, or cook, or play an instrument, or paint, or teach, or ... whatever? It seems that we spend so much time trying to be people we are NOT, instead of trying to utilize the gifts God has already given us. Why should I spend my time wishing I was a piano virtuoso, instead of using my drawing ability? Why should I waste my energies wishing for [x] when I already have been gifted with [y]? God has given us each different abilities. He has called each us and wants to use us. God didn't save me and tell me to serve Him as someone other than who He has equipped me to be. He has never asked me to do anything I cannot do in His power.  Has God ever given me more than I can handle? Yes!! But He has never given me more than He and I can handle together!

Today, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away, age 87. Also, actress and former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello passed away, age 70. I found out today that my fellow minister and friend Dr. Rick Byargeon passed away last week from cancer, age 55. I also found out today that a former neighbor, church member, and friend Mrs. Effie Clark passed away, age 93. Russian graffiti artist Pasha P183, age 29, died, as well. What do all of these people have in common? Well, I know that Dr. Byargeon and Mrs. Clark were both born-again believers in Christ Jesus, and have passed into His presence, joy, and glory.  I don't know about the other three. Chances are you've heard of Thatcher and Funicello, and possibly even Byargeon and Pasha P183. More than 136,500 people have died so far today . [ http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ ] About 2 die per second .  I don't know all their names. I don't know their stories. I don't know their famil

Princess, One It's said there once was a princess who lived in a land made of glue. What a horrible thing to deal with -  not knowing where to set your shoes. Princess, Two I had once heard a princess was coming, while riding the school bus to school. But was she coming where I was going? And was this meeting going to be cool? And who's to say I would meet her when I had arrived in class? Perhaps she was going to visit, or perhaps would only walk past. And was it she I really wanted to see, and would she turn out to be a friend? Would she arrive in a stretch limousine, or riding a dolphin's fin? But then, here she came, just as real as life. What would I say? I did not know. So when she smiled and shook my hand,  I simply said, "Jell-O". A Poem that Has Absolutely Nothing Whatsoever to Do with Princesses Hey, there, whatcha doin? Why you got those headphones on? Are ya list'nin' to some music? Do ya wanna be left alone? Why you

Suicide is the horrible end of dealing with depression, for many. Sadly, Matthew Warren, the 27-year-old youngest son of pastor Rick Warren, committed suicide yesterday, Friday, April 5, 2013. Please pray for his family. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/06/pastor-rick-warren-son-commits-suicide/ http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/06/17632420-pastor-rick-warrens-son-matthew-commits-suicide-church-says?lite http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/06/church-pastor-rick-warrens-son-commits-suicide/2059193/ http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/06/saddleback-church-says-rick-warrens-son-has-committed-suicide/ http://www.npr.org/2013/04/06/176449059/pastor-rick-warrens-son-commits-suicide-church-says One comment posted on the NPR website reads: [Andrew Viceroy] I'm an atheist originally from that area (SJC) and I am sorry to hear this news about anyone. Suicide is the #8 cause of death in the US, higher than homicide. I hope the Warrens can find some pea

Okay, last night on Facebook, I posted that I would be singing all my fb posts from now on. I've watched two musicals this week - gimme a break. So, in honor of that, I've written the lyrics to a dynamic new duet for a musical as-yet-to-be-named (and as-yet-to-be-written).  So, here is "I Want a Woman", by yours truly. You'll just have to imagine the amazing music, choreographed dancing and walking through streets, etc. Part One is sung as a solo. Part Two is sung later as a solo, then much later in the musical, the parts are sung virtually simultaneously as the characters finally meet. [Part One - Tenor/Baritone] I want a woman With long flowing hair Who’s had a life of trials But yet does not despair She tackles every challenge With chin and heart held high She carries on despite them With barely more than sighs I want a woman With beautiful eyes Who sees me as I really am Even all that I despise And she wants to hold me c

http://www.science20.com/variety_tap/science_behind_heartbreak-33900

From where I sit I can see so much and yet so little I see I can watch them playing softball there and feel the evening breeze The gnats are clouding the driveway  and see me here displayed They come to me and ... cough cough  oh my ... I ... *hack*hack*

The Therapy Doc's blog on Emotional Intimacy http://everyoneneedstherapy.blogspot.com/2006/05/gimme-space.html

Years ago, it hit me that people who are repeatedly in miserable, failed relationships (romantic, friendship, professional, etc.) always have one common denominator to those relationships: themselves. Therefore, when someone in this situation continually blames others for their bad relationships, their argument falls kind of flat. Being the common denominator in all of my relationships that have failed has taught me that I cannot blame anyone else. I am always the main common portion of those relationships.  It doesn't matter what we share in common, how long we've been together, et cetera.  You can choose to end a relationship due to moralities that conflict. - One of you is a Christian, and the other is not. - One of you holds a strong conviction on a moral issue that conflicts with the other's view. You can choose to end a relationship due to outside factors that conflict. - One of you lives a long distance from the other, so keeping a relationship going is d

My God is alive; He cares for me And at times He's my only friend To whom can I run when I want to hide? Who will take me in? Reality hurts, its bite so deep My flesh is savagely rended So I lay in the Healer's open arms Til all my trials have ended