Captain Jack Sparrow, Sonny, and Cher

So today Elliot, my new room mate, and I decided we wanted some pets. We decided to get some fish. And it was a LONG process of getting these amazing little fellas. We went to Walmart to get some fish and as we were deciding what fish we wanted we tried getting someone to come get fish for us. So we had someone paged. As amazing as Walmart's customer service is we got my fish one hour later.

I have two gold fish and some other kind of fish that only has one eye. The poor thing was sitting in the bottom corner of one of the tanks and we decided that since no one else would love this poor fish we decided to take him in. And I absolutely love my fish. Here is a not so good picture of the fish. You cant see Captain Jack Sparrow (the one eyed fish).

Im walking on water.

To all of those who have been getting on my case about not writing a blog, here it goes. It probably wont make too much sense but oh well. At least its a blog.

Over the last 4 months, since September, my mind has not been able to complete thoughts, I haven't been able to think of things on my own. As most of you know September 24th, my aunt passed away. And that marked one of the beginning of some of the most difficult months I have yet to experience.

Again, as most of you know, I am generally a very independent person, I enjoy doing things on my own. I deal with things and issues on my own for the most part and not because no one is there but by choice. I enjoy being alone when thinking and dealing with difficult issues.

Over the last few months, I have been distracted, unfocused, careless, and most important self dependent, which is not a good thing.

In October my car broke down on a trip back to school and it cost me my entire months pay check. I was left with the $17.50 I had put in my savings account. So after that month was up I was impressed by myself that I had made it an entire month on $17.50.

In November, just two days before Thanksgiving, and only an hour after I had made it back to Thomasville from school, I received a phone call from my mom saying that my Dad was in the emergency room. She would not tell me why but I later found out at the hospital that he had his second heart attack. And this only furthered my reason for my biggest fear; that something would happen to my Dad and my family would not have any income or food or basic necessities.

This break in blogging has happened for a reason. I have become to wrapped up in myself. I have become a braggart about how I make it through the situations I have had to endure.

I was listening to a podcast by Andy Stanley and he was talking about the disciples feeding the five thousand and then Peter walking on the water. And as he was talking he brought up points about how the disciples did only what they knew how to do. Depending on the Lord to do the rest. The disciples had 12 loaves of bread and they turned and did what the Lord said depending on Him to do the rest. Then, when Peter got out of the boat he did what he knew how to do. He could get out of a boat and walk. So he did. Depending on the Lord to do the rest.

Since I am an independent person it is very difficult for me to depend on Him and do what I know how to do. I want to go do it by myself and learn how to do it. But this is the point. My dependence is my greatest independence. When someone puts their complete dependence in something they can do almost anything they want. But, when someone puts their complete dependence in the Lord their options, knowledge, and advances are limitless. It is possible to feed the five thousand. It is possible to walk on water. Dependence on the Lord is the greatest independence because it allows us to grow above and beyond what we, as humans, can possibly imagine.

What do you think of Pakistan?

So for those who keep up with my blog, you may remember the day back in October when my car broke down in Charlotte. If not you can read here. Any way, I stopped in there on my way back to Thomasville for the camp out a couple weeks ago and saw the same guy who was kind enough to help me and allow me to leave my car there over night. Again, on my way back to Gardner-Webb last night there was a LOT of traffic, what is normally a 2 hour drive to GWU, took 3 hours. I was also getting very tired so I decided to stop for what I thought would be a brief moment to pick up a drink at the same gas station I had broken down at earlier.

When I pulled in, I immediately noticed the man who had helped me out. He was outside picking up the trash that people had left outside. I walked in grabbed a drink and a snack and went to pay. He walked in while I was paying and to my surprise, he recognized me from that night. We got to talking about the holidays and how he celebrates holidays. He went to his mom's house to eat with his mom and brothers and sisters. Nothing out of the ordinary. We joked around about things that had been going on. He has a great sense of humor. We talked about plans for the future. He wants to join the army. We talked about religion. He is Hindu. We talked about the languages. He speaks Urdu (pronounced Urru do roll the r's like spanish). We talked about our homes. His is 7000 miles away in Pakistan.

This man had nothing against me. He did not look at me differently. He did not think differently of me because of my religion. I am amazed by this man. He holds no blanket judgments. He simply wanted to talk. He wanted to talk about life. Just like I did.

After talking for about 30 minutes, I realized that I must be getting back to school and Ali wished me safe travels back to school. Since the traffic was horrendous, I had a lot of time to think about this. I was the one who had the blanket judgments. I was the one that thought he was automatically a bad person. I was the one who was completely wrong in the whole thing. He is a normal guy who has an awesome story. I have been blown away today by the lack of judgment cast on me while I was talking to him, and the incredible amount of judgment cast by myself during the conversation. Yet every one of those judgments was broken to pieces after talking to him. People are people no matter what color, background, or religion. That is probably one of the neatest things I have realized lately. People are People.

I need a life.

I really think I need a life. For the most part I sit around doing school work, with occasional 3 hour breaks. While I am in class, most of the time I try to pay attention but it doesnt work and i end up folding paper for fun. So you saw the products of my precal class in my last post. Well, I am moving up in the Origami world. Check these out.

This is my butterfly!


And this would be my Dragon. This took FOREVER!!

This is how I get A's in math!

So as a lot of you know, I am not a fan of precal - or any math for that matter, unless it involves sports. Well I have finally started doing good in math, but that, by no stretch of the imagination, means I like it. So I got bored in class today and had decided to have a little fun. Here is a picture of my pet swan.

“A person will sometimes devote all his life to the development of one part of his body - the wishbone.”

Racism. Antisemitism. Genocide. Discrimination - its all around us. From one generation to the next we pass it down; hatred toward a group of people. For the majority of the time in America it has been the African American population, but it has also been the Italians, Chinese, Hispanic, you name the nationality, and there is a group out there that has or does hate them. These people are tortured, burned, and murdered in the most violent of ways by a "supreme" nationality or group.

I would say I do not fully understand the concept of racism or any of this hatred toward a certain nationality, but I would be lying.

I have been raised in a loving, caring home that supports my decisions and has taught me to love people to the best of my ability. But there is something overly present, something just as deadly as racism, antisemitism, discrimination. Something that we all do. It is, in my opinion, the root of the hatred. Judgment.

Wayne Dyer, a motivational speaker, once said that judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances. Our judgments are based solely on what we see from someone, and most often, someone we do not know. This is concept of judgment by appearance is one we see iterated in the parable of the good Samaritan.

In the passage of the good Samaritan, an EXPERT who does not know everything (Luke 10:25), is the one who inspired this parable. Why is that significant? You are in no position to judge unless you know everything (Jessica Beaver - Passing Judgment Lesson). Psalm 143:2 says,

Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one is living righteous before you.

This verse sets up the hierarchy that is so common in today's society. "Do not bring your servant into judgment" tells us much more than just not to judge others, but instead to eradicate the throne of earthly selfishness that devours every person.

The verse goes on to say "for no one is living righteous before you." It sets the stage for how life should be. It tells us plain and simple, we are equal.

Now as Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, He mentions three groups of people. He mentions a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. Lets take a deeper look at this.

The priest. Priests were very religious people. They were experts in the law, and in this case, missing one thing (action James 2:14). He passed right by and actually went to the other side of the road.

The Levite. Now to understand why Jesus chose a Levite we have to go back to the Old Testament. When the Twelve tribes were assigned land, the Levites were the only ones who were given cities instead of land. Which gave them a head start and easily an arrogant auora to themselves. The Levites also had particular religious and political responsibilities. So they too were experts in areas, but also lacking one thing (Development). He passed by as well.

Finally the Samaritan. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews. The Samaritans were a mixed "race". Highly frowned upon. He has no expertise in anything, he is the lowest of the low in that society, yet He is the one who does not judge this beaten man. He helps out and gives graciously, mastering the two things the priest and the levite were missing.

If you look closely at the Priest, he supposedly knew all of the laws. He missed one. In Leviticus 19:18 it reminds us of the greatest commandment of all "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Which is the answer to the question presented by the original expert Luke 10:27) He missed it. And because he missed it he missed his action.

One of the most quoted verses in James, 2:14, says "Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it with your actions? That kind of faith doesn't save anyone." Clearly the priest missed the mark and did not come through with action. However, the Samaritan did take action, his faith was not based on just the principles.

Now more closely at the Levite and his history. The Levites were given cities, not land. Cities have no room to grow and develop, they are established. The tribes that were given land had room to grow and develop. The Samaritan, on the other hand, developed the sick man back to health.

So, if you have made it this far you are probably ready for a conclusion. Here it is.

In order to stop the racism, discrimination, and whatever other injustice is going on, we must first and foremost love our neighbors as ourselves. But secondly, when we see something that makes us mad, take action, and through that action develop the person or group back to health.

Undeservedly Blessed

Well, after a very peaceful, enjoyable, fun weekend back in Thomasville, I did a lot of thinking while I was there. I got to spend time with the people that have made the most influence in my life and I just want to point these people out. I want to say just how much they mean to me, and how thankful I am for them.

Dad: As I was sitting on Matt Rollins porch talking with some of the guys about father figures and how a lot of them failed to instill important virtues in them, I sat there thinking, "my Dad has done all of that." Dad, there has not been a time that you have given me the wrong advice. EVERYTIME I listen to what you say, things work out. Dad you have taught me how I am supposed to treat women; you have asked all of the hard questions; you ALWAYS challenge me to be better; you have done everything I could possibly ask for from a father. You get up at 1:30 every morning, do a paper route, and then go to another full time job just to give us what we need. When I come home, you make time to catch up with me. I have no idea how you do and handle all you do, and I cannot thank you enough for it. Dad, you are my hero and I can only hope to be the incredible christian example to my children that you have been for me.

Mom: You ALWAYS pick on me. You always find something to joke about, but through it all, I know that if I have a need you will find a way to make it work. I know that when I come home, you will be there if I need to talk. All the times you make dinner and dont get thanked, or all the work you do around the house, trying at all cost to keep it clean, despite having 2 teenagers living there at all times. You have the most difficult job of all, and do not get thanked for it. I love you Mom and thank you for all that you do, it IS appreciated more than you know.

Noelle: you are CURVY... HAHAHAHA but seriously little sis, I cannot tell you how excited I get when I see a text message from you, or an aim thingy. You ALWAYS know how to brighten my day and you are such an AWESOME little sister. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to seeing you when I get home! I love you sis and know that I am a phone call away if you ever need me.

Tim: Bro, you are crazy, but I love you anyway. Despite our differences, we somehow manage to get along, for the most part, and I always enjoy getting out and playing frisbee, football, or whatever with you. I think our best conversations have come while being dumb and goofing off. Bro I love you and as I said for Noelle, you are an AWESOME little brother. I hope you know that I love you like crazy and as for Noelle, I am a phone call away if you ever need to talk.

Grace: I dont really even know where to start. You have been there for me since I moved to Thomasville, literally a life saver. From all of the disc golf times, to coffee shop times, to dramatic camp times, to serious talks in Matt's office, I have more memories that involve you than any other person outside my family. I am completely comfortable around you and there are not many people I am completely comfortable with. You are always there to screw my head back on straight, which happens quite often. All I can do is thank you for the amazing friend you have been to me. (You have more in the mail).

Matt Bryant: Nashville 2005, that is all I have to say. Since then, you have been one of my closest friends, and one of the few that holds me accountable. Thanks bro.

Matt Rollins: For 3 years I was privelaged enough to have you as a leader, mentor, and friend. The late night chats while smoking a cigar are my personal favorites. I absolutely love those times I get to learn from you.

Chris Thompson: I have no idea where to begin. You challenge me to be the absolute best I can be. You give me resources to find the information I need. I remember the last conversation I had with you before you left, I had a Savinelli, sitting on your porch with pizza. We talked about everything imaginable from your new life to personal struggles to sports, to comedians. Bro, I cannot thank you enough for the mentor you have been to me.

There are so many more people that have had a major influence on my life and I cannot thank you all enough. I seriously do not know where I would be if it were not for the amazing friends and mentors that have invested their time and energy into me. I am so incredibly blessed to call these people my friends AND family.