Tuesday, October 23, 2007

OK, I'm sorry....

But this is absolutely....

Brilliant. So...much...fun. I'm going to have to make me one. And then buy it.


Powered by ScribeFire.

NaNoWriMo, Deux

T-8 (9? I never know how to count these things down...) days. At any rate, it's coming up quickly.

Soooo, I'm sure the question on everyone's mind is, "why would you want to put yourself through the pain of writing 50,000 words in 30 days?"

I...don't know. Truth be known (Wife believes I use that phrase way too much), I'm *not* a creative person. I'm a science/math guy. Typically, we're not creative. We leave that to the English/History/artsy freaks :) On the other hand, though, I *do* enjoy writing. I started this (well, a) blog in 2004 because I enjoyed the thought of being able to write my thoughts. And I think that I do a pretty decent job at it. I don't know, though, I'm obviously biased.

So, for that reason, the idea of writing 50,000 words in 30 days is pretty cool to me. Even if I have no clue what to write, I like the idea of writing. Another reason -- I like to try different things. I really try to find things that I'm afraid of doing, or don't think I can do, and will try them. While being a youth worker, I volunteered for solos. I'm not the most talented singer, but I was afraid to do it. So, I did. At work, I've led meetings and taught, just because I didn't want to be afraid to do something. 50,000 words in 30 days is daunting. And I've tried it twice before. And failed. I want to be able to say I tried it, and came out victorious!

So, that's it. I actually do have an idea for my story. It's nothing ground breaking. Actually the same story I wanted to write 2 years previously. I've got the characters in mind (their full names, no doubt!) and something of a plot (influenced by my love of Encyclopedia Brown, Psych, Monk, Remington Steele as well as a strong interest in video games, technology, Medieval Times, and mythology). I'm honestly not sure how it's all going to come together. But I'm going to enjoy trying to make it happen :)






Powered by ScribeFire.

Spiritual High....

Spiritual High....I wonder if there's a group of people that phrase irritates more than Youth workers....and the ones in my audience know exactly of which I speak.

It's a term they're all too familiar with -- they take a group of teenagers to camp, a mission trip, ski trip, etc. And, during that time there are tears shed, lives given completely to Christ, lives rededicated....for a week, they have this incredible spiritual awakening. No, no, this time it's real, they reassure. But then comes Monday. Parents are dogging them, there's mounds of undone homework, the latest drama in their group of friends breaks out....life happens, and all of a sudden everything from the week before is all but forgotten. Like chemical highs, there's a spike, and then there's a fall.

I've been on both sides....that teenager going down time and time again to the alter after a powerful worship session at camp, and, admittedly, the adult in the seats watching below and rolling his eyes as "thousands and thousands" go down to really and truly I mean it this time surrender to Christ. I'm being honest -- they tell me that's a good thing.

So, why the out-of-the-blue, seemingly cynical, unrelated lead in to my most recent blog post? I mean, after all, I haven't worked with youth in (/me counting on my fingers....) 7 months!

Because, as I reflect on the last couple of weeks, that's what came to my mind. Lemme explain -- a few months ago I was asked to be a Messenger to our yearly Associational meeting. I'd been to the State Baptist Convention, but hadn't been to an Associational meeting before. And, admittedly, when Pastor called me last Monday to remind me of my commitment, I was less than thrilled. I mean, it was bad enough when I thought I had to meet the church van leaving at 5:30....it was far worse finding out that no, the van was leaving at 3! So, needless to say, I didn't go with a great attitude. But I went.

All I can say is I'm glad God didn't leave me with that sour attitude. During the 2 days, I heard some incredible messages. They spoke of faith and hope. They were testaments to God's work in people's lives and His provision to those who are faithful to Him.

And the only thing I could think of was, I don't want to miss out on that! I thought of "Shine" by Newsboys:


shine

make em wonder whatcha got

make em wish that they were not

on the outside looking bored

shine
let it shine before all men

let em see good works and then

let em glorify the lord
For the last several months, since I stepped down from my leadership roles at our church, I haven't been involved in any ministry. There are several reasons for that, none of them good. But I've been "on the outside looking bored". I've been missing out!

I really think last week served as a wake up call....since then I feel like I'm earnestly working to deal with things that need to be dealt with. Starting with myself. So, why the lead-in about "Spiritual Highs"?

Because I want this to be more than that....


Powered by ScribeFire.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

NaNoWriMo

Yes, it does seem to be that time of year again. November 1 is almost upon us. And that means National Novel Writers Month.

30 days...50,000 words.

It doesn't seem too hard...til you start. And, aparently, like thousands others, come Nov 1, I'll be starting as well. More to come.

Alive!

Well, as hard as it is to believe, I am alive. Appreciation to my reader who was faithful in checking regularly and emailing to let me know he was still reading. Thank you YFCRD!

So, where was I? Truth be known, during the summer I was too busy feeling sorry for myself to do much writing. OK, much of anything, really. It's hard to keep up a blog primarily on thoughts about Scripture when you haven't been reading it, and when you do, you didn't have much desire to think about it. And that's where I've been.

This week, though, has been renewing and refreshing, aand I look forward to sharing about it soon. I look forward to writing more in the days ahead!