10:01 P.M.

Psalms 23. 1-4

The Good Shepherd

This is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Bible. And if not the most popular, it’s more than likely the most widely known. But there is allot to be said about this little section of the bible, and I am learning why it’s so powerful.

Well will start at the beginning. Psalms 23:1: The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Alright we know that David, who wrote this, was a shepherd, but he also understood the role that plays, not only as ruler over all, but caretaker of his dominion. He is like a shepherd, who takes care, provides and protects his loyal sheep. So under the LORD, there is no reason to want, because everything we could possibly need is available. We won’t be wanting.

Psalms 23:2: He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He leads you in safe places to rest. He is the wise provider and in HIM we can find the peace of green grass and quiet streams.

Psalms 23:3: He renews my life; He leads me along the right path for His name sake.

This is a powerful verse hidden in plain sight. He is renewing and He gives us life. The part I like is the second part of this verse. It says that when you follow God, it’s the right path. No matter how hard, oppressive, stressful or difficult the situation, it’s all for God’s glory. By being faithful, it’s a testament to his glory and it will reflect him through us. His right path brings good for His name’s sake.

Psalms 23:4: Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear [no] danger, for You are with me Your rod and Your staff- they comfort me.

This verse ties into the last verse quite nicely. This last verse, it tells us about how God leads us on the righteous path and during that time on this path, we will be hit with oppressions and temptations, but even through that, we know our good shepherd is there. With Him there is no need to fear any danger. He is with us, leading us on. Now I need to bring something to attention. David brings up two instruments used by shepherds. The rod and the staff. They both have similar uses. The staff has a hook which is used to bring the sheep into the right direction and the rod is for rebuke. David here is saying that even God’s rebuke for leaving him and the changes in direction comfort him. God is so great that he cares for us to redirect us, he’s so great to bring us back after drifting away from him, and even in what we think is right.

Voddie's lesson

I am listening to a sermon by Mr.Bauchum about the Flood and he talked about the blessing of Righteousness. But this is what I came up with.
"but the reward of righteousness could very well be put that you are spared from God's wrath. i mean, that works for me, cause that's being in his grace"

Ramblings

I realized finally that I actually like writing. But like myself, my writings are confusing, conflicting, and inconclusive. So what does this show? Who we are becomes evident through our work. Now I have a question for all of you. If your actions show who you are, who do you want to be?

Some words from me

Day 1
I am sitting here in my Grandparent's house down here in Florida and I noticed that my Dad had visited my blog. But I haven't written anything in such a long time, I thought, why not start now? But I am thinking now of what to write. So here I go, bear with me here.

Being stuck with the term teenager is such an impediment that I feel it is an insult. It is basically the biggest cop out for anyone our age. Oh he's a teenager, it's what they do, oh he's a teenager he's gonna be a little crazy. But I say no! That's a load of crap. But our society has set thee years out so hypocritically. On one hand, they give us our year, and they tell us to have fun with our life, and encourage us to get all the latest games, phones and clothes. I mean come on, I know you're saying, what's wrong with that? In themselves? Nothing. But we at this age have become so focused on it that we can't focus on what we should be focused on during these years. Our future and families. Our performance during these years academically and otherwise is so important to out future. Without it, there is no chance of going as far as you have wished.

Take football players. Take anyone who plays in the NFL. It all started in young ages. They started in the middle school and younger and started to put time and effort into their game and technique during the early years. Then more strategy and conditioning came with every year and off season. Then they all of the off time was put towards working on their game. This dedication to their goal let them advance into a big school into college. Then they were able to take their game to the next level with greater dedication by going beyond what they are called to do. It's sort of what its like the qualifications for the Medal of Honor. Going Beyond and Above the Call of Duty. And it all started young and mainly during the teenage years. So if this is the secret of success? Why are we setting teens up to fail?

Thoughts. Fencing does not = life, but fencing+life is a pretty sweet combo

So
I have not written...anything....in a very, very long long long time. So yeah, this better be good and make sense in the.

FIRST
I have been learning many many things about myself, who I am, and who I'm shaping into. First, I have come to a startling discovery! After much research I have come up with a postulate that rivals the mathematicians of old!

Here it is.
Fencing + me not parrying= bruises.
Fencing + me using parries= FTW
Also...
Fencing does not = life, but fencing+life is a pretty sweet combo.
Oh yeah.

Am I a genius or what? But seriously, fencing is one of the sweetest combos one can get. Let's compare two sports. One is fencing, and the other? A very different sport, American football. In football, it is a collaborative team effort to make a victory from the pages to the field. From the recruiters, to the scouts, to the managers, to the coaching staff, to the players themselves. They all put money, time and energy to get a W. Now fencing?

You're it. The whole team. The GM, the coach, the recruiter, the scouts, the Offensive coordinator, the defensive coordinator, the head coach, the ball boy, the quarter back, the lineman, the DBs, etc... Even your own reff!

Yeah, big deal. The answer? Yes and no. Like almost everything, it is broken down. Thanks to mental discipline and much training and practice, all of this can become second nature. But like all types of martial arts, this discipline and type of mental focus carries over into life. And something about this swagger, it's like an aura, that not everyone can see, but they know it's there. Things like problem solving become a pastime.

Situation A
When on the fencing strip, you five senses are not enough. Flat out. It's not gonna happen. Fencers essentially have that fabled, "sixth sense" Cliche no? sorta, but it's true. let me break it down for you.
You need to see and keep track of how far you are i.e. keeping distance, you need to have you eye on opponents tip and you need to keep an eye on what they are doing in general. how far they are holding their elbow from their flank, how high or low their bell or blade is, how they advance, when they advance, even movements of their off hand. Me having a short right arm have an advantage in this last situation since you can't see it :P

And that's half of it, then there is also what you are doing and what your opponent is doing in response to that and what they are doing and how you are responding to it.

Crazy huh?
Well in these kind of terms, yeah, it's really difficult. Yeah it seems so simple. I feel that's how the Christian walk is played out into. And it confuses me. Do these people know what they are talking about? People say things like to be a better Christian are things like, reading their bible, going to Church, following the Ten Commandments, loving your neighbor as yourself. Yeah, these things are all found in the Bible, and these are things we all should do! But the reputation and laid back attitude these things are often presented, it's as if they don't matter!
Let me rephrase this. When people ask you a question Bible related, everyone knows the Sunday School answer, Jesus/God. Or the things listed above. But they're is so much more to that. Now, these things in of themselves are even hard for me to do. Borderline impossible. But it has been done, and it is possible! Now I am imploring my brothers and sisters to contend this! Contend to the Spirit of God and the instructions given by him. And I ask for the encouraging that we reading about that Paul implores of us. To check out motivation behind the things we do, so that we can bring Glory to God! And isn't that what we are called to do and want to do? That's a call of the Christian.

And that's my answer.

UPDATE

Alright, sorry I haven't written anything in a while. So now it's time for an update. This weekend I participated in the Charlottesville Fencing Alliance's Spring Regional Youth Circuit. And I placed third. Yay!
So that night we went to go celebrate at Ledo's Pizza. But from there it turned from good to bad, because during that time frame I acquired a stomach virus, leading me to puke 11 times that night. No fun. So here I am today, in bed, sick. Should be better by tomorrow.

3/12/09

Psalm 1
1. Setting: David, teaches about how those of "two ways" end up.
2. There are two promises talked about. The first is that to those who are happy in the Lord, and dwell in his word and ways, they will be like a fruitful, strong tree. Everything they do will prosper, and the Lord will watch over whomever is righteous. The second promise is that those who despise God's ways/the wicked/ taking the path of sinners/group of mockers will be like chaff which will be lost in the wind, and the wicked will not survive judgment, and they will not be in the community of the righteous. It also says God leads the path of the wicked to ruin.
3. i think the sin that is being dealt with is pride. For those who humble themselves to God's will, will enter his protection and rest. For it is pride of the wicked that leads them to ruin.
4. With this, I need to continually pray that god will remove my pride so i can grow closer to him.

Jude 1:1-4
1. Setting: Jude, slave to Jesus Christ and a brother of James is writing to a church to exhort them to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints one and for all.
2. The main characters are Jude, Jesus, and the church that is being written to about ungodly men.
3. Jude had wanted to write about the common salvation they had, but things were brewing in this church. This body was being corrupted from the inside by ungodly men, leading people away and putting down/denying Jesus. So Jude writes to them to exhort them to the things they know, which is to love, bring peace and give mercy.
4. The promise: it says that those who hold to Christ are kept by him and loved by God.
5. The sin in this passage is the deceitfulness. (if that's even a sin. i think it is)
6. I need to continue to dive in the word and become familiar with it so I may be able to pick out the deceivers.