Rebirthing the Writing ideas

10:01 P.M.

2010-02-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T18:41:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Things I've Learned

2009-02-25T06:46:00.000-08:00

I've been reading this book What If Jesus Has Never Been Born?, and it had some pretty interesting things to say.
The chapter I'm pulling this from is called The Sins of the Church

Christendom produced the terrible witch hunts.

Christianity produced Frederich von Spree, who risked jail for speaking out against it in
Europe, and Rev. Increase Mather, who ended it in Salem, Massachusetts.

Members of Christendom, along with corrupt Muslims in North Africa, initiated the slave trade to the New World.

Christianity produced William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect that fought successfully to abolish slave trade and President Abraham Lincoln, who helped end the practice of slavery in the United States.

Christendom produced the Spanish Conquistadors, who decimated thousands in the New World (although there was plenty of evil here, such as cannibalism and human sacrifice).

Christianity produced Bartholomew de las Casas, the Jesuit priest who spoke forcefully for the rights of the Indians.

Christendom produced the colonization of the Third World, which sometimes involved oppression and exploitation.

Christianity produced William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and David Livingstone, who did so much good to elevate these people from darkness.

Within Christendom arose the slums and inhumane treatment of child laborers of nineteenth-century England.

Christianity produced Lord Shaftesbury, who worked tirelessly to improve their lot and to protect children through child labor laws.

What? I'm not broken? Why do I need to surrender?

2009-01-08T17:21:00.001-08:00

This Wednesday at Youth Group, we often sing this one song that gets seriously over looked in how powerful it is.
It is the Jeremy Camp song aptly named Sweetly Broken.
And it is such a powerful song. When I'm singing it, I have to do a double take so I can pay attention to the power in these words.

At the cross, you beckon me
Draw me gently, to my knees and I am,
lost for words, so lost in love, I'm sweetly broken,
Wholly surrendered.

Are those not powerful words? Just right there, in the chorus. And yet, how often do i just sing these words, because everyone else is singing them, and not singing them from my heart.

So I began to ponder why it is so important to be sweetly broken and wholly surrendered.

Pride is one of the most prevalent sins in all of human history. It has brought tyrant's empires crumbling down, many men in the Bible, as well as bring down Lucifer from heaven as well as one third of the angels.

But by only asking for God's help, can we overcome this. That's why its important

Thoughts for the servant

2009-01-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

So I have been thinking.

I spent all of yesterday afternoon helping out at the Pelt's new house, and helping them move in. And on the ride home, a certain verse popped into my head along with another. It was John 12:8 and James 1:27.
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

But it got me to thinking, because I remember a related verse where it says we are to care for the orphans and the poor. This got me thinking about all that had happened that day and how we are called to help those previously mentioned. But if we are called to do this, and by doing this, the love that God pours out unto us being poured unto them, how much more should we care for those in our body?

What we did for the Pelts is exactly what I felt we should have done. The response was heartening and uplifting. But disaster strikes everyone of us, does it not? It strikes in the form of sin. It causes us to stumble every day, and hinders from being as close to God as we all should truly desire. So shouldn't we not only gather for those kinds of situations, but also just to uplift one another?
Should not being an encouragement and there for you brothers and sisters cause such a reaction?

Since we are not at our final destination, and we should be the poor in spirit and be humble, I feel we should rush to each others aide in those times as well.

New changes and Fences! I mean Fencing!

2009-01-02T15:56:00.000-08:00

Well it has been awhile since I've blogged. But I felt I should. I now have a super awesome new background, thanks to the coolest Kristen I know!
My sister!
And other things have been up and about!

I was recently able to go to the Pillar Youth Group (also known as Ten Fold Youth Ministries) game night. IT WAS A BLAST! I got to see a lot of good friends that I hadn't seen in a while, I got to play Guitar Hero World Tour finally, and most of all, have fun.

And many things have happened over this holiday season.

Like Christmas. And this is the time of the show where I list what I got.
And I gotta say, I'm impressed.

I got a pair of How the Grinch Stole Christmas Boxers, an Ohio State University Hoodie, a Union University hoodie, an I ♥ UU T-Shirt, a new kickin pair of jeans, Mario Kart Wii, a Chic-Fil-A calender and socks.
Man I love those socks.

I also have been conditioning myself for some more Fencing Tournaments that are coming up. The plan for me is to try and attend the OSU fencing camp this summer, but you need a whole year of competitive fencing under your belt before you can even apply!
So that is my story

May this year, continue!

Woah! Why is the rum gone?

2008-12-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

Alright, well the title has nothing to do with what I'm gonna write about. But it oddly seemed appropriate.

Well, here we go.

For those of you who read this blog (I have no number for you guys), Sorry.

I have not done this in a while, but i thought that it would be nice to blog again, just to get back on Jason's blog roll. So this will be quite the long blog.

First!
Fencing.
Still going quite well, and if you really want to see how well, well this is for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f56hp9XXth0&feature=channel_page

There shall be more on the way.

And then
MY SISTERS ARE HOME!
They have just arrived from Union University for Christmas!

Happy days abound

So, time to Fence!

2008-11-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

First I want to clear something up. My tournament last week as actually a C and under tournament.
Which mens any C or under rated fencer could participate. Me being one of those fencers. This weekend is the U17 tournament.
This also happens to be the Junior Olympics Qualyifiers.
and If you want to know how well I did, Well I can't tell you because I don't know. Coach told me not to look at the results for a while and to just focus on Fencing.
I hope I can do my best on Sunday!

A friend in need is a what?

2008-11-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Revently I have been learning alot about friendshis and who my friends really are. There is an old saying a friend in need is a friend indeed. Then answer me this, anyone who can leave your answer in the comments. When you are in need why does everyone seem to run away from you?

New days bring new experiences

2008-11-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

I am excited because I have another tournament this weekend!
But this time its a 17 and under tournament, so I might have a chance!

Official results

2008-11-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

So the offical results for the tournament just came out. You can find them at this link: http://www.va-usfa.org/results/halloween.epee.htm

But I would also like to congradulate my friend Victoria Owens for placeing 17th, Garrett 23rd, Sara Moore 43rd, and Katie Casey 54th in the Mixed Foil.
Good job guys!

My first real tournament!

2008-11-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

Well this was it
today was my first offical, USFA certified Epee tournament. Gosh it was soo exciting.
And quite intimidating. In the room of 36 fencers, I was the youngest. It was very intimidating since they well mostly in college.
And exerience was deffinetly on their side.
Though I only won one bout today, I learned so much and I can't wait to get back on the strip

I'm in school

2008-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

So funny story...
This weekend is midterms for Mountain View High School. And since I only go for one class a day, being that I am home schooled, I had to collect information on what times I would have to come into school. So luckily for me Mrs. Keene is one of the most awsomest teachers ever and he is letting use her computer and sit in here for a half hour. But that is my bell
I must be off

Who am I?

2008-10-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

Incredibly recently i have been given the opportunity to look at myself at a different angle from the one I see myself at. And though I have tried to show i have changed, I think the change has not been well noticed or accepted.

But there has been a change. And there are a few things about how I used to be and how people view

I was and maybe am stilla jerk. I put down others and make fun of any situation for my own amusement.

I used to be a liar. In fact, it used to be the thing I was best at. I would lie to get out of any situation and shift the blame to others. I was quite good at lying to the point were people believed it was true.

I was two faced. this is still something I struggle with. I would curse, put down people, treat them as garbage, and not give a care. Then on Wednesday night, I put on the "Look at me, I'm a perfect Christian" mask on at Youth group and try to fix my ways and try to be a better person and a better influence to my friends. But I would fail at this task by the afternoon of Thursday. And then the vicous cycle would repeat. But this all changed.

And how may you ask? Did I finally get it right? Did I finally break my vicious cycle? Well, no.

I didn't. Then I am asked, how did it happen, this legendary change to speak of?

Well, I didn't do anything besides give my life to serving Christ, The Son of God, the Son of Man, The three in one.

And now that his life consumes my own, i want nothing better than to serve him all my days. And that is exactly why I am going into the Missionary field. I want to be a missionary in Germany.

And how am I different?

Well in says in 1 Peter 1:16 "for it is written, Be Holy for I AM Holy."

Now taken out of context, this verse can be quite confusing, but it points to God, when he told his people to be holy, because their God is holy. And then Jesus, his son says the same things. When asked why they must submit to the authority they are under he said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God, what is God's."

So God gives me the power to follow his laws.

As in, Do not lie against thy neighbor. They reason i don't liey becasue I am "To do all for the Glory of God." And if I did, that would bring God's justly, rightly deserved Glory.

I respect everyone even if they don't respect me. For we are told to love our enemies.
I could go on longer, but I am just going to end with this.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

So now what?

2008-10-26T13:27:00.001-07:00

Well, I was gonna continue about what I have previously wrote about. But there's no need to. It's in God's hands now.
Today in church to talked about Matthew 18 and the part were is one brother does you wrong, to confront him in privatte. And if he consents you have won him.
And I have talked to my friends and I am pretty sure I won most of them.
But there's nothing I can do now, it's all in God's hands. And personally I don't wanna settle this over the phone or over the internet. That is now how I do or one should do things. I would rather do it face to face. I really hope that when thhey just want to talk. Because thats the only way we are going to settle things.

When the enemy attacks, be strong and have Faith in the Lord

2008-10-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

So I have been imformed by my friends about a certain rumor. Ok, it wasn't a rumor, apparently i told my friend Tim(not real name) that he was just using his girlfriend Jennifer(not real name either) to hit it and quit it. Fortunatly my other frind confronted me about it and I am so happy he did. He told me that basiclly that he knew that I wouldn't do that and that he trusts I didn't do that. Aparently these messages were sent over myspace a couple of weeks ago. But I have attempted to delete my account. I recently just tried to logg into my account and it said I got it wrong. I assumed that it was deleted. I typed in the url to my dismay, the account still exists. But i can't get into it. I hope that this will be resolved. But i know that God will sustain me through this time. He has given me loyal friends to back me up and I know he is an unconditional loving God. Now I don't don't know who would want to do this to me, but I hope it is resolved. I am sorry for anything "I" alledgedly said. This whole situation really disturbs me because since i have been trying to live out my witness, that someone is out to tear it down.

Writing is reborn! to my dismay

2008-10-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

I am really beginning to realize how very blessed I am to be Homeschooled. i have also realized that unfortunately I have been abusing my power. like in the writing department. I utterly despise writing. But unfortunately I am quite good at it. It seems I just need to be motivated. So i have a short story to write as one of my projects. So here is a little of the first part of my story, One Warm Spring. comments and ideas are appreciated.
Well here it is.

“Bob! Stop yer dawdlin’ an get down here!”
Suddenly remembering what he was up there for, Bob resumed his duties and went on to brush down the horse’s mane. “You must have quite the life, huh Shadow? You just do your job and everybody loves you, feeds you, and takes care of you.” “Are you talkin’ to that horse again?” It was Tom. His real name was Morgan, but he punched out the last man who called him that. Not that the man goes lookin for fights. That’s just not Tom’s way of life. He’s a real peaceful guy, but with the heat of the Texan sun, the with the Mexican Army breathing down your neck, people get a little antsy. And though its spring time, it feels like summer all year long.
“Bob if you spent more time concentrating on your work you would be able to get done a lot faster,” said Tom. Bob looked over to see Tom leaning on the frame of the stable with one of the widest smiles he ever knew. He was standing with his unsheathed buck knife, running over the edge with his thumb.
“And I suppose you’re workin hard? Or are you hardly workin?” said Bob. ‘Cause if you’re neither, you’re in more trouble than I am Mr. Travels.” Tom let out a chuckle, ‘You’re something else kid. But we have a reason to be easy. Word is that reinforcements are a comin’.”
So this was this look that Bob had been noticing. He may be just a lonely stable boy, but he wasn’t dumb. Being around animals so much, one gets to understand them just by the way they act. And Bob had noticed something that had been stirring in the attitudes of the defenders of this mission. Something more than hope, it was relief. Even the idea of fresh fighters instilled courage in the very heart of the Alamo.
“Don’t listen to this here fool Bob!” Then coming from behind Tom came Andrew Harvestings. “Are you givin this little boy false ideas here?” asked Andrew.

Do you have a tatoo?

2008-10-06T07:25:00.001-07:00

So recently I've been listening to alot of SKA recently. Mainly Reel big Fish's Take On Me. And that Brought me back. An old song I used to love.

What to write about?

2008-09-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

I really have no idea
No one has really blogged recently and I've been busy with school, so I haven't blogged either.
Man, quite the double edged sword.
So...
Yeah, SBC had their musical "Cantata" today at church, and I had a solo
No big deal, I never really wanted me, but since I was asked, I delivered. It was fun.
I saw a bunch of cameras
I hope someone to to pictures of us soon.

Star Wars comes back to haunt

2008-09-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

So recently I was watching the classic, Stars Wars, Episode 4, A New Hope. It's a really good movie. And there's a scene where Luke, Han, Chewie, R2-D2, and C3PO escape the Death Star with Leia. And two things struck me. There's a line where he talks about delusions of grandeur. It's always really struck me for some odd reason. Because i feel that this whole fencing dream of mine has gotten me to a mentally, not right state of myself. And I gave thanks to God that he has humbled me and has brought me to rely on him again

Fencing Journal #1 Please, unless you want to read my rambling, don't read

2008-09-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Alright, fencers I faced.
Sarah Parker 3-2 W
Blonde dude whos name I forget 10-5 W
Chris (Or is it Dan?) 4-5 L
Victoria 5-10 L

Alright, starting with Sarah.
Yes, it looks like I barely won, but I was clearly the better fencer yet there is much to improve upon. She isn't the fastest fencer, or she just doesn't give her all in practice, which doesn't make sense to me, if you don't put your all in practice, there's no way you can get better. Well Sarah's game is slow and the best way to beat her is to speed up the match, and play to my strength, which is slow controlled motions with fast intensive burts. its like a mix of both styles. sped it up then slow it down then just mess with her head. that'll do it. that's i've learned.

I really don't have time to continue, so this will resume at a later time

Aghh! I was doing so well!

2008-09-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Man, I was doing so well with keeping up with my blog. But unfortunately, school has rendered my blogging to be worth nothing. And so I have finally something to blog about!
I finally started my classes at MVHS, even though I am home schooled I still take Tech Theatre and Mixed Chorale, taught by Mr.H and Mrs.Keene. Fabulous teachers.

But at first I was quite skeptical, but I now know that it was all a silly matter. I felt like I didn't like the class because I didn't know anyone. But now I know people, I hope I have a good year. PRAY FOR ME PLEASE!

Let's try something new

2008-09-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I was running around in the rain and flood water of Apple Grove. Down the street from me there is a park with Tennis courts that is some 40 yards away from a creek that sepperates us from Quantico. Normally its at a depth of around 5 to 6 inches. But thanks to the rain it rose to a depth of around 10 feet. No joke. So all of the water spilled into the tennis filling it with water knee deep. So naturally me and my friends went swimming it. And funny story, my friend Johnathan (not Cain) was riding my bike through the water, hit a drainage pipe and flipped. It was the funniest thing ever. But later after I got dried and me and my friend Jeremy got back outside, Johnathan was out with some of the friends I used to hang out. and it was awkward. I automatically knew that I shouldn't be there. I've done a few dumb things but this, there was no mistaking it. I felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Robert, get out of here. This is the wrong crowd. You were wrong. Get out of here." And so I went home. This was I am shure this was a sing that I'm growing

Another update

2008-09-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

YES!!

I am soo excited.

I just got my new weapon.

Pictures...

I find the color of the blade to be quite interesting. I don't know if you can see it all that well, but my blade is made out of Gold. No joke.

And I also got my Fencing vid on Youtube!

UPDATE!

2008-09-03T04:29:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, look! I found a picture. It's kinda small though. Unfortunately, this is a picture of a right handed Epee. Bummer. I just noticed that.

The Pre-mature stages of a new beginning

2008-09-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

So here I am, right no, in a hotel in Knoxville Tennessee. Funny, I just talked about spelling Tennessee just recently with my mom. It's going to be in alot of E-Mails and blog posts. Yes it is time, the time has come to send my beloved sisters of to college, Union University to be precise. And it's going to be really odd. For starters, this is the first family road trip that I have not been with my sisters. They are driving themselves in their car, all tricked out with their new Union bumper sticker. And when we finally get to Union and we unload, our Honda is going to be empty. Because we barely brought anything for ourselves. Heck, there was was no room. I'm really going to miss those girls. But the best thing is that it's not the end, it's a new beginning. For them at the least.
But I have my own (sadly selfish) reasons for being excited. For starters I am getting a new Epee with a gold blade with a Visconti pistol grip. And yes people, there will be pictures.

The scars of battle

2008-08-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

"This picture was removed because arrently now that Robert knows that people actually read his blog, it's too 'gory'."

So yesterday I was supposed to have a one on one lesson with Coach Brown at PWFA (Prince William Fencing Academy for those of you who don't know) but he got sick. So during a fencing bout with Garret I got hit a few good times under the arm and right now it stings allot. I mean, allot.

Gradparents+Fencing+Marines= A WHOLE LOT OF STUF!!

2008-08-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

So I wish I had finished yesterday's blog...yesterday. It would have saved the awkwardness of writing two long blogs in the same time frame. Sheeesh.
Alright, here it goes.

So yesterday my Grandparents came from Florida to visit us. I was also excited because that meant that I could go Fencing that day. I love to go Fencing. I just love it. And it was a bonus that my grandparents would get to come watch me. So I get there and I'm setting up and putting away my stuff, when coach walks over to my sisters and convinces them to join us in the class. Then Coach says, "Ok! We're going to have an Épée pool! Robert, teach them the basics and get warmed up." And one thought goes through my mind, crap.

So I got them to run a few laps and I started to lead stretching and i kept on thinking, my team is going to get creamed, I better be doing better than my best, I hope they don't hate me for this. But I continued to teach them the basics of the en garde position, the advance, the retreat and the lunge. And so we got them fitted with their equipment, and I don't think Kristen knows this, but chest guard are for girls. Guys can, but don't have to wear them. But they suprised me and did very well. And in the end our team won 45 to 44
Really close.
And today we got to go to the Marine museam. That was really cool. Walked in circles all day. And they had this cool little shooting range. Unfortunatly, I got a 73% grade. I was totally bummed.

Cold feet

2008-08-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

So I have been sitting in the basement playing Madden 09 of the PlayStation 2 for the past hour and while flipping through channels (waiting for the game to load) and I came across two very interesting stories. One of a man inner tubing in almost completely submerged Florida being tug by an SUV. But his little fun ended with a tree. Hitting him in the face. Or was it the other way around?

Anyway, the other story was about a nine year old kid pitcher who could throw it 40 miles an hour. This kid has quite the future. But the story wasn't about the kid's potential, it was that he was kicked out of his league. He can't play baseball. And it's all because he wouldn't join a rival team. So a person who is a parent of that team and on the baseball committee kicked him out.
Doesn't that ever make you think that parents are taking it out of context of what the game should be about?
And don't you feel that we take our faith and God and the Church out of context? Arguing over what color the carpet should be than biblical truth?
That gives me cold feet.

Oh yeah...

2008-08-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

One last thing

The Burkes and the Quanns, officaly some of the absolute coolest people I know

Just throwing that out there

The Burke's Manor. Quite the place to be

2008-08-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well I had a great time last night.
Last night my family was invited to the Buke's for dinner. Unfortunatly is was a little apprehensive at first but I soon warmed up. All it took was Josh to start talking about football. That will lighten any mood. It got even better throughout the night when we got talking about guitars and me playing...guitar. Duh. And I told Josh I didn't exactly remember who I drafted for my fantasy football team, so here it is.
The lineup right now is
Starting QB: Tony Romo
RB: Jamal Lewis
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew
RB/WR: Donald Driver
WR: Wes Welker
WR: Hines Ward
TE: Dallas Clark
D/ST: NY Giants
K: Shayne Graham
Now, Bench
Phillip Rivers, SD QB
Eli Manning, NYG QB
D.J. Hackett, CAR WR
Benjamin Watson, NE TE
Chris Brown, HOU RB
Derrick Mason, BAL WR
Greg Olsen, CHI TE

Comatose

2008-08-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Think about it...

When you think of comatose, what slips into your mind?

Your Uncle, laying there lifeless in the hospital? Or you wanting to strive for what you have been working for your whole life only to never meet your expectations.

But to me, being comatose is what I fear the most. Being unmoved, by the works of God. It's petrifying. Not being moved to do what he wants, to do his will. It's disheartening when I don't. It's one of the things I often worry about. And yet Christ tells us to not worry because if even the sparrow is in his hand, how much more does he care for me? I just comprehend that. And it breaks my heart when I'm listening to a message, and I look around for one who actually cares. And when I don't I have to hold back the tears.

When will we not be silent? When will be quite anymore my God?

Fencing is back! And so am I

2008-08-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wow

I am always going places

I really just need to settle down and stay home. But first off I just wanted to say that i got home safely with the Cains. It was another interesting experience. On the first day (mind you the FIRST DAY!) we went swimming at this waterpark extravaganza thay had at Pocahontas State Park. But apparently, on the way home, Jonathan lost his mother's flip flop and so she sent us to go and find it. So Jordan, Jonathan and I went on our bikes to see if we could find it. And it was getting a little late but we weren't worried. I mean, come on, we're on bikes, we can get back in no time. but by the time we got to the pool and turned around, it was starting to get dark, so I made the suggestion that we take the road home. Turns out that it take quit a while on bike to get to the top of the mountain and get to the camping grounds. At night. But we eventually made it back and we had dinner over a fire and went to bed. At 2.

And that was a bunch of fun, but I split my big toe's finger nail of the slide there. No biggie. But oddly enought, since no one was home when I got home, I stayed and extra day at the Cain's. But turns out that dad was home because he wasn't feeling good. So I got to go home yesterday relax a little then go to Fencing at PWFA.

And Fencing last night was really cool. Even though there was only five of us there. We got to Fence with all three wepons. It was so much fun. And I killed at Sabre. I think I've got a new weapon

Success! (and a newly found system)

2008-08-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

Today brought about anew found experience for me. I am going on Johnathan Cain's birthday bash this weekend, which happens to be a camping trip. I went last year, so with this years time to prepare and last year's experience, I was ready. Except for one thing. Johnathan loves bike riding. He said I could bring my bike. Well, one of my bike tires exploded(literately!) and the other one had a leak. And last week my dad tried to replace the tire/tube that exploded. But it blew up as well. Turned out to be a tire failure. And now with my father at work, I had to replace the tire. It was a strenuous, thumb bleeding, greasy experience. But finally(with a little of my mother's help) I replaced the tube and put the tire back on. I feel soo accomplished.

Another big achievement. I started my first day of homeschooling yesterday. It actually was quite that handfull. But the funny thing is that 90% of it is one that computer. The other is reading. So I sit at the computer for my lectures (as I am doing now) and for Biology. But for Liturature I read books. Ad instead of world history for history I am doing The History for Christianity.
This will be an interesting year

My Wednesday Night Teaching

2008-08-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Opening Question: Was there ever a time when you had to step up to the plate and lead in a big way?
Thesis: Everyone is a leader, but who are you leading, and where are you going?
Did you know that everyone is a leader?
(Matthew 28:19-20)
Jesus has called every single one of us to lead in some way shape and fashion. Being a leader is essential to being a Christian, because by being a Christian, it is your life purpose and responsibility to be obedient to God by spreading God’s word into the world. In that, you are leading the Kingdom. Though you are leading the Kingdom, you are not controlling were it is going. God controls the Kingdom; we obey and fulfill his orders. (perhaps another way of thinking about this would be to consider that it is GOD who determines His kingdom. We don’t “control” God. Ours is to be obedient to Him. I think what you really mean is that we all have the responsibility. It isn’t a question of whether or not I should go, it was a command. “Go into all the world…” So the issue comes down to obeying His command, not controlling).
Leaders have influence, (even the bad ones) what are you doing with yours?
It’s a given, leaders have influence. They wouldn’t be leaders if they didn’t. But people just don’t follow every leader that shows up. They have to know what they stand for. And what is the best way to do this? Look to see if they follow through with what they say right? Well, the same applies to us.
(Matthew 7:15-20)
Jesus, the God-man drew people in to him by the radical way that he lived. So if we are to have Jesus live through us, shouldn’t we act as though we were different from this world? They say that leadership is about reputation. Reputation is how you act when everyone is around; character is how you act when no one is looking. So your character should reflect and please the Lord. It’s what you do in the secret places when no one (but God) is looking.
(2 Timothy 1:7)
So we have all of this influence, but often, people don’t want to use it. But it says in the bible that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound judgment. God has given us power of everything in this world, and with this power we can do incredible things. But it’s hard. We live in a world where all of the odds are against us. But if we try to do this in our own strength we will fail. God can even orchestrate the circumstances of our lives to see this. When have you felt closest to God? Most people would say that it is in the hardest times, the lowest points, when they are broken that they “feel” close to God. If then, that is when we fell closest, why do we pray for those times to go away? Shouldn’t we lead with joy and show how God has demonstrated His power in our lives? Maybe if we were more in tune with God’s power we would see the opportunities to lead before our very eyes…

Well, then, how do we become these leaders where it is evident that God’s love is in us? Well there are few simple, but important things.
Be in God’s word

Live God’s word. (John 3:21, Matthew 15:10-11)
Pursuing the Goal, Jesus’ returning (Philippians 3:7-14)

Gahh!!! I definetly need to make this a habit

2008-08-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Man, I haven't blogged since, ummm, Monday.
DANG!!
It's been so long! what have I been doing?
Oh, yeah.
Well the obvious answer was that I was at fencing camp all week. On Tuesday I relaxed after getting home a 5 from camp. Wednesday I got my new jammin Rolling Stones Guitar (AWSOMENESS!) and went to Mike's after camp and was almost late for Youth Group. But since NO ONE SHOWED UP, I wasn't late and in trouble. But I was really bummed, i was supposed to teach that week. By the way, I will be posting that (Bryan!). And Thursday after camp, I went to the Quanns with the girls to play Ultimate Frisbee. It was fabulous! We got to play in the dark! But the consequence of all that fun is that in the end I was very cold and very, very tired. And the worst thing is that I had a fencing tournament the next morning I got plenty of sleep surprisingly. And the tournament went very well. Even though I only had 4 days experience with a weapon called foil, I placed third just below two Junior Olympians. I won four bouts and lost two. And I thought that i would be able to capitalize on the camp coming up next week, the Epee/Sabre camp. But not enough people signed up. That is the damper of my weekend.

Tears, blades, and moustaches

2008-08-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well by the title, you might think this is about some Zoro movie. Close, but so far.
I'm SOOO excited because Michele(my sister) is finally home. She came back from being a summer intern at Global Youth Camps.
That was Sunday.
But, let's backtrack, shall we?
Friday, nope Saturday. The Stafford Baptist, long awaited, highly anticipated 3 on 3 basketball tournament. My team, The Three Amigos (Bryan Scott, Jason Pelt and myself) waged war with the rest of the team for honor, for family, and for laughs. Unfortunately, we were eliminated in the first round. But fun was had by all and I got to participate in a one on one match with Victor Captman and a intensive five on five game after the tourney was over. Then, Marks' and the Quann's headed down to Fredericksburg for some Carl's Ice Cream.
Good stuff.
Then Sunday after church, while my Mother and brother were still coming home from PA, we went to go pick Michele up from the airport. and it was great to see here again. And all of her friends were there at our house waiting for her and totally surprised her. It was great.

But today. Today I had my first taste at what is widely considered toughest fencing camp in all of VA. And I'll tell you. It was tough, but I endured. But it was also alot of fun and very new. I fenced with foil, which is a starter common weapon, but I don't fence that weapon. So it was a new learning experience. But like our motto. "Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn."

Home Alone!

2008-07-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

So yes, my parents have left and i'm here, sitting at my computer, supposed to be cleaning my room. But it's a half an hour away from lunch, and I wanna watch LOTR. I probably should turn of the lights in my room. Anyways, it's been a long time since I've blogged. But soon I shall be adding sound files of podcasting because of the newly found Adobe Soundbooth.
LECTURES

Oh! Happy Day! My time to try

2008-07-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

So I feel very honored.
I was just asked by our very own (sick) Stafford Baptist Youth Intern (Robert Steed A.K.A. Lumber Jack Bobby) if I wanted to or could teach at our home groups at the Grays. Of course I said yes, but I don't really know what to do it on. At least not spevifically. i'm thinking maybe, something from 1 Timothy. Well i'm going to put it together right now. Hope all of you living near that are can come out to see it and also to to the SBc 3 on 3 tourney!

Oh cómo el agua se enciende de color rojo!

2008-07-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot that has gone on recently, but this post won't be able to cover all of that. But today, Jason Pelt did recruit me. Not for the Marines or his law firm, but for a basketball tourney. We are The Three Amigos! I am el Pollo peqeno! With my friends el Polo Caliente and el Pollo Loco! WE WILL WIN!

The long awaited, highly anticipated sequel!

2008-07-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a long week.

But never before has it been so worth it.

Ever

But it is finally time to write it all down

OK ready........................................................................................................................................................................................................................GO!

so it began at 4 O clock in the morning on a damp Monday morning. I'm sure you're thinking of how well that went over. But, every waited patiently until the bus came expected to get a good nap in before everyone got too excited. So we waited, and waited, and waited. So, a couple of the guys had sports equipment (a basketball, a football and a soccer ball; big whoop) and we throwing the football around, kicking the soccer ball as well, and every kept on wanting to wear my new hat. Well technically it was a fedora! The story behind this is that the theme for Global youth Camp this year was Indiana Jones. It was so cool. And so for a while (like two months!) that it would be cool if I had a fedora. So the morning before we left, that is my sister and I, we went to go look for a Fedora. Walking up and down that strip of concrete at the Staford Marketplace thingy, I though I would never find a Fedora that looked like Indy's, or even a fedora at the least! But we found one, and I was so excited!! Not exactly like Indy's Fedora, but close enough. So everyone in the Stafford Baptist Parking lot wanted to see and or wear it. And almost everyone did. But I did get my hat back. Which I was very glad for. And the bus did come, eventually. Like two hours after it should have. But I wasn't bitter. So it began. Our 6 or 8 hour bus ride down to Georgia.
And then God started working. In marvelous ways. For a while before that Bryan Scott and I had been meeting up together and he has been disciplining me. I don't remember when it started, but I mentioned to him something we did in Sunday school. We had done a little exercise, and exam if you will, that essentially told us what our spiritual gifts were. and I told Bryan that Faith, understanding and leadership were my highest scoring categories. So we started talking about it and how I wanted to be on Global Youth Staff, and said about you really need to be able to lead when you're on staff, it's just that important. So challenged me and we started reading a book about leadership called, The 360 Degree Leader. It talks about how to be the most effective leader when you're the middle of and organization. He challenged me to put these applications into practice and use in my youth group. And so ever since then, I had been tackling the roles of the 360 degree leader and just sitting from the back and watching how our youth group, the kids, present themselves and where our youth group is heading. So those thoughts were in the back the whole bus ride down to Georgia. Too bad they were only in the back of my head. But once we arrived, with all of the responsibilities thrust upon me, I saw it as another challenge. But it wasn't a challenge. In fact, it was exactly called me to do. Being excited, encouraging always, living out what i said i believed, telling the truth, and trying to motivate everyone else for the sake of fun and for the team.
I grew so much in that week. Previously, the time Bryan and I met up before going to camp, I talked about how when I got to camp, I going to be able to use my leadership skills like whoa. And turns out, that was an over exaggeration.
I just have to say the God was working from within me from the beginning of the week, just working. And after the first evening of camp, after all of the festivities, I finally had a chance to say my bid. And it blew people out of the water, the were shocked that I had such wise word to say or could speak so well. And during all of the sermons, it felt like that they were speaking to me and I could make the applications make sense in my life. And Oh the leadership track was just amazingly awsome! During every day, all of the family leaders, who are campers, but have more responsibility than just campers and aren't on staff, we meet up, from different yoth groups, and learn how to be leaders. I love what Roger said at theleadership track, the only one he got to speak at, he talked about where is your youth group going? And so we spilt up into our youth groups. And right then, the was a little uncomfortable silence, but it wasn't very long. I saw an opportunity to lead, not like I was, "OOHH! An opportunity, I must have my glory!!!" Not even close to that, I say a need and I felt that God told me, "Robert, it's time to step it up and play the man.' So I told them the truth. Ryan, Stephenia, Britinie, and Luke. I knew what they needed to hear about the problems of our youth group and how we are going to fix it and we also all agreed that we weren't going anywhere and our Youth Group was content with that. And when Roger was going around, i told him about how we are stagnant and how we need to push from behind the pack and encourage them along. And then Roger looked straight at me, and he said, "I like how you said that. Because Robert, I'm sure there's young guys in your group that just admire you. And if you got below them and you raised them up and made them champions, that could change their life.' And those words deeply impacted me
Then things went from one thing to the next, I felt just completely overwhelm me at evening worship. God showed me his plan for me and I was just completely overwhelmed. But i was so overjoyed, I started crying tears of joy and worship for God. So i feel led to be a global youth mentor in Germany and to go on staff and be a Junior Intern. But first i know he has called me to be an influentiall leader in my youth group. so i pray that i will stay focused on the prize and that my brothers and sisters in christ will keep me on that path and be honest with me.
GOD BLESS!!
And Remeber hebrews 11

The First of many? That's what expected

2008-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hey ya!
After much thinking, struggling, tests, T-Shirts and a couple of Sodas at Moe's, my dad convinced me to get a blog. Actually, it wasn't really that hard. My dad just said that my writing's were really good and that I should blog to sharpen my skills. I was all for it. Plus, I think this is much easier to keep up with people this way. i mean, I do have an E-Mail account (how else would I be able to open an account?), a Myspace (Which I Am trying to get rid of) and a Facebook. Talk about a lot to do on the Internet and lots of conversations. It gets pretty redundant. So blogging. It should be fun. Unless, my work goes futilely unnoticed. Eh, why should I look on the negative side of things? That's Horrible.

And Before I get any further, i think I should tell all of you guys reading this about yours truly, Your Friendly Neighborhood Lefty. Well first of, I guess you guys figured out that my real name is not Lefty. That would just be, well, dumb. My name is Robert. I am highly influenced by and love music. I'm working on a book which title I am still thinking of but it'll be great. I'm trying to start a band, and wish people would follow through some times. But I love almost all genres of music except polka. Sorry. I'm a Fencer my blood and I love Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Don't hate. I'm heavely involved with my youth group, and choir Maranatha (mare-an-a-tha). Uhh, yeah, I also have a brachial plexus injury, so it' basically afftected everything I do. But it was from birth so its ok. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QiKngd0pXc

So Fourth of July Weekend. Quite the blast! Literately. So our family friends came all the way from good ol' Deutschland. It's kind of a bummer that I didn't get to use my German so much. Contrary to most people would think, the barely spoke German. They actually knew as much as I did. Three years of German. But the Wadsacks are quite the interesting bunch of people. But I have to say, love them to death. So found out a quite a few things that, contrary to observation, Dylan's favorite game is Four Square, not basketball. But he's a normall American kid living in Germany. The Karis is a serious and highly talented Softball/Volleyball player. Also, she was quite the diva sing since she was little and is quite the character. And Jossiah is the very liberal, meek, but funny guy. And I've had some good times with them and my old friend Ryan Bristow.

So I'm posting this on the eve of my trip to tour and a lot of things have been flying through my head. Has my pride gotten in the way of furthering the Kingdom? Am I pursuing God with my heart, mind, soul, and strength? Am I being the leader i know I can be and should be? My dad's currently doing a study on a book called Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper, and I'm wondering myself. Have i been wasting my life? Is my pride getting in the way of true realization that I'm not pouring myself into God? Will my reawakening be a violent shake up? Well camp wouldn't be camp if there wasn't. And now this year there is an extra responsibility upon my shoulders, I'm a family leader. But no worries, God will lead my paths.
So, not bad for a first post? Hope so, I gotta go