Yeah so I turned 29 today and I can't help bu tthink about how it is only 1 year away from 30. I sincerely hoped to have accomplished something at this point, but in alot of ways I feel like I am still just getting started. I remember looking at people I looked up to when I was in my late teens and seeing them be alot more "along the way" then I feel. I keep hearing that everyone feels this way though. I mean I am completely grateful for the life that I am finding myself in and I know that I am way more blessed then I deserve (ie. Erica and Kayla) it is just as I get older, it would be nice to think that I am moving toward something and not just taking each day as they come.
I had this thought on my way to work yesterday and I am interested to see if there is any merit to it. It is no secret that in my teen years I spent most of that time "sowing my wild oats", and thoughout my twenties I have spent that time weeding out the garden of my life from all of those seeds I throw out in my teens. I hope that as I approach my thirties that this will be the time that I am able to "reap the harvest" and be able to really provide for those I love so much. Maybe it is a guy thing, but I have always wanted to be "successful" not so much for material gain but to provide oppurtunities for my family that were given to me by gracious people outside of my family.
Well it is time to go watch "The Godfather" (my favorite family movie). To all that read this - May my Father smile on you with as much joy as He has me!
Neviusology 102
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Presence of God in the Unexpected (Chapter 1)
I have always been a fan of irony because I have always believed that God is the ultimate prankster (ie. the Platapus). I believe that the ironic things that happen in the world are moments were God is trying to let us in on the joke - Yeah I know, I'm sick! Anyway, I figured that I would share the stroies I come across in this fashon and I hope you get the same laugh that my Father and I shared over it.
Okay so today I was graced with a suprise inspection from my District Manager from Starbucks (not really my boss, she just acts as if she is) and I did really well with it (no that is not the ironic part). However when we were wrapping up our meeting she started discussing my latest Snapshot (secret shopper) Score. Now, the highest score that you can get on this thing (as well as the score that i usually receive) is 100% and 5 stars. An average score is in the 90% and 4-5 stars. Well, according to Stella (my DM) she said that our lastest score is somewhere in the 70% range and 3-4 stars, which put me through the roof. In all my time in coffee neither me or my staff have received such a low score and I ready to take my fury out on whomever was working at the time because for whatever reason (and I honestly don't care what it is) they were not doing their F***ing job. So, just as we are talking about this and Stella is trying to convince me that our store is still in the learning phase and this score is just a stepping stone toward learning... One of my frequent guests comes over and introduces herself to Stella and says that she just wanted to let her know that she will no longer go to any other Starbucks because the service she receives at my shop is far more superior then any other Starbucks or store in general. She also said that I am the most friendly and gentlemanly person she has ever met and she has experienced several times how I have rubbed off on my staff. There is no way that she was able to hear what we were talking about when she came over, she just admitted that she recognized that whomever I talking to had to be someone I reported to and wanted them to know how she felt. When she left I couldn't help but laugh because in the eye of mind I saw my Father pointing at me laughing and saying "Got Ya!" I hope He understands then when I "enter glory" - its payback time!
Neviusology 115
Okay so today I was graced with a suprise inspection from my District Manager from Starbucks (not really my boss, she just acts as if she is) and I did really well with it (no that is not the ironic part). However when we were wrapping up our meeting she started discussing my latest Snapshot (secret shopper) Score. Now, the highest score that you can get on this thing (as well as the score that i usually receive) is 100% and 5 stars. An average score is in the 90% and 4-5 stars. Well, according to Stella (my DM) she said that our lastest score is somewhere in the 70% range and 3-4 stars, which put me through the roof. In all my time in coffee neither me or my staff have received such a low score and I ready to take my fury out on whomever was working at the time because for whatever reason (and I honestly don't care what it is) they were not doing their F***ing job. So, just as we are talking about this and Stella is trying to convince me that our store is still in the learning phase and this score is just a stepping stone toward learning... One of my frequent guests comes over and introduces herself to Stella and says that she just wanted to let her know that she will no longer go to any other Starbucks because the service she receives at my shop is far more superior then any other Starbucks or store in general. She also said that I am the most friendly and gentlemanly person she has ever met and she has experienced several times how I have rubbed off on my staff. There is no way that she was able to hear what we were talking about when she came over, she just admitted that she recognized that whomever I talking to had to be someone I reported to and wanted them to know how she felt. When she left I couldn't help but laugh because in the eye of mind I saw my Father pointing at me laughing and saying "Got Ya!" I hope He understands then when I "enter glory" - its payback time!
Neviusology 115
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Not Worth Reading
Okay so I don't really have anything to say right now but I am posting this so that people know that i am still alive. We are into the "Holiday" Season which means in my current line of work that I get to enjoy the pleasure of working alot more. Today is the first chance that I have had to sit down and catch up in blog world and as i sit here thinking of what to post for the week i am left with writer block. I have a few subjects kicking around in my head like, how all of Creation displays the image of God in one big Mosaic, or how walking around with Kayla reminds me of the Fatherhood nature of our Creator but in all honesty I am not in the mood to write out some quirky devotional for myself. I created this thing to be a refelction of the world around me and all I ever up typing is rants about the modern day church and how it is falling short of its original intensions. That is one the things that frustrated me the most as a pastor was that my world was limited to the church and as I sit here I can't help but think that it still is. God created much more then our little circle and I believe that if I can learn to enjoy more of it then i will be able to enjoy more of Him. That is one of the reasons why I chose to go into the coffee business, because of the oppurtunity to interact with people from all walks of life. I enjoy sitting down and listening to people tell me their stories and i love laughing with people. Thank you Father for the oppurtunities to experience the world through the eyes of my own as well as through the eyes of others that you have created with as much care and dedication as me. As we go through the business of this season, please allow me moments where I can stop and listen to those around me. Sometimes I sit and listen to the grunts and groans of my daughter and i wonder what she is thinking and what she is experiencing. Please also grant moments where i may be able to understand your grunts and groans that sound to me the same way that Kayla does, and most likely the way I sound to her. As I shlep yet another eggnog latte, may it not just be another eggnog latte but a soothing moment for that persons soul. The world is much larger then i can experience, just as the crowd was larger then one loaf of bread could handle. Here is myself, may I be blessed by beign broken into whatever you want and destributed to wherever you want all I ask is that there is laughter along the way. May the cheer and hospitality that is demonstrated through this season be continued throughout the year and finally may all of those who are not able to spend this time with those that they would choose to be smiled on with your grace. Finally, I want a new Ipod and High Speed Internet - Get on it! :)
Neviusology for Dummies
Neviusology for Dummies
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Tithe (Cont.)
Alright, so as promised here are my thoughts on why enforcing the Law of Tithing given in the Torah undermines the purpose of giving spoken about by Jesus and demonstrated by the early church.
First, let’s look at the purpose of the Law of Tithe. When Israel was forming its nation in the wilderness, they were instructed to pay Tithe for the purpose of supporting the Levites. Israel was divided into 12 tribes after the 12 sons of Jacob (later renamed Israel). One of those tribes was the tribe of Levi (no they didn’t invent denim either), who were chosen by God to oversee the day to day operations of the Tabernacle (or the place that was dedicated for worship). Because of this responsibility, the Levites would have no source of income. So, it was decided that the other 11 tribes would give a portion of their provisions to provide for their brother tribe. It was never intended to be a Law that was enacted for the purpose of “receiving Blessing” it was put in place as a communal law so that the entire community would thrive together.
Next, let’s fast forward to Jesus’ day. There was a practice that the Pharisees were undergoing that helped them avoid their civic responsibilities. Because in addition to the Law of Tithing there were other Laws that stated that the children were responsible to care for the aging parents as well as laws that stated that it was the responsibility of those who were more fortunate to give to those who were in need. In order to avoid these laws the Pharisees were dedicating all of their possessions to God and the work of the Temple. When they did this it allowed them to continue to live off of their wealth and also avoid certain taxes as well as the giving responsibilities because they were technically destitute because all they had belonged to God (Almost like the tax-exempt status the church enjoys in modern times). Jesus had several altercations with the Pharisees over this because by following the law to the letter they were missing the point of why the law was established.
We also can look at the practice of giving by the early church and see that there was never a forced standard when it came to the early Christians supporting their cause. What we do see is in celebration of their ever changing community, people giving out of their abundance to help the poor and hungry around them. We also we an instance were two people tried to give in order to get more in return and wound up being struck dead due to their irreverence (Makes me wonder why some people focus so much on “Sowing into God’s Kingdom” and “You can’t out give God” when that only fosters the same attitude that Ananias and Sephira had?). In fact, other then the Book of Acts, the only time giving is mentioned is when Paul was on his campaign to collect money for the Jerusalem Christians who were starving due to famine.
Finally, let’s look at our modern times. The term Tithe is used today to describe the money that is given to a church so that it can support itself, in line with the Old Testament. The money that is collected goes to support the staff, the grounds, the mortgage and a small percentage goes to Missionaries that the church decided to support so that it can boast about how it is helping the gospel to spread to every nation. In most cases the church has such overhead that they have to remind their congregation to give at least once a month. In rare cases as well, the church doesn’t raise enough money through tithe that they have to have fund raisers as well to collect money for Sunday School Curriculum and any event that the teenagers want to do. In this modern age of “super churches” we often find that the majority of the people giving are people who are barely keeping their head above water financially and are guilted or tricked into giving because they feel that God will only lead them out of such a situation if the give.
In my opinion, this practice is causing people to loose sight of the purpose of giving in the first place. The purpose is to take care of one another as a community. The purpose is to find the needs of others and help them, as a community. I am in no way saying that I do not believe in supporting those who dedicate their careers to serving a church, but what I am saying is that Missions and Community Outreach should not just be an extra thought to what is collected – it should be the bulk of what is collected. People shouldn’t be told that they have a responsibility to give; they should be shown and discipled how to give through the example of those who lead. There is too much brokenness in this world for the church to be looking to build its separate utopian society. A man I respect highly once shared the statement “In the absence of light; darkness prevails, so I am out trying to save the world”. I hate tithing because it keeps focused inwardly. I love giving because it keeps us focused outwardly.
Father, may I give all I have as freely as you gave to me!
AP Neviusology 401
First, let’s look at the purpose of the Law of Tithe. When Israel was forming its nation in the wilderness, they were instructed to pay Tithe for the purpose of supporting the Levites. Israel was divided into 12 tribes after the 12 sons of Jacob (later renamed Israel). One of those tribes was the tribe of Levi (no they didn’t invent denim either), who were chosen by God to oversee the day to day operations of the Tabernacle (or the place that was dedicated for worship). Because of this responsibility, the Levites would have no source of income. So, it was decided that the other 11 tribes would give a portion of their provisions to provide for their brother tribe. It was never intended to be a Law that was enacted for the purpose of “receiving Blessing” it was put in place as a communal law so that the entire community would thrive together.
Next, let’s fast forward to Jesus’ day. There was a practice that the Pharisees were undergoing that helped them avoid their civic responsibilities. Because in addition to the Law of Tithing there were other Laws that stated that the children were responsible to care for the aging parents as well as laws that stated that it was the responsibility of those who were more fortunate to give to those who were in need. In order to avoid these laws the Pharisees were dedicating all of their possessions to God and the work of the Temple. When they did this it allowed them to continue to live off of their wealth and also avoid certain taxes as well as the giving responsibilities because they were technically destitute because all they had belonged to God (Almost like the tax-exempt status the church enjoys in modern times). Jesus had several altercations with the Pharisees over this because by following the law to the letter they were missing the point of why the law was established.
We also can look at the practice of giving by the early church and see that there was never a forced standard when it came to the early Christians supporting their cause. What we do see is in celebration of their ever changing community, people giving out of their abundance to help the poor and hungry around them. We also we an instance were two people tried to give in order to get more in return and wound up being struck dead due to their irreverence (Makes me wonder why some people focus so much on “Sowing into God’s Kingdom” and “You can’t out give God” when that only fosters the same attitude that Ananias and Sephira had?). In fact, other then the Book of Acts, the only time giving is mentioned is when Paul was on his campaign to collect money for the Jerusalem Christians who were starving due to famine.
Finally, let’s look at our modern times. The term Tithe is used today to describe the money that is given to a church so that it can support itself, in line with the Old Testament. The money that is collected goes to support the staff, the grounds, the mortgage and a small percentage goes to Missionaries that the church decided to support so that it can boast about how it is helping the gospel to spread to every nation. In most cases the church has such overhead that they have to remind their congregation to give at least once a month. In rare cases as well, the church doesn’t raise enough money through tithe that they have to have fund raisers as well to collect money for Sunday School Curriculum and any event that the teenagers want to do. In this modern age of “super churches” we often find that the majority of the people giving are people who are barely keeping their head above water financially and are guilted or tricked into giving because they feel that God will only lead them out of such a situation if the give.
In my opinion, this practice is causing people to loose sight of the purpose of giving in the first place. The purpose is to take care of one another as a community. The purpose is to find the needs of others and help them, as a community. I am in no way saying that I do not believe in supporting those who dedicate their careers to serving a church, but what I am saying is that Missions and Community Outreach should not just be an extra thought to what is collected – it should be the bulk of what is collected. People shouldn’t be told that they have a responsibility to give; they should be shown and discipled how to give through the example of those who lead. There is too much brokenness in this world for the church to be looking to build its separate utopian society. A man I respect highly once shared the statement “In the absence of light; darkness prevails, so I am out trying to save the world”. I hate tithing because it keeps focused inwardly. I love giving because it keeps us focused outwardly.
Father, may I give all I have as freely as you gave to me!
AP Neviusology 401
Chilling in a field, on a blanket with my two favorite people!
Okay, so I was listening to the song on the way home from work last night and i heard this song that instantly made me think of chilling on a blanket on a summer night with Erica and Jesus just BSing and laughing. The song is called "Chasing Cars" by a band named Snow Patrol. And, if you have ever heard the song you know that it has nothing to do with laying in a field but so what! When I got home, I told Erica about my little Utopian moment and she was like - Yeah Whatever! Then I showed her the lyrics and she was all like "OMG! I love that song and I always think of the same thing when I hear it". So I posted it to let you all know that we both still think alike and those thoughts still include Jesus (Trust me, when you read the post I am going to write in about 10 minutes you will need to remind yourself that I posted this one). As in true Nevius tradition I stole the lyrics from another website and I will include them at the end of this post (What can I say, my ancestors were Viking Pirates - its in my blood).
Chasing Cars
by
Snow Patrol
We'll do it all Everything
On our own
We don't need
Anything Or anyone
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Tithe
Okay for whatever reason I can't get away from this subject yet. I am hoping that by posting this, my brain can move on to other (more intelligent) thoughts. I should probably entitle this post "irony" because the whole situation that happened is the pure definition of it.
I was working on Sunday Night with a few of my younger staff and in the midst of conversation it leaked out that my degree is in Pastoral Ministry and of course they got excited because they are part of a church and had questions for me. This always happens to me, my staff always ends up being filled with church going kids and young adults, and of course you can't ask them about it during their interview so I have no idea until after they are hired and are doing an amazing job. So of course they wanted to ask their questions and me warning them that I am a FORMER Youth Pastor because I was driven out due to my liberal viewpoints did nothing to deter them. Why is it that I can't get away from warping the minds of teenagers who where perfectly happy in their "Christian" bubble before they started asking me questions. Can't I just shlep coffee for a living? Yeah I know, some of you are going to point to a similar story in the minor prophets of the Old Testament, but whatever - coffee beans smell better then fish digestive tracks!
So I guess with this post I am going to not go into the discussion of why I think enforcing the Old Testament standard of tithing drastically underminds the purpose of New Testament giving. I will save that for another day bacause I think that this post is long enough. I just knew that some of you would find it amuzing to know as much as I try to avoid forcing my viewpoints on others, there are always people who come looking for it.
Self Awareness Tip of the Day:
If you stare into the mirror for too long, you forget what you are looking at!
Neviusology 211
I was working on Sunday Night with a few of my younger staff and in the midst of conversation it leaked out that my degree is in Pastoral Ministry and of course they got excited because they are part of a church and had questions for me. This always happens to me, my staff always ends up being filled with church going kids and young adults, and of course you can't ask them about it during their interview so I have no idea until after they are hired and are doing an amazing job. So of course they wanted to ask their questions and me warning them that I am a FORMER Youth Pastor because I was driven out due to my liberal viewpoints did nothing to deter them. Why is it that I can't get away from warping the minds of teenagers who where perfectly happy in their "Christian" bubble before they started asking me questions. Can't I just shlep coffee for a living? Yeah I know, some of you are going to point to a similar story in the minor prophets of the Old Testament, but whatever - coffee beans smell better then fish digestive tracks!
So I guess with this post I am going to not go into the discussion of why I think enforcing the Old Testament standard of tithing drastically underminds the purpose of New Testament giving. I will save that for another day bacause I think that this post is long enough. I just knew that some of you would find it amuzing to know as much as I try to avoid forcing my viewpoints on others, there are always people who come looking for it.
Self Awareness Tip of the Day:
If you stare into the mirror for too long, you forget what you are looking at!
Neviusology 211
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Cheesy!
Alright, so I was flipping through the channels the other night and I stumbled across TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network), which I will forever now refer to as "The Blasphemer's Network". I could not help but laugh and be in shock at the same time. They had the most ridiculous group of people on, representing the network, telling people that they needed to call and pledge support because God told them that TBN was suppose to be the "Biggest Network in Television". This one idiot was standing there with a tape measure claiming that we have been putting limits on God and our Finances by trying to measure both and that as Christians we would only be "blessed" when TBN became bigger then CBS. Now that got me thinking, maybe if TBN produced shows like JCSI where Jesus comes back to earth to solve murder mysteries, or Lost (and Found) where a plane crashes on a island inhabited by Missionaries, then maybe it would be worth watching instead of some blathering moron waving a tape measure around claiming that God demonstrated a sign because when he let the tape measure go it retracted like our limit of God retracts when we let Him go.
Then, there was the other clanging gong who couldn't even complete a thought before he moved on to the next story about Ma Belle who gave the church her only 50 bucks only to have God give her 500. He mentioned something about a flood in his 20 million dollar Sanctuary and a floating offering basket in a church that he visited that was effected by Katrina that he stole and had his church fill with money. Then some tangent about people giving in numbers that had 6 in them because God operates in 6's. Then of course there were hoards of people behind tweedle dee and tweedle dumb nodding and raising their hands in agreement.
The thing that shocked me the most was at the top of the screen there was an indicator of how many operators were busy and available and of course all 208 operators were busy. Now what I want to know is, who the heck is dumb enough to fall for this bit. I thought the PBS goons were bad, but at least they give you over-priced crap when you pledge instead of empty promises that God is going to give you more in return.
Wait, I'm sorry. I am suppose to be working on my sarcasm and cynicism. While I have been sitting here typing and thinking I have also been playing with some paperclips and a miracle has taken place. They are all in the shape of shepherd's staffs, to indicate that the Good Shepherd is with me. If you send me all the money you have, I will give you one of these paperclips and your life will never be the same (and either will mine). Please only send cash!
Neviusology 301
Then, there was the other clanging gong who couldn't even complete a thought before he moved on to the next story about Ma Belle who gave the church her only 50 bucks only to have God give her 500. He mentioned something about a flood in his 20 million dollar Sanctuary and a floating offering basket in a church that he visited that was effected by Katrina that he stole and had his church fill with money. Then some tangent about people giving in numbers that had 6 in them because God operates in 6's. Then of course there were hoards of people behind tweedle dee and tweedle dumb nodding and raising their hands in agreement.
The thing that shocked me the most was at the top of the screen there was an indicator of how many operators were busy and available and of course all 208 operators were busy. Now what I want to know is, who the heck is dumb enough to fall for this bit. I thought the PBS goons were bad, but at least they give you over-priced crap when you pledge instead of empty promises that God is going to give you more in return.
Wait, I'm sorry. I am suppose to be working on my sarcasm and cynicism. While I have been sitting here typing and thinking I have also been playing with some paperclips and a miracle has taken place. They are all in the shape of shepherd's staffs, to indicate that the Good Shepherd is with me. If you send me all the money you have, I will give you one of these paperclips and your life will never be the same (and either will mine). Please only send cash!
Neviusology 301
Intro to Linguistics
I have been realizing lately that there are certain words that draw out instant reactions from me that cause me to perk up and listen more attentively when they are used. Some are words that draw positive and others draw negative reactions. Here are a list of both. And yes, for all of you psychobabelists out there please feel free to analyze this.
Words I like:
Grace
Sanctuary
L'chaim
Macchiato
Alternative
New
Journey
Engaging
Converse
Community
Stinketh
Words I Don't Like:
Tithe
Calling
Path
Stale
Stagnant
Anoint
Manipulate
Alter
Altar
Ye
Saith
Thus
Revival
Blessing
I am sure that there are more, but that is the list for now. I am interested to see if any of these words illicit any feelings or reactions in others as well.
Words I like:
Grace
Sanctuary
L'chaim
Macchiato
Alternative
New
Journey
Engaging
Converse
Community
Stinketh
Words I Don't Like:
Tithe
Calling
Path
Stale
Stagnant
Anoint
Manipulate
Alter
Altar
Ye
Saith
Thus
Revival
Blessing
I am sure that there are more, but that is the list for now. I am interested to see if any of these words illicit any feelings or reactions in others as well.
Recent Listenings
I was listening to radio on my way to work yesterday and an old Depeche Mode song came on. For whatever reason I have been going over the lyrics of that song as well as the other songs of theirs that I like. I am including a copy of the lyrics to these songs for your enjoyment as well.
Personal Jesus
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus...
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus...
Reach out and touch faith
People are People
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colours
And we're different creeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand
Now you're punching and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel
From your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
Set Me Free (Remotivate Me)
Set me free
Set me free
Remotivate me
Set me burning
After years in deep freeze
My body is yearning
For a new lease of life
And a little spice
Set me free
Remotivate me
Give me a reason
To scream and shout
Give me something
To get excited about
When everything is looking dull
I'm sure it isn't impossible to
Set me free
Remotivate me
Remotivate me
Set me burning
After years in deep freeze
My body is yearning
For a new lease of life
And a little spice
Set me free
Remotivate me
Don't think I'm impatient
Because I'm willing to wait
But something must must happen
Before it gets too lateIt could be my imagination
But wasn't there more than this dull sensation
Set me free
Remotivate me
John The Revelator
John the Revelator
Put him in a elevator
Take him up to the highest high
Take him up to the top
Where the mountains stop
Let him tell his book of lies
John the Revelator
He's a smooth operator
It's time we cut him down to size
Take him by the hand
And put him on the stand
Let us hear his alibis
By claiming God
As his holy right
He's stealing a God
From the Israelites
Stealing a God
From a Muslim too
There is only one God
Through and through
Seven lies multiplied by seven
Multiplied by seven again
Seven angels with seven trumpets
Send them home on the morning train
Well who's that shouting?
John the Revelator!
All he ever gives us is pain
Well who's that shouting?
John the Revelator!
He should bow his head in shame
By and by
By and by
By and by
By and by
Neviusology 110
Personal Jesus
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus...
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus...
Reach out and touch faith
People are People
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colours
And we're different creeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand
Now you're punching and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel
From your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
Set Me Free (Remotivate Me)
Set me free
Set me free
Remotivate me
Set me burning
After years in deep freeze
My body is yearning
For a new lease of life
And a little spice
Set me free
Remotivate me
Give me a reason
To scream and shout
Give me something
To get excited about
When everything is looking dull
I'm sure it isn't impossible to
Set me free
Remotivate me
Remotivate me
Set me burning
After years in deep freeze
My body is yearning
For a new lease of life
And a little spice
Set me free
Remotivate me
Don't think I'm impatient
Because I'm willing to wait
But something must must happen
Before it gets too lateIt could be my imagination
But wasn't there more than this dull sensation
Set me free
Remotivate me
John The Revelator
John the Revelator
Put him in a elevator
Take him up to the highest high
Take him up to the top
Where the mountains stop
Let him tell his book of lies
John the Revelator
He's a smooth operator
It's time we cut him down to size
Take him by the hand
And put him on the stand
Let us hear his alibis
By claiming God
As his holy right
He's stealing a God
From the Israelites
Stealing a God
From a Muslim too
There is only one God
Through and through
Seven lies multiplied by seven
Multiplied by seven again
Seven angels with seven trumpets
Send them home on the morning train
Well who's that shouting?
John the Revelator!
All he ever gives us is pain
Well who's that shouting?
John the Revelator!
He should bow his head in shame
By and by
By and by
By and by
By and by
Neviusology 110
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Life is like a Highjacked UPS truck filled with Tickle Me Elmos
Thats right I said it. Somethings life is like a Highjacked UPS truck filled with Tickle Me Elmos. Please allow me to break this statement down so you can see what I mean.
First, lets look at "UPS truck".
Have you ever seen a UPS truck go backwards? They don't do it. Part of the UPS philosophy is that they are always moving forward, so their trucks do the same. They are always positioned to be moving forward. The same is of life. Life is always moving forward whether we want it too or not. I remember being a kid and thinking "I can't wait 'til I get older". Now I find myself looking at the present or even the past and wishing I could life these moments just a little longer, but we must keep moving forward.
Next we will have a look see at the term "Highjacked". To me it means that something was taken off of its intended destination by force. Now don't get me wrong, I am not even saying that this has to be bad. All I am saying is that life is often taken off the course that we initially set out in by events greater then ourselves. That and the term "highjacked" brings more of a shocking drama to the title then "mis-guided" or "new final stop added". This relates to me because as I continue to move forward I often find myself moving forward to new things or new ways. Think of your life 10 years ago, what events have shaped the way that you are moving or are you still going in your original direction?
Fianlly, "Tickle me Elmos?" Yes tickle me elmos! Sorry maybe it comes from a retail mentality but currently i think of a toy that the demand is so high for that the original MSRP is considered a bargain and people are willing to pay 10 times that right now on ebay so that their youngster is not screaming on "Present Day". Our lives are filled with presents (or gifts and talents) and for me it feels as if I sell them to the highest bidder. . m 7h9im856bnndfe r. mL?< (sorry that whole jumble was added by Kayla (my 6 month old Daughter). Not to long ago I was of the school of thougth that said that my gift to humanity was to give myself to it freely, but now I find myself selling my gifts to provide for my family. As of this day, i hope that as i continue to move forward that I will be able to learn balance between providing for my family and contributing to society and the good of humanity. As I am learning this balance, however, remember that bids are still being excepted. So, there you have it - Sometimes Life is like a Highjacked UPS Truck filled with Tickle Me Elmos.
Neviusology 101
First, lets look at "UPS truck".
Have you ever seen a UPS truck go backwards? They don't do it. Part of the UPS philosophy is that they are always moving forward, so their trucks do the same. They are always positioned to be moving forward. The same is of life. Life is always moving forward whether we want it too or not. I remember being a kid and thinking "I can't wait 'til I get older". Now I find myself looking at the present or even the past and wishing I could life these moments just a little longer, but we must keep moving forward.Next we will have a look see at the term "Highjacked". To me it means that something was taken off of its intended destination by force. Now don't get me wrong, I am not even saying that this has to be bad. All I am saying is that life is often taken off the course that we initially set out in by events greater then ourselves. That and the term "highjacked" brings more of a shocking drama to the title then "mis-guided" or "new final stop added". This relates to me because as I continue to move forward I often find myself moving forward to new things or new ways. Think of your life 10 years ago, what events have shaped the way that you are moving or are you still going in your original direction?
Fianlly, "Tickle me Elmos?" Yes tickle me elmos! Sorry maybe it comes from a retail mentality but currently i think of a toy that the demand is so high for that the original MSRP is considered a bargain and people are willing to pay 10 times that right now on ebay so that their youngster is not screaming on "Present Day". Our lives are filled with presents (or gifts and talents) and for me it feels as if I sell them to the highest bidder. . m 7h9im856bnndfe r. mL?< (sorry that whole jumble was added by Kayla (my 6 month old Daughter). Not to long ago I was of the school of thougth that said that my gift to humanity was to give myself to it freely, but now I find myself selling my gifts to provide for my family. As of this day, i hope that as i continue to move forward that I will be able to learn balance between providing for my family and contributing to society and the good of humanity. As I am learning this balance, however, remember that bids are still being excepted. So, there you have it - Sometimes Life is like a Highjacked UPS Truck filled with Tickle Me Elmos.
Neviusology 101
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