By the way, I'm now going to always theme my music to coincide with my blog topic.

I don't think I can advocate the death penalty.  Saving money isn't a good enough reason.  Either way, if they get life in prison or death, they won't be able to kill again.  So the only reason we should dispatch of these men is money?  Is that a valid reason?    Is my money worth more to me than a man's life?  Murderer or not?  We are all just as guilty.  We've all broken the ten commandments. 

Shoot.

So last sunday in the middle of a pleasant Church service at Caves Christian in Crackville, the thought occured to me-- Even if my life is a failure, I am not a failure if I have done much to serve the Lord.  Thus I realize that I must devote much of my time to service.  I pursue too much of my own interests and furthering my own agenda.  I understand that I'm working towards a job in which I hope to serve the Lord; however, there is so much I can be doing here and now--and the work that I do now is just as precious to the Lord as all the work I hope to accomplish with a degree.

My New Year's Resolution: Do more volunteer work to serve the Lord.

All I have to do is get my lazy butt out of this chair that I'm currently sitting in.  Haha.

Another Christmas has come and gone.  Another year has come and gone.  It is 2007.  Another year closer to the grave.  The sands of time are filling my eyes.  I'm trapped in the hourglass blind to freedom. 

Let's not be depressing.

I'm getting closer to heaven--closer to the destruction of this hourglass prison.

My gosh.  This is a very interesting place with many interesting people.  I think I'm going to like it.  Fortunately I've found a network to chill with and a guy has already given me his number.  At least he has all his teeth.  I was warned about missing teeth, but everyone so far seems to have a full set.  Oddly enough, most of the people that live here aren't from here.  Some are from Portland, Ohio, or Indiana even.

Today we are going to go cut down our Christmas tree.  Then I'm calling my new friend Gina to go watch the rest of 'Without a Paddle' at her house. 

...So much to say.  So much to say.

San Francisco...my new stomping grounds.  Gotta love cancelled flights and sleeping on benches.

I'm walking in downtown Seattle.  The chilly air nips my cheeks and nose, and I slip my cold hands into my pockets.  I glance at the happy couples strolling down the streets hand-in-hand.  I smile at the parents led by eager kids to the nearest toy store.  I quicken my pace past the Starbucks in Westlake Center to avoid the temptation of the tantalizing coffee aroma, and continue up on Pine Street.  I inhale the crisp air and enjoy Seattle's Christmas decor--the lights, the Christmas trees, and the various nutcracker statues stationed at each street corner. 

Then the peaceful scene is interupted by a jarring clanking noise.  My eyes narrow to the left and through my periphery I see a man with no legs shaking a metal can with coins.  I walk another fifty paces and in my mind a million thoughts collide.

--Don't make eye contact!
--I should give him money.
--He's going to use it on alcohol and drugs.
--He's in a wheelchair!  The man needs help!
--I can't trust him.
--I'm a Christian and there is a man in need.  Help him.

I halt on the sidewalk; people push pass me ignoring my presence.  I turn around and walk back to the man with his can.  I pull out some money and drop it in his can.  He looks into my eyes and thanks me profusely.  I make an effort to smile and say "God bless you." 

I wonder who this man is.  What is his name?  How did he lose his legs?  Was he a war veteran?  Why was his voice so distorted?  What was he like as a kid? 

...What makes me so different from him?

Agh!  I have done a 180; what's wrong with me?

I've always been a strong advocate of the death penalty.  But now, I don't think I can agree with that position any longer.  Because these men are in prison, they can no longer hurt anyone.  Also, there is still a possibility that they will become a Christian.  And if there is any chance that they will come to Christ, then I have no business taking their life.  I used to say that we should kill them, because they were clogging up prison and MY taxes were keeping them alive.  And yet, life is worth so much more than money. 

I'm done with college.  I'm ready to move on.  I feel like I'm at a really long highschool camp.  I want to buy a place of my own, and be blown with the wind.  I know, I know, I need to finish college, but the finish line is just so far away and I'm ready to be out on my own. 

For Immediate Release - 11/8/06

Eaton Selected for U.S. Historic Education Trip to Asia
Joins 11 Other College Presidents to Promote American Higher Education

Seattle, WA - Seattle Pacific University President Philip W. Eaton will
join U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State Dina Habib Powell on the first-ever delegation of
American college and university presidents to Japan, South Korea, and
China. Eaton, the only college president from Washington state, joins a
select group of 11 other presidents on November 10 for a weeklong trip
to promote U.S. higher education.

The
presidents will act as “higher education ambassadors,” carrying the
message that the United States welcomes international students and is a
premier destination for educational opportunities. The delegation also
hopes to increase collaboration, partnerships, and exchanges with
foreign universities as a way to strengthen bilateral relationships.

The
delegation will meet with university students and leaders, government
and business leaders in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and
Beijing, China. The information gathered on the trip will be shared
with educational and cultural exchange agencies, and be used to improve
services and enhance existing exchange programs for international
students coming to the United States.

This
historic pairing of the U.S. government and higher education leaders is
a result of the January 2006 U.S. University Presidents Summit on
International Education, co-hosted by U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and Spellings. Eaton was one of 120 invited guests to
the summit.

“We are at a pivotal time
in American higher education. We must refocus ourselves to be relevant
in a world that has profoundly changed, change that continues at
lightning speed,” says Eaton. “At Seattle Pacific, our vision for
engaging culture may be a fresh, new lens on the opportunities and
challenges of global education.”

Founded
in 1891, Seattle Pacific University is a premier Christian university
that equips people to engage the culture and change the world. Its
comprehensive academic program serves more than 3,800 undergraduate and
graduate students. Known for both their competence and character, SPU
graduates are bringing about positive change in communities around the
globe.

AND he talked about the good, the true, and the beautiful at Commencement!!!!!!!

Today at Mars
Hill Church,
Pastor Mark Driscoll talked about Christ’s second coming and what to
expect.  I was really convicted because I
realize how attached to the world I am. 
Today, I had the odd thought, “I would never donate my body to science
after I die; what if I came back?!”  That
thought really bothered me, because I saw how much value I place on this
life.  This life is the only hell
Christians will ever know, and the only heaven non-Christians will ever
know.  I’m enjoying this to the point
where, I guess, where I leave God out. 
Because if I REALLY enjoyed God through His creation like I like to
think I do, then I would be looking more towards the future when I get to enjoy
His PERFECT creation in heaven. 
Although, I’m all about living in the moment and enjoying what God has
given us, I shouldn’t enjoy it to the point where I forget it’s God’s.  

Thank You, Jesus, for this life. Please help
me to attribute everything to You.  I
want to enjoy this world, but I need to realize that You are the ultimate
joy. 

Alright, so it's 12:46 AM and I can't sleep.  My family drove in to see me from Cave Junction today.  I'm sharing a bed with both of my brothers in a Marriot Countryside.  I almost fell asleep but then Ben pinched Solomon and the ruckus jolted me fully awake.  So I lay tirelessly reminscing.  Anyways, my mom is telling me to get off so I will.  The typing is keeping her up.