Anger and Grace

He(God) hated evil/sin so much that He placed it all on the shoulders of His son so that grace and mercy may be abundant in leading to life thereafter with Him. Author Timothy J. Stoner writes how grace and mercy would not exist without anger. How true it is that God is an angry God but His anger is not fashioned in human hatred. His anger is just, shining through because of His overarching love for mankind. His anger stems from complete separateness. It targets the sex offenders, murderers, kidnappers, rapist, idol worshipers, child abusers, corporate abusers, false teachers, and the list goes on. To be more specific.....He hates sin. It's difficult because of pride, but i must throw myself in with the people that have these such titles. Now enter grace that is so far from deserving. Somehow repeated failures lead to repeated mercies. Once again God defies logic. Now enter the cross. The cross is where Gods love and hate come together to form an ultimate triumphal love. Gods anger is not gone, it is broke by the broken body of Christ. I'm blessed to have a God with such loving anger because i know He is going to fight for me. In conclusion i will fight for Him.

Something

Recently in our community a child passed away because of head trauma. The death hit close to home with one of my work associates. Our employees were devastated to hear the news. It was in that devastation that i was asked a very difficult question. One of my superiors questioned why God allowed the passing to take place. She asked me my thoughts. I gave the best answer that i could in the moment but wish i had more time to talk to her personally about the subject. I reflected for some time after i encountered the question and came up with something i would like to share. In moments of death, especially accidental deaths like this one, my faith is God is strengthened in a strange way. To me it almost enhances the truth of the word of God. God created something perfect and is working His way back to that perfection through His Spirit and through His Son. I recently read a devotional about parents grief. It talked about how there is no greater suffering than losing a child. At the time i thought the devotional meant nothing to me because i found the application to be difficult. Now i realize that in Gods perfect plan he issued on Himself the greatest suffering a parent could endure. God mapped out the suffering and brutal death of His only child so that sinners like me could be forever with Him. God gave us free will for a reason. He gave us the responsibility to make choices. God is in control but does not control. Without the ability to make free choices we lose the ability to love.... God is Love. Love requires faith. God requires both.

Encourage

Sometimes i find myself in places of rest surrounded by people that know how to encourage. This past weekend i stumbled upon one of those places. It is in these places that i begin to notice little things that God has done in my life. I walk away from experiences like this weekend with a greater since of the reality of God. It makes me wonder why Christians are not encouraging each other all of the time. Encouragement leads to courage. It is courage that comes from our hearts that gives us the ability to start taking small steps towards greater things for our creators kingdom. I don't know about you, but i want that kind of courage.

The Last Word Is Rejoice

How will I drink from that stream
How will my heart sing your praise
How will I lay down in green grass fields
When my soul is so afraid to

Rejoice.

Wait Out the Days

"Often we speak about love as if it were a feeling. But if we wait for a feeling of love before loving, we may never learn to love well"- Henri Nouwen. The idea of love being an action is essential to the life of a believer. As human beings we want to be loved. To experience love we must attempt to love first. It is difficult and frustrating for me to find ways to portray love in some of my surroundings. Love can show up in the minuscule things of life. 1 Peter 4:8-9 says, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." I remember this verse because of the difficulty of its command. Verse 9 uses the term grumbling which is the same word used to describe what the Israelites were doing when with Moses (Exodus 16:8). The Israelite people grumbled to a God that was giving them food to eat miraculously. This is just one example of how difficult it is to love at all times but at the same time is a great example of God breaking the rules of human love. God loves us even when we do not have the experience of loving Him first. This is true love, a love that makes us His beloved.

Love Each Other Deeply
Bear

Reinventing Your Impact

"Wherever you go preach the gospel, only when necessary use words" ~ St. Francis of Assisi.

All of life's secrets are in your branches

Last night i came to the realization that in a few short months i will be considered on my own. The thought hit me while listening to a good friend, that finds himself in a similar position, speak on the subject of peace. I really enjoyed what he shared, partially because he did a very good job communicating the subject and more importantly because his words connected to my current situation. I wouldn't consider this time in my life a storm but i would say that the waves are growing and becoming a concern. The past few days these thoughts have been growing heavy on my heart and peace has been something that i have often neglected. I know where my peace comes from and i know that i have accepted the peace given to me through my Savior Jesus Christ. The problem comes when i forget to use His peace. Today i have been able to grasp a portion of this peace and accept it for what it is. The peace that i found did not wipe away my current problem, my current homework situation, or my constant thoughts concerning the future. The peace that i found granted me knowledge. Nothing in the past, present, or future can take away the peace presented to me on the cross. The story of the cross allows me to ultimately know that none of these aforementioned things will separate me from an eternity with the Savior. I've also come to the conclusion that i do not like the idea of being considered on my own. I think I'm the furthest I've ever been from being on my own. I have a group of friends that constantly lifts my spirits. I have a family that truly cares for me. I have a girlfriend that is unbelievable. I have a God that is forever with me and forever loving. The only thing left for me to do now is fall on my knees.

Peace and Love
Bear

Magical Mystery Tour

Well. We are back (enter frown face here). It was a crazy trip. One with many memories too crazy to list all on here. All I will say is it was a great last spring break. I could have never guessed all the goodness that it was. It was a great reminder that everyday has something new that we know nothing about. Our life is a Magical Mystery Tour. What does tomorrow have in store for us?

Love you guys.

PIM

Yesterday

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away... Oh yes i believe in yesterday. Today we leave for home. Tomorrow we seek a new beginning. Dallas has left us with a sweet taste in our mouths. It's our last spring break and it ended well. One could ask for no more than good time being spent with friends and family dancing the night away under the lights of a unknown lounge. Today was a good day. Today completed the journey. Tomorrow begins a new journey back to the homeland, but i still believe in yesterday. The last few days will not be forgotten. I will miss the people that have traveled this journey with us. I will miss the homes that resemble the OC. I will miss the kid that talks so much yet says so little. I will miss it. Yes, i will miss yesterday. From Pim and Bear this has been our week. We love you all and hope you all had a good sring break.

Love
Bear

Revolution Number 9

Today was an excellent day.

-Lifetime Fitness (The Usual)
-Leftover Chili
-Big East Tournament Basketball
-Dallas Stars Hockey Game!

Today I was privileged to see a legend. Mike Modano! He is a boy among men...eh, scratch that. A man among boys. It was incredible! I forgot how much fun hockey games were. This post is in tribute to the Great Mike Modano, Number 9!

Number 9...Number 9...Number 9...Number 9....

This Is Pim. Love Eachother. Be Cool.

Tomorrow Never Knows

The temp has dropped but hopes still run high. Two days have past and spring break continues to be a break that will go down in history.

Tuesday

Gym routine
Shopping in Dallas
Pot Roast Supper
Movie (the Wrestler)
American Idol

Wednesday

Sleep
Walmart run
Chile dinner
American Idol
Relaxation

Tomorrow never knows what awaits. Tomorrow will be the first hockey game that bear has ever attended. Maybe a fight will break out and add to the excitement. The future also holds a dance with the spirits a top a grand stage of pure enjoyment. What tomorrow holds can only be held in my imagination. What tomorrow holds can only be catagorized as amazing.

Love each other

Bear

Daytripper

Bear and I have a morning ritual...

8:00 AM- Lifetime Fitness

-Spa
-Suana
-Steamroom
-Shower

The 4 "s's" of wonderful living. It is fantastic

Today, we went to a "baseball game". It is in quotations because we (Mom, Mike, Bear and I) got to the stadium to realize that there was actually no game, and the Rangers were in Arizona playing. I guess you can't always count on sisters for correct information. Anyways, it was a nice daytrip. So we came back and went to the movies with the whole fam and my sister's boyfriend. Cool Dude. We saw "Gran Torino". Cool Movie. We came back and shared a meal together at the table with everyone and it was glorious. This followed by more good conversation by the ole fire pit. Texas is Good. Life is Good. God is definitely Good. More to come as the week progresses.

Be Cool and Love Eachother.

.PIM.

Good Day, Sunshine

The first day of Texas is coming to an end and what a day it has been.

1. Woke up played cars with the kid.
2. Went to Kohls purchased some clothing.
3. Lifetime fitness filled with steam rooms, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
4. Shops of the Legacy. (In a Jaguar)
5. Cookout with family and friends.
6. Me and PIM defeat old men at pool.
7. Poolside relaxation
8. ?????

I almost feel guilty living this life. I can't even imagine the days to come. This will be Pim and I's last real spring break. It's kinda scary. I'm blessed to have this time with people i love. I'm blessed period.

Bear

The Long And Winding Road...

754.6
89.43
3
Priceless

Miles it took
Money it cost
People that came (Moses decided to hop in)
Roadtrip with Bear


754.6 Miles later and 89 dollars poorer we have arrived in Dallas, TX. Oklahoma is now my least favorite state. Regardless, we are here and it is an amazing feeling to have a week completely free in around 80 degree weather. We walked into the house to an excited Dominic as he went crazy for the next 3 hours. We ate, played pool with mom and mike, and had wonderful conversation poolside for about an hour. In a completely underexaggerated sense, we are in heaven. It was a long and winding road to get here, but the treachery was worth it. Hmmm, kind of like life. Hope to see you there one day. Keep on trucking down the road.

Until Next Week.

For Bear,

This is PIM. Love Eachother. Be Cool. Happy Spring Break My Friends.

Yep, that's real.

Sometimes, all you need in life is a pink dolphin.

PIM

Another Travelin' Song

This winter has gone on for what seems like decades. Springs fresh face is waiting just around the corner. With spring comes relaxation in the form of a break from school (a much needed break). I've been looking forward to this years break like UCONNS womens basketball team looks forward to another NCAA championship (30-0). This year me and PIM will find ourselves bobbing and weaving in the infamous Ali towards our destination of new life found in the land of the bigger and better........Texas. Warm weather, health facilities, and subdivisions that so closely resemble homes seen on MTV's CRIBS await us. This trip has been on my mind for months and it's finally arrived. I look forward to hibernating poolside in the seventy degree weather, i look forward to sleeping for more than six hours a night, and i also look forward to the quality time spent with one of my best good friends. As i reflect on this upcoming break i can see the importance of creating space in our infinitely cluttered lives to sit down and shut up for the sake of rejuvenation. Hopefully this break will re-energize my mind, body, and soul. I see myself exiting this break like Lebron James enters an NBA game. I just hope i can dominate like he does when i return. Pim also owes me a date. I guess this week of pure luxury will count as his date, after all i paid a mighty fine price to spend a night with a dude. It looks like in return i got a week with that very same dude. I look forward to it.

Relax

Bear

P.S. Pray for our Journey

Forgive me

Please forgive me
If I act a little strange
For I know not what I do.
Feels like lightning running through my veins
Everytime I look at you
Everytime I look at you


It's true. Everytime. Every...single...time. And I don't understand it.

Please forgive me,
PIM

Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Clint Eastwood. John Wayne. THE DUKE! Even Roy Rogers. Where have all the cowboys gone? Where have the people who are going to do what they say, who have integrity and are going to fight for what they know is right? I must admit to you, I am not always this person. I strive to be. But I am no cowboy. I Wish! I have been "asked" to do a sermon on passion for a gathering of students. This sermon makes me think of cowboys. Whether or not you are a cowboy person or indians kind of person, you must admit...cowboys have passion...a lot of passion! I wonder where they have gone? Where have men in general gone? I heard an amazing quote by Mark Driscoll in his new book, "Porn-Again Christian-a frank discussion on pornography and masturbation". This is what he says. "My desire as a Christian pastor is to see churches raised up as communities of grace ruled by Jesus and led by his gloriously masculine men who work their jobs, eat their meat, drink their beer, romance their wives, study their Bible, and raise their kids in glory and joy (Jer. 29:4–7; Eccl. 9:7–10)." Amen! Now let us be frank. All guys struggle with lust in some aspect. You show me the guy that has never ever struggled with lust in one way or another, I show you a liar. But is it a good question to pose? Where have the good guys, "the cowboys" gone? They are among us. Taking in Scripture, doing what is right no matter what. Showing the world how to live and lead. My friend CRW is the perfect example. He is a cowboy. A cowboy I love. A cowboy I respect and look up to. They are all around, and people who ask this question, just need to look around them. Asking this question, I think is an excuse not to find one. Where have the good guys gone? Wake up. They are here. I am not proclaiming in arrogance to be one, but I know they are here because I am friends with them. Stop asking that question and do something about it if you are really that concerned. The cowboys are here, shooting and forcing evil to shake in its damned (this is not frivolous cursing, but stating what this evil is exactly...damned) boots. BANG BANG! It's not too much to ask for one, but it is too much to ask where they are. I love cowboys. Oh, and since you asked...I am right here.

Love Eachother, Be Cool. Don't prove me wrong...Be A Cowboy!

PIM

How this will end

Hold your grandmother's bible to your breast
Gonna put it to the test
You wanted it to be blessed
And in your heart
You know it to be true
You know what you gotta do
They all depend on you

And you already know
Yet you already know
How this will end

Of Greetings and Goodbyes

I'm a big fan of community and today i'm disgusted with what i'm forced to witness in many households across the United States. Memories are becoming a thing of the past within family settings. I'm talking about memories created by being with the ones you love in a atmosphere fashioned to bring about thanksgiving. Something as simple as sitting down and dining with friends and family has become a thing of the past. Sure people still eat together, but eating together and sharing a meal together are two completely different things. A meal brings about special moments, it reminds us of the quality of our lives together. A meal identifies relationships and creates true fellowship. Most important, a meal takes time. Time is something held in high regard in todays world. Time is important. A meal should be important. I love being able to take part in communion around the dinner table. If i know you and i have not had the chance to eat a meal with you please get in contact with me and i'll see what i can do. Can we please make the table a hospitable place again? Can we please use that hospitable place to create beautiful memories with one another?

Have a Meal
Bear

My Back Pages

Song I'm Into.

PIM

.a simple request.

Tonight was a good night. The context of this Tuesday comes during a week where I have no classes. Our basketball team won their 13th straight game, making them 16-11. This is good news because if they win 17, Bear has to grow out a mustache for an entire week. He looks like your creepy uncle when sporting a mustache. Enough said. One of my greatest friends got awarded a game ball in the beginning of the game for scoring 1000 points in his career. Seeing his face when he found out (coach kept it a secret from him) brought incredible amounts of joy to me. I then was able to watch American Idol with some good friends, giving what is our obvious expert opinion on singing to each other. Quote of the night from American Idol: "Boy you slayed it dude, WHAT?!" -Randy Jackson. Tonight was a good night. Maybe to you it doesn't seem like a very good night because it was simple. But the good thing about simplicity is that it is not complex. Do we ever sit back and think about the simple things? We have a society that knows complexity. People are obsessed with figuring the most complex, intricate notions, which explains all of the graduate school scholars that are sitting in coffee shops reading their books that I will never understand. That is awesome for them. Society needs them, desperately...especially to explain stuff to stupid people like me. For a while now I have been an advocate of simplicity in this society of complexity. I read this book titled "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist last year. The umbrella over all of her thoughts, words, and chapters in the book was to take refuge in the simple things in life. Loved the book. It inspired me to do just that. There are many days that I forget to do that. Today is not one of those days. My simple request is for you to have one of those days.

This is Pim. Love Eachother. Be Cool.

Do You Like American Music?

I would like to start off by commending my partner in crime for writing a wonderful post on Valentines Day. I enjoyed my V-day very much and the post just made it that much better. Lately i've been listening to so much music. I believe that music proves the existence of God. One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Mr. Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut stated, "Music is, to me, proof of the existence of God". Some people believe that Christian/Worship music is the only true music that can be used to glorify our creator or to feel an emotional attachment to Him. I have a confession to make, I feel Gods presence in all music and often times worship through the composition created by nonbelievers. I appreciate the God given talent that these singer and song writers use to the best of their abilities. To be honest sometimes i get goose-bumps. Sometimes music is so beautiful it almost becomes impossible to deny the nature of God inside of it. Music also brings us together. Just today i found myself in a car with Pim listening to a Pim and Bear favorite and in that moment i think we both were able to appreciate the relationship building melodies that flowed from the car stereo. It was in that moment that i worshiped my creator. I love my life and i love music. I will end with one important statement. Sometimes we all need to listen to Damien Rice.

Bear

She's Always Dressed In White...She's Like An Angel And She Burns My Eyes...

Ah, the long awaited Valentines Day. Bear was so courteous to let me write this blog on this special day yet again. This is probably because he has a beautiful girl, who I truly respect, and I could not be happier for them as they are together and well. While I, on the other hand, am one year later...single...drowning in a pool of my pathetic existence as a platonic lover to all I come in contact. (OK, that is a little dramatic, but it is the nature of this day). If you can remember from last year, you know that I hate this day, and as I explained last year it is not because I am single, but for more on that see the post "Snapple" from last year. As you probably expect, I am going to take about 300 or so words on this to explain my deep loathing for this holiday. I offer a curveball. You swung and miss. Didn't see it coming. I wish to commend this day. Although I stick to my notions that I had last year, I have found some light at the end of my proverbial Valentines Day hate tunnel. It came around last night when Bear was creating his scavenger hunt for his girl (who I am going to so lovingly call "polar bear" from now on). I was helping him with some odds and ends, and I realized...look how happy all of my friends are. My best friend is married, my other good friend is on his way, my other good friend is on his way still. I was just in a wedding with another good friend who is now on his internship...happy...married. Bear came out of his 23 year hibernation and is so happy. Love and relationship is all around me. Instead of being pissed off about it, I turn a new leaf. Call it a Valentine's Day resolution, if you will. I am happy for them, and I am happy that they had the opportunity to celebrate it with their significant others. I know this holiday is just a reminder to all us single people that life sucks, but come on...what do we really have to complain about? The economy? That's a copout. I know the girl is coming sometime. And for the girls, the guy is coming sometime. Don't lose faith. She/He will be dressed in white. Like an angel. Burning our eyes. Until then, we get to be happy for the people that we love around us, because their white dressed angel, burning their eyes was found. So here's to all the lovers! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I hope it finds you pure, happy, and gracious for what you have!

This is Pim. Love Eachother. Be Cool. Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I always believed in futures

I apologize for the vast amount of time that has past since my last interaction with this blog. Activities seem to be increasing while time continues to decrease. Sometimes i wish i were Zack Morris and at certain points in the day i could call a timeout to gather my thoughts and reflect on things throughout the day. Lately i've been concentrating on the future. The Future seems to be looking brighter and brighter as it comes closer and closer. The weeks ensuing include trips to Indiana, Texas, and Massachusetts. These trips will be filled with new relationships as well as rekindled old ones. One trip includes an introduction to unknown parental territory that will certainly be exciting and interesting. In all of these future events i want to continue to strive to achieve my new years goal of good character. New situations offer new challenges and with new challenges comes growth and wisdom. I pray that in these new situations i can become selfless and enjoy fellowship with the people i surround myself with. In all things i hope and pray that Christ will be present and active. Things in life have been getting better and better recently and for that i thank my Creator everyday for allowing me to be where i am now. I think there might be something behind this character idea so I'm going to continue to work my hardest at shaping a character worth replicating. I hope these thoughts are in some way constructive and uplifting. Peace be with whomever reads this.

Love
Bear

Wii are so good.

Well, I have my own place now. Kinda. I am rooming with a good friend, in an apartment that is totally rad. I officially only have class on one day in the week and on that one day it only occupies two and a half hours of my schedule. Are you kidding me? I get to live this life. There is much joy floating about because the more I live and experience life, the more life-long relationships I see forming. I have a "home" group, a "college" group, and a "Nashville group". Along with this amazing trifecta of relational possibilities, I also have a Wii. Kinda. If you are around Tuesday nights, come out and bowl! We will create a Mii for you and everything. And Guitar Hero World Tour could not be any better with D, K, and J, and the not-yet-released, The Liptak- Three Apartment Band. I just returned from a short retreat with some amazing old friends in the middle of a wood. It is these little reminders in life that never get worn out. It is like that pair of boxers or maybe socks you have that you keep around, even though they clearly need to be thrown in a dumpster. All these situations could be passed off as "just life". But it is not "just life". It is clearly a blessing. Let us not take this life for granted, nor any little moment that comes into our vision. I am beginning to realize that this is my last time to be a "kid". Real World, Real Life Challenge is coming up incredibly quick. And if you are not in this situation right now, you will be. I am nostalgic. I yearn for those memories of jr. high, high school, when anything went. What I really need to realize is "the past is told by those who win, what matters is what hasn't been." At the end of this day, the past nor the future really take precedence to me right now. It is the now that I desire to live in. I want to make memories now that one day I can look back on and be nostalgic. I heard this quote. "Sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens, and we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever." What more could you want but a day, a week, a month, a year made up of those very moments that live on forever. I will tell you something about my life. Me and my friends, Wii are so good. I am going to make those moments, make those memories. I urge you to do the same.

This is Pim. Love Eachother. Be Cool. Let's Make A Memory!

So this is the New Year

It's 2009 and some new canvasses are being created on the Pim and Bear home front. It's a year of new beginnings and interesting journeys. It's a year that will see the end of formal education and the beginning of real life learning. It's a year that has already welcomed new relationships and plans on growing already strong friendships. It's a year that started off with resolutions that if held up will eventually make us stronger. I've made some resolutions and i hope to keep them. I want this year to be a year of openness. I want to strive to be a lover of all people. To assist me with this goal i have decided that i need to be in scripture more often than i am now. Not only do i want to be a lover of all people but i also want to become more loving in the relationships that i currently cherish. I want to be a better brother, son, friend, person, and most of all follower of Christ. I challenge anyone who reads this to reach for the same goal in their walk. As for Bear the next step is just the first of many interesting journeys that will without a doubt take place in 2009. Pim and I are road tripping to see a beloved friend. Let the journey of 2009 begin.

Love
Bear

Something Amazing

As 2009 draws us into a new point of view, I have a new point of view. It has been quite a long time since Bear and me have gave us your thoughts, so here is one. I used to be in the thought that it was better to always give your opinion and if you didn't agree with someone, you let them know. My recent experience has told me different. I have found a sub-culture, and not so much a sub-culture, other than the fact that they are a new group of friends. A new group of friends that is moving from a sub-culture in my life, to a very important, impactful part, that has challenged me. You see, here it doesn't matter what kind of juice you like, what kind of music you listen to, what sports team you cheer for. Everyone is different, and everyone embraces those differences. It reminded me that we all have different things that we like and are involved in. Whether you are the jock, the marching band geek (or stud), the prom princess, or the mathlete, everyone has something special that we should embrace. Why do we find it so necessary to challenge everyone with what they like? "I love Jimmy Eat World." "Jimmy Eat World sucks dude, why would you ever like them?" I just do not understand that thought now? Why not embrace each other's likings and learn something from each. It goes much deeper than music, but ill let you think of that on your own. There is one absolute truth, which is Christ. Is the rest not just commentary? As I say everytime, be yourself...you will not be disappointed. Let's embrace eachother's loves.

This is Pim. Love Eachother. Be Cool...Be Fine in 09! Love Ya'll