A heaping dose of Randomness

So how's life in the big, wonderful world for you? I am doing quite well, thank you!

I realize it has been over a year since my last post, and for that I apologize to my one reader (if they have not abandoned me, yet). However, I am back on the wagon! This year, there will be MORE of me to spread around!

I promise if I'm elected, I will post once a week for any who cares. My opponent, however, has not posted in at least three... days. I plan to end this travesty when I attain office.

So let's catch up the ADD way!...

Well, I was unable to make it to conference this time. Stinks, I know. (For all those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, you'd have to visit the cult I am apart of to understand. Best cult in the world, mind you.) Anyway, I hear tell it turned out well. Okay, maybe more than just well. Try AWESOME!

I am reading a book at the moment. "The List" by Robert Whitlow. Perrty good. A little dry at first, but it's getting interesting.

I changed my major a few months ago--from journalism to history. Actually, I just switched my major with my minor.

What else, what else?...

Oh! I have a couple new jobs--reporter for The Chase and "correspondant" for the Portales News-Tribune. Kinda fun, kinda not.

God has blessed me ginormously this last year. For example, I received a large scholarship from the veteran's group the "Air Commandos," of which my grandfather is apart.

But, above all, I want to thank Jesus for his love and grace. It has kept me through another year.

I cannot believe how random I am writing. This is rather unlike me.

So, I guess I will catch you, at farthest, a week from now.

God be praised,

Arden

Open your mouth and say, "Ahhh"

Howdy!

I thought I'd jump up in the chair for my check-up since I have been very little involved with my blog. Bad me.

These last few weeks (and the coming ones, I can tell) have been (and will be) very stressful. I've had a paper and two exams all due in the same week. In these next few weeks, it is not going to get any better. Next week, I have two exams. The week after that, I will have to complete yet another one. Three weeks from now, I will have two papers due. Fun, fun, fun.

And the amusement just keeps pouring out. Don't you just love college life?

Yeah, me neither.

But things are temporarily looking up. 1) I just celebrated (um, not really) another birthday today, 2) we had a great revival this week, and 3) surprisingly, unless something changes, I will be able to attend the men's discipleship tonight to boot.

My ups and downs, though, do not dictate God's existence in my life. I have learned the hard way that the Father does not love conditionally. His love is not controlled by my actions; my destiny may be, but His love is never limited to my successes. Even when I fall down smack on my spiritual face, He still loves me and is ready to see me, when I repent, cleansed through the blood of Jesus.

All clean and ready to go.

A misconception about the GOP

Thought I might check in with one of my lectures. My recent history studies spurred my mind into writing up a political frenzy.

I just wanted to attempt to dissolve this preconceived notion that the Republican Party is ethnically biased. Many people do not realize that in its early days, the party supported and enacted the abolishment of slavery and the civil rights movement. Some would say, though, that it has changed its views. I would put to you that it has not changed its views, but has seen the full evolution and the fulfillment of the civil rights movement to reach its true goals and is rightly satisfied.

The party sees all men equal. Thus, when African Americans and minorities are given equal rights with Caucasians, the job of fighting for civil rights should be viewed complete. We, as a society, have reached the pinnacle of full freedom for the blacks—or any other minority for that matter. Yes, there are still a few discriminative people around, but for the most part, they are few and far between. The majority of citizens has accepted and believes the fact that a person of one color skin is of no lesser value than a person of another. Thus, the goal of the early civil rights movement has been met. It seems to me now that America is trying to cater to blacks and ‘minorities’ while discriminating against the whites.

“Why, if all men are equal, are there more whites in certain position and parts of society?” you might be thinking. The question can be answered with a slight pinch of common sense (and the latest census records). Because there are more people of Caucasian decent in America than African, it is not extraordinary to think that there are more whites in office, leadership and other roles. Simply put, when the majority of a self-governing society is of one ethnic group, the majority of roles in that society is filled with people of that group.

Is this not supposed to be a ‘democratic’ nation (not in the full sense of the word, of course)? Whatever happened to ‘ruled by majority’? Now it seems to be the select minority rules and gets extra privileges over the rest of society.

Do not read me wrong. I am not against black leadership or control. I have plenty of friends and acquaintances who are African American (or of other descent). I just am not in support of a select minority receiving privileges above the majority of citizens. That sort of thing only leads to more ethnic division.

Let us realize Dr. King's dream that "we will be able... to stand for freedom together (emphasis added)" not apart, separated by giving one ethnic group more importance than the other.

We are all created equal. It is the Republican spirit.

Camping isn't for atheists.

I went camping earlier this week in the Sangre de Cristo mountains with a couple of friends. It was an enjoyable experience, even with the conflicting trains of thought of those involved.

One thing that was really impressed upon me during this time is that I personally cannot escape the majesty and greatness of God when I do go on these trips. His fingerprints are all over these places and, especially with little civilization nearby, I have a chance to see myself without all the trappings and hubub of society. Life is simple, and when it is simple, a clearer perspective of my life comes into view.

Without all the conveniences of modern society, I see myself as I really am: a lost, hopeless soul were it not for the grace of God. I see a man who cannot save himself from the sin and shame he has wrought in the light of a holy and just God. I see a man who must turn to Christ and recieve his salvation through his sacrifice on the Cross.

It also burdened my heart to see the time I have wasted in my life, time that could have been used to further the Lord's kingdom.

But, above all, I see the loving grace and mercy that I am so undeserved of, but which God willingly chooses to give and show me.

Christ's nail-scarred hands mean so much more now.

Blessings,
Arden

I'm beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The Christmas tree is up. So is my sugar level. I’ve eaten enough sweets to plunder every Wal-Mart in the Southwest. We know that Christ is the main word in “Christmas,” but I think the suffix, “mas” must mean “celebration by the inhalation of all that is unhealthy for human consumption and would otherwise kill two thirds of the population of Earth” in Latin. It must be.

So we gorge ourselves for Christ’s sake, do we? We can’t help it. It’s in our genes. At least we try to fit it all in our jeans the week we return from Christmas Break, but it tends to hang out. That’s the effect of one more round of M&Ms I found at the bottom of my stocking. And the toffee I made for just the occasion. And the Russian Tea and ham my mother has conjured up in the kitchen for, what else?—Christmas feasting. The cajillion snack size (isn’t that term ironic?) Hershey candy bars I’ve consumed do not help either. My stomach growth isn’t a problem I want to discuss. Although that belt I received last year for Christmas did seem a bit bigger than what I’m accustomed to. I mean, you would think Goodwill ought to be stocked up from all the clothing donations I am so generous to give after the holidays.

Poor old Santa! He’s been alive for hundreds of years, right? He has had to suffer through hundreds of Christmases and the delicacies that are attached to the season. I’m sure it seemed enjoyable at first, but now look at him! He’s so bloated, he can’t even use the front door! He has to come down the chimney!

New Year’s Eve isn’t much better. I haven’t the time to recall staying up until way past midnight fattening myself up, celebrating the coming of another year in which I can again attempt to loose weight. I mean, we have to have a reason for resolutions, right? The tradition of New Year’s resolutions must have sparred from the Early Christmas celebrators’ need to loose weight after gaining ten pounds over the holidays and to be rid of the uncomfortable bloating feeling.

But this year is going to be different. From now on, and throughout this Christmas, I will try to control my eating habits and I will resist my urge to fill my bloodstream with chocolate. I will eat healthy! I will not return to my habitual holiday gorging nature! Heck, I’m even doing a little workin’ out. Trying to build a fire builds up a real sweat. It’s worth it, though. When I sit down to a nice warm blaze with my bowl of M&Ms and toffee, I know I am already on my way to good health and fitness.

Our fan-based society

A few weeks ago, after my duties of finishing my homework were complete (namely reading a few poems for my English class) I discretely made my way to the campus computer center. I was minding my own business, walking on the concrete path laid before me, some cyber fritting on my mind. I was ready to go and relax and vegetate on a few forums of which I find myself a part, when I noticed a girl coming down the path that would cross mine. I thought little of it as my mind wandered as it often does. Interesting, I noticed, was the fact that she was slowing down as I drew closer to the crossing. Interesting, also, was the fact that she continued to look at me. Weird. Keep going, keep going. I walked to the crosswalk keeping my gaze ahead.

“Excuse me.” Uh-oh. I turned to her. “Have you voted yet?” she asked sweetly—for homecoming king and queen I presumed.

“Uh, no actually, I haven’t yet.”

“Well then, you should vote for me—Nancy.” She reached into the plastic “THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” bag she was carrying, rummaged through, and pulled out a Dingdong lollipop which she promptly handed to me.

“Uh, okay.” I took the ridiculously small sucker and without further ado, walked on, reveling in my survival victory. It was then that I realized something that got me to thinking. I remembered being bombarded in the “CUB”—or Campus Union Building for all you un-college-lingo-savvy people (of which I formerly counted myself)—earlier that week when I was headed down to the coffee shop to work on my business class project. Tables lined up on each side of the walking area. Creatures behind the tables screamed at me as I passed.

“Vote for Celina!” “James needs your vote!” “Have you voted yet?” And so on and so forth.

I find it interesting that I can be inundated by these followers of candidates, and that they are considered normal, but those of us who want to tell others about Christ are considered freaks and fanatics. They can spread their love for whomever, but I cannot tell them about what Jesus has done for me and how much I love Him.

We, as society, have become so “toleration”-frenzied that we fail to realize that there can be no true form of toleration. If you can’t tolerate my intoleration of someone’s beliefs, then doesn’t that sort of defeat the purpose? If you fail to see your fanaticism while mine is deemed abnormal or strange, why do you harp on tolerance?

We are all fanatics of one thing or other. Actually, fanaticism is a privilege of freedom. In a Communist society, one’s devotion and fanaticism is already chosen for him—it must be the government and, mostly, the despot controlling that government.

Be glad that you are able to call me a fanatic and that you can be one yourself. That means the ideals of freedom are still prevalent. They may soon be taken away.

So, what’s your fanaticism?

In remembrance...

Two Trees Were Felled

He looks from his mountain one late summer morning, looking about the land. In the forested northeast corner near a soft smooth canal, he gazes, heartbroken. It sorrows his heart for in a few hours two trees will be felled.

Trees so tall they tower over the land, icons in a world wrapped with green Life flowing through every leaf and drip of sap as the bees busily tend to their work. A tear falls from his eyes for in a few hours two trees will be felled.

The whole wood goes upon its affairs unaware of the tragedy soon to strike. Their monotonous hum rings in the ears of the watcher as he silently waits. For he knows that in a few hours two trees will be felled.

Malicious men wait in the fringes plotting the demise of the wood. Men waiting for the moment when they will strike a blow and destroy themselves. For it is certain that in a few hours two trees will be felled.

He is filled with sorrow as they plan the slaughter of the life in the two trees. He knows their devices yet he pities their souls for they themselves will be destroyed When, in a few hours two trees will be felled.

The devastation of their acts will cause the forest to awaken out of its slumber. He knows that retribution will flow against the men and that the forest will rise For in a few hours two trees will be felled.

He knows that these acts will give the wood the courage to stand against these men. He knows that there are those in the forest who are ready to give of themselves. Because in a few hours two trees will be felled.

He knows that the forest will return to him and believe in him again. But he knows after a while, some will once again return to their complacency. As in a few hours two trees will be felled.

He knows before it is all going to happen and what will eventually come of it. He knows the pain it will bring to many who will desire for life instead of death. In a few hours two trees will be felled.

Why, if he knows, does he wait and not prevent the anguish it will cause? How can he sit on the mountain and watch patiently as the calamity of man continues? For in a few hours two trees will be felled.

No one can say why he waits, ponders, and allows the actions of men below. We may never know until we are up on that great mountain with him. Long after the terrible hour that two trees were felled.

Opening statements

Welcome, all! You can tell that I haven't done much to my blog. But Let it be known that I will try to work on it as I go. I am currently attending college, thus there may be long intervals between posts. Don't worry, I'll try to keep you happy if you'll stay entertained.

Keep it up!