Saturday, May 24, 2008

New Song: "The Precious Life"

This song I wrote today means a lot to me and is my song about purity.

Vs. 1: I woke up today with a thought on my mind/ what if the dreams I have were left behind/ My life was just meaningless, feelingless, and not to take hold of/ And the last I saw as I opened my eyes/ was the fading light of a sun as it dies/ my spirit is screaming out, crying out, wanting to live/
Bridge: How do we breakout/ how do we make out in the world that we're living in/
Chorus: I will wait/ cause' true love waits/ I want to stay pure till this battle is won/ in a world that is screaming out, "Do what you want!"/ I will wait/ cause' true love waits/ I want to stay true to just one till I die/ I want to feel LIFE with the one that God made just for me/ The precious life/
Vs.2: Where are the men whose intentions are true/ and where are the virgins that stayed pure for You/ why is it counterfeit, the way love is portrayed/ Why is it lust can pretend that it's love/ and how can we so often push away God/ when all that He wants is to give us a life that's worth living/
Bridge:
Chorus:
Vs.3: Lord, I now pledge from this day on/ to wait for the day that I put the ring on/ I realize compromise only destroys all I wish for/ I know that You want me to know Precious Life/ and as I experience it with my wife/ I'll praise you forever and ever and then once again/ The best thing that in this world I'll ever know/ is to know that I've found One who won't let me go/ to know that this love is for me and I don't deserve it/ So I will cling to this promise that you've made/ that it will be worth it for me if I wait/ the cry of my heart is too loud for it to just go away!/
Chorus:
Ending: The precious life/ the precious life/ . . . the precious life

Friday, May 23, 2008

Allah or Jesus Christ by Rick Mathes

> Last month, I attended my annual training session> that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance.> During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers> representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim faiths, who> explained each of their beliefs.> > I was particularly interested in what the> Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the> basics of Islam, complete with a video.> > After the presentations, time was provided for> questions and answers.> > When it was my turn, I directed my question to> the Imam and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand> that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy> war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel,> (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in> heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an> infidel?'> > There was no disagreement with my statements> and, without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers! '> > I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this> straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone> who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that> correct?'> > The expression on his face changed from one of> authority and command to that of 'a little boy who had just been caught> with his hand in the cookie jar.'> > He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'> > I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem> trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those> of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in> order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'> > The Imam was speechless!> > I continued, 'I also have problem with being> your 'friend' when you and your brother clerics are telling your> followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have> your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven,> or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He> wants you to be there with me?'> > You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung> his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of> the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of> dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslims'> beliefs.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

New Laptop

So, my parents have a few traditions for their kids such as on each kid's 16th birthday, they take them out to eat and give a good talk about purity and then give them a purity ring symbolizing an oath between them, my parents, and God to save sex for marriage. Also, on every kid's graduation, my parents buy them a big present that they'll need for college or their future, such as a word processor, or my bro. got a zune ipod since he was getting everyelse from the army.
I, of which I'm very happy to say, am getting a laptop. This is huge for me since the only computer we've ever had is a windows XP from the year 2000. The one I'm getting is a windows inspiron. It's customized and being built as I write.
A lot of people I know say Apple is so much better than Windows, however, the laptop I got started at $599 and the cheapest Mac laptop on the market starts at $1100. Mine also has twice as much RAM and twice as much memory as the Mac and I got a built in webcam, a business-student operating system included, and host of other things that weren't in the Mac, to get those in the Mac I would've had to pay almost $500 more making it $1600 at least. Now, as some of my friends would say, paying the extra would be worth it. However, the question isn't that, but rather is a laptop worth $1600 to you and to me it isn't.
Also, you might find it interesting that I know 4 or 5 people that work with computers all the time, either are programmers or in a business that requires them to use several computers and get new ones each year. . . . Not ONE of them say that they think Apple is better Windows and I asked them all. In fact most of them say they prefer Windows better. I just leave it at that.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Art and God

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, the less the artist the better.

I'm so glad God decided to use me in the field of art. I love drawing and playing music so much and they seem to come right from the heart. All I have to do is let God guide me.

God show stuff new and exciting to me everyday. I must confess to a feeling of profound humility in the presence of a universe which transcends us at almost every point. I feel like a child who while playing by the seashore has found a few bright colored shells and a few pebbles while the whole vast ocean of truth stretches out almost untouched and unruffled before my eager fingers. I am nothing, but I am very close friend with the one who is everything and with Him who could possibly guess what can happen and with Him on my side, what in heaven or hell could I possibly have to fear.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Farewell June

Ok, so this band played a concert at our church yesterday. Their name; Farewell June. Their music; AWESOME! It was a free concert, but they took a love offering near the end of which I was one of the plate carriers, whooo! They've come out with two cds of which you can find on CBD.com. I was so surprised that they were sooo good cause' ours is a small church. They hail from Springfield, Missiouri and have an amazing love for God.

One of the most impressive things about the band was their guitarist. He was soooo good. Amazing. Of course everything was good about them. Their message, their music, their vocals, their attitude. They were signed, but quit that cause' their record label was asking them to do things they knew weren't right so now they're independant, but still going on strong.

I was in the front row, so that was awesome. I got to talk to them afterward, get their new cd, Identity Crisis, get their autographs, and a photo of me with them. They really are great guys. Check them out if you can. It's a great cd.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

100% Relationship

A relationship is too important to pass up. Even though we may make mistakes in our choices, that doesn't mean we don't have the responsability to live with our choices. Even though we live in a country where we can basically do whatever we want, that doesn't mean we should. The right thing is always the best. Even if it sacrifices our own happiness.

The misconception about relationships nowadays is that, that special someone should be our other half, the only person to satisfy our desires. The problem with that is that it takes away from it. If that "other half" decides to leave you cause he/she doesn't "love" you anymore, does that mean that person really wasn't the one for you and you were mistaken? Maybe, but still even if it wasn't, we must still stay by their side cause' we must live with our mistakes even if they are big.

The misconception about relationships and the understanding that NEVER works is that if two people give half of themselves then everything will be alright. A 50/50 relationship never works, it ends immediately and only results in heartache. If one person gives 100% then the relationship will work, but it will be very difficult. The best relationship and the one that God meant for us to have is where each person gives 100%. If you hold somebody's heart in your hands, you will be much more careful about what you hold if your heart is in that other person's hands as well. But it isn't a duty to perform, if you truly love someone, you will want to do everything you can for them willingly without any thought of return, merely for the sake of loving them. That is true love, and it is worth every moment of a thousand lifetimes.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Babbylon and Armeggeddion

A scenic view. A dieing sun. It has been three days since Saturn's rings entered our atmosphere. It is so close now. This surreal horizon frightens me every night and day. Whenever I gaze up it, I am consumed. To know that my world will be ending tomorrow is too much for me to bare.
It has been two days since the leviathon and behemoth emerged from the deep. The creature from the sea with six heads has taken over the cities and the dragon with six heads conquers the sky. Right now he is resting on the skyscrapers.
It has been one day since ash started falling like rain turning everything a sickening gray. The great volcano emerged from central park and is still growing. The gray wolves with the red eyes entered the buildings and drove us out. We now live in the fields.
Today, the ground started to crack and split. The earth is dying and falling apart. Fire and hail began to fall. Many died but some of us found shelter. It is no use though.
For tomorrow . . . the world ends.