Sojourner

Back again

2009-12-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

Friends,
It is almost the end of 2009 and this is my first blog since March! Wow. Time seems to be running a foot race with me and I'm losing. It is difficult to not be in a mindset of reminiscence. Another year down, friendships made and lost, then made again. I think the past two years of my life have been the most difficult but also the most insightful. Where there is pain, hopefully there is also healing and growth. God you do work in such divine mystery. Also these past years have taught me and shown me how much people care for me. How so many people have done so many caring things for me, me! So undeserving I am of course, to say the least, yet what a way to show the love of Jesus. To give without a thought of something in return, truly I am a blessed man. Well, I'm tired now it is a little past midnight and I shall go explore in some caves tomorrow! Good night world, whoever reads this, I love you all with all my heart.

Sunday

2009-03-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

"This ones called "decisions" the man is naked because hes vulnerable. he has come to a point in his life where he has to make a decision which way he wants to live. the broad and easy that goes into the darkness, or the narrow and difficult that leads to the light. hes asking God to give him strength to turn toward the right path. i guess personally this ones about christians often having to refocus and get back on the right track cause we are starting to stray a little or a lot and we have lost our focus."

This ones called "Letting Go"
"its not finished and still needs alot of work! but it should still make sense, its a man who is holding on to the world which is broken and falling apart, but its the only thing the man understands, its the only thing thats tangable and familar, below him is the unknown, what God understands but the man doesn't. the angel or holy spirit is holding on to him trying to comfort him by holding his hand, and trying to let him know that he can let go and just trust in God. i sort think the little landscape in the corner represents who God sees things, and if youll notice its from a completely different perspective than the rest of the picture." -josh

This is a painting by a very good brother of mine. His name is Joshua Kieffer and he continues to be an inspiration in my life. This painting of his hit me really hard. Its funny how visual I am and knowing what I know..knowing that these things that I cling to for comfort seem so easy to ignore. But when I see a painting like this...its all I can think about. All I can think about..my filth, my fleshly thoughts and how this world and its temptations bring nothing but death but are so easy to grasp onto. Christ fights for our souls every second of every day...constantly pulling us away from the things of this filthy prison. So I'm torn because I know I will wake up tomorrow morning and continue to cling onto this world. His grace is sufficent for all my needs. Give me strength for my inadequicies as a man and show me truth. Show me your face. Do not leave me in my time of despair and need..show me your light through my oppression.

stressy mcstresser smith...

2009-03-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Monday. March 2. The sun is shining and i could not ask for a better or more pleasant day in baton rouge. I started listening to shane and shane again today. I don't know why. My lack of community since I have been here has been such a challenge in my every day life. I think listening to them has been really encouraging today. Not forgetting there is a deeper and mesmerizing beauty in everything around me. The simple human connection from one person to the next..or the connection man has to nature is something to rejoice and dance about. I haven't really laughed joyfully in a long time. I want to have joy in all aspects of my life. To not feel so weighed down by the troubles the world brings to us day in and day out. Im incredibly stressed about school but there are so many more important things to consume my mind with..good things. Less of me is more of jesus. There is glory in the cross. Help me find my gain in loss.

Bitter..not me no way

2009-02-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

22 days. This is the exact count since my last post. Looking back on my two posts I realized that wow i sound bitter and angry. And i was. Not anymore. Anger does nothing productive. Neither does bitterness. They are lame. Life is challenging, very challenging. So many distractions but so much more beauty to see in the world. I want to see beauty. Sometimes all i see are the distractions. Currently im at CC's coffeehouse in br, la. Starbucks=poop. CC's=a little better smelling poop. So i choose CC's. Im currently studying Obstetrics for school. There are pictures here that are not appropriate for public viewing. Oh well..its natural baby!! Officially I'm grossed out by child birth. That wont change either. Im making and trying good long lasting friendships. I have a friendship with someone that is pure and real and honest. She is a blessing of a sister in my life. Nough said for now. This was good. I will keep doing this more often. Also, go to your itunes. go to the store. Type in Peter Kreeft...download everything immediately. Your life will be enlightened by his wisdom and romantic style of speaking. Peace.

Apathy

2009-02-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

Life sucks. Im angry. Im apathetic. And Im angry with God.

Chapter 1: A Beautiful Rejoicing

2009-01-30T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is my first post. The beginning. And of course I have nothing to say. I have been working on this thing for countless hours. Countless. Literally I lost count. Dammit. Well since I don't have anything to say I will leave it in the hands of my good friends The Annuals:

Me, and my Brother hiking.
Me, and my Brother might find a turtle.
We'll just have some fun.

Me, and my Brother playing with our dog;
two mighty men with a wolf,
who drinks from the gulf.

Cool, calm water will bring back our voice to Mother.

I fell down in a creek bed.
Brother wept.
In his face I met fear;
that I could die right there.
But I climbed right out.

Now I've grown bold, and lonely.
I should have stayed with dear Brother at home,
But we grew up old

I really do love my brothers. A lot. Both blood and in the spirit. So this is appropriate. On a secondary issue, if anyone reading this ever finds a way to listen to this song. It will change your life in the best ways. It is called Brother. For 3:43 everything in this fucked up world just might make a little sense. Try it out. I have much to say in the coming days enshala!!