2005 in Review

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas is over and I've finally made it to a point where I can write. 2005 saw many things happen one of the major things was my graduation from Carson-Newman of which I'm very proud. I've held many jobs over this past year working for Fed-Ex and my first experience in the restaurant biz both were good jobs but they ended up being a drag and I dreaded going. Which brings me to most current and present job working for Marble Slab the pay is adequate for right now but overall the atmosphere and the guy I work for is the best part of the job and this is the first job that I can say that I don't dread going to work each day that I have to. Well that's a brief summation of my 2005.

Now its on to 2006 what it has to bring remains to be seen. A few things that lie on the horizon are the beginning of the my school loan repayment of which I'm not looking forward to. Also not too far off and will be here before I know it will be my transition from college graduate to the life of a seminarian. I would ask those of you who read this to be in prayer for me as seminary and my move to North Carolina approach. I've always been a real home-body and something as drastic and as a 8 1/2 to 9 hour move away from home scares me to death at this point. I know God is the Great Provider and will see that I'm taken care of, but of course your prayers on this subject are indeed and greatly welcome.

hope everyone is well and had a great Christmas and best wishes to you all in the New Year.

grace and peace to you all <><

As life roars on...I stand idlely by.

Wow! First off let me just say that this year has flown by, but it seems that I'm starting to say that more and more as I grow old. Yet another reality check that I am in fact "Getting Older."

So after working the past 6 days @ Marble Slab I thought I had the weekend to rest and relax only to come down with a stomach bug early Saturday morning. So that the proverbial batteries were drained even farther fighting the bug off. Come Sunday I was feeling better didn't make it to church which I'm starting to do more often as of late and I really don't like the pattern I'm falling into so come blizzard or high water this sunday I will still be there. I love my pastor I love hearing him preach and I hate it when I miss. I think the enemy makes our bed's feel "oh so warmer" and "oh so comfortable" on purpose.

So which brings me to present day and current week I had pleasant time at work. It took us almost 2 hours to close tonight but the close was done effectively and thoroughly. Here as of late I've been laxed in my closing duties and its caught up with me so I've righted sails and have set course to be thorough with my closing duties.

Carson Newman's winter graduation is fastly approaching and with will bring the graduation of one of my dearest friend's Rick will be graduating I'm so happy for him. For person of his age set a goal of coming back and finishing/getting his college degree is awesome.


cause I know someone special will be reading this I put this pic in just for her

Lots of Love Katie Vance




Rules!!!!!!!

Grinding It Out

Again I managed to dropp off the edge of the earth into the "No posting Vortex" well I finally escaped the proverbial prison and I'm attempting to post something logical and coherent. For the most part I've been physically drained. I've been working for the past 6 days straight since the day after Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving I had a wonderful time sharing the traditional meal with my family.

Christmas music is now become permanantly engrained in my head cause we have satelite radio at work so christmas music is now on loop play and the unfortunate part is that there are not that many christmas songs. So I hear "Walking in a Winter Wonderland and "Silver Bells" done by 4 different artists within and given 3 hour period its crazy....madening to a point.

well in my travels through the vast space known as the internet I stumbled upon a good video as of sorts.

For all you Trans-Siberian Orchestra fans I present the following.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter


Grace and Peace to you All.

<><

A Night at the Movies

Last night again I had the pleasure of seeing the midnight showing of movie and being E Plurbis Unum of amercians seeing the first showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was great movie in itself and it was great night cause I shared it with Heidi any evening shared with her is great.

Movie was great and it was so good that I was able to pick up on the story being that I was little fuzzy from the last movie The Prisoner of Azakaban.

thats all I will cause I'm prone to reveal stuff that ruins the movie for others so I will stop while I'm ahead.

Grace and Peace to you All......

<><

All is Well....

Looks like I've managed another non-posting slump so I'll try my best to redeem myself. Things are going well, I've been promoted to shift leader at Marble Slab and have been doing that for about 3 or so weeks. I've been working there almost 3 months and I'm loving every minute mainly because the owner is a christian so that lends itself to the atmosphere at work being pleasent most of the time.

The schedule I'm working couldn't be better I'm closer on Monday and Tuesday and open the store on Weds. and Thurs. and that gives me the weekend off atleast this weekend it does. Next week is a different story. Right now the plan is to head up to Carson Newman and pay all my Frat Bros. a visit its been awhile since I've gotten to see them and spend some time with them Rick's birthday is this weekend so its a trip with intentions just as much as it is for fun.

If I could ask those who read this for prayer. I find myself being attacked and I know that its lies from the enemy in regards to my future ministry work. So if you could pray for me in that regard it would greatly appreciated. Well thats all for now gotta be up and at work @ 9.

Grace and Peace to you all

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 9 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Jazz

I have a recommendation for those who are in and around the Knoxville area if you are looking for a good place to have a drink(whether it social or just cause your thirsty) I must plug the Baker-Peters Jazz club. Good music great atmosphere. Spent the evening with Heidi listening to music have some drinks and just talking about this and that it was a great night. The evening was made when the band playing ripped off their best cover of Ray Charles' "Tell Me What I Say"

When thinking about the concept of Clubs in Knoxville I can that Knoxville is known for all the clubs that I wouldn't go to. But this one in particular I could see myself going to on occasion.

For those of you wanting an update, Rick's mom had emergency surgey front what he was able to tell apparently her gall bladder decided that it didn't want to work and with that it started to poison her system so that coupled with the pneumonia and bronchitis she had made her even worse. So continue to pray for Rick and his mom and his family.

A Word of Prayer

If any and all who venture by here please be in prayer for Rick, his family and his mother especially who has been ill the past week or so and seems to be getting worse. pray that the doctors will have wisdom that if need be to send her to Knoxville or a place where she can get the care that she needs.

Still have tenative plans to go up to Carson-Newman for the weekend but we'll see what happens.

Trick or Treating = Devil Worship

My inspiration to write comes off reading Whipple's most recent post on halloween alternatives such as Judgement houses and stuff like that.

It has come my attention that Halloween or All Hallow's Eve is a holiday viewed with alot of negativism. Yes the holiday is known by what its original purpose was found here. But honestly folks are really promoting devil worship and stuff like that by letting our kids(I don't have any) dress up for the most part like super heroes, star wars characters, GI-Joe with a couple who want to go as a vampire or Jason Vorhees, or Freddy Cougar and letting them storm the local neighborhoods to see how much they can haul in(candy) in one night. I remember when I trick or treated I would have competitions with my friends to see how much each of us to haul in.

Apparently dressing up is not just limited to kids. Granted there are some grown individuals who's costumes look good and example being Josh's brother's LOTR costume. I had two individuals who came to the marble slab last night I'm guessing they're fighting growing up tooth and nail they had Harry potter costumes on the cloaks, scarves, ties, and even the patches on the cloaks for the respect houses or what I noticed was Gryphondorn, and Ravenclaw.

Learning To Love

Whats the word I'm searching for....smitten I think thats it and that would pretty much describe my feelings for this girl I met a week ago. I find myself thinking about her alot, wanting to talk to her(one would say just call her...my reply being "I don't talk well on the phone") I find myself wondering when I'll have time off from work to go and see her. I think that would be a pretty good definition of the what I'm feeling right now.

And yet again I feel like a little kid learning to ride a bike for the first time. You know trying to ride that bike you wanted so hard to get it right the first time. They say you never forget how to ride a bike once you learn. Well I feel like that with the inklings of this new relationship I wanna make sure I get right on the first try and have it develop into something. But still I find myself wondering how much is too much and am I setting myself up for failure I never really had much confidence in the relationship dept.

Oh well I'm off this weekend so we'll see what happens. its just once step at a time and steady as she goes.

The New Burke-Tarr

It was good week this week went up for the final home game of the season this year on Thursday spent some time with some friends. It was another edition of past midnight driving in which I try desperately to keep myself awake. Well as you can tell I'm typing this post so I made it back safely.

Pics of the New Stadium

http://community.webshots.com/user/jnlucas100

Homecoming Report

Well this past weekend was Carson Newman homecoming. Really didn't feel like I was coming home to anything cause I've been up there off and on this semester already (APO activities and such).

The New football stadium is incredible well worth the wait especially the field with the synthetic grass turf. So Nick Campell at the game wish to give him congrats on his recent engagement. The whole weekend was fun. The Gamma Sig/APO float tied for second so we won some money for our organizations. I also got beat on my old drum with the band this weekend was tons of fun I must admit. had fun hanging out with the Brothers again.

As it turns out my abilities to hang out with a member of the opposite sex are still functioning well. Met one of the Gamma Sig pledges this weekend and I think I hit it off well. We had lot of common interests being we like everything music from Classical to Country to Heavy Metal (haha).

Good Jams

No I'm not talking Strawberry or Blueberry. I'm talking about my new music that I just recently bought.

I got off work and just had a urge to buy a new cd so I saundered on over to Lifeway(first mistake) and then went back to cd racks(2nd mistake). Mistakes??? yeah Lifeway is not known for their inventory and selection. I ended up buy the demo cd off of them.

Its Jars of Clay: "Redemption Songs" its totally awesome its collection of "old timey" hymns and they're revamped and up tempo it sounds so good. Songs such as "I'll Fly Away", " It is Well with My Soul"

Back at the Grind

Well today it was back at the grindstone well not really more like the scoop and the spade being that I work @ Marble Slab.

I had a good trip this past weekend but for some reason I just felt out of place. Yes visiting friends was great and getting to get away with friends those being Sartain, Casey and Jenni was great. But, alas I felt out of step with the rest of them. See Sartain, Casey and Jenni are still @ Carson Newman and I'm out of school and working. I guess its my longingness to be back at school or the desire of the college life again.

Repeatedly I was asked was something was bothering me and I just brushed it off and said I was fine when I should have opened up and said what was on my mind. How do you move on from something that was such an integeral part of your life for 4 years? Again, this weekend finds me travel towards CN in part b/c its homecoming.

Back from Florida

Our road trip was so much fun it started late that night and we drove throughout the morning all the way down to Palmetto we had so many funny things happen while we were down there that we kept and list.

We go to Palmetto and crashed for a few hours then we join Melissia and Nate's dad and went to see the team that Nate helps coach play. Sadly to say the team lost but the sting of the loss was quickly wiped away when embracing with his Frat Bros. We went out to dinner that night and had a good time just catching up and cutting up.

The following morning we set out for Orlando and Epcot. Several things have changed since how you say 1987 (the last time I went), but there were a few things that hadn't changed. The rides Mission Space and Test Track were awesome. We stayed in the Beach Club Villas one of the Disney hotels there. One word to describe this hotel Immaculate. It was unbelievably big thanks to the graciousness of Nate's family we didn't pay one red-cent to go to Epcot or stay in this Hotel.

We came back to Palmetto the following day and just chilled and hung out. Once again Nate's family demonstrated their generosity and fixed dinner for us. As a gesture of thanks Sartain, Casey and I went out and got a little something in return for all the things that the Varnadore's had done for us.

It was great trip in which I met some new friends. Now its back to the routine of working and living life.

Psalm 55:22
"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

Road Trip

Well my friends its time once again for a Road Trip. That's right tonight after getting off work Sartain, Casey and Jenni Gann are hitting the road to visit our fraternity brother and friend Nate and his fun-rocking awesome wife-to-be Melissa.

Other than that its been a pretty abbreviated week for me seeing how I'm leaving out of here tonight won't be back until Sunday night. I'll be sure to make a blogger post via cell phone while I'm down there. Kinda like doing the whole mobile blogging

Great Weekend

This weekend was good and bad. My Alma Mater came up short and lost this weekend so did my Tennessee Vols. But all is not lost for I was able to travel a short ways up the road and visit my Brothers from APO and have a good night havinga couple of drinks and just having a down-right good time.

Well in a change of pace this week I get to again breakaway from the reality of working everyday; and with that take a road trip with some Fraternity brothers and one sweet sorority sister(Gamma Sigma Sigma...our sister organiztion) down to Florida to visit a good friend and Brother in Orlando(yes casey Orlando).

I just want to say that I love my job. I mean scooping and serving Ice cream and getting paid for it. I mean does it get any better than that? If it does then I'm totally blind to an even better job.

Week In Review

Finally made it to the weekend. For some reason this week has seemed longer than usual. Caught up with some of my compadres this week seeing how they were doing. I'm heading up to Carson Newman tomorrow to participate in an APO pledge activity. I'm off on Saturday so I considering staying the night just because I can.

As for me I've just been trudging along working from day to day now I really know what it feels like to be out of college and working pretty much everyday with a day off here and there b/c I'm working a P/T - F/T job.

I'm putting this out there for you all does anyone know a good book with which to do a daily devotional? I'm kinda in self-conviction mode as of late I realize that the reason I feel so unfulfilled is b/c simply put I'm not in the Word on a daily basis.

I look forward to the suggestions because I'm needing a little motivation and plus I would like a guide so that I can walk through the word instead of jumping from passage to passage.

I think what I'm looking for is something that will help me really sink and dig into the scripture.

Same Training...Less Controversy.

Well, I didn't fall off the face of the earth as some you may have begun to think. I just haven't had much to say in the form of a blog post.

After soul-searching and really putting some careful thought into it the Lord seems to be pointing me in the direction of Southeastern. Truthfully I would receive the same training at both schools but in the end there would be less controversy in me going to Southeastern than there would me going to Gardner-Webb. From what I've garnered from all the advice that I've received going seminary is about trusting God to provide when you don't know how all the aspects and variables are going to get taken care of.

My job at the marble slab is going great there is no real stress with this job. Mainly cause the owner has a system in place that alleviates alot of the stress that would be. Me and the owner really work well together cause we both know where each comes from meaning that we are both christians and it good knowing that he strives to keep his establishment a christian friendly enviroment

Prayer

Just when the clean up was starting to pick up and the water starting to receed anther Hurricane is setup to come rumbling through.

Please be in prayer for the citizens who are still in New Orleans, Pray for the Army Corps of Engineeers as the begin to re-repair the broken levee.

and it General being prayer for everyone from the Gulf Region.

In Prayer

Thanks for your comments Whipple and Adam. Those of you with an encouraging word or advice feel free to leave it. Whipple your comment is very true in that can learn to get along with it(the politics) or agree to disagree and ignore the politics.

I'm Open to Advice???

I know alot of people who read this title and post would say pray about it. I will tell you that I am I would just like to know what people think about this situation.

I'm trying to weigh my options on my future. Here's the situation I'm discouraged by the politics of the Church brought on by the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) and how it invades everything and how everything that is not in line with what the SBC says is painted as liberal and wrong. So option number one is going to Gardner Webb Divinity School and continuing my ministry training there. My church has a real vision for those who are called to ministry. In that they provide money towards tutions, books, etc. They're policy is that to receive said funds the seminary has to be one of the 6 major SBC seminaries. So if I go to Gardner Webb I go without the financial assistance of my church and possibly without their blessing/commissioning as a minister of the gospel. If go to Southeastern I will receive said funds and everything will be as normal.

I had a conversation with a gentleman tonight at work that really helped me. I told him what I was facing and he being from FBC told me that there are somethings that he doesn't agree with in the church yet that doesn't stop him from worshipping and following his God. It didn't solve my problem on where to go to seminary but it made feel better nonetheless.

so I'm open to advice and suggestions.....

Back at a Crossroads

Well after thinking about it and what I exprienced at Southeastern I'm back to considering either Southeastern or Gardner Webb Divinity School with a slightly heavier leaning to Gardner Webb.

I just saw the SBC politics starting creep in to the seminary a little more that I would like so I'm back to considering Gardner Webb.

So be in prayer for me as I pray and try to get a word as to where to go.

Visit Report!!!

Typing from my new home away from home...the "Sartain Hilton" Crashing for the night with one of my Frat Bros Brandon then heading back to Knoxville for work tomorrow afternoon.

Well I guess I will report on my trip to Southeastern, I went with yet another Frat Bro of mine Rick down to Wake Forest and toured and looked around Southeastern Seminary. Its a very small campus I would venture even to say smaller than Carson Newman. What I didn't know was that Southeastern use to be Wake Forest College and Southeastern and Wake Forest College used to be all contained with same campus. I noticed this by the insignia on the floor in the administration the letters WFC.

The tour was good until around the last part of the tour the subject matter of conservative vs. liberal came up and how the advice to any prospective student was to be warry of some these area "churches" that they tend to be too liberal and not totally preaching the truth of the bible. This started the pre-progamed SBC speech which basically summed up is a call to indoctrination. I adhere myself to the Apostle Paul in that my righteousness is no more than filthy rags. I'm called to peace not to argue. Furthermore I'm commanded to search the word for the truth. I take everything taught or spoken to me concerning the Bible and I look to find it for myself to prove that its valid.

All in all it was good trip and I learned and saw alot that I needed to see. The chapel service that we attended was by far the best part of the whole trip. The message spoke to me in special way and in a drastic switch all the people at chapel sang during worship as opposed to Carson Newman chapels where a fraction of the people attendances sang.

Attack of the Spammers

The sad commentary of the modern era is the subject of spam. Not the cans of potted meat although good I'm speaking of those ads and offers for things such as "free topless pics" and "get rich quick schemes" that end up costing you more money than you make, provided you take the bait and sign up.

Spammers have invaded our e-mail. On top of that they have forsaken everything that is good and holy and invaded our blogs.

I say this only cause its true check the blogger comments link on my previous post and you'll see one is from a legit source Adam the other two are from unknown sources. with links in their posts that are of no interest to me.

A Case of the Laxing Blogger

Well after reading Adam's post on blogging tips I started to feel a little guilty for neglecting my blog for almost a week.

I guess with that I can go into update mode. Still workin on some tracks for Whipple actually its two songs different versions. He called me the other day asking if I had them done and I said they were in the floor. "What do mean in the floor"? he asked. When stuff is in the floor its not in my line of sight therefore I forget about it and easily at that.

I'm also happy to report that I'm going to really enjoy my new job I mean does it really get any better than dipping and mixing Ice Cream. Granted I'm not about to leave the ministry and work the rest of my life as an Ice Cream server. Looking forward to Monday week, even Sunday night cause I will leave and head to Carson Newman and from there me and Rick are heading to SEBTS for a night's stay and a tour and stuff.

watch out this linking to other peoples blogs within the body of my posts my catch on....Talk atchas later.

Be Safe!!!!

New Things

Well as I type this post I type it using my new Dell Laptop w00t!! A purchase made for seminary for notes and papers and what not.

After thinking about yesterday my last post and the article that I posted to compliment it may how have sounded like I codone the explicit behavior mentioned in the article. I set the record straight I don't I belive that lifestyle is in direct rebellion to God.

My point was simply you shouldn't use the Bible out of context just simply because a verse that you scan over happens to fit your argument. I have to believe that 9 times out of 10 when you use the bible in an arguement/discussion the verses we use out of context and and deal with total different lines of thought in the bible.

Tomorrow is really special for our Church: First Baptist Concord we're having what we are calling "Founder's Day" we are celebrating the people of Creighton Memorial Baptist Church. It was located in Old Concord which now most of it is underwater because of TVA. There were members of the church tht\at sensed that God was going to do something big. So in faith they move to a small plot of land out on Kingston Pike and by one vote start a new church called First Baptist Concord.

tomorrow's service is going to be "retro" what I mean by retro is 1963 era church service no praise band just organ and piano, no big screen with the words to the songs just singing hymns from the hymnals, and after the service an Old Fashion Baptist "dinner on the grounds"

Alot of people would say that I'm too young to know what that was like but I've been to a church or two that still conducts it's services like that and yes they do feed you after church.

Unbelievable

Talk about Cut and Paste Bible....what I mean by that is taking verses of scripture out of the bible so that they make your argument valid even though the verse is completely used out of context.

This website's position: Hurricane Katrina was God's way of punishing New Orleans "A City of Sin" as they call it.

Read This:

REPENT AMERICA - CALLING A NATION IN REBELLION TOWARD GOD TO REPENTANCE


Oh and for those you wondering what passage this verse was cut out of...its kinda ironic, the passge is talking about Love for your neighbors/enemies. Matthew 5:43-48

"You have heard that it was said, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Wow 2 posts in a Day

I almost forgot to mention I landed a job at Marble Slab Creamery here in Knoxville as possibly a shift leader which would have me working 9-5 or 5 to close, and 35-40 hours a week.

This job comes as a blessing the guy who owns the particular store I will we working at is a christian who wants and keeps his store a christian enviroment.

This Rocks my face off. oh and check this the uniform for this job is Khaki shorts, shirt they provide. and tennis shoes.

my kind of job!!!!!!

Angels Among Us

I meant to post about this the day it happen...but as you know you get caught up in the things at hand and you forget.

I was around the house last week when the doorbell rang to find a "door to door" sales rep who was selling gutter covers( the things you can place over your roof gutters so you don't have to clean them out).

He asked me if I was the home owner, I responded by saying that he was not in right now. You would think that would be the end of the conversation/sales pitch but no, he asked me if I went to school here in the area. I told him that I had recently graduated from Carson Newman. That prompted him to ask was my Bachelor's was in. I told him religion and he then asked what did I plan to do with that. I told him my plans for seminary and my calling after seminary.

He also asked me if I was working in a church right now and I told him no that I was working in "the real world" so that I would be able to better relate to my congregation when the time comes(props to Adam F.)

He told me that he was a christian and looking for a church in his hometown. He asked me about how my jobs were going to which I replied about the discouragement that I go through sometimes. I told him that all of the jobs that I've worked so far I have gotten now inner satisfaction from which tells me that is not my life profession.

We talked for about 15 mins about all of this and in closing he told me that no matter what you do you always have to do it as it says in the word and that being "Do as unto the LORD" and as he left he told me that he was going to pray for me as we continued through my neighborhood.

afterwards sitting in the kitchen getting I bite to eat I stare up and the ceiling and just told God thank-you. I did because I had been having very crummy work week and that was just encouragement beyond belief.



In closing of this post my prayers and thoughts go out to all the NOBTS students that have been displaced by this disaster. my prayers also go out to the rest of the people of the Big Easy.

Dealing with a Troubling Truth

*disclaimer* "click link to listen to sermons to get full and accurate context"

I usually post about what has gone on with me during week the this post shifts towards a topic that is dealing with Christian Doctrine.

The past two Sundays we have had very "gettin down to business sermons" We as a congregation are being lead in a book study of Romans last week was Romans five. God has really dealing me some heavy blows to my heart to get me back on track to where I need to be. The sermons are Dealing with some of the most difficult passages in all of scripture. Yesterday we studied Romans 6 which begins.


What should we say then? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may multiply?Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin's dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin's claims. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, no longer dies. Death no longer rules over Him. For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires.

Paul is saying here that anyone who is in Christ has died to sin so if one is dead to sin how can one continue to habitually do it. Paul also says anyone who has died with Christ and continues to to sin is going against his nature and is walking in dangerous territory.

Please click on the link either below or click on the title of the post and listen to the sermons from 5/21/05 and 5/28/05 cause I can't even hope to write this how our pastor preached it.

http://www.fbconcord.org/templates/cusfbconcord2/details.asp?id=28863&PID=193103

Feel Free to comment on this....I would love to get a good discussion going on these doctrines found in Romans 4-6

What Do You Know...I Do Have a Social Life!!!!

Adam came by today and we went over the work I did on his concert. Out of the 12 songs that were recorded 5 were keepers in that we burned them on a CD. In return for my services I had 1 lbs. bag of Starbucks Kenya. I told him as he left that the only other "payment" he had to give me was a nod in the credits of his Album when I releases it (haha).

Well tonight was a blast!!!! I traded schedules with guy at work which gave me tonight and Thursday off rather than my normal Monday and Wednesday; thus allowing me to go out on the town with the Brothers those being Casey, Rick and Sartain. It was awesome we were dealt a blow when our original idea Bailey's Sports Grille had a 21 and up policy. So with that we headed to Hooters. We talked and had good time and even discussed the business of APO for this semester. It was good to see the Brothers again especially Rick.

It was good to get out finally seeing how I tried all summer to no avail. Its really odd feeling the rest of the Brothers kept mentioning that they start classes tomorrow as for me its just another day of work. I wish I could say that I was starting classes again.

Hey Bros. I wish I was right there with ya. I'll be so often you'll think I'm a student.

Jared the Producer

Well today the doorbell rings to find Adam Whipple standing at my door. He had dropped by to give me a cd on which his concert was recorded, oh yeah did I mention that it was one "gygundous"(very very big) track and just for kicks it was in .cda format.

So, today before and after work I put my producer and sound mixer hat on and took to the task of converting the track into .mp3 and then breaking it down and editing and adjusting the volume, adding a pinch of reverb on songs that I thought could use some you know...Ahhh I love Goldwave its awesome!!!!

So as for the rest of my day it was just another typical day of work for the most part it was an unusually good time what mean by that is that there is a girl there that is: simply put, easy to pick on so thats what made the evening so enjoyable cause I'm evil like that.

Dead Poets Society

I just finished watching the Dead Poets society for the innumerable time. Every time I watch I'm inspired by it. The story is about a group of High School age guys in a college prep school. They are in this school mainly because brothers or family preceded them. There are pressures from the world mainly parents to succeed in their studies so that they will be able to go on to the noble pursuits of being Doctors, Bankers, Lawyers, Accountants etc.. Conformity at its best.

The students are introduced to their new English Teacher Mr. Keating played by Robin Williams. On the first day of class Mr Keating welcomes them to class by walking through the classroom and out the door. He challenges the boys to latch on to the Latin Sentiment, "Carpe Diem", he also challenges them to make their lives extraordinary. Throughout the class Keating introduces the boys to the likes of Thoreau, Whitman, Shelley, Shakespeare, and a lot of Romantic and Post-Civil War literature. This is in contrast to what the majority of the faculty likes and prefers in that most of the faculty prefer the realists.

Sorry about that I should write movie review for the the local paper. I wrote that to say this: In my experience with watching the movie I've had people tell me that they don't like it cause it ends open-ended. To this I reply "Apparently you weren't watching the movie then" Ethan Hawke plays an character who is inserted uncomfortably into a tight-nit group of guys and is forced to fit-in.

I love the movie cause I see a boy become and man and for probably the first time in his life the light bulb finally comes on and he finally gets. As Mr. Keating is leaving having been dismissed from teaching if you've seen the movie you know why. Ethan Hawke's character finally steps out in boldness climbing on his desk and salutes his former teacher.

Researchin the Roots

Well after doing some researching through surname indexes and what not. I found out that both sides of my family have ties to Scottish Clans which just rocks my face off.

My Dad's side of the family my given last name Lucas has ties to the Ancient Scottish Clan of Lamont or its Gaelic name MacLaomainn











And my mother side of the family Nimocks can trace its name back through the name Nimmo which has ties to Clan Nicholson or MacNeil.














images used by permission via www.scotclans.com

The Power of God in Music

So I was too terribly thrilled about going to work yesterday. and I was walking throught parking lot at work I prayed that God would give me the attitude and strength to make it through the night. Well God showed up in the form of music(if that's possible, which it is cause He's God) apparently the satelite radio was set to classic rock and heard from the like of Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Boston,CCR (Creedance Clearwater Revival).

Great Licks and Burn Out

I went to Adam Whipple's show last night at New City and it was great. Finally got to hear the music that I heard all last year muffled behind the door of his room at 2 A.M. in the apartment (haha) Including some excellent blues improvisation which I loved every minute of.

So no dice on the job at Texas Roadhouse. I was told that I would be required to do line dancing during the course of working there and fairly often at that. They were very adamant about me getting my ABC card so much that they were like "we won't even train you if you don't have it" So yeah definantly starting to get burned out on the whole busing tables thing. If I was in high school I don't think it would be as bad, but the fact that I'm a college graduate with a B.A.I might have a possible job with the movie theatre that opened recently. With school getting ready to start back for area high schoolers I will be available to work the the hours they're not able to so I may be able to land a job there we'll see what happens.

House Keeping.....

yeah so the pic that I had on here until the writing of this post was a pic from Spring Formal Freshman year @ CNC so I figured I would update the ole photo.

Enjoy....I guess???

The start of new things

A lot of things have been going on recently with me. Today I signed up at the Rush fitness complex here in Farragut with the goal of getting in shape and losing some weight(major weight). Tonight I went down to the Scottish Rite Temple and started bagpipe lessons. Let me just say its harder than I thought there is going to be alot of practicing involved if I'm to get to where I want to get and thats playing the full set of pipes.

Those are some of the things that have been going as recently as today. I'm still job hunting as of sorts trying to find something better than what I have I applied today @ a Texas Roadhouse that's getting ready to open here in town hopefully because the establishment is stilling being built means that I will have a good chance at getting hired. If that works out I'll stop working at Lakeside possibly to go work Full-Time over there if not we'll see what happens. So keep me in your prayers about that potential employment.

Seminarian In the Works

Well its official as of yesterday I recieved my acceptance letter from Southeastern. After much prayer and stressing I've decided to enroll this spring instead of waiting a full year I think 6 months for me will be enough of a break. I thank all of you that have been praying with and for me in throughout the past few days and weeks. This is a special props to you Adam Feldman for your advice and your words of wisdom. It helped me so me and my brain thank you.

In other news...Oh yeah I must mentioned this I was in Cedar Springs bookstore last week with the intent of buying Andrew Peterson's Carried Away cd. But, in a spastic and spontaneous moment(I've had plenty of these) I ventured over to the Bibles looking for the Hebrew/Greek Keyword study bible finding none I looked even further to find the ScoField KJV. I've always been curious about the Scofield bible so I picked one up to find a immaculate study guide system. So naturally I bought it; "whats the harm in purchasing and new bible."

Well provided CNC gets back to me on my application for re-admittance everything is still a go for going back to Carson Newman I may not be able to work as well as I thought on my Comm. Degree. There's always 3rd year 400 level Hebrew and or Greek.


w00t!!!! for biblical languages

Just Jammin

I purchased it about a week ago, I've had chance to listen to it several times through and It's just simply amazing. What is it you ask well its Coldplay's lastest Album. Funny how we still refer to them as albums but yet there is is no sign of records(vinyl) in sight.

Fireworks and Stupid People Don't Mix

I found this earlier today and as I battle a fit of insomnia before going to bed I thought I might share this with you.

The moral of the story is this kids and it is a simple equation A+B+C=X solve for X

A=Leftover fireworks

B=Spare Time

C=Video Camera

X= BAD JUDGEMENT!!!!!!

See for yourself kiddos

http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/165042/

Like a Termite in a Yo-Yo

The title of this post is a phrase that my pastor uses often to describe confusion. This would probably be the best term to describe my state of mind the past few days to week. I'm sure lot of you would classify me as a indecisive person when I tell you what I'm about to tell you but considering the amount unesscary pressure that I was under the past couple of days a person is likelyto make a number of rash and un-wise decisions.

Well after doing what I needed to do and that being sitting down with my parents and really leveling with them about what my plans are. I was made aware that some of the pressure and that being the re-payment of student loans didn't start up until Februrary of next year somewhere along the way I had it in my mind that I had to start paying in September. The only way that I can get my loans defferred is to be enrolled as at least a part-time student. As you all know from my posting I've decided to take some time off before moving to NC and attending Southeastern. Well under the false impression that I had to start paying loans back pressed me to frantically to get enrolled somewhere. So that led me to enrolled back at Carson-Newman.

So, Long story short I'm only planning to take a semester break before going to Southeastern, I'm going to be heading back to CNC to take classes working towards a degree in my original major which was Communication Arts.

I would like to thank everyone out there in the blogsphere who has been praying for me as of late your prayers have really help me avoid a break-down.

People In Our Lives

Right now...Well not right now, but over the past few days I've been trying to figure out why God puts certain people in our lives. Is it so that we will make a good friend of them for the time that they are in our lives(speaking of Girls predominantly) or maybe that person is the one which God has selected for us to spend the rest of our lives with.

Then again are they in our lives to break our hearts over and over again and keep us riding the the ride which is the roller coaster of love. Its seems like a roller coaster cause twice now I've come to a high point where I think its going to go somewhere(well its does)it goes straight back down into the dumps back down to square one.

Its frustrating.......even maddening to an extent when faced with this kind of predicament as a good friend of mine put it when discussing this he said, "When are they going to make up their mind about what they want?" To this I could only say, "I don' t know." But, for now I will just sojourn on this road which I affectionately titled the other day the straight and narrow. I will trust and keep digging through the pages and drinking of the water that is the Word.

But for now.....that's all for my ranting and raving about that....tune in next time for a thrilling epic adventure from the CrazyScotsman

Another Taste of College Life

Well!!!! its official I just submitted my application for re-admittance to Carson-Newman going back to for a double dip of the college life. Gonna see if can go back and bag Comm Studies Major hopefully the admissions office will pair me with my old advisor or someone in the communications other than Joy Robertson (I still have nightmares). Just thought I would update everyone on the current situation.

That right I will be back for one last go around on the Big Bass Drum with the CN marching band.

Travelin the Straight and Narrow

Well...high time I put something on here its definantly been awhile. Few things to update everyone on. I'm delaying my enrollment to seminary for a year and will be going next Fall. I'm going back to Carson Newman depending on what they tell me about Gen Ed. I might be going back and finish my Comm. Arts Major if not I'll just work on stuff that will get me a minor or two. The reason is simply to up the GPA and make the resume look better.

FedEx is about to get the best of me. I remember when there was nothing too it getting up early when I was a kid, Desperately tearing downstairs in order to watch ever minute of Saturday Morning cartoons. Now its like performing major dental work(pulling teeth) to get me out of my bed nowadays.

Hopefully will get to spend some quality time tomorrow with a couple of my Fraternity brothers depending on who I can get ahold of.

I've given the ole'blogger a couple of tweaks for instance my links column is nicely divided up into categories finally figured out how to do that with html.

If your just cruising by and happen upon this blogger or if your a regular vistor and haven't done it yet(nerd) sign my Guest Map

Its down at the bottom of my page.

G8 Summit

Tomorrow The G8 summit will begin it is gathering of the world's most powerful nations in a sense. The topic of this summit is the poverty and strife in Africa. Click on the picture above and go to the ONE Campaign.

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans – ONE by ONE – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. The ONE Campaign is engaging Americans through a diverse coalition of faith-based and anti-poverty organizers to show the steps people can take, ONE by ONE, to fight global AIDS and poverty.


After looking this site over if you feel so lead....sign the declaration and add your signature/voice to the cry to end poverty in Africa

Fun Times

The 4th was great Jayme came down from CN and along with Josh and Brenda we all went to my place of employment Lakeside Tavern for dinner then we came back to my house and everyone was enthralled except me by baby stories induced by the fact that Josh and Brenda had Isaiah with them.

Then after trying our best to play Scene It. We went down to Simon's house(my brother's friend) what is becoming a tradition we've been doing it for the past three years and shot fireworks off which was an awesome, boomsday-like display If I must say we had Cherry Bomb Artillery Shells and Excalibur Cannister Shells which are always worth the money spent.

I did mention during the course of shooting these shells off we managed to shoot both an excalibur and a cherry off at the same time....well the cherry shot knocking the excalibur over blowing up only a few feet away from me I thought I almost died.

I'm Tennis Crazy

For just the small amount of 2 weeks I become crazy with watching Tennis for some reason I always enjoying watching Wimbledon. I believe the new up and coming star is Maria Sharapova, really pulling for an Andy Roddick. Suprisingly Serena Williams is gone as well as Tim Henman to home town favorite there in London.

An Easing of the Mind

I know how my last post could have been interpreted. I assure everyone who read it and was a troubled by it I have to intention of getting cold feet and backing down from what God has called me to do. The meticulous details of the application process and everything was overwhelming and the best way I knew how to cope with it was to write about it(ha ha if only I wrote music so well).

A Contemplative State

Over the past couple of days I've been in a contemplative state. The most prevailing thought on my mind as of late has been Attending Seminary. Here lately I've been thinking really long and hard about whether I should attend this Fall or wait and attend possibly in the Spring or possibly next Fall. I know that all answers come clear with prayer and earnest seeking of God's will.

I would welcome everyone who happens by way of this blog to be in prayer for me. I'm having a really hard time dealing with this fact and also adjusting to the reality that I'm an Alumni of Carson Newman and I will not being going back there in the fall like I've have the habit of the past 4 years.

Its funny no matter whats going on I can always turn to scripture for a calming peace. Last nigth was no different I was having trouble falling asleep and I finally got up and turn on my light open my bible to Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Grace and Peace...... to you all

oh one more thing a funny pic from a movie for you all.

Rolling in the Money

Well the addition of another job has been most beneficial the past 2 days. I'm now a table buser at Lakeside Tavern in Farragut. Along with my 5.15 an hour I get a share/percentage of the tips that are taken in. It very handy to get a sum of cash every night that I work consecutive days.

Well I'm glad to say that I have the next couple of days off to relax and recooperate from the weekend's crazy schedule. I'm heading up to my Alma mater tomorrow to get my final paycheck from working in the MSAC during in Mayterm. So as I sit here and enjoy a nice cold Killians Irish Red, watching Family Guy on Adult Swim, and rest my tired hurting feet.

I hope everyone is having a good summer send some comments my way and let me know what your up to you happen by the way of this blog....

Grace and Peace to you All.....

The End of an Era part 2

Well Yesterday marked the end of a particular era. Yesterday at around 3:30 I watched my brother, my friend; Adam enter into the bonds of holy matrimony. Its always bittersweet for me. But patiently and fully reliant upon God I wait for the one prepared for me. Which I'm beginning to become more and more convinced that I will meet her in seminary. But enough of that. The cermony was absolutely beautiful and finally learning the reason for the no shoes element[yes your heard or (read in this case) we didn't wear shoes] it was so appropriate. The most interesting thing for me atleast was that even after it was official it didn't feel any different. I guess the only thing different was they had rings on their respective fingers and as Katrina put it: "Now we can live together" (that made me laugh). We also had Bagpipes yes we had bagpipes which always get my blood pumpin and my heart a beatin with pride. The wedding activities ended with several unprepared groomsmen re-enacting Smokey and The Bandit or The Dukes of Hazzard as we tried to chase down Adam's car so that we could tag it with the traditional signs of "Just Married." The "Ultra-Lame" part was that Adam hid his car.

All I have to say to you Adam when you read this: "It" will happen when you least expect it (insert diabolical, sinister laugh) you may have won the battle on Saturday but you have not won the war.

You know what I'm capable of....Remember the pictures..........

Bright and Early

Well Today at about 5:30 A.M. I rolled out to my new job with FedEx Ground/Home Delivery so if you are within the Morristown to Loundon County area and recieved a package today via this service then I probably handled it at some point w00t!!! so I definantly sweated some pounds off today I down a whole 32 oz. gatorade in about 3 minutes. Still gotta go look for another job though I've got some prospects just gotta go and see what the availability and hours are so that they don't conflict with FedEx but seriously folks whats really going to conflict with 5:45 to 8 A.M. hehe I don't think much will.

&

Good News

Good News I have landed my job with FedEx for the summer I'm heading into Knoxville tomorrow for training I think and then I start on Tuesday I'm really excited about starting this job its going to be something that I've never done before kind of unsettling, but nevertheless I'm excited.

2 more days

Well in just 2 short days I will be considered an official alumni of Carson Newman and I will be a college educated contributing member of society (ha ha ha). Still haven't heard anything from FedEx as of this evening but nevertheless I continue to try to contact them undaunted. I've got the wheels spinning on my application to Southeastern Seminary. Yes, the education for me never stops. I can remember when I was done with high school saying, "Yes!!!!, I'm done all I have is college and then I will never have to go to school again!!!" Well I'm looking forward to discipline focused education and not having to worry about Gen-Ed requirements needed for graduation. I thinking about going to pay my former youth group a visit tomorrow to see how they're doing with their new worship leader.

Steady On....

Well just cruisin through the 2nd week of Mayterm. Had our midterm today in Dr. Ballard's class. It's funny its the 2nd week of the class and already we've had our midterm and at the end of next week we will have our final.

I'm looking into the prospects of working for Fed-Ex for the summer so keep in prayer for me I'm heading into Knoxville to fill out an application I've already spoken with the person in charge of hiring and from the tone of his voice its looking promising. I do know not to get my hopes up I had the same aspirations for a job with Tate's Day camp last summer and that fell through the floor so I'm just taking it one day at a time but still I can't help but be optimistic.

I'm currently reading(yeah I know your saying, "Jared!! reading?) I was shocked too) C.S. Lewis' Reflections on the Psalms its so far its great I'm getting alot of insights from Lewis about the psalms that I've never considered before its great. I'm encourage all of you to find a copy and pick it up and read it.

Check These Out

Check out my night a mischief over at my xanga site... haha haha haha

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=jnlucas

1 Week Down.....

Well I made through the first week of Mayterm unscathed...now its on to the weekend I know your bored Sartain, Rick and I will try to get over your way tomorrow. Operative word being try. Star Wars was great reading the reviews most critics thought it was great as well I saw a nasty review however that said the only way to watch this movie is: "Drink the Kool-Aid. Wear blinders. Cover your ears. Because that's the only way you can totally enjoy Revenge of the Sith." Now I immediately got kinda of upset but I read who was doing the review and it was someone from rolling stone magazine so we already know what kind of movies he likes to see. I encourage anyone who loves Star Wars to go see this it really is the best of the 3 prequel movies and it closes the circle and connects alot of the dots from Episode III to Episode IV.

There is a youth group coming from FBC White Pine to do a lock-in @ the SAC at 2 A.M. apparently its one of those progressive lock-ins/lock-outs and they're choosing to finish at the MSAC @ 2 A.M. Well I decided to work the desk for cause it 5.15 an hour for 4 hours and on top of that because its such a weird start time Rick Hester is throwing in an extra 10.00 bucks so hey its not so bad I'll take my newly acquired Star Wars Episode 3 soundtrack (which is awesome) and the C.S. Lewis book that we have to read for Ballard's class and just chill out for a bit and load up on caffeine.

It Starts Again....

Well today I officially started mayterm. I'm taking Dr. Ballard's Psalms course its sure to be a great class. I mean has to be we get to read a C.S. Lewis book as part of the class. I'm also working down at the MSAC control desk mostly in the early afternoon I hope cause I would rather be in my apartment or free to do other things at night rather than working. I'm pleased to announce that I'm officially a Geek and I'm going to the 12:01 AM showing of Star Wars Episode III Thursday morning. I'm going with my good buddies Josh Swinson and Aaron Wade. Oh did mention that the ticket is free. Yes Sartain, I know emerald green with envy. Like you said though how can you turn that down. Everything is very quiet around the App. Commons Rick and I are and two others are the only ones on the guys side.

Finishing Up

With graduation over its on to Mayterm to finish up my college education as of sorts then. After Mayterm ends hopefully if all goes well I will have an idea of where I'm going to seminary hopefully Southeastern. But before that happens I hope to have landed a church job by then so I can generate some income for seminary. So those you who read this blog with frequency please keep me in your prayers as I'm taking mayterm and getting the needed stuff into the admissions office @ southeastern.

Graduation is Upon Us

Tomorrow is the day that 4 years has been in preparation for. I'm set to graduate from Carson Newman tomorow I will become an alumni. Funny thing is when I think about an alumni I get this picture of a feeble old man and I'm definantly not one of those. So in a sense I can't really picture myself as an alumni yet. We (the graduating class) went through practice today and it was surreal to be walking through what will be happening less that 16 hours from now. It was also exciting to realize and know that I've made it.

Fond Memories Held Dear

I just finished watching We Were Soldiers with Adam and towards the end I was overcome with a river of memories that I've had the privilege of sharing with many. Most of them were with Adam.

Late night coffee sessions when the smarter have long since been in bed resting for the day ahead. Late night to early morning strolls in nostalgic downtown Jeff City, walking across the wind-swepted and rainy Cherokee Damn enjoying what Adam and I like to call "Good Scottish Weather." Staying up late to catch whether or not Conan O'Brien would do the famous "string dance" for us. The echoing sound of trains far off in the distance making their way through Jeff City. Late night talks about nothing at all, and some about the most serious of things. Nights when my body shouted emphatically, "Go to bed" I said, "shove off!!, I'm going to Perkins." Nights I've long to retreat to my bed there would Adam and Andy wanting me to watcha movie. Also hoping to catch a glimpse of the Govenator of Conan. In my memories I find myself again walking with Adam across the dam smoking my pipe and listening just listening to wind as it breezes along.

5 days til CNC Alumni

Its kinda unsettling when you say it but its true in five days and a little mayterm I will be a Carson-Newman College Alumni. Gonna have to get one of those fancy license tag frames to advertise the fact.

I have to apologize for my lack of post as of late, I've been totally consumed with finishing up with school that by the time I get around to posting my mind is mush and incapable of forming coherent streams of thought. So at any time you see giberish that doesn't make any sense whatsoever you'll know that I attempted to post against all medical advice.

So yeah in about 5 days I close the proverbial door of my college career/life and walk across a stage and open another proverbial door call life. What awaits me is yet to be seen. I have pretty good idea that seminary education @ Southeastern Seminary is on the horizon. That is unless I land a church job where God wants me to serve. All that I leave to the one who knowns the plan that He has for me.

Finals have begun

In the bittersweetness that is finals week I've entered into my last go around here at Carson Newman. I'm really looking forward to grauation and conducting my song its gonna be great. 8 days in counting 3 or 4 finals to go nothing major just finishing up papers that are our final grades in the class.

Unbelievably Funny!!!

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/numa.php

The Passing of the Torch

Tonight was fun...its always fun welcoming new brothers into the fold of Alpha Phi Omega more specifically our chapter Xi Sigma.

Tonight we elected our new officiers for next semester and I passed the torch(the office of president) to my frat brother Rick Barnes. I most sincerest hope is that the chapter will continue with the same amount of fervor and determination as I have had over the past year and a half.

Nate~ I can never tell how much I owe you for keeping going when times got rough. thanks for the gift as well it means so much that you'll never know.

Sartain~ It rocks my friggin face off that your a now a brother in APO your probably one of the great additions yet (except for me of course I'm the greatest) J/K

In Other News

I would like all of you to pray over is the matter of a summer job I'm hoping by my turning in of information to the Baptist Association that I will be able to land a church job this summer. Also being praying for me as I start apply to seminary I'm looking at Southeastern. Because of the bind that my church's policy on supplying financial aid I have to go to a SBC school. From what I've heard Southeastern is not as bad as the others when comes to being ultra fundamentalist.

It was awesome!!!!!

I had a blast tonight with Alpha Phi Omega we did our final pledge activity before they go through final iniation ceremony to become a brother. It really help me to forget about this day and the stresses of the day.

Steady As She Goes

It's been awhile since I've posted to be honest its just hasn't been on my mind lately to write anything. It was probably Chris Stalans( thanks roomie) returning the favor...someone requested to know whats been going on in the life of me the Crazy Scotsman. Well where should I start I'm inching closer and closer to Graduation and I'm becoming more comfortable with the fact that I will be finishing school and graduating.

I had a great weekend hanging out with friends and having a gosh darn good time. I'm looking forward to Thursday and the opening of Al Artigas' senior show Insert Title Here of which I am apart the show is on Thursday, Friday and Saturday @ 7:30 so all you Carson Newman folk should come out and cheer on the cast and me as we put on a hoot of a comedy.

As for the present moment its just as the title says steady as she goes I've atleast 2 major papers that I know of yet to do and other than that its just class as usual.

My Name is Charles....

Last night I had the rare opportunity to go with Adam down to New City Cafe in the Old City. I took my guitar along with me with the intent of playing something but intentions don't always work themselves...tonight was that case. I happened upon a good friend of mine who I hadn't seen in a while Brandon Payne we talked for bit. I managed to follow Adam upstairs and join him in a informal discussion we discussed many topics, one we came to rest on for awhile of was the passing of Pope John Paul II. I said during the course of the discussion that I found it amazing at the array of emotion being displayed on the TV as I happened to watch the proceedings at St. Peters Basicillica. The majority of what I saw was utter despair, depression and downright sadness. At that point the question was offered: Do you think that those people are worshipping the man and his title or the God whom which he served. At that point in the evening we were graced with the presence of Charles. Charles is an older man who comes to the cafe on a regular basis and sit in the corner a paint icons which are amazing. He's roman catholic and this provided me a chance to get some things about catholicism that I was a little fuzy about such as the mother mary and her role in the liturgy and confession by way of the priest. He was very adamant that understood that catholics don't not believe mary is god only she is held in high regard because she was the mother of Jesus. As for Confession I had always had understood it as the proper way to seek forgiveness of sins is confession to a priest because we are unworthy to approach God. Charles cleared that up as well he said, Confession and the priest are all ways to show you how to approach God with your petition for forgiveness. This man's knowledge and insight were astounding I need to make a point of it and go down to the cafe just to talk with Charles. In continuing with the great evening I walked down the street and enjoyed a Guiness and some Celtic music a regular staple every Thursday night at Patrick O'Sullivans. After making my way back to the Cafe I stopped and added my dime's worth of comments in a conversation that Adam was having with Marylin and Carol about a mutual friend of ours and the control that he was able to exhibit and have over people. With that said and done we made our way back to Carson-Newman and I myself to rehearsal. In a final thought last night was one for the books. One to remember.


And I'll leave with how Charles introduced himself to me.

Charles - Hey What's your name again?
Me - I'm Jared.
Charles - Well I'm Charles and I'll be that for the rest of the evening.

Wow what a night

In what had to be the most thrilling, nervous and intense basketball game I've watched in a long time we saw The Tarheels of UNC and the Fighting Illini of Illinois lock up in one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. I have to go with Dicky V on this one he called it from the beginning picking UNC to go the big one. What an amazing performance from Shawn May on his birthday 26 points and 10 rebounds for his 7th consecutive double-double and thats just counting the ACC and the NCAA championship. Congrats to Roy Williams on finally realizing his dream of winning a title.




Way to Go Heels!!!!!!!

A Humble Request

I hope its not too much to ask but I would really like to see who reads this blog and where you are from. The way I tell that is if you sign and mark your place on my guest map that's located at the bottom of my page.

its a simple link and it take you there in a instant (depending on your connection)

yeah yeah its that little flashy thing that says sign my guest map...yeah yeah its thats one!!!!!!

NCAA National Championship is Set

Today is my Birthday YAY!!!!

How about them Tarheels!!!!!


vs.




For my birthday I was treated to a rockhampton ribeye at Outback Steakhouse mmmm delicious!!!!! I'm 23 and an old man now

So Sad....

If only it were an April Fool's joke:

ST. PAUL (AP) — Mitch Hedberg, a Minnesota-born comedian who worked in nightclubs, television and film in a wide-ranging career, died in New Jersey, his family said. He was 37.

What a March Madness

this has got to be the craziest march madness I have ever watched. It started with a little known team UW-Milwalkuee winning, then Syracuse goes down which I'm sure screwed everybody's bracket up.

Whats this Carolina's in the final four and Duke isn't Awwwww too bad.

sorry I had to do it.

My Thoughts on the Schiavo Case

It's amazing too me to see how wrapped up the religious community is over this case and how I see people on the news with bible in hand pray so fervently that "Justice" will be done in this case. I even saw a woman praying via a bull-horn a little pharasaiacal don't ya think? Don't get me wrong reading this I really do think its a shame that this woman regardless of her condition is being basically starved to death. Honestly I think the husband is a creep who is thinking with his secondary head (if you take my meaning of course). He in his mind is ready to move on with his so-called life and legally can't divorce his severly brain damaged wife b/c of Florida State Law.


I do sincerely hope that the feed tube or atleast fluids be allowed to be administered by noon tomorrow cause it would be ashame to this woman or whats left of her die because of a judical ruling.

But again we all must be reminded that God is in control and it is His decision whether or not to take Terri Schiavo.


In light of these unpleasent events I wish everyone a Happy Easter and remember the reason why we celebrate these days......

The End of an Era

Its the end of the Washburn era. Today I went to Morristown...more specifically the Fret Store and I traded in my Washburn D- and my Takamine G-240 for a new acoustic/electric guitar straight up no extra money.

I told Adam who had come along with me that I felt guilty for getting off so well picking up this new guitar. He told me its the because you've just picked up a new guitar. It was time for a change so I decided to trade in my Washburn yes there was a little reservation but in the end I was able to part with it. Here's a little pic of what I ended up with. As I told the guy whom I did business with today here comes the shameless plug "I Highly Recommend the Fret Store in Morristown, TN"

Our God Is An Awesome God....

Wow....is just one of the many words that come to mind when I reflect on what God did at FBC Mo'town's Disciple Now. Not just FBC but it included Manley Baptist, Alpha Baptist, and Buffalo Trail Baptist. Our speaker was Clayton King he was just phenomenal and our worship was lead by ninth hour a group of guys that I've gotten to know real well being an intern really has its perks. I had the privilege of kinda kicking off the D-Now leading worship on Wednesday night it was just rocking it seemed that the band and I hit every note and every chord right and it was just awesome.

Enough about that the really awesome part about the whole weekend we saw collectively from the aforementioned churches 32 kids make decisions for Christ, and a number of students answer a call into the ministry.

My friend Jayme comes to CNC in 16 days bit w00t for that really looking forward to spending some time with her it been far to long since I've seen her.


Those of you that read this blog with frequency I got yet another prayer request for you all to add to your list. My request is that the spirit and fire that was lit in the hearts of the students of FBC Mo'town will not dwindle and die.

WAY TO GO HEELS!!!!! #1 Seed in the Syracuse Region HEELS ALL THE WAY

Not So Much a Spring Break

Well this hasn't been the spring break that I'd originally planned on I've been on the go since last week and I haven't stopped yet. I started my break on mission trip w/ the college group and now I'm heading back to Morristown to help out with the city-wide Disciple Now today around 3.

Please be in prayer I'm starting to get that feeling of burn-out again, and its really discouraging at times.

Back in Good ole Jeff City

This one is for you Feldman.....the past few days I've been going hi-tech as Adam Feldman calls it and leaving audio posts. I'm back in Jeff City after a wild 4 days in Panama City, FL working with http://www.joepix.com its an awesome non-confrontational ministry that presents the gospel to people by of taking their picture and giving them a card that allows them to access their picture and within the confines of that their is a video and print gospel presentation.

Thunderstorm @ Sea (take 2)

Thunderstorm @ Sea

Panama City Beach Day # 4

Panama City Beach Day # 1

Spring Break '05

Unofficially...spring break starts for many of us Carson Newman folk, I myself will remain here for a few more days as I'm leaving on Friday with the college class of FBC Mo'town to go to Panama City, FL. We're calling a mission trip but my thought on it is that you don't parachute directly into the middle of Berlin to win the war. My God is bigger than anything so what happens on this trip remains to be seen.

I have the distinguished privilege of speaking tonight at church...my friends Adam, and Andy are heading to Raleigh, NC to see Caedmons Call OH how I wish I was going with them caedmons call has to be one of my most favorite bands and its been very long time since I've seen them in concert seeing how they never come anywhere close to Knoxville(within 2-3 hours drive)

My dog molly whom I've had since I was in the 2nd grade is coming to end of her days so hopefully I will be able to make it back home after this trip to spend some time with her before we have to do what every dog and animal lover hates to do and that is putting her down.

This is my last spring break of my Carson Newman career it is decidedly one of mixed emotions I'm happy for the break but yet again it puts me that much closer to graduation.

The Ups and Downs Part 2

I went through a series of emotions this week for some strange reason. I was really depressed and withdrawn I guess I can attribute that to being sick for the better part of this week of which I am much better. I was also feeling down because again I came to the realization that once this semester is over that will be it for my college career here at Carson Newman which has been my 2nd home for the past 3 1/2 years. I try not to dwell on that but every now and then it creeps back into my sub-concious and when it does I just get into this mindset that seem to manifests itself in a depressive mood. I really gets on my nerves cause I'm never the one to be dragging around unless its due to lack of sleep.

Well its common knowledge to most of my friends that I'm looking at Southern as the seminary where I will go to futher my knowledge and spiritual training. A certain professor has been constantly bringing up "goings on" at Southern I've been picking up subtle hints that this professor doesn't care for the the current situation at Southern even though he says that no discouragement is meant I still get the feeling that he doesn't look to favorable at Southern as being a place to seek further spiritual instruction.

The current situation being that the president and the recent hired faculty are of the hyper-calvinistic persuasion. My first thought on this is obviously they haven't read the New Testament in a while and figured out that Christ's Salvation is for everyone. Secondly, I consider it a challenge to attend there just as I have attended here at Carson Newman. My faith and beliefs are not easily ammended and everything that I am presented with I apply it to Scripture and judge it according to that. The word of God is the final authority period...

feel free to leave your thoughts on this......

What the Dump!?

So apparently Tennessee is again lost the month of February and put May in its place....It was upwards of 65 today with bright sunshine, now don't get me wrong I love warm weather just when its in season.

A little update of the Common Cold battle what started as a stuffy head and nose has now maneuvered down south and put up shop in my chest which is less than fun hacking and coughing all hours of the night when I should be sleeping recuperating from the days activities. But no worries I've employed the services of Walgreens Robotussin so hopefully in a day or two I'll be on the up and up again.

To all of those who are sick that have been in close contact with me I apologize

Those of you who are within a stone's throw Jeff City come on out to Carson Newman and hear the CN Symphonic band's Concert @ 7:30, and if your life is totally boring and want to come back again to CN on Saturday @ 6 and 8 the Carson Newman's Men's Chorus is singing the national anthem before the Basketball games.

The Common Cold Strikes Again

Well since Friday I've been battling yet again a form of the common cold. Luckily its been isolated to just a stuffy nose and congestion, it usually presents itself in the form of a sore throat and all of the above. I've made some new friends over the weekend those being Nyquil and Sudafed and my bed. Hopefully I will be able to come back from band practice @ church tonight and get the homework done that is calling my name.

Well for the first time in my life I becoming a Duke fan just for tonight though as the Blue Devils take on the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest. I'm hoping for a Blue Devil victory with that the Tarheels will be in the drivers seat in route to an ACC championship.

It's all moving so fast...Specifically speaking the semester people are already looking forward to spring break which is a week and half away. Graduation which was just around the corner seems as distant as being a freshman again with all the assignments that I have staring me in the face.

I would definantly welcome prayer from everybody who visits this corner of the blogger world. Please be in prayer for me in accordance with school and some relantionships that have been developing between me and some people both here at CN and as far away as Maryland. Pray that God give me wisdom, patience and discipline; Also pray that I see God's will in all of this and pray that I take his course instead of the selfish route of my own.

Good Talks

Last night I had a good ole'fashion talk with my friend Jayme. Its totally awesome to talk to her cause we could be discussing something totally serious and without missing a beat in the conversation something totally random with enter the conversation. So last night was nothing less than normal. We talked about many a thing how life was treating us in our respected places she in Maryland and Me in Tennessee.

She confided in me somethings that to say the least got me thinking after I hung up the phone which by the way the phone call lasted a good 1 1/2 its like the fourth longest phone conversation that I've ever had. She was very adamant about not wanting to complicate my life by telling me things. But honestly they're good things and and a good thing shouldn't bring about strife and struggle so I know as your reading this JAYME; don't worry it's not a complication.

So Andrew Peterson is coming to play @ Third Thursday Cafe tonight at Carson-Newman so gonna definantly head to that cause yeah its Andrew Peterson...Hello!!!!??

So I've definantly been listening to this song by Tim Mcgraw: Live Like You Were Dying I don't know if this is a new song but I really like it. Which odd cause I usually don't care for the majority of country music

Ink and Blood

Well today I took an excused/unexcused break from classes to go with Dr. Ballard my Hebrew Prof. Rick, and Phil "rabbi" Stokes to the Ink and Blood: History of the Bible exhibit that is being held in the old convention center in Knoxville from Feb 5th til April 17th if your interested in learning about the history of how the bible that you hold in your hands today got there and what it went through I suggest you go and take a look.

Being the Fledgling Hebrew Scholar that I am; I had high expectations about the portions of the dead sea scrolls contained within this collection. However my expectations were a little too high in my opinion when I got there and examined what they had.

Most of the fragments were about the size of quarter to a half dollar some even small as a dime specks of papyrus and were so black from age that you couldn't even begin to read the inscriptions so you had to trust what the the little placard said it was.

I also came to discover that it was more about translation and production of the bible and William Tyndale was hailed as one of the greatest people in the history of the bible

the scale at which things were displayed was: hebrew and greek texts,TYNDALE

Check This Out!!!!!

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The Cleaning Lady is On Strike

The clean dishes situation has slowly gotten worse over the past 2 to 3 weeks. The past two times that it has gotten this bad I've taken it upon myself to wash the dishes out of the goodness of my heart.

I'm starting to love this newly discovered blogspot: http://ihatemyflatmate.blogspot.com

this is where this picture comes from

Its Useless Trivia Friday

> SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING?
>> A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue.
A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours.
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
A snail can sleep for three years.>>

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.
Almonds are a member of the peach family.
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the childreaches> 2 to 6 years of age.
Butterflies taste with their feet.
Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds. Dogs only have about 10.
"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a fullmoon.
In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.
If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights.
It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.
Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.
No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or, purple.
On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.
Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and earsnever stop growing.
Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.
Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right.
The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.
The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.
The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid.
The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
There are more chickens than people in the world.
There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous
There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious."
There's no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones Chewables Vitamins.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.
Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance
Women blink nearly twice as much as men
Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks;otherwise> it will digest itself.


just some little interesting facts for your Friday......

The Ups and Downs

I don't think there is anyone who walks this earth that doesn't love friendly competition. I also find it funny to see how much we gloat over the loses and victories of our respected teams even though we had nothing to do with outcome of the game.

Its a psychology thing it has the do with the association/disassociation condition. We pick a team to follow we cheer them on at every game. Here's where the condition comes in Those that get caught up in the moment of cheering for their team become so associated with the team that in our minds we literally become a member of that team and are controlling the future outcome. When your team happens to win the phrase most often heard is "We Won!!!" However when your team loses the disassociation immediately sets in and we become as distant as fan of the winning team. The phrase most often heard with this is "They Lost"

Well tonight the team that I follow suffered a tough loss and its one of those games you hate to lose because the margin of victory was 1 lousy point.

I will tip my hat to Duke and their athletic ability, but I will also say that you can't hope to win a basketball game committing 22 turnovers.

UNC I will always love you!!!!!


I'm a Tarheel born, I'm a Tarheel Bred, and when I die I'll be Tarheel Dead so it's Rah Rah For Carolina, Rah Rah For Carolina, Rah Rah for Carolina, Rah Rah Rah

Tonight is The Night

Tonight is the night that TARHEEL and DUKE fans butt heads for the first time.......

GO CAROLINA w00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Thoughts on Certain Issues

the past few days have been trying to say the least. I have been caught up in this array of high emotional turmoil ranging from extreme desire to extreme depression. I'm not describing my emotions as of late as far as concerning me I'm doing quite fine what I speak of is that of other people and what I have observed. How is it that these emotions always seem to involve memebers of the opposite sex.

I find to be truly ready to persue any relantionship one must be content and satisfied with oneself and also not letting the relationship with Christ become a "ball and chain" that you drag around. You must also be content and satisfied with the love that Christ has for you regardless of others. Secondly, in any relationship must start slow very slow approach it from the the angle of wanting to gain a friend first then given that you and the person that you are interacting with share similiar interests and all that other stuff then and only then can you begin to slowly test the waters.

I used to think that dating someone, and being with someone would be all that I ever would need. I neglected to remember that in Christ I'm found and made complete and that he satisfies any need, want, or desire that I would ever have. After coming to that realization wanting to date someone became something that yes I would enjoy doing but I didn't need it to define myself.

In writing this I'm reminded of the Church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation God's word to them was a word of praise concerning their hard work and perserverance, but God held but one thing against them they had forsaken their first love.

That would be my prayer for those who read this post to remember that we are first called to love and become more like Christ each day then we are called to love each other.

Do Not Forsake Your First Love!!!!!!!