Buzz cuts

Today, the dorm is going crazy about getting buzz cuts. Poor Mason, he is a kind soul. Mason has been occupied all day, giving haircuts. I believe that buzz cuts, in this context, is a sign that people are in need of love. OK, Chris Unfrau's was a mistake. I realize that some people may be upset at me for writing this, but I must speak my mind. A lot of times I am influenced by the people around me to do something that I would not do other wise. It is interesting when I am moved by friends to do something, it is often because I want more recognition from them. It is not always wrong, but certainly it can be a lot of times. God has given each of us a personality which is unique in its own right. I need to be constantly reminded in life of my true identity. My uniqueness. I need to be reminded of who owns me. That God is master of my life - not my friends. There is a peace in trusting in that which will never pass away. I love my friends, but that love should not be inclusive of me sacrificing my individuality for them. Buzz cuts, I think, look pathetic. Unless I am used to the person having it. For example, Jay or Vals dad.

I think its an interesting thought to keep in mind. How high will I jump for people to see me? The higher I jump for recognition, the harder I fall in defeat. The fall always brings you to a lower place then where you were before you jumped.

Alive

Sitting in Bible class today made me think deeply about my church.

They were saying that often the churches in North America are dead. I am happy to say that when I go to church it is very much alive.

The life of the church is determined by how much life each person contributes. Life comes from spirit. Spirit comes from God.

It is a challenge for me to take. Though I see my church as one with life, I still have a portion of that life to share with others. In doing so I will be blessed, and satisfied.

Surrender

A very influential man in my life shared this with me tonight. I hope he does not mind me posting it.

A Morning Prayer of Surrender

O sacred flame of God, on altar sure I lay

My heart, my soul, my all, 'tis nothing but decay.

Placed firm on Holy fire, may not be left a trace,

But newness I desire, flowing from Your Holy place.

So through this dawning day, may not an "I" be found,

But Christ be formed within, our glory to resound.

                                                                                            ~ by Pastor Rob Benardo

It makes you really think about what your doing with your life. Will you give it up, or will you give up. I mean, will you give it up to Jesus, or will you give up a life with God.

Thank you Katie A.

I recently received this email from my good friend Katie. I like it.

When the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Is this man truly a genius? Checked out and this is true...it DID happen!

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".. All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A.... (substituting grades for dollars - something closer to home and more readily understood by all).

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

To their great surprise, ALL FAILED and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to this experiment:
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation. 

Studio

I need to be careful with what I write on this post because Ryo follows my blog.
But I want to talk about him. When I first joined the Studio team about a year and a half ago, I was really excited. Since then I have learned an incredible amount of stuff, and have gained a lot of valuable information.
Many people look at Ryo and miss judge him. Of all the people who have taught me lessons and given me knowledge, I can attribute much thanks to him for helping me like he has.

Ryo is not a happy-go-lucky worker or boss. I like that, most of the time. He tests my patience like nothing else. I remember the days I sit waiting for him to answer a question I asked five minutes ago. I am used to it. More important then that, however, are the experiences of long chats about life and its purpose.
That guy is so deep. So connected to God. He blows me away sometimes.

He makes mistakes, but the genuinness of his character shines through more then his faults.

Today at work, he really encouraged me to reach a higher standard. Thankyou Ryo.

As a side note, beside your profoundness, your sense of style is also inspiring. I won't even go there or else I will run out of space here.

CHOcholate

Let me mention Herman Cain real quike. For those of you board of politics you may skip this.
Cain is somewhat brilliant in economic affairs. However, he is dishonerable with his actions. I think he is a bit arrogant in much of his statements. The worst of it all is his character. When deciding who should be president, Character is vital. Read this article. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/04/cain-campaign-considers-lawsuit/ I am saddened, and thankfully we have more options.

Now I will write about John CHo. I call him Ya. From the time I first met him until now, he has come a long long way. He has given me more reason to believe that God still works today. He attracts people with his quite gentle and fun loving spirit.

Ya, I write this as a tribute to you. You mean a ton to me. The world will thank those who don't ask them to thank themselves. Humanity does not need another man set out to change. With the majority of people trying to change things, everyone needs a new picture. The only real change can come from a man presenting a different kind of picture. Ya, you are not out there trying to change people, you live on two feet, and people change to match you. Keep shinging for Christ.

Ya has taught me to use my legs for walking not kicking.

Morgan

She taught me about stepping down from my soap box...shes very funny...until shes not. Hope you dont kill me for this Poo.

Impact

Some things are said, and the impact of it is never realized. I remember one instance where someones continual encouragement really changed my life. I have a hobby, and that is music. I love music. For as long as I can remember, I have always played violin. (Its only been about 10 years really.) Well I came here to FVA and started playing in the infamous orchestra. Last year, I played and still play in the second violin section. For most of the second semester it seemed as though the principle second violinist was never there so I ended up sitting in that position a lot. It was a bit weird because I honestly don't lead extremly well musically. Often I would get discouraged and think I was just pulling my section down. In those moments Val, the concertmistress at the time, would lean over and say, "Moses, you can do it, I know you can." When Blaylock or Denis would start to get upset at me or tell me I was really of the chart, she would lean over again and encourage me. She kept me going with some simple words of encouragement. It ment a ton, especially coming from the concertmistress.

What we say has more influence then what we do. When we talk, let us uplift. Heaven alone can tell of all the times we have saved a life or lost one.

Talk to bring life, don't live to talk. I really need to work on that.