I've become a full time student at the University of Phoenix. I'm due to receive my Associate's degree in June of next year. I'm heading for a Business Management degree. I should have my bachelor's degree by 2009. I haven't looked into my master's or PhD yet though.
The classes I'm taking are 100% online. There is no physical classroom to speak of; talk about how far technology has come. I simply log in and all my class materials, assignments, and everything is right there. This makes it especially nice if I ever have to go away on vacation or something, because my curriculum and everything is always accessible from any computer. We communicate through a forum with each assignment given its own thread.
I'm still taking two German classes at VVC, which is challenging. My teacher, however, is working with me to make it much easier. I'm glad I haven't dropped the classes because I have too much fun with my classmates.
Today I've been working on my assignments almost all day. My brain's about ready to explode. So fun.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
BL-X
The Blessed X is ACTIVE.
My friend and I were talking about an annoying administration of fear technique he's seen used to convey the gospel message: the fear of burning hell is used to convey the urgency of salvation. He also mentioned that a certain arrogance was a deterrent. Now, from my experience, some Christians forget how they sound to those that are not Christians.You might ask, "So, just answer the question. Is there really this burning hell that all non-believers go to if they simply choose not to think that your Christianity is right?"Let me be upfront: the answer is yes. There is... (Click Here to Read the Whole Blessed X Article)
My friend and I were talking about an annoying administration of fear technique he's seen used to convey the gospel message: the fear of burning hell is used to convey the urgency of salvation. He also mentioned that a certain arrogance was a deterrent. Now, from my experience, some Christians forget how they sound to those that are not Christians.You might ask, "So, just answer the question. Is there really this burning hell that all non-believers go to if they simply choose not to think that your Christianity is right?"Let me be upfront: the answer is yes. There is... (Click Here to Read the Whole Blessed X Article)
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Apologetics Apologies
It's been so long since our last apologetics. I posted on The Blessed X. Go read it.
I keep getting emails detailing the pathetic hit count on the site. Take a look:
The Blessed X
-- Site Summary ---
Visits
Total .......................... 556
Average per Day .................. -
Average Visit Length ............. -
This Week ........................ 0
Page Views
Total .......................... 813
Average per Day .................. -
Average per Visit ................ -
This Week ........................ 0
I keep getting emails detailing the pathetic hit count on the site. Take a look:
The Blessed X
-- Site Summary ---
Visits
Total .......................... 556
Average per Day .................. -
Average Visit Length ............. -
This Week ........................ 0
Page Views
Total .......................... 813
Average per Day .................. -
Average per Visit ................ -
This Week ........................ 0
Pathetic...that was an accurate descriptor, wasn't it? Well, my master plan is to stoke the apologetics fire and build it back up again. I posted over there at the Bl-X and gave some thoughts concerning it. I want to pay more attention to that site, since it is built to equip Christians.
It's a tough thing, keeping up on a site like that. If it had more contributors, I think it'd be better. Posting something of meaning there involves study and work. I give thoughts backed with scripture and that takes time to find. I often start with a thought that I know is a biblical principle, but don't know where my supportive evidence for that thought is, and then I go find that evidence in the scriptures. It winds up taking a lot of time. It's fun and helps my walk, but it's almost impractical to think of posting at least every other day. Without the misery of college and it's accompanying homework, I'd be more apt to go about such an undertaking.
Anyhow, go take a look. Leave some thoughts if you have any.
Friday, February 24, 2006
A Post In German Für Praxis and for Fun
Ich war krank am Dienstag und Mittwoch mit die Grippe. Es war nicht so gut. Ich war im das Bad alle fünf minuten. Gestern Abend hatte ich meiner deutsche Klasse, und ich ging nach Hause früh. Ich denke, daß ich zu viel meines Abendessens aß. Nach jeder mahlzeit ich fühle zu voll. Ich glaube dass ich werde erbrechen. Ich sprach mit meiner Schwester Leah und sie sagte, daß sie hat demselben gefühlt. Das war schlimm.
Ich beschloß, auf Deutsch zu schreiben weil ich Praxis benötige. Genießen Sie!
If you can't read German, go here, paste, and translate. It may not be a perfect translation, but you'll get the idea.
Ich beschloß, auf Deutsch zu schreiben weil ich Praxis benötige. Genießen Sie!
If you can't read German, go here, paste, and translate. It may not be a perfect translation, but you'll get the idea.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Luther
I just finished watching Luther and I was impressed. Generally speaking, when a movie that hits so close to the truth of God is made, it usually doesn't stack up for quality. The Left Behind movie for example: poor acting that makes you feel a little bit sorry for the struggling movie makers and the actors trying to act. It was embarrassing.
The movie, however powerful, was not meant as a vessel for the gospel. Rather, it was meant to tell a story that changed the world forever. It just so happens that the gospel is brilliantly displayed through the recounting of these historical events.
You probably already know the story of Martin Luther and the inspiration created by him that spurred the Protestant Reformation. His 95 Thesis sparked a fire that led to radical change. It not only worked out and into the reformation, but also led Luther to undergo a translation of the Bible into the language of the common man: German. This breakthrough allowed each individual the ability to read God's word and also set the standard for German language.
The movie's sets, costumes, and acting were beautifully done. The entire movie keeps you focused on the story and characters, without embarrassing you while watching. It remains captivating and intriguing throughout.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone appreciative of history, a great story, and the Christian faith. I'd also recommend it to Catholics, who, unfortunately, sometimes fall prey to a lack of knowledge about their church history.
The movie, however powerful, was not meant as a vessel for the gospel. Rather, it was meant to tell a story that changed the world forever. It just so happens that the gospel is brilliantly displayed through the recounting of these historical events.
You probably already know the story of Martin Luther and the inspiration created by him that spurred the Protestant Reformation. His 95 Thesis sparked a fire that led to radical change. It not only worked out and into the reformation, but also led Luther to undergo a translation of the Bible into the language of the common man: German. This breakthrough allowed each individual the ability to read God's word and also set the standard for German language.
The movie's sets, costumes, and acting were beautifully done. The entire movie keeps you focused on the story and characters, without embarrassing you while watching. It remains captivating and intriguing throughout.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone appreciative of history, a great story, and the Christian faith. I'd also recommend it to Catholics, who, unfortunately, sometimes fall prey to a lack of knowledge about their church history.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Infirmity
A soar throat and a clogged head. I stayed in my chair under a blanket nearly all day. I didn't write, but that's okay. I'm afraid that if I had, it would have suffered from the disconnected head feeling I have. During my day I watched Tommy Boy, Underworld, and Transporter 2. I hope taking all this down time will get me feeling better more quickly. Maggie mentioned that her throat was hurting...I really hope she doesn't come down with it too.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Written Words
It is a good feeling when you finally get past a hang up in your writing. I was stumped when I came to how my main character would discover the remnants of antediluvian colonists, and then once he discovered them, why were they the way they were.
I'm actually bringing back pieces of my first large writing of the Nefroidak story, which I trashed long long ago. Unfortunately, Maggie had read the entire thing, and marked all kinds of corrections and made suggestions. She was a little annoyed when I decided against that whole story line.
It's interesting that I'm coming full circle. In that storyline I had originally had the character become stranded on a planet, doomed to be invaded, with a people that had no concept of war and were lacking in technology. He was charged with teaching these people, very quickly, how to fight for themselves. That story line changed and morphed until I changed everything for the sake of flow. It became a detour and detracted from the rest of the story and warranted being dropped--a difficult decision for a writer.
However, I've expanded on my ideas and have given the overall concept serious thought. It's taken months of mulling over ideas and scenarios, and has actually been approximately five years since I wrote the original stranded on the planet storyline, but I think I'm decided on returning to that concept with some better directed alterations. I've also made the decision to write a series of books instead of just one large one. This will make it much simpler to convey every aspect of the storyline.
It's funny, because originally, I wrote this in first person, but have since, based off the recommendation of Aaron, changed to third person. I don't write from the perspective of omniscient third person however. I like the reader to wonder the same things as the main character and discover through his eyes. So, I've kept the personal structure that I had, but at least I'm not as limited when it comes to details.
I realize that I've shared some things here that are pretty major portions of the first book, but I don't think I've revealed enough to spoil it. I think it may take a trip to the dictionary to look up antediluvian. Even then, I don't think that knowledge will spoil it for you. Let's just say that I'm planning to write about Christianity and it's place in a society that's forgotten about it way off in the future.
Pray for me that the writing continues to flow. For now, I'm off to bed.
I'm actually bringing back pieces of my first large writing of the Nefroidak story, which I trashed long long ago. Unfortunately, Maggie had read the entire thing, and marked all kinds of corrections and made suggestions. She was a little annoyed when I decided against that whole story line.
It's interesting that I'm coming full circle. In that storyline I had originally had the character become stranded on a planet, doomed to be invaded, with a people that had no concept of war and were lacking in technology. He was charged with teaching these people, very quickly, how to fight for themselves. That story line changed and morphed until I changed everything for the sake of flow. It became a detour and detracted from the rest of the story and warranted being dropped--a difficult decision for a writer.
However, I've expanded on my ideas and have given the overall concept serious thought. It's taken months of mulling over ideas and scenarios, and has actually been approximately five years since I wrote the original stranded on the planet storyline, but I think I'm decided on returning to that concept with some better directed alterations. I've also made the decision to write a series of books instead of just one large one. This will make it much simpler to convey every aspect of the storyline.
It's funny, because originally, I wrote this in first person, but have since, based off the recommendation of Aaron, changed to third person. I don't write from the perspective of omniscient third person however. I like the reader to wonder the same things as the main character and discover through his eyes. So, I've kept the personal structure that I had, but at least I'm not as limited when it comes to details.
I realize that I've shared some things here that are pretty major portions of the first book, but I don't think I've revealed enough to spoil it. I think it may take a trip to the dictionary to look up antediluvian. Even then, I don't think that knowledge will spoil it for you. Let's just say that I'm planning to write about Christianity and it's place in a society that's forgotten about it way off in the future.
Pray for me that the writing continues to flow. For now, I'm off to bed.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Happy New Year!
It's a rare time, the new year, when usually stubborn people are willing to self examine. It's called, "New Year's Resolutions"; the most common of these resolutions being a diet--one that I'm partial to. However, one great resolution would be to start taking faith in Jesus Christ more seriously. It's a time when people might be a little more open to conversation and the gospel. It's an opportunity to start making a difference for God.
This last year has been full of ups and downs. Honestly, I'm positive that this year won't be any easier, but maybe I've been letting my attitude down and allowing things, people, and circumstances a little too much power in my life. The new year is like a second chance, a new beginning. Not really a change, just a number and a fresh set of months, but people's minds make it feel like a change. We hold it up in celebration and then carry out these strange promises to ourselves and others that we're going to break habits that have followed us for months and years. Unfortunately, the failure rate brings discouragement and many don't realize that it takes a continual attempt after attempt to truly accomplish what they've set out to do.
Well, don't lose heart. Look to Jesus Christ, our strength. I really mean this. Read your Bible like you mean it, pray with your attention to Him, and live out what He's teaching you. The New Year's resolution is inherently weak. It's not done because Jesus has changed you, but out of ritual. I do believe, however, that it can be a starting point, a groundwork that opens us up for true inspiration to change.
This last year has been full of ups and downs. Honestly, I'm positive that this year won't be any easier, but maybe I've been letting my attitude down and allowing things, people, and circumstances a little too much power in my life. The new year is like a second chance, a new beginning. Not really a change, just a number and a fresh set of months, but people's minds make it feel like a change. We hold it up in celebration and then carry out these strange promises to ourselves and others that we're going to break habits that have followed us for months and years. Unfortunately, the failure rate brings discouragement and many don't realize that it takes a continual attempt after attempt to truly accomplish what they've set out to do.
Well, don't lose heart. Look to Jesus Christ, our strength. I really mean this. Read your Bible like you mean it, pray with your attention to Him, and live out what He's teaching you. The New Year's resolution is inherently weak. It's not done because Jesus has changed you, but out of ritual. I do believe, however, that it can be a starting point, a groundwork that opens us up for true inspiration to change.
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