tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55635012012-02-17T23:50:23.534-05:00patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.comBlogger1531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-21897645459295128972011-10-02T20:49:00.005-04:002011-10-02T21:58:25.517-04:00

There's so many lines that we draw in our lives it's so hard to know which lines are good ones or bad ones. So often it seems that we're taking out our erasers so often and the canvas of our life is full of smears as we draw and redraw the lines that determine our behavior. And it makes it frustrating as a Christian because it's clear from the Bible that we're supposed to draw lines around our

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-91914253290701347452011-06-16T20:20:00.008-04:002011-06-17T11:41:59.968-04:00

A sip of coffee in the morning. Especially on a Friday morning with the weekend spread out before you like an open landscape. Birds sing and a soft breeze comes through your car window. Everyone is a little more talkative at work and smiles come light and easy.You've been fighting with your friend and you can't seem to let go of your entitlements and sense of fairness. They stop by in the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-8142023040209493872011-03-27T13:42:00.003-04:002011-03-27T14:04:40.918-04:00

Love is in the present tense.That sentence was just in my head. You'll have trust me I guess. I even typed it in google to see if maybe I heard it in a song somewhere. There's some book called "Love In The Present Tense" but I had never heard of it. Anyway, I'm not sure how it got in my head, whether God put it there or whether it was just there randomly, but it really resonates with me today

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-63282133252308826462011-03-10T09:06:00.005-05:002011-03-10T16:42:51.706-05:00

A poem of encoruagement written in the midst of the heartache that comes with not sharing the love of Christ with someone.What’s the difference between silence and speaking?Is it small and simple like a single step that you take?Or is it like a race with a brick wall at the start line?SometimesTo speak into silence feel likes bothAnd it’s confusingBecause how can it be both? It’s an illusion.To

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-74103981679247359952010-12-22T10:17:00.004-05:002010-12-23T00:39:36.558-05:00

"He knew thereafter how to keep Christmas well." -Charles Dickens from the end of A Christmas Carol.I'm so silly at Christmas time. I think it's the expectations that lure me in. You want to be in the Christmas Spirit, whatever that is, and as I thought about this more I began to realize that I was making all of this more complicated than it really is. I look back on past Christmas times and I

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-80242235550901081252010-10-27T11:43:00.001-04:002010-11-10T21:33:13.576-05:00

How do I get from here to there?As a never-ceasing idealist, I have imaginative pictures of where I should be. I am constantly thinking on these terms. Here to there. Here to there. I get very excited when I have a new picture of "there" and then I get kind of down when I realize I haven't made it too far and am still basically "here" just like before. I'm learning that's not true though. I am

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-39986516761892880842010-10-04T13:28:00.005-04:002010-10-04T19:41:58.234-04:00

The conclusion of the following writings in this. God is true. He is not true for me while for you something else remains true. Truth exists outside any person. Truth can never depend upon the human mind for this universe continues to exist whether the human mind exists or not. God is true apart from me and it is only because he is true that I can experience him as true. The great question

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-9596338252163693302010-09-08T20:51:00.002-04:002010-09-11T12:59:33.319-04:00

It's different living in the city. It's different because there's such a disparity between people. In the suburbs, yeah there is a little bit of disparity. Some houses may have pools, hot tubs, or trampolines and some may not but everyone's basically on the same level. Everyone pretty much shops in the same places and eats at the same places. In the city, there's very poor people and very

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-36207971669199305532010-08-25T22:08:00.001-04:002010-08-25T22:08:39.685-04:00

I was browsing in the poetry section of Barnes & Noble one day and I thought, “Wouldn’t be just so nice to find a good book of Christian poetry.” And then as I was driving away it came to mind, “Wait a sec, there are books FULL of the most amazing Christian poetry ever.” You can find them in a lot of churches all over the world – tattered and worn books sitting in the back of pews – and even

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-70176629816995106412010-08-03T15:33:00.003-04:002010-08-03T15:38:35.156-04:00

Revive once more my beloved blog...Happily sitting in the Elmwood Avenue Starbucks and looking forward to my time in Buffalo. This is probably one of my favorite Starbucks. Some homeless guys hang out here; just talk to one of them for a spell. He saw my Bible and wanted me to pray that he finds a job. He seems as if he has a few screws loose in his head but then again, so do I. His name is

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-54145192854516234872010-06-09T19:56:00.006-04:002010-06-09T20:48:37.816-04:00

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8I’m tired of being deceived. And I know the reason that Paul says not to be deceived is because he KNOWS how deceptive sowing to our flesh really

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-79475905830017785982010-04-20T21:28:00.002-04:002010-04-20T22:06:41.492-04:00

You are part of a story. And just their are characters in the stories you read, you are character in a story. Characters have gifts and weaknesses but think about it - do these gifts and weaknesses ever come to light unless the characters face struggles and come into contact with other people? Those are the kind of stories that no one reads. The best stories have the most meaningful

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-19170257313834874252010-02-18T00:15:00.004-05:002010-02-18T00:29:26.013-05:00

A note to encourage myself to actually apply today and to pursue God with all I am today. I always wait and hold things back and I'm feeling the emptiness of that.Patrick, you cannot wait to apply. You must apply now. Did you hear something worth applying? Did it stir your heart? Did it feel as if though your heart knew that this was worthy of living for? Then you must apply now. There is

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-74646354648892054512010-02-08T15:44:00.007-05:002010-02-08T15:58:55.414-05:00

What does it take to change? What does it take to turn from the steps we tread day after day until we almost walk them again without thinking? A day comes and we realize we have to change. How do you all of the sudden begin forming a new trail?I hear talks sometimes at church, like this past Wednesday, where I feel this desire spring up within me to change and I know that in my heart, this

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-32773220304696155962010-01-20T08:22:00.003-05:002010-01-20T08:42:03.341-05:00

"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself. You must say to your soul: 'Why art thou cast down'-what business have you to be disquieted? You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-28639963820718913322010-01-18T12:05:00.014-05:002010-01-19T17:35:59.160-05:00

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17I remember when I was going through a time of depression what it felt like. Thinking about it now feels like remembering a nightmare you had and even though it's daytime now you still feel a tinge of its' darkness touching you. I talked with a friend once who had been through depression. I remember her saying

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-45365920143016520992009-11-03T19:20:00.002-05:002009-11-04T02:05:05.305-05:00

a poem I wrote yesterday—learning that my feelings do not change God's love. a wonderful thing to learn...Oh, for the day when last I tastedThe sweetness of the Lord.My heart has found no other place whereLove can reach its’ shores.Times of storm and howling winds,Times of swirling clouds.On the shoreline of my heartHis love but pounds the more.Who can offer love so strongAnd constant through

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-43194374523908888932009-10-14T21:09:00.006-04:002009-10-14T22:24:39.652-04:00

I need focus.I keep having brief lapses of satisfaction and purpose—brief awakenings from my sleep—and it makes me long all the more for more than lapses. Fullness is what I long for. So I figured it would be helpful if I could focus on a few simple things so I can somehow begin moving in the direction of being a little more awake. Here are my three simple things that came to mind as I thought

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-13360604485511411252009-07-03T07:23:00.003-04:002009-07-03T07:26:53.853-04:00

poem I wrote and read at my brother Jack and his new wife Emily's wedding in Kauai.Today sings a sweet song of goodbyeAs you step hopefully onto your boatAnd let loose the linesToday is the day the shore disappearsAnd all you have is the ocean, the wind, the sky, sun, moon, and stars.The ocean is God’s loveThe wind is God’s loveThe sky, sun, moon, stars, all God’s love.Today this truth is easy,

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-59619970094397379742009-04-13T07:32:00.010-04:002009-04-16T16:28:56.227-04:00

"Awake thou wintry earth—Fling off thy sadness!Fair vernal flowers, laugh forthYour ancient gladness!"-Thomas BlackburnSpring is an overflow. It's like the earth is having its morning stretch and yawning on the way to the kitchen to cook me pancakes. The smell makes its way to my room and makes me smile as I have my first coherent thoughts. Spring has its' smells that seem to wake me up from

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-53057869443072309132009-04-11T06:18:00.009-04:002009-04-16T16:25:17.108-04:00

I had never been to Wales before. There is a subtle beauty there that you wouldn't see at first. The weather is mostly rainy and the people seem normal enough. I think what I loved was that I wasn't overwhelmed by it. It wasn't a culture trying to be attractive to tourists or anything like that. Things seem pretty slow-paced and I didn't feel rushed along. I could just relax and enjoy

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-87664281236861734702009-03-31T15:50:00.006-04:002009-04-01T16:43:08.335-04:00

"We want to delude ourselves that of the problem of our emptiness, love is at the root. I want to say to you, it isn't. Love is only the branches. The root goes beyond love. A naked kind of isolation. An isolated me that does not meet and mingle and never can. It is true what I say. There is a beyond in me which goes further than love, beyond the scope of the stars. Just as some stars are

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-49805618166681972012009-03-24T12:39:00.008-04:002009-04-11T06:18:20.792-04:00

I stare at the ocean sometimes and dream about being on a sailboat out here. Life would be so much different on a sailboat. I would feel so much more apart of the ocean. I would see it, feel it, listen to it, and smell it all day. As it is, I enjoy brief moments with the ocean. I wrote a little poem as I was dreaming about being on a sailboat.My heart set sail today.I said goodbye but my

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-56645262448551965522009-03-19T05:55:00.007-04:002009-03-19T13:58:07.228-04:00

Joyful, Joyful, we adore TheeGod of glory, Lord of love.Hearts unfold like flowers before TheeOpening to the Sun above.I chose the picture above because the flowers haven't blossomed yet. I like to imagine them unfolding. For me it's so much better that way than actually having a picture of flowers. I was sitting on watch today in my morning fog and heard the girl next to me singing this verse

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-20374523083560463522009-03-18T11:58:00.005-04:002009-03-19T06:29:42.153-04:00

I call God, Papa, sometimes since I read The Shack. I think I do it because it helps my heart understand who God is for me and how much He loves me. My heart has changed since I started doing it and sometimes my heart shudders a little when I do because that is a very tender part of the my heart, the part that longs for a Father. I was leaving my room today after a somewhat tiring and

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-36339456295331820082009-03-12T06:25:00.006-04:002009-03-13T12:30:12.836-04:00

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tommorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith."When I see pictures like the one above I often think of Jesus' reminder to us

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-20629458216772762492009-02-16T02:55:00.007-05:002009-02-16T04:04:15.273-05:00

I got this DVD called The Open Table because I thought it looked interesting and also thought my roommate might like it as he is searching for God. It has five 10-minute videos of people being interviewed about their faith in Jesus. What makes it so interesting is the wide range of people being interviewed at what appears to be their homes or some special place of choice. Some of the people

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-63334973952108587302009-01-25T16:14:00.006-05:002009-01-25T16:28:34.475-05:00

Here are a few clandestine photos taken at the Starbucks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You can see the Arabic writing on the sign. I'm not sure how they translated Starbucks into Arabic...I guess I should have asked somebody. You can see the Arab women, blurry black hooded figures, rushing by in the foreground. I had to turn my flash off for these pictures since Arabs generally don't

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-43928451969629645992009-01-10T16:26:00.013-05:002009-01-11T23:08:09.809-05:00

Can you believe it? I actually am doing a post full of pictures on my blog! I think it's clear that I love to write and share my heart but yes I agree, sometimes pictures are just fun. Actually, my didge camera broke forever ago and I am about to get it fixed so hopefully this will only be the beginning. Now, I think it's only fair that some of you people who post 53 pictures (or whatever the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-37604355346454534662009-01-07T13:17:00.003-05:002009-01-08T14:27:43.414-05:00

A prayer from The Valley of VisionO Love Beyond Compare (I wish I could read this out loud to you!),Thou art good when thou givest,when thou takest away,when the sun shines upon me,when the night gathers over me.Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,and in love didst redeem my soul;Thou doest love me still,in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.Thy goodness has been with

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-24591835984181689552009-01-05T17:37:00.003-05:002009-01-07T13:13:35.219-05:00

The Lord has been encouraging me in a couple special ways this past week or so which has been neat. I am leaving to fly back out to the Middle East tommorrow night so this week has been filled with anticipation of that which has involved a mix of emotions ranging from fear of the unknown to excitement at what God has in store. God gave me this helpful image of Him being excited for me to walk

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-82820465340470244682008-12-01T17:05:00.013-05:002008-12-01T19:09:06.176-05:00

Sunday worship at church...Someone shared a prophetic word at the microphone up front from Luke 14:16-24 where Jesus tells of a man who prepared a banquet for people. Everyone he invited made excuses though, saying they had to go check out their field, another had to go examine his oxen, and another was getting married. Standing their with my eyes closed listening to the words, I couldn't help

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-90694327879084365882008-11-16T16:14:00.012-05:002008-11-17T13:59:07.088-05:00

This book, The Kite Runner, is simply an amazing story. The love displayed by the boy, Hassan, in the story brings me to tears every time I read about his relationship with the main character, Amir. They grow up together as friends but Hassan is from what is considered an inferior race in Afghanistan. Amir becomes torn between his love for Hassan and it being accepted by those around them.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-24633713858498896002008-11-12T08:18:00.010-05:002008-11-12T12:14:13.573-05:00

A beautiful sunny, cool and breezy day in Bahrain was made even more beautiful by three delicious mega shawarmas from the local shawarma stand. As a former shawarma-skeptic I was coaxed into trying one months ago at the very same stand. I bought my sample from the nice Arab man for the wonderful price of $1.50 and sat down to eat. It wasn't long before I was ordering two more. Simply

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-1037238391273051492008-11-05T22:37:00.009-05:002008-11-06T02:05:45.310-05:00

I think the best blog I read in response to the election was from Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Click here to read."There is a hope that burns within my heartThat gives me strength for every passing dayA glimpse of glory now revealed in meager partYet drives all doubt away.I stand in Christ with sins forgiv'nAnd Christ in me the hope of heav'nMy highest calling and my

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-60357527338379447812008-11-03T00:03:00.006-05:002008-11-03T01:15:01.506-05:00

Put your hope in me!As I watch the news and the two silly candidates giving motivating speeches, this is the basic message I hear. Put your hope in me. And to that I say, No! No, I won't put my hope in you because my hope is in Jesus! There was a day two thousand years ago when the disciples thought all was lost. Jesus was on the cross and breathed what was thought to be his last breath.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-41276315881405474292008-10-30T14:40:00.006-04:002008-10-30T15:55:56.857-04:00

I've been emailing my grandmother in Seattle while I've been at sea and she has been encouraging me to write haiku. She knows I like writing poetry and in fact, is in a large part responsible for my liking of poetry. She introduced one of her own haiku as an example. You may guess by the haiku that she is an Obama supporter and has a quite dry since of humor.Morning brokenShattered by the jerk

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-90801522163159572902008-10-27T13:47:00.003-04:002008-10-27T14:29:32.450-04:00

I was listening to a song tonight called, "All I Really Want For Christmas" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It's sung from the perspective of an adopted child crying out in hope of having a family. I have listened to the song many times but tonight it brought me to tears as I listened,All I really want for Christmas is for someone to tuck me in,Tell me I'll never be alone, someone whose love will

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-5644850838772267852008-10-12T18:28:00.006-04:002008-10-12T19:13:25.148-04:00

by Patrick KruseAutumn is like a sighAfter deep breaths of summer joys.Bright mornings filled with birds singing,Warm afternoons with the sun shiningOn green trees that sway in the wind,Swaying still in the cool eveningsAs their shadows move against the sky.These are all joys that linger with sweetnessAs the cool autumn days descend.Autumn is like a sighAs the wind loosens the colored leavesAnd

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-37443588857992896712008-10-05T00:23:00.005-04:002008-10-05T01:48:00.632-04:00

How important is the word "Father" in the Bible? It's a word not used to refer to God until the New Testament and when it finally is, it refers to the Father who sent His Son to die for us. Then Jesus uses it repeatedly when referring to God and even urges his disciples to pray to God as their Father in the Lord's Prayer.I say all this to show just important the word "Father" is in the Bible

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-77414305607240326622008-09-22T15:53:00.002-04:002008-09-22T17:37:22.878-04:00

My hope.It determines my actions, the steps I take, the words I speak, who I love, how I love. These are important things, powerful things that seem to determine so much of my life's usefulness in bringing glory to God.Where does my hope rest?This is quite easy to see. All one would have to do is watch my life and see what has the most effect in determining my actions each day. And I think you

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-15905118358081422122008-09-18T14:59:00.004-04:002008-09-18T16:07:38.122-04:00

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither."Psalm 1:1-3Where am I planted? Where do my roots extend when they

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-33614470192772368662008-09-10T20:48:00.003-04:002008-09-10T22:34:52.827-04:00

There are things in life that I wish would come sooner. Such things often come to the surface when I pray. Ha, those can sometimes be quite passionate prayers! Other times though I wish things would come later. So what really should I pray? First of all, I think the simple act of actually praying has done more to teach me about this than anything else. Recently, in the middle of praying, I

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-85897422909971207112008-09-05T16:49:00.003-04:002008-09-05T17:47:05.750-04:00

How often do I get excited and it's merely about earthly things? I get excited about Chinese food, the fact that it's Friday, get-togethers with friends, a favorite ice cream. And all these things other people see me express joy in and it's such a beautiful and attractive joy. Joy at such times is contagious, is it not? So it became clear to me recently that there is a disconnect here.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-64547879089838179872008-08-28T18:40:00.002-04:002008-08-28T19:03:06.836-04:00

A little while ago I was thinking about how much I listen to worship music and how little I actually worship. I mean, what a gift, to have these worship songs on cd or iPod. They are songs that God inspired within peoples' hearts. Some were songs that people worked really hard on while others were songs that God may have given someone in ten minutes. These songs have words meant to direct the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-35503982664723601692008-08-26T14:46:00.002-04:002008-08-26T14:56:23.653-04:00

I left today out to sea. I don't know for how long. A cold sensation hits me as I now begin seeing the days I had on land in a new light. What did I do with them? What did I live for? For now I have left that world and only what was done for Christ brings me joy as I look back. If I feel so now, how much more will I feel so when all my earthly days are past, never to be regained! What will

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-69509361202822320872008-08-19T10:17:00.005-04:002008-08-19T10:46:57.193-04:00

If I were asked what my reason for living is I would answer that it is Jesus and bringing Him glory. But how about if I were asked what my reasons for individual steps I take in the days and weeks of my life? What if you were to zoom in and look at the decisions I make, the words I use, not to mention the thoughts that run through my head. As you take a closer look at my life, I think I would

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-32900795657768921692008-08-15T09:19:00.006-04:002008-08-18T12:23:59.024-04:00

I just added the Passion 268blog to my bloglist. They are in the middle of a tour spreading the Gospel to college students around the world. So far they have been to Manila, Jakarta, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. It's so encouraging to read about! I seriously was brought to tears looking at it all. Some of the posts have over 1,000 comments on them from people. That is crazy!! Amazing to

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-26553313853369045012008-08-14T11:58:00.005-04:002008-08-14T12:51:34.366-04:00

Take a look at these kids reciting 1 Corinthians 9:24-27! As I watched them reciting, I was seriously in shock. Now, I have heard kids recite scripture before but these kids were so excited as they recited it. Not only that, but they had the coolest body motions to go along with the verse. :) I felt like I was being passionately preached to by a group of little kids. Their recitation was

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-73454168079485050862008-08-11T15:29:00.009-04:002008-08-11T16:43:06.098-04:00

Okay, let's do some pretending for a second. You are told that in one year you will have your Bible taken from you and you won't have one for the following year. What chapters or books of the Bible would you memorize? Notice I didn't say verses, but what chapters or books would you memorize? I think if I were in that situation I would probably spend some time in prayer and ask God what

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-45910896090684851212008-08-10T15:48:00.005-04:002008-08-10T16:11:57.228-04:00

I spent this past week in Pennsylvania and it was one of the most refreshing weeks I could have had and a gift from the Lord. General and Mrs. Buckingham had a bunch of us young folks over for dinner one of the nights. They are always such a sweet and encouraging couple and have never stopped serving the Lord together. After dinner they made us some of their famous milkshakes and then General

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-24028988324741881522008-08-07T18:22:00.008-04:002008-08-08T09:27:28.176-04:00

What do wasted lives look like? In John Piper's book, "Don't Waste Your Life", he tells the story of an old man in his town who finally came to salvation near the end of his life. The old man wept as he received Christ saying, "I've wasted it! I've wasted it!" John Piper was affected by this sight at a young age and also by a plaque that hung in his house. It read,Only one life,'Twill soon

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-48297399436168366812008-07-30T09:43:00.006-04:002008-08-01T09:19:23.303-04:00

I read a very helpful book by Mark Dever called "The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. One thing that has remained with me as I have prayed about sharing the Gospel is the balance that Mark Dever lays out between honesty, urgency, and joy.Honesty means we can't hold back any parts of the Gospel. The Gospel is the call to repent of the sins that we love and turn to a holy God who we're called to

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-50244189417802473802008-07-25T07:26:00.004-04:002008-07-25T16:44:43.188-04:00

"Millions of Christians live with a low-grade feeling of guilt for not openly commending Christ by their words. They try to persuade themselves that keeping their noses morally clean is a witness to Christ. The problem with this notion is that millions of unbelievers keep their noses morally clean. Christians will-and should-continue to feel bad for not sharing their faith. Christ is the most

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-20018815933961302632008-07-19T05:32:00.006-04:002008-07-19T06:11:13.126-04:00

"Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-84955082653339577782008-07-14T23:42:00.005-04:002008-07-15T00:48:02.838-04:00

Behold, one of my new favorite things to eat. I have eaten many of them so far since I've been out to sea and have smiled many times. Maybe you are tired of the same old peanut butter & jelly? Try this wonderful creation. For some added fun and delightfulness, add some chocolate syrup and/or some banana slices. Yes...I only wish I had them filling my elementary school lunch box in my younger

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-33062111074050775722008-07-12T11:05:00.009-04:002008-07-12T14:58:11.007-04:00

Dr. Nathan Barlow took his medical degree along with his wife and four children to Africa in 1945. He treated a large variety of different patients but eventually confronted Mossy Foot Disease and provided treatment for countless outcast and helpless people. Mossy Foot Disease, also called Big Foot's Disease, is contracted by people working barefoot in volcanic soil. People who contract this

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-61541094757145165382008-07-09T11:11:00.008-04:002008-07-09T14:40:32.600-04:00

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart."Ecclesiastes 7:2"Intellectually we all know that we will die but we do not know it in the sense that the knowledge becomes a part of us. We do not really know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, we tend to live

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-17213875288991175382008-07-07T14:16:00.009-04:002008-07-09T14:45:41.423-04:00

I was reminded of the parable of the talents while reading a chapter in Francis Chan's book. Two of the servants went and did something with the talents that their master gave them. The other servant went and buried the talents that were given to him. This convicted me on the level of whether or not I am burying my inheritance from Christ now in hopes of "cashing in" or "digging it up" later.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-11624061366586771522008-07-05T17:26:00.008-04:002008-07-05T20:38:29.202-04:00

I just finished a wonderfully encouraging and challenging book by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love". You can see the two arrows on the front cover, one pointing up and the other pointing down. His main theme is that when we come to terms with the God of the universe and the magnitude of his love for us, it should cause a response of love that is as crazy as the love shown to us. He is very

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-6466044388700414802008-07-01T15:20:00.002-04:002008-07-01T15:40:41.560-04:00

I had a stomach bug yesterday and was lying on the couch later in the day. Everyone knows what it's like to be sick like this. I stared up at the ceiling drifting in and out of sleep, sips of water, saltine crackers, and simple prayers. Not many things can seem more lacking in purpose than such times of sickness but I find myself sitting here thankful for yesterday. I remember lying on the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-61176143293550651082008-06-26T21:30:00.006-04:002008-06-27T11:06:23.337-04:00

"It's all about you, JesusAnd all this is for youFor your glory and your fameIt's not about meAs if you should do things my wayYou alone are GodAnd I surrender to your ways."Lately things have been so noisy. Thoughts rush through my head, creating a constant stir. I am always moving it feels like, never sitting still, never just listening. Have you been somewhere like the middle of the forest

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-55330242279892565032008-06-23T22:07:00.010-04:002008-06-24T06:23:55.441-04:00

Ha, well I just finished dancing in my room for the first time in forever! I'm not sure what I was doing but I was sitting here in my room on the ship and put on some Passion hymns and somewhere in the middle of "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" I couldn't help but begin hopping around my room dancing and worshipping Jesus! I was wary though from a previous time I did this on the ship when I

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-47455524956388654812008-06-19T08:20:00.005-04:002008-06-19T11:05:24.364-04:00

"Then Moses said to the people of Israel, 'See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all crafsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-44402542894917569552008-06-16T10:27:00.003-04:002008-06-16T11:03:32.655-04:00

The treasure is you, there is no otherThe treasure is you, more than goldHeaven and earth, they have lost their lusterYou alone are the treasure that I hold.-Meredith AndrewsI have been crying out lately for direction and purpose in my life. I want to be focused and purposeful in my steps each day. There are so many things that confuse me right now but I have cried out to the Lord honestly and

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-29090770559190199572008-06-11T22:01:00.002-04:002008-06-11T22:45:00.134-04:00

I need a strong love. I crave such love in the bottom of my soul. I desire so badly to be loved strongly and to love strongly in return. I listened to Jon Foreman's song, "Your Love is Strong" recently and I have been singing the chorus over and over the past couple days. His love is strong! My love is weak and it falters and wavers when tested. His love is strong though. It remains

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-27056726176940183592008-06-06T13:47:00.005-04:002008-06-06T14:46:24.429-04:00

"But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sin, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever the cost to us, at whatever cost to Him." C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)Lord, find me in my sin and indifference and teach me to love! Only you

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-88444848567076006992008-06-04T14:15:00.005-04:002008-06-04T14:57:39.416-04:00

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."Psalm 139:7-9Lord, I'm tempted to wonder whether I am really held firmly by your hand.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-68187888642894695262008-06-02T13:49:00.003-04:002008-06-02T14:27:28.545-04:00

"What then my soul is best for you to do? First learn to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Then study to make the morning dawns and evening fades call forth songs of joy. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset.

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-84774033538694254942008-05-19T19:21:00.003-04:002008-05-19T19:38:31.645-04:00

I am finishing up a month-long period out at sea this week and there were several Sundays that passed by during that time. Whereas in the past I found myself wishing I was back at my home church, this time I was amazed by the Lord each Sunday on the ship. I have been leading a Bible study/discussion time each Sunday with whoever shows up and the focus of each of the times has been how we come

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-43816567294421768272008-05-17T07:14:00.002-04:002008-05-17T07:25:33.362-04:00

"The best of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God."Exodus 23:19I just finished reading what some would call the boring parts of Exodus where the specifics of the law were laid out. Some things that really stuck out to me were God's heart behind certain laws. The Sabbath is so beautiful and a precious gift from the Lord. A day to trust God. A day to

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-77661076036514156642008-05-15T18:14:00.002-04:002008-05-15T19:37:36.754-04:00

This is one of the most amazing true stories I have ever read! Corrie Ten Boom tells the story of her time spent in prison and concentration camps during World War II for helping in the anti-Nazi underground. She was arrested along with her sister Betsie and she tells of how they learned of the power of Christ's love in the midst of intense hatred and suffering. Christ's love shines from the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-30201805904644177742008-05-03T11:17:00.007-04:002008-05-03T14:45:02.670-04:00

Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." John 1:46This past week I was driving to visit my godfamily and minutes after I got off the exit to go to their house, the car in front of me slowed down suddenly to make a u-turn. I slammed on the brakes and tried to change lanes but it was all too late. The next thing I knew the man was

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-30762232477913370492008-05-01T23:13:00.006-04:002008-05-03T14:40:54.525-04:00

I'm down in Thomasville, Georgia sitting in the living room with my beloved godfamily! I had so much fun playing Wii golf with my fairy godmother Teal and my godsister Lucy. Aunt Teal is a pro and killed us both!! We had a wonderful dinner together on the back patio. Lucy marinated the steak wonderfully with her special recipe and Dr. Dan cooked it perfectly on the grill. Aunt Teal made

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-20461989783392851052008-04-24T01:44:00.004-04:002008-04-24T08:14:12.316-04:00

Well, I was cleaning out my room tonight for a move into a new place with my friends Ray and Dan. I found a folder from one my English classes at the Academy and spent a little time reading over some stuff. Most of it wasn't worth rereading but this particular one I had completely forgotten about. I guess I'll let it speak for itself. The piece is more straightforward and upfront because the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-25326666963318114282008-04-08T05:49:00.002-04:002008-04-08T05:54:19.764-04:00

My God when I approach your thoneAnd all your glory seeThis is my state and this aloneThat Jesus died for me.How can a soul condemned to dieEscape your just decree?A vile unworthy wretch am IBut Jesus died for me.Weighed down with sin's oppressive chainsOh, how can I get free?No peace can all my efforts gainBut Jesus died for me.One day I'll look upon your faceAnd this will be my pleaSave me by

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-89442229073710587902008-04-02T02:18:00.002-04:002008-06-19T10:41:09.880-04:00

"But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharoah and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?' He said, 'But I will be with you..." Exodus 3:11-12I feel like God would say the same to me. He places such great dreams and visions in our hearts sometimes. These are His dreams and His heart. For me it is on the everday stage where it seems to begin. As I spend time with Him and

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-79754845953184510012008-01-09T11:22:00.001-05:002008-01-10T15:02:49.327-05:00

I have had the Jars of Clay song, Worlds Apart, on my blog for a while now. I was listening to it this morning and wasn't really listening to words that closely until something in the words, take my world apart, struck my heart. All of the sudden I stopped and realized that this is what God was doing. This is why there has been the sharp and clinging pain of my heart being stretched every

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-40659512203894750622008-01-03T23:12:00.000-05:002008-01-04T12:12:38.284-05:00

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righeousness to everyone who believes.Romans 10:1-

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-61591274370215165942007-12-13T15:52:00.000-05:002007-12-13T15:57:06.487-05:00

This video makes me cry everytime I watch it. So beautiful...

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-39349774817786517162007-12-13T14:55:00.000-05:002007-12-17T22:45:07.581-05:00

"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-24073742032004673062007-12-02T07:43:00.000-05:002007-12-02T08:02:25.636-05:00

So goes the refrain of a song I have been listening to called "Arithmetic" by Brooke Fraser. It resonates so deeply with my heart's cry in the midst of all the things that are trying to distract me. I think the first thing that really drew in to the song was the verse that goes...I've been counting up all my wrongsone sorry for each starI'd apologize my way to Youif the heavens stretched that

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-63512795339262480822007-11-29T18:48:00.000-05:002007-11-29T19:07:01.919-05:00

I've been listening to Jon Foreman's song "Southbound Train" a lot lately and though it's hard to piece together what it all means I know that it has a lot to do with this deep longing to be home. And not just home, but home. Jon Foreman is realizing through everything he's describing in the song that all these rhythms are really leading him to heaven. They are all teaching him about home and

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-79215632124307022542007-11-26T17:42:00.001-05:002007-11-26T17:47:59.739-05:00

I'm sitting in Starbucks in Newport, Rhode Island and I've been surprised by the music that they play. Much of the Christmas music that they play is religious and just now the song, "In The Palm Of Your Hand' came on by Alison Krauss. I have loved the song for so many years and it was so beautiful to recognize it almost as soon as it started playing. I love the words so much.If I could have

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-68299796727415506182007-09-28T12:30:00.000-04:002007-09-28T14:31:40.612-04:00

Lately I have been looking forward to the coming autumn and winter. One reason is of course that I will finally be at home and surrounded by those I love the most. Besides that though, I love autumn and winter the most in themselves. The frigid cold weather always awakens a need to go where it is warm. It is warm inside your home with your friends and family. It is warm when you eat together

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-84493905866822216652007-09-19T18:30:00.000-04:002007-09-19T20:03:17.731-04:00

God, who has given them grace and a new heart, and a new nature, has deprived them of all excuse if they do not live for His praise. This is a point which is far too much forgotten. A man who professes to be a true Christian, while he sits still, content with a very low degree of sanctification (if indeed he has any at all), and coolly tells you he "can do nothing," is a very pitiable sight,

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-25302390347394151792007-09-10T05:17:00.000-04:002007-09-11T09:00:43.298-04:00

Justifying faith is a grace that "worketh not" but simply trusts, rests, and leans on Christ (Rom. 4:5). Sanctifying faith is a grace of which the very life is action: it "worketh by love," and, like a main-spring, moves the whole inward man (Gal. 5:6). J.C. RyleI changed my blog title a little while ago to better indicate a change of focus in my life and my journalings. What I love about the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-72139625856602714342007-09-02T16:48:00.000-04:002007-09-02T18:20:26.120-04:00

I am writing this post because I am not a man of one thing. I look inside my heart and realize that I am a man of many things. Jesus Christ, he was a man of one thing. I look inside my heart and find him there as well. Would that my heart would yield to him living his passionate and purposeful life in me. Yielding to him is my only hope and the following voices have been showing me how this

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-78407231141797634192007-08-17T11:22:00.000-04:002007-08-18T03:14:24.436-04:00

Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?Luke 6:46I have to say it has taken me this long to pick up the Bible and read one of the four Gospels and to sincerely treasure the words that Jesus speaks. Had I been tricked? Was I blinded my sin, namely pride? Or was I just lazy? I think it was a little or a lot of all these things. I would read and memorize verses and even

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-69160731724564887362007-08-15T14:47:00.000-04:002007-08-15T16:06:41.830-04:00

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-12165754081953801302007-07-20T17:31:00.000-04:002007-07-21T14:08:34.946-04:00

With melting heart and weeping eyes,My guilty soul for mercy cries;What shall I do, or whither flee,To rid the vengeance due of me?To rid the vengeance due of me?Till late I saw no danger nigh,I lived at ease nor feared to die;Wrapped up in self-conceit and pride,“I shall have peace at last,” I cried.“I shall have peace at last,” I cried.But when great God thy light divine,Had shone on this dark

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-91283366324808815162007-07-17T15:35:00.000-04:002007-07-18T02:37:23.997-04:00

The gospel is good news indeed,To sinners deep in debt;The man who has no works to plead,Will thankful be for it.To know that when he’s nought to pay,His debts are all discharged,Will make him blooming look as May,And set his soul at large.How gladly does the prisoner hear,What gospel has to tell!‘Tis perfect love that casts out fear,And brings him from his cell.The man that feels his guilt

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-2959928126271527192007-07-14T13:22:00.001-04:002007-07-17T00:08:30.768-04:00

These are my roommates in Virginia Beach and also two of my favorite people ever. It's crazy to look back on when I first met Wes at the first church event I went to. He was standing in line to get food and I went to get in line to and started talking to him and told him some random story about a rubix cube. I started hanging out with people from our church shortly after and before long was

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-16543001364075330972007-07-11T04:49:00.000-04:002007-07-13T15:42:50.590-04:00

"When is dad gonna be home?", I would ask in a bored voice. This was a question that filled much of my childhood. I know that in these days not every boy has a father who comes home every night and so I count myself blessed to have a father. And not only do I have a father, but I have a father who loves the Lord, who took us to church to hear the truth of the Gospel, and who did devotions with

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-8921282557875081892007-07-06T00:55:00.000-04:002007-07-13T15:43:39.254-04:00

A son's relationship with his mother is one of the most interesting there is. It's addressed directly in the Bible when Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." My relationship with my mother resembles that of any son who has no idea what he's doing with his life or how to prioritize his time and

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-25183867665927818442007-06-04T12:49:00.000-04:002007-06-04T18:00:03.741-04:00

Here is a fun picture I found of me and Jack from a couple years ago. Jack came to visit me at the Naval Academy my senior year and had lunch with me and my squad! He was excited to be back reliving his old days at the Academy eating in King Hall. Jack is fun and creative and always seems to keep our family times from falling into any kind of a lull. He claims not to enjoy playing games as a

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-92131275649832717472007-05-31T01:04:00.001-04:002007-05-31T06:46:04.467-04:00

I hope you don't mind a brief interlude to my family posts. :)And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-9859431950190223262007-05-30T10:06:00.000-04:002007-05-31T07:09:21.971-04:00

Here is my older brother Brendan. He is married and has two kids. He has a daughter, Rhianna, who is sitting in his lap here and also a son, Noah. When we were younger we used to fight so much. It is sad to look back on all the hateful thoughts that I thought towards him. To be honest, in those days, I often wondered whether we would ever be friends when we got older. Thankfully, by God's

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-82473298520313974882007-05-27T10:09:00.000-04:002007-05-28T05:05:32.052-04:00

I found this picture of my little brother Sam and couldn't resist using it because of who is standing next to him. She will be our special guest for this post. She is my grandmother on my dad's side, otherwise known as Granny Nanny Darling! She didn't want to be called Grandma so she made up her own nickname. I will come back to her but for now I need to talk about Sam. Sam is my little

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563501.post-18633458105249113732007-05-26T04:29:00.000-04:002007-05-26T13:50:55.099-04:00

So I start my writings about my family with my youngest sister Laura. As you can see from the picture, she loves being an aunt and taking care of her niece and nephew. I am very interested to see how she turns out as she passes through high school and college. She seems very eager to grow up and have freedom, which is much how I was at her age. She is very independent, doesn't mind spending

patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08429756237355094185noreply@blogger.com0