perhaps the best i've ever written...

i thought i'd post this just for kicks. i had an assignment in political philosophy (one of the best classes i have ever taken) to write a paper using 5 words to describe humanity, using bible verses to back up my claims. this, by far, is one of the most exciting assignments i've ever been given. being a bit of an amateur philosopher, it was right up my alley. i'm (unfortunately) rather proud of this paper, which means it'll probably be ripped to shreds and given a sub-par grade. but, nevertheless, i did enjoy this. anyway, here's what i wrote:

"As I began researching words I might use to describe humanity, I found it difficult to limit my description to five adjectives. The complexity of human nature is overwhelming, but I think can best be examined by dividing our general traits into positive and negative categories. I’ll begin with the negative aspects (our fall from grace, deceitfulness, and fear), which I found to be more obvious than the positive, and conclude with the more inspirational elements of humanity (our capability for courage and compassion).
First, we are fallen. The Bible is abundantly clear on this fact. The first chapters of Genesis chronicle the creation and descent of Adam and Eve into sin. Genesis 2:17 contains the first warning to us, “…but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." This speaks not only of a physical death, but also of the separation of God and mankind. Isaiah 3:8 and Amos 5:2 describe Israel’s fall from God’s favor through their continual rebelliousness and indifference toward His commands. Galatians 5:4 speaks of our separation from God because of our inability to fulfill the requirements of the law. God requires perfection, and we simply cannot attain it in our own efforts.
Second, we are deceitful. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Our very core, our heart, is consumed with lies. The psalmist knew the hopelessness of our situation when he wrote, “What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?” But why are we so encumbered by deceit? I believe the next trait I will describe effectively answers this question.
There are many verses in the Bible that warn us against fear. Why is there such a dedication to this one subject? Essentially, as a result of our knowledge of right and wrong and the awareness of our sin, we have become fearful of the discovery of our warped nature. Adam’s first action after the fall was to hide from God. “He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself,’” Genesis 3:10. Of course, his concealment was redundant, because no one can hide from God.
Though the negative aspects of humanity are painfully obvious, we do have our redeeming qualities. Or, rather, we have the capacity to aspire to goodness because of our redemption. The first positive quality of humanity I found is courage. Five times in the book of Joshua (1:6-7, 1:9, 1:18, 10:25) God commands Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.” Obviously, God would not demand something from us if He were not inclined to make us capable of achieving it. However, without the strength God provides we would cower in fear conceivably forever, because it is our nature to be fearful.
The second positive quality I found is compassion. Though compassion is most often used to describe God, as beings created in His image (Genesis 1:27), we too are called to demonstrate compassion. Colossians 3:12 says, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…”
In conclusion, though human nature is multifaceted and often rather ugly, we can aspire to something more than the mess we have become if we allow God to work in us and change our hearts."

"could it be i'm falling in love?"

i can honestly say at this particular moment i am the happiest i have ever been in my entire life. i've got a peaceful feeling of contentment... this is where i'm supposed to be. this is what i'm supposed to do. and i get to be and do and learn in one of the most beautiful places i've ever been. oh, college... i'm in love with you. when can you meet the folks?

reduced to a series of piles and boxes...

i started packing on thursday...







my room feels naked. scandalous.

ordinary photos of ordinary things

hope you enjoy :)

and so is your face

Life is funny. It turns out so different than expected. Thank goodness, too, because I've got really low expectations. Really, really low. I didn't expect to run into anyone in high school that I could consider a good friend, much less my best friend. I didn't expect that that relationship would lead to others that have made my life so rich and blessed. I really didn't expect to be loved by anyone at all. And yet, through the good times, the bad, and even the gruesomely ugly, my two best, most wonderful friends have been there for me. They've rolled their eyes a lot (yeah, that's right, don't think i didn't see you), but despite everything I know they love me. And I love them more than I can say. It's been complicated, to say the least, but part of the incredible nature of these things is that you grow because of your failures. Every overreaction, inattention, and careless word has an incredulous way of making you realize how blessed you are to have anyone who will stand by your side through it all. And I've got two. Wow. You guys know who you are. I just want to say I love you both, and I'm going to miss you so much. If I could take you both with me, I would. We'd find some way to hide you in the dorm, and I'd smuggle food to you, and then we'd mess with the campus security guards and throw popcorn and leaves at the couples who don't know how to leave room for Jesus (hehehe). Guys, seriously, why are you not coming with me? We'd be so awesome... I guess we'll have to save it all for Christmas break. Don't forget me, because if you do I will come and find you in the middle of the night and scare you with a hockey mask. Oh yeah, that's right. You heard me.

No, but really, you guys have to visit. I'll even buy you smoothies. How can you turn down a deal like that?