does anybody have an answer?

yeah probably not.

i bulletined this on myspace because i was frustrated and just wanted to get it out. haha whenever i try to be deep, it never seems to work. but the one time i dont i have multiple people complimenting me on how deep it is.

hilarious. there area good amount of christians on this blog. so i guess im trying to connect to my fellow confused christians.

i dont know

should i discipline myself rigidly?
or do what i feel?
revere the bible?
or read it for help?
evangelize down their throats?
be chill and friendly?
be right and wield true truth?
or be tolerant and accepting?
sell it all away?
or enjoy life to the fullest?
dry without sex?
or indulge and indulge?

i guess its
right
or left

i mean the right seems.. more well right
the left seems more loving thought
“but they are in sin and unpure!”
“but they have lost the heart of god!”

i dunno.
im rebellious against the self-righteous right
i do not like the looseness of the left

and i hate how they both think they got it down: no one is ever correct. no that is not a paradox. that piece of correctness is from god. i know that nobody is correct.

it is the whole problem of the whole story of human kind. we aren’t correct.

it seems that i dont care very much what they say. im not partial, i side occasionally.
but it seems they’re both trying to copy jesus. but they suck at it in different ways.

people like to faction. there is acceptance within each faction of each other. togetherness.
it seems bad to have factions but maybe its good.
iron sharpens iron right? well theres gotta be some friction.

heck i even wonder if there is a universal church sometimes. i mean it makes sense that there is but its not all that biblical…

i dunno its just so confusing.

i guess we should just try and be like jesus.

but thats hard. even that is confusing.
will we ever be right?

Losing a Grasp.

Sometimes, people lose a grasp on life, are unable to cope with it, and slip away into insanity. What is that breaking point though? Who decides when someone has ‘lost it’? Technically, insanity is defined as ‘a derangment of the mind.” But derangement is defined as “insanity.”

Confused? Me too.

So who really decides that you are crazy? I guess the people around you, who think you aren’t handling something well. But our culture today promotes the individualistic way of thinking. America wants everyone to think using their own processes and come to their own conclusions. But I guess not, because if your not handling life well, based on the thoughts of others you are considered insane.

I’m reading a book right now, its called The Fountainhead. Basically it is about two characters. One Howard Roark, doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He knows what he wants and he does it, without even trying to persuade those who protest him that his meathod of thinking is correct. He doesn’t care to spend the time becaues when it comes down to it, he just doesn’t care if they think he is right or wrong. The only thing that matters to him is building, because he is an architect. Howard just pursues what he loves, and does what he wants. The other character of the book is Peter Keating. He is also an architect, and extremely talented. His passion is building, but he cares deeply about what others think. Instead of pursuing his dreams of the building he wants to make, he conforms to the people and does what they want him to do, creating the styles they push onto him.

Everyone thinks Howard is insane. People believe Peter to be completely sane.

America wants you to think that its okay to be Howard, pursue your dreams do what you want. But look at this culture! The one who stands out is the one who is insane. The one who does what he wants to. The one who doesn’t care what others think. Isn’t that what every Disney movie tells us? Be who you want to be! Sounds nice, but when you put it into practice, people will just think your insane. You’ll probably end up visiting me in the institution. Maybe we’ll be in rooms next door to one another…

Really. I think that Peter is the insane one. He took all his talent, all his passion, and squeezed it out of himself in order to be what everyone wanted from him. If thats not insanity, I don’t know what is.

 

And I forgot how to link this to another blog…

so here you go… http://chroniquesouslithium.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/abcs-of-bpd/

Fulbright.

The Fulbright program, initially started by Senator J. William Fulbright, is one of the most prestigious programs world wide. More Fulbright alumni have won Nobel prizes than any other program.

Twas started after WW2 with this vague purpose:

“The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”

-J. William Fulbright

Basically, the program exchanges people and talent with other countries to encourage mutual appreciation and understanding between culturally polar nations. I found out these things by commenting on the blog of a Fulbright teacher in Bulgaria. For one year she teaches English, then returns home to the East Coast of the US. I found out that she was also an AmeriCorps volunteer with homeless in Washington D.C.

I simply want to blog about the idea of teaching abroad. Bringing the American culture to other nations. At first, such an idea seems very bad. Why would i want to encourage the American culture to becoming international. Now, i realize that America – though sometimes terrible – is a great place. It is a nation like any other but it has many facets that i realize are absent from the rest of the world. What most American share is our possession of fun, friends, family, food, freeways, flab haha, and so much more. Its easy to complain that the US is going down the tubes, but so many American adhere to the Bible and civil code that it really is the greatest nation on earth. True, we are the most complacent as well; but the American Dream is something everyone can dream. First, the must be introduced and taught English though.

I for one, would love to be a part of that cause. The utmost cause that i serve is to share the Gospel of Christ; yet, the American Gospel of Wealth may help me further that Cause.

Just an idea.

Love,

Me.

World War 3?

Iran has made it clear that any attack from the U.S. or Israel on its nuclear facilities will result in an all out retaliation.

Benjamin Netanyahu issued a bold statement: if Obama does not stop Iran’s nuclear program, Israel most certainly will. The assertion seems to confirm Netanyahu’s own hawkishness, as well as the fears of US Middle East policymakers who support a more delicate approach to the region.

“Any aggression against Iran will start a world war,” deputy chief of staff for defense publicity, Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, said in a statement carried by the state news agency IRNA.

The world will just have to see what happens. There are many different scenarios that could occur. An attack on Iran would probably start a large war. Is it likely that America or Israel will attack Iran, some experts say yes. Could Armageddon be on the horizon only time will tell. America not only has Iran to deal with, but also North Korea that may launch a satalite within the next week or so. I just want to remind everyone there is a war coming that will kill 1/3 of mankind or about 2.3 billion people.  Revelation 9:15

Response to : http://kanan48.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/netanyahu-israel-may-attack-iran-soon/

North Korea Prepares to Launch a Long-Range Missile

The North Korean government recently announced their plans to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile between April 4 and April 8. They have claimed that its purpose is to send a satellite into space. This has caused great international tension as it would be a direct violation of a U.N. ban that prohibits North Korea from ballistic activity. The only country that has threatened any action against the launch to date is Japan. Their government has given orders to their military to shoot down the missile if North Korea follows through with the launch. Other countries greatly opposed to the launch are the United States and South Korea who have both bolstered their forces in the area but have said that they would not take direct action. One thing is for sure, on April 4-8, the world will be watching to see the outcome of this situation.

Additional information can be found here

Should Notre Dame allow Obama to give their commencement adress?

Last Friday, Notre Dame ignited a controversy when they announced that President Obama had agreed to be the commencement speaker at Notre Dame and to receive an honorary law degree.  The Controversy stems from the fact that Obama is probably the single most famous abortion advocate in the world today, while Notre Dame, a staunchly Catholic university, is perceived as being committed the Biblical platform of the sanctity of life.  Many people are outraged by Obama’s pro-abortion policies, such as state-sponsored advocacy of abortion in foreign countries, funding of embryonic stem-cell research, and his desire to repeal a conscious-protection law for health-care workers who don’t want to be forced into performing abortions.  To these people Notre Dame’s honoring of Obama in this way is analogous to acceptance of his abortion policies.  Although, the university has affirmed its traditional pro-life policy, and claimed that it does not support Obama’s view on the subject, many critics continue to be outraged.

Obviously, having someone speak at your university does not signify complete moral acceptance of that person (if they had Rush Limbaugh speak at Notre Dame, would they be advocating substance abuse?).  However, given Obama’s unquestionable reputation as an enemy of the most vulnerable members of human society, it seems that a university that claims to support the unborn child’s right to life should, to the best of its abilities, avoid affiliation with him.  Even if you supported most of what Stalin did, you would never invite him to speak at your university, because to do so would be to overlook the massive genocide that he committed.  I’m not calling Obama communist.  I honestly believe that he is convinced that what he is doing is right.  Nevertheless, the fact remains that he flagrantly supports the massacre of millions of unborn human beings, and any institution that claims to uphold Biblical morals should refrain from giving him honor until he attempts to reverse these policies which have become a death sentence for countless human beings created in God’s image.

For further reading on this topic see

FATHER JONATHAN MORRIS: Controversy at Notre Dame — Should Obama Be Honored?

Bicycling Career

http://dale5io.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/lance-armstrong-breaks-his-collarbone

On Monday, March 23, 2009, Lance Armstrong had a bicycling accident which resulted in a broken collarbone, while riding in the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race in Spain. After being able to get 7 straight wins in the Tour de France, Armstrong was able to come back after 3 and a half years to get back to what he liked doing. What occured in Spain what unexpected and a great shock. It must have been hard for Armstrong to be able to leave his bicycling career in 2005 and then get back up in 2009 to continue again and then having this happen to him. Armstrong has done a good job in being able to look past his injury and wanting to continuing in his bicycling.

Obamanation

Obama is Systematically Destroying America

In this blog I read, it talked about how Americans are blind to Obama and how he is destroying America.

It’s true. Americans are blinded by his “good deeds” and his nonsense about how he is going to “change” things. When really, he’s setting up our country for failure. “50% of their life savings and 30% of their home values have already evaporated into thin air. National unemployment is driving towards double digits as home foreclosures continue to mound.” (Blog) People have allowed themselves to believe whatever Obama says, the media, and the journalists who put Obama in the lime light. They have entered into a state of total dependence on the government and whatever the government says or does because of this one man. When Bush was President, all the media and news journalists did was scrutinize his every move, making him seem like a “secretive” president, and that he was not helping our country. It is baffling to see how people can look the other way and just allow Obama to seem like a king on a high pedestal. That he is our “savior from our failing economy” the one who will end all this and “change America.” No one seems to notice Obama’s ridiculous and demeaning comments about the Special Olympics. Or even the fact that in the first sixty days of his presidency he increased the national debt from $3 trillion to $4 trillion.

Yes, I believe that Obama truly does want to better our Country. But he is not fit to run our country. I want to better our country, my family wants to better our country, anyone who is an average Patriotic American wants to better our country. But are we fit to run an administration that will make decisions that will carry out to actually change our country? No. But, those who are in Politics and who have the experience and qualifications to run a Presidential Administration are fit to run our nation. Obama has shown no experience except less than one term as a senator. That is overwhelmingly devastating. We elected a president who has good speaking capabilities and a way with words to persuade the American public, without realizing he was completely unqualified. We need to realize the destruction that could come out of this presidential term, and that even though he may want to better our country, he’s not proving to make the changes to do so. He is surrounding himself with the wrong decision-makers which makes it even worse for our country. We need to get out of this economic crisis with a president who is capable of leading our country.

Decisions…Decisions

Parents have a lot to do with our decision as students about what college we go to. But why is this so? Aren’t we the ones who should learn to make decisions on our own at this time in our lives? And aren’t we the ones going to the college not them? Parents can give us insightful help to make the best decision for us, since they know us so well and have gone through the same situation. They know what is best for us, and want us to make the decision that will help us in the long run to grow and start our lives as adults. They are involved out of love and want to be a part of this big decision that will affect the rest of our lives. They can also make the college decision-making hard. Some times they will have a bias to the college they like the best even if its not the one we really like. So which one should we listen to? Our parent’s wisdom and previous experience, or our own desires? I choose to listen to God and his will and plan for my life. I will honor Him by listening to my parents’ wisdom that he gave them and take into consideration my own desires as well. Another place that talks about this topic is http://throughcollege.com/blog/the-role-of-parents-in-students%e2%80%99-…

Give Me Your Eyes

Lyrics to Give Me Your Eyes :
Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath

There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, He’s buying time

I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

The song Give Me Your Eyes, written and sung by Brandon Heath talks about the brokenness of this world that we live in. Everyday we have the same regimen…get up, get ready go to school/work, come home, and sleep. Yeah its simple, and yeah everyone does it, but this song talks about stepping out of that regimen, stepping out of your comfort zone and doing stuff for other people. Helping people in the simplest way does go a long way. Helping someone who dropped their pencil or books makes them realize that you actually have time for someone else rather than yourself. As people of this world, and as sinners, we are very selfish. All we do is look for more stuff that we can have, the next new phone, the next new computer, the next new car etc. All we do is want, want, want. But what about the people who NEED?  The people who can’t afford to pay their next electricity bill. The people who don’t even have electricity. The people who NEED GOD! What about them? All we do is watch and see what is happening around the world but hardly do we ever do anything.

We need to help those in need and help those who have nothing. Instead of worrying about how other people treat us, but instead worry about treating people with Christ like actions and words. Many times we complain about what our friends have and how we don’t have it, but if you think about it, who cares?  Everything of this world will pass away as we know it. The things that we store up on earth will have no use in Heaven. We don’t need anything, but God. There are a lot of lost souls out there, including those around us daily. By treating them nicely and appreciating them in the slightest way, does go a long way. We ALL need to step out of our comfort zone and into the life that God wants us to live. He wants us to live a life holy and acceptable and pleasing to Him. We are on this earth for a purpose and part of our purpose is to live everyday for the glory of God and for his name. We perform these things because, through our actions, people see Jesus, people see the love of Him, the love that should be shown daily, but isn’t. We need to step out of our sinful body and into the body of Christ, into His life. We need to follow in Christ’s footsteps by loving humanity, the broken hearted, and those forgotten.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” 

1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. “

2 Timothy 1:8-9 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…”

Ephesians 2:1-6 ” But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

I pray that all of us show our lives as ones that are all for the glory of God and not for the glory of ourselves. Amen.

LIVE & DIE JESUS CHRIST

The Regret of Winning 100-0

In January, a private Christian school in Dallas (Covenant), defeated Dallas Academy 100-0 in a high school girl’s basketball game; Covenant was up 59-0 at halftime. Now the officials are trying to do the right thing by seeking a forfeit, apoligizing for the unfair victory. There was a statement on the Covenant School’s web site when the head of school said, “It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened.” He went on to say that Covenant has made “a formal request to forfeit the game recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss.” Renee Peloza, whose daughter plays for Dallas Academy said, “I think the bad judgment was in the full-court press and the 3-point shots; at some point, they should have backed off.” The Dallas Academy coach Jeremy Civello told The Dallas Morning News that the game turned into a “layup drill,” with the opposing team’s guards waiting to steal the ball and drive to the basket. They finally “eased up” when they hit 100 points with only four minutes left in the game. Dallas Academy had only eight girls on the girl’s varsity team, and had only twenty girls to pick from in the entire school. On the Covenant website it said that the game “does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition.” The coach of Coventant was fired the same day he sent an e-mail to a newspaper saying he will not apologize “for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity.” There are many different views on this situation, and I don’t agree with the end score of the game.

There was no need for the team from Covenant to continue to score, knowing that they were obviously already in the position of victory due to the score of the game at halftime. Especially considering the fact that the winning team continued to shoot and score 3-pointers AND full court press (which was obviously unnecessary.) Their method of competition did not show a Christ-like attitude in my opinion, because they were clearly a better team and had nothing else to prove. The losing team kept trying their hardest, even though it was probably embarassing and not fun to lose by that many points. The coach should have atleast apoligized to the other team, since he made the wrong decision in the first place of not backing down. Coming from basketball player who has experience in losing games, I do not think the end score of the game was fair.

Why blog?

As I was thinking about what to write for my blog, I got to wondering, why do people blog? Therefore I began to look into other people’s blogs to see why they blogged. I found this one blog that explained a precise reason why most people blogged. They said, “sometimes you want to say something, but you don’t know who to say it to.” Many times there are so many things running through our head in one day that we just need to let it out. Blogs are there as an outlet to think out loud, to question ideas, to hear other opinions, etc. I was also talking to my friend, saying that blogs are almost like online diaries, where you express your feelings; but what I also realized was that blogs are more than diaries but a place to express thoughts, a place to formulate ideas and opinions on topics ranging from shoes (or topics of unimportance) to topics like world peace (or topics of greater importance).

What will advancement bring?

Princess Mononoke is a Studio Ghibli film by Hayao Miyazaki. This film is wrapped in the idea of many gods here and there, whether it is the forest gods or the great animal gods. This film shows the audience many ideas like the way the culture of ancient times would probably have worked or dress and what they might have believed and worshiped. One specific theme that stood out to me was how the environment reacted to the construction and advancement of the men. As men started taking over the land of the wild animals, they bring destruction among the natural environment and also a ton of pollution. This film reminded me about how it closely related to the current world. Because population keeps growing and there is not enough space in small cities or even large cities, the men start expanding the cities and start destroying the mountains and nature that surrounds us. What will happen when there is still not enough room for the many citizens around the world. The only answer is to keep on getting rid of the precious nature around us until they are satisfied with what they have and then continue building and building. The world is going to end up getting polluted big time, more than it is already. Can you imagine what the cities are going to look like once advancement continues to take over? Everything is probably going to look a little more grey and neutral with additional concrete and sidewalks and grey posts and signals and grey buildings and grey sky from massive pollution. There are probably going to be more grey cars too since that is once common color that is seen in cars. Where has all the green nature gone? Can you imagine how much your city is going to change from the advanced technology that man is coming up with?

Clean Up Our Beaches!

Trash on Our Beaches

A certain quote pops into my head when it comes to cleaning up our beaches; “Now is the time.” This statement has been proclaimed by those such as Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr., and Marie Curie. Now is the time to act, not tomorrow, not next week, now. You are probably thinking, well how am I going to help clean up the beaches? The answer is that even the smallest things can make a big difference. Malcolm Gladwell wrote The Tipping Point, a whole book based on the fact that little things can make a big difference. It’s no doubt that our actions influence others, so why not put this into good use? When others see that you are doing something to improve the environment and to improve the quality of life, they might just want to get involved. You may not think you have any influence over the people of your community, but the smallest details can catch someone’s eye. An easy way to start improving the environment is by recycling. Believe it or not, trash can easily find it’s way over to your favorite beach. Our trash is entering the environment and poisioning the marine life and the ocean environment. When we bring the plastics in our daily diet/lives into recycling centers, we are helping the envorinment by not allowing that trash to make its way over to the beaches to harm other living things. Helping the beaches could be as simple as picking up the trash that is around you (at the beach or in your community), or by talking a long walk on the beach with a trash bag and picking up what others left behind. Either way, the point is that you don’t have to be famous to start a movement, you don’t need tons of money, you don’t have to found an organization to help the environment, you just have to do your part and do what you can.

Obama Brings Nationalized Economy to Nest

Earlier today, our socialist president ousted GM CEO Rick Wagoner. President Obama decided that capitalist policies just don’t work, so he’s taking the economy into his own hands. CEO Wagoner was replaced by Fritz Henderson, GM’s vice chairman and COO.

Despite GM’s support of their CEO, and the moves he’s made to fix the problem with the company (closing down Oldsmobile, laying off workers) Obama thinks he can make better decisions, and that he should be the one running the show, because OBVIOUSLY America is to dumb to do it itself and there’s no hope.

So out goes good ol’ capitalism, the system that made America into the world’s mightiest super power, and in comes socialism. The economic plan followed by the USSR, Nazi Germany (yes it was fascist, and yes, it was socialist. nationalized economy) Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and other failed governments.

Capitalism has worked so far, despite its’ ups and downs, it has always worked out for the better.

Mr. President, if the system ‘aint broke, DON’T FIX IT!!!!!

It’s the PEOPLE that are broken. Stupid greedy people take out loans to large to pay back, hoping they can make a quick profit, or people are oblivious to bad loans, or people are conned into it by loaners looking for the up front fee. There’s a serious problem with the American economic system, and it’s that people have killed this thing I like to call common sense.

Socialism is going to just empower people to be stupid about how they manage money because the government is going to just bail them out. for a time. the only problem is, is that eventually, they’re going to run out of the other peoples money. and people do not sincerely believe that everyone deserves some of what they worked hard for. the guy working at 7-11 who is making the same as the guy in NASA is going to be a lot happier about his situation then the guy who is working HARD at a job requiring skill. Eventually, one, or both of them, are going to start slacking once they figure out that they will still have money. Until it’s all gone. Brilliant.

Capitalism failed because the poor figured out that our democratic system allows them to vote the riches money into their pockets. the nerve of those slackers. work hard! that’s how it’s always work, and thats how it shouldv’e stayed.

Start educating the people on economy, don’t drag us down to the cesspool called socialism.

 

http://porcupinerim.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/obama-fires-gm-ceo/ <–I read this first. yeah. that’s all.

“You Are Loved” ~Rebecca St. James

“We were younger then, you and me. Full of dreams, weren’t we?

I went my way, you went yours. Where did you go, dear?

Someone said you had left the life we lived together then.

This is my way of reaching out, ’cause I remember.

This is what I want to say to you if I had one chance to speak to your heart:

You are loved more than you could ever know.

This is what I want to say to you if I had one chance to tell you something:

You are loved more than you can imagine. Imagine…

If I told you, would you believe the narrow road I did not leave?

If I told you, would you understand that I have found truth?

Are you jaded? Are you hurting now? How I wish that I could tell where your heart’s at.

Can you see? Mine has found….HOME.

Not sure if I’ve made it clear enough. It’s not my love I sing about.

Everybody asks, “Is God good?”

I believe He is. In fact I know… He is. “

This song “You Are Loved” is sung by Rebecca St. James. This song argues about how empty we are when we do not have the true love which is God himself through our Lord Jesus Christ. No other love can fill our hearts but the Lord’s no matter how much we pursue “love” (wordly). We have to realize that God’s love is available and reachable. He is always there for us and is always loving us no matter what.

All-American Girl

This is a song by Carrie Underwood with the lyrics being about the expectations of having kids. It starts off by talking about a couple, and how the husband wanted a baby boy ever since the day they got married. He had dreams about taking him fishing and throwing the football around, being his pride and joy. He already imagined him “holding trophies and taking his team to state, but when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket, all those big dreams changed.” It says how “now she is wrapped around his finger, and she’s the center of his whole world, and his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderul, perfect, all-american girl.” The song goes on describing the little girl growing up and the changes in her life that her parents have to adjust to. She begins falling for the “senior football star.” Soon enough he was “dropping passes and skipping practice just to spend more time with her.” The coach would ask what his problem was, and his dad said he needed to tell the girl goodbye or else he would lose his free ride to college. “But now she’s wrapped around his finger and she’s the center of his whole world, and his heart belongs to that sweet little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect, all-american girl.” When they got married, they decided to have one of their own. She asked what he wanted, and he said sweet, little, beautiful, one just like you! “Now he’s wrapped around her finger and she’s the center of his whole world, and his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect, all-american girl.”

This song shows the changes parents and kids have to go through while growing up. It shows the reality of having a family and then moving on and making one of your own. It also shows how important your kids are to you no matter if they come out as a boy or a girl. Your whole life changes once you have a baby, and you look at life from a different perspective. You will never know what it feels like to love your own child, until you actually have one of your own. Looking at this song from a Christain point of view, I can take from it that God is soveriegn and may have a different plan for me, than I have for myself. He loves his children more than any parent loves their kids no matter what happens; He is not suprised by anything .

Surfing Autographs “Where do you get them?”

http://actionsportsautographs.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/surfing-autographs-were-do-you-get-them/

This blog is very true. It is extremely hard to get Kelly Slater’s autograph. He is the best surfer in the world and he just does not sign very many autographs. You may think this is funny, but it is actually a very serious issue. There may be many people in the world that want Kelly Slater’s autograph and just can’t get it. I happen to be one of these people who want a Kelly Slater autograph and cannot obtain one. This blog helped me find some hope within myself to one day get an autograph from Kelly Slater. It said, “The best way and the cheapest way is to go to surfing events where they might have autograph signings.” I will continue searching far and wide, and hoping that one day I will be able to feel the joy of having a Kelly Slater autograph.

Meant to Live

Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that hes meant for more than arguments
And failed attempts to fly, fly

We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside

Dreaming about providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we’ve been livin with our eyes half open
Maybe we’re bent and broken, broken

We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside

We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life

We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live

This song by Switchfoot is arguing for the idea that humans have much for to live for than just fun and games. This song argues that humans were not just made for no reason but that we have a higher purpose to live for, not just ourselves. Behind the lyrics lies the idea that we must live for God because his made us to give him glory and he is our first love. But as humans we are sinful and end up chasing after the wrong things in life.

The Green Bible

In a blog about the new Green Bible , the author argues that a Bible made of all eco-friendly materials with over 1,000 verses highlighted in green pointing out areas in which God has called us to take care of the earth, is basically ridiculous and isn’t that important but what is important is witnessing to all the lost souls. She notes that Jesus never said the greatest commandment was to not neglect the earth, but that Mark 12:29-31 says, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Of the ten commandements, we do not see a command given to us about protecting the earth.

But Genesis 1:26 says,”Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God gave us this beautiful earth, but because of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden, man has fallen into darkness. As believers, there is something even more beautiful awaiting us that we can’t even begin to comprehend. God freely gave us this earth out of His own will. He didn’t have to. But He did. So why waste it? Why trash it up and put it to ruin? I’m all for this “Go Green!” thing and I think that a Bible made of eco-friendly materials is awesome.

However, I don’t see why it is necessary. I feel as if those who came up with the idea for this Bible are saying,”The origional Bible isn’t good enough.” I think that GOD’S HOLY WORD is good enough. It doesn’t need to be in some fancy leather protected cover or binding, it doesn’t need to highlight the areas in which the earth is mentioned. We read the Word of God to learn more about Him and grow closer in our relationship with Him. We are indeed called to love others, to make disciples and preach the Word of God and we are called to take care of the environment.

I see it as another command given to us by God. Do not steal for instance. I’ve never met anyone who wants to buy a Bible to help them and focus on not stealing. If you accept that you are sinful, and believe that Jesus lived a perfect life and died as a sacrifice on a cross for us who are imperfect and mess-up daily, conquered the grave and rose 3 days later, seek forgiveness and know that we have God’s grace, then live a life that is glorifying and honoring to Him, not just doing good things, but sacrificing yourself because you so desperately love Jesus and what He did for you, so that others may know Him too, then you will want to buy the Bible to grow and to teach others. Someone may have a problem with stealing, but they should not focus on only the parts of the Bible that talk about stealing. They should focus on the sinfulness of stealing and the consequences, and focus on trusting God and turning from that sin.

But society today would say that if a Bible made of eco-friendly materials will convince others to become a christian, then we have to reach out to others in a way that gets their attention. I’m not sure if thats how it works but I am not saying the woman who wrote that blog is wrong. I respect her for her boldness and her strong argument. But its not just about “those lost souls”.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

The movie, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, is based off the book written by John Boyne. It’s about a boy named Bruno growing up in Berlin in the 1940’s. Bruno returns from school one day to find out that his father, who is a Nazi Officer, has been promoted. His job requires that the family must move outside of Berlin to the countryside. After the family had moved into their new, isolated home, Bruno looked out his bedroom window and saw what he thought was a farm(which we know, is an extermination camp). He saw that the farm had many people on it wearing matching striped pajamas. Bruno was excited that there were “farmers” nearby that might have other children his age for him to play with. When Bruno told his mother of the farm, she forbid him from exploring behind the house and to not go near it or be concerned with it. Bruno befriends their kitchen servant, Pavel, who is from the camp. The friendship with Pavel that Bruno had, eventually made him more curious of the farm. One day he snuck out his back garden to the camp. As he approached it, he saw a fence, keeping him from coming in(or out), and a small boy named Shmuel, about his age, sitting by himself near the fence. Bruno introduced himself and instantly the boys became friends. Bruno visited daily, brining food and games for the little boy. They shared stories of their families and their fathers jobs. Bruno’s tutor taught him that all Jews were evil, but it only made his bond with Shmuel stronger. One day Bruno’s mother tells him that it is no longer safe for them to be there and that the children must move in with their grandparents. But Shmuel had told him that his father was missing and wanted Bruno’s help. The next day, Bruno runs away to the camp where he finds Shmuel and digs a hole under the fence to go help Shmuel find his father. He gives Bruno “pajamas” so that he will fit in. But the boys were pushed into a room with other men, where the Nazi’s told them it was “only a shower”. Bruno’s mother and father are desperately rushing around looking for him and run to the camp and find the hole. The begin to worry. His father runs to where the “shower” was, but it was too late. The movie ends with a Nazi pouring in the acid powder and the water going. You can probably guess that the boys die together, friends that were suppossed to be enemies. As the movie ended, no one in the theater moved. It was dead silent for almost 10 minutes. There was a sense of sadness, shock, and sympathy in the room. I think it was a good movie, mostly because this is an area of history I love studying. However, I would not recommend seeing this movie on a date…

Decode by Paramore

How can I decide what’s right
When you’re clouding up my mind?
I can’t win your losing fight
All the time.

Not gonna ever own what’s mine
When you’re always taking sides
But you won’t take away my pride.
No, not this time…
Not this time…

How did we get here?
When I used to know you so well.
But how did we get here?
Well, I think I know.

The truth is hiding in your eyes
And it’s hanging on your tongue.
Just boiling in my blood.
But you think that I can’t see
What kind of man that you are,
If you’re a man at all.
Well, I will figure this one out
On my own.
(I’m screaming, “I love you so.”)
On my own.
(My thoughts you can’t decode)

How did we get here?
When I used to know you so well, yeah.
But how did we get here?
Well, I think I know.

Do you see what we’ve done?
We’ve gone and made such fools
Of ourselves.
Do you see what we’ve done?
We’ve gone and made such fools
Of ourselves.

Yeah. Yeah.

How did we get here?
When I used to know you so well, yeah, yeah.
How did we get here?
When I used to know you so well.
I think I know.
I think I know.

There is something I see in you.
It might kill me.
I want it to be true.

Decode was written by Paramore’s lead singer, Hayley Williams, for the movie Twilight after finding out that the highly successful book was becoming a movie. She is such a huge fan that she asked if she could write music for the movie and came up with this awesome song! After reading the lyrics and listening to the song(it’s one of my current favorites), I have found that the song resembles what the book is all about. Those who have read Twilight know that the suspense of the story comes from Bella’s eagerness to find out what Edward Cullen is. The song also points this out. Edward is all Bella can seem to think about, knowing that he’s a vampire and that loving him could possibly hurt her. They both know how foolish they are, but see such beauty and love in one another that they can no longer stay away from each other. (There is something I see in you. It might kill me. I want it to be true.) Obviously the song was written for the movie based off a book, so it’s going to sound a lot like the book. And it does.

Obama’s New Plan for Pakistan

http://pakistanrevolution.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/barack-obama-offers-new-strategy-to-tame-pakistan/

In the link above it will take you to another blog all about Obama’s plans.  But, here is my opinion on this blog.  First of all, we get news that now Mr. Obama wants to send $1.5 billion a year for 5 years to Pakistan in order to boost them up.  Now, my question is, where are we getting that money.  We are in the middle of an economic crisis and now because you want good relations  with them you are going to send money over that we need.  The United States is in one of the biggest economic recessions probably since the Great Depression, and now you want to dig a deeper hole for us.  Next, he is considering sending troops over to Pakistan to secure them from terrorism and also to train Pakistani soldiers so that they can learn how to defend themselves.  Now you are no longer keeping your promises, because one of the main things you said was that you would start pulling troops out of the war.  Okay I agree that you did say Iraq, but come on we are still having soldiers go over to fight a war that really isn’t ours.  The devastation that this news brings to families over soldiers is overwhelming, because they hold on to the hope that one day their sons and/or daughters will one day come home.  He also has a plan to send 4,000 new troops to Afghanistan on top of the already 17,000 there.  It’s just crazy how much we are trying to do.  What is the advantage of helping them out?

I LOVE COLLEGE

The argument that is trying to be made in this song is that college is so much fun because its all about drinking, partying, and sex. But the thing is is that most of the people who are like this in college dont do very good acedemically or even end up droping out. College can be fun to an extent, but in a way that is glorifying to God. This is one of the most important steps in our lives and to ruin it all to alcohol and sex is absolutely ridiculous. Another thing the song portrays is how easy it is for guys to get a girl drunk and have sex with them. This is really sad to think about because there really are girls who are like this, alot actually and its sad to think how you can have so little self respect for yourself. I think that this song makes people look forward to college in a negative way and if people believe that this is the only way to have fun then more and more people are going to do it which is not good. It takes the focous off of the school part and completely focouses on drugs, sex and alcohol.

I’m nice right now, man
I-I feel good
If you have a drink
Would you please put it in the air?

That party last night was awfully crazy I wish we taped it
I danced my ass off and had this one girl completely naked
Drink my beer and smoke my weed but my good friends is all I need
Pass out at 3, wake up at 10, go out to eat then do it again
Man, I love college

I wanna go to college for the rest of my life
Sip Banker’s Club and drink Miller Lite
On Thirsty Thursday and Tuesday Night Ice
And I can get pizza a dollar a slice

So fill up my cup, let’s get fucked up
I’m next on the table, who want what?
I am champion at beer pong
Allen Iverson, Hakeem Olajuwon

Don’t even bounce, not in my house
Better hope you make it otherwise you naked
Time isn’t wasted when you’re getting wasted
Woke up today and all I could say is

Um, that party last night was awfully crazy I wish we taped it
I danced my ass off and had this one girl completely naked
Drink my beer and smoke my weed but my good friends is all I need
Pass out at 3, wake up at 10, go out to eat then do it again

Man, I love college, ay!
And I love drinking, ay!
I love women, ay!
Man, I love college

I can’t tell you what I learned from school but
I could tell you a story or two, um
Yeah, of course I learned some rules
Like don’t pass out with your shoes on
(Get the Sharpie!)

And don’t leave the house ’til the booze gone
(No, we’re not leaving)
And don’t have sex if she’s too gone
When it comes to condoms put two on
(Trust me)
Then tomorrow night find a new jawn

Hold the beer bong, nothing wrong with some fun
(Here, hold this)
Even if we did get a little bit too drunk
Time isn’t wasted when you’re getting wasted
Woke up today and all I could say is

That party last night was awfully crazy I wish we taped it
(I wish we taped)
I danced my ass off and had this one girl completely naked
Drink my beer and smoke my weed but my good friends is all I need
Pass out at 3, wake up at 10, go out to eat then do it again

Man, I love college, ay!
I love drinking, ay!
I love women, ay!
I love college

Now if everybody would please
Put their drink as high as they can
As high as they can
(As high as they can)
And repeat after me

Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!
Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!
Freshmen! Freshmen!
Freshmen! Freshmen!

Do something’ crazy! Do somethin’ crazy!
Do something’ crazy! Do somethin’ crazy!
Keg stand! Keg stand!
Keg stand! Keg stand!

(That party last night)
Man, I love college
I love it!
(That party last night)
Alright everybody, I gotta head back to class for a little bit

That party last night was awfully crazy I wish we taped it
(I wish we taped)
(You know it’s going down)
I danced my ass off and had this one girl completely naked
Drink my beer and smoke my weed but my good friends is all I need
(You’re all invited, bring your friends)
Pass out at 3, wake up at 10, go out to eat then do it again
Man, I love college

Do I really have to graduate?
Or can I just stay here for the rest of my life?

LYRICCCCCS!!!!

Why 6 Is Afraid Of 7

“Why 6 Is Afraid of 7″ is a song by the Christian rock band Before Their Eyes. The lyrics can be found here. The verses in this song acknowledge God’s attributes as shown by lines such as, “The sky falls down at your command” and, “And our world will crumble, At the sound of your voice.” They focus mainly on his great power. The chorus, however, speaks of the degenerate state of society today. It characterizes the general attitude of people today by saying, “Live for right now” and, “No difference between right or wrong.” Overall it is a good song with a fairly clear message.

I am the Walrus

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.

I’m crying.

Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come.

Corporation tee-shirt, stupid bloody tuesday.

Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long.

I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.

I am the walrus, goo goo g’joob.

Mister city policeman sitting

Pretty little policemen in a row.

See how they fly like lucy in the sky, see how they run.

I’m crying, i’m crying.

I’m crying, i’m crying.

These are the opening lines to the Beatles song, “I am the Walrus.”  What’s this song about?  Well, it’s really pretty obvious.  It’s about some Walrus,( not just any walrus he’s the Walrus) also known as the eggman, who is rather depressed and, as a result, crys alot.  Exactly.  It’s total nonsense.  Several parts of the song degrade into complete giberish (goo goo g’joob g’goo goo g’joob).  Is there any deeper meaning?  Not really.  Some parts of the song are references to random things (The walrus is a refernece to Lewis Carroll’s poem “The Walrus and the Carpenter.”), but all are unconected thoughts.  Some of the song was written by John Lennon while he was on LSD.  The point of writing such a nonsensical song seems to be proving the point that there is no point.  The song is trying to say that there is no absolute truth, no single reality, so he writes about nonsense.  The song is yet another confession of the postmodern creed.

After the World

After the World is a song written by a Christian band named Disciple.  It is a song coming from God’s perspective telling people on earth how much he loves them.  The song starts off with God speaking, talking about how he knows what the person is going through.  It uses good strong diction saying how lost they are and how their innocense is gone.  After the person realizes that they can’t repay for their sins, God explains how hw was with them throughout all those trials.  Then throughout the chorus God explains how much he loves them, and that he is the one they have been looking for.  Then later God shows that he made him and formed him, and wants to be the one they believe in.  God eventually explains how his own life was a clear sign and basically dies for them just to have a relationship with them.  Overall, its about God explaining to someone who is in need and is in sin, that he is the one they have been looking for, and he is the one that can save them.

Dead and Gone-T.I. ft Justin Timberlake

In this song by T.I., he is rapping about how in his old life he did things that he regrets and those actions resulted in consequences. Then in the chorus Justin Timberlake sings:

Oh
I’ve been travellin’ on this road too long
Just tryna find my way back home
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And oh
I’ve been travellin’ on this road too long
Just tryna find my way back home
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone, dead and gone

This song argues that T.I. is done with his old life, and is ready for his new life. In the beginning of the music video the verse 1 Corinthians 13:11:

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But when i became a man, I put childish things away.”

T.I. may not be a rejoicing Christian, but he has definitely recognized his sin and is willing to turn from it. Sometimes it just takes punishment to realize that you are wrong. This song is about his friend, Philant Johnson, who died in a shooting back in November. He raps about how anything can be blown out of proportion and it resulted in a shooting and his friend dying. Through that tragedy he recognizes that there is no benefit to what he was doing, and that he is done with it all.

No more stress, now I’m straight, now I get it, now I take
Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family’s sake
That part of me left yesterday
The heart of me is strong today
No regrets I’m blessed to say
The old me dead and gone away

Through his hard times he has found God, whether he is strong Christian or not, this song and music video displays allegories to the Bible. In the hook it says:

I turn my head to the East
I don’t see nobody by my side
I turn my head to the West
Still nobody in sight
So I turn my head to the North
Swallow that pill that they call pride
That old me is dead and gone
But that new me will be alright

He realizes that God is there, when he is alone he can turn North to God. This is incredibly significant because T.I., a rapper who no one thought would swallow his pride and look to God, has exemplified that. I have actually been praying for him that he continues down the right path, and that he continues to recognize he is a sinner and will not get anywhere without God.

“You found me” – The Fray

The song “You found me” by the Fray portrays a person who is going through hard things in their life. This person doesn’t always know where God fits in or is in these tough times and asks ”where were you when everything was falling apart.”  It doesn’t always seem that God is there in the midst of the situation but he comes into the picture a little later…”just a little late.”  The writer makes the point that God is always there even if we don’t think he is by the repetitive statement “You found me.”  God knows everything we are going through but he wants us to grow and have faith and trust in him. This song encourages us to keep hoping in the unseen, that God is there and is in control even though we don’t think he is. It wants us to look for the light at the end of the tunnel even if we cant see it now. 

Does God see our city?

As a Christian, I sometimes get discouraged looking around at this world. With new deaths happening daily or weekly that effect me or my friends, or family members, the way the economy has been turning and just life in general, it all sometimes becomes discouraging. And then I heard this song, “God of this City”, this song exemplifies how God is in control of everything that happens. That no matter what we go through or what this world goes through, God is still “King of these people” and “Lord of this nation”. He is the one that we can always call on, the one that is most trustworthy and the one who has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens. This song is not only reassuring but it also gives hope to believers, this song says that God has greater plans for this city, which may seem lost and confused, but God has the ultimate plan and shows that God has not forgotten or overlooked but instead He sees and knows what our city needs.

the no cussing club (yes, this is a real club)

so there is this new club out there started by a 14 year old kid the is called the NCC or the no cussing club. His story is that he got tired of hearing people at his school and others that are around him cuss, so he made this club to stop cussing. so far, over 200,000 people have joined, and apparently it’s popular (?). With this though, there is a controversy that has arisen. Many think that this club is denying people’s right of freedom of speech. But honestly, it isn’t. It’s a club, where it is optional to join, and if you do then you dont cuss; but they arent forcing everyone to stop. What could have been seen as a little borderline was the cuss free week that was issued in the kid’s hometown (pasedena); but i dont have all of the details as to whether it was mandatory or not. overall, if you join, you’re taking the no cuss challenge, but they’re not forcing people to stop, so i dont think it is that big of a deal. Interesting concept though.

I personally think that this club is kind of rediculous, even though the over all idea, which is to get people to stop fighting and to be so angry, is good. It seems almost as a joke, so im not sure what to think of it yet. Either way, words are just words. He sais that words have meaning and they hurt…sure, yet he said on the interview with MSNBC that he uses words like darn when he gets mad. But isn’t that the same thing as dangit which is the same thing as the “D Word”? In the same way, any form of the word (dont laugh) poop is either just as bad or not bad as the others. “Cussing” is stating a word differently that is socially unaccepted. Technically, either all of the words or none of the words should be “cuss” words, not just some here and there. So really, the point of this club should not be to stop cussing but to stop anger, because there is no point in trying to stop words. To end this, comment back if you read, because i’d really like to know some other’s opinions about this.

By the way, here is the link to the NCC website if you would like to see it. Lastly, they have a music video which you can find on the website about not cussing (seriously, one of the most rediculous things i’ve EVER seen, and i can see why some people have an opposite effect. haha) and id check it out.

Through The Fire And Flames

Through The Fire and Flames is a popular song released in 2006 by Dragon Force. As with most Dragon Force lyrics, these are straightforward, yet with a much deeper meaning. The basic idea is to suggest living on through a great battle. “So far away” is a line that may suggest that the battle takes place in a fictional world. The sound of the guitar and very long interlude imply that the fight is long and shows great intensity. “We feel the pain of a lifetime lost” shows they mourn for the fallen soldiers fighting for them. I would have to say this is a great song.

See lyrics: http://lyricwiki.org/DragonForce:Through_the_Fire_and_Flames

Listen to song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaSYvvfzYaE&feature=related

finding meaning.

The song Elenor Rigby by the Beatles has really been impactful on my life, because of the strong message it conveys. The song begins with Elenor Rigby, a nobody essensially. She cleans the church. She goes about her life. She wears a fake face. She plays a facade.

Eventually Enenor dies. No one to attend her funeral, except the pastor of the church. The point of this song is to convey the pointlessness of life. People wear their fake faces. People live, people die. Life continues.

Its really had a hard impact on me, because the only way I can make an impact to the world, is to specific people. Being real.

Everyone’s got to die sometime. Why waste life being fake? That is essensially what Elenor Rigby is trying to say.

Vices like Vipers: Oh, Sleeper.

Vices like vipers
Speak in whispers.
My heel’s the meat to sink their teeth,
Like the viper I kept when You said, “Let go!”
This is what it took for me to see.
WHEN I AM GOD this church is unsound.
Slithering in the shade of a sinking church,
Surprise is no excuse for the traps that you left in the wake of warning.

This song, Vices like Vipers, is by one of my favorites bands: Oh, Sleeper. To be perfectly honest 90% of you will hate this song if you listen to it, it’s really hard, filled with screaming guitars and singers. The lyrics can be appreciated by anyone though even if your not into metalcore rock.

These lyrics carry a powerful message for anyone who calls themself “Christian”. As followers of Christ, we are called to reject all shackles of sin that hold us back, and follow Christ without reserve. These vices that hold us back hold back the church. Our churches fail and are innefective because we refuse to give up the sin.

WHEN I AM GOD THIS CHURCH IS UNSOUND. When we put our pleasure and our sinful desires ahead of God, we become our own god, and serve our own ends. What is the purpose of our lives then if we live only to ourselves? We are a fleeting shadow says Psalm 144:4, our lives are short, and only God remains.

If you want to see this music video click here –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWBd3icusig

 

 

Oh, Sleeper: Vices like Vipers<– best song ever

“One” by Metallica

Although I don’t condone listening to most songs by Metallica, this song is appropriate, and has a strong message.  If you like metal, but it’s slightly too hard for your ears, this song is probably one of the softest by Metallica.  It’s also an older song by the band, but it’s a classic.  It starts off with quiet machine gun fire and yelling and explosions for about 30 seconds, and then goes into a slow and soft guitar solo before the singing begins.

The song is in the first person point of view, told by a soldier that has come back from a war, most likely The Vietnam War, who has been wounded physically and emotionally.  He tells of his physical struggle to recover, and also the mental barriers that he has after his traumatic experience on the battle field.  The song almost repetitively sends the message that the soul can be lost on the battlefield, which if the message isn’t lost by people reading it too literally and thinking that a soul can actually be lost, can bring the listener’s imagination to life. 

Also in the song, the soldier tells of how he wishes for death, and wants God to take him from his agonizing pain as a war casualty.  I made a connection between the story of this song, and our lives on Earth.  We are basically casualties on Earth, wounded by sin and in need of help from God.  Earth is the battleground on which we fight our sin in order to make it home.  We CAN lose our souls on this battlefield, and the threat is very real of doing so.  Heaven is home where God has saved us and taken us in, to be at peace and away from the fighting.  We just have to be brave and steadfast while in combat in order to survive the war and go home.