The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and released from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

When All the World Turns Into Hospitals and Jails/I Can Always Count on Your Love to be My Bail

In a John Travolta level comeback, Katrina Keichline has returned to the top of the Blog Song Guessing Mountain. The song for the day is "Hospitals and Jails" by Mason Jennings. Katrina receives the honor of giving me her glow in the dark Phish poster. Oh wait, that has already taken place. Thanks Katrina!

I Could Never Let the Darkness Replace the Thought of You

It is good to be back in Abilene, although I will be heading back to the Motherland soon enough. I always love being back in East Texas and it is hard to be there for short amounts of time because I just want to sit down, relax, and not worry about when I will be heading back to school. Christmas Break might just be the best thing about college because you have an entire month with no responsibility to school, and you are able to relax and unwind for a considerable amount of time.

I finished up Catch-22 on the drive back yesterday. It is an incredible book, but I would not recommend it to everyone. It is written like no other book I have ever read, and if you really need a completely linear plot structure then Catch-22 is probably not the book for you.

Last night I began First Among Equals by Ken Starr. It is about the impact of the Supreme Court on American life, with special focus on the court after the retirement of Chief Justice Earl Warren in 1969. I have always been fascinated by the Supreme Court, particularly because it is the closest thing that we have to an oligarchy in the United States today. If you think about it, you never really hear anything about the justices except for what is written in their opinions. In this age of talking heads and constant news barrages, they exist in a place that is on the edge of our field of view. They do not appear on Bill O'Reilly or Meet the Press, they do not write guest columns in the New York Times, and they are not really beholden to any one. That kind of unchecked power, once they reach the bench, is rare in America today, and is tempting because of its raw quality. It will be interesting to hear Starr's perspective, particularly because of his former career as Solicitor General of the United States.

One of the most enjoyable moments that I had last week was on a run with my Dad. My Dad usually rides the bike for exercise, but last Wednesday the wind was up, so we choose to go for a jog. As we ran up towards the high school, he began to breathe heavy as we settled into a regular pace. Once we reached the back gate, and made the turn for home, he told me that I could go on and run ahead so I would be able to get in my usual workout. He always tells me this when we are riding or running, but my response is always the same. If I leave the house with him, I am going to go with him as long as he goes.

Some fathers and sons are brought together by throwing the football or baseball, and we did those things, but my Dad and I found common ground in my teenage years through another sport. Around my junior year of High School, I began riding my bike again. Call it the Lance Armstrong Bug. I found whatever bikes that I could and I went out and rode. I rode an old mountain bike all over the grounds of the new high school, and I rode an old Bianchi road bike up and down Hill Creek Rd. in the sweltering East Texas Summer. One day, my Dad wanted to come along. As we began to ride the rather gentle hills on Hill Creek, he began to labor. I don't know if I have ever seen him breathe so hard in my life. When we got back to the house, he was worn out, but he was hooked. By January of that year, we had both purchased Trek Mountain Bikes, and the race was on. We began to become cycling fanatics, even to the point of buying bikes that my Mom and sister thought were ridiculously overpriced. What do they know about quality? Our time together was spent on the bikes. Often we would not talk much at all on the ride, but there was a type of understanding. He would watch out for cars as we rode along busy roads, and I would wait for him at the top of hills. He has done things that he probably never thought he could do, like riding the 64-mile Beauty and the Beast in 2003. One day, we will ride the Hotter than Hell Hundred together. Some people might look at activities like cycling and running as ways to simply stay in shape or shed pounds, but I see avenues of understanding. I see means of experience and growth.

As we ran back towards the house, the sun broke through the clouds in a dazzling show of brightness. I began to reflect on all that my Dad and I had experienced together in the name of a such a simple activity as exercise. I began to understand that after my statement, we ran along without exchanging words, but enough had already been said.

You Won't Find Moments In a Box

Well, it is good to be back writing on the blog again. We had a good time down in Waco, but it is nice to be back home. The stuffing, turkey, and pecan pie were all top-notch, and I had my first ever slice of pumpkin pie. I know that some of you are ardent pumpkin pie disciples, and the fact that it has taken me almost 21 years to taste this Thanksgiving delicacy may cause your hearts to skip a beat, but I promise you that I have now seen the light.

Sarah Carlson was the winner of the Blog Title Contest from Monday with her correct guess of "Dare You to Move" by those San Diego rockers Switchfoot. Sarah wins a full-scale replica of my winning Pinewood Derby car from 1991. It has really been fun to see Switchfoot rise to stardom since I have been following them since the "Legend of Chin" and "New Way to Be Human" days. I had the treat of seeing them in concert in 2003. They put on a very high energy, entertaining show that is very crowd-pleasing.

It is always funny to see how you react with your family when you do not see them for awhile. I am not talking about my immediate family. I see them enough that it is not difficult to pick the relationship back up where we last were, but since I have been working in Colorado the past two summers, I do not see my extended family nearly as much. As I have begun to develop my own personality, and I have become perceptive of the personalities of those around me, I see things that I did not see in the past. All in all, it is time well spent, but you begin to understand that your immediate family are the ones that you know the best, and they are the ones that you have to invest your time and energy in.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday, and is gearing up for the Finals Week finish.

Welcome to Existence

Today has been a long day. It began at midnight with some general tomfoolery, and ended here at my home, sweet home. The dreaded Spanish presentation was completed today to what I think are satisfactory results. I actually felt physically ill when I began to think about preparing for it, and let me tell you, that was a bit unnerving. Katie and I had a great ride back together and it is good to be home without anything hanging over my head.

It always seems that when I come back here, things have moved at a much slower pace while I have been gone. It is almost as if time stops here while I am gone, and resumes once I return.

We will be heading down to my Aunt and Uncle's in Waco tomorrow so blog posts might have to wait until Thursday or Friday. I hope that everyone out there has a great Thanksgiving and finds themself at a table with family and friends.

We Can Be Heroes/Just For One Day

The winner today is Jeffrey McCain. The song is "Heroes" by David Bowie (with a notable cover of the song on the Godzilla Soundtrack by The Wallflowers). Jeff wins my damaged aviator sunglasses with only one lens from Sing Song last year. These are a one of a kind item and should be cherished.

And We Kissed as Though Nothing Could Fall

The winners for the blog title yesterday were Marie Nordman and Aaron Winn. They correctly guessed "Lie In Our Graves" by Dave Matthews Band. When I wear out the New Balance shoes that I am marathon-training in, I will give one to Marie and one to Aaron. The distinctive foot odor is free of charge. These are limited edition folks, you should be jealous.

Last night at the First Ever GSP Thanksgiving Social was great fun. Jeff Giddens' Band was excellent as usual. They played a great cover of "Oh, My Sweet Carolina" in the midst of a solid set. The Home Place is a really great place to eat, but I do not think it would be as much fun if you did not have a large group. Since it is family-style dining, you pass around all of the dishes to each person. It was like a big Thanksgiving teaser for all of us.

Which reminds me: Only 3 more days, and then STUFFING!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Sorry, I had a momentary blackout there. I could have a Thanksgiving dinner composed solely of stuffing and Pecan Pie.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods blog readers?

I Can't Believe That We Would Lie In Our Graves/ Dreaming Up Things That We Might Have Been

Since we are close to Thanksgiving I will begin to tell you about things I am thankful for.

I am always thankful for lazy Saturdays. In college, it seems that there are exciting things to do each weekend like going on retreats, going to concerts, or other trips, but sometimes it is good to simply slow down and spend some time in Abilene. I am thankful for days when Adam and I sit around and watch college football, Sarah and I go to the Grace Museum, and days when I just sit with people like David Chisholm and Courtney Varner and just laugh. Maybe I have just read too much Hemingway, but on days like that I feel like a character out of "The Sun Also Rises." Life is one big game to play, and I am just glad to meet the other participants.

Today is Thanksgiving Offering/Gift Sunday at Highland, which is always a blessing. The church begins collecting food during the weeks prior to the service, and today they bring the donations to church. During the service, they bring the gifts up to the front of the auditorium. My favorite part is watching the little kids carry the bags with their parents. It always encourages me to see parents involving their kids in an act of service like this because with their actions they are telling their children,"This is important."

I've Been Here Before and I Deserve a Little More

Well, I am sorry that the blog has been down lately. I know that all of you wait with heightened anticipation each time you check it, but I think things are ok again.

Last night I had my first encounter with that brand of musical theater known as opera. No disrespect to Sarah Dean, who was fantastic, but I think that my first opera experience may be my last for awhile. I thought it was going to be like a musical with established musical themes running throughout, but instead everytime I latched to a song, it was over, and the music was unrecognizable. Perhaps I need to see something like Carmen or Madame Butterfly, but for now I am content to let The Marriage of Figaro be the extent of my opera catalog. Honesty also compels me to tell you that I was pretty tired when we went into the auditorium, and I was not completely able to focus in the dark, but let me tell you, when you wake up out of a semi-sleepy state, and people are singing all of their words, well you just wonder what kind of place you have stumbled into.

That Kind of Lovin' Turns a Man to a Slave

The winner today is......Sarah Woodroof!!! I guess I was feeling a little pressure after Katrina's Dimaggio-like streak and I had to pull out something that appealed to multiple parties, and Aerosmith is Sarah's forte. The lyrics come from Aerosmith's classic song "Crazy." Sarah wins a date with me on Sunday night to the First Ever Gamma Sigma Phi Thanksgiving Social. That's right folks, we are putting the GSP in PThanksgiving. I know it was a stretch, just work with me. Have a good everybody and enjoy the sunshine.

You've Been Givin' Me That Line So Many Times/It Kinda Gets That Feelin' Bad Looks Good

It is a good thing that college football is still going on, because otherwise I would be entering a sports blackout period. I rarely if ever watch the NBA anymore, except around the playoffs, and even that is a rare occurrence. The only NFL broadcast that I care about is the Super Bowl, and let's just say that Hockey is a mere blip on the sports radar screen.

School is going very well at this point in the semester, and the workload has been very manageable. We have a test today in Early Political Theory, so if anyone wants to talk about the political philosophy of St. Augustine or Thomas Aquinas, just come by UP #1015, and we can chat.

This class has torn down some of my past thought structures, and enabled me to look at my future plans and aspirations in a new light. In the past, when I spoke of career plans, I always said I planned to go to law school, but in the back of my mind I secretly hoped that I could teach one day. As I began speaking with Dr. Hailey about possible graduate schools and degrees in political science, my mind was inundated with actual joy and anticipation on that path. I really believe that could be a job that I would go to everyday, and feel like I am passing on something of myself and my limited knowledge to those around me. If I were able to live in a community of learning with people who eagerly sought after knowledge, my work would never feel like a job.

In Closing: Who wants to contribute to the Justin vs. Mt. Kilimanjaro fund? Every little bit helps.

You're Gonna Let Me Down

Well faithful Blog Readers, it seems that Katrina Keichline has gone on a Manny Ramirez -level hot streak. For the 3rd straight day, Katrina has properly identified the song that the blog titles have been drawn from. Today's title is derived from "Ashes" by Ben Harper. Katrina wins an autographed copy of the CD containing my euphomium solo at UIL Concert Contest in the 8th grade, a hot item to be sure. Thanks everyone, and keep playing.

Meeting Is Such Sweet Sorrow/Cause Someday We May Have to Part

Last night I had the opportunity to hear Michael Reagan speak at a benefit dinner for Windcrest Alzheimer Center. Before you start wondering if I have hit it rich and was able to pay to go to the event, do not be deceived. Through convoluted channels, I was able to go with Tyler Cosgrove and sit at a table paid for by Bill Stevens of Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.

Michael is the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan. Michael was actually adopted by President Reagan and Jane Wyman before their divorce, and led an interesting life growing up in Hollywood. He told many anecdotes about growing up as the son of a movie star, governor, and eventual President. The most touching ones however, were the stories of life with his father after the Alzheimer's diagnosis. He said that towards the end of his father's life, the President could not even say his son's name, but he recognized him as the young man who hugged him hello, told him he loved him, and hugged him goodbye when it was time to leave.

One day as he was leaving the Reagan's home at Rancho Del Cielo, his wife stopped him before he could pull the car away. She told him to look back at the door of the house. He looked back and saw his father standing and waiting with open arms. Michael had forgotten to hug him goodbye, and his father had followed him to the door, and simply stood waiting for his son.

After reading Dutch, a biography of President Reagan by Edmund Morris, I was able to gain a greater grasp on the man that President Reagan was, and hearing his son speak last night only increases the level of respect that I have for our former President.

Ripple In Still Waters

Sarah Carlson and Katrina Keichline are the winners for today by guessing "Ripple" by the Grateful Dead. Congratulations, a signed Justin Scott jersey from the 1994 Whitehouse White Sox is on the way to your places of residence. Congrats Sarah and Katrina, and those of you who did not win, keep a stiff upper lip and keep on trying.

If I Knew the Way I Would Take You Home

One of the hardest things for a person in their young 20's to deal with is being sick. I know that our bodies will heal more quickly than those older than us, but it is always difficult remembering that these bodies are not perfect and are prone to the common cold once in a while.

It is always difficult to express to girls the invincibility that the male species feels from their birth until their 30's, and some people they always feel that way (i.e. Evel Knievel). We throw our bodies into painful situations, hit one another, and do crazy stunts just because we can. I still climbed trees after succumbing to the breaking limb trick from 20 feet up in the 6th grade. No matter how many times we see it happen to someone else, we always believe that somehow we will come out unscathed. If we do not, then we simply subscribe to the "I don't want to die without any scars" mentality, and revel in our wounds.

In these situations it always difficult for me to hold back. I want to go out and run, but I know that will only delay my recovery. Somehow subconciously, I believe that the rules of health do not apply, and I can simultaneously exercise and recover. If you see me today, tell me to take it easy until this head-cold clears, because otherwise you will see me running and will not want to catch up. Oh, and Mom if you read this, I am really okay,it is only a slight cold, so don't worry about sending Dimetapp.

So Why'd You Come Home to This Faithless Town?

Sometimes Film Appreciation is not so bad. Notice that I said sometimes. Tonight, we watched Citizen Kane. When the American Film Institute came out with the Top 100 Films in 1998, Kane was #1, and Casablanca was #2. Citizen Kane was released in 1941 and Casablanca came out the next year. Not a bad couple of years for Hollywood in my opinion.

Of course the enduring question throughout this film concerns the identity of Rosebud, and I will not tell those of you who have not seen the movie what it is, but I thought the film lived up to the hype. Many people dream of having marvelous riches, but when we see that even those who are very rich deal with loneliness, insecurity, and loss, we begin to realize that there must be something else to drive us in this life.

For those in college, we constantly have the prospect of future riches dangled in front of us, and it is easy to envy those who will be making the big bucks in a few years, but it is also a blessing to be at a university like ACU. Besides the American Service Academies, I do not think there is another university more sure of its mission than ACU. At school, we are given a world-class education, but it is not focused on future riches or glory. At ACU, the education we receive is a tool for advancing the kingdom of God upon this earth, and our gifts and interests allow us to reach out to a vast spectrum of people. There are some students at ACU who will work in Hollywood, trade stocks on Wall Street, or legislate on Capitol Hill and influence people for Christ in all of those places because they understand that a job is not simply a wage-earning position, but a ministry.

I Bought a Borrowed Suit and Learned to Dance

Well, the winners of the 1st Daily Song lyric Contest on Justin's Blog (Yes, that is the official name) are Katrina Keichline and Aaron Winn. The song is "Oh, My Sweet Carolina" by Ryan Adams. Congratulations guys, one package full of my baby pictures and my new line of cologne (or perfume in Katrina's case) is on the way to your mailboxes. Aren't the rest of you jealous?

I Went On to Cleveland and I Ended Up Insane

The weekend in Houston/Huntsville was a lot of fun, and a lot of driving. Sarah did some great work training for the drive back to Nashville. It was really good to see her with the kids that she loves so much. I know it was difficult for her to only be with them for a short time, but I think a return trip is already in the planning stage. Another thing I remembered this week is that middle school kids are much smarter than we "old people" give them credit for. When we were in our small groups talking about the theme of "Called" this weekend, some of the kids were pretty insightful, and it was encouraging to know that they are engaged and responsive to the Word.

It is about to crunchtime here at school. It is always manageable, but there is a certain amount of apprehension when I think of all of it at once. The key is to break down what can be done today, accomplish those tasks, and then move on the next thing tomorrow. I feel like I am one of those School-Success Manuals or something.

I would like to start a Blog contest everyday to see if anyone can name the song that the blog title comes from. The prize for the winner? My undying admiration and devotion.

Have a great day everyone.

If You've Never Stared Off Into the Distance Then Your Life is a Shame

Last night at the O.C. was a joy as always. We always have new people come, and it is a lot of fun recounting the past events of the show as their heads swim with this avalanche of new knowledge. This season has been very subdued so far, and is definitely building momentum quietly towards some sort of incendiary move or revelation. If I were to guess who Caleb will name the new C.E.O. of the Newport Group, it would be Jimmy Cooper, which would be a great irony.

Sarah and I are going down to Houston this weekend for a retreat with First Colony (the church that she interned with this summer). It will be fun to meet all of the people that she has told me about, and to see her work with the kids she poured her life into this summer.

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about Trek lately. Perhaps it is that touch of cool in the air that I last felt in the mountains or it is possibly that desire I occasionally get in class to get up, walk out, and go do something daring and dangerous. When I walk into my room and look at the poster of Mt. Everest above my bed, I begin to daydream of crampons, ice axes, and high, lonely places. One of the things that I began to dream about this summer was trying to climb all 54 peaks above 14,000 feet in Colorado. I have done five: Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive, Mt. Harvard, Mt. Shavano, and Mt. Princeton, and would like to add more.

It is always encouraging to have goals and desires that seem unreachable because you have to push yourself simply in order to dream them. If achievement of goals does not require you to stretch, grow, and feel a bit of pain, they will probably not mean that much. The things that you pour your time, heart, and blood into are the things that you cherish. Begin dreaming today. Find that person, mission, or goal that will cause you to go to those lengths, and then don't look back.

I Set the Sun On a Big Wheeled Wagon

It is never a good thing to fall asleep with your window partially open if a cold front is coming in overnight. With that lesson learned, I will move on.

Today, the Jack Pope Fellows and the Students' Association are hosting an ACU Veteran's Day Reception. It is amazing to think that people like Brian Lord, Lindsey Kelly, Blake McGee, Stephen Welch and others that I know have already passed through the crucible of war and come out on the other side. When I think of veterans I usually imagine older men speaking of their days at Normandy or Guadalcanal. One might also conjure up images of men on Harley-Davidsons speaking of the horrors of Southeast Asian jungles. It is still difficult for me to think that people my own age fall into the same category. We are thankful for their service each day, but today especially. Thanks to my grandfathers: Leo Andree (Pilot in the Pacific Theater, WWII) and Fred Scott (Ambulance Driver in the European Theater, WWII). America does not enjoy the prospect of war, but in times of great need, men and women always rise up to defend our nation and others around the world. Today we say thank you.

What Was I Thinking When I Let Go of You?

I have a quick question before I go to bed. Why are we so hesistant to speak to others about what God has done in our lives? Tonight at Devo, we were all sitting around beforehand and talking loudly. After we had sung 1 or 2 songs Jeff Giddens asked: what are some good things that God is doing in people's lives this week? Immediately the room goes silent, and it is a little while before anyone said anything. A few people spoke up, but most of us were silent. Perhaps some are hesitant to speak in front of large groups, and I understand that, but I think that some people are afraid to talk about what God has done in their lives because they feel as if no one else cares. This is the last thing that we need. We love stories. We love to hear tales from other people's lives about their struggles and successes. We want to hear evidence of God's work in our world through the stories of others. Never quit telling stories of God's faithfulness. You never know who your audience might be.

I'll Come Back to You/It'll Be Brand New

This time is a definite blessing each day. I am able to sit down and let my ideas take some sort of form. I have developed a healthy respect for novelists, playwrights, and others who create extremely long works of coherence and beauty. Perhaps that is something I will one day grow into, but right now it just seems to be something that is given to a gifted few. One day I would love to be able to write like Edmund Morris. Wait, I guess I need to explain who Edmund Morris is. He is the author of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (A Pulitizer Prize winner, Teddy Roosevelt's life from birth to McKinley's assassination), Theodore Rex (Teddy's life from McKinley's assassination until the end of his second term), and Dutch (A biography of Ronald Reagan that was released in 1999). Morris' ability to recreated history is insightful and engaging. Well, maybe it is just interesting to those who are history-lovers, but I think everyone should give his work a try.

I Was Chewing Gum for Something to Do

Let me begin this post with a story: Last Spring Break while we were in San Francisco on a Spring Break Campaign, we passed out lunches to some of the homeless population in UN Plaza. Across from UN Plaza is City Hall. Adam approached one of the men sitting in the plaza and offered the man one of the sack lunches that we had prepared the night before. As Adam sat down to speak with the man, the gentleman asked Adam where he was from. Adam began to explain that he was on a Spring Break Campaign with Abilene CHRISTIAN University. The man looked across the plaza towards City Hall where Christian protestors walked with signs that proclaimed, "God Hates Fags" and "Homosexuals will burn in Hell", and asked Adam,"so are you with them?" Adam quickly responded that we were not with the group of protestors, but we were a Christian group.

My dilemma is this: with our nation involved in a heated debate over the prospect of gay marriages, how does the Christian community reach out? The worst representation of Christian actions is the aforementioned practice of public embarassment and humiliation that we witnessed during Spring Break. Do you think any of those homosexual couples who walked out of City Hall paid any attention to those Christian protestors? How do they now react when they hear someone speak about anything involving Christianity or the church? If Christian groups are at the forefront of the battle to ban gay marriage, how do homosexuals now relate to groups that are attempting to legislate against their entire lifestyle?

This is an issue that I have mulled over in my mind many times during my two visits to San Francisco. One of our favorite things to do in the church is to weigh sins. We allow men who beat their wives and women who embezzle money from their companies to stay in the church, but as soon as there is any hint of homosexual leanings or actions, we immediately sever all ties with someone. As people who have received the grace of God in our own lives, how can we deny fellowship and grace to those whose personal struggle is homosexuality?

I know this is a very controversial topic, and I would like comments and questions from all sides of the debate. As a Christian community, we have a tremendous opportunity to reach out to a group that we have continually shunned. Everyone is hurting and everyone needs the love of Christ. Who are we to decide who is worthy of that love and who is not?

There Is Always One Last Light to Turn Out

This morning, I have a bold, fearless football prediction for you. USC and Oklahoma will play in the National Championship game, because Auburn is going to lose to Georgia this weekend or they will lose in the SEC Championship game. I am glad that I have this forum to throw out these prognostications with no fear of monetary loss.

As a student, I always feel as though I am working to complete a series of tasks, and when I am done with those tasks, they let me out of school for a little while. Until I have to come back and start a whole new set of tasks. When I was younger I would always dream about how great it would be to be out of school. I am coming to realize that throughout our lives, we work through a series of tasks, and when we are done, they give us more tasks. Except when you are an adult, the breaks are not quite as long. What a blessing to know that one day we will have rest for eternity. I am not writing this because I am particularly stressed out, but if you are, take comfort and rest in the Lord's peace today.

I Rest My Head on a Pillowy Star and a Cracked Door Moon that Says I Haven't Gone too Far

Tonight in Film Appreciation we watched a film by Vietnamese-American Tony Bui called Three Seasons. A very touching movie about redemption seen through the lives of characters in 4 storylines. I recommend it for anyone who does not mind subtitles.

I began reading Catch-22 by Joseph Heller yesterday. Long hailed as one of the great American novels of the 20th century, I am finding it to be quite unlike anything else I have ever read. I guess I should expect something like that from a book that received a review calling it an "apocalyptic masterpiece."

In one of the chapters I just read, the officers are upset that meetings are becoming forums for unwanted questions. They decide to restrict the meetings to those who will not ask questions. The meetings prove to be a complete waste of time, because "it was neither possible nor necessary to educate people who never questioned anything." If we go into our daily lives and do not investigate and question the world around us, what makes each day special? When we cease to learn, we cease to live as God intended. He gave us intellect for a reason, and I do not think he meant it to simply go to waste.

Push On 'Til the Day

Yesterday I finished The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn. It was a very interesting look at what some might say were the glory days of baseball. The most insightful portion of the book is Kahn's trip around America visiting the Dodgers in their days of retirement. Retirement would not be an appropriate word for some though. This was back in the days when athletes were not paid outrageous sums of money, and thus did not always have a huge nest egg waiting on them when they left the game. One was a bartender (Billy Cox), one installed elevator doors on the World Trade Center towers (Carl Furillo), and one managed the New York Mets (Gil Hodges). The process of moving from a game that gave you so much satisfaction and fame to a world that remembers you as you once were is a tenuous one, and one that Kahn details beautifully.

Yesterday was one of the more difficult training days I have had so far. The weather was fantastic, the wind was low, and I had plenty of sleep the night before. I guess the practice of running 17 miles should never be an easy one, but this was tough. Quitting is always a viable option when your legs become heavy, and there is no one to talk to, but for some reason I push on.

Perhaps it is the knowledge that the work I do now will provide a future reward, but it is probably also a bit of personal pride. I know that if I stop running simply when I do not feel good or when it has ceased to be a novelty, I will stop at other things. When everyone throws out the cliche that sports are metaphor for life, I usually laugh it off, but this time it seems true. When you learn to block out everything around you, your own personal pain and demons, and simply push on with dogged persistence, good things will come. I firmly believe this, and this is why I train the way I do. I believe that devotion to training for something physical can make you more loyal and devoted to the things that are unseen. No training is meaningless if one will take the lessons that the physical body teaches and apply them to all the other facets of life.

Welcome to the Fallout

As I ran today, these words from Lance Armstrong guided my thoughts.

"What makes a great endurance athlete is the ability to absorb potential embarrassment, and to suffer without complaint. I was discovering that if it was a matter of gritting my teeth, not caring how it looked, and outlasting everybody else, I won. It didn't seem to matter what the sport was-in a straight-ahead, long-distance race, I could beat anybody. If it was a suffer-fest, I was good at it."

My view of mental strength and fortitude is being reshaped by this marathon training, and I think I am beginning to understand what Paul spoke about in Romans 8 on the topic of present sufferings and future glory.

I LIke to Read and She Likes to Write

Despite a good effort from the Aggies, the Sooners live to fight another day. Against a team as talented as the Sooners, small lapses in concentration will usually come back to haunt you. A good effort, but I am not sure the Aggies believe in moral victories.

I have been wondering about this for some time now, and this mode of communication will allow me to share it with a large group of people. Why has Thanksgiving become such a second-class holiday in America? It was the uniquely American holiday, but I am beginning to believe that is Christmas. As soon as Halloween is over, the Christmas festivities begin, and we do not give a second thought to Thanksgiving until it is upon us. The Christmas decorations come out, and they go up before Thanksgiving can even be observed. Is it because Thanksgiving is not a holiday that can be highly commercialized? We are not giving anything tangible to each other, but we are expressing our thankfulness and remembering that we are incredibly blessed.

I Look at the World and I Notice It's Turning

Waking up whenever you want to on a Saturday morning is always nice. Some of you may look at the time that I posted this section, and wonder why I would be up at this time, when I have no reason to be awake, and I will understand. My body has become conditioned to only sleep for 8 hours a day, whether that is it at one time or cumulative.

I really hope the Aggies will put up a respectable fight today against Oklahoma. A win here would be huge for confidence in Aggieland and Franchione's position. We will see what Reggie and Co. can do against Peterson, White, Clayton, and the rest of the semi-Evil Empire.

As President Bush has begun to speak about his plans for the next term, the idea of increased cooperation across partisan lines has arisen. I really hope this is something he wishes to truly pursue and not simply lip-service. This nation has become incredibly polarized along political lines, and this hampers relationships in all facets of life. I hope that both parties continue to pursue their ideological goals because both parties have aims that are very valuable for society, but neither one is the complete answer. That is where bi-partisan cooperation can help. President Bush must realize that men like Harry Reid, John Kerry, and other Democratic congressmen and women have valuable ideas and insights that must be understood and considered. If Bush simply wishes to pursue an agenda of solely Republican programs, he will meet sharp resistance, as well he should. This is not a nation that should simply forget the party who happened to lose in this particular election. On the other hand, the Democrats must learn to not view each and every Bush program along partisan lines, but with concern for their constituents. This time is critical for bringing together those who are politically aware and active in America. As the faces for their parties, President Bush and Senator Kerry have both mentioned that they want greater cooperation. Now is the time to make good on that offer.

We've Been on the Run/Driving in the Sun/Looking Out for Number 1

Well, the season premiere (note the British extra "e") of the O.C. was last night, and I have been processing through the episode and I have come to the conclusion that it was good, but not great.

One of the best things that the O.C. does is elicit emotional responses. Last night, there were no screams of shock, shouts of disgust, or even wet tears on cheeks. The episode were very subdued, and the most pivotal moments were subtly played. I am not sure what everyone thinks about the way they handled the situation of Ryan/Teresa/Eddie's baby, but I thought they opted for a quick out for Ryan until the child is born. By having Teresa lie about the death of the child, Ryan may be back in Newport Beach, but if he wants to go see Teresa he will probably wonder why she still appears to be "with child." It will be interesting to see how they bring Teresa and the baby back into the story later on.

This may be a shock, but in my opinion the best actor on the show is not Peter Gallagher. Gasp! It is Adam Brody. He just seems like this show is going to be a big launching point for him, and he moves deftly between petulant teenager and joking buddy, but then again didn't we all.

Once again, it was great to see everyone at the O.C. last night, and if you live in Abilene and are reading this (all 2 of you), be sure to come next Thursday.

Harry, Where Do You Go When the Lights Go Out?

There was a great turnout tonight for the O.C. premiere, with two notable absences (Shame on you Jenny Nofsinger and Briana Litton). It was good to hear Phantom Planet again and to see the way this wacky show serves as a vehicle to bring people together. I will provide more analysis in the morning, but now it is time for sweet slumber.

Solidarity,

Justin

What Else Should I Be?/All Apologies

Early Political Theory seems to be the launching point for many of my posts lately. That is a testimony to the quality of the class. If you want to hear Dr. Hailey speak at length, just say the word "election" and off he goes. Today in class we managed to completely avoid the assigned topic, the political philosophy of Augustine in City of God, and we talked about the election for the second straight class.

We spoke at length about the high percentage of voters who listed "values" as the most important reason to vote. The vast majority of those voters cast their ballots for President Bush. In 11 states there was a ballot initiative concerning the definition of marriage. In each state the voters responded strongly that marriage should be defined as a man and a woman. The closest margin was 57% to 43% in Oregon, which was a state won by Senator Kerry.

If one looks at the electoral map from the election, you will see that the nation is a broad sweep of red with blue on the coastal fringes and around the Great Lakes. These "blue" states contain the three largest cities in America and the vast majority of large media and entertainment outlets. The rest of the nation is simply a flyover zone, that is not relevant to the political future of America. At a Democratic fundraiser in Hollywood, Senator Kerry said, "This is America," as he raised his hands to indicate those assembled in the room. This is what the New York Times and other admittedly left-leaning media outlets would have you believe, but the voters of America responded that this is not true.

The Democratic party now stands at a critical crossroads. Will they continue down the path to becoming a party that caters to social and intellectual elites in New York and LA or will they go back to the days of FDR and become the party of the little man? The next few years will be critical for the party's work to regain stature and relevance.

Each One is a Burning Sun

One of the things I have really been thinking about lately is the idea that you could sit by a person in a class for a semester, be in a club with them, or be their friend, and still not know them. I am not talking about knowing externals. Those things are obvious. I am talking about KNOWING each other. The phrase I have been using to describe this is "we cannot mistake being together for knowing each other." One of the things that we admire about people like Dr. Trevathan is the way they connect with people, yet for some reason it is hard for us to make those some connections. They are risks that put us in a place of uncertainty and vulnerability, but I am increasingly convinced that they are worth it.

Set the Gear Shift for the High Gear of Your Soul/You Gotta Run Like an Antelope Out of Control

Today has been a great blessing. It has been one of those days where you feel filled up by everyone around you, and the community of ACU is evident. Going to the Devo on College St. has become an integral part of my week. It is always invigorating to worship sincerely and to hear about God's work from a broad variety of people. David Chisholm did a great job tonight speaking on the topic of listening for God's call, which is a very interesting and difficult topic to tackle.

I thought that Senator Kerry's concession speech today was very gracious, and his thanks to those who served on his campaign was very heartfelt. I will say this: I would have felt much better with John Kerry as President rather than Al "Lockbox" Gore four years ago. President Bush was sincere and hopeful as always. His effort to reach across the partisan aisle is an admirable gesture and one that is necessary in a nation deeply polarized on political issues. It was great to see such a strong turnout in this election, and to see so many people my age vote. It has been said that candidates do not cater to young voters because young voters do not vote at the same rate as other age groups, but hopefully that is starting to change.

Marathon training is going well, and I am looking forward to a short 17 mile run this Sunday. If anyone wants to join me for all or part of the run just talk to me. Come on, you know you want to.

I Hope You Don't Mind that I Put Down in Words

Well, it seems that it is all over but the shouting, but the question is: How long will the shouting go on? The Washington Post had reported that Senator Kerry called President Bush to concede, but the exact totals are still unknown in Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, and Wisconsin. A gap of 140,000 will be difficult for Senator Kerry to overcome in the critical state of Ohio. I was apprehensive yesterday for two reasons: 1. I knew that the election would be very close 2. I wanted there to be a spirit of validation about the entire process so that whichever candidate won there would be no accusations of judicial activism or improper ballot counting. President Bush is scheduled to make a victory speech at 1 p.m. EST today to confirm these suspicions of many surrounding the outcome of the election.

In other news, I, along with the other Pope Fellows,had the privelege of having breakfast with Dean Kenneth Starr of the Pepperdine Law School this morning. Dean Starr is at ACU interviewing students interested in PLS, and he will speak in Chapel this morning. It is always interesting to meet someone that you have seen on TV and in the newspaper. You form an idea of what that person will be like based on their portrayal in the media and sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. I always thought that Dean Starr was an upstanding individual because of the way he handled the fallout from his investigation of President Clinton. He always very gracious and did not respond to the rampant accusations of "witch-hunting" that followed his campaign. He was demonized by many, but only responded with class and dignity to everyone around him. My thoughts and observations were confirmed this morning when I met him. He was very friendly and interested in each person he talked to. The most impressive thing was the way he treated everyone present, even those who worked in the Bean. He went up to them and engaged them in conversation, even though they were not part of the breakfast. You know a person's true character by the way they treat those who can do nothing for them.

You be Around and I'll be Square

Mark Hamilton began to plant the idea in my mind during the Life and Teachings of Christ course I took during my first semester here at ACU. He emphasized that a university was not simply a place where we come chase after letters on a page. It is a place that first and foremost is a free market of ideas and thoughts. We should not be told what to think, but we should be told to take thinking seriously. Everyone comes to college with a myriad of experiences that have shaped who they are, and we have the opportunity to learn from each other.If we come to college and simply seek grades, then we will leave disappointed, and will have missed the greater purpose in our time here.

Today in Early Political Theory we did not talk about Plato, Aristotle, or Augustine, but we tried to flesh out some of the political storms on the horizon for the United States. Who will be a bigger foe for the United States in coming years, the EU or China? How many justices will the next President appoint to the Supreme Court? What are the prospects for the United States moving towards a social welfare state like Sweden? Questions like these are the ones that excite me about future career in political science. If I were able to sit in a classroom and hear students express their views on these topics, and I were able to give insight through study and scholarship, I would go to work everyday and never view it as a chore.

Slow Down Everyone, You're Moving too Fast

If you happen to read this blog on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 and you have not voted yet, stop reading and go do it. It will be interesting to sit and watch the election returns come in tonight. Obviously, the big states to watch will be Ohio, Florida, and Wisconsin. You notice that I left out Pennsylvania, because everyone I have talked to (my unnamed sources) believes that Kerry has Pennsylvania leaning heavily towards him.

In other big news this week, the O.C. season premier is on Thursday. I know, you may scoff, but this show pulls you in and does not let go. I have seen entire rooms of college students yell, jump, and scream to events on the O.C. Last year, a group of about 10 of us began to gather at the legendary Palace (R.I.P.) to watch this goofy teen-drama on Fox. Pretty soon, all of us were telling others to come, and the O.C. became a weekly event. When the season ending montage rolled across the screen last year, everyone sat silently wondering about many enigmas:how Seth was ever going to make it to Tahiti on that kiddie sailboat? Was Ryan really the father of Teresa's child? Was Marissa going to get sufficient sustinence from a bottle of vodka or did she actually need to eat something? I kid, I kid. The O.C. became an event where we caught up with people we would not see otherwise, a very eclectic crowd. We will forge on bravely in the absence of Mel K., Aubrey, Katrina, and Mel M. Sing it with me everyone...Dunnanuna, Dunnanuna, Dunnununa, DunDuh. (Begin Head Nod)

Adios,

Justin

I Don't Mind Spending Everyday

The long weekend at home was a definite blessing. It is always good to sleep in and to take the occasional nap. The Wildcats even won on Friday night over Nacogdoches 30-28. A nap and a Whitehouse win in the same weekend is a rare occurrence indeed. It seems that everyone I have met so far this morning is in a really good mood. It is always helps to wake up when it is light outside rather than dark. It is a bit disconcerting though. You wake up, notice it is light outside, and your mind races to figure out why you are late. In a short while you realize it is that phenomenon no one can explain, Daylight Savings Time.

I guess the Aggies were guilty of the same sin I was, looking past Baylor. With a matchup with the Mighty Sooners looming next week at Kyle Field it seems that the Ags forgot about their opponent in Waco. Who knew that the Bears could keep College Gameday from visiting Aggieland?

Whenever someone asks me where I live, I always tell them, "In UP, with three guys I have known since elementary school." It has been fun living with Adam, Jon, and Seth this year, but I cannot help but think that sometimes that is who I still think of them as, the guys in Shiloh Youth Group. We talked for a long time about living in "The Apartment", but now that the time is here, we are never even there at the same time. All of the talk about the guys' place has been interuppted by girlfriends, the Optimist, and other things. We all know each other very well, and appreciate each other's faults and strengths, but we are beginning to understand that we are four very different people on four different paths. Our personalities are beginning to solidify and each one is unique. What makes this time memorable is the value of shared experience. I know where these guys have come from, and what we have seen together. We have countless memories of van rides, chorus practices, working in Mexico, climbing mountains, and busting each other's chops. That is why I am thankful for this time. Maybe I am just holding on to a memory that has passed by, or perhaps I am wishing that things might be that way once again.