back at it

I'm sitting at my local Starbucks sipping away on some piping hot coffee. It's April and there are snow flurries. Go figure. I'm okay with it though. Snow doesn't bother me much; I'd just like the snowfall to cease by the end of the month. The white stuff and the month of May don't mix, in my opinion.
mmmmmmmm.... coffee..... black.... bold.... the way it should be. Komodo dragon has a bold punch this morning. Good. Sometimes I need a knock to the senses to get my day started. Maybe the caffeine will knock out this headache. Allergies? Sinus pressure? A cold? I don't know... I just want it to go away.
This oatmeal is pretty tasty right now.... I could go for a real breakfast though- some corned beef hash and eggs with a side of sourdough toast. Yeah. Yeah. That would be great. Oatmeal will have to do for now.
Life hasn't looked the way I thought it would over these past years and months. I've had more trial and heartache than expected, but more personal growth too. Everything's good though. Life is hard. It is. And it's harder when you're trying to live against the grain. I've tried rolling with the punches- riding the waves, if you will... But I have come to believe that it's better to stand firmly upon your beliefs and make decisions based on values in order to avoid a conflicted heart, than to go with the flow and permit injustice. This is my understanding of accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Going along, unquestioning, with authority and public opinion allows for abuse- of others, and even yourself. Sure, that may be a generalization, but I'm just saying that we need to stop and analyze things. We need to take the time to consider the effects of our actions. When did we stop realizing that history does repeat itself and doing that which we've already done, expecting different results, is indeed insanity?
I choose sanity.
I choose life.
I choose liberty.
I choose justice.
I choose to take this sinful world, just as it is.
I choose to believe that Jesus can and will make it right as I submit myself to His will.
There is no need to "settle" in a church. Rise up! Take action! BE the church! Examine closely the word of the Lord and consider prayerfully His will... Then, without compromise, DO IT!
There will be opposition to this way of life. Revolution always involves conflict. Just do not be surprised when the adversary has your face. The flesh is the most fierce foe. Self is a restless evil that is literally hell-bent on the pursuit of desirous satisfaction. External conflict is impossible to ignore, but when the mirror reveals your foe there is such temptation to yield. Awaken, you sleeping soul! Arise and put to death the sinful nature. Seize hold of the freedom that is at hand!

Hmmm. Where'd that come from?
My coffee is cold and I've finished my oatmeal. I guess it's time to wrap this up.
Until next time....