I've been through a ton of mental and physical trials this year that I can't even begin to explain. Of course, it's probably nothing compared to others, but it's the place that the Lord has me. Needless to say, God has graciously allowed to me to begin healing immensely over the last couple months. But this week I started to notice a relapse of a few things that I thought were gone for good. So I just asked my Mom if she noticed I was getting better. Here is a brief recreation of the dialogue.
Mom: "Yes I noticed you were getting a lot better. It's really great. But some of your old struggles are starting to creep back into your life."
Me: "Why do you think that is?"
Mom: "Because you are not spending time with the Lord."
That's it. That's all I needed to hear. She didn't sugar-coat it. She didn't beat around the bush. She just told me straight-up, no strings. So help someone else: When they ask you important questions like the one I asked my mother, give the inquirer a straight-up answer. Show your love by telling them the truth. And help yourself: when you ask a question, ask for a straight, blunt answer. You get to the core problem a lot faster that way. And just to think, I didn't need an hour long conversation to figure out why I was struggling. Just an honest answer.
Currently Reading: "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn
Currently Listening: Rocks into Rivers- Seabird
Philosophical Thought of the Day: Live honestly.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Doing Jazz Again
Saturday, June 27th: That was the last time I posted a blog?!? Cheese. Well, I really would love to start doing this jazz again. So....I am =). I don't know really how to get back into this, considering I just made the choice about 5 minutes ago. So I'm just going to stick with blabbering on for about a paragraph or so to get the hang of it and then post something that's not complete junk tomorrow. So here are the currents:
Currently Reading: The Divide by Nicholas Evans
Currently Listening: Battle Studies- John Mayer
Philosophical Thought of the Day: If we are so worried about who we want to be, we will most certainly stray far far from who we are supposed to be.
Cheers,
FBTI A.F. Skalberg
Currently Reading: The Divide by Nicholas Evans
Currently Listening: Battle Studies- John Mayer
Philosophical Thought of the Day: If we are so worried about who we want to be, we will most certainly stray far far from who we are supposed to be.
Cheers,
FBTI A.F. Skalberg
Saturday, June 27, 2009
FBI Problem Solvers Set Number 2
#6 Regaining Skills
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist regain confidence in a skill that presently seems unpracticed and difficult?
A. The FBI Scientist rationalizes by doing the aforementioned skill under somewhat rebellious circumstances and (in this case) plays the electric guitar as loud as the equipment will allow. Problem Solved.
#7 Leisure
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist exercise leisure activities while still accomplishing a significant amount of work?
A. An FBI Scientist does not leisure; this would imply the temporary cessation of intelligent thought in order to achieve a sense of relief. The FBI Scientist always achieves relaxation in an intelligent manner. Problem Solved.
#8 Guesstimation
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist guesstimate a logical conclusion in a short amount of time?
A. The Scientist does not guesstimate; it is not logical to do so nor is it properly using the logic of science. However, by applying a significant amount of intelligence to the work at hand, a logical conclusion may be reaching in a small amount of time. Problem Solved.
#9 FBI Agents
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist approach his newly assigned Agent?
A. A future FBI Scientist retains composure, introduces himself, and lets the Agent know, in terms he cannot understand, that the Scientist is the smart one in the partnership. However the Scientist must retain a certain amount of humility, for the Agent has the gun. Problem Solved.
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist regain confidence in a skill that presently seems unpracticed and difficult?
A. The FBI Scientist rationalizes by doing the aforementioned skill under somewhat rebellious circumstances and (in this case) plays the electric guitar as loud as the equipment will allow. Problem Solved.
#7 Leisure
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist exercise leisure activities while still accomplishing a significant amount of work?
A. An FBI Scientist does not leisure; this would imply the temporary cessation of intelligent thought in order to achieve a sense of relief. The FBI Scientist always achieves relaxation in an intelligent manner. Problem Solved.
#8 Guesstimation
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist guesstimate a logical conclusion in a short amount of time?
A. The Scientist does not guesstimate; it is not logical to do so nor is it properly using the logic of science. However, by applying a significant amount of intelligence to the work at hand, a logical conclusion may be reaching in a small amount of time. Problem Solved.
#9 FBI Agents
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist approach his newly assigned Agent?
A. A future FBI Scientist retains composure, introduces himself, and lets the Agent know, in terms he cannot understand, that the Scientist is the smart one in the partnership. However the Scientist must retain a certain amount of humility, for the Agent has the gun. Problem Solved.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
FBI Problem Solvers.
Even though I have already posted one of my FBI Problem Solvers to the blog...I thought I would post them all in the same place for your learning pleasure.
#1 Pest Control
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist exercise pest control?
A. A stealthy blow with a convenient nearby wooden sword is applied to the pest using a carefully thought out amount of physical strength. After the pest has been considerably obliterated, the Scientist will apply high suction power from a machine with such function and dispose of the body. Problem solved.
#2 White Shirts
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist remove the residue from a red shirt which was transferred to a perfectly white shirt during an improperly planned out load of laundry?
A. By carefully studying a shirt of the said color white, one may ascertain that the color pink the shirt was unfortunately been dyed is not an acceptable color for any article of clothing. By making such a statement, the Scientist will be led to use sodium hypochlorite and sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, commonly referred to as household bleach, to wash the shirt and make it white again. Problem Solved.
#3 Driving Optimization
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist go to two stores in under 30 minutes??
A. By mentally mapping out the number of right and left turns and optimizing by making a the fewest number of left turns and using the freeway. Problem Solved.
#4 Laptop Sound
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist enhance the sound system of a laptop that is only meant to be used on a small scale?
A. By reducing the sound level on the laptop to 3/4 of the maximum sound capacity and attaching it to a stereo with 240 watts of pure power, the Scientist will then have surround sound for the laptop with the capacity of a medium-sized home theatre. Problem Solved.
#5 Cleaning the Lab
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist aptly clean the laboratory to the exacting specifications of the lab director?
A. By carefully considering the course of action which must be taken, the FBI Scientist retrieves a large box and puts all unnecessary items and items considered as contributors to the mess, into the box and puts it in someone else's lab. Problem Solved.
And there we are! All up to date and in one convenient location! Love, Alex (Future FBI Scientist)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The FBI Problem Solver of the Day #2
FBI Problem Solver of the Day:
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist remove the residue from a red shirt which was transferred to a perfectly white shirt during an improperly planned out load of laundry?
A. By carefully studying a shirt of the said color white, one may ascertain that the color pink the shirt was unfortunately been dyed is not an acceptable color for any article of clothing. By making such a statement, the Scientist will be led to use sodium hypochlorite and sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, commonly referred to as household bleach, to wash the shirt and make it white again. Problem Solved.
Q. How does a future FBI Scientist remove the residue from a red shirt which was transferred to a perfectly white shirt during an improperly planned out load of laundry?
A. By carefully studying a shirt of the said color white, one may ascertain that the color pink the shirt was unfortunately been dyed is not an acceptable color for any article of clothing. By making such a statement, the Scientist will be led to use sodium hypochlorite and sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, commonly referred to as household bleach, to wash the shirt and make it white again. Problem Solved.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
CO-JO: Non-Mobile Update Because I Figured Out the WI-FI!
So typing out "My Colorado Journey" as the title for every single entry seemed to bland and uncreative to me. Now I am going for the more creative approach by changing up the title a little bit every day in effort not to bore you, the reader, and to make myself feel more pleasantly creative.
It's about 9:00 local time...but I only use local time when I'm hungry so that I can make dinner one our earlier. And as you can tell, I forgot that I had a wireless button on my computer that I have to turn on in order for the WI-FI to work. As soon as I pushed the handy little button, voila! my wireless worked. Hence my blogging right now.
Today we started out the day by going to have a lovely little continental breakfast...it wasn't as impressive as I hoped, but still tasty. Then we headed up thousands of feet to bike down an insanely steep bike trail/road. Without saying too much about the trail itself, which with all it's varied aspens was beautiful, my little brother and I hit around 25-30mph on our bikes...now that is an amazing feeling...and scary actually. After we biked, we got back to the hotel and walked to the tennis courts, which were clear on the other side of a lake...but so worth it. Tennis is awesome. So we played tennis awhile, I sucked but it was fun whackin a little neon ball around with mi familia. Now after dinner and a little jacuzzi and shower, I am sitting here typing a blog. Not I am going to play some Wolfenstein.
Currently Reading: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Currently Listening: Slowhand- Eric Clapton
Philosophical Thought of the Day: A writer's way of speaking is putting words into pictures that their reader can see. A musician's way of speaking is putting notes into it's listener's ears so that they can see through everything around them and hear the message of the music.
It's about 9:00 local time...but I only use local time when I'm hungry so that I can make dinner one our earlier. And as you can tell, I forgot that I had a wireless button on my computer that I have to turn on in order for the WI-FI to work. As soon as I pushed the handy little button, voila! my wireless worked. Hence my blogging right now.
Today we started out the day by going to have a lovely little continental breakfast...it wasn't as impressive as I hoped, but still tasty. Then we headed up thousands of feet to bike down an insanely steep bike trail/road. Without saying too much about the trail itself, which with all it's varied aspens was beautiful, my little brother and I hit around 25-30mph on our bikes...now that is an amazing feeling...and scary actually. After we biked, we got back to the hotel and walked to the tennis courts, which were clear on the other side of a lake...but so worth it. Tennis is awesome. So we played tennis awhile, I sucked but it was fun whackin a little neon ball around with mi familia. Now after dinner and a little jacuzzi and shower, I am sitting here typing a blog. Not I am going to play some Wolfenstein.
Currently Reading: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Currently Listening: Slowhand- Eric Clapton
Philosophical Thought of the Day: A writer's way of speaking is putting words into pictures that their reader can see. A musician's way of speaking is putting notes into it's listener's ears so that they can see through everything around them and hear the message of the music.
My Colorado Journey: Mobile Update #4
Well, we didn't just get into the hotel but I've been making myself at home so the update is happenin' now! =) this place is huge...my Mom says it's much bigger than her first apartment! For some strange reason this fancy hotel doesn't have wi-fi so I have to continue updating from my phone. Goodnight!
Friday, May 29, 2009
My Colorado Journey: Mobile Update #3
Update time! We just stopped in Grand Junction and ate now we're back on the road once more. I'm writing my book and my Dad is driving. I got to have the wheel for three hours...it was amazing...a legal 75mph is awesome.
My Colorado Journey: Mobile Update #2
So we have just passed through something that looks kind of like the Grand Canyon...for all I know it might have been...but I didn't bother to ask so I have no idea. I get to drive in a little while and throw some Clapton on the sterio...it's gonna rock...until then it's reading time!
My Colorado Journey: Mobile Update #1
So we have made our first rest stop...needless to say I was already rested upon arriving. I'm not exactly sure where we are but it seems as though we are somewhere! Profundity aside...till later today! Mahalo, friends!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
You are a Work of Art
I am paranoid about so many things. It drives me absolutly crazy though. Sometimes it seems almost as deep as me being paranoid of being paranoid. I often feel like I am crazy and that there's no possible way anyone would ever love me. When everyone around me finds love, where do I go? There's no place for my lonely heart. Or is there? Or am I just the outcast in a world full of love? Well, that never seems to hit me right. What a desolate world with so little love. But why does it feel so lonely? Why does my heart break at the sight of love? Why does my brow sink to the muddy floor when I hear of great acts of love? It is the most confusing feeling I have ever experienced in my whole life. I feel so lonely, but at the first sight of possible love, I cry and run. What a coward. God, I can't hear You!! Oh, what sins am I? LOST LOST. Save me, dear Friend. Loneliness is eating up my smile. Am I really so hopeless for love, or am I work of art that's been hiding in the dark all this time?
prayer for today:
Dearest Friend in my heart,
SAVE ME FROM MY LONELINESS!!! It's pulling me around by the threads of my joy. Each day one more thread snaps and it now drags me by the hair. Give me peace, patience, kindness, and goodness! I give myself to you, my shelter and keeper of my soul. Amen.
lyrics for today :
I'm an old soul in a complex mind
I'm a young heart that's been compromised
When I felt alone in the bitter cold
You were there right by my side
and you told me
You are, you are a work of art
You're a masterpiece, you're hiding in the dark
Singin' you are, you are a work of art
The shadows cover up and hide your weary heart
I'm a caged bird that has lost its voice
I'm a soldier with a paper sword
When I gave up to the other side
You were there to rescue me and you told me
"Shadows"- Raining and OK
Currently Reading: The Real Book (It's music book)
Currently Listening: Always Will Be EP- Raining amd OK
Philosophical Thought of the Day: When we feels huge, look to the clouds for just a moment to feel small, so we see God bigger than ourselves.
Alex
prayer for today:
Dearest Friend in my heart,
SAVE ME FROM MY LONELINESS!!! It's pulling me around by the threads of my joy. Each day one more thread snaps and it now drags me by the hair. Give me peace, patience, kindness, and goodness! I give myself to you, my shelter and keeper of my soul. Amen.
lyrics for today :
I'm an old soul in a complex mind
I'm a young heart that's been compromised
When I felt alone in the bitter cold
You were there right by my side
and you told me
You are, you are a work of art
You're a masterpiece, you're hiding in the dark
Singin' you are, you are a work of art
The shadows cover up and hide your weary heart
I'm a caged bird that has lost its voice
I'm a soldier with a paper sword
When I gave up to the other side
You were there to rescue me and you told me
"Shadows"- Raining and OK
Currently Reading: The Real Book (It's music book)
Currently Listening: Always Will Be EP- Raining amd OK
Philosophical Thought of the Day: When we feels huge, look to the clouds for just a moment to feel small, so we see God bigger than ourselves.
Alex
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I Don't Do Superman.
You know how sometimes when we're having one of those days where everything seems like it's awesome. You wake up and you just realize that Mom made cinnamon rolls, then when you get out of bed to get dressed, your favorite shirt is clean. You get to school on time, realize you did your homework, you're ahead of schedule. Guess what we're thinking most of the time: We're Superman!
Well, we're all high and mighty until we get home and your dog has brought a dozen dead birds in the house along with his dirty, muddy self.
What really hit me is that if we are thankful for what God has graciously given us (in this particular case, an easy-going day) then when we come back down (which, believe me, you WILL do) we don't hit the concrete so hard. If we aren't constantly swinging our fists at God, perhaps we can lay down our pride and give God a chance to help us grow. That's what I'm working on.
Prayer for Today:
My dearest Jesus,
I thank you deeply for everything that you have blessed me with. I pray that when I feel like everything is going right, that I give you all the glory and praise. I pray, Lord, that as I go through this day, that I seek to do everything for you with a servant's heart. I love you so much. I lay my pride down at your feet today because I cannot do any of this on my own. Amen.
Lyrics for Today:
Out the door just in time
Head down the 405
Gotta meet the new boss by 8 am
The phone rings in the car
The wife is working hard
She's running late tonight again
Well
I know what I've been told
You gotta work to feed the soul
But I can't do this all on my own
No, I know I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
You've got your love online
You think you're doing fine
But you're just plugged into the wall
And that deck of tarot cards
Won't get you very far
There ain't no hand to break your fall
Well
I know what I've been told
You gotta know just when to fold
But I can't do this all on my own
No, I know I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
That's right
You've crossed the finish line
Won the race but lost your mind
Was it worth it after all
I need you here with me
Cause love is all we need
Just take a hold of the hand that breaks the fall
Well I know what I've been told
Gotta break free to break the mold
But I can't do this all on my own
No I can't do this all on my own
I know that I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
Someday we'll be together
Someday, someday
Someday we'll be together
Someday
I'm no Superman
Currently Reading: Fahrenheit 451 (still)
Currently Listening: Goodnight- William Fitzsimmons
Philosophical Thought of the Day: Leave your faults behind and you'll find that chains fall off. Bring your faults along and you'll find they're attached to you wherever you go.
Love, Peace, and Joy,
Alex
Well, we're all high and mighty until we get home and your dog has brought a dozen dead birds in the house along with his dirty, muddy self.
What really hit me is that if we are thankful for what God has graciously given us (in this particular case, an easy-going day) then when we come back down (which, believe me, you WILL do) we don't hit the concrete so hard. If we aren't constantly swinging our fists at God, perhaps we can lay down our pride and give God a chance to help us grow. That's what I'm working on.
Prayer for Today:
My dearest Jesus,
I thank you deeply for everything that you have blessed me with. I pray that when I feel like everything is going right, that I give you all the glory and praise. I pray, Lord, that as I go through this day, that I seek to do everything for you with a servant's heart. I love you so much. I lay my pride down at your feet today because I cannot do any of this on my own. Amen.
Lyrics for Today:
Out the door just in time
Head down the 405
Gotta meet the new boss by 8 am
The phone rings in the car
The wife is working hard
She's running late tonight again
Well
I know what I've been told
You gotta work to feed the soul
But I can't do this all on my own
No, I know I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
You've got your love online
You think you're doing fine
But you're just plugged into the wall
And that deck of tarot cards
Won't get you very far
There ain't no hand to break your fall
Well
I know what I've been told
You gotta know just when to fold
But I can't do this all on my own
No, I know I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
That's right
You've crossed the finish line
Won the race but lost your mind
Was it worth it after all
I need you here with me
Cause love is all we need
Just take a hold of the hand that breaks the fall
Well I know what I've been told
Gotta break free to break the mold
But I can't do this all on my own
No I can't do this all on my own
I know that I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman
Someday we'll be together
Someday, someday
Someday we'll be together
Someday
I'm no Superman
Currently Reading: Fahrenheit 451 (still)
Currently Listening: Goodnight- William Fitzsimmons
Philosophical Thought of the Day: Leave your faults behind and you'll find that chains fall off. Bring your faults along and you'll find they're attached to you wherever you go.
Love, Peace, and Joy,
Alex
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's About That Time...
To start blogging again! It has been two months. Which is waaay too long. Right now I am sitting in the Yellow Zone in the ER. I am the ER transpoter for the night until 3:30am. Yes, I am well near crazy to do a shift like this. But I like it. I am currently waiting for a patient to move...hence the blog; although I have already been writing this over the last half hour in between jobs. I suspect that this blog will be lengthy so it probably will be finished much later than I started it.
So right now I am reading in 1 Timothy 1. It's pretty amazing how much grace that God shows to us despite all of our sins and shortcomings. This passage is a great example of how that grace drives His children to perceptive, humble gratefulness. Here's verses 12-14.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Paul is really just laying down his pride and giving all praise and thanks due to his Lord and Savior for the great things He has done in his life.
May we all strive to look outside ourselves, outside our problems, and outside the troubles this world is constantly shoving our face to see and be thankful for the amazing love and mercy God blesses us with daily.
Since the last time I posted I decided to add a few things to the "Today" section of the blog aside from Lyrics for Today and Prayer for Today. There will now be a Philosophical Thought of the Day, Currently Reading, and Currently Listening section at the bottom of the blog, just to add a little more jelly to the PB&J sandwich. Well, gee. Ampersands are awesome; don't use them ery often but it seems like it belongs in the PB&J. So here we go with all the regular "Today's" and the new "Today's" ( as usual though, no "Prayer for Today": I do that in the morning =))
Lyrics for Today:
Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do
Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith
"Walk By Faith" -Jeremy Camp
Currently Reading: Fahrenhiet 451
Currently Listening: Speaking Louder than Before- Jeremy Camp
Philosophical Thought of the Day: Don't eat grass already! You haven't been defeated yet!
Blessings,
Alex
So right now I am reading in 1 Timothy 1. It's pretty amazing how much grace that God shows to us despite all of our sins and shortcomings. This passage is a great example of how that grace drives His children to perceptive, humble gratefulness. Here's verses 12-14.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Paul is really just laying down his pride and giving all praise and thanks due to his Lord and Savior for the great things He has done in his life.
May we all strive to look outside ourselves, outside our problems, and outside the troubles this world is constantly shoving our face to see and be thankful for the amazing love and mercy God blesses us with daily.
Since the last time I posted I decided to add a few things to the "Today" section of the blog aside from Lyrics for Today and Prayer for Today. There will now be a Philosophical Thought of the Day, Currently Reading, and Currently Listening section at the bottom of the blog, just to add a little more jelly to the PB&J sandwich. Well, gee. Ampersands are awesome; don't use them ery often but it seems like it belongs in the PB&J. So here we go with all the regular "Today's" and the new "Today's" ( as usual though, no "Prayer for Today": I do that in the morning =))
Lyrics for Today:
Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do
Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith
"Walk By Faith" -Jeremy Camp
Currently Reading: Fahrenhiet 451
Currently Listening: Speaking Louder than Before- Jeremy Camp
Philosophical Thought of the Day: Don't eat grass already! You haven't been defeated yet!
Blessings,
Alex
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