Yesterday was a rain day. Yes, a rain day. As opposed to a rainy day. Rain days for me are recooperation days. And I needed to. I slept a lot. I didn't read. I didn't talk to anyone much (gasp, so unsocialble); I really didn't do much of anything.

I felt better later. Enough to go to BJ's (the store, not University) to grocery shop with friends. That was an experience.

Later we had dinner, and we watched TV and talked. It was a good day. A rain day.

I can't believe how fast a week has gone by. Tomorrow is the last day for me in Greenville for a while. It was a really good time. 1 1/2 days left. I'll have to make the best of it. I'm going to Philosophy of Ed. again. That was an interesting class.

I went to classes today with my sister. I manged to make it to Modern Poetry at 8 am. Completely amazing. I also went to Chinese which was so fascinating, and the best was Philosophy of Education. I really enjoyed that class! Very interesting.

I ate lunch with my sister, I got to see Paul-Michael (I can't remember if you hyphenate your name or not!) at the Press. Got to go to the Snack Shop for Chai and a great chat with Dianna and Christa. Saw both Hillary and Gwen.

Ate dinner with the Youngs and had a great conversertion. They are always great conversation people. Ben, Stephanie and Katie (who rescued us by Googling) helped me find a MIDI of the Jupiter Hymn by Holst. I couldn't remember it, although I had been singing it a few hours before! Well, we heard it and then I went to play it at the piano. Very happy.

Now I'm at my friend's apartment. I haven't seen him in a few years as well. This has been a great trip. I was very tired though today. A little out of sorts. But I am feeling okay now.

Well, I've rambled enough.

I think I shall start taking a walk every day. It is good for the heart, even if it hurts my foot. I am enjoying my time here so much!

Talk about a good family. How about the Youngs? They are the most gracious family. I love them so much.

Do not fear questions about Truth.
Fear not caring enough about Truth to ask questions.

I went hiking today with my sister and friends. It was a Paris Mountain trail I had not been on before. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you want to have fun with your friends despite being "broken." I hadn't even recovered from Hill's shindig yesterday. But I would not be hindered. And I made it too! I hope I don't regret it. Naw, I won't. I'll get all the fun in I can this week and recover next week.

On the way back from the trail to the car, we started singing various songs (from checkable sources). I was with Bob Jones students after all. We finally got to the Yellow brick road somehow, and since we were heading back to BJ, I guess we were off to see the Wizard.

I decided who was who: Dianna was Dorothy -- just for alliteration's sake; Christa was the Scarecrow...Hey, she's my sister I can say that she doesn't have a brain and still love her; Greg was the Cowardly Lion because he is "afraid" of snakes (I use sarcastic quotemarks.), and we did see him jump when he thought he saw one, or maybe he was trying to protect Dorothy? I was the Tin Man, because I'm rusty and walk funny -- and Jen says I have no heart.

Anyway, we had a marvelous time. We went to Pizza Hut for dinner, then to Atlanta Bread for cheese cake and coffee (yuck!) and tea.

Then I came home to practice with the Youngs. I'm taking up my accompanist role that I enjoy so much.

And look at me, I'm going to bed early.

It was a rather full day, this concluding day of Bible Conference. It was such a blessing to be here, even if for only two days of the Conference.

A really exciting thing that happened today (and yesterday) was meeting some of Ben's Friends.

First of all, I met Miss Ubertati herself, Stephanie Geter.

Next I met Ben Kammer of Series of Doors.

And finally, I met one of our new bloggers, Jon Sligh of Shifting Sand

So, I still have a few people to meet from bensfriends. Watch out I might show up at your door step. You could tell your friends you met someone over the internet.

It was very nice to meet Jon and Kammer, we were able to talk for a while. They are tall. Very pleasant.

Benjamin, Stephanie and I had tea in downtown Greer yesterday. We walked around and saw the sights. It was a jolly good time.

I'll write more later when I can think straight. I am tired. I walked a lot today.

I went to church with my Mother and Aunt and her husband on Wednesday night in Eden, NC, and had such a good time with God's people.

The Pastor talked about sharing Jesus with other people. Our witnessing. Now I'm not saying we can't go out and preach the Gospel. That is what we are called to do. But one of the simplest ways we can "preach" is to share Jesus and what He has done for us.

We are His witnesses. We have seen Him. Not in the flesh, but through His Word, certainly. He is the Word.

We each shared something about our salvation or what God had done for us in our lives in small groups before we were dismissed. It was amazing. I wish I knew more about people like this in MY church. I think I am going to suggest it.

I can't think of very many salvation testimonies of people in my church. That is kind of sad. We are family after all, we shouldn't be ashamed to share these things with each other. We should tell each other. I'm afraid we don't really talk to each other anymore. Or maybe it is me that is removed from the people in my church because of my age, and because I have been away at school. If that is true it is certianly my fault and I will have to pray sincerely about that and ask forgiveness.

I am just afraid we don't know each other in the church. We have our "safe" friends that we talk to and the others are just people that we shake hands with and ask how their day has been. But do we know them? Do we intervene on behalf of them? Do we know their burdens and our we trying to help them?

I know this post is long. I know it doesn't make much sense...I am very tired and on medication. But I felt like I had to post it. I liked what David said the other day, part of blogging is saying what you need to and then being willing to be corrected. There's nothing wrong with being corrected. We should have a good spirit about correction and know that others are trying to help us grow in the knowledge of God.

So...if you have had similar thoughts...or if you need to correct something I've said (especially if I misparaphrased/butchered what you said David) please let me know what you think.

My mother and I made it to Duke University's Pain Clinic pretty easily, and the appointment went well. The doctor was very helpful. I will start a new treatment soon, one that has helped many people overcome their pain. After I get pain managment, I will have to have some physical therapy to regain some of the motor control in my foot that I have lost.

This is by no means a conclusion. It is, in fact, just a beginning. I have another appointment at Duke in 4 weeks. I appreaciate all that have prayed for me, and I ask for your continued prayers.

I am planning soon to blog about Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). This is the disease I have that has caused me so much trouble. I hope that I can help educate people a little, to do my part.

I'm leaving in a few minutes with my mother to go down to Duke. My appointment is at 1pm.

I'll try to continue blogging while I'm in Greenville later this week.

grace and peace

I said that I would start looking at some hymn lyrics. I am going to paraphrase/reword the lyrics to help me better understand them. And I might only look at one line at a time. It depends on how well I feel or how late it is when I think about a certain song. Finally, I know that the Bible is our source of Truth, not the hymnal. But hopefully, our hymnals and certainly our lips should be filled with Truthful lyrics that praise the Lord (hallelujah Psalm 146). That's why I wanted to do this in the first place.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

You fountain of every blessing, come tune my heart to sing your grace;

It makes me wonder if I want God really to work in my heart to be "on key" with Him. This line suggests to me that the starting process is a sole work of God. He must do the work in the heart. He is the One who gave us a song (Psalm 40:3); and the natural result of our being filled with the Spirit is singing (Ephesians 5:18). The part we must play is presenting our members as slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:19) and not resisting the Spirit's work (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30; Acts 5:3 ff).

You know, a dictionary definition of fount can include the idea of one that initiates. So we have God, the Great Initiator of every blessing, as our Father (Luke 11:9-13; James 1:17).

Let me fear the LORD!
	Let me obey.
	And hear Your servant's voice.
Let me walk in darkness
	with no light
	And fear not.
Because I trust in Your Name,
	and rely on my God.
Help me Sovereign LORD, Almighty
	never to kindle
		my own fire;
	never to walk
		in my own light.
Keep me from that torment
	from Your hand.

(see Isaiah 50:10-11)

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from 
		everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, 
And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant 
And remember His precepts to do them.

~ Psalms 103:17-18 (NASB)

For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.

~ Ecclesiastes 2:11-12

It was a windy day in Virginia Beach, but a wonderful first day of Spring. It was nice. I got a tall tazo chai latte. And, alas, I got my hair chopped off.

But it really was a good day.

So...everything is set. The bags aren't packed yet, obviously, but Lord willing, I'll be down to Greenville March 25 - April 1.

I'm excited. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew, that I was planning to be there.

Have a nice night.

p.s.
I found out my friend 'Q' was going to be there too!

I like the rain. I really do. I was thinking earlier it must be selfish to think it has to be sunny for me. The earth is the LORD'S.

But I must admit sometimes, like today, I struggle to realize that it has to rain. I want the sunshine for my personal happiness, and don't even think to myself that there is a Sovereign Lord superintending His creation by His good pleasure. But then I heard the birds singing, and remembered God sees them too.

Virginia Beach, VA; home; dinner time.

Micah: I heard the birds singing in the rain today.

Dad: They were singing in the shower.

Micah: You know I'm going to put that on my blog, don't you?

Bible Conference here I come. Well...sort of.

Right now it looks like I will be in Greenville on Thursday, March 25. That is the day after the big doctors appointment at Duke University, so please remember me in your prayers.

I will stay (hopefully) a whole week in Greenville.

I am very excited. I didn't get to see many people last time I was there because it was during the Christmas holidays, and it was a brief visit.

Rich, rich,
So rich indeed.
Adopted, it pleased
Him -- to the praise of His
                Glorious grace.
Which is bestowed
On us,
         made us,
Accepted in the Beloved.

Well, I've not finished my piano arrangement, so I guess a book it is. I've been sick all day, but I am not discouraged. I feel like my spirit has been refreshed this week. I didn't realize how low my spirits had fallen. But the Lord knows and worked everything out to help me.

I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness
        And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

~ Psalm 7:17 (NASB)

I asked the Lord to give me more strength. I get tired so easily. And He did.

Tuesday, I had the most wonderful time with the Sweedes working on a film script for a church project. And after lunch we talked and talked. It was such a blessing and time of refreshment.

Plus, today, I went over there again to have tea and chat some more. But this time Donna and I got the opportunity to talk about our respective writings which was very encouraging and exciting.

And the day didn't end there, because after teaching this evening I got it in my head to write a piano arrangement for the offertory on Sunday rather than playing something from a book I have. I am almost done and will finish it tomorrow. Half of it is already in Finale for printing purposes.

from WORLD on the Web

WORLD April 26, 2003: Digging Holes

I found this article today, and I found it interesting. I haven't read all of it. I know, tragic. But I mean to read it. Here are some interesting points, follow the link for the complete article.

Then came reports that a new company, Walden Media, had a big-budget, live-action Narnia movie in the works, and new questions arose: Will the movie be faithful to the books? Will it include C.S. Lewis's Christianity and his evangelistic symbolism? Or will it water down the theology and turn Lewis's allegory of redemption into just another fuzzy children's tale about talking animals?

So far, the message from Walden Media is positive. "We will do a faithful adaptation," Walden President Michael Flaherty promised WORLD. He says he even distributed WORLD's article on the betrayal of Lewis's vision [link inserted] to everyone working on the project, with the HarperCollins plans as an example of what not to do.

I love posting things (poems, articles, songs), but I haven't been writing as much as I would like. Therefore, I have decided to change that.

I played Come, Thou Fount at church tonight on the organ in what is referred to in our church as fellowship time. It is that time when many Baptists (and perhaps other denominations) sing a verse or chorus then make the rounds and shake hands and say, "how do you do?" or some such variation.

My friend Deborah came up to the organ as I played, and as I started the verse over again, we said almost simultaneously, "I love this song."

It really made me think. I wondered why "I love this song"? I consider my experience unique (which in fact seems redundant in that each person's experience is ultimately unique, no matter how much in common the experience). What I mean, and I realize I am rambling, is that I have been a pianist or organist in church from the time I was in 8th grade. The only time I was part of congregational singing was at Bob Jones for a few years.

I realize that one is not limited to singing in church, but even at home, I play, not necessarily sing.

My point, yes, I'll get to it. I don't know the words to hymns.

There...I've said it. I know some of them. But only very generally. I can tell you that Crown Him with Many Crowns is on the left side of the page, or that Blessed Assurance is hymn 157 (in our hymnal) and that Great God of Wonders is in E^b, but I only have a cursory knowledge of many of the hymn lyrics that we sing.

So...I am going to start studying some of the hymns from my church hymnal. I haven't decided what form this study will take, but I'll think about it.

~ Robert Robinson, 1758

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Leave it to me to post an internet e-mail on my blog, but I found this too funny not to share. (For any of those who are wondering, I have a cat.) Thanks to Jen for sending it to me.

The following are excerpts from a dog and cat's journals.

Dog's diary:

8am -- Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9am -- Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite
10am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite!
11am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!
Noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
1pm -- Oh Boy! The yard! My favorite!
3pm -- Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!
4pm -- Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!
5pm -- Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite!
7pm -- Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
9pm -- Oh Boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My
favorite!

Cat's diary:

Day 183 of my captivity...
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre
little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on
fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.
The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of
escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from
ruining the occasional piece of furniture.
Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving
around their feet while they were walking almost
succeeded -- must try this at the top of the
stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile
oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit
on their favorite chair -- must try this on
their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless
body, in an attempt to make them aware of what I
am capable of, and to try to strike fear into
their hearts. They only cooed and condescended
about what a good little cat I was. This did not
work according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their
accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout
the event. However, I could hear the noise and
smell the food. More importantly I overheard that
my confinement was due to MY power of
"allergies." Must learn more about what this is,
and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies,
or more likely snitches. The dog is routinely
released and seems more than happy to return. He
is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other
hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with
them regularly. I am certain he reports my every
move. Due to his current placement in the metal
room, for now his safety is assured. But I can
wait, it is only a matter of time...

Time is my friend, I can wait, I will repay them
all.

I have revised, updated, and all the rest. Hope you like it.

from imdb.com

Kidman Signs for Narnia Movie?

Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman has been signed to star in a new movie version of CS Lewis' classic children's novel The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe. Studio bosses at Disney - who are backing the project - were desperate for Kidman to play the White Witch, and her two kids with ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella, 11, and Connor, nine, convinced her to say yes.

The article continues to say that this is going to be an "ambitious project," and filmed...yes, you guessed it...in New Zealand.

Just be still
    And know I am God.
Just be still
    And see where I have trod.


Just be still
    And trust My will.
Just be still
    And know that I fulfill.


Just be still
    And in awe stand.
Just be still
    And see I hold your hand.

Pippa's Song ~ Robert Browning

The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn:
God's in His Heaven—
All's right with the world!

I found this test on esin and mind the gap.

from yahoo! News

Disney Co-Financing 'Narnia' Adaptation

Tue Mar 2, 1:56 PM ET

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Fresh off the Academy Awards (news - web sites) success of "The Lord of the Rings," another fantasy epic is making its way from the page to the screen.

Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media announced Monday they are co-financing "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," adapted from the second installment of C.S. Lewis' seven-book fantasy series.
Directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "Shrek 2"), the live-action "Narnia" adaptation is scheduled for release around Christmas 2005. Future films in the series could follow.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" follows the adventures of four children transported to a magical land called Narnia.

"`The Chronicles of Narnia' were an important part of my childhood just as they are to millions of fans around the world," Adamson said. "I hope to bring to the screen a movie that is as real to the audience as Narnia was to me as a child."

I got a call from Duke University's Pain Clinic today. I now have an appointment for March 24, 2004 at 1:00pm!

Praise God! This is once again evidence of God's graciousness inspite of my little faith. I didn't expect to get in until summer.

God is faithful.

Bible Conference is that week. Yahoo Maps says it's about 4h41m to Greenville from Duke. Hmm...A plan is forming...

For all of you folks who didn't know, bensfriends.com is sponsored by bigbluehat.com.

And now I have my very own sponsored by sticker in my sidebar.

³The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

~ Nahum 1:3 (NIV)

I attend Diamond Springs Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. This week March 1 to March 4, we will be having revival meetings. Please pray that the Spirit of God would move in our hearts and draw us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1O Lord, You showed favor to 
	Your land; 
You restored the captivity of 
	Jacob.
2You forgave the iniquity of 
	Your people; 
You covered all their sin.
			Selah.
3You withdrew all Your fury; 
You turned away from Your 
	burning anger.
4Restore us, O God of our 
	salvation, 
And cause Your indignation 
	toward us to cease.

5Will You be angry with us 
	forever? 
Will You prolong Your anger 
	to all generations?
6Will You not Yourself revive 
	us again, 
That Your people may rejoice 
	in You?
7Show us Your lovingkindness, 
	O LORD, 
And grant us Your salvation.

8I will hear what God the 
	LORD will say; 
For He will speak peace to His 
	people, to His godly ones; 
But let them not turn back to 
	folly.
9Surely His salvation is near to 
	those who fear Him, 
That glory may dwell in our 
	land.
10Lovingkindness and truth 
	have met together; 
Righteousness and peace have 
	kissed each other.
11Truth springs from the earth, 
And righteousness looks down 
	from heaven.
12Indeed, the LORD will give 
	what is good, 
And our land will yield its 
	produce.
13Righteousness will go before 
	Him 
And will make His footsteps into 
	a way.

~ Psalm 85 (NAS)

Trees ~ Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

When I read this I was rather disappointed. Of course I suspected something like this would happen, as have many others.

from imdb.com

Gibson's 'Passion' Sparks Christian Fashion Craze

Mel Gibson's new movie The Passion Of The Christ has inspired a new craze across America for Christian-themed jewelry. The hit film, which follows the final 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life, is at the center of continued controversy with accusations of potentially inciting anti-Semitism. But as well as fierce debate, the movie has also led hordes of people to buy such souvenirs as crucifixes, lapel pins and cards tied to the film's promotion. A particularly popular item is a pendant fashioned from a single nail made of pewter and attached to a leather strap, say officials of Bob Siemon Designs, licensed by Gibson's Icon Productions to produce jewelry linked to the film. The pendants represent the nails used in the film to fasten Christ to the cross. The company has shipped around 75,000 cross pendants to Christian bookstores across America and approximately the same amount of nail pendants.