Smeagol is Free!
A hermitudinal view of...stuff...


4.30.2006  

Ramshackle

Random thoughts of a rambunctious and ramshackle nature abound today. Here, in no particular order, are a few of them.

I think, if my memory serves me correctly, it's Mon and Dave's last day in Hawai'i. Hmmm...maybe I should call 'em or something. Maybe.

Toto Afternoons are being added to Toto Nights at Scott & Emily's. Such things are quite nice to the perpetually hungry Hawaiian :)

That door to the stall in the men's bathroom in Immanuel Baptist Church, the one that doesn't have a bolt or a latch or anything to keep it closed? Yeah...it needs something to keep it closed.

Talked to Mr. Field yesterday for a good bit. First time since...oh...last November? December? It's been a while, either way. I should go out to Oregon to see them...wouldn't that be nice :)

Speaking of old friends, I was quite blessed to see not just Jim, but other old and dear friends at the conference. As if that weren't enough, I then walked into church this morning and saw Matt and Ginger, with the not-so-little Blake (that kid's got a huge head) in tow. I suppose it's yet another sign that I've been here for a while when I'm one of the ones they recognize when they get back in town. Hmmm.

From a chat log with Sarah Cress:
SarahCress99 (9:42:34 PM): ok, i think i'm going to go for a walk now.
SarahCress99 (9:42:39 PM): are you at work?
SarahCress99 (9:42:56 PM): i'm asking you to take a walk with me.....
SarahCress99 (9:43:15 PM): i thought i might be nice and drop your books off
SarahCress99 (9:43:29 PM): i was making sure someone would be there if i did
SarahCress99 (9:43:42 PM): i'm NOT
SarahCress99 (9:43:52 PM): NOT asking you to take a walk with me
SarahCress99 (9:44:24 PM): OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I just read what i wrote up there.


Miss Christine Robertson tried to impress Mr. Ruszkiewicz and me by flaunting her views on doctrine and polity last night, but didn't do so well. At one point in the conversation, she said, "My favorite pastor is John Dever."

Two more hours, and it's May. Eight more hours, and it'll be May in Hawai'i. That means it'll be Lei Day. *Sigh*...I miss those. I didn't care much for them when I was in school, save for the fact that Lei Day meant we had some program that we got to cut out of class for, but now...I'd give a lot just to be able to smell the flowers.

Oh, and by the way, today is not National Coffee Day. Just thought I'd let all of you know that :)

posted by Bolo | 10:00 PM
2 speakage
 

Word

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 2:5 - 11
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

posted by Bolo | 6:03 PM
0 speakage


4.29.2006  

Trippin'

Earlier this afternoon, this picture was sent to my phone. I suppose that Miss Vaughn and Miss Anderson desired to enlighten me concerning the fruits of their ambassadorial labor. The caption that went with it read, "Ambassador trips are so good! Yeah they are!"

Nerds. They didn't even share.

posted by Bolo | 9:45 PM
1 speakage
 

I Grin, They Bear It

It comes as no surprise to me that those who've known my most august self longest feel little pity for me in my supposed suffering while in exile from the land of my birth; quite frankly, I expect no less. The other night, Lisa called me. I was kindasortofmaybe in the middle of something, so I told my lovely sister I'd call her back in a little while. When I ended up going to bed without calling, I felt guilty enough to return my eldest sibling's phone call the next afternoon to apologize, use of my anytime minutes notwithstanding.

A quick note is in order here: for those of you not familiar with my telephoning habits, please realize that I am worse than normal at returning calls, or even answering them to begin with. This is why Jan chides me in her claim that she is not one of the Elect, her way of saying that she is not one of those individuals whose phone call I will answer. What lies, I tell you! Anyway, back to the main point at hand.

Lisa told me that the reason for her original phone call was to tell me that Mon and Mary were, at that very moment, trading John Boy stories, and comparing them with Kyle stories. Translation in non-Letoto family speak? My three older sisters were laughing at my expense, but what's more, they were laughing at the ways in which my 11 year-old nephew is comparable to me. Is this a rare occurrence? Hardly. Is such an event one that is unequivocally deserved, even while I, the party in mockery, was not there to defend myself? Alas, yes, it is.

For proof of this, one need look no further than the week that's gone past. Just yesterday alone, Boyce College's Miss Texas suffered insufferable sufferings in my presence. For instance, I had her believing that I didn't know my true birthday, and that the date any and all legal documentation pertaining to my date of birth contained was purely arbitrarily contrived. When I spun my little deception with even greater chicanery and depth, telling her that that was the reason for my lack of birthday celebrations, she felt immensely sorry for me. One can only guess at how long I could have kept up my happy foolery, had not a certain man named David ruined my fun.

Another instance involving Miss Texas nearly had her putting her cell phone to her lips with one hand while raising her other hand high in the air, all in order to get a reception on her phone. Why? I made up some blarney about the metallic content in one's skull and teeth acting as a conduit for better cell phone reception. She was buying it until I started laughing quite uproariously :) Her indignant cries of, "You're lying to me!" may still be echoing across Lexington Road.

Dr. W would also agree with the spirit of the unmerciful sibling storyswapping my sisters engaged in the other evening, even if he remained ignorant of the particulars. His Systematic Theology II class is one that he looks forward to, I daresay, if only because it grants him the singular opportunity to poke fun at me, his captive in the midst of a classroom audience, for three hours. I do not begrudge him his proverbial jailor's keys, however, for I more than make up for any gentle chiding I may receive in the midst of his instruction. How so? Well, just yesterday Dr. W was making a point about the atonement. I do not remember precisely where he was in his outline, but he employed the use of an illustration wherein he spoke of a man going into a pawn shop to obtain money. The man spoken of by Dr. W took off from his wrist his "rolodex," placed it on the counter, and asked for cash in exchange. To my sharp mind, the error was immediately clear. I asked Dr. W if giving the pawn shop owner a rolodex instead of a Rolex would be so that he could call all of the man's friends and relatives if he did not pay him back. We laughed, had our joke, and were done with it. Or so Dr. W thought. During the break, the whiteboard had a list of items pertaining to the atonement. I stealthily snuck behind him, wrote "rolodex" in the place of one of the latter items yet to have been expounded upon, and patiently awaited my small victory at the jailor's expense. I was not disappointed :)

Miss Veronika Little, who has come to Boyce College by way of Panama City, Florida, is undeniably unique. Occasionally, her unique nature grants me opportunity to...oh...laugh long and loud and clear. Proof? This post.

Of course, on the campus of Boyce College and Southern Seminary, it is becoming increasingly difficult to know me and not know of my particular knack for acquiring food (and other things). Whence I came upon my attribute of acquisitional affluence, I know not, but I am somewhat intimidated by the fact that I now find myself turning down food, as this speaks of the plethora of provender that has continually come my way. Just this week, Massachusetts native Nick Crouse nearly gained a southern accent when I did not initially accept his offer of a free sandwich. Once my error was corrected, Mr. Crouse's vocal equilibrium was restored, and my metabolic reputation remained intact.

I could go on for quite some time, as there are many more tales of derring-do and happy hilarity that have been manufactured by my mischievous mind and hands. If I listed them all, well, I don't want to brag, but...

Just kidding!

In closing, I'll leave you with one last thought. I do believe that my sisters would agree with me when I claim that Kyle isn't the only little boy I might remind them of. Aaahhh...the pleasures of silly human interaction...

posted by Bolo | 8:01 PM
1 speakage
 

Like Steak...'N Shake

The past week or so was...rare.













































posted by Bolo | 11:57 AM
0 speakage
 

Verbage

Well well well. 'Tis past 1:30 in the morning, and the day that's long since seen its setting sun has been quite unique. I may recount it for you later in greater detail and lesser dementia, but for now, I'll leave you with some verbal reflection of a random rendering.

I've been scarred. I won't say why, but I'm scarred. And no matter what they say, I don't blush. Ever.

Ok, that last claim wasn't true. I think I blushed once in the seventh grade.

Despite the typo and awkward syntax and diction in the post from yesterday (now corrected and revised), I still got a link from Adrian Warnock. I'm not extensively familiar with him or his beliefs, but a quick perusal of his blog has piqued my interest. Good stuff, it seems.

Tonight, I nearly scared the pee out of Taryn Walker. Literally. I'm not kidding. Lauren and I were looking for a little...oh...sumthin' sumthin' to do after getting back to campus from Scott and Emily's, so we decided to watch Taryn walk into the Patio Room. When she was in there, we, the clandestine cohort, agreed that it would be quite bad of me to go hide under her car and wait for her to come back so I could grab her leg. As for what actually took place...let's just say that I'm glad Taryn didn't have a full bladder.

J. Andrew Wood may look innocent and sweet, but the man is anything but. Yup.

Around 8:15 PM, Lauren figured that the streak had been going on for about 7 hours straight. By the time I walked into Fuller 120, that statistic had increased to 12 hours. Scarred, I tell you, scarred.

I couldn't remember the title of the movie Gremlins, and the kids in the youth group that I was with had no idea which movie I was talking about. When I called Leo for help, he asked me, "Is that all? Can't you come up with something harder?" Aaaahhhh, nothing like a little love from a brother, eh?

"Wendy's." That's all I needed. He knew that's all I would need, too :)

Running into Eric and Pat at the conference was very, very cool. I'd not seen those monkeys in over two years, so it was a wonderful thing to be able to chat with them once more.

Despite what Mr. Losey thinks, individuals of the male persuasion do indeed call my phone.

Did you know that the E.Y. stands for Edgar Young? Yes, ladies, this is referring to your collective domicile.

I've seen it all. She keeps spoons in her car. Why? They're "microphones" for her to sing with. Um. Ok. Mmmhhhmm. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

posted by Bolo | 1:39 AM
1 speakage


4.28.2006  

T4G: Day 2

In thinking about the conference, I tried to mentally dog-ear some of the things that stuck out or moved me in a particularly special way. I also tried to get a feel for my overall reaction to what was said, how those things were said, and why they were said.

I failed.

Toward the end of the last panel discussion, I realized that I was quite overwhelmed. This sense came not because of a lack of understanding, but rather from a realization that what was being said is far, far, far more immense than my heart and mind are comfortable with. How so? I suppose the best way to describe this somewhat abstract idea is to look at salvation. I may understand truths about God far better now than when I first tasted of the fruits of salvation, but does that mean that I rejoice in Him to a degree in accordance with the increase of that knowledge? Does my heart yearn and have reverence for our great and holy God in an increase that matches the level of theological training that I've had?

In all honesty, no.

My heart is wretched. I see it over and over and over again. What's worse is seeing how cold and callous I am toward my salvation; though I'd never say it, I do live as though it's a right I've now earned. I think this is the spirit of what Paul had in mind when he rebuked the Galatians, asking them, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" In my fallen flesh, I'm very much prone to thinking that my status as one to whom some others might look for spiritual guidance or wisdom is the measuring stick for my spiritual worth.

Oh, how wrong I am!

As we were exhorted today by Dr. Mohler, we have an inner problem that can only be solved by an alien solution. In other words, I am a sinner whose very existence offends a just and holy God, and the only solution to this is one I cannot claim as having originated or sustaining by my own works: the imputed work of Christ.

All of this is to say that much like salvation, the things that have been said over the past couple of days have been wonderful and profitable to behold and be held by, even if they seem far too good for the likes of me. I want to run, for surely I do not belong. I want to hide, for surely my sin is too great. I want to shake my head in denial, for surely I must make myself better before I sit and partake of this wondrous feast for my soul. But no, the grip of God's grace is too good, too sure for my silly and wayward heart. The good news? They are indeed for the likes of me :)

posted by Bolo | 1:37 AM
1 speakage


4.27.2006  

Quotable

"Mornings are the best. I wake up and she's right there, and I look at her and she looks so innocent and sweet. Then she wakes up and starts talking and I realize she's not so innocent and sweet."
-Chriyus Davis, on marriage

"I was going into the elevator in Mullins, and nobody was around me so I farted really loud. Then I realized that there was the sound of someone typing, but right after I farted, the typing just stopped."
-V.L.

"This isn't fair - Prybys only got on your wall of quotes because pretty much anything that proceeds from her mouth is notably retarded."
-Jessica Cimato

"Did you or did you not carry a briefcase in high school?"
-C.J. Mahaney to Mark Dever

"If I was bored and had a lot of spare time, I would count how many pictures of Lauren Duncan I had on my computer."
-Pablo Butterworth

"You know, if you keep breathing like that when I talk to you about girls, you're never going to get married."
-Me, to an anonymous Boyce College male with a younger brother named Michael and a job in Founders' Cafe

"You're a rent-a-cop? Can I rent you?"
-Sarah El-Masri

posted by Bolo | 1:40 AM
1 speakage


4.26.2006  

Sustenance Acquisition

It was roughly 6:25 PM. I'd missed Mimbs' call, so I called him back. He asked me if I was going to the conference. I told him I wasn't. He asked if I was able to go, meaning that I wasn't working. I told him I was, and asked him why he asked. He then told me that a friend of his, a pastor from Georgia, wasn't able to make it and so was wondering if I was interested in taking his place.

I'll be honest. I didn't even pray about it.

I called Gary on my way over. I told him that I'd not only heard R.C. Sproul preach this morning in chapel, but that I was going to the conference for free. He didn't disappoint me one bit in his infamous and strangely affectionate response: "I hate you."

After I got off the phone with Gary, I thought about what an amazing opportunity this was. I'd heard about the conference almost as soon as it had gone public. I'd followed the hype, read a little from the blog, and could even claim firsthand experience in conversing with several of those amazing men. Yet, I knew for a long while that I wouldn't be able to afford the conference, despite wanting to go. But what happens? Half an hour before it starts, I found myself on my way to a wonderful gathering of men, brothers in Christ, leaders, teachers, shepherds, those whom we hold in esteem and authority.

This definitely beats out any food for my body I could have acquired, for it was food for the soul.

posted by Bolo | 9:43 PM
0 speakage


4.25.2006  

Despair: The Tender Seed

Psalm 93
The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their pounding waves. More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty. Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore.

Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beast of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

The past couple of days, the LORD has seen fit to remind me of who He is. Despair is very, very near to me, for I cannot look within myself and see anything good. Though my flesh would love to cling to this seemingly small deceit, the very character of God is spoken against when I live in such a way as to trust in or proclaim my own goodness. Sin still manifests itself in my heart, and I would cling to my own supposed goodness: such is my reaction to His holy character. Why do I shy away from the His sovereign hand? Why do I run from His holy presence? *Sigh*...

Yet despair does not win; the beautiful, breathtaking truth of the matter is that God has ordained this, and He has granted me salvation. The very despair that He places within me is the tender seed of humility that calls me back to Him. In His kindness He beckons to me, reminding me that no good thing can come from my sin-stained hands, and that it is only the blood of the Lamb that cleanses me and makes me holy. He points me to the cross, showing me again that my sin has been atoned for, and all His goodness to me is found to flow from that sacred fountain of innocent, sacrificial blood. He pulls me eyes up to see Christ risen and seated at His right hand, majestic and glorious, ever interceding on my behalf, longing for the day when He sees His bride glorified and holy in linens clean and bright. 'Tis a salvation of grace, not of law, for no good thing can come of my own hands. Nay, He Himself is my only good, the very light of hope that casts out the darkness of deepening despair.

posted by Bolo | 9:21 PM
0 speakage


4.24.2006  

Hero

This afternoon I'd just gotten off of work at Banana Republic and was driving down Shelbyville Road, on my way back to campus. My phone rings, and it's James. He's quite hysterical, nearly in tears it seems, and I somehow manage to calm him down sufficiently enough so that he can explain to me that he's locked his keys in his car. When he tells me that he's at E.B. Games, not the one at the mall but the one on Shelbyville Road near Starbucks, I look to my left, and I see in bright red, "E.B. Games". I turn around while still on the phone, pull into the parking lot, and tell him to go outside. The look on his face was priceless. When I pulled out a handkerchief and told him to wipe his tear-streaked face, he muttered, "You're my hero! I call you, and you're right there in under a minute!"

posted by Bolo | 7:55 PM
1 speakage
 

Get Out































posted by Bolo | 7:38 PM
1 speakage
 

Will

I've had one thought continually stuck in my head for the past week: "Not my will, but Your will be done." A little over a week ago, as I pondered Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, I kept coming back to that.

This morning, sitting across from Chriyus in Java, I told him that I needed him to preach to me. I asked him to tell me of the gospel. The funny thing is, after a few minutes more of conversation, I unknowingly proceeded to preach unto myself. I told him about the way that I'm blown away by what Jesus prayed in the garden, and how when I look at Philippians 2, I'm taught that Jesus did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, that He emptied Himself, and that He was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus obviously did not pray in Gethsemane with a heart full of joy and peace. Indeed, He was deeply grieved! Yet the Son, even in His hour of grief, desired to obey the Father. I told Chriyus that Jesus showed it was the Father who had authority, and the Son who was submitting. I won't pretend to comprehend all the implications of Jesus' prayer, but I do freely confess that His plea and subsequent obedience has placed a conviction in my heart I cannot shake. If the Son of God desired to submit to the Father's good and perfect will in spite of His grief, what right have I, a wretched sinner, to do anything but the same? If anything, it is precisely because of the obedience of Christ that I can also obey.

posted by Bolo | 1:06 PM
0 speakage


4.23.2006  

Mobile Madness

So. Remember that party I was at the other night? I neglected to mention what might turn out to be the most memorable part of the evening. The party was set to start at 7, so Lance and I made our way over to the house a little after 8. We were stopped before we could cross over the train tracks by a train, so I got out of his Jeep to snap off a few shots. Once at the house, we didn't stay too long, since we were planning on getting back to Carver so we could watch the movie being shown in Boyce Chapel. Once the movie started, Tweety asked me if I had a watch, since he had to leave early to work at UPS and wanted to monitor the time closely. I patted my pockets in vain, realizing as I did so that my phone was not on me. Figuring it was back at the house, I calmly watched the rest of the movie with everyone else.

Had I known that it was sitting out near the train tracks near where Galt and Frankfort intersect for anyone to run over or freely acquire, I might not have watched the movie quite so calmly.

Fortunately for me, Job and Emily saw it on their way over to the party and picked it up. He said he was scrolling through the contacts list and realized it belonged to someone from the Seminary when he saw Cam Ly's name in there. When Josh Cornett called his phone from it and saw my name pop up, they officially proclaimed me the luckiest dimwit of the evening.

*Whew*.

posted by Bolo | 9:10 PM
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Bugging the Shutter

































posted by Bolo | 4:18 PM
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