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


5.31.2007  

Word Linkage

If you're anything like me, you may find that your desires for the LORD do not match up with what you desire your desires for the LORD to be. You long to be in prayer, ache for His word, or just ache with agony over the weariness that comes with battling sin. You wish with every part of your bruised and fearful heart to believe and sing with joy Cowper's lines, "Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more."

Therefore, if you're like me, you're in need of constant encouragement, always in need of the Word to remind you that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, of those who are called according to His purpose. If you're like me, you may find some encouragement in these.

Seeking His face.


Being an obstinate people.

Beggars.

Saved...to sin no more.

Gazing gloriously.

posted by Bolo | 11:24 PM
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Random







posted by Bolo | 11:40 AM
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Word

Psalm 103:6 - 14
The LORD performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

posted by Bolo | 7:34 AM
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5.30.2007  

Thoughts

It was good for Ted to hang out with Ned, even if they were not able to do so nearly as much as they would have liked, especially since Ted's been under a little bit of pressure as of late. I suggested at lunch today that if Zuhrahmah and I switched nose shapes, we'd look really, really weird. Tom and Nikki, whither art thou? Ted is thinking of that Oreo goodness! Rob Smythe, bless his soul, has agreed to give a lesson on hermeneutics. I think that Eric Simmons will be quite pleased to know this. Quarters are my friends. Watching Jim Winn nearly spew out his milkshake the other night after Pablo's impersonation of Mr. McCray was priceless. Kevin, Ash, that was a good game of Scrabble yesterday. Woohoo! Tom just knocked on my window's AC unit; Oreo goodness, here I come!

posted by Bolo | 10:38 PM
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Angular Oddities









posted by Bolo | 5:38 PM
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Word

Ephesians 2:8, 9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

posted by Bolo | 7:25 AM
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5.29.2007  

Na 2007: FYI

If you're not like me and haven't checked the Na Liveblog in the past hour, the Sovereign Grace Store has the messages from Na '07 up and available for download.

For free.

posted by Bolo | 11:04 PM
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Na 2007: Retinal Rewind



























posted by Bolo | 10:52 PM
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Almost Done

Time passes by entirely too quickly for my tastes. A few days ago, I was looking forward to being reunited with old friends; today, I'm trying to find a way to stop the sun in the sky so we can prolong what little time we have left together.

New Attitude '04 was astounding, and a significant portion of that was due to the people I'd met. New Attitude '07, while not yet finished, has reminded me that I've already been significantly blessed by those whom I'd already met and have been reacquainted with once again here at the conference. No lie, that.

posted by Bolo | 1:00 AM
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5.28.2007  

Thoughts

The campus is quiet, just the way I like it. Gary, 'Drew and I may have to do a little mini-conference call with you, so practice your special phrase before we get a hold of you. I wore one of my old-school aloha shirts to Na today, and I had some dude sitting behind me feel it. I'm just glad that he didn't notice my linen slacks, too. Boss, I got the bo(ku)to. I'm stoked to see some of my closest friends again, but being that we're at Na, it's provided a great platform to see others I've met over the years, too. Check out Na's Liveblog to follow along. If anyone's seen Aya's bodyboard, give her a call. In introducing Andrew and Sandi to Kristy and Kristen, 'Drew and I have concluded that we don't really have any normal friends. Oh, and thanks again for the whole bean, Pablo.

posted by Bolo | 4:59 PM
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What a Ride

A little fun in the sun...

posted by Bolo | 12:29 AM
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Blast From the Past

Holy cow, Jared Lake is here!

posted by Bolo | 12:17 AM
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5.27.2007  

They're Here!





posted by Bolo | 7:42 AM
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5.26.2007  

Excuses

I'm glad for the excuse, I really am. Last year at this time, I was the one doing the traveling. Boss took it on himself to ensure that I wasn't going to miss out, which was very, very gracious of him. After all, he argued, since he couldn't make it due to scheduling frustrations, it wouldn't do to have neither one of us there for the wedding.

I don't even remember precisely when all of this started; perhaps it was somewhere before my freshman year in high school, possibly the eighth grade, which would make it his sophomore year. That, I think, is when Andrew and I met each other.

I doubt either one of us knew then what we know now.

It's early on a Saturday morning here. Half a lifetime ago, Kentucky was a place where weirdos lived, and Louisville was the place where bats were made. Today, half a lifetime later, the 'Ville is where we'll meet up yet again.

We've had many meetings over the years, Andrew and I. There were the times we'd go into his driveway to play basketball on the rim above the garage. The rim's not there anymore, so far as I know, and I don't think we've balled together since he got hitched; that's a mercy of God that we've not, truly it is. Who can forget the Dark & Early setup crew? Or the youth staff meetings at Jon and Amy's? Or the sessions where 'Drew and I were "on time", leaving Boss waiting at Kewalo's? I think both of us vividly recall instances from Malaekahana, Erdman, Hilo, and everything else in between. And, lest I be accused of being thankless or unworshipful, let me reflect fondly upon the many, many, many meals we've partaken of together through the years. Ono! Boots & Kimo's, Kaka'ako Kitchen, Gina's, Young's, Zippy's (King Street, King Street, Pearl City two-story, Dilingham, and all da odda ones, too), Makino Chaya (where's my hamachi, gonfunnit!?!?!?), and Alicia's (wasabi masago!)...I could go on and on...or On On! There was that time I had to talk to him in Starbucks; what an idiot I'd been. There were the times he'd come back from Vancouver, and the times I'd make it home from the 'Ville. There have also been many meetings via the telephone (though not so numerous as one might imagine), and a handful of chats via email. Whenever we'd meet out in the water, I could always tell it was him by his paddle. And whenever I'd be ready to leave the water for food, I could always tell he was ready to leave for food, too.

Through it all, I think 'Drew and I have learned that we'd be fine meeting each other pretty much anywhere (except Cinnamon Girl). When the two of us were sick with the flu the first time he made it to the 'Ville, we still had a blast. When he called a couple Novembers ago, we discovered a new level of faithfulness and love within our friendship. When he got married a year ago, it was one of the proudest moments I'd ever known.

And when he and Sandi get here with the rest of their crew from Christ Community Church, it'll be a moment we've been looking forward to for a long, long time.

New Attitude
is here. It's May 26. The festivities will start in under twelve hours, but for me, it's a more than a conference, it's a great excuse to see that Uchida guy :)

posted by Bolo | 7:30 AM
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Summer Swell

This ain't surfing, but it might be about as close as I've gotten in a while.

posted by Bolo | 12:28 AM
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5.25.2007  

Zzz...

Whoa...tired...

posted by Bolo | 8:46 PM
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Thoughts

Na is a day away, and I've got so much going on that it hasn't even hit me yet. Speaking of hitting me, word on the street is that a certain Jared "I'm One Day Older Than Letoto" Lake is in the 'Ville this weekend. Heck yeah! I worked out yesterday, O'Neal; what about you? My eyeballs are dry, my stomach feels about as big and empty as Kipapa Gulch, and I seriously need some coffee; otherwise, I'm off to a great start today. Who'd have thought that thirty years ago, when the Star Wars saga first arrived on earth, we'd be enmeshed in so much galactic insanity? Seems like there's a party every Saturday this summer. Sweet! I'm in need of some volleyball, and soon. I'm still stymied by the comfort in all of this, really I am...even if I do get end up getting less than a full six hours of sleep :)

posted by Bolo | 9:26 AM
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Populace























posted by Bolo | 2:59 AM
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5.24.2007  

Messin' With Buckles

"Is it on my face?"

posted by Bolo | 8:56 PM
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Time Travels

Sometime in the foggy hours between the dark and the dawn, I did some thinking. I was taken back to four years ago, that time when being here in the 'Ville was new and fresh and unexpected. Scott O'Neal was not yet my Scott O'Neal (or, more importantly, Emily's), Rob Smythe was still an enigmatic slow-talker doing a mission trip in Turkey, and Jim Winn was a guy I was about to head down to Texas with to a little event called OneDay. 'Drew had not yet been kicked out of Canada, Boss was still toiling away at UH, and Kev was up in Seattle. I think.

It was while I traveled back in time in my mind that I realized something: I'm a much different person now than then. Those friends that I now treasure were not so precious to me then, even the ones from home, and the city and school I now know so well were not so beloved in those days now past. I remember feeling horribly alone during my first semester here; waking up in the morning and crying seemed to be constant companions. I can recall wondering, over and over and over again, why God had brought me here. I hated being here, yet couldn't find it in myself to hate God for orchestrating such a grace. Even now, as I reflect upon God's grace and providence in my life, I'm humbled to realize precisely what it takes to bring me to prayer, to bring about change within my stubborn heart.

The LORD does indeed discipline those whom He loves, those whom He has called to salvation for His glory, and He disciplines us with the love of a perfect Father, a Father that will hold back nothing in seeing that we receive from His hand the very best that He could ever give.

As I look forward to the future, even the upcoming weekend that will bring 'Drew, Sandi, Jim, and Tessa back here to the 'Ville, it would be wise for me to reflect with awe upon the kindness of God. I no longer weep in the mornings for missing home (though I still miss it terribly); indeed, I think I would now weep in sorrow over having to leave this place. Now that is a strange thought ;)

posted by Bolo | 1:21 PM
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JHizzle?

For those of you Boyce College students that have been living under a rock, know ye that Miss Jessica Vaughn and Mr. Adam Holland are officially engaged. It happened last weekend, and as JVizzle tells it, Adam was so excited that he even swore off ever cheering for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers football team again!

Just kidding.

They are, however, getting married in Knoxville, which means that Katie will undergo a trial unlike any she's ever endured. Will she, the infamous Crimson Tide fan, be able to function after being surrounded by so much vomit-inducing orange? Only time will tell!

posted by Bolo | 9:01 AM
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5.23.2007  

Whatevahs

Thanks to Boss, Kyle's being tortured yet again with a visual reminder of what is no longer his. I, along with Boss and the rest of the Surf Crew, also remember sitting with Steak Sauce and hearing the racer boys passing by. Sometimes he'd say it, but just often enough, he wouldn't. Still, his face said it all: "Whatevahs...my Z's still faster."

posted by Bolo | 11:29 PM
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Lyrical Lizzy

You want to know the craziest part about these? She was getting paid the whole time. Yup. She was.





posted by Bolo | 10:36 AM
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Word

Isaiah 42:1 - 9
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law." Thus says God the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison. I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new thing; before they spring I declare them to you."

The Christian, although often afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, is never crushed, despairing, forsaken, nor destroyed. The trials and wearings of this world may lead us to think and feel as though we are crushed and forsaken, but that is never true. If anything, we can and must turn to God's Word, which tells us that the wonderful discipline of our Father, which is momentarily sorrowful, yields within us the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Why is this true, and why can we count on this hope? It is because the Father has already forsaken His Son, that many others might be bought with His blood. When Christ cried out on the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" He was forsaken, that we would never be. When the Son was bruised and crushed on the cross, it was for His Father's glory in upholding these bruised reeds and dimly burning wicks, whom He had bought at such a precious, infinite cost: Jesus Christ, His Servant, the chosen one in whom the Father's soul delights.

posted by Bolo | 8:46 AM
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5.22.2007  

Thoughts

A spot of blue cheese dressing and a spot of soap sud residue may look remarkably similar, but they taste disgustingly different from one another. I need another cup of coffee right about now; I've only had one today. I'm diggin' the weather these days. Charlotte and I are definitely going to be the co-founders of the ARC for the Summer of '07. Qualifications for this club make it pretty difficult to get into, even though I'm not so sure that people want to be in it. Maybe I'll do a nap instead of a cup of coffee. Which movie for Girls Night tonight? Hmmm. What? Jared Lake is coming to the 'Ville this weekend? Holy 2004, Batman! Next thing I know, I'll find out that Jim Winn and 'Drew will be here, too, and that New Attitude will be going on. Oh, wait a second...they are, and it will! Still wondering about when I'll be able to find that green.

posted by Bolo | 4:52 PM
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Care Group Care

We're comprised of misfits, weirdos, outcasts, and Pacific Islanders. Still, you'd be surprised at what goes on within the context of our care group meetings. Then again, if you know us, maybe you wouldn't be.

posted by Bolo | 12:32 AM
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5.21.2007  

Word

Psalm 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.

posted by Bolo | 10:58 AM
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5.20.2007  

Peoplefied















posted by Bolo | 10:58 PM
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Shakin' Like an Earthquake

Disclaimer: While this video footage was being recorded, I think my normal ability to make sound judgment was suspended horribly and unfairly. There. I said it. Cimato & Sawyer...well...your friends miss you...kind of ;)

posted by Bolo | 9:58 AM
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