three sleepless nights
this isn't how it's supposed to be
but you're so good at taking your time
to give back to me

I will wait for you forever
if you would just ask me
I thought that I could change you
but you changed me

but it doesn't feel right
holding someone else's hand
together on phone lines
and living at two opposite ends

it scares me to think that you could find takers
other than me and better than me
but your head is elsewhere
and I'm talking enough for both of us
when will you see it's not so easy for me

you careless and whispered
insulting and bruising
and I thought that you said
things were improving
these laces are untied
but my feet are walking away
(I fall from your eyes. Your eyes I trusted. You said forever)

I never thought you could say these words
is this really happening
(don't say that we can still be friends)

erase my name from this page
how can you take all these days
(what is inside me, what have I done)
and throw them away,
(is this the only way that you will notice me)
as I sit here waiting for you
(dead words for closed ears, all this is sung for you)
I stay up nights
(if you are still pretending this is what's right)
until stars leave the sky
(why can you look at me can you only see)
knowing what my dreams can take away
(sides, your side, can take away)

walk away from me
this night is done

does anyone have the video of the drama production from camp? the one with the 4 sisters?

inspired by josh willis, i have a few videos to share with yall, if you can stand to watch them....

This month truly is a month of remembrance, of awareness. Never forget.

Never forget those who died against their will, those who died on accident, those who chose to fight back and try to save others with their own lives.

Remember them.

September is National Velociraptor Attack Awareness month. Remember those lost to senseless equilateral triangular attacks. Those who were caught offguard, unaware of the danger, without a tire iron. Protect yourself with thick steel bars, close enough together to deter the average velociraptor.

And last but certainly not least, keep a close watch on family, friends, neighbors. They too just might be velociraptors.

Know your enemy.

-Elliott-

This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately and I believe its something Christians not only struggle with, but completely ignore.

I'd like everyone who reads this to make a list of names. There's no limit to how many names are on this list, but I think 3-5 minimum is a good starting point.

On this list, I want you to write down the names of people you do not wish blessings upon. Be honest with yourself here, who do you have ill will towards, in anything?

The ex who broke your heart and doesn't seem to care, and rubs it in your face?

The president whose policies are shameful, and foolish?

The old preacher who is stuck in his traditions and will not for one moment consider a different view?

The guy on the interstate that cuts you off or speeds past you doing 90, and instead of him being pulled over, its you who gets a ticket for a broken taillight?

The cop who pulled you over instead of that other guy?

The parents who are over-bearing, demanding, inconsiderate, and drive you to wrath?

The teacher who calls you out in class, and who gives you failing grades because you refuse to accept evolution as fact, and disagree on faith?

The group of high school kids who cut in line at the movie premiere because they had ONE person saving a spot for them, when you've been waiting patiently for 2 hours?

The customer whose order you messed up, and no matter how hard you try to make it right and please them, they refuse to be satisfied?

The customer who's order someone ELSE messed up, but you have to deal with it?

The fellow employee who always seems to do something wrong, who messes up everything, who calls in "sick" to work, and you are the one the boss always calls to cover for them, or take the hit for them?

Guys, how about that girl you've been interested in forever, who leads you on and then when you tell her how you feel, she says that she isn't looking for a relationship right now, and you're one of her closest, BEST friends, and then she stops talking to you, and two weeks later is dating someone?

Girls, how bout that guy who sweet talks you and is charming and chivalrous, but behind your back does the same thing with every other pretty girl he meets, and he manages to still get away with it?

The list can go on forever. There are so many people we can think of that we have ill will towards, and that we curse in our minds though we bless and forgive with our lips. No matter how bad the situation, is there anyone on earth that we shouldn't, that we CAN'T pray for? Sometimes we also act like there are BAD times to pray as well. "Oh, I'm angry right now, and I won't focus on God correctly if I pray." That's not a reason to refrain from praying. Ob the contrary, that's one of the best times to be praying fervently. Jesus left multitudes of people, people who needed to hear the Gospel, to go pray. Maybe we subtly think He was taking a short break from His ministry, but I believe His times of prayer were in fact some of the largest pieces to His ministry. We too should strive to pray at all times, for all people, no matter how we're feeling. And not just those who persecute us, but those who persecute those we love. The ones who use our relatives, the IRS representative who taxes our parents, the boss who fires our older sibling. God will no punish us for praying for blessings upon those who use us or those around us, though in our hearts we sometimes believe that wishing well upon those who curse our friends is the same as cursing our friends directly. No, He will reward us! We should pray for all men. I don't just mean "Lord, please watch over the leaders of our country." I mean, "Lord, please bless Obama with wisdom, please keep him safe from harm, and please forgive him as he falters because we all falter." When Jesus was on the cross, He prayed "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." He didn't pray, "Father, forgive those here who are persecuting me but who will later come to their senses and repent." Jesus loved every single one of Us, not just the ones who repent, but the ones who curse and spit at His very name. In His mind, there was no man too fargone to be forgiven, not even the Jewish leaders who put Him on that cross. Not even that Muslim US president. Not even that old man who you are convinced is the Devil arrayed like an angel of light. Jesus, though he could read the hearts of man, still prayed for forgiveness on them. How can we, being man, read the hearts of other men and judge them? Even if we could, would that give us reason not to pray for them, when Jesus Himself still did? We don't pray for forgiveness for those who we assume can achieve it, we pray for everyone. And we don't just pray generic prayers that God forgives people, we ask specific blessings on people, we bless them directly and purposefully.

Luke 6:27-37
"27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

There is no one on Earth who you cannot pray for.

-Elliott, Servant-