culmination

we've all made mistakes. some more than others. i usually think i'm part of that "some" who have experienced more miscues than triumphs. i've never claimed to be a great decision-maker. i make a lot of choices with my heart instead of my head. many times it ends up paying off, but it can result in a lot of inconsistent behavior; or maybe even consistent behavior in making the same mistakes.

there's no sense in beating myself up over it, though. i do what i do and i have my reasons. i never studied abroad in college, which i regret now because i've developed a strong desire to see much of the world. but i know that my interest in studying abroad was not there at the time, so that's why it never happened. so my regret is erased. no sense worrying about something i cannot change. all i can do now is see the world on my own account.

life is so much about action and reaction. sometimes the worst thing you can do is sit back and let life happen. you have to make your own luck, get out there and do the things you want to do. sometimes there will be failures, but there will be triumphs. those victories will be worth it. but you can't win if you don't play. something about who God is that has stood out to me lately is that we have to make that effort to get to Him, to get to what we want, before He will give us that hand. He's not going to come along and give us anything. we have to take the first step and show that we trust Him to provide.

recently i've finally gone out and done some things i've been meaning to do. i started writing a short story in december. the first draft has been completed and i'm getting ready to work hard on revisions this summer. i have written some songs that i'm proud of since the start of graduate school, so this past weekend i finally recorded a few and put them on a myspace. you can see the link to the right of this page.

the fact is that today, this moment, is a culmination of your life. everything you and i have done to this point has resulted in this exact moment on this precise day. we've made mistakes and learned from them. we've tasted victory and want more. the question today is how can we take those mistakes, learn from them, and turn it into something amazing? things can be different. by stepping out and trusting God, we can make decisions that we've been afraid to make. let's go do that. today!


I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do. - Lucas, Empire Records

O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! - Psalm 8:9

victory over death

it is Easter morning. today is the day we celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead, physically depicting the victory He shares with us over death. death has no hold on us because Christ sacrificed His own life to save ours.

this is simple to say today. we'll go to church and they will tell us about it. we will proclaim "He is risen!" along with everyone else. we will sing songs and hymns about the fact that Christ is risen today. i've never been to a Easter service at a non-Catholic church, but i can clearly hear the singing at good samaritan in ambridge; Jesus Christ is risen today! alleluia! but what does it all mean? it means eternal life, indeed. but for those of us who want to experience some kind of tangible meaning here today, what does it mean?

the meaning of Christ's victory over death today tells me that the life i experience in this world has an end. this life is short and sweet, but should be enjoyed. chances should be taken, opportunities should not be passed. bucket lists should be completed and life should be lived to the fullest. as Christ commands us in matthew, we are to spread the good news. we are to go and make disciples. as st francis suggests, we are to preach the gospel always, and when necessary use words. we are to be a living sacrifice in representation of the sacrifice made by Jesus.

Christ died to save us. the least we could do is share that news.

He is risen indeed.