CptnKrk's Xanga

Sweet & Sour Memories

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:54:43 GMT

I was reminded today of things I had hoped were long behind me.

The "punched in the gut" feeling you get when sanctmonious prigs deflate the dreams of a fellow human being without even trying to get at the real issues. The hurt that accompanies you as you watch a young person being systematically cut down by those in positions of power who are too busy or too self centered to think of the path of destruction they leave in their self-righteous zeal to prove their wisdom is higher than all others.

I suppose we are fortunate in this world to have among us those who can see things we cannot. People who can look at a half page of writing and judge the condition of the author's heart. People who can take just a few clues and piece them together and tell you more about yourself than even you knew.

These are people who couch their blows in terms designed to cause pain, but say their words in ways that make it hard to fight back. Kind of like the people who think if you say "bless their heart" before or after they can cut another down.

They hide behind a veneer of righteousness and use the language of the Gospel to hide their phariseacal hearts.

Today I came face-to-face with these people again. Only this time I was only watching.

Reminded me of the days I spent at Barclay College.

It's harder to watch it happen to another than it ever was to bear up under it.

I re-read the book of Jude and John's first Epistle and was reminded that these people have been around a lot longer than I.

People who praise God with their lips while their hearts are far away, people who preach the Gospel out of selfish motives while patting themselves on the back for their "devotion" and willingness to "suffer" for the Gospel in jobs they really see as beneath them.

PEOPLE!! LOOK AROUND!!! Can you really not see the pain you cause? Are your hearts so hardened that you no longer care? Is your self righteoussness and your need to be seen as never wrong so important that it is worth sacrificing a young mans heart?

Shame. You feel no shame.

I cry for you no longer. Now my prayers go to your victims; those you have cast aside as being unworthy of your hallowed ground. May God's comfort ABOUND to them, may His prescence build them up and make them stronger even as it did for me when you tried to knock me down. May God's grace ABOUND in their lives as they minister in the world you fled, to those whom you give only lip service to.

My heart is broken by you, but repaired to beat even stronger by the One Who Makes All Things New.

More later. . .

A Story My Grandpa Told

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:52:16 GMT

A young man working at a gas station on the edge of town was talking to a newcomer.

"What are the people in this place like?" the newcomer asked.

"Well," the young man drawled, "what were they like where ya'll came from?"

"Oh they were terrible," the newcomer complained, "they would sell you out for the slightest advantage. They gossipped, they backbit, they were liars and cheaters. I hated that place and was glad to move away."

"I 'spect you'll find people here to be much the same." the young man said sadly.

Later that day another newcomer to town dropped by.

"What are the people in this town like?" he asked.

"Well," the young man drawled again, "what were they like where ya'll came from."

Oh, they were the nicest people on earth," the man enthused. "They would do anything for you. They welcomed you into their homes. I honestly hated to leave."

"Well," the young man said, "I am happy to say, you'll find people here are much the same."

BTW check out DonDukDun (blues brothers fan?) for his similar, real life take on this.

What Does This Say About My Grandma?

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:42:22 GMT

Grandma had blue hair.

Your Hair Should Be Blue

Wild, brilliant, and out of control.
You're a risk taker with an eye to the future.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

She did break horses as a kid but WOW!

Saving the Planet: Dilbert-style

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:01:26 GMT

Try this out before you read on:

http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070620.html

Did you ever notice how the save-the-planet types are always asking you to sacrifice while doing little (if anything) themselves? I'm not just talking about the AlGore's of the world who own huge tracts of property and monster houses and travel around in private jets while claiming to be "green." (Oh yeah, he buys "carbon offsets" from himself to make a difference--my bad) But what about the "local" idiots who drop by to get you to sign a "nuclear-free-zone" statement (like your neighbor was about to start splitting atoms) or a "global Warming protest petition" and when asked they suddenly remember they came in a big SUV from out of state.

Rant end.

What Gun Am I?

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:59:59 GMT

The answer to the question I never thought to ask:

You scored as Revolver, Simple, old-fashioned a bit, but always cool. This is revolver. Don't listen to that hi-tech freaks - use drum-fed sidearm and be happy!

Revolver

100%

Sniper Rifle

88%

Assault Rifle

75%

Shotgun

50%

Machinegun

44%

Pistol

25%

SMG

25%

What Firearm Fits You Best?
created with QuizFarm.com

Route 66

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:07:28 GMT

I love my motor history!! One day I hope to drive the whole route but for now I just hit this cool sight and pretend i'm driving it http://www.theroadwanderer.net/66NMex/../route66.htm !

Some of these places are amazing and it is sad to see them in the disrepair they are in today.

Just Call Me the Gipper!!!

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:50:10 GMT

I have never been so proud!!! (Although I'm not so sure about the 'god' thing)

You Are Most Like Ronald Reagan

People tend to think you're a god - or that you almost ruined the country.
But even if people do disagree with you, they still fall victim to your charms!

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Wed, 30 May 2007 20:35:38 GMT

WOW!! A friend of mine, who lives in Kansas, sent me this satelite imagery. My parents photos showed the damage from eye level but this is amazing!

I continue to marvel at the way people around there deal with the devestating circumstances that surround them. To borrow a title from one of my favorite movies: these people have "TRUE GRIT" and a determination to rebuild that blows me away.

WOW!!! TORNADOS REALLY SUCK

Wed, 23 May 2007 00:30:04 GMT

My parent's came to visit. They bought a Saturn Relay from me a couple years ago and they needed a new one. Seems they were visiting Barclay College for graduation and they ran into a little trouble. A class ef5 tornado ripped through Greensburg where they were enjoying an evening at the J-Hawk motel.

This is how dad told me about it:

me: Hey dad! wassup?

dad: I need a new van.

me: Why? You just bought one.

dad: We really liked it but its shorter than it used to be, and all the glass is missing.

me: huh? (I am an amazing wordsmith at times like these)

dad: and the onstar doesn't work.

me: Dad, um. . . where are you?

Dad: greensburg

LONG PAUSE. . . . .

LONGER PAUSE. . . .

me: dad are you guys ok?

Long story short, they need a new van. (I will post the picture soon)

The thing that astonishes me is the destruction of an entire community that I knew and loved from my years at Barclay College but even more I admire the resilience of the people of Kansas. Some favorite quotes:

Greensburg Mayor responding to reporter on whether people would want to live in Greensburg again: "Why wouldn't anyone want to live in a brand new town."

Unknown resident responding to stupid reporter (redundant?) who thought the government should have responded quicker and should help him rebuild his house: "Why? It's my house. If you want to help grab a hammer."

I have also been impressed at how the people of Haviland have responded to their neighbors in need. Barclay College has no more room to keep people, some students put off going home to stay and help, residents are double-bunking. You don't see that kind of community most places.

Rock on my brothers. You have shown that the heart of Christianity beats strong at a little college on the plains of Kansas. May all who have given so much be rewarded and may the rest of us strive to live up to their example.

More Later. . . .

Nostalgia

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:01:33 GMT

Ahhh, the good old days. I have been feeling nostalgic for the past few days. I know the good old days are only good because I cherrypick my memories but I still like to pretend they were the good old days. So the past couple of days I have been perusing sites that cater to my nostalgic bent. (classmates.com etc.) I did find one site that was very interesting because I could access every town I have lived in including some REALLY small places. Of course my favorite place is my old stomping grounds.

Colorado Springs

But some others are interesting as well.

Kokomo, Haviland, Earlham

Fun to compare localities!!

I have lived in some wildly different places!