Sports and Politics: An Analysis. or something.

There was no debating my clothes selection when I woke up this morning, for today is the first day of college football. And my Gamecocks play N.C. State at 7:00pm. Every Saturday from here on out don't expect me to rock anything but my carolina t-shirts and I will be unusually concerned with the tv, as if im not already. Clemson also plays this week, and there is the possibility that I'm more interested in Alabama winning that game than tonights game. Clemson is ranked 10th in the nation starting off, which is rediculous because they are in the ACC and that means they only play the worst teams in the country. So good job Tigers, keep that up.

As Christian as I am, I will not be voting republican this year in the election. Everyone calm down, I have my reasons. I don't watch politicalness on tv, just because I have no idea what anyone is talking about and it's mostly just yelling into the microphone. I only watch the Colbert report on special occasions and that gives me close to zero credibility as far as knowing anything about politics. I do watch sportscenter though. Obama was inteviewed by Stewart Scott of ESPN the other night on sportscenter and I learned that Obama is quite the sports fan. Does this fact help weigh my vote? Absolutely it does. Since I know nothing about politics really, I have to go on something. Yea yea, I realize that's ignorant and whatever but what's the difference. Either way America is in trouble in my mind. Three things he said that impressed me:

1.They asked Obama who he would have as his Vice President if it had to be an athlete and he said Michael Jordan. Great answer. He could have said Michael Vick or O.J. Simpson and we would have reason to worry.

2. He is a Chicago native so they asked, White Sox or Cubs? (these are both Chicago teams, by the way) His answer was the White Sox because he is not a fair weather fan, and that that's real baseball. Also another good answer, because there is nothing worse in America than a fair weather fan. You know those sports fans who pull for their favorite team only when they are winning, but when they lose they act like it never happened. Also known as just being a Tar Heels fan in general. That's just living in sin. Moving on.

3. His final remark was awesome and pretty much sealed my vote for the democrats this year. He said he was going to fight to get a basketball court put in the White House if he's elected.

"It's like telling Iran and Isreal to get along. It's just not going to happen."
-Spencer from The Hills

Giving up things.

I really miss the friends that have moved away. Ok, I miss Brandy. I thought this whole thing would be easier than it is and maybe I wouldnt notice it as much. But I was wrong and I miss my best friend pretty badly. I went over to the 321 today and called it "Erica's house." I didn't like the sound of that one bit either. I hate realizing that things like growing up and seperation have to happen in order to move on and grow, but that reality doesn't make it fun, nor does it hurt any less. Pastor Dan announced his resignation from Manchester Creek today and that was hard too. I have been blessed in my church families over the years with Pastors who have me over to their house and we talk football. I've been so hesitant to move away from Rock Hill with Manchester being a big factor in those thoughts. The people are great, but Dan knows the word and he handles scripture in a way that is different from what I'm used to hearing. I always learn something new from him, and I hate that that has to end, as far as his sermons go. His family has been a huge gift to me over the past few years and I was sad and felt peaceful today.

What has God been teaching me lately? I got asked that question recently and I literally laughed out loud. My initial answer was nothing, becuase He's not giving me any direction. But what He's teaching me won't always be understood, and I'm trying to learn to be ok with that. I'm not being persecuted and this is far from the kind of suffering most people face everyday, but everything seems to be falling apart, but being put back together at the same time. I'm learning that God puts things together, especially things that are broken. And not just all these situations in my life, but me as a person too. Because I am for real broken. The band played a song in church this morning by Jill Phillips, and my favorite line simply says, "nothing I feel is outside the reach of your arms." It talks about pain and how the hurt doesn't hurt any less, but theres nothing outside of God's hand. I've noticed in my life that singing that and saying that and being taught that in sunday school has no real meaning until you go through a tough time.

And if I'm not stressed out enough already, I'm fasting from Coke for 40 days. Why you ask? Well, it's time for a challenge. I always let Pastors and teachers challenge me, so its time I took on one for myself. One that I know will kick my butt. I hope it does. You're probably thinking thats no big deal, but if you know me at all, then you know I might die in about 10 days. 40 days seems like a good time. Not too long, but long enough for me to take a break from something I really enjoy. Not that drinking a Coke is hindering anything but my health, it's just something I want to try. October 3rd. Whew.

"For he wounds, but also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
-Job 5:18

Live and Learn and that's all!

Today was the first day of public school for most of South Carolina i think. Today Wal-Mart is virtually empty, new clothes can now be warn, repuations are formed for both students and teachers. blah.

Courtney Blake said something profound last night that brought me to a sigh of relief. She said "this is the first time i havent gone back to school since i was 2!" Let's think about that for a second, we who have graduated from the collegiate level. Half of me really misses the rush of the first day of school/class. Seeing all my friends and goofing off because class was boring and pointless. The more dominant half of me hates school with a passion and internally celebrated today and the freedom I now possess as a bachelor of science. The most scary thing about being at this point in life, besides the "real world" factor is that now I have to make what we call an effort to learn. I have to voluntarily pick up a book and read it. The fun part is that that book is subject to my choosing. I can freely learn in the subjects I want to learn like surfing and golf and camping and no one will grade me on it.

Every ending is in fact a beginning

It has been a really tough day. I had to say goodbye to Brandy this morning, which was really hard as most of you know. But man, it was good at the same time. To be blessed to be a part of her life for a while and to see how the Lord is working in her and where He is faithfully taking us both. It's a real good thing and I smiled because of that this morning when she drove off. And I know we'll have some more good times because I don't intend on never seeing her again. Erica moved out today, ending a good run of about 17 years. We haven't lived together for that long, but shes always lived on the other side of the path through the woods or in the same room or house. I'm glad her current house is only a couple of stop lights away. Not too far. The 709 1/2 is the most depressing thing I think I've ever seen. Especially on a day like today. There's really nothing but a rug, my computer desk, a bookshelf, and some dust balls in the living room. It echos a lot. Needless to say the up won't be the hang out spot anymore, unless we have a Rave or maybe a small football game in Erica's room.

I think we're ready!

So this is my new blog. The word "blog" is very interesting.

I chose to create a new one because I'm sort of starting a new chapter in life, but really the reason is because I was tired of my old one. Not much will change I reckon. This one is yellow because I like bright colors and the title is from a Mercy Me song that I really like. As you know most of the titles of my posts are song lyrics of some kind. I forsee that to continue as well.