First time in a long time...

Wow, haven't posted on here in a while... Sorry. That's seems to be a constant theme with me, hopefully i can get myself back into the swing of blogging regularly. Another semester of school is upon me and I'm actually managing to stay afloat so far, which is good. I decided on a lighter course load so I could work more, and both school and work are keeping me pretty busy. I'm working at a campus bookstore, saving up for too many things, and praying the pieces will fall into place for me.

I had hoped to also return to a regular vlogging schedule, but the XP desktop that I had for 3 years finally crapped out, on me, and the only computer I can use is my family's laptop, which is slow and, for some ungodly reason, hates video files. I was (and still am) part of a collab channel on youtube called Stephandemmy (http://www.youtube.com/stephandemmy) with a group of my friends, but the stress of working around a difficult computer and not having a camera of my own nor the time to sit down at a library computer to bang out the weekly video meant I had to take a sabbatical from the channel, which is an immense bummer for me. I'm working on saving for a computer of my own, so I can return to the channel, but even that is turning into a chore of its own. My parents have decided that they're setting a date by which I need to get a car of my own. That's a huge, enormous, gigantic setback for me, because I only make so much money. That's more than likely gonna force my return to the channel back a pretty good amount, but hopefully the other vloggers will understand. This is not how I want it to be.

But not all I have to say is doom and gloom, the Potterwatch Project (http://www.myspace.com/thepotterwatchproject), the band I'm part of, is now working on recording our first album, which is really exciting. I can't say too much, because a lot of things are still up in the air and because we also want to keep an air of mystery around the album until it's ready to release. I'll update you when and if I can, I promise.
Other than that, there's not a whole lot going on with me...I'm still doing a lot of reading and writing, except now most of it has a scholastic taint to it. I haven't had a lot of free time to write poetry or fiction of "my own," but that's just how it goes sometimes. I'm actually doing a lot of songwriting, that's where pretty much where all of my freewriting ends up going. (One quick note: That last poem I posted is actually the last poem I've completed, which would both me more if I didn't like it so much. i'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I still enjoy that poem...even though it's sad.)

Well, I figure that's enough for now, my future blogs will be less information-heavy and hopefully in a brighter spirit, so stay tuned! I've missed you guys :) —Z

VEDA is over at midnight...

...and that makes me sad. I liked VEDA, even though I ran out of good ideas fairly quickly. Haha, listening to "Emily will make a man out of you" and Rach just started singing. 'tis hilarious. I just finished recording at USF, and I have some shots to do at home, but those will be quick, so the video should be up before 5. BLARG!

New Poem

I wrote this today for my poetry class, but it's not going to work with the theme I was supposed to follow. Oh well. It still needs a title, maybe you have a suggestion for that? Let me know what you think!

"Untitled"
She wanted to find
herself,
but I couldn't help her look.
I can still feel her lips pressing against mine,
kissing me good-bye.

I got letters,
sometimes
postcards,
of where she was and
where she was going,
searching for her elusive self.
I bit my tongue
as I wrote back to her
lost soul,
shaking my head as her words
came back more lost. I don't know

if she found herself in her travels,
she never said that she had, but
a call at two in the morning told me that
she was found

at the end of a velvet noose
in Paris. Thirty-five
thousand miles from home,
from me.

I’ll never know
her last words, feel
her soft hair in my fingers, hear her
sweet laughter echoing throughout our home,
now mine
alone.

—Z

Reading List

1. The Reptile Room(Book 2 of A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
2. The Wide Window(Book 3 of A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
3. Call of C'thulhu by H.P. Lovecraft.
4. The Holy War by John Bunyan
5. Watchmen by DC Comics*
6. Batman: No Man's Land Volume 1 by DC Comics*
7. Batman: No Man's Land Volume 2 by DC Comics*
8. Sabriel (Book 1 of the Abhorsen Trilogy) by Garth Nix
9. Lirael (Book 2 of the Abhorsen Trilogy) by Garth Nix
10. Abhorsen (Book 3 of the Abhorsen Trilogy) by Garth Nix
11. The Ruins of Gorlan (Book 1 of the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
12.The Land of Silver Apples (Sequel to The Sea of Trolls) by Nancy Farmer
13. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
14. Looking for Alaska by John Green.
15. The Burning Bridge (Book 2 of the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
16. The Miserable Mill(Book 4 of A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
17. The Icebound Land (Book 3 of the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
18. Paper Towns by John Green
19. The Battle for Skandia/Oakleaf Bearers (Book 4 of the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
20. The Sorceror of the North (Book 5 of the Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
21. Grim Tuesday (Book 2 of the Keys of the Kingdom series) by Garth Nix
22. Drowned Wednesday (Book 3 of the Keys of the Kingdom series) by Garth Nix
23. Lord Thursday (Book 4 of the Keys of the Kingdom series) by Garth Nix
24. Lady Friday (Book 5 of the Keys of the Kingdom series) by Garth Nix

25. The Fall (Book 1 of the Seventh Tower series) by Garth Nix
26. Superior Saturday (Book 6 of the Keys of the Kingdom Series) by Garth Nix
27. A Clash of Kings (Book 2 of the Song of Fire and Ice series) by George RR Martin
28. A Storm of Swords (Book 3 of the Song of Fire and Ice series) by George RR Martin
29. The Tales of Beetle the Bard by JK Rowling
30. A Feast for Crows (Book 4 of the Song of Fire and Ice series) by George RR Martin.

*-Denotes a Graphic Novel, which I might remove.

Dive into the Dark

Work has begun on my serial fiction, which I'm planning on calling "Dive Into The Dark." It touches on a lot of things, but like you might note in title, it's gonna be a little bit on the dark side. It's something I wanted to do that incorporates the conventions of British Tragic Theater, the idea of "Great men who fall." Now, it's not all gonna be gloom and doom, that wouldn't be me. So buckle up kids, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. —Z

Voting...A personal thing, and a public thing.

First of all, let me say this. I have decided on the candidate for whom I am voting, and I have decided that it will remain private who I have chosen. Why? Because I am sick and tired of everyone spouting off their political opinions on every subject, candidate, and issue. I have heard nonstop rants against Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden, and their mothers for the past month, and I've got to say, it has been the most agonizing month of my life.

Yes, I'm all for free speech and free ideas, but just because you are allowed to open your mouth, it doesn't mean you should. I have seen and read a thousand opinions and views on Abortion, Iraq, Iran, the Economy, and Global Warming. Don't get me wrong, I am very concerned about every last one of these issues, but don't mistake me in this; This election is not important enough to cause strife and dissension in the body of Christ.

In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, he pleads with the Ephesian brothers to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."* and then later he urges them, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."**

I have opinions on the election, I have thoughts on Senator Obama's abortion record, Senator McCain's fuel plan, and Governor Palin's wardrobe expenses, but none of those things matter so much as the unity of the church. As children of the Most High, we are not supposed to spend our time plotting against our brethren as if they were our enemy! And don't give me the excuse, "We just don't see eye-to-eye." That is bull crap. That is NO EXCUSE to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. If you don't see eye to eye with someone, you may speak to them in a civilized conversation, not a childish slap-fight of who's stupid and who isn't.

When you spend your time expressing such ungodly, immature debates of "You're wrong because you're a Democrat/Republican/Libertarian" and you can't even show the love of Christ to your brother or sister in the Lord, that should be an instant warning flare to you. If we cannot love our brethren, how can we love the unbeliever? Jesus, sitting with disciples during the Last supper, gave them a command, and the same command had been made to us who are in Christ. ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." "***

There are many ways we can vote this election season, and you are entitled to vote as the Holy Spirit convicts and as the Word dictates, no more foolish flame-wars attacking each other. You grieve God to do so, and you grieve your fellow brothers.

As Paul pleaded to the Ephesians, so I plead to you: Do not let this election cause strife in the church of Christ. If it comes down to it, and you are not mature enough to recognize your disagreeing brother in Christ as a brother and friend, then view them as your enemy, but do not forget what Christ exhorted us to do. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

Let us bring glory to God this election season. Let us not bring shame to His church and His name.

Your Brother,
Zack

PS: If I have erred in my words, if I stand against the instruction of Scripture or of sound doctrine, please do not hesitate to correct me. I am not too proud to be wrong, nor am I too high to hear words of wisdom.

*-Ephesians 4:3
**-Ephesians 4:29-32
***-John 13:34
****-Matthew 5:44

Conviction and Loneliness

Last night(Wednesday) was the SolidGround meeting. For those of you who are scratching your heads and going "W.H.A.T. is SolidGround?" SolidGround in the monthly singles meeting. There you go, now you're up to to speed. You're welcome. :)

Anywho, this month's main topic was Loneliness, which was covered in the book we're going through as a group, Paul David Tripp's "A Quest for More". Not a bad book, let me tell you. In the chapter, it talked about how our lives, our thoughts, our actions are to display a love for Christ and a longing to be with Him. It then talked about how that longing in our souls as a good thing, it is a driving force to pressing into God's Word, into prayer. If we love something, we spend time pursuing the object. If you have a spouse and you actually love them, you want to know what they like, what they enjoy, what gives them pleasure, and you try to do those things. In that same way, we should be going to the Bible asking "What do you love, Jesus? What brings You joy?" And then, seeing what He enjoys, we should try to do those thing, because we love Him and want to please Him.

Then came the not-so-fun part, realizing that our hearts have a sinful nature, and that nature wants us to delight in other things, in the creation, not the the Creator. We were then asked the question, "What things are you tempted to delight in instead of Jesus?" And the question took a little while to really sink in, and as I continued to ponder it today, it finally clicked. My friends are where my joy is. I try my hardest to spend time with my friends at any moment of time, making myself available to any of my friends at any time I can, whatever the consequences. Friends aren't bad things, of course, in and of themselves, but the fact is that they are where my joy has been found for quite some time now. It took a lot of signal flares and warnings and even conflicts to realize this, but now I do. And now more than ever, I need your prayer and accountability. I don't want to delight in my friends primarily, I want to delight in Christ!

Thanks as always for your prayers, encouragements, and comments.

—Zack