A Great Flood - The Epic of Gilgamesh

My second paper this year... (you're probably wondering what's up with all my papers... I've just gotten around to fixing them all up after my assessments of them all).

A Great Flood

‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’ is a myth about one man’s quest for eternal life. Within the epic, there is a story about a flood that is much like the Biblical account in Genesis. The purpose for both of the floods is similar, as are the arks that save both Noah and Utnapishtim. Although there are a few differences, the retellings of the world-wide flood also have resemblances to each other.

To begin with, the purposes for the floods are alike. The Genesis account states that God brought the flood as a judgment on a sinful earth. “So the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:7 ESV). In ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh,’ the gods send a flood to destroy a prosperous city, only because the gods were ‘in a killing mood.’ The Gilgamesh version claims Ea, the god who was friend to man, warns Utnapishtim. “O man, the floods will come; now, save thyself; dismantle all they home.”

Secondly, to be rescued from great waters, both men are commanded to build arks. The version of the Genesis account is more realistic than the other, for Utnapishtim’s ship is a cube; Noah’s ark is more of a rectangle. “This is how you are to make it: The length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits...” (Genesis 6:15 ESV). The Lord even tells Noah what kind of wood to use. Noah’s ship takes 120 years to build, but Utnapishtim’s a mere week. Meanwhile, the building of the vessel of Utnapishtim does not have specific instructions. “...With boards, construct a vessel, water-tight and large... As seven decks with nine compartments neared completion; cube-like was its shape....” Though both ships are watertight and seaworthy, the Genesis account is more reliable because of its rectangular shape.

Finally, because God and the pagan gods do not want to destroy all the earth’s inhabitants, Noah and Utnapishtim gather food and load animals onto their vessels. Although many animals are taken aboard the arks, the Bible clearly states how many of each species are taken and that there are both male and female of each kind. On the other hand, the Gilgamesh Epic does not clarify the amount of each animal and the gender of the animals taken aboard.

The similarities between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Genesis account are striking, especially considering the fact that they come from two different civilizations. Both narratives contain a flood, a ship, one spared man and his family. However, the two sagas are different from each other in the purpose for the flood, the shape of the ship, and the length of time to build the arks. “The LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.’” (Genesis 7:21-22 ESV).

The Destruction of Sennacherib

This was my first literature paper this year, the essay on the Iliad (War or Peace?) is my most recent....

The Destruction of Sennacherib

The Destruction of Sennacherib is a twenty-four line poem written by Lord Byron. Lord Byron writes using the Anapestic foot. The poem takes place during the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, an Assyrian King. Lord Byron uses imagery, figurative language, and sounds to put feeling and expression into his poem.

Lord Byron uses imagery in his poem to bring you to the place and event he is writing about. At the beginning of the poem, Assyrian troops are marching down to Jerusalem to lay siege. Early morning finds many of the Assyrian soldiers dead. “There laid the rider distorted and pale.... The tents were all silent, the banners alone, the lances unlifted, the trumpets unblown.” In the night, the Angel of Death had descended into the Assyrian camp and killed many of the enemy, both the horse and rider. The citizens of Ashur, an Assyrian city, wail and the idols in the Temple of Baal are broken. The Assyrians are gone; the Lord has smote them down.

Secondly, Lord Byron uses many similes and metaphors to describe the event. “...And the sheen of their spears was like the stars on the sea, when the blue wave rolls nightly on the Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, that host with their banners at sunset were seen.” Here the poet is bringing alive the Assyrian army portrayed in his writing. Comparisons similar to this is helpful for understanding what is happening in all six stanzas of the Destruction of Sennacherib. Later, the Assyrian army is described as a wolf closing down on a sheepfold, whereas the destruction of the army is compared to the melting of snow. This simile shows the power of the Lord compared to that of the Assyrians.

Finally, there are several examples of assonance and onomatopoeia within this poem, “The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold/ And his cohorts gleamed purple and gold,” is one form of assonance in Lord Byron’s poem. “...the windows of Ashur are loud in their wail...” The poet uses onomatopoeia to note the sadness and dismay of the Assyrians.

Lord Byron writes with imagery, metaphors and similes, as well as assonance and onomatopoeia to bring life to his poem. By using these tools, the poet expands on the Biblical account in II Kings 19 and helps the reader experience The Destruction of Sennacherib. “And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword / Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.”

War or Peace? On the Iliad...

War or Peace?

The Trojan War begins when Paris, son of Priam, King of Troy, kidnaps Helen from her husband, Menelaus. Of course, Menelaus is angry because of the kidnapping of Helen, and he and the Greeks march on Troy. However, Menelaus should have thought more carefully before he made his decision, because Paris is at fault, not the Greeks, Helen is Menelaus’ wife in the first place, and both Troy and Greece lose many warriors because of the war. Although he has the right to be angry, Menelaus and Paris should settle the conflict as a personal matter.

First, Troy should not be blamed for Paris’ actions. Paris’ actions cause war, as well as a reprimanding from his older brother, Hektor, who says that it would have been better “…if you had never been born, or killed unwedded.” Hektor continues on to declare that “…there is no strength in your heart, no courage.” If Paris did not kidnap Helen, he would have a better reputation, and not be so looked down upon by readers of The Iliad.

Secondly, Helen was Menelaus’ wife to begin with. Menelaus should have chosen to solve this matter privately, but instead he chooses to rally his countrymen, the Greeks, by explaining that they “…have suffered for the sake of my quarrel since Alexandros [Paris] began it. As for us to whom death and doom are given, let him die…” Only Menelaus is necessary to solve this conflict, not the armies of the Greeks and of the Trojans. As is evident, the anger of Menelaus caused him to fight rather than negotiate with Alexandros.

Third and finally, both the Greeks and the Trojans lose many strong, brave men to this unnecessary war. More than three times in The Iliad, Homer mentions how many men a single man kills, “…and at his side killed twelve companions, all of them great men; our thirteenth man killed was their scout…” If one thinks about how many men were fighting there, one can only imagine how many total warriors died, especially since the Trojan War lasted for ten years. In the end, Troy and all its inhabitants are destroyed.

Menelaus and Paris should have chosen to take care of this matter on their own, considering whose wife Helen was, who had kidnapped her and what the overall outcome of a war would be – death. Since Paris and Menelaus did not decide together, trouble came. If Menelaus and Alexandros chose a peaceful way to settle their dispute, Troy would be spared. If…

Fencing!!!!!!!

On No_One_Important: They are feeling better, and are starting to come back to happiness.

I went fencing this evening... It was really fun, and I enjoyed myself, even though it was hard. The instructor cracks jokes or something funny every now and then, and even still, having more advanced fencers there and fencing helps.
I can't wait to go again next week... It's going to be great, and hopefully we'll get passed footwork and get to go onto the swords. I'm already impatient to get out there on the piste sword and all and start dueling.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Update and Volleyball

No_one_Important is a Christian, they told me that last night. It's something good to know, and now I'm just encouraging them as well as I can.

Yesterday after Church we had our WellGroup service project - Melissa, Caroline, Hannah, Sharon, Lauren, Sarah, Sarah, Lisa, and I picked up trash on the beach, then we swam and played in the sand. It was lots of fun, and we got 5 big trash bags full of junk we found. On the way back to the C's we had IceCream at the corner store then walked back, changed, and went out to play volleyball. On the way out we stopped at Subway for lunch, and I ate a whole footlong sub. And was still hungry.
My team was pretty much the same as last week: Nathan, Elisabeth, Hannah, Sharon, and a few others. And... like last week, we didn't really do that well - we had fun, though, more fun that we normally have, but we only won one game - better than last week. After Volleyball, we went inside and sat around talking for a while, then Nathan and I started to play chess. Other people were kinda joining us as teams, and partway through Rachel R. wanted to read my story, so I brought it in, and she started reading it aloud... right where my Nathan (character in my story) comes in to the plot... Nathan ended up winning Chess, even though neither of us really had any pieces left at the end - he had 6 pawns and his queen and king, I had my king. We almost thought it would have been a stalemate, if my pawn had been taken sooner in the game.

Well, I should probably close up, my granola's almost done baking.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee.

Quick Update

Well, No_One_Important isn't like most people - they didn't go "Ah, bah, I don't want God."
They asked His name.
I'm still waiting for a reply back, but I'm thankful this person isn't like most people who are looking for the meaning in life.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

"No_one_Important"

The few times I've thought of leaving the Arwen-Undomiel forum, I've stopped, remembering there are so few Christians there and so many people who are struggling.Turns out that God wants me there still. This one person, "No one Important" is their username, Said this as their introduction
"Introducing myself isn't the easiest thing to do. Lets just say I think I am medicaly depressed and I feel like life is pointless right now. I like people but they make me depressed all the time for some unknown reason. I als like guns... big guns. And besides that I can't think of much to say. so yeah. Just hi and by to those unfortunate enough to read this post."
I start thinking "this person needs help." So I replied:
" Well, even though you feel life is pointless, it does have a point, one just has to find it. If you like, you may PM me, and I may be able to help you find it - I've helped others."
Then, This morning, I got a PM -"This meaning of life you speak of? it is what? "
Immediately, I replied. I'm now just praying that my reply would help this person in need, and help them find God's love and the hope they need.
Please pray for No_one_Important

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Funny sayings and such...

On Gtalk last night, Matt gave me a link to a bunch of funny saying type things. I've typed up my favorites:
Last night, I lay in bed looking up at the stars and thought to myself, "Where is the ceiling?"
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Where there's a will, there are five hundred relatives.
I like owrk. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours.
When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.
Evening news is where they begin with "Good evening" and then proceed to telly ou why it isn't.
AAAAAA - American Association Against Acronym Abuse Anonymous
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level.
Death is hereditary.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons because, to them, you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
If it were not for Thomas Edison, we would all be watching television in the dark.
A consultant is someone whot akes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.
Always remember that you are unique: just like everyone else.
You know the speed of light, so what's the speed of dark?
Join the army, visit exotic places, meet strange people, then kill them.
There are three sides to any argument: your side, my side, and the right side.
I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
On the other hand you have different fingers.
Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
He's not deat - he's electroencephalographically challenged.
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
I'll pretend like there's something witty here and you pretened like you laughed at it.
Drain bramaged.
Department of redundancy department.
Did you ever stop to think... and forget to start again?
Don't be so open minded that your brains fall out.
Don't use a big word where a diminutive one will suffice.
For people who want peace and quiet... a phoneless cord!
I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.
If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown, too?
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
There are three kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
How many times have you commited suicide?
I am no one, no one is perfect, therefore, I am perfect.
Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they're NOT out to get me!
I knew something was wrong when even my imaginary friends wouldn't talk to me.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.
What do you do when you see an endangered animal that is eating an endangered plant?
I took an IQ test... the results were negative.
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind most.
My mind wandered.... and never came back.
If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?
My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.
If you can't laugh at yourself, I'll gladly do it for you.
If a mime is taken to court, do they still tell him he has the right to remain silent?
Let there be world domination.
A stitch in time, means I can rhyme!
I thought that would be best, considering the cat liked it.
Luke! I am your apricot pie!
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my pet rock. Oh, come on - I know a pet rock killer when I see one.
We're on a mission from Oompa Loompa land and we're taking all your marshmallows.
Where there's a will, there's a dead man.
If wishes were math assignments, I would truly die!
Never take a wooden leg's man.
Grampa always said "If everyone liked the same thing, we'd all like coffee."
You are my moving target practice.
In space, no one can hear you, and I'm not listening anyway.
I want to roll with... the world's largest bunny.
It's like walking barefoot... across a ping-pong table.
Many are called stupid. Only some really are.

The last few were from a game on AP... only the funniest - the first half of a saying is posted by one person and the next person posts a random second half.

Anyway, hope I brightened up your day some!
God bless!
Kilo-Yankee

Colds, beans, and tea.

How come we get colds even in this wonderfully warm weather? Seriously. I'm carrying around a coffee mug full of steaming chammomile tea. And this afternoon I had trouble writing because I couldn't think straight - so I was bored. All of my activities involve thinking straight.
Rawr.


Then, why does everyone else in my family have to hate beans? You'd think they're poisonous or something the way they all avoid them... Well, my siblings, that is. Beans are good. They're good for you.
Without them we'd have to eat meat all the time. Blah.


Then comes tea... oh, joyous tea... sitting here with my coffee mug of chammomile tea makes me think of Leavenworth, and those evenings with Hannah down in the ping-pong room, drinking our tea.

Okay, that was complete randomness. But I'm bored, I don't really feel like doing anything, I can't go to bed because I'm babysitting, it's too early to call Kayla, I promised Nate I'd play ping-pong with him later, and it would take me ages to fall asleep anyway.

Well, I hope to post some of my photography in here sometime, worked in with my posts.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Mark 12 - 15

Mark 12
Death - the one thing in common with everyone. We can't avoid it - it's not a choice. But hope is available - all is not lost.
The Saducees did not believe in life after death. Jesus is not the God of the deat. He is the God of the living (v. 27) because of this, we are saved from the hopelessness of death.
He is our ransom. Parable of the tenants shows how he will ransom us. And how he'll give his son.
"In death, recall, unerringly, that you will always reign with me."
Read this: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1983/383_The_Donkey_the_Stallion_and_the_Strategy_of_the_Hills/
We are the wicked tenants in the vineyard. Will we accept the king's invitation to live with Him forever? Remember the words of the king. Don't be ashamed to give hte message of the king.

Don't make God and the kingdom of God small. GOD IS AWESOME! Response to God is to give up everything for Him. Don't believe God's worthy of it, you don't know him.

Mark 13
Heads Up!
He's not weird. He's just misunderstood.

STAND FIRM (13:13)
You'll be rejected... or, don't you have anything to stand for?

BE ON YOUR GUARD (13:23)
Or yo'll be decieved... or is this all yu have to live for?
This is what will happen. Are you prepared?
Now= kingdom of Man
Then = kingdom of God
Where are you looking? Where is your heart? Don't be deceived. What do you have to live for? Personal inventory: What do you have to live for? This pile of stuff? This cluster of friends? This list of future plans?

WATCH (13:37)
Time is not something you control. If your watch dies, time didn't stop. WE CAN'T STOP TIME!
Look out: He's coming back. How will we spend our seconds? Minutes? Hours?
Live every SECOND as if its your last. Live it for Him.
What am I living for?

There is hope for those who stand firm.

Mark 14
That was dumb.

v. 3-5
Why the waste?
Why is this a "waste"?
*It's expensive and it used up quickly - a whole year's wages!
* Better things to buy with the money - meeting real, better needs.

v. 6
A beautiful thing?
Why is this not a waste?
*Jesus has done so much for us
*The poor will always be with us.
*He's God, respect to him from her heart.
*Serving Jesus, she did what she could - a way of TRUE worship.

v. 8
She did what she could - why?
1. She knew what people needed most.
2. She knew whose head she was annointing.
3. She knew why she was annointing him.

Beautiful thing.
No small thing to devote the best and all of me to the King of Kings. He's the only thing, the only reason. How much is he worth to you?


Mark 15
Watch Your Step
Following Peter: Mark 14:27-72

What changed?
1. Circumstances
2. Surroundings
3. People
4. Pressure
Peter exchanged a discipleship of costly following for one of safe observation. Circumstances shouldn't matter.

How did this happen? The battel against sin is the battle against unbelief.

What can I do about it?
Remember this: Mark 15:1-39
It was doen for you. me. us.
Something awesome was done on your behalf - because HE - LOVED - YOU!

Believe it. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
How far are you willing to go?

Welkner then read this article aloud: http://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/113/ Please, read it... it's a great article, I don't want anyone to miss out on it.
Not only was the physical pain great, but imagine the wrath of God being poured out on your head. That was what made it so much worse.



You know, I've always wondered about unreached peoples - how will they know? When end times come, what about people who never had the chance to hear? Richard put it this way... You know how when you look around you, you see some of the majesty, and the awesomeness of God shown through His creation. They still see that. They can still know there is a creator.

Just an interesting point I thought I'd bring up.

Well, Friday or Saturday I'll finish up on Mark.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Mark 10 and 11

Mark 10: What does it mean to be truly great?

Don't trade your future for the present.

Right young man blinded by wealth and stuff. Blindness to reality. What must I do? How do I get eternal life? "FOLLOW ME!"
Spiritual life v.s. physical life.
Don't separate the two!
Yes or no? Here or there?
What do I truly value the most? Keep your goal in sight!

Get ready for what's going to happen. Doesn't matter WHERE you sit, only that you are THERE!

Servant first - servant of all.
Are you? Are you just like Jesus?
Are we willing?
Do we have what matters? Are we blind?

The blind man has more sight than the people with physical sight. He got it. It's not about us. God takes us even when we have nothing to give.
Even when we have nothing to give.


Mark 11

V. 1-11:
Jesus doesn't meet our expectations. In: Party. Out: Condemned. What happened?
Jesus would not do anything less than he had came to do. Then they realized that he wasn't who they thought.

v. 12-19
They thought they were obeying. So why did Jesus overturn their tables? He saw their movives. He sees OUR motives. Their heart was not in worship, but the law. They had form, but not faith.

v. 20-26
Jesus had said the fig tree would die later, when he had cursed it earlier.
BELIEVE, don't doubt.
Checkpoint: Who did they think he was?

God is far bigger than we could ever conceive him to be. Nothing. NoThInG. NOTHING! is impossible with God.

v. 27-33
Authorities: Didn't see, didn't believe. Authority without authority. If they believed the authority was from heaven, they wouldn't have been scared of riot. God is the ONLY authority without authority.

*Don't worry what will happen if you serve Jesus. It doesn't matter what other people think. Let God shape your heart with who He is. Doing nothing about what we learned is going to ruin our character.


Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Mark 8 and 9.. no 6 or 7

Get off the Fence: Mark 8

You choose:
Are you going to live by faith? or By sight? If you're ashamed of yourself, God's ashamed of you. Don't play games with God. The pharisees didn't - wouldn't - believe. Why should Jesus do more, when they'd seen and not believed? Faith is a choice, not a daily routine.

Will your heart be hard? or soft? Question in your heart. Watch your heart: who cares about whatever else. What matters is the condition of your heart.

Who will you live for? self interest? or God's interest? Peter rebukes Jesus because what Jesus says doesn't match up to the Jewish prophecies. Get off the fence and follow God - even though you'll lose everything. The root of difference in your life.

Make a choice and get off the fence.
Live for Him - some decisions are important.



Mark 9: The Big Extremes

Know it and believe it - REALLY believe it. We don't nee dsomething awesome to make us believe - most won't even then. The disciples were confused even after a sign. They still had disbelief - they were selfish. What about you?

Come down from the mountaintop experience and don't change. The Diciples are real people. Jesus doesn't meet our expectations. Stop and think = what?

Worm shall not die = showing what hell is like - night and day tormening nad punishment.

What Jesus means when he says to cut off our hand, etc., if it causes us to sin is IT WOULD BE BETTER. Sin is to be taken seriously. IT WOULD BE BETTER to be maimed and go to heaven than to be successful and go to hell. JEsus said this. It shows why he came and solved the problem so we wouldn't kill ourselves. I'll do it for you - he took care of the sin problem.
Recognize we need to understand we're gross and disgusting. Remember Jesus came for us - there's nothing left for us to do but believe. Recognize - Remember - Believe.

What are you gonna do?


Jesus loves you!

Over'N'out
Kilo-Yankee

Why? / Weaponless Warrior

These are poems I wrote just now, after finishing reading The Bronze Ladder aloud. Throughout the last chapter, which I was reading aloud, my mind was forming these poems, not necessarily quite like this, but they turned out with the desired effect all the same.


Weaponless Warrior

I am all alone, standing there,
Yet not alone - He is with me:
In the middle of the arena,
Through many trials and triumphs,
Through temptations and rejoicing,
A weaponless warrior I stand.

The jeers of the crowd fill my ears.
I say a silent prayer for strength
As the gate opens, the lions rush out,
he is there with me, by my side.
As the oncoming lions attack,
I am not afraid in the least,
Even as they tear at my flesh
As I writhe on the ground in pain,
Still no fear enters my mind.
Yet I know I am dying,
I see Him there, my savior, king.
I am home, safely, finally, home.
I am a martyr for my faith -
I am a weaponless warrior.

--------------

Why?
The cheers and jeers all around them,
Why do these Christians stand firm?
It's only an offering -
A single, simple offering -
And then they'll be free again.

They say there's one who loves them -
They say He has died for them.
What is the meaning of this?
How could anyone die for me?
I am a wretch, I can't be saved.

Do they know what awaits them?
Will they make the sacrifice?
Will they choose to save themselves?
I'm able to see their blindness,
As they stand to face the beasts.

Picked off slowly by the lions,
Their faces shining brightly
Arms outstretched, they praise God.
My eyes are opened by Him -
I, not them, am the blind one.

The love of Jesus fills my heart,
I understand why they stand firm.
He calls me to do His will,
To serve Him with all I am.
I will stand firm to the end.

Though the lions tear at my flesh,
Though the flames rage about my body,
I won't be afraid of death,
My savior waits with open arms,
To welcome his wand'ring child home.



-------
God be with you.

Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Mark 3 and 5

Mark 4 is missing in my notes, so we'll have to skip it, but here are my notes from Chapters 3 and 5.

Mark 4: What if Every choice had a Bad Consequence?
John Welknerd, October 14, 2006

Blaspheming against the holy spirit - rejecting it means no forgiveness.

80 million childrin are victims of child abuse yearly.
500 million abortions annually.
1.2 million people comitting suicide annually.
Jesus let us know he hasn't fiven up on us. He let us learn from him, hear from him, and observe him.

The Holy Spirit is a comfortor, convicter, and the one who draws us nearer to God. If the spirit didn't draw us, we wouldn't go. No one would admit we need Him.

"I'm reaching out for you. I want you back." ~Jesus

Blaspheming the holy spirit is sort of like catching a boat. You need the ramp (the holy spirit) to get on the boat (Jesus). There's a choice: Keep the ramp? Or discard it?
How many times can you say no? Forgivness is still available.
We're covered in mud. We can't get it off on our own. Jesus cleans us off.
Will you take the way to God? Or will you reject it?



Mark 5 (though 4 is sorta tied into it)
Donita Jones, November 2, 2006 (Donny gave the message when Welkner was in India)
Jesus wants to be our light in every area. Process what you hear and listen to GOd. You've only heard it when your life has been transformed. Be prepared to sow and to reap. God calls us to work alongside us. Random acts of kindness can reap large quantities.
The harvest is ready.
Mustard seed: Our growing life/walk with Jesus
Have faith: I trust you, God. Storms will come, we have to face them, but You will help us.
You don't have to go with Jesus. He will go with you. Go tell the world about God's love and what the Lord has done for us. Go down the mountain and out into the world. Get out of your comfort zone.

Just Believe!


"Be still and know that He is God"



Be still... and know that HE IS GOD!
Over'n'out
Kilo-Yankee

Sr. High Campout

Well, the details!

On the way out to the desert, Shehan, Sarah P., and Melissa drove with us. We talked and listened to Cait's ipod. When we got out there, we set up tents, played newcome, and then hopped into cars for sand skimming or duning. I went sand skimming, with Nathan, Jarod, Wesley, Leslie, Elizabeth, Sophie, and a few others. At first I was in the skimming car, then I went and after that I stayed with the others who had already been skimming. Jarod and I were hacking at dead bushes with sticks, and I was listening to Nathan and Wesley jam on the guitar and little drum Richard had in his car. Then we drove back to the campsite, and some of us loaded up into the pajero again to have driving lessons with the stick shift. It was fun, though Lionel was an absolute crazy driver. When we got back, we sang worship songs under the stars (there were so many of them... it was beautiful out), ate dinner, had S'mores, and played capture the flag. It was a blast... both Nathan and I had cloaks, so sometimes people mistook us for the other, which was funny. The girls won the first game, the guys won the second, although both had a bit of confusion on whether or not someone was caught. When we finished playing, John gave a talk, and we got ready for a game of Mafia, which all took part in the town of Texas, with lots of cattle stampedes and whatnot. The Mafia won, but we wouldn't have if we hadn't gotten Nathan out. The game lasted until 1:30, then we played dodge ball for about 10 minutes before heading into our tents for the night. I slept off and on for 4 hours, but only got what totaled 1 hour of sleep. In the morning, we listened to the guys jamming on Richard's guitar and drum, ate pancakes, commented on how cold we were (it was REALLY cold out there that morning... even around the campfire we were cold), and a few of us had an orange-seed spitting contest. Around 9:30, we went skimming or duning. I went skimming again, because I can't go duning without getting sick. I didn't actually skim that day, though, because I was so tired and knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy it much. I DID find another beetle, though. When we got back to camp, we packed up and sat around jamming for a while. I played the guitar some, which was really fun. Next year, I'm thinking about joining Submerge. I like Squirt, and I don't want to abandon them, but I think God may be calling me to Submerge instead.
In the car on the way home, Nathan, Rachel, Daniel, and Stephen rode with us. Stephen slept most of the way to his house, but the Raynors, Cait, and I were talking about other pranks and writing. At the gas station stop, we surprised Wes with a water balloon and Shehan and some others with the air horn. While eating our ice cream we discussed Shakespeare and other literature.

Sadly, we didn't get to pull off our 2 best pranks. The guys were strictly forbidden to enter the girl's side after lights out, so we couldn't attack them. But Leslie and Elisabeth sprayed perfume over the guys tents, and they found the air horn and took the horn so the guys couldn't keep us up with it. We also dyed the guys tongues blue by squirting blue food coloring into their drinks while they weren't watching. In the end, the guys only soaked a few of us with water balloons.

Tuesday-Wednesday of this week we went up to Musandam, Oman. The first day we went to a beach to get shells, went swimming, ate dinner, and played Set. The second day we packed up and went on a dhow cruise. On the dhow, we saw dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, angel fish, parrot fish, sea urchins, and a bunch of other stuff. The scenery was really great, and I found out that I love sailing, more so than flying. On the way back to the dock, it started to rain, then it began to pour. So we were out on a dhow, rocking back and forth, all in the middle of the boat... and Cait and I were singing the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Yes, I know, we're so comforting, aren't we? During the drive home, we stopped at another beach and got some more shells, and got lost in Rasal khyme (sp?). It was fun, though, and getting lost meant we were able to read more of The Bronze Ladder.


Last night we played Settlers with everyone minus Grampa and Candace. Mommy and Daddy tied for first because we couldn't finish the game, and Cait and I tied for second. It got kinda boring, and we had no conversation other than about the game going on, but it was still fun.

Over'n'out

Kilo-Yankee

Campout!

*pause for quick break in Mark study*

So maybe rain isn't so bad. The Sr. High campout was an absolute BLAST. To sum it up until I can write more tomorrow, we played moffia, capture the flag, went sand skimming (others went duning), got the guys lips and tongues and teeth blue with food coloring, stole the air horn, played Newcome/THAT game. Overall very fun, and crazy.

I'm sitting here typing at a snail's pace... can you tell I didn't get enough sleep last night? Moffia lasted until 1:30, then we played 10 minutes of dodgeball before getting in bed. It was SUPER cold out in the desert, and I didn't get the 4 hours of sleep I was in the tent for. The off-and-on I had equaled about 1.

Anyway, more details tomorrow, I'm off to get some sleep.

Over'n'out

Kil0-Yankee

Oasis Mark study

Okay, I've FINALLY gotten around to doing this:
Typing up my notes from John Welkner's talks at Oasis. So, here goes.

Mark 1 notes, October , 2006

Who is Jesus?
Popular ideas:
1. Jesus was a good teacher/man. (How do you measure a good teacher? The content of their teaching.
2. Jesus was a lunatic - "Believed he was, but he wasn't."
3. Jesus was a liar - who died like a fool.
4. Jesus really is the Son of God.
Your answer to this question answers the rest of the questions in your life.
People think Jesus had Narcissism(there is an actual disorder called Narcissism, when someone actually thinks they're god). He does not fit the criteria for that disease.

Who do YOU believe Jesus is?
Jesus isn't just something to learn about.

A problem:
How could someone not care? Their life is consumed by the 3T's: Trivial, Temporary, Themselves.
An example of someone who cared: John the Baptist. He was passionate, bold, and focused. So focused he didn't get distracted by clothes and food. People listened to him because he LIVED WHAT HE BELIEVED!

The problem isn't believing. It's CARING! make sure you care! Someone consumed with themselves doesn't care, and DON'T ENCOURAGE THEM!
This world is temporary. Don't live for what's temporary. Nothing here is permanent.
Most discontentment is when you're unhappy. It's not all about you!
Where's the shuttle of your life heading?
When I am dead, what will people say about me? At my funeral, when people look at my casket, what will they think about me?


Mark 2 notes October 12, 2006

Pharisees - group of people who "liked to play pretend." "Above and Beyond the call of duty." They were hypocritical, they wore masks. The masks hid who they really were - they didn't have anything going on where it really mattered. They thought they were doing well. They had it all - EXCEPT WHAT MATTERED!
Who am I? Am I a pharisee? Or am I who God wants me to be? Let God clean you up; let him take the mud off. It's not about you do. God doesn't want your stuff, he wants you! "Nothing to the cross I bring, only to your feet I cling."

The tax collectors were a hated people.

The pharisees wondered and judged Jesus, but Jesus stays calm and explains.
Pharisees: religion is doing good things to make me look better before God.
Truth: God doesn't make bad things happen because he doesn't like you. He doesn't measure you because of what he's done.

What would you do if you saw someone who didn't fit in?
Pharisee: Ignore them. I'm too cool for them!
Jesus: I came for disgusting people. I came for people who are holding out their hands for hope! Someone who needs me and doesn't fit in!

There's nothing you can do to get sin off. You need God's help; He will get dirty for you! Don't focus on the rules. The Pharisees missed Jesus because they weren't focusing on the right thing.

They were too focused on mundane things.
Jesus entered history for you! Don't ignore him.
He wants you back, He loves you.


Over'n'out

Kilo-Yankee

PS- soon I'll post pictures from our campouts and Musandam trip... seriously, I still feel like I'm on a boat!

Teen Girls for Modesty

Teen Girls for Modesty Mission Statement

"...women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

I believe that my body is holy and sacred and my clothing should not reveal what should be concealed.

I believe that virtue is the most important must have for every season.

I believe that being healthy, physically fit, clean and well groomed is always in style.

I understand that I can be pretty without being provocative.

I believe that my clothing sends a message to those around me and my clothing should reflect my dignity as young woman professing Jesus Christ.

I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by dressing in an immodest manner.

I believe that true beauty comes from within.

I will loyally shop at retailers that provide clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

I believe purity in actions and in dress are always in style!

So now what?

I'm having trouble with decisions again. I want to find an activity I'll really like and enjoy, and one that I'll be able to reach out to others in, but I can't seem to find that one thing.
I need prayer that I'll be able to figure out what God's saying to me and do what He wants me to do, and not what I want to do.
This is really hard for me, as I've always known where I should be up until now.

And then there's something I've had problems with for a few years now: sleeping. I've never liked sleeping, but really recently I've gone to sleep and slept for 8-11 hours (which should be MORE than enough for me) and ended up more tired than when I went to bed. I don't think something's really wrong with me, but whatever it is, it needs prayer.
I'm going to talk to my parents about it really soon, and hopefully we'll be able to figure something out.
I hope it's nothing big.

Faerie Dance

Dark black eyes, reflecting the light of the moon,
What secret could she be hiding?
Her sparkling sky blue wings, adding a faerish grace.

Where have all the others gone?
The flitting, floating faeries?
Is this the secret her moonlit eyes hide?
Could this be the mystery she holds?

With a half a smile, she beckons me nearer,
Hesitant, yet curious, I cautiously follow her.
Through tree and bush, over hill and dale.
Where are they? Where have the faeries gone?

To a starlit glade we finally come,
And there my faerie-friend stops.
A soft whistle sounds through the night,
Suddenly the sky is filled with floating, flitting faeries.

There they are, my search is over,
I watch, amazed, as faeries dance across the sky,
Glittering, graceful, faeries, dancing in the moonlight.
Then quickly, they are gone,
And I am alone once more.

lady.kyleian is here....

Yeah, I changed my blog name and link. 'Tolkienite' just doesn't fit anymore. Kyleian is one of my new nicknames (well, it's really Kylein = ky-lee-in, or kyleout, but I like this spelling better...).
So.

Whooo... big week for me. Gramma and Grampa came, and we've been basically just hanging out here, with normal activities and stuff. Gramma and I worked on my cloak, and very happily, it's done now. Soon we're leaving for Mall of the Emirates *dances*.
Yes, isn't it ironic... vistors go, I haven't been until now, and we've been in Dubai almost 6 months.

Well, you're wanting to know about the Jr. High campout, right? (I'll post pics later!)
We kinda got rained out. Here's what happened:

We got there for the Jr. High camp out, and it was drizzling. So we wore our trash-bag rain coats, and put up the tents. Starts POURING rain. And the really bad news is, that it's supposed to rain like that all night. It clears up a little, we get out and decide to do some stuff and that we won't stay the night (but we may go on the Sr. High one). We played Ultimate Frisbee and capture the flag until the Duners got back (I get motion sick real easily so I can't go duning) ate, and had s'mores. Then we played another game of capture the flag and left.

Rawr. I hate rain.

But it was still fun. And since then I've wanted to play Ultimate Frisbee tons.

I have a quick prayer request... There was this one boy there (we'll call him Ben), who would probably have claimed to be a Christian. But what was really sad was the way he acted. I can't be positive, but he was trying to flirt with some of the younger girls (I'm not trying to judge him, but that's what it looked like), and he was just being annoying. And I think it's not good for him to have the label Christian when he acts that way. I guess he just needs to be spoken to. However, I don't know him very well so I can't know his motives very well.
Another thing, it kinda ties in with this is the matter of me guarding my heart. This is kinda awkward, but with Ben looking like he does (most girls would catorize him as "cute") It's kinda hard for me not to encourage him, if he is flirting. Not only Ben, but other guys as well. Guarding my heart is not something I've had trouble with before, but it's something very important that I need to work on.

But the Father-Daughter campout on Tuesday-Wednesday rocked... It was fun and safe, except for the other girls scaring eachother with scorpion talk *rolls eyes* and a few close calls duning, driving, and on the 4-wheeler. Including mine on the 4-wheeler, I almost got a hole in my hip, jumping over something and hitting my hip on the handlebar really hard. But I had a driving lesson, and we drove all over, up and down hills, etc. Still can't drive a manual, but whatever. We girls played bus stop (with a few dads in there... we couldn't get all of them to play!), signs, silent football, and chop-choppin' the ice. We started to play mow, but didn't get farther than two turns. I went to bed pretty early, but the others stayed up a little later talking. We got up, I had 15 of Mr. B's pancakes (they're medium size), and one of the other dads told some stories from when he was a boy in Africa. Then Daddy told a few, Mr. Folmar told one, and we took down the camp and went duning, driving, sand skimming, and more quad biking before coming back for lunch and finishing packing up.
Most of the others went duning for a while again, and some of us stayed behind and did more quad biking.



Over'n'out

lady kyleian