Setting Loose the Gales

I heard this song for the first time last Saturday at church. The lyrics rock my world. Check 'em out:

Caedmon's Call - "There's Only One" 

Left His seamless robe behind
Woke up in a stable and cried
Lived and died and rose again
Savior for a guilty land

It's a story like a children's tune
It's grown familiar as the moon
So now I ride my camel high
I'm aiming for the needle's eye

I chased the wind, but I chased in vain
I chased the earth, it would not sustain

There's only One who never fails
To beckon the morning light
There's only One who set loose the gales
And ties the trees down tight
When all around my soul gives way
He is all my hope and stay
There's only One, only One Holy One

Lord, You are my Prince of Peace
But this war brings me to my knees
See, there's a table You've prepared
And all my enemies are there
But where my Shepherd leads
Where else can I go?
Who else fills my cup 'til it overflows? 

Up Close and Personal

Do I have a story for you! For the last few months, I've really wanted to get some close-up shots of a train as it passes through College Station. I was biking to class yesterday, and lo and behold, here comes a train! So I got my camera and scurried into position. The train was moving pretty stinking fast, so it was kinda dramatic being only a yard or so away. She gets closer. I wait for the perfect shot. Closer. Closer. Snap...the shutter goes. Then a millisecond later: THWACK! I feel something wallop me in the arm. Then I notice an open plastic bottle on the ground beside me, its cold water pouring out onto the rocks. That punk conductor just threw his drink at me! I just got nailed with a 35mph water bottle! I stood there perplexed. Did that really just happen? Why did Mr. Choo Choo Trolly Man do such a thing? Ha. I guess when you sit in a chair and stare a the same steel track pass under your butt for 18 hours a day, you never pass up the opportunity to hurl objects at defenseless college kids who simply want to experiment with their love for photography. Nice throw.

Captured Power

In case you are halfway observant and wonder how I could possibly have so many entries in a single month, here's the deal: I used to have my blog on another website, but I got bored with it and somewhat frustrated with their service. So, I packed my bags with all 100+ entries and made the move over to this new residence. I thought about simply starting afresh, but I could not part ways with all my pictures, memories, and words of wisdom (not quite) from the past couple years. By clicking on April's archives, you will be able to check out a piece of the pie of the life of your's truly. There you have it...enjoy!

Retro

Here is a samplin' from my Bible study journal I began just over a month ago ago:

Ps 119:9-16
What is it that I must do in order to know God more? What does it take to draw nearer to Him? How do I become more passionate in my walk with Christ? These questions are the pinnacle of all questions (and frustrations) that I myself and every other believer burn for an answer to. Each and every Sunday, the American evangelical takes a seat in church, stares at the pastor, jots down some notes, and walks away with fresh energy and a new resolution. Then Tuesday rolls around and we are all back to where we were the previous Saturday. Some of us would be doing good to remember what the life-changing sermon was even about last week. So what’s wrong with this picture? Where has the concept of Christian growth gone so astray? All of us have the sincere desire to know the Lord more intimately, but few are taking the necessary steps to achieve this dream. During the backpacking trip this Spring Break, Reese, Doug, and I studied I Peter. The plan was to knock out a chapter a day, but we only made it to chapter 2. Why? Because we dug deep down into the scripture! We meditated, discussed, and applied each of the precious verses. We read the Bible like God’s Holy Word, not the morning paper. It was slow, but incredibly powerful. It was tedious, but very impacting. Only now am I beginning to understand what is involved in reading the Bible. For so long I have approached the Bible as a textbook, and my “quiet time” as a checkmark off the day’s to-do list. And I’m not alone! This is why today’s church goers are flabbergasted when growth is not occurring. Of course we aren’t growing, because we are not craving and longing for the pure spiritual milk (I Pet 2:2). The burning desire to know and grow in Christ requires fuel. It needs huge bundles of firewood, not little pieces of wet kindling. The cry of the psalmist in Ps 119:9-16 is so powerful. “Whole heart...stored up...teach me...with my lips I declare...meditate...fix my eyes...delight...I will not forget.” Wow. That right there I how I should approach the Father. That is the dedicated, passionate focus I need to have every time I open the Word. Some 365-day Bible is not going to cut it. If it takes me a month to finish a few chapters of I Peter, then so be it. Our Father desires quality, not quantity.

Fiberoptic Flower

"Whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been."
- Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

Munchkin Cousins

DEAD

At 9:05 am, Terri Schiavo's 14-day execution came to a final end. Today marks the day when animals, terrorists, convicted rapists, and serial murderers have more right to life than an innocent, handicapped woman. Where were those in the Big Media who condemned the American military for the "brutal and inhumane" abuse of terrorists at Abu Ghraib? Where were the civil liberties' activists who go into hysteria the moment an al-Qaida terrorist at Guantanamo Bay is rumored to have been sent to bed without dinner? It's only a shame Terry wasn't a minority, and Hollywood star, a murderer, or a terrorist. For if she was, a death sentence by means of dehydration would have been considered cruel and unusual. And where was Bush? You're telling me that some state judge has more influence than the most powerful man in the world? This is outrageous! Now one might argue that Greer, Bush, and all those in favor of executing this poor soul were just obeying the law. Think about this. In October 1939, Hilter began using the law to implement "mercy killings" of the sick and disabled, most of whom were children. The law was manipulated and used by the Fuhrer to disguise these exterminations as acts of "mercy." He viewed these lives as useless, and therefore an inconvenience on everyone else. The sick and weak were a burden on society, to much trouble to deal with, so why not just get rid of them? He did. And look where that road lead. What started out as a simple act of obedience to corrupt law turned into the destruction of a whole race who was deemed unworthy to live. If we as a nation continue to blindly trust the judicial system as the supreme moral code, we just might find ourselves walking in Hitler's shoes. To say it can't happen here in the greatest nation on earth would be naïve. History exists for a reason. We must not ignore the past and make the same mistakes as those before us. America is already riding down this slippery slope. The Ten Commandments are getting stepped all over. The right to life is being replaced by the right to kill the innocent through abortion, and now extermination. The family unit is being destroyed by divorce and gay marriage. Oh I hope we as a nation would understand what is at stake before it's too late. The murder of 6 million Jews began with the gassing of one. The murder of 46 million babies began with the abortion of one. The murder of ___?___ began with the starvation of one, Terry Schiavo.

Spring Break '05

I'm home. I'm alive. I had a blast! A couple of my friends and I hit up the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas for 4 glorious days of backpacking. We covered 46 miles and had a net elevation gain of over a mile. It was grueling, rough, and mentally exhausting. But at the same time it was fun, rewarding, humbling, educational (in a non-college type way), and spiritually amazing! That's the beauty of backpacking. We were able to dwell in the Lord's stunning creation, creation that has hardly been touched by human hands. There's something refreshing in that. This picture is from atop White Rock Mountain, where we dinned on a cliff that overlooked the entire Ozark region. Stunning I say!
(the next 2 photos are from the same trip)

Outdoor Delight

Yummy backpacking delicacies. The goodness of that dinner still brings a smile to my face!

Goodmorning Sunshine

The sunrise of day #1.

Need Perspective?

How big is our Lord? Maybe this website will give you a vague idea. Keep in mind this is our solar system. Big huh? Now try to grasp that our sun is just one of another 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy, whose diameter is 100,000 light years. And if that weren't enough, it is estimated that there are 240 billion galaxies in our visible universe. That's right...visible! Has your head exploded yet?

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
- Ps. 145:3
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
- Ps. 33:6
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
- Ps. 111:2
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
- Prov. 15:33

Backpacking Bastrop

Last weekend was the best weekend I can remember in a good long while! Here's why: went backpacking in Bastrop with the greatest people in the world - gave no thought to homework or school or meetings (much less what time it was) - got to breath pure, clean, and quiet air - gorp (need I say more) - and spent much needed time in thought. Saturday = rain, so we left camp around 7 a.m. and hiked back to the cars. That gave us all day to hang out in Austin. We visited Lindsey's grandma (what a sweetie!), went to REI for a game of "price is right", and met some UT - sorry, t.u. - friends on campus. They treated us to dinner at their dinning hall, which was quite impressive, but Sbissa still reigns as Cafeteria King! Mmmmm, 'bissa.
(L-to-R: Me, Nathaniel, Bryan, Lindsey, Shawna, & Sarah Jane)

Lonely Joy

I took this picture on the way back from class today. As I was messing with it on Photoshop, I got to thinking about what could make this picture special, what message it could send. My first impression was: bird on building...only one bird...poor, lonely bird. But after more thought, I determined such was not the case. This bird is not lonesome. It is not depressed. It is perfectly content sitting up there alone. He's just perched up there scoping out the land, thinking about things birds think about. Then it hit me. I long for those moments of birdness. Those moments when I can get away from the hustle-n-bustle of college life and actually take a second to remember who the Lord has made me and what He has placed me here for. I've been so busy with so many social events that I crave those times when I can just perch myself in the sky, away from the societal flock. I absolutely love my friends and the moments I have with them, but what good are they if I never take time to sit back and reflect on those friendships? What good is it if I rarely get away from it all, and thank Christ for all the blessings He so graciously bestows upon me? So my goal is to have more moments of birdness in my life. Time when I might go on a random, destination-less walk around campus, simply for the sake of praying, thinking, and breathing. Time when I might kneel on the floor and simply listen. Give it a shot...be like the bird. Thanks for the inspiration my feathered friend.

Siamese Bananas

My dad found this cute couple growing on a banana tree in our backyard. I performed an emergency separation operation, which was a success...until they drowned in my cereal bowl. Poor things.

In Concert

I got to see Spur 58 play in Houston on Sunday night! It's so amazing to see how the Lord has blessed them and opened up huge opportunities in their ministry. The stud on the left is Chadwick, one of my friends from the good ol' high school days. They have a new CD coming out called "Blessed Catastrophe".

Farm Barn

The Coffee's Table

Today I drove up to College Station to drop off a couple of last semester's architecture projects that were chosen to be a part of the B.E.D Archive Show this month. One of the works is this cardboard coffee table, and the other is my model house. I was so honored to be chosen. However, I do find it humoring that they are showing off the work of an Architecture school drop-out who is now a student of the Mays School of Business. The irony.

Lil' Cousins

Say hi to Kyle and Tyler (w/ his superhero Flash). These two little squirts visited for a few days during Christmas, and they were SO much fun. Because they have the same age difference (3 yrs.) as my younger brother and I, it was really interesting to see how we might have interacted back in the day. I just hope we got along as well as my cousins do (somehow I doubt it!). Their mom loved this picture and joked that I should be a childern's photographer when I grow up. Maybe if business doesn't work out either, I''ll go get a degree in toddler photography at some boonie jr. college in Mississippi. Then you could bring your kiddos to the local Wal-Mart Photo Center and I can hook you up! That'd be the day!

Dead Sea Scrolls

My family went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to take a peek at the earliest known manuscripts of the Old Testament. The exhibit was very well done, and I'm still blown away by the quality of these 2,000 yr.old scrolls (they looks as good as our Declaration of Independence). Go figure. Here is a picture of one of the fragments (Exodus, I think). Sorry for the bad quality. I don't think cameras were allowed, but I couldn't pass this up! If you're interested in learning a bit about the scrolls, look here.

It's 2005!

A wish everyone a joyous new year! As resolutions begin to blossom around the country (only to soon wither), these verses help me keep things in perspective. God bless y'all!
"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
- Proverbs 21:30
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
- John 15:5
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
- Psalms 37:5-6

Texan Winter

Ladies and Gents, it snowed in Houston! Can you believe it? Neither can I! I'm flabergasted. And if that's not amazing enough, the timing of this white wonder was glorious. I stepped out of the church after the Christmas service and...voila, there's a good 1-2" on the ground! Just in time for Christmas day. Happy birthday Jesus!

Let It Snow...

Christmas Eve 2004

Artistic Anatomy

(this is a piece I did in high school...one of my favorites)
So I google'ed myself today, and it appears I'm a VP of a European telecommunications company who plays lacrosse for Towson University. In my free time I strum the guitar in the gospel band "High Praise". I'm currently ranked 5th in winnings on the Northern Ontario Curling Tour. Oh, and I believe animal testing is completely ethical. There you have it...that's me!

'Tis The CHRISTmas Season!

(Approx. one decade ago)
Me: "Mom, I'm so sick of piano lessons! I don't wanna go anymore!"
Mom: "Kevin, honey, you love the piano. You've - "
Me: That's what you think! That lady is ruining it. I just want to practice on my own."
Mom: "Ohh yeaaa...that'll happen!"
Me: "Uh huh! I promise, I promise, I promise!"
Mom: "Kev, someday you're gunna regret quitting."
Me: "Whatever..."

(Approx. one week ago)
Me: "Man, I wish I had an ounce of musical talent! I could entertain myself on the piano all day.
Mom: "HA!...(you know what followed)

Skeet Ball

Group 11 decided make our last night together for the semester a memorable one....so it was only proper that we made reservations at the finest dinning establishment in College Station: Charles Edwards III (aka Chuck E. Cheese). Ha! That place brought back some amazing childhood memories. It was at CEC's that I remember opening one of the greatest presents I've ever been given. My dad got be an aluminum baseball bat (that's right, metal, the real deal) when I turned six. I was so stinking obsessed with that bat that I slept with it and propped it against my chair at the dinner table. It never left my side. Wow...good times.

Northgate

My little brother came up to College Station a couple weeks ago to check out THE greatest school on earth for a few days. He's a junior in high school, so he's just begun the whole stress-out-about-what-you-want-to-do-for-the-rest-of-your-life phase of his life. I'm almost a junior in college and still feel completely lost! (though I have narrowed my choices down a bit) Anywho, my love of photography seems to be rubbing on him a bit. One of the nights up here, he took my camera for a stroll around campus. After some Photoshoping, this shot turned out pretty sweet. Well done grasshopper!

Tunnel Of Lights

My Upstream partner and I took our freshmen to Santa's Wonderland here in College Station...and it was INCREDIBLE! This place is a drive-thru Christmas light tour with 2 million lights! This picture is a view of the underside of a tunnel that must have been 150 ft. long. If you live anywhere near C.S., you've got to experience this place!

Upstream Fall Retreat

Kinda scary. I put my camera's life on the line while my buddy Nick hurled frisbees at my face. It made for a great shot though!

Box Of Juke

Vote W!

Today was a big day in the life of me. I cast my absentee ballot, thus securing my right to whine like a school girl if Jean Francais Kerry pulls a miracle. I am interested in politics, yet at the same time find it nauseating. Being so engrossed in the campaign season (since when did a season last 2 years?) has been exhausting. We only have 3 more days of this madness, and for that I'm oh so grateful! Hopefully my vote will help Bush squeak out a victory in Texas. Gig'em!

'tis Complete!

After many long days, late nights, and an all-nighter, my first model as an architecture student is complete. I estimate that I put around 100 hrs of design and construction into my baby. I find it mind-boggling to think that 4 whole days of my life were invested into something that was graded in just under 10 minutes. Ha, wow! But here she is, and I'm very proud.

Slowly But Surely

j

Construction Underway

After 12 or so hours of floor plan design, construction of my model house has begun. At this point, the walls are solid (no windows) and simply held together with tape. The process is very slow and tedious (measure, re-measure, cut carefully).

Industrialized

As I was walking home today, I passed the old campus postal service building like I have done countless times before. However, this time I did a double take, and thought to myself, "That could be a pretty nice photo." So I pulled out my trusty sidekick and snapped a few. The low setting sun created some bold shadows and contrasts. Isn't it ironic how the random, unsought pictures turn out to be the most interesting?

Campfire Acoustics

This last weekend, the leaders and coordinators of Upstream (on-campus freshmen Bible study) took a much needed retreat to a small town near Houston. It was so refreshing to get away from College Station and put all projects, tests, and lectures behind us. Though we were only away for 24 hours, it made all the difference in the world! It was so wonderful to get to hang out and bond with the other leaders and spend some quality time in prayer. I can't wait to see the amazing work the Lord is going to do within this ministry!

Noble Gases

A blown-glass sculpture filled with Neon and Argon.

Administration Building

This is by far the most beautiful building on campus. During my architectural drawing class we began a three-point perspective drawing of the grand foyer inside, which consists of nothing but marble, stone, and stunning stained-glass windows. The work is incredibly tedious. Measure the line...transfer the distance to your page...draw the line....and repeat (a gazillion more times). But hey, it BTHO calculus.

Remembrance

It's now been three years since that fateful, terrible morning. The home opener took place this afternoon on the anniversary of 9/11. The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band commemorates that heartrending day with a special 9-11 ribbon formation.

We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.

Blossom

To see a world in a Grain of Sand,
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
- William Blake (1757-1827)

A Long Day's End

The sun setting on College Station, viewed from the 5th floor of Rudder Tower.

Back To School

The first week back in Aggieland has passed, and the second just begun. I'm still trying to adjust to my new and exciting major of Environmental Design. These architecture classes are unlike anything I've ever experienced! There is very little reading, rather we will sit for hours on end working on perspective drawings and model renderings. Instead of tests, we have a few major projects. And I will never again be able to say, "I have no homework," for there is always just a bit more work you can put into a project. But that's what it's all about, so I'm in it for the long haul! This is a picture of the Academic Building, one of the oldest and most beautiful on campus.

DG Do Vegetarians Eat Animal Crackers?

Fish Camp Send-Off

The counselors and co-chairs of Camp Reynolds.

On The Eve

On our last night before Fish Camp, we all took a break from the stressful chaos of preparation and packing to spend some time reflecting on all the wonderful times we've had together. Thank you Steph, Zach, and all my fellow Reynolds counselors for everything!

Jelly Belly

This is remarkable: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0608042jelly1.html

Remember The Alamo

We concluded a summer of Camp Reynolds road trips with the great city of San Antonio.
"There have been many ideas of what Texas is, what it should become, and we are not all in agreement. But I'd like to ask each of you what it is you value so highly that you are willing to fight and possibly die for. We will call that Texas. We will not only show the world what patriots are made of, but we will also deal a crippling blow to the army of Santa Anna." - William Barret Travis

Illuminated Canopy

A beautiful oak tree adjacent to the Alamo.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Waiting for David Crowder to take the stage.

The One Nation Tour

The concert line-up consisted of Mercy Me, David Crowder Band, and Michael W. Smith. I was totally blown away!

Fun With Photoshop

Wet Leaves

Nightfall

The day coming to a close in Brenham. Visiting remote towns in Texas makes me realize how stressful and claustrophobic suburbia life can be. Hopefully someday my backyard will look like this...

Yum

During the daytrip to Brenham, Camp Reynolds visited the factory of the one and only Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Silhouette

This is a shot of a modern sculpture at the George Memorial Library in Richmond.

Reflections

A different perspective on the sky above.

Denouement

It took this picture while fishing at a beautiful lake in the Texas hill country. The day was coming to an end and I had yet to catch a single one, but who can complain when the sunset looks like that!

Ed #1

Padre Palm

Bailey Boy

Mikasa! All Stars

Eb, Me (forgot my tough guy face), Derek, Kyle, Jacob, Wink, & Zach.

WHOOP!

Art In The Making

The theatrics of Benihana's.

FHK

My freshmen dorm (ain't she a beauty!). Farewell my lady.

All Faiths Chapel

The beautiful home of Upstream (A&M's freshmen bible study). This was taken on the last night of my freshmen year. I decided to take a midnight stroll around campus and reflect on the past year, and this picture truly captures the mood.