A new challenge!

Hello Readers,

It has been quite some time since I have written on this blog. After some cajoling from a certain someone (Brooke Holleman), I am going to try and write more frequently. But, I need your help! If you wanted to hear me write or start a conversation about something, what would it be? You will probably have accessed this through facebook, so send me a message with what you would like me to write about. Maybe it is a political question you've wondered where I stand, maybe it has to deal with religion, maybe it has to deal with Top 40 music, or the current Bachelor type show on ABC. Whatever it is, I want to know! I can't promise that I will write about it, but if it seems reasonable, I'll give it a shot.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc1awt6v2M0

So, you choose folks. 

-Tim

Fries and Fried

It's 9:48
The hours seem to be getting late
You can sense the omnipresence of fate
The inevitability of the weight
the stress
the pressure
the uncertainty
It's makes us wanna
scream
panic
fear
The reason? Is clear.
---->The "American Dream" is near
And our fates it holds dear

We wish to make a difference
.....After we get that job
......After we get that debt paid
.......After that promotion
-----> Those afterthoughts are such a commotion!

We lose our clarity
We lose our vision
We lose ourselves

9 weeks ago, we had a plan
we had courage
we had resolve
But in that time,
we lost our mind
we lost our way
We lost it All.

Sure, someone will get that job but not me
Sure, someone will make a difference but not me
I'm just trying to survive
I'm just trying to not fail.

But, avoiding failure isn't what you are about.

That. Right there.
THAT is what you should SHOUT. 
Right here. Right now.
Shout it--
SCREAM IT!
But, most of all. believe it

Believe you can make that difference
that you can do it
that you WILL do it

That vision is still there
unleash it.
go on a tear
I dare you. 

Why I go to Parties.

Why I go to parties, you ask?
not so that I can take a swig from a flask
and have to wear a fascade and mask
of stupor, inebriation, and intoxication
I go to parties for the same reason as a vacation
To relax, to enjoy, to savor the moment!

But, another reason I go I hold dear
one that is the idea of preventing tears
--it is truly every mom's worst fear
that their son or daughter
will be caught in the slaughter
and after that there is no laughter

because lives are lost or friendships ripped apart
amid all these broken parts
it is the bottle that rips them apart

FOR WHAT?
lucidity, nerves, or the taste
it just become a disgrace
that men become boys and women like girls
this is a thought that makes me want to hurl

What happened to happiness or peace
or the idea of those with the most are those with the least?

SEIZE and end the nonsense before it is too late
I don't want to have to remember this date
because of its association with hate

I want to remember a great day with some of my mates
We chose our own fates--it is important to be social and relate
So drop the bottle if what it creates
the things that your momma would hate

New Year!

It's been quite a while since I've written an entry. While much has changed since I have returned from my Summer in the District of Columbia, I still think of it often. In fact, it made several appearances in the law school applications that I wrote and am nervously awaiting hearing about...
But, in the meantime I have made 2 'New Year's Resolutions'
1. To not drink Soda. That's right, quit cold turkey.
2. To read 12 books. For those that think I read, well...I have fooled you.
Seeing as it's January 9th, I'm doing pretty well. I haven't had soda (one day was really tough, but otherwise I'm managing) and I finished my first book. It was "To Timbuktu" and recounted travels of a couple that traveled to Thailand, Morocco, Laos, Vietnam and worked in China and Mali. Basically, it just reignited the travel bug I have fought on and off since my time in Sheffield in 2011. It was a light read that had illustrations by the guy while the girl wrote. I would recommend it for a plane ride or something.
Both of these resolutions are going to be difficult to keep throughout the year. I'm actually more hopeful for the soda one than the book one. But, these are the other 11 books I hope to read by years end.
1776 by David McCullough
My Journey by Tony Blair
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Globalization and its Discontents by Joseph Stiglitz
Keynes by Robert Skidelsky (I read this book a few years ago, but seeing that I have now taken 3 economics courses since then, I figure that I would have a different perspective)
Smoking Typewriters by McMillian
The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross
The Healing of America by T.R. Reid
Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden
America in the Age of Decline: Time to Start Thinking by Edward Luce
and, the last one that I have started and hope to finish by the end of the month: The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria
I hope those of you who made resolutions are able to stick with them! Those of you who didn't, keep on keepin' on.
-Tim

Reflection.

As I fly out of Reagan this morning, it seems appropriate to try to reflect on what all has happened this Summer. But, doing that without music would simply be boring. So, I picked a few songs and will write a little bit under each of them to give you (the viewer) something interesting and me something to try and steer my thoughts.

While I know I am not the only one who ever sleeps in DC, I felt this way a lot when thinking about leaving the city...or District of Columbia.

I loved this song before I got here. And, I still very much do. I think it's the energy contained in it, and the optimism or hope that seems to come from these electronic sounds. Plus, there many funny times involving this song.

I first heard this song while on the lawn of the Capitol during the Fourth of July celebration. It just seemed fitting to be where I would one day like to serve that I could 'make this place my home'.

I had never heard this song until I worked in DC this Summer. While I think it is much more beautiful when sung by teens and a simple guitar, I think this version does a pretty great job. Oftentimes, the realizations about the audacity that humanity has took me to my knees in prayer and shame.

I performed this song during our karaoke time as a staff, but no...I didn't need the words on the screen, I already knew them.
There is no need for any explanation: London 2012.was.incredible.

When landing in DC, I had no idea what to expect. But, since it is contains many of the symbols of freedom, liberty, and the American Federal Government is housed here...it seems fitting to have the national anthem. The chaos that Hendrix adds to the song I believe fits how our society is, and will always will be because freedom creates a constant tension sometimes hard to understand and appreciate.

Now, is it a cheesy song? yes. Is it overplayed? yes. Does it actually have any significance other than teen girls always played it in the car when going places? Yes, it does.
I like to think that God (in a non-creepy, teen love way) is singing many of the same thoughts. We are His creation; and yes, every bit of it is beautiful.
I'll see many of you soon.
Tim

It's not goodbye, it's see you later.

Today, the last group I hosted left. And, honestly they were one of the most memorable probably because it was 'my last [insert activity here]'. I felt privileged to get to know them and see God moving powerfully in their lives.
Saying goodbye is not something I'm a big fan of. At all. Primarily because I don't think that things end, they just have breaks in the middle. Saying goodbye to my coworkers was a unique experience. The sense of closure we all felt allowed for us to truly say that it was a 'good' bye. Not sad. Not emotional. Not hurt. But, a sense of joy that all of us had knowing that deep down, we were good with what happened this Summer. That we were proud of the work that we were allowed to be a part of. There's a  more off-color phrase 'It's all good in the hood'. And, that is the best way I can describe right now.
The sense of community that mainly underprivileged communities have is desperately missing from more affluent areas. And while problems will always exist, it is with honor and pride that I as a member of Christendom look at my job and know that God will one day say "Child well done". It is with the audacity of Christ's death and resurrection that I have any chance of knowing him. And with that, my job is done.
I'm going to be in DC for a few more days having fun. I hope to be able to fully reflect on my time here and prepare for the upcoming year. For those that have been reading this blog, Thanks for your wishes and prayers. You're the best :)

Last Work Day Eve

Tonight before my last full day of hosting was very...interesting. I have never more passionate about speaking to a crowd about God in my life. Never. Usually, I'm very cautious and careful...meticulous about what I say. Not tonight. It was quite raw. And, strangely the most awesome I have felt at a debrief at the end of a night.
I talked about the 'beautiful struggle' which is what I like to call 'fighting the good fight' mentioned in 1 Timothy 6: 11-end. And, man do I have a road in front of me. While it feels like I have been here years, I know it has only been a few short months and I can't even describe fully everything that has gone on. I'll try to when it is all said and done, but I won't make any promises because I probably won't be able to communicate via blog. It's a passionate feeling of anger, hurt, and love that the District of Columbia has brought out of me. I can't wait to see what is in store for the rest of my walk with God. I know it will be a tough road, but the sight will be something to see.
That's it for now. I have too much on my mind to focus.