This statement of my faith is not debatable, meaning that I do not enter into argument/debate over these issues. My focus is fellowship with the Father and the Son, and then with YOU as an outflow of that fellowship (1 John 1:1-4). I am not focused on convincing others of the correctness of my views. -It took me 38 years...but I will debate with you your beliefs, until you concretely tell me what you believe - and why.
I BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's ("agape") love, which is greater than any differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
I BELIEVE worship of God should be spiritual. Therefore, I remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct my worship.
I BELIEVE worship of God should be inspirational. Therefore, I give great place to music in my worship.
I BELIEVE worship of God should be intelligent. Therefore, I place great emphasis upon the teaching of the Word of God that He might instruct me how He should be worshiped.
I BELIEVE worship of God should be fruitful. Therefore, I accept reality as His love in my life and my recognition of this perspective as the supreme manifestation that I am truly worshiping Him.
I BELIEVE in all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity.
I BELIEVE in the inerrancy of Scripture, that the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible Word of God.
I BELIEVE in the trinity - one God eternally existent in three separate persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I BELIEVE that God the Father is the personal, transcendent, and sovereign Creator of all things.
I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, provided for the atonement of our sins by His vicarious death on the cross, was bodily resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, ascended back to the right hand of God the Father, and ever lives to make intercession for us.
I BELIEVE that after Jesus ascended to Heaven, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the believers in Jerusalem, enabling them to fulfill His command to be His witnesses in the entire world, a responsibility shared by all believers today.
I BELIEVE that all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit. All his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God destined to spend eternity with the Lord.
I BELIEVE in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today if they are exercised within the scriptural guidelines. I covet the best gifts, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. I believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless.
I BELIEVE that church government should be simplistic rather than a complex bureaucracy, and I depend on the Holy Spirit to lead, rather than on fleshly promotion.
I AWAIT the pre-tribulation rapture of the church and I believe that the second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on earth will be personal, pre-millennial, and visible. This motivates me to holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, and participation in adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. (I was baptized as an adult the day prior to my marriage, for how could I be ready to be married to my wife, if I could not first be married to God?)
I SEEK to teach the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to an individual's life, leading that person to greater maturity in Christ.
I REJECT: (1) The belief that true Christians can be demon possessed. (2) "Five point Calvinism" (i.e., a fatalistic Calvinistic view that leaves no room for free will. Specifically, I reject the belief that Jesus' atonement was limited, instead I believe that He died for all people, and I reject the assertion that God's wooing grace cannot be resisted or that He has elected some people to go to hell. Instead, I believe that anyone who wills to come to Christ may do so). I REJECT (3) "Positive confession" (the faith movement belief that God can be commanded to heal or work miracles according to man's will). (4) Human prophecy that supersedes the Scripture. (5) The incorporation of humanistic and secular psychology and philosophy into Biblical teaching, and (6) the over-emphasis of spiritual gifts or experiential signs and wonders to the exclusion of Biblical teaching.
So there you have it. Now tell me, what do you believe?
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Relationship. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Where the Feeling Comes From
the heart. the brain? God?
Does it matter? We can feel. joy, love, pain, hunger, hope...
I want to sing from where the feeling comes from.
I spent the day enjoying so many things... morning at Starbucks... with my little girl, catching up with Jerry... then my wife and I strolled through a farmers market...then Sophia and I played in the park... cooked some tamarind chicken, then I caught up with Scott O. at another starbucks... then met the new babysitter, left for a gathering of church peeps... came home, snuggled in bed and watched some Netflix...It's midnight now.
My Jesus, this life is worth all the emotions, good and bad. I do want Heaven, but I am glad you gave me today.
Does it matter? We can feel. joy, love, pain, hunger, hope...
I want to sing from where the feeling comes from.
I spent the day enjoying so many things... morning at Starbucks... with my little girl, catching up with Jerry... then my wife and I strolled through a farmers market...then Sophia and I played in the park... cooked some tamarind chicken, then I caught up with Scott O. at another starbucks... then met the new babysitter, left for a gathering of church peeps... came home, snuggled in bed and watched some Netflix...It's midnight now.
My Jesus, this life is worth all the emotions, good and bad. I do want Heaven, but I am glad you gave me today.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
literally Fun, literary
...hope you can keep your pace and peace, perpetual peace is a perfect place to ponder and pontificate, perhaps, proliferate some prose pertaining to pomegranets, purple pastures, and pink people...then, perchance, you may propegate a propensity for providing persistent peace to placate those persons who populate your life... the very principle of it would be your prime purpose.
Alliteration is the very best way to start your day (unless an iambic rhyme comes out to play)
*snort*
Jobs for snobs,
work for dorks,
herds of nerds.
Alliteration is the very best way to start your day (unless an iambic rhyme comes out to play)
*snort*
Jobs for snobs,
work for dorks,
herds of nerds.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Last Day In Russia
Not having a cell phone has been surreal, which means that I need to spend more time without one. I have had plenty of time to think of new ventures and how to help take Integris to a new level. Spending time with my family was wonderful. I realize now that the time to put away some parts of "me" and some dreams on a shelf has come. I think its time to figure out how to put more into God, people, community.
Here in Russia people don't smile they walk around with blank stares. I am aware of this because I don't speak the language... so I've noticed. Is it the same back home? Shouldn't we be cognizant of our connection to each other? Smile to strangers because we aren't really strangers? Wave hi and say hello to people we don't know, because in a way, we do know them?
It is a thought.
I also realized that it is better to be the good guy, noble, compassionate, strong, fun... good. Our society has crippled the concept of Clark Kent and Superman. But I think some major healing needs to be done with our concept of what has value, and what is just empty.
Russia is full of beautiful, knock out, georgeous women. But many know it, and it lessens them. God is a crucifix on a necklace here. Icons on a wall, church on Sunday (rarely for most). They look at my interpretation of Christ as a "Cult". Praying over meals - quaint and quirky.
But the people here have Spirit - it resonates here. Like God is saying, I won't let go of you, even if you forget about me. You can feel the Holy Spirit everywhere -- I think its called common grace, or something like that. And those that are religious are also Reverent.
I think we have forgotten how to be reverent. I think we only view the Spirit through seldom moments, miracles, whispers. But the Spirit is constant - an ever present Help. So how can we be more spirit filled as a people?
Russia could embrace our type of Christianity -- I just need a good old fashion barbeque (oh and alcohol must be welcomed, its a cultural thing here) and if the food is free, and the music good, the people will come. And they would enjoy the fellowship and they would discuss and contemplate God and Jesus. It would be a start.
Back home, I think my participation at Calvary Chapel is going to change. I am going to be more out going, more involved and connected... but moreso, we as a family are going to bring some of Russia back with us. A bridge to the Spirit, to reverence of God.
I miss Texas, but it can wait one more day.
I am enjoying the surroundings and the hum of family.
Here in Russia people don't smile they walk around with blank stares. I am aware of this because I don't speak the language... so I've noticed. Is it the same back home? Shouldn't we be cognizant of our connection to each other? Smile to strangers because we aren't really strangers? Wave hi and say hello to people we don't know, because in a way, we do know them?
It is a thought.
I also realized that it is better to be the good guy, noble, compassionate, strong, fun... good. Our society has crippled the concept of Clark Kent and Superman. But I think some major healing needs to be done with our concept of what has value, and what is just empty.
Russia is full of beautiful, knock out, georgeous women. But many know it, and it lessens them. God is a crucifix on a necklace here. Icons on a wall, church on Sunday (rarely for most). They look at my interpretation of Christ as a "Cult". Praying over meals - quaint and quirky.
But the people here have Spirit - it resonates here. Like God is saying, I won't let go of you, even if you forget about me. You can feel the Holy Spirit everywhere -- I think its called common grace, or something like that. And those that are religious are also Reverent.
I think we have forgotten how to be reverent. I think we only view the Spirit through seldom moments, miracles, whispers. But the Spirit is constant - an ever present Help. So how can we be more spirit filled as a people?
Russia could embrace our type of Christianity -- I just need a good old fashion barbeque (oh and alcohol must be welcomed, its a cultural thing here) and if the food is free, and the music good, the people will come. And they would enjoy the fellowship and they would discuss and contemplate God and Jesus. It would be a start.
Back home, I think my participation at Calvary Chapel is going to change. I am going to be more out going, more involved and connected... but moreso, we as a family are going to bring some of Russia back with us. A bridge to the Spirit, to reverence of God.
I miss Texas, but it can wait one more day.
I am enjoying the surroundings and the hum of family.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas 2010
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all...
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men...
Merry Christmas, may your soul have rest and your yoke be light.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all...
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men...
Merry Christmas, may your soul have rest and your yoke be light.
Friday, November 19, 2010
And the World Waits
And the world waits...
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Old Days New Times - from my Facebook
You can find the original on my facebook page under notes:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/me/?s=30#!/notes/sidhartha-sen/old-days-new-times/421870671529
I don't really miss my high-school years. But I do miss the town - and the people. I miss Mentor. I don't think its possible to truly explain the special circumstances in which we all grew up. A mall, a beach, a few movie theaters, coffee shops, and a spattering of neighborhoods created the community of our youth.
Perpetual grey skies with some clear sunny days.
The people were the difference. Hope and apathy, punk and preppy all mixed together to form our world of love, life, and letting go. Letting go happened senior year I think. Who would have thought Face Book would bring a semblance of that history back into the present.
It's like the Brady Bunch reunion shows... all grown up, with jobs, and kids, and homes, and bills. You know we never really talk about our bills on here. Hmm. I can't believe Heidi Baggot would become an expat in China....or that Steve Kansa would... uh... what exactly do you do Steve?
The fact that Matt Cortelli and John Vaugn have grown up into admirable father figures gives me (slim) hope for my own future.
Jonathan LePere and I are extremely close in political views now... ack... what does that mean? Did he become more liberal, or I conservative? Perhaps both.
I think I miss the people most... and some of them were not even good friends of mine back then, but are so treasured by me now... while others who I was extremely close to have grown up and become insane or despondent or both.
I am the God father of my ex-girlfriend's sister's baby. It is a weird thing to write but a lovely truth from the journey of my life. And I named my daughter in part for my high school best friend's sister, Nicole. Who by the way was recently married (congrats!)
I remember being in Boy Scouts with Adam Shea and Mark Winner. I never figured out if heather herman and adam dated... they did didn't they? Oof, I was so out of the loop.
I remember when my friend Carlos died (remember that?) and Jen Seese -- who I butted heads with constantly -- hugged me and was nice to me (never forgot that, never said thanks either...should have).
I moved to Mentor, the summer before 6th grade. My two best friends were pete holland, and Carrie Ritchie. I lost touch with both and found them again here... Peter became really cool (seriously check out his facebook page) and Carrie turned out amazing.
Speaking of Karrie's ... langer married TOM???!!! ok... that was interesting news... who saw that coming? I think its awesome, they are a great pair.
For some reason, I never could get over the fact that some people had parents and relatives that were teachers... my mind just couldnt comprehend.
And then again there were my adopted brothers... the one's that were the kids of my parent's friends...Mark, Mike, and Rob... Mike Post lives in England now...weird, what's weirder is he procreated and propagated his gene's -- fortunately his children are georgous. Mark Host is still secretely in love with Yoda...sorry Beth, its true. I can't say anything about Rob, he knows where I live and could kick my ass.
So many of us are on here... who needs Classmates.com? We've grown up, somewhat (Nicole Elam is probably still a legal midget). But I still have memories of Mentor: snow days, orchestra, failed attempts at volley ball in matt's back yard, and eating chili at Chris ditchman's house.
What's up with days like today? Days like today we can realize how cool our little band of wannabee, hopeful, full of ideas, teenagers truly were and are.
Matt Kacir is going to be a father... truly? Really... I mean who? how? ok I KNOW how, but who? lol... congrats Matt. I miss your brother.
I think I'll take my family back to Mentor some day soon. Hopefully see some familiar faces. We have a very good thing, coming from that place. Despite our circumstances, we have all done allright. Found some happiness. Found some love. Found some peace. Must be something in the water.
Share this with others if you want... up next, embarrasing pictures and scans of old notes and year book greetings....muahhahahahah
ok, just kidding, that would take too much time. I have a child to care for and a wife to love.
Enjoy life.
Comments:
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/me/?s=30#!/notes/sidhartha-sen/old-days-new-times/421870671529
I don't really miss my high-school years. But I do miss the town - and the people. I miss Mentor. I don't think its possible to truly explain the special circumstances in which we all grew up. A mall, a beach, a few movie theaters, coffee shops, and a spattering of neighborhoods created the community of our youth.
Perpetual grey skies with some clear sunny days.
The people were the difference. Hope and apathy, punk and preppy all mixed together to form our world of love, life, and letting go. Letting go happened senior year I think. Who would have thought Face Book would bring a semblance of that history back into the present.
It's like the Brady Bunch reunion shows... all grown up, with jobs, and kids, and homes, and bills. You know we never really talk about our bills on here. Hmm. I can't believe Heidi Baggot would become an expat in China....or that Steve Kansa would... uh... what exactly do you do Steve?
The fact that Matt Cortelli and John Vaugn have grown up into admirable father figures gives me (slim) hope for my own future.
Jonathan LePere and I are extremely close in political views now... ack... what does that mean? Did he become more liberal, or I conservative? Perhaps both.
I think I miss the people most... and some of them were not even good friends of mine back then, but are so treasured by me now... while others who I was extremely close to have grown up and become insane or despondent or both.
I am the God father of my ex-girlfriend's sister's baby. It is a weird thing to write but a lovely truth from the journey of my life. And I named my daughter in part for my high school best friend's sister, Nicole. Who by the way was recently married (congrats!)
I remember being in Boy Scouts with Adam Shea and Mark Winner. I never figured out if heather herman and adam dated... they did didn't they? Oof, I was so out of the loop.
I remember when my friend Carlos died (remember that?) and Jen Seese -- who I butted heads with constantly -- hugged me and was nice to me (never forgot that, never said thanks either...should have).
I moved to Mentor, the summer before 6th grade. My two best friends were pete holland, and Carrie Ritchie. I lost touch with both and found them again here... Peter became really cool (seriously check out his facebook page) and Carrie turned out amazing.
Speaking of Karrie's ... langer married TOM???!!! ok... that was interesting news... who saw that coming? I think its awesome, they are a great pair.
For some reason, I never could get over the fact that some people had parents and relatives that were teachers... my mind just couldnt comprehend.
And then again there were my adopted brothers... the one's that were the kids of my parent's friends...Mark, Mike, and Rob... Mike Post lives in England now...weird, what's weirder is he procreated and propagated his gene's -- fortunately his children are georgous. Mark Host is still secretely in love with Yoda...sorry Beth, its true. I can't say anything about Rob, he knows where I live and could kick my ass.
So many of us are on here... who needs Classmates.com? We've grown up, somewhat (Nicole Elam is probably still a legal midget). But I still have memories of Mentor: snow days, orchestra, failed attempts at volley ball in matt's back yard, and eating chili at Chris ditchman's house.
What's up with days like today? Days like today we can realize how cool our little band of wannabee, hopeful, full of ideas, teenagers truly were and are.
Matt Kacir is going to be a father... truly? Really... I mean who? how? ok I KNOW how, but who? lol... congrats Matt. I miss your brother.
I think I'll take my family back to Mentor some day soon. Hopefully see some familiar faces. We have a very good thing, coming from that place. Despite our circumstances, we have all done allright. Found some happiness. Found some love. Found some peace. Must be something in the water.
Share this with others if you want... up next, embarrasing pictures and scans of old notes and year book greetings....muahhahahahah
ok, just kidding, that would take too much time. I have a child to care for and a wife to love.
Enjoy life.
Comments:
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- John Vaughn It is always so much fun trying to explain to my wife and sometimes the kids what type of city Mentor truly was! When I hear stories about how they (my wife and her friends) used to "cruise" or all the small towns that were dirt roads, now cities like Mentor! It really was a wonderful thing! I guess in the end we are all products of a time that hopefully one day will resurface and lend itself to our children and theirs! Thanks Sid for the mini trip back home!
- Steve Kansa Sid, if I were you I wouldn't miss my high school years either.
Funny you mention my career as that is about to change as I have decided that the never ending pursuit of money ends up being just that. I've decided that my life-long passion is something that I simply must do even though the path isn't crystal clear. And that's ok, cause what would be the point of doing it if it was crystal clear? Even though I would have loved nothing more than to be the hell out of there at the time Mentor proved to be the perfect incubator for what is now obviously my life's work. - Nicole Elam Smith I loved growing up in Mentor. I never wanted to leave, then I lived up all over Cali and ended up on a farm. I love the unpredictability of life. People we thought were just hopeless are enviable and the golden children of our youth are well... a bit tarnished. It's comforting to reconnect with all of you, in some way you all have contributed to my life, and I love my life. So thanks! P.S. As for my extreme shortness of stature...all I have to say is that proportion is key and I have it!!!
- Heidi Baggott Sid, I blame your boy/girl party in 6th grade with Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" playing in the background as the starting point that has landed me in China. Just kidding. Growing up where we did and when we did was great. There are many places I have lived (So. Cal and Scottsdale, AZ) where I would constantly think "If I had kids, I would never want to bring them up in a place like this." But with how much I think it was great growing up there, I always wanted to see other parts of the country and the world. THANK YOU for that unexpected call almost 1.5 years ago when I was trying to make a decision on what to do and where before I decided on China. It really means a lot that you called to listen and offer your advice and support. You have turned out to be one of the most amazing and inspiring people I know. I love that we have reconnected via FB 2 years ago.
- Sidhartha Sen Was it two years ago? Time is moving too fast. Kansa what you wrote is so true but still leaves exactly what you do a mystery...I think u must be a gigolo...what else could be your life's work? Lori, do I have to mention my constant homeroom companion? It's kinda obvious that you had a HUGE impact on my life...afterall I would never had such an appreciation of joy and laughterif it was for watching you. always laughing and smiling, pony tail swinging...quick to smile again no matter what boy broke your heart... the fact that you make blonde jokes more fun helps too....
- Lori Sebulski Um, yes, you should have mentioned it Some things just don't ever change, Sid. The boys breaking my heart or you. I am glad that you haven't changed, that I can still make fun of you for being a Boy Scout, but can we please do something about the smiling through my tears? Because the whole broken heart thing is getting old. Thanks.
It seems that everyone else couldn't wait to get out of Mentor but I always stuck close to home. And then bought a house here last year. I love the flashbacks when I go past Mentor High, walk into Spudnuts, go to Better in Mentor Days or to a MHS football game. It brings me right back to the friends I had so many years ago, still have now, and how much fun we always had together. - Sidhartha Sen I didn't know how to fit lipstick messages on my bedroom window into a story that my daughter will read some day....lol. melanie I tagged a lot of peeps but fb cut them off.
- Melanie Miller Bumpus You know I am surprised you didn't pat yourself on the back for your matchmaking abilities. If I've never said it - Thanks!
- Sidhartha Sen I am that good. I only went on one date with Katya before we decided to get engaged.. a few months later married.... true story... must share some day.
- Heather McGrattan Webster Hey guys... So parts of this made me laugh.. and others made me tear up. Mentor hasn't changed much. I now longer live there, but still live close. The traffic is nuts and the kids are just as crazy. When you plan your trip back home... let us know.
- Steve Kansa Sid, naturally you guys decided to get engaged on the first date - she was the only one that would go out with you! I distinctly remember Jeff Damon going down to the morning announcements in high school to give birthday wishes to Mike Hunt. That still cracks me up every time I think about it.
- Sidhartha Sen But I can run faster than you. And I doubt you'll come to Texas anytime before Christmas, and Mike would have to cross the Atlantic to get here. Plus England has made him soft...I could out run him too....ha!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Being Beautiful
it never took much to be beautiful.
It takes a smile and some effort to comb your hair and scrub your cheeks. but most of all, it takes love.
Smile at people. Hug them. Listen and let them speak for hours, without saying a word. Be confident in your own happiness and share it with others. Encourage others to be ok with being happy. Look people in the eyes and make sure to look for the warmth in their eyes.
Touch people. Touch their shoulder while they are talking to you. Get in close and smell them - even if they smell bad, purify them in your mind and make them smell more beautiful than roses.
Love them deeply - even if it will rock their boat because they have never been loved deeply before. Without any desire of romance, regardless of gender, just purely and in an agape fashion, connect and Love Deep....
Let each individual that you meet know that they are sincerely valued by you, important to you, and most of all treasured by your God.
Control your emotion. Control your connection. Be a leader, and teach people how to handle a true relationship.
In English, our word "love" is limited - so for most of us, we reserve it for our immediate families and our romantic partners.
I tell my friends (men and women) that I miss them and I love them. They know the difference between that love and the love that I share with my wife, my siblings, and my parents....
But they know that it is Love.
Loving others makes you beautiful and attractive - and in the process you will be doing some good.
It takes a smile and some effort to comb your hair and scrub your cheeks. but most of all, it takes love.
Smile at people. Hug them. Listen and let them speak for hours, without saying a word. Be confident in your own happiness and share it with others. Encourage others to be ok with being happy. Look people in the eyes and make sure to look for the warmth in their eyes.
Touch people. Touch their shoulder while they are talking to you. Get in close and smell them - even if they smell bad, purify them in your mind and make them smell more beautiful than roses.
Love them deeply - even if it will rock their boat because they have never been loved deeply before. Without any desire of romance, regardless of gender, just purely and in an agape fashion, connect and Love Deep....
Let each individual that you meet know that they are sincerely valued by you, important to you, and most of all treasured by your God.
Control your emotion. Control your connection. Be a leader, and teach people how to handle a true relationship.
In English, our word "love" is limited - so for most of us, we reserve it for our immediate families and our romantic partners.
I tell my friends (men and women) that I miss them and I love them. They know the difference between that love and the love that I share with my wife, my siblings, and my parents....
But they know that it is Love.
Loving others makes you beautiful and attractive - and in the process you will be doing some good.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Same Sex Unions, ooof
I am upset that the debate on same sex marriage even exists! Marriage should be an institution left to the church - not government! The government should never have provided unfair advantage for married couples versus others in the first place. Since we live in a country with a strong culture of "fairness" and "equality" - we have a mandate to provide equal opportunities, services and advantage to other union types. By allowing the unequal treatment of people to persist we risk too much - Constitutional integrity is at risk. By allowing government to define "marriage" we have opened the door to something that we can never shut again. oof!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Advice For the Reader
God has given me a wonderful life....lots of interesting experiences.
I want to write them here, but I am afraid what I would write, intended for praise, would be seen as boasting... so, I will just be content in being thankful for my blessings....
My advice:
learn to talk with God
maximize the body, mind, and soul that he has given you
don't eat too much, don't focus on food at all...
relax
point your every thought to god, as if in conversation, and you will make better decisions and be less stressed
love people - even the ugly ones, the fat ones, the mean ones, the selfish ones....
BIG LESSONS:
1. We have no free will
2. People act and react based on their level of happiness and or pain
3. Happiness is inversly correlated to Selfishness
4. Love is a choice - it requires sacrifice
5. Don't try to use your own mind to solve problems, seek God and the counsel of lots of other people older than you.
HOW TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS:
do not be original, copy those who are better than you, improve upon those who have good ideas, always surround yourself with people that are older than you, smarter than you, and more liked than you (trust me, it rubs off).
One of my best friends is about 15 years older than me, he has been married (happily) for a LOOOONG time, has 5 kids, a great house, has spent his entire career in my industry, loves God, has a better understanding of polymers and engineering than I do, and has a good understanding of who he is...
I have watched him sooooo closely....how he thinks, prays, talks with his wife, does his business, manages his kids....fix his car, handle emergencies....and I have learned his dreams and goals...
By being around him, he has "rubbed off on me"... he is one of many people like that in my life.
OH AND LEARN TO PRAY. PRAY ALL THE TIME FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE....it works.
I want to write them here, but I am afraid what I would write, intended for praise, would be seen as boasting... so, I will just be content in being thankful for my blessings....
My advice:
learn to talk with God
maximize the body, mind, and soul that he has given you
don't eat too much, don't focus on food at all...
relax
point your every thought to god, as if in conversation, and you will make better decisions and be less stressed
love people - even the ugly ones, the fat ones, the mean ones, the selfish ones....
BIG LESSONS:
1. We have no free will
2. People act and react based on their level of happiness and or pain
3. Happiness is inversly correlated to Selfishness
4. Love is a choice - it requires sacrifice
5. Don't try to use your own mind to solve problems, seek God and the counsel of lots of other people older than you.
HOW TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS:
do not be original, copy those who are better than you, improve upon those who have good ideas, always surround yourself with people that are older than you, smarter than you, and more liked than you (trust me, it rubs off).
One of my best friends is about 15 years older than me, he has been married (happily) for a LOOOONG time, has 5 kids, a great house, has spent his entire career in my industry, loves God, has a better understanding of polymers and engineering than I do, and has a good understanding of who he is...
I have watched him sooooo closely....how he thinks, prays, talks with his wife, does his business, manages his kids....fix his car, handle emergencies....and I have learned his dreams and goals...
By being around him, he has "rubbed off on me"... he is one of many people like that in my life.
OH AND LEARN TO PRAY. PRAY ALL THE TIME FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE....it works.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sleeping on a Lotus Petal
The days seem to be blurring together. Sunrise and sunset, still yielding to the hope of new adventures. I remember being in love, and loving deeply. And yet I could not then, fathom the depth of love that is shared with my wife. In love, I found sacrifice. I found something more enjoyable than surface romance.
Old friendships are never lost, sometimes forgotten, but never lost. They wait, like all things wait, to be remembered, to be valued. Taken off the shelf and repolished, old friendships are shining brilliant with the newness of life - love lost, life born, unemployed, re-employed, and of course, the sizzle of bacon... mmm bacon.
The myriad of colors that blur my sight and give me a headache at the same time scream out the proclamation of God. God IS. And although I am not - a nothingness, a speck on the dust cloth of creation, I AM at the same time a drop of life, cusp on the edge of a tear and destined to be transformed into the fingerprint of a snowflake.
I am allergic to cats. And I detest yogurt. But like the armadillo and platypus, both cats and yogurt remain enigmatic to me. Why would God allow for their existence? How can humanity co-exist with such things?
In the stream of conciousness - that process of wakefulness which robs us of our individuality, our purpose, and our identity, we must try to remember our dreams. Why have we so easily yielded our dreams and our hopes to the idle distractions of life and living? Careers, cubicles, car payments, chineese food. Hopeless, heart-breaking, hellish, haikus. All leading to a shallow diaspora - a microscopic fragile film that we call life.
I implore you, alas if you have read this far, then I apologise as well. I implore you to seek the solitude of your soul and reach for the truth of your life. Your life has meaning. You are deeply loved. If all in this world is fleeting, then hold fast to love. For love is infinite. Love is a driving force capable of up-ending the universe and kicking it in the rump ( much needed at times).
YOU ARE DEEPLY LOVED, and you have exquisite power to love others... to love strangers. Those trapped in the wakefulness of life. A smile, an ear, a soft hand on the shoulder. A hug, a kiss, a nudge in the right direction.
Be noble not for nobility's sake, or for the glory of being seen, but rather allow your demeanor to evolve from the love you share with others, even when others are not capable of seeing.
Love. Love and sleep. Dream among the clouds and lotus. Swim among the stream of humanity. Touch all the earth with your hands and toes. Smell the salty air. Gaze upon stars and encourage others to do the same.
For what is the best hallmark of humanity and civilization? It is not gleaming towers of glass and steel. Nor is it an Xbox and wii... it is love.
Old friendships are never lost, sometimes forgotten, but never lost. They wait, like all things wait, to be remembered, to be valued. Taken off the shelf and repolished, old friendships are shining brilliant with the newness of life - love lost, life born, unemployed, re-employed, and of course, the sizzle of bacon... mmm bacon.
The myriad of colors that blur my sight and give me a headache at the same time scream out the proclamation of God. God IS. And although I am not - a nothingness, a speck on the dust cloth of creation, I AM at the same time a drop of life, cusp on the edge of a tear and destined to be transformed into the fingerprint of a snowflake.
I am allergic to cats. And I detest yogurt. But like the armadillo and platypus, both cats and yogurt remain enigmatic to me. Why would God allow for their existence? How can humanity co-exist with such things?
In the stream of conciousness - that process of wakefulness which robs us of our individuality, our purpose, and our identity, we must try to remember our dreams. Why have we so easily yielded our dreams and our hopes to the idle distractions of life and living? Careers, cubicles, car payments, chineese food. Hopeless, heart-breaking, hellish, haikus. All leading to a shallow diaspora - a microscopic fragile film that we call life.
I implore you, alas if you have read this far, then I apologise as well. I implore you to seek the solitude of your soul and reach for the truth of your life. Your life has meaning. You are deeply loved. If all in this world is fleeting, then hold fast to love. For love is infinite. Love is a driving force capable of up-ending the universe and kicking it in the rump ( much needed at times).
YOU ARE DEEPLY LOVED, and you have exquisite power to love others... to love strangers. Those trapped in the wakefulness of life. A smile, an ear, a soft hand on the shoulder. A hug, a kiss, a nudge in the right direction.
Be noble not for nobility's sake, or for the glory of being seen, but rather allow your demeanor to evolve from the love you share with others, even when others are not capable of seeing.
Love. Love and sleep. Dream among the clouds and lotus. Swim among the stream of humanity. Touch all the earth with your hands and toes. Smell the salty air. Gaze upon stars and encourage others to do the same.
For what is the best hallmark of humanity and civilization? It is not gleaming towers of glass and steel. Nor is it an Xbox and wii... it is love.
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