Only at CMU ACF would people use the ACF's Facebook page to post pokemon friend codes. But I guess that's a good thing right?

Those who say nature is peaceful are mistaken. You walk down that trail in the forest, and all is serene and you feel at peace. What if I tell you a mountain lion was stalking you on that trail. Are you still feeling peaceful?

Any careful observer of nature will tell you it is a chaotic and cruel environment. Survival of the fittest. Kill or be killed. Mostly it is the young and weak that are the first to die. Even plants choke their neighbors so they can live. The forces of weather are wild and destructive.

But even in nature there is hope and love. The mother will care for the young. Through death, life sprouts. The cycle continues. Do I see God in nature? Yes. But it isn't in the big events, but the little ones.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Love by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

        Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

        From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

        If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here":

        Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,

        I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

        "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame

        Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

        "My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

        So I did sit and eat.

It seems like October is the month to be sad. I don't mean me, but everyone else around me seems to be hurting. Lonely thoughts. Romantic rejections. Career fears. Marriage fights. Burning out from too much responsibility.

Well even my nightmares of not having community have been creeping in.

Seems like when everyone has depressing thoughts and are on the brink of cracking, they come to me for an ear to listen and maybe a few words of encouragement. I do what I can do. For them, "there is always Dan who I can talk to."

Who do I turn to when I feel anxious? Is it really fair to just tell me "just turn to God?" Don't you who said that have people you spill your guts out to at night?

Opening up the bible is like walking into Jesus' home. we would sit in his lounge, and he would call me over to tell me I am his disciple and friend. "Go. Do as I have told you. Bring more friends over to visit me, so that I may cook a feast for them!" But when I say, "No, I just want to stay here. I don't want to leave," Jesus looks at me sadly.

Reading scripture is to have the relationship with Christ, because where else can you find Jesus' spoken words, transcending time for your ears to hear? But if you don't apply them and live out a Christ-like life, then aren't you just a fan?

P.S. - Prayer is also a method of communicating with God, but I like to think its Him who is listening to us when we pray, and us listening to Him when we read scripture. I am also not downplaying any other forms of communication either.

" I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you! " - Samwise Gamgee

Big words from a small hobbit. This is what accountability should be. This is what brotherhood is!

Galatians 6:5 - for each one should carry their own load. 
Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_NmCh42hZM

Sam: [Both are overcome by exhaustion] Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
Frodo: No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food... nor the sound of water... nor the touch of grass. I'm... naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil... between me... and the wheel of fire! I can see him... with my waking eyes!
Sam: Then let us be rid of it... once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you! 

"Thus far did I come laden with my sin,
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss!
Must here the burden fall from off my back!
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack!
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me!"
- Christian 

Is following my heart biblical? Is following my heart what Jesus wants?