I had a hard drive failure last night, so my desktop is now a paperweight. I should have enough to buy a new one in a few weeks, but until then, I only have limited use of the "family" laptop (which itself is on its last legs).

I'll keep doing my best to keep my friends updated in the meantime.

When it rains it pours, doesn't it?

So my (younger) brother bought me The Last of Us as a gift earlier today. I finally settled down to play it this evening.

I couldn't even get past the prologue. (Or rather I got to the end of the prologue and just shut off my PS3)

I don't like it. I don't like zombie games. I don't like survival horror. I don't like contemplating a gory end to human civilization.

I guess I really am just a sissy and a coward. [/notsurprised]

I feel like such a horrible pet parent.

Let's List how bad

1) I got little Nougat from a Craigs List in a fit of lonely cowardice about four weeks ago.

Never make purchases when you're feeling depressed or in an intense emotional valley, especially purchasing a living, breathing soul like a pet.

2) I neglected to tell my parents, as they hate all animals and would have told me to leave the house (it's happened before). So I suppose this was cowardly behavior too.

Always make sure that your parents/landlord/chief roommate is okay with you having pets.

3) Because of #2, Nougat was living in my pickup truck since I got him. Even after he discovered how to get out of the cage and was having a free reign of my truck, that isn't enough room for a young rat to grow up and be healthy. (He did some incredibly pleased with himself whenever I caught him in the glove compartment, though).

So I while I'm still numb about it - though I suspect the emotional blow will come within the next day or two - I wasn't all that surprised when I went to feed the little guy and found him dead. At least it looked like he went in his sleep, but I still feel terrible. I didn't even get any pictures, and I only have a few happy times to remember.

And in what's probably the largest bit of divine irony, single rats are a huge no-no at that. Rats are remarkably social creatures and don't do well without a same-sex pairing or trio, to live, play and snuggle with. I suppose it's "better" that Nougat left me so soon. I've seen single rats before and they can get clingy and neurotically depressed. It's scary. (And I suppose that's #4)

This just makes me want to hurry up and jump start myself out of this stunted development I've waddled myself into.

I just feel really bad.

Late last week, my parents told me that they were going to be leaving for a conference or something with their church. So since Wednesday, I've been alone in the house. Even though I'm shy and don't really like to be around people as much as my "extroverted" nature, that a friend of mine insists I have, would seem to indicate, I did not want to spend my next few evenings alone in the house.

I also (still) have a lot of pride I'm trying to kill; pride that prevents me from reaching out to my friends as often and as deeply as as I really should be. (I keep apologizing for that, even after about ten or so years of realizing I do this. It's like I don't really believe folks really care to listen.)

So I resolved that I would fill up my tank and visit my former housemates and "hang out." I always have a fun time here, in my own way. Friends are friends after all, and I'm glad and thankful for the company and the invitation to stay here for a few days. I do have an similar invitation to move to Washington state with them, whenever they decide that's going to happen. That may be an interesting move, since I've had people urging me to consider the Pacific Northwest for a long time now.

The biggest concern that I have though, is that I'm still wanting to attend the college and seminary in Florida that I've had my heart set on, since Wheaton turned me down some years ago. (Though I'd still very much like to attend Wheaton, admittedly. But that actually may be self aggrandizement flaring up.)

That's the great thing about the world: so many choices, so many paths to explore, so many adventures to be had.

I was tempted to sign up with a dating site earlier today. Perhaps it's my annoying "womanish" traits (I'm a GUY I have no real biological clock, darnit!), perhaps it's too many sappy "ChristianMingle.com" commercials I've had to sit though in the past year - CM wasn't the dating site I was pondering by the way - perhaps the emotional difficulties from the last few weeks trying to rise up and strike me down again.

Ultimately, I decided against it. I very much would like to grow old with someone, but relationships like that are borne organically, through the rubbing of shoulders, bumping of elbows and the sharing of mutual interests that bring folks together. While there is a lot that Joshua Harris has written that I dislike, one thing that I do agree on: You shouldn't look for love per se, but instead, keep yourself available and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Love will come, or will be lead, to you.

Or for a more sentimental version: It's like that jewelry line by Jane Seymour, if you keep your heart open, love will find its way in.

Though, admittedly, between "love" wandering in and then wandering out, love wandering in and vandalizing my heart before marching out and me foolishly trying to lock love in once or twice, not to mention the other times I know I hurt others (purposely or not) I suppose I haven't had much success one way or another. It's a rat's life, I guess.

Vulnerability is so risky and difficult.

Someone has been spiking my sweet tea with estrogen again. I'm not happy about it.

I had a happy childhood but grew up in a family that seemed built to mass-produce irrational fears. My mother was always telling us about how the world was this terrible place where people were always out to get you, and where you couldn't trust anyone but your family (except when you couldn’t). My father was an remarkably passive man who never outwardly demonstrated courage or bravery in a way that could inspire his children to greatness.

I've grown up and grown out of that mindset enough where I understand I can easily shift into a "fearful default" if I'm not intentional about it. But as such, there are still a lot of things that bring out dread, fear and threaten my heart with the deepest, blackest terror.

The words, "It's not like that between us anymore." Being subtly manipulated by my friends without my knowledge. Twilight fans. My own weakness.

Many other things.

But one of the most fearful thing to me is a blank sheet of paper, waiting to be filled with my creativity or my insight. Why? I don't quite know.

Am I afraid of the strength and power I have at my fingertips?

With a collection of inspired key presses, I can transform a blank sheet of paper into a whole other world, peopled with characters from my imagination and brimming with the power of the Story. With another set of key presses, my inner world becomes real in a wildly different way, as thoughts and concepts and persuasions and arguments present themselves in a form to reflect and analyze.

The power of creativity, the power of creation, that human beings have been blessed with is a scary thing. The very work of taking what's Inside, giving it a life and energy apart from your own self, and allowing it to be shared and enjoyed with others exposes the artist-exposes me-to that "terrible world" my mother used to tell me about.

What if they don't like my characters? What if my setting is too unbelievable? What if my thesis is misunderstood? Are my arguments thought through and thoughtful? What if I'm not good enough? What if they don't like it?

In a very real way, the blank sheet is an invitation to invite others to my heart. It becomes an opportunity to share who I am inside. Whether through the power of Story, as characters interact and the plot moves along to its conclusion, or through the talent of Rhetoric, where facts and opinions interact and the discussion moves along to its conclusions, in my work, I'm letting people know the Deep Me in some way. That's risky! Pain could be involved!

It's very much like being in love. To put your heart out for another's inspection, risking their approval and trust and worse, the very safety of your heart... Yes, it's very much like being in love.

That's definitely a big reason why I'm "scared" to write. I've known both sides of the warmth of affection and the courage that Love and Trust can bring to a person. I've also known, unfortunately, both sides of what happens when that love and trust are betrayed, either by malice or mistake.

But getting the short end of vulnerability, getting hurt with love or misunderstood with creativity should only cause a short set back, a short reprieve. Nothing like this paralyzing fear of the writing craft (and other things admittedly) that has held me captive for so long. And I shouldn't be afraid of hurting others as much as I have been, if nothing else, because of my position and role in the world.

God gave me these gifts to bless the world in some fashion. In a humbling way, I really am "God's gift to mankind." Not because I've got it all together or that I'm super special awesome, but because I've been given - sent to do a task so to speak. And just like with all gifts, there's a purpose and intent for me to fulfill. And as long as I work to always be improving myself and to bless folks, make them more thoughtful, holy people who love and are loved, I can rest easy that I'm doing what I need to without hurting others needlessly.

tl;dr - Creativity is Love. Powerful. Scary. Risky. Always worth it.

... and realize that you're "that guy."

Though I suppose I'm somewhat worse, since I've not actually seriously used a mirror in about 15 years. But still

Christ the Lord is risen today, and because He has risen from the dead, everything has changed.

After too long of a time in hiatus, the Christian Furry Fellowship is slowly resuming its service to and its services for the furry fandom community. To that end, we're starting up our Tuesday evening prayer services again as we move back into our groove.

So do you need prayer? Do you want some (admittedly limited) fellowship with some Christian furs during the week? Or maybe you just want some out of the ordinary spiritual conversation? We here at the Christian Furry Fellowship invite you to join us! Tuesday nights at 8 Central on Foxnet are our prayer services where we come to pray for each others needs.

I pray for prayer requests personally at least three times a week, and others will be praying just as much as well. While we can't guarantee that God'll answer you in the manner you expect, we can guarantee that you'll see how much God cares for you through his people.

Everyone is welcome, Christians and nonChristians alike (though we hope to introduce you to Jesus), fur and nonfurs as well.

Check out for info on how to connect to IRC

Today is the day we celebrate (or at the very least observe) what people consider the start of the Reformation, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of Wittenburg Chapel. This was pretty much how people made "blog posts" back then. If they wanted something to be read, understood and acted on, they'd write them down and post them somewhere relatively public.

Martin Luther, was great man, but did have his flaws and missteps. He was a rough German man, with legendary flatulence, and a gruff lawyer, not known to be all that gentle. Not everything borne out of the Reformation was immediately positive either. But with his re-discovery of justification by grace through faith, and his own love of God's Law, he set the stage for a massive public reawakening of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the good news that even though we are enemies of God and have willfully cut ourselves off from him, God himself did everything necessary to remove that hostility between us and him. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and becoming joined to Him in faith is all that God requires so that we can be fully accepted by him. Our good works may be necessary, but they don't determine our fates.

So ultimately, a celebration of the Reformation is a celebration of our Lord Jesus.

So let's use some words!

Most people like to quote St. Francis of Assisi - "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words."

The truth of the matter is that he never said such a quote,, did not teach others similarly and failed to live up to the implication that most people ascribe to it: "Stop talking so much and just live right." If St. Francis were suddenly transplanted from his time into ours, we'd be quick to label him as a "Fire and Brimstone" preacher.

His life was one of constant preaching and teaching coupled just as strongly with a life of devotion and good deeds.

So yes, Francis is a good example for us to follow, but we ought to be sure we follow the actual Francis rather than the drippy sentimental version that we're often introduced to.

He is risen!

There's no greater joy, no greater vindication, no greater spiritual vitality than of Jesus Christ (or those joined to him by faith) risen from the dead.

And there's still plenty of time to celebrate with and become one of God's own. Make the holiday doubly specially, let Jesus save you today.

Go on and give that special rodent in your life a big hug!

http://www.worldratday.com/

I checked my calendar yesterday and realized that Wednesday (tomorrow) is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. I had not noticed the days slipping by so quickly; and so, where we are, at the start of the first time of waiting, watching and preparation in the Church’s calendar.

What is Lent? Simply put, Lent is the time set apart in year, the forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, for Christians to prepare their hearts and minds before celebrating the main events of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent is can be seen as the complementing the “other” time of preparation in the Christian year: Advent (ie Christmastime). Where Advent is a time of lighthearted joy in anticipation for the birth of a baby, Lent is a more somber celebration. Not to say that Lent is without joy, but given that it reaches its (first) climax with death rather than a new life, the joy of Lent is more subdued, less immediately realized than Advent joy.

Lent is generally observed by a moderate fast or by giving up of a luxury. Now, right now I’m easing my way into a new Christian tradition (Reformed), and I’m not completely sure how much it makes of Lent. But I do come from churches that have no idea of this Christian celebration at all; I also have the mixed blessing of having friends who see Lent as another way that “medieval people used to earn their salvation” and they end up completely missing the point. To quote Scott Jeffries of Christian Life Hacker

Lent is a time when God is calling you to renew your commitment to him by humbling yourself and sacrificing your wants for the “mercies of God” and “joyful holiness.”

To that I add, just like any sort of devotion, it only means something if done out of a sincere gratitude and love for Jesus rather than for brownie points. Of course, this does make me wonder why I keep seeing people, folks who have no sort of genuine affection for Jesus, celebrating Lent. I suppose, even worse, are those who turn it into another season of self-help life change. But I digress.

What am I giving up for Lent, myself? Allow me to answer the related, unstated “why” question first. I love Jesus, and because of my continual need to remind myself of His grace and mercy, what I give up for Lent will necessarily need to be something that, while not “bad” or “sinful” in itself, has helped to obscure my view of Jesus Christ. There are a few bodily things I’ve tasked myself with giving up, but I suppose that taking another cue from Christian Life Hacker, I understand the importance of body-spirit connection and how giving up a food item can help focus one’s eyes on Jesus and spiritual renewal.

I’ve noticed that when we have sweet tea in the refrigerator, (this being the American South, that’s very often) I’ll literally poor myself a glass without thinking. Since only the intentional life is the only one worth living, I’m going to definitely cut out sweet tea from my diet during Lent. Again, not because sweet tea is bad per se, but because I need a reminder to be more deliberate with my spiritual life and to not merely coast.

It’s going to be a sacrifice, but that’s part of the joy of a fast: replacing whatever was taken away with Jesus Himself.

It’s sort of silly, but out of all the romantic gush and love stuff I’ve read (and have been subjected to) the one that leaves the most impact with me comes from a quirky video game RPG called Earthbound.

In one area of the game known as the Dusty Dunes Desert, while making my way from one plot point to the next, I bumped into a single white pixel that didn’t seem to be part of the background graphics. Being young and curious and already enjoying myself with this game, I figured I’d “talk” to it.

White Sesame: I heard that the black sesame I used to love is somewhere in this desert. If you see him, please tell him that I still love him.

Well, not quite a “mood whiplash” but it was a little sombering given that the game was definitely more light-hearted and happy. So I kept making my way through this desert when about an hour later I saw a single black pixel on the screen. I figured what could be the harm in wrapping up this “side quest”.

Where I thought I’d get another goofy counterpoint that would have been more in line with the rest of the game, I got the following:

Black Sesame: Why would you feel like talking to a tiny black sesame like me. I wanna apologize to the white sesame that I hurt before If I could just see her. What? The white sesame still… loves me?! *cries*

I guess I’m a sap. After digesting what I’d just read I had to put down my controller and go have a good cry for about 10 minutes. Here, couched in the middle of a strange RPG for the Super Nintendo was a love story that couldn’t have been more that 4 lines long that moved me to tears.

So even with my theological background, my knowledge of the science and the sociological origins and results of “love” whenever I think of true love, the story of the two Sesames of Earthbound is still one of the first examples that is brought to mind.

And it to this day, it still makes me cry.

Some time ago a found a list of 100 topics to draw. Well, I've decided to use it for writing subjects instead, to get my creative juices flowing for 2012.

I'll be making it a habit to write 5 or 6 times a week from that list, at random for the next few months or so. And, for better or for worse, I'll be posting them here on FA, but also on my dA account and making them available through my blog, Carpe Piscem http://www.carpepiscem.net

(If I seem a bit "absent" from FA, it's probably because I'm focusing on my CP blog.)

It's a new year, time for new opportunities and new beginnings. So I'm going to get my rat butt in gear, as it actually do have to care about it.

It's a week into December, so I figured it would be alright to talk about Christmas. Every year, I try to send out cookies and cards to my friends who say they want them. So if you want a Christmas card from me, just send me an email or and FurAffinity note with your address so I can get them sent out by this weekend. Let me know if you want me to send cookies a well. I love sending things through the mail; maybe because my father has worked in the Postal Service for the last 15 or so years, or maybe because there is still a happy thrill (a Christmas thrill!) of getting a package in the mail. And I want to share that sort of excitement with my friend and family.

So what's on my Christmas list this year? Well, it has a mix of utility, education and entertainment - much like my lists every year.

* Kindle Touch. I love to read and actually own literature, but I have to cut down on the amount of books that I buy or purchase. If nothing else, an e-reader will help with the current issues of space I seem to be having. A good three quarters of the books in my parents house is mine.
* Here is my Amazon Wishlist - basically anything listed would be a good gift.
* A subscription to the Writers' Market or the Christian Writers' Market Guide reference
* I'd love to have the opportunity to own rats again.
* A new computer, or at least the parts to build my own new box.
* Skyrim (I'm a closet fan of the Elder Scrolls series, and this latest iteration looks and plays very well, from what I've seen.)
* The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

In the end though, I understand that my gift requests are somewhat expensive and therefore, probably not very likely. (I suppose that given the general price tag, they could seem rather selfish too.)

Tangible gifts are fun to get, and when given out of selfless motivation toward well-being and the highest good, they become a precious expression of love. But moreso, what I really want for Christmas is that same gift-motivation in making memories with those I love and care for the most. Sure, I currently stay with my parents, and I am grateful for their company, but it's not really companionship. The gifts I'd enjoy the most, are those that would stay for me for more than just a few years, the memories made with by doing things with friends, having a good time and enjoying each other's company. I guess what I want for Christmas the most are my friends.

Isaiah 55.1 -

Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!


John 7.37-38 -

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”


(By the way, the climax of this Jewish festival consisted of the reading of that Isaiah passage)


John 4.13-14

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”


Jeremiah 2.13

“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!


Evil is not just moral wickedness, but in a broad sense it's stupidity. God offers us himself, for us to share in his very life, to become one with him. He is the source of life and peace, of intelligence and wisdom, of power and glory, and he wants us to experience Him fully and completely. He's the only true source of Goodness.

We've done two great evils. The first evil: We have abandoned the Fountain and the vitality and goodness he offers. We take a look at the bounty and the fullness of this great gushing aquifer of life, in the midst of a desert, and we say "no" and reject it. We blind ourselves to his beauty, tricking ourselves into believing and thinking there are other ways to drink deep that He's keeping from us, and we say No to him, marching out into the acrid wastelands of life, untouched by his richness.

The next evil? In our obtuse stupidity and nascent wisdom, we realize that we need /something/ to survive in the wilds, so we build ourselves leaky tanks to try to hold onto what little water and life we managed to sneak away with. We try to capture life with our faulty methods and in the end we commit the calamity of cutting outselves off from only one who can provide life.

We say no to the source, and opt to satify ourselves with that which can't satisfy. That's what God calls evil.

[inspired by http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs.....-defines-evil/ ]

Wow, I poked my head out of my office-den, saw all the fun people were having and figured I'd been forgotten. Thanks for the tag  EllieDachshi

Da Rules
1. You must post these rules (DO IT).
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves in their journal.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and post their icons on your journal.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have tagged him/her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this." You legitimately (AKA, really, truly, with all honesty) have to tag 11 people.


My questions:
1. How many fursonas have you had and what are they/were they?

I've had two. Judas a rat and Jambres a rat-dragon hybrid. Sometimes though I like to think of Jude as an otter, a lion or as a wolf. (In some self-indulgent fantasy I also think of Jude as muscled versions of the above.)

2. What quality attracts you most to furry?

The openness, creativity and acceptance of the fandom (separate from the sexual and immoral stuff). It mimics the sort that I see in the Church (when the Church is behaving like it ought to). It's refreshing to be a part of

3. If you could increase one talent through the loss of another what would it be?

That's a hard choice... I'd probably decrease my skill with video games to increase my writing talent. Which I could feasibly do in real life (and not even have to decrease my gaming skill all that much).

4. Would you write your favorite recipe for me, please?

Here's a link! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/moms-b.....af/detail.aspx


5. What is your favorite word and why?

Propitiation - not only is it fun to say, it encapsulates the crux of the Good News that God has for us.

Because of our first parents and also because of our own sins and rebellious orientations and dispositions, we're enemies of God calling for his assassination and the undermining of His kingdom. God, rightly so, is angry our hubris and rebellion and must properly punish sin and rebellion for the peace and justice of the kingdom. So, in love, because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection His justified anger is turned away from us and we are now graciously able to receive his favor and blessing instead.

That's propitiation in the best way.


6. What language would you like to be proficient in?

Latin and then Esperanto

7. Would you rather gain tentacles or lose your fursona's tail/horns/wings (whatever is appropriate for you)?

Nah. Tentacles on anything besides the naturally-tentacled is too weird.


8. What are you going to do on Oct 31?

I want to go trick or treating, but I live in the middle of nowhere, so this Halloween will probably be another bust. Acutally that's not quite true, if I tried to go trick or treating, I'd probably end up nearby the local KKK complex (not kidding)

9. What combination of avian and feline would you use to make a gryphon?


Avian torso and head, feline hind legs and tail.

10. What do you like to do to help yourself feel better when you are depressed?

Well, I pray and read the Scriptures. I spend time with Jesus, then (true story!) he usually pokes me to enjoy some chocolate, cheesecake or sushi later. I also have some plushies that I try hugging. Some times I open up a chat window and just stare at it for a while.

I used to be able to spend some quiet crying time with folks, too.

11. Who wins in this race: Rainbow Dash or a velociraptor?

Rainbow Dash. She is, of course, 20% faster, duh.


My questions

1. How many people do you consider to be close friends?
2. Which is most important to you: personal happiness or the greater good?
3. Who's your favorite pokemon?
4. What sort of novel would you write if you had the chance?
5. If you could rename any animal, what would it be and what would you rename it?
6. What books have you read in the last year?
7. What's your favorite classical element? [fire, earth, air, water]
8. How do you feel about hope?
9. Have you ever felt like killing yourself? (Not hyperbole)
10. Which voice actor would you like to meet?
11. Who is your favorite historical personality?


And Taggage...

 2chaotic
 DECTS
 Elido
 flechmen
 IantheGecko
 louphin
 omegaeffect
 Rukh_Whitefang
 Voltomere
 stokerbramwell
 lykoinu

Why has no one made fanart of Chell as Sailor Moon? I mean COME ON!

I lost my job about... 2 and half hours ago.

Everything is on hold for the time being.

“Who are his people? We are eager to know who they are, and we are glad to find that his people need to be saved, and will be saved, for it is written, ‘He will save his people.’ It is not said, ‘He will reward his people for their righteousness,’ nor is it promised that he will ‘save them from becoming sinners,’ but ‘He will save his people from their sins.’ . . .

If you are righteous in yourself, you are not one of his people. If you were never sick in soul, you are none of the folk that the Great Physician has come to heal. If you were never guilty of sin, you are none of those whom he has come to deliver from sin. Jesus comes on no needless errand and undertakes no unnecessary work. If you feel yourselves to need saving, then cast yourselves upon him, for such as you are he came to save.”

C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, 1950), I:4-5.


Christians love and serve the Living God, and one thing that distinguishes Him from all others is just how far and to what lengths He has gone, and will go to save his people.

He is not ashamed to call me brother.

He became a bona fide human being (not just God with skin on, but just as much a human being as if he were never God at all) Hebrews 2.14-15

He identified himself with the Fallen (that is, Human sinners) with his baptism "of repentance" Matthew 3.11, 14

He even identified himself AS a sinner himself (even though he was not one) in dying criminals death Philippians 2.8, Galatians 3.13

Not only that, but he went so far as to become sin itself, the very thing that was keeping people blinded from God. And in becoming sin itself he experienced the unmitigated wrath of God against sin. 2 Corinthians 5.21

He voluntarily chooses to take up permanent residence inside those who are still Fallen, and remakes them from the inside out into new people. Gal 2.20

And now because the Living God is not ashamed to call me kin, even though there's still a streak in me that wants to do things my way, telling God to shove off and mind his own business, there's nothing keeping him from being my Advocate, my Priest, someone who's most definitely for me, even when I think I know better.

Here's the clincher:

In light of this Jesus who identifies with sinners to the point of even dying like a sinner, as a sinner, crushed and forgotten, shouldn't we, out of an enormity of gratitude to this gracious One, identify with God to the point of even living like God lives, overflowing with love and passion, holy and righteous, and with that unending sense of divine joy?

Updating from work because I'm ticked off enough to do so

If it's one thing that will make me quit my job it's the pretty much the stress that comes everytime someone on the phone mistakes me for a female.

Especially when they have no real reason to do so.


I had to call a hospital to get some insurance information:

Clerk: And to whom am I speaking?

Me: Arthur.

Clerk: And how to you spell that?

Me: A. R. T. H. U. R.

Clerk: Aha! Just like the male version of "Arthur"!


This is going to be ringing in my ears all day.

"He is an evil man, and he must be stopped, but he is a man, and we should take no pleasure in destroying him. Vengeance is the Lord’s alone.

Do not offer the alternative, “Should we weep for Osama bin Laden or hold him to account for his genocide and prevent him from carrying out his violent intentions?”

The right answer is yes."

—D.A. Carson, Love in Hard Places (Crossway, 2002), 143.