Well...

Well I had a post all typed up... but I didn't like it so for now this is all you get "An Update on the Life of Jon"

Well I graduated, they gave me a diploma signed and everything. Since graduation summer has been pretty busy. Worked 85 hours in 8 days helping set up for A Taste of Summer starting the Wednesday after graduation. The weekend after that was my sisters Liz's wedding, which was surprisingly very fun. Then last Wednesday I helped move her and Jeff to Ft. Wayne. Now I wish I was there for Christ Academy but.. I'm not.

Thats all for now and hopefully I'll write a post worthy of being put up here soon.

On Choir Tours

From Bus Ride on 4/13

And there we were! In the mountains.. Riding on the bus… watching some stupid movie.

And yet here I am typing away on the computer, on the road from DC to Ohio.

So far tour has been.. tour. Rather boring as far as tours go. But tour none-the-less. Tours are very interesting times. You learn more about people then you could ever want to know. You are basically living with 50 other people for a week, with much time spend on a cramped bus. Then again not all you learn is bad -- Relationships are strengthened throughout the time spent together. You learn amazing things about people, some of whom you may never have talked to before.

What is also unique about tours is that once it is over most things go back to being exactly the same. Those people who you talked too a lot during the coarse of tour, go back to completely ignoring your presence when you get back to “real life.” What’s weird for me is that this is my final tour. When I get back I won’t have much time to form or strengthen relationships with those people who I have been in school with for four years. A month and a half left-- then everything begins again. New people, new school, new teachers a new place to live for the next few years. So what did these past four years, specifically choir tours mean? All they become is a flash of memories and a few pictures, but have they really impacted me? Choir tours… perhaps not, but being singing for the past four years? Definitely!

It was about this time 8th grade year when my sister was trying to talk me into trying out for Troubadours. I really was never much into music, especially singing. I never really listened to all that much music or anything. But there I was an 8th grader who was about to leave grade school. She finally did talk me into trying out for the best singing group offered at the school I would be attending next year. Then to fast forward a few months. There I was the kid in the middle of the summer before he entered high school who opened a letter not expecting much. Then reading that he had made it into troubadours and was one of three basses and the other two were seniors. From then on.. I developed a love and respect for music. It became the sanctuary for my mind. The best way to control my feelings or develop feeling within me. I love the quote that I found recently, “Who needs psychotherapy when you can listen to B Minor Mass?” Its true through music you have one of the greatest things for your mind. Music calms your mind, it clears it, it works, and it stretches the imagination. As I look back at the kid who stood there and opened the letter I can barely recognize him. Music has truly changed my life and without it I don’t know where I would be today.

So choir has definitely changed me, but what of tours? There are lots of memories from tours, But have they changed me? Perhaps some. Such as singing “Kyrie, Eleision” at ground zero in New York. That is not something one forgets quickly. I have seen many places I probably would have never seen if not for choir tours such as the sight of JFK’s assassination, or all the things that I saw in Washington DC this year. But still has tour meant anything? Perhaps not much for me, but for those who heard the choir sing. Hopefully, for that is what tour is really about. It’s about us proclaiming Christ. Especially this year as we tour right after Easter! Christ Crucified, Died, and Risen! Alleluia We Sing! So even if tour doesn’t seem to have that much meaning for me, it does for some of those who hear us sing and those hosts that we stay with. We have the great opportunity to interact with others and spread the Gospel.

So I guess tours do mean something. Even one’s like this where we only have the chance to sing two concerts.

The Peace of Christ who has been raised be with you! Alleluia!

Easter 2007

Alleluia! Joy unending, Praise ascending to the sky
Death is vanquished, life has triumphed.
Christ is Risen today!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s they victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has lead, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen Today!

Yet Though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee Mine!

TLH 172

1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

2. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish
That once was bright as morn!

3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color, once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Grim Death, with cruel rigor,
Hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor,
Thy strength, in this sad strife.

4. My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

5. My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love,
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.

6. Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

7. The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

8. What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.

9. My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own!

10. Be Thou my Consolation,
My Shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:28-30


When Jesus says "It is finished" He is saying that your salvation has been completed. Nothing more is needed!

"Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." John 19:34

From His broken body the blood of Communion and the water of Baptism flow. The means by which we receive the gifts won for us that day.


Vs. 2-4 Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.

Monday of Holy Week

LSB 439

1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?

2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.

3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.

4. What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.

5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,
God is committed.

6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.

7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.

8. Mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?

9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder,
Thy woes, They mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?

10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.

11. But since my strength will never more suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12. I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.

13. Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.

14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.

15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.


Such a beautiful hymn that we do not get to sing that often. It speaks of the crucifixion - of how this pain is for us. Throughout the Lenten season and especially Holy Week people try to “sin less” then end up focusing more on themselves, on how sinful they are, then on the Gospel. That Gospel which came physically to all mankind on that Friday and still comes physically to each of us through the sacraments. This Thursday we remember the day when Christ first instituted The Sacrament of the Altar. Each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper the Gospel is being put directly in our mouths, you receive the forgiveness that was won FOR YOU on the cross. You receive the same blood that flowed from Christ’s side when his body was broken. How wonderful the Gospel is!

Though hymns like the one above sound “depressing” musically, they carry the wonderful message from the Gospel.
This sinless son of God chose to die for us. We who forfeited our own lives. In his love Jesus felt complete and utter loneliness, and also felt the full hammer of God’s Wrath all For You! And For Me Too!

Throughout this holy week keep that at the front of your mind. Christ Crucified for the Forgiveness of your sins.

Blessed Holy Week to each of you!

Spring Break

Ahh... Spring Break, a break away from School, people, waking up early…. ANYTHING HAVING ANY EXCITEMENT WHATSOEVER!!! (breathe Jon its ok just breathe)

Actually so far spring break has not been that bad, except for having to spend an inhuman amount of time with my insane family. I started “Wizards First Rule” the first book in the Sword of Truth Series. So far it is one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. Unfortunately, people usually come into the room I’m reading in and make noise, so most of my reading comes late at night. Otherwise, I’ve been spending way to much time on the computer as usual.

Most of the normal people I talk to online are away having fun in Texas without me. Most people would probably say something about the weather, but Its been warm here and I would much rather have it cold and snowing, then hot and humid. Eh.. Hope if any of you bandies read this, your having a wonderful time on tour.

I keep trying to think of something thought provoking to write about, but it just isn’t coming to me, probably because I’m sitting in a room where the BRAIN-EATER is on. Stupid family and Stupid TV. GRR! Ah well, give me something to write about and hopefully a good post will come this week.

Pax Christi

Valentine?

Ah.. Valentines day! What meaning do you have?

A few posts ago I wrote about how I didn't understand celebrating the New Year. Now a 'holiday' almost as wide spread as New Years which I also don't get.

Perhaps its because I'm single that I don't understand the reasons that one day in February couples go out and by each other flowers or chocolate. Even in my own high school they use valentines day as a fundraiser of sorts. You have the option to buy a flower for someone else and on Valentines day (named after the patron saint of flowers and chocolates?). Then they distribute them in the ever-so-romantic way of calling out peoples names at lunch and having them walk up and get the flowers.

So what is so great about Valentines Day? Is it just that fun to go waste money on flowers that will die or chocolate that will be eaten? Maybe, I'm just not understanding or maybe I just have a different opinion of love.

If you're looking for an article with some depth to it and not just me talking about how I don't get the reason for the holiday and think its stupid, head over to Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere where he wrote a post that is much more thought provoking than mine.

I now leave you with a quote on love that has fast become a favorite of mine:

"I could love you today and hate you tomorrow, those feelings don't mean anything they change like the wind and will die with me. If I love you in Christ THAT is eternal."


Pax Christi

Running

*very rough post, just wanted to write something and thats what was going through my head*

Running....

There are many reasons to run. Some run for exercise and health while others run for fun their goal to achieve the ultimate runners high. My running is none of those. Mine is a figurative running. Running from the Future, running from the past, running to leave the present. I also run in circles, I can't make up my mind. To go to college here where who knows if I'll be happy with it, to go to college there when half seem to be pushing for it and half warning against it. My mind cannot weigh the pro's and con's against each other. So around my track I continue to run.

Running around and around I go. I run past many people just watching and thinking. How strange people are. Do they see the world that exists outside of their bubble of life and close friends? If they can see it do they care for anything? To they pay any attention to those who have dedicated their lives to them? Old friends, teachers, parents, pastors all those that keep their world from crashing and burning. As my mind runs past all different kinds of people, I see much that I hate, yet there is this desire to be there for them, to help in anyway I can, even if that means being no help at all. I continue to run around all the people I have known. What keeps stronger relationships with these people from forming? Perhaps it is my running away without even realizing it.

What is this hydration that keeps me going. Why don't I quit, for the thought is there more often then it is not. Onward, onward i press, perhaps even quickening pace. What, what could it be, I try to stop but I just can't. Where am I going, do I have any say in that. For even where I think I am going spins uncontrollably. What keeps a runner going, looking for the prize of a finish? I guess I shall continue running until my feet stumble across that line.

A Christmas Post on New Year's Eve

Thats right! I'm posting about Christmas on New Year's Eve. Why? Because I don't really get the celebrating of a new year beginning. Certainly there are things that I am looking forward to in 2007, like my graduation, my sisters wedding, and of course FOR YOU in MN. I just don't understand why we celebrate midnight of January 1st.

The year is a very strange thing. Its the name we give to 365 days. Wait thats not even right because we have a year with 366 days every 4 years. A year is 12 months. What kind of number is 12? Wouldn't it make more sense if it were 10, a nice even number. But apparently a month is based on the moon and Years are based on the Sun rotating around the earth. Wait! I guess they found out that its the earth that goes around the Sun. So those smart scientists people decided to teach us something even it it doesn't make much sense to people like me. Maybe I will understand more through my astronomy class next semester.

But what about other ways of measuring time: Days I can understand it gets bright then it gets dark even if its cloudy. Though I am not sure why the day starts when it still dark out when it would be much easier to start when the sun rises. But hours Why are there 24 hours in a day? 24 not 25 not 50 not 20 not nice even numbers but 24. What makes up a hour? 60 minuets 60, not 100 not 50 but 60. Then they break up the minuets into 60 seconds. What do we need seconds for? All of this came from me mentioning the New Year.

So how about the Christmas part of this post?

I love music! All kinds of music I just love it. (Except rap but is that really music?) I can't get enough of singing music, listening to music, attempting to play music on my keyboard I got for Christmas. Advent is full of really Good hymns. I like Advent hymns more then I like Christmas hymns.

But why is that? With other things advent is full of good things leading up to the great things of Christmas. One thing that comes to mind is when I was younger and we used to have those chocolate Advent calenders. We got a piece of chocolate each day and then during Christmas we got a ton of it in our stockings or my favorite chocolate cookies that my aunt makes for Christmas every year. But for some reason I just like the Advent hymns more then Christmas ones.

Even though in general I do like Advent hymns more then Christmas hymns none of my favorite hymns come from the Advent section. Two of them come from the Christmas section. One of them is From Heaven above to Earth I come, and the other I have typed out below.

LSB #384

Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He whom seers in old time canted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long expected;
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

A very blessed Christmas and New Year to you all!

Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran

A promotional DVD featuring Higher Things, the greatest Lutheran youth organization on the planet. This promotional video was filmed this summer at Higher Things' annual summer conference, The Feast in Colorado Springs, CO. Check out Higher Things online at http://www.higherthings.org

11/22/1963

Today I would like to take a moment to remember a great author, Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis. He died November 22, 1963 after collapsing in his bedroom at 5:30pm and died a few minutes later. He is now buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church in Oxford.

Media coverage of his death was overshadowed by news of teh assassination of President John F. Kennedy which happened on the same day, as did the death of Aldous Huxly.

C. S. Lewis' feast day in the Anglican calendar is November 22

RIP C. S. Lewis

Something to go along with the last post

Should I Commune at Other Churches?
By: Pastor Aaron Koch

The answer to that question depends on the other church. If you're away from the area and are unable to commune here at Mt. Zion, you should seek out a church which believes and teaches and practices what we do. The only churches in this country which have committed themselves to doing so are the congregations of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. We are not in fellowship with other Christian and Lutheran church bodies because of important differences in what we believe and teach.

You should only commune at a church that has the same teachings and beliefs as Mt. Zion does. To commune at a particular church means that you agree with what that church stands for, its doctrine. A Christian cannot commune at two different churches which do not agree in doctrine. You cannot be in fellowship both with falsehood and with the truth.

Therefore, you should not commune at a non-Missouri Synod Lutheran church or any church (even an LCMS one) which engages in or allows the existence of false teaching or practice in its midst, even if you think that false teaching is only a small matter. The fact is that no false teaching is a small matter, because it threatens the truth of the Gospel of Christ; just as you would regard even a little poison in your food to be a very dangerous thing.

This is not only a private matter between you and the Lord. By communing you are also uniting yourself with the others who commune with you and with the teaching that is proclaimed in that place. Receiving communion is a public act by which we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (I Corinthians 11:26). May God grant all His churches to make this Gospel proclamation clearly and purely to His glory and the salvation of many!

Augustana XIV

"Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call."

Readers Edition notes- "When this article speaks of a rightly ordered call, it refers to the Church's historic practice of placing personally and theologically qualified men into the office of preaching and teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments. This is done by means of a formal, public, and official call from the Church to do so. When this article was presented, it was understood that a call into the preaching office would be confirmed and formally recognized by means of the apostolic rite of ordination (with prayer and the laying on of hands)

So why do I post that today, on Reformation Sunday? I post that because it is one of the first things that came to my mind during the church service I atended today. The Pastor of this LCMS congregation was out of town for a confirmation retreat. Unfortunately, this pastor had one of the members of the congregation the services instead of finding a pastor to fill in for him. So the congregation member basically was the "liturgist" (although there was really no recognizable liturgy) My principal who is not ordained gave the "message." Which goes against that whole preaching thing of AC XIV. The message itself wasn't very good, He brought in Luther, but no Cross or sacraments, basically no Christ. Then Communion; Surprisingly the statement was pretty good. Talking about how we receive His true Body and Blood with the Bread and the wine for forgiveness of sins. Unfortunately the non-ordained congregation member spoke the words of institution and was also the one who said the pretty weak absolution after confession. Yet, twenty of the twenty-four members of my choir communed. Even with these strictly non-Lutheran practices. Two of the people who did not commune were not LCMS although I am sure they would have been allowed to commune if they wished. Well that's all I really I am going to say about the service. Just about these actions that went against the confessions that I know my principal said that he would uphold, and the pastor who was not there said he would uphold.

Crux sola est nostra theologia!

Happy Reformation Sunday!

Pax Domini

Issues etc.

I had a wonderful opportunity last night to see a LIVE broadcast of ISSUES, ETC., a National Lutehran radio talk show. The topic was Praise and Worhsip Music. They took a few of the Top CCM songs and evaluated them. Dr. Leonard Payton gives some very good things to look for.

You can find the first hour here: http://worldwide.kfuo.org/kfuo/issues_etc6/Issues_Etc_Oct_15a.wma

and the second hour here:
http://worldwide.kfuo.org/kfuo/issues_etc6/Issues_Etc_Oct_15b.wma

Hymn Origins

Came across this discussion on one of my mailing lists, I thought I'd post it since it kind of ties in with something I will be posting later.(hopefully)

I would like to know about the origins or our Lutheran Hymns. What I would
really like to know is whether or not they were derived from music that
would have been classified as german beer drinking melodies?? I had a
discussion with another lutheran that goes to one of the large liberal
LCMS congregations here in the KC area and his argument to me was that
Luther would be turning over in his grave if he knew what we
(Confessionals) were doing in trying to preserve the traditional lutheran
worship. He basically compared my thinking to that of the Pharisees. He
said that the hymns in Luthers time were all beer drinking melodies and that
the reason for that was to bring it to the people in a language that they
would understand and that we should change with times so that we can
continue to bring it to the people in a language that they can
understand today.

Reply:
If you google "Martin Luther" and "bar tunes", you 'll find out the
scoop on this old rumor that Luther took beer drinking songs and made
them into hymns. What he did was write music with lines between the
measures and those lines are called "bars". Here's an example of an
article written by Gene Veith about that subject. There were several
when I did the search.

http://www.worldmag.com/articles/9831

The Confessions say that we retain the Mass -- Luther was not interested
in trashing the tradition (like liberals today). He was interested in
correcting the abuses which had come into being over the years (sale of
indulgences, masses for the dead etc.)



Christ Centered, Cross Focused

For Devout Teachers of the Gospel

Dear Lord God, bring blessedness and salvation to the holy church which is the kingdom of Christ. Send us faithful teachers who will reveal your name to the world and who proclaim that you are gracious and merciful, forgiving us our sins for the sake of your Son. He will grant us eternal life in order that all people may rely on your grace and mercy, call upon you, and give you praise and thanks. Abolish all human doctrines and let Christ alone be our King, ruling through his gospel and making us his servants. Amen

-From Luthers Prayers

Te Deum Laudamus

I first sang this at one of the Morning Office's during my stay in Fort Wayne. It is included in the new hymnal LSB 941. and I was just listening to my Kantorie CD where they sing it. So I thought I'd Post it

We praise You and acknowledge you, O God,to be the Lord
The Father Everlasting, by all the earth adored.
To You all angel powers cry aloud, the heavens sing.
The cherubim and seraphim their praises to You bring:
"O holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
Your majesty and glory fill the heavens and the earth!"

The band of the apostles in glory sing Your praise;
The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise.
The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng,
Sing with the holy Church through-out all the world this song:
"O all-majestic Father, Your true and only Son,
And Holy Spirit, Comforter forever Three in One!"

You, Christ, are King of glory, the everlasting Son.
Yet You, with boundless love, sought to rescue ev'ryone:
You laid aside Your glory, were born of virgin's womb,
Were crucified for us and were placed into a tomb;
Then by Your resurrection You won for us reprieve
You opened heaven's kingdom to all who would believe.

You sit in splendid glory, enthroned at God's right hand,
Upholding earth and heaven by forces You command.
We know that You will come as our Judge that final day,
So help Your servants You have redeemed by blood, we pray;
May we with saints be numbered where praises never end,
In glory everlasting. Amen, O Lord, amen!

Among the STARs

Your results:
You are Qui-Gon Jinn

Qui-Gon Jinn 76% Boba Fett 75% Darth Maul 74% Chewbacca 71% Jabba the Hutt 67% Darth Vader 66% R2-D2 65% Yoda 64% Count Dooku 64% Emperor Palpatine 62%

Overall, you're a pretty well balanced person. But maybe you focus a little too much on the here and now. Think about the future before its too late.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)


Click here to take the "Which Star Wars character am I?" quiz...


Your results:
You are Worf

Worf 60% Uhura 55% Jean-Luc Picard 50% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 50% Deanna Troi 45% Chekov 45% Data 39% Spock 39% Mr. Sulu 35% Will Riker 30% Geordi LaForge 30% Mr. Scott 30% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 30% James T. Kirk (Captain) 20% Beverly Crusher 15%

You are trained in the art of combat and are usually intimidating.

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9/11

I posted this last year but I think that it is good enough to be posted again.

http://erichmusick.com/911/

A flash presentation from 9/11/01

Sigh...

It is offical... My Chicago Cubs are the worst team in the national league. Such a sad day losing to the Pirates and falling under them by half a game today.

Finish above the Pirates Cubbies. You can do it!