Bearing Each Other's Burdens

6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)

- Galatians 6:1-2

Reflection

Galatians 6:2 tells us to carry one another's burdens. Picture how you help a person who is trying to carry a load that is too heavy. To help with a burden, you must first come very close to the burdened person, standing virtually in their shoes. Next, you must put your own strength under the burden so its weight is distributed on both of you, thus lightening the load for the original bearer.. To "carry the burden" means to come under it and let some of its weight, responsibility and pain come onto you.

There is a hidden reciprocity in Galatians 6:2 that should not be overlooked. Notice it does not say "carry other's burdens" but "carry each other's burdens." It means something like: "Live in a community where you don't let others carry their loads alone, and where you also don't try to carry your own load alone. Help others and let others help you." It is a form of hypocrisy to be willing to help others with their weaknesses but to hide your own or refuse to help. It takes a gospel-changed heart to give help unselfishly to others, and it takes a gospel-changed heart to receive help unashamedly from others.

Galatians 6:2 then expands this thought. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Obviously, Christ is the ultimate example of burden-bearing love. He bore the infinite burden of our guilt and sin on the cross and it crushed him. He did not simply share that burden with us, he completely freed us from it by bearing its entire weight. Anyone who knows this infinite, burden-bearing love has a breathtaking model and amazing resources that inspires and empowers us into the same kind of love. Consider today Christ's burden-bearing love for you, and consider, too, how you might begin to regularly take on the burden of others in the name of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that on the cross you took the infinitely heavy weight of my guilt and sin off my shoulders and bore it yourself. I pray, O Lord, that your cross would fill me with such joyful gratitude that I when I see others burdened, I would shoulder their burdens in your name.

-Redeemer Catalyst Group Daily Devotion 10.24.2011

Why Mark Sanchez is in position to become one of the best QBs in the league

I'm gonna close with one thing I realized about the Jets (besides that they're super awesome). Mark Sanchez is in position to be a GREAT QB one day. No, not a good one. A GREAT ONE.

Follow me here. Lets say you had a rookie QB whose NFL career you wanted to engineer. What would you do? There's much debate over whether its better to have him start immediately have him tutored under a veteran, but lets say you took the first option due to your current needs:

You'd want him to have great receivers. Thats obv. Sanchez has Santonio Holmes (SB MVP, 2 Rings), Plaxico Burress (1 Ring), and Derrick Mason (96 yrs of experience)

You'd give him protection on the O-line. The two most important positions for pass protection are C and LT. We have Nick Mangold, who is easily a top 3 center, if not the best overall. This guy is a beast and pwns Vince Wilfork twice a year. On Sanchez's blindside, we have D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who I think is the best LT not named Jake Long. With these two spots secure, Sanchez can sit and look pretty with his GQ self. Even if he has to scramble, we've seen that he can move around and make plays constantly. His feet are as good as Matt Saracen himself.

A developing QB also needs a great running game. The play action is crucial to a good passing game and the Jets have provided this for him throughout his short career. From Thomas Jones to Shonn Greene to the great Ladainian Tomlinson, Rex has delivered on his promise that ground and pound will be the name of their game. While our guards are kinda weak as of late (Slauson, you're on my shit list. At least Vlad is getting better), ground and pound relieves Sanchez of carrying the entire burden of the offense by himself.

A great teacher is essential to any student. Since Rex Ryan is more of a defensive mastermind, he has made a point of surrounding Sanchez with people who will nurture his growth. Brian Schottenheimer is not afraid of taking shots with Sanchez's arm. (http://goo.gl/8kFVs). This instills confidence in the young QB and gives him experience in trying to make big time plays in big time games. Mark Brunell is another proven veteran with years of experience that add to Sanchez's education and this season's addition of Tom Moore from the Colts can only help.

In order to get to the game, you need practice. Thats where you can make your mistakes and they wont be held against you. You need to have good practices, with people that will only make you better. I think people keep forgetting the fact that in every practice, Mark Sanchez is throwing against 2 of the best CBs in the entire league. Not one but TWO. Everyday he has to figure out the best way to get the ball to a receiver who's being covered by Darrelle Revis. If that guy is not available, the next best receiver is being covered by Antonio Cromartie. After just 2 short seasons, even though Sanchez's accuracy rating has improved substantially, you can see that the quality of his passes are increasing. He's making much more difficult passes and landing them.

Lastly, a young QB needs protection from expectation. If they're expected to deliver from Day 1 all on their own, they'll almost surely fail (Vince Young, Alex Smith, Jamarcus Russell, Brady Quinn). QBs need development time. If they're immediately villainized for every little problem, they'll never make it because the public backlash would severely threaten his job security. Rex Ryan knows this. He counters this by taking the team's burden on his own. By being louder than anyone else on the league, he puts the pressure on himself. In one of my favorite interviews with him, a reporter asked about credit for wins and blame for losses. In short, Rex said that when the teams win, its all because the players were great. If they lose, its on the coaches. By doing this, Sanchez is given free reign to be himself and learn at his own pace.

Look. I'm not saying that Mark Sanchez is the greatest QB of all time or anything. He's not even a top-10. But he's growing and he has all the tools around him to make him a successful QB in this league. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be surprised if he makes a top-5 list sometime in the future after the Bradys and Peytons are all retired.

Road to Indy: Vicious Preview of the 2011 NFL Season

Yes, its late. But whatever. Here are my notes for the most anticipated season ever.

The lockout is going to turn out to be a blessing in disguise. The expedited free agency period saved us of months of agony as teams had to make quicker decisions on who to pick up and who to drop. We got through all the drama in just a few short weeks and now we're ready for the entree. The season is here.

- NFC EAST- Washington Redskins
Yes. You read that right. I'm not saying this just cuz I'm spiteful of the results of the Nnamdi lottery (FTR: i hate that douchebag). The entire division is tight as hell and I think all 4 teams are neck and neck in terms of ability. I just dont think Vick is gonna finish the season with more than 12 starts. The shortened off-season is going to be a big problem for their new CBs, Desean the Midget held out for so long that his chemistry will be off, and their #2 receiver Jeremy Maclin is not looking too healthy.

Looking at the other contenders, the Giants are cursed cuz they have the most overrated QB in the league and lost a lot of key players on the O-line and entire defense, and the Cowboys are the Cowboys. Yes, the skins have a horrible coach in Mike Shanahan and had to decide between the greater of two whackass QBs, but the addition of Tim Hightower and the best O-line in the division should be enough to overcome the rest of the East. I believe in Shanahan's ability to develop RBs and they still have a decent receiving set with Santana Moss (due for a decent season), Donte Stallworth (hopefully he's done drinking and driving), and Chris Cooley. I'm definitely gambling here, but I think Washington is gonna take this with either Philly or Dallas getting a wildcard spot.

- NFC NORTH - Green Bay Packers
Did you watch last night's game? A-Rod is dumb nasty. I don't really need to say much here, but I'll add a couple lines for you Bears fans. Jay Cutler is a little bitch and Chicago overperformed last year. and McNabb? he's dunzo.

-NFC SOUTH - Atlanta Falcons
Matty Ice is the best QB with less than 5 years experience (taking A-Rod out even though he's started less than 5, he's been in the league much longer). He already has a top 5 WR in Roddy White and add in Julio Jones, Matt Ryan has the tools to make magic happen. Michael Turner and Tony G are not too shabby either.

The Saints might be in position for another run only 1 season removed from their SB. Yes, Darren Sproles looks like Speedy Gonzalez out there and by adding him and Mark Ingram with Pierre Thomas, they're gonna have a better run game than last year where they were on their 12th string RB by the end of the season. But they just don't look the same anymore. Last night, they relied TOO much on the run. Also, I just dont see how they can win another championship in my lifetime after seeing the entire team fail to tackle Marshawn Lynch last year when he ran 942 yds for that last TD.

Everyone's talking about Josh Freeman. Yes, he's good. Right now, he's better than Mark Sanchez (more on that later) and Matthew Stafford. He's prob gonna be a top 5 QB someday. But they benefitted from an easy schedule last year and cant compare to the Falcons. I don't really need to talk about the Panthers, do I?

- NFC West - San Francisco 49ers
Seattle isn't going anywhere with Tarvaris Jackson. I know you're thinking that I'm stupid for saying that when I'm banking on Alex Smith, who is now in his 7th year of suckitude in the NFL, but I really see him improving to Not Horrible with the addition of Braylon Edwards. With Braylon and Crabtree in the mix, its gonna be hard for any QB to suck that much.

And Arizona? Well, let's just say that I don't believe in Kevin Kolb. wow, this division has some horrible QBs.

I think the Rams might prove me wrong. Actually, I think that they have a really good chance of proving me wrong. But I just want to look like a genius in the off chance that the 49ers actually pull through this time. hahahahah.

- AFC North - Pittsburgh Steelers
Even though there was a lockout, Big Ben managed to no rape anyone this off-season so it looks like he'll be playing all 16 games. Assuming Troy Polomalu stays healthy, I don't see how the Steelers wont dominate the division. The Ravens are close behind, but they'll always play second fiddle as long as Joe Flacco's name is not Big Ben. Plus, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are pretty old now. I mean, really old.

- AFC South - Houston Texans
After so many years of underperforming, how can they NOT take the division when Peyton Manning is out for the season. What? They haven't announced that he's out for the season yet? That's cuz they still need to sell tickets, fools. This is a neck injury. The doctors said that he needs nerve cells to regenerate before he starts playing again. NERVE CELLS. Just face it. He's not coming back. Yeah, you wasted that 4th rd pick in your fantasy draft. Kerry Collins aint bad, but he's no Peyton Manning. And this isnt like the 2007 Patriots when Brady goes down and Matt Cassel slips into the Belichick system and the team wins 11 games. In Indy, Peyton Manning IS the system.

The Titans are looking good. But CJ2K just got paid so he has no incentive to work right now. And Matt Hasselback is still Matt Hasselback. We havent yet figured out if its the city of Seattle or Hasselback himself that makes good WRs die.

- AFC West - San Diego Chargers
Everyone's talking about how the new kickoff rule is going to negate the Chargers' horrible special teams this season. It makes sense so I'm gonna go with it too. That and the fact that Phillip Rivers is gonna be in FU mode. He's the last top QB without a ring (Brady, Manning, Brees, A-Rod, Ben, Rivers). I mean, even Eli has one and he sucks balls. Barring an injury to the WR dressed as a TE (Gates), Rivers might throw for 4000 yds...IN WEEK ONE!

Jamaal Charles is a beast. But the Chiefs did benefit from a damn easy schedule last year. I expect the Chiefs to put up numbers and maybe knock the Ravens out of a wildcard spot. Either that or Matt Cassel is gonna realize that he's not that good and start sucking like expected.

I've got nothing to say about the Broncos. Sorry, Dane. Nor the Raiders.

- AFC East - NEW YORK JETS
Fuck the Patriots. Fuck Tom Brady and his Uggs. Fuck Bill Belichick and his cut-off hoodies. Fuck Devin McCourty. Fuck Vince Wilfork. Fuck Danny Woodcock (http://goo.gl/jg20w). We beat yalls asses in the playoffs and made it look easy.

I'm looking at the schedule and I think winning 12 or 13 games might be doable. As long as NE doesnt run the table and win 14 again, I might see the Jets play a home playoff game. I should research where I can sell my kidneys in case that happens cuz I might wanna go to that game.

--
PLAYOFFS
NFC Division Leaders: Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Wildcards: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints
AFC Division Leaders: New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers
AFC Wildcards: New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs


Super Bowl: Jets 31 - Packers 27

On Football

I love football.

I think I love it more than poker. I love it more than food. I love it more than hanging out with most of my friends. I love it more than movies. I love it more than art. If you know me at all, these statements mean a LOT.

But when I really think about it, football is very irrational. I'm cheering for a bunch of men that will never care about anything I do. I spend money on clothing and other memorabilia that display an emblem that I will never be universally identified with me. I spend an extraordinary amount of time watching a program where people get paid millions to do something that I do for fun. I spend 2 whole days recovering from the pain of playing a game where people hurt each other trying to get a leather ball from one side of an arbitrary field to the other side of the arbitrary field.

Even as a sport it makes little sense. There are so many rules and regulations to something that looks so simple. You can hit people yet you can get flagged for unnecessary roughness. The rules for college and pro vary greatly and the rules for schoolyard football are a bastardized combination of the two. There are 22 people on a field but only 1 ball. Some people are allowed to throw but some people aren't allowed to catch. You can defend a play by hitting someone, but only within a certain distance of the line of scrimmage. Sometimes if you get the ball to the end zone, its worth 6 points. Other times, its worth 2.

In the past year, some of the most extreme emotions of my life were the result of some football events:
Sadness (http://goo.gl/QKkOp)
Joy (http://goo.gl/9knm2)
Hope (http://goo.gl/qWZCy)
Disappointment (http://goo.gl/nQgys)

I literally shed tears of some of those occasions.

Again, completely irrational.

But so are a lot of things in life.

There's no universal law that says we need to spend an irresponsible amount of money on a wedding. Its essentially a big ass party. We spend thousands on pieces of carbon that we know isn't as rare as companies want us to believe, yet the diamond is the most treasured gem stone in the world. The iPhone isn't necessarily the best phone on the market, yet its the default device that we choose to not only run our lives but is the epitome of "cool".

I'm not exactly sure what I'm trying to get at. Maybe all I'm trying to say is that my desire to see the Jets win a Super Bowl is no more or less rational than a woman's desire to have the perfect wedding. Maybe I'm trying to prove that football is a metaphor for life. Maybe I'm trying to rationalize my love for a meaningless game by de-rationalizing human culture.

At the very least, I want to say this:

Football makes me happy.

and the Jets kick ass.

In Rex I trust

Post-Earthquake Email Convo

From: Jarome
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:05 PM

All of 180 Maiden is being evacuated. 

From: Samuel
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:43 PM 

Erikah, Aren't you at 180 Maiden?

From: Erikah

Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:47 PM

I'm at 175 Water.

From: Samuel

Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:49 PM

Bak is at 180. I guess Bak has a free afternoon?

From: Bak 

Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2:51 PM

for some reason i came back in

but theres like 2 ppl here

going to leave

and study [fantasy football] draft material

which i need to print first

Football is an easy game complicated by coaches..."

Since the NBA Playoffs is starting, I just felt that I needed to remind everyone how awesome football is so you dont forget. These are some words from one of the best coaches in all of sports today. 

"Football is an easy game made complicated by coaches. That's how I look at it. I don't think you have to take yourself so seriously that you can't be honest and up front. Everone on this team knows what I think of him and that I care about him. Everything that I own- my house and my cars- is because of the players that I've coached and guys that coached with me. I know it's not about me.

With the media, the guys are free to discuss whatever's asked of them. We have nothing to hide. If you believe in yourself, if you believe in your team, why wouldn't you want to be open about it? I only have one media policy. I'm a big believer in building people up, so I tell our players, 'When you're talking to a reporter, regardless of what the article is going to be about, say something nice about two of your teammates and one of your coaches.' You mix in two teammates and you can say anything else you want. Because I know, firsthand, that if somebody talks good about you, you feel great about that person. I wanted to build a locker room where the guys feel great about each other. And that comes from openness, being able to talk to each other, tell each other anything.

When I say we're going to be champs, that's because I believe it. All of that stuff about putting unnecessary pressure on your team- that's bull. I made those comments because I believe it to be the truth. People can say, 'Ryan's an idiot' or 'a loudmouth,' but that just puts less pressure on our team. I don't care about the pressure. I got broad shoulders; I'll take anything."

-Sexy Rexy

The Starfish Story

adapted from The Star Thrower

by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

What's In A Name?

I do not believe I have ever told anyone to call me 'Vicious.'

Its just a name that I made up half-heartedly when I had aspirations of being a world-class boxer or at least pretty awesome street fighter. I needed a name that struck fear in my opponents eyes. You know, like 'Iron Mike' or Hector 'Macho' Camacho. 'Samuel Lee' just wasn't going to cut it.

After experimenting with various names in my life, I came across a list of the most popular DJs in the world. I saw the name 'Johnny Vicious' somewhere along the 60s or something. I didn't bother looking up his music or anything. He could have been all about suicidal death music or something and I still wouldn't know. The name was what caught my attention.

From that moment on, 'sammyVicious' was born.

The only time I would ever use the name was on my Xanga. Yes, thats how old this story is. I put up a big ass banner on top with the name in glowing glowing in red. I never told anyone to ever call me 'Vicious.' And noone really did. Until Jackie GSN. If you don't know who she is, then this story prob means nothing to you, but once she started calling me 'Vicious', the entire world caught on.

Today, this is a very common conversation:

person: hello?
me: hey.
person: who is this? sorry, new phone.
me: its sam
person: sam who?
me: sam from hunter/brooklyn/tech/fkcb/etc
person: which sam?
me: sam lee
person: *silence
me: VICIOUS
person: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. WHY DIDNT YOU SAY SO?!?!

yeah. so thats my name now. But it's not like I want the world to call me Vicious. Its just more convenient. Can you imagine how hard it would be to find me on Facebook if I was just 'Samuel Lee'???? I started a fb group called 'The Coalition of Sam Lee' and we had over 200 members, and that was BEFORE we included 'Sam Li's'. (where is this group now? ask me about it in person. I get too angry to write about it).

But the real reason I wrote this note is because people don't know how to spell my name. Its a branding thing. People should get it right. Here is the official style guide for my name:

-When writing in full, it should be listed as one word, small 's', capital 'V'. (sammyVicious).

-For brevity, the following variations are acceptable: Vicious, sV, sammyV, V, samVicious

-If you want to call me 'sammy', you have stick in the 'V' or 'Vicious'. The only people in the world that are allowed to just call me 'sammy' are my 5th Grade teacher Mr. Vershleiser and the Hsu brothers. I'd actually prefer 'Samuel' over 'Sammy'

-Samuel 'Vicious' Lee is acceptable. sam vicious is also acceptable but not as preferred.




that is all.

2011 Playoffs Divisional Round

Last weekend was just another sick weekend of football. Only 4 games were on and all 4 games demanded so much out of you that by the time Monday rolled around, you were ready for another weekend. Some quick notes:

- It might be too soon to say something like this, but that was probably the best Jets game I've ever seen in the 6 years I've been a Jets fan. Sanchez was on the money when it counted and Jim Caldwell's lack of coaching ability showed. Peyton Manning was spectacular as always but when you control the game like Rex Ryan did, even greatness cannot prevail. But you better believe I was crapping bricks when our playoff life was in the hands of Nick Folk.

- Seattle. I called it. A dome QB with a banged up team and poor defense playing on the road in the loudest outdoor stadium in the league IN THE RAIN.

- I actually thought the Chiefs could have won. Maybe if they gave the ball to Jamaal Charles more than just NINE times, they would have. Poor coaching always loses to overrated QBs with a stacked defense. Thats right. Flacco is overrated. More on that later

- A-Rod > Vick. End of story.

------

This weekend is even sicker. When division leaders are supposed to be squaring off against each other, all we see are divisional rivalries getting third chances to perpetuate their hatred for one another for the last time this year.

- Ravens / Steelers -3

They split the season series 1-1, the road team winning both times. The Ravens beat the Steelers while Big Ben was suspended and the Steelers got their win in the last 2 minutes of the game. This is probably the closest matchup of any rivalry in the league. Its always a sick game.

But I don't see how the Steelers do not win this. The game is going to be extremely physical and the Steelers coming off a bye week is going to be the perfect edge. Also, Flacco is a big no-no. While he might be statistically even with his draft-twin Matt Ryan, I see a HUGE difference in ability between the two. Flacco's weaknesses are always masked by the Raven's overpowering defense and it will show in this game. His lack of attention to Troy Polomalu was what caused the game-winning fumble that cost him the game in their last matchup. Its gonna be close, but its a lock in my book.

Final Score: Ravens 10 - Steelers 17

-

Packers / Falcons -2

In the Vicious Book of Football, these are the two strongest teams in the NFC. I kinda wished this was NFC Conference Championship, but we shouldn't always get what we want in life.

The bookmakers think the Packers are a better team, despite the Falcons' win during the regular season so thats why the Falcons are only giving up 2 at home. They might be right, but Matty Ice is no newb. You've got the league's #3 rusher and the league's #2 WR with a QB named Matty ICE. The Falcons aren't going down without a fight.

I give it a 38% chance that this game will go into overtime.

Final Score: Packers 17 - Falcons 20

-

Seahawks / Bears

I picked the Seahawks last week to upset the Saints. Thats about as far as this Cinderella is going this year. Even though the Bears have a little bitch for a QB, the Seahawks are pretty whack on the road. Matt Hasselbeck and Marshawn Lynch are going to remember that they suck and the Bears are going to get an easy ride into the NFC Conference Championship game.

Final Score: Seahawks 9 - Bears 38

-

Jets / Patriots -8.5

Rex Ryan is right. Its not about the players. Its Rex vs. Belichick. The Jets simply got outcoached in their 45-3 loss during the regular season. But lets not forget the 28-14 spanking that the Patriots received earlier in the season. The ability of the players match up evenly. Yes, Brady is better than Sanchez. I know i know. But the matchups across the board arent as lopsided. Its really going to come down to how the game is approached by the sideline generals. Since this is the REAL Game Of The Week, I provided some extra rants for your entertainment:

-If the Jets can keep the Patriots under 25 pts, they win the game.

-Brady isnt even that good of a QB. He's definitely top-5 in the league without a doubt, but his success comes from Belichick's genius more than Brady's own ability. Belichick's system went 10-6 without Brady. Can Brady win 3 rings without Belichick? I think not.

-Sanchez is probably the clutchest QB this season. Yes, he's not a top-10 QB. But he's proven MANY MANY times that he will not cave in under pressure and he's delivered in the final minutes of games more times this season than any other QB.

-Danny Woodhead is dead to me. If he scores in this game, I might cry.

-LaDainian Tomlinson has tons of playoff history with the Pats. I expect a MONSTER game from him. He's well-rested this season and probably in the best shape of his career. Vince Wilfork can kiss his rock-hard ass.

-Fuck Devin McCourty.

-If the game comes down to a last-second FG by Nick Folk, I'd rather just give up the game than live through the humiliation. Sure he won the game for us last week, but that just means he's Due to miss the next one. The Due is True.

-Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on toasted whole wheat with bananas cut up in the middle are awesome.

-Braylon Edwards is the new Santonio Holmes and Santonio Holmes is the new Braylon Edwards. If you've seen any of the last 3 or 4 Jets games, you understand what I'm talking about.

-There is going to be at least one Special Teams or Defensive TD in this game.

Final Score: Jets 23 - Patriots 17

XANGA REPOST: friday, january 05, 2007

*i wrote this one a while back after attending a conference. Its not so much about what I learned at that conference. I just really like the story that I posted. No, its not my story. I heard it in a sermon once and spruced it up a bit for my blog

----

vision and beyond

i just reread my last entry. about how i went to vision without a reason and stuff. i really didnt have one. But im glad i did. i learned a lot. Did i gain a vision about what to do with my life for the next few months? I still have no clue. Im nowhere nearer to a decision now than before, but im still glad i went to Vision. I went with the faith that God will provide what He had in store for me, and faithfully, He provided.

Here's an illustration that I shared with my small group today during breakfast. Its very appropriate:

There was a young boy who lived in a farm with his family. The farm was in the middle of nowhere. One day, the young boy heard that the circus would be coming to town. He had no idea what a circus was, but all the hype from the town made it sound incredible. He knew that he wouldnt be able to afford to go since the harvest was many months away and the admission was $1, a large sum for subsistence farmers. Their farm barely provided enough to feed themselves. But he had faith, and worked hard.

For months, he did all his chores, and worked extra hard. He woke up early and worked late into the night, even after the sun went down and nothing could be seen. He dreamt of what the circus was all about, and hoped that one day, he would be able to see it.

The day finally came. He went to his father and pleaded for some money to go to town for the circus. The father had little money, but knew of the hard work that his son has done, and lovingly gave him the last dollar from his crinkled wallet. The boy was overjoyed and went to town. 

Upon arriving at town, he started to hear the music. The ringmaster, the acrobat, the jugglers, everyone was parading down the street. The animals were all in cages, except for the elephants. They were all in line to walk down the main street for the first time ever. The boy's face was ecstatic. He'd never seen lions before, nor elephants, or even clowns. He had the greatest time, and his smile brightened the town. 

Finally, after all the acrobats, all the elephants, all the lions had passed, one final juggling clown followed the rest of the traveling circus crew. He went to the boy and gave him a big smile. The boy cried because he was so happy. He then pulled out his dollar, gave it to the clown, and went home. 

The boy got his time with the clowns. However, he thought the parade was everything. He mistook the parade for the circus and went home. We must not make this mistake. The things we learn at our retreats, our conferences....they are not the end that God intended for us. Thats just the parade. The circus is still ahead of us. Everything begins when we go out into the real world. The circus is the rest of our lives. 


originally posted on http://emceehummer.xanga.com/561017153/vision-and-beyond/