Stars...

We write s0 often of things we know nothing of
Sickness and health
Beauty and wealth
Stories of giants and monsters
Tales filled with princesses...
... and stars
The stars up in the sky
The stars that never lie
The stars that always stay
Bright as day
That never fade away

We sing so often of things we don't remember
Of hate and joy
Of girls and boys
Of water and rain
Of fire and pain
Songs of getting famous
Of becoming stars...
Bright as the noon day sun
Bright as the marquee
Dreaming of becoming number one
Praying that this won't come undone

But the ones we want to become carry us on
We ride off into the sunset on the shoulders of those that made us
We ride on the wings of stars

Reconstruction

Hey there, I forgot what I was going to say
Would you mind if I made it up as I went?
As I recount the things that happen every day
As we wish the love and loss and pain away

We dropped the bomb on consistency
We lost all the friends we met
And left the wreak in a flame of infamy
Let's roll around in our own depravity

But another look might show something new
We could find all those things that we regret
Then we rectify until our faces blue
And I stand here supporting you

I think we need Someone to save us
Can we patch up the hope we've rent?
Let's buy back all the time we spent
On useless things and destruction
Let's rebuild the bridges
Let's start over

Focus

Owning up, manning up
Time to take it up
Pick it back up off the floor
Looking down at mistakes galore
The shiny, broken pieces
All lined up in a row
I'm picking up the pieces
The ones I used to throw
Far and wide
With a reckless abandon
The ones I hid from them
It's all out in the open
They all know
Where I've been
What's going on
What I'm doing
What I'm thinking
Stop the hiding
Stop the lying
Stop the beating, the breathing
Of the poison into your lungs
Of all the haunting that you've brung
To the table of this house
What you did to the mouse
In his cage
Like you think this is all your stage
Back up and step off
Stop hogging the spotlight
Don't you know?
This isn't your show
I'm picking up the pieces that you threw
What the whole time we fully knew
Would come to this
No other road
No other place
That I'd rather be
That I'd rather see
Me here
You there
Where you're supposed to be
Stop the lies
Stop the pain
I'm not listening to you any more
I'm smarter than before
I'm owning up, I'm manning up
Time to take a stand
And defend this hopeless land
With my fearless leaders
They carry me on
On their wings I fly
Up into the sky
Up into the sky...

Through the Winter

Hey it's been awhile
Since I've seen you smile
It's been too long
Since we sang that song
It's been a million days
Walking without a way
Trying to find the road
Trying to lighten the load
But we look everywhere but up
We look every other way for help
We forget
We die like flies
In the dark

So I'm stepping back and taking stock
Taking advice I used to mock
I'm trusting in the One
And waiting for the sun
To bring us back to
Healing
Breathing
Believing

Don't you forget
I never left
I'm still standing here
Waiting for the sun
To bring me back to life

Start Up The Drums Again

Start up the drums again
Murder back on track
It's time to hit the sack
All that's black is back
Start up the drums again
I got mugged by a kid named Jack
The breadwinner got off track
The band is back, Mac attack
Start up the drums again
Let's stay away from crack
I'm not cutting you any slack
Cuz we're getting back on track
Start up the drums again
Seems I haven't lost the knack
For shooting you in the back
Hold on while I get a snack
Start up the drums again
I'm a duck, quack quack quack
I'm going to try a different tack
I'm going to mount you on a plaque
Start up the drums again
I'm getting out my bags to pack
I'm letting you fall through the cracks
I'm making up for what I lack
Start up the drums again

A simple word

Simple words
Spoken from the heart
Mean more than you could know
They beat where broken hearts cannot
And through the sidewalks grow
Do not doubt
The power there
Hidden in a soul
That truly thrives and leaps and builds
It makes the broken whole
The trust of a friend
Who speaks what's meant
Can change water into wine
It can turn the blackness into light
It can cause hearts to entwine
One simple word
Before you sleep
Can change a day into
A day that was better far
Than anything you've been through
A simple word can destroy worlds
It can poison a wishing well
But when it's used
And not abused
It is the fount of life
So do not end the day
Until you've found the one
Who has to words hidden up inside
And breathes them into
Love

Next time you jump...

...use a parachute.
Next time you fall in love...
...phone a friend.
Next time you get drunk...
...find someone with a video camera.
Next time you fail epicly...
...know someone who can pick you up.
Next time you hurt...
...get a hug.
Next time you laugh real hard...
...don't keep it in.
Next time you cry even harder...
...pray for help.
Next time you decide to die...
...rethink your choice.
Next time you live life...
...take everyone you know along for the ride.

JSTT

Redemption

by Muse

Let's start over again
Why can't we start it over again
Just let us start it over again
And we'll be good
This time we'll get it
We'll get it right
It's our last chance to forgive ourselves...

Due to lack of insperation...

...I have not been posting much of anything.... I've been studying. And attempting to remain sane whilst all my friends contract the swine flu. Copious amounts of Zombie Wars have kept me occupied... while other things clamored for my attention like so many neglected puppies in the back yard calling loud and long. I ignore them... until they start biting me that is.

Some listen to Michael Buble, some protect the world from the Apocalypse, others just feed the puppies first thing in the morning.

I love ambiguity.

JSTT

Life is taking me for a ride

Life is drowning me
It's filling my lungs with an endless sea
It's crying and dying
It's living and striving
The swells are picking up the ships
Come on out, we're going for a dip
Let's get swept away
Swept away in an overwhelming flood
We're going for a ride

Life is breaking me
It's put me in a vice, and begun to squeeze
It's overbearing, it's started tearing
It's rejoicing, it's floating
It's raging in my ears
It's ripping away my fears
Let's get swept away
Swept away in an overwhelming flood
We're going for a ride

Some of my favorite things:

-B movies on weekends
-Extremely odd Latin slides
-Fruit flavored candy
-Friends that encourage you even when you don't think you need it
-Wise men to guide you through the sludge of life
-A God who sees it all, knows it all.. and cares deeply

Hallelujah

Sing "Hallelujah" even when you don't feel it
Sing "Hallelujah" even when it hurts to say it
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you hate the world
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you cry
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you die
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you can't go on
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you hit to ground
Sing "Hallelujah" even when you don't want to be found
Sing "Hallelujah" until salvation appears
Sing "Hallelujah"
Sing "Hallelujah"
Sing "Hallelujah"

So we...

It's so clear
So obvious
This is the way it is going
The way it always should have been
The road is stretching out
It's bending
It's bleeding
But all the same, it's clear as day
So shining bright
Such blinding light
We'll stand like stones
And will have always known
Where we're going
What we've doing
And Who's on our side
We've nothing left to hide

So we stand
So we walk
So we live

The Invasion of the Mariachi Music

It is coming to get you! Well, me mostly. I can't seem to escape it. First it was Robert Rodriguez (director of El Mariachi, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Spy Kids) and his mariachi rock band, Chingon. Yeah, if you know Spanish... well, it speaks for itself.

Now the very confusingly named rock band, The Bronx (who are actually from So Cal) made a mariachi album.

Rodriguez I can see, but a hardcore band suddenly turning out traditional Mexican music?????

It is hunting me down, it has infected my brain.

*goes off to blast obscure Spanish music in his minivan*

JSTT

"Things Change"

People say it as if it is inevitable... as if it is fate, as if it is meant to be. Last year is not this year, what was relevant then is not relevant now. What would have been a great idea yesterday would end in disaster today. She's engaged now, you wouldn't DARE do that now! If you talk to him like that he will punch you in the face.

"But it was just a joke!"

"Things change"

It was black and white, now it's all gray. Now I'm blind. Now we are dying. Now we are destined for hell. Now we have no more goodness in us. Now we are helpless. Now we hate. Now we murder. Now we lie. Now we are on a meat train aimed for the deepest despair.

But then there was one last change, and that change affected us deeply... it is irrevocable. We will not change back again. Nor will our Leader.

"Man is to face judgment once, and then enter eternity."

No more change.

Praise the Lord.
JSTT

Postmoderism in a Bucket

There is a pail that is dangling from your loose grip, it is resting by your bed, it is sitting in your lap. You display it with pride, you believe that it says something relevant. I beg to differ. I submit that it reeks.

What does it contain? For you yourself do not know. Let me tell you:

It is begging to say something meaningful by saying what you already hold to. It is straying outside the lines while remaining firmly inside your comfort zone. It is taking the majority and making them the ones oppressed. It is fancy words and flashy signs that say what has been said a thousand times, yet still mean nothing. It is dawning clothing that was rebellious in the 60's and saying that because you and all your friends are wearing it, that you should be respected for who you are. It is finding the next big thing first, and then dropping it like a bad habit when it becomes popular. It is the mall you walk in. It is the presidency of every nation you can imagine. It is the music industry. It is not science fiction. It is the best of all possible worlds.

Welcome to the 21st Century.
JSTT

An addendum

I hope all my readers will not be distraught by my recent postings. I seem to feel things more acutely while I am writing poetry, or listening to emotional music. (Which I was doing while writing the previous two posts.)

It is true that I am a little less even keel than most of the other people I know. But that does not mean that I am groundless. I hope and pray that my emotions are more and more being controlled and trained up by God in the way that they should react. I pray that I will know what I ought to lash out against, and what I am to keep silent about.

So, this is my call to you, my readers. If you see anything... ANYTHING that does not jive with what you read in Scripture on this blog--PLEASE... tell me! I want to know. I want to grow. I want to imitate Christ.

Until then... just call me Luther. ;)

Thanks to you, my faithful readers!
JSTT

Jump Start Your Heart

(EXPLANATION: There is nothing that I despise more than apathy, complacency and willful ignorance of others feelings in the name of 'love.' I see this EVERYWHERE. In the modern church, we either have our rules which mean nothing, or we have our love without reason. In the modern world, we are called to tolerate anything in the name of 'love.' That word has been so grievously abused, it must be reinvented by God's standards. But first... we must jump start the world's heart.)

I've been galvanized
I've been cauterized
The wounds only mended my soul
The burns only sealed up the hole

Why am I here?
Do I need to move on?
But I'm here for a reason
And I've been waiting too long
To fulfill my purpose
To destroy your bliss
I'm getting out the defibrillators
I'm going to jump start your heart

I've been bleeding
I've been seething
But now I'm going from potential to kinetic
I'm going to stop being so pathetic

Why am I here?
There must be an end
Why do I hurt?
So I can make the world bend
I'm going to fulfill my purpose
I'm correcting what's amiss
I'm getting out the defibrillators
I'm going to jump start your heart

You preach love
You preach apathy
But sometimes you need to get angry
Before you can be happy

I'm here to burn it down
So we can begin again
Soon we'll be reborn
So let's begin
I'm going to fulfill my purpose
I won't let this be dismissed
I'm getting out the defibrillators
I'm going to jump start your heart

I'm going to rock your world
I'm going to beat it down
I'm going to make life grow
Where it wasn't before
I'm going to jump start your heart

Wake Up! (New War)

Sorry, but this has been bottled up for far too long
Pardon me while I sing this song
I'm going to swear a blue streak
Maybe then you'll listen when I speak
I've never felt so justified
I've never felt so right
You stand like stone, petrified
While I scream with all my might

>>>>>WAKE UP!!!!!!!
WAKE UP< WAKE UP< WAKE UP!!!!!!!!
YOU'RE DEAD AND YOU'RE KILLING OTHERS
CAN'T YOU SEE
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE WORLD
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE EARTH
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE CHURCH
CAN'T YOU SEE?????????

Good morning!
I hope you die
Until you see the carnage that you've left
Look up at the sky
You don't feel, don't hurt, don't breathe
You just keep eating like an infectious disease

I've never felt so justified
I've never felt so right
But you still stand, planning our demise
So I'll scream with all my might

>>>>>WAKE UP!!!!!!!
WAKE UP< WAKE UP< WAKE UP!!!!!!!!
YOU'RE DEAD AND YOU'RE KILLING OTHERS
CAN'T YOU SEE
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE WORLD
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE EARTH
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE CHURCH
CAN'T YOU SEE?????????

I've never felt so passionate
I've never felt so adamant
About justice
About the righteous
About how wrong you are
About this brand new war
About the brand new war
About this new war

I've never felt so justified
I've never felt so right
But you're still playing with our lives
I will make known our plight

>>>>>WAKE UP!!!!!!!
WAKE UP< WAKE UP< WAKE UP!!!!!!!!
YOU'RE DEAD AND YOU'RE KILLING OTHERS
CAN'T YOU SEE
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE WORLD
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE EARTH
WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE CHURCH
CAN'T YOU SEE?????????

The peace that passes understanding

It only comes with Sunday mornings, reading CS Lewis, laughing with friends, eating good food, working hard...

...in short, it comes with a change in perspective.

JSTT

My, my, my...

It has been some time, has it not? There are many questions to be answered: What? (eating burnt grilled cheese and nursing a Mountain Dew.) Where? (Back for another round at New Saint Andrews.) Why? (Because it sounded like another adventure.)

Yes, the tales will be coming. The heads will be rolling. And suddenly I have realized that I am much more like Luther than Calvin. (More on that another time).

I do not know who reads this or why... but the world awaits. And I have a feeling that one or two would like to hear what I have to say about it. Cocky? I hope not. Amused? Perhaps.

Let the stories begin again.

JSTT

Out of Body Experience

Well, having papers and the first season of Heroes beat your head into a bloody pulp will keep you from blogging for a while. I felt like I woke up in the wrong place this morning....

"Shouldn't it still be the weekend? Shouldn't I be back in North Carolina?"

I've seen a lot of movies recently... some were really dumb, some were really good... Hmmmmm.....

Taken ****

Australia *****

The Invisible **

In Bruges **** *1/2

Heroes (TV series) *****

That's it for now... I'm still alive and kickin'. Not to worry. Message me on facebook or something.

Scott

The funky store

I find people's aversion to certain stores fascinating. I love hearing the reasons behind why someone "hates this store," or "loathes going THERE!" But I find it even more interesting that those are the stores I enjoy going to. Funky Beat (Va Beach), Flowers and Gifts (Moscow, ID), Hot Topic (everywhere)... I truly enjoy going to them. Why? Simple: the people. I have never met more hospitable and kind and... well..... interesting retail persons. They almost always take an interest in you, how you are, what you are looking for. The owner of one such store would even ask me how school was going every now and then! (Notice that Spencer's is NOT on this list, I have heard too many horror stories about that place. There is an extreme sexual vibe coming from inside every-time I pass it. I recommend saying FAR away from it!)

It's true that most of them are homosexual or strung out or have a penchant for mutilating their bodies... but they are so darn nice! Which makes it all the more frustrating for me! Why do they try to separate themselves from the world, why do they try to be painfully different when they have such potential? And why do Christians, of ALL people, hate interacting with them? It just doesn't make any sense to me!

Some of the things in the stores are rather odd too. But they are so much fun to look at, and wonder who on earth could have though of THAT! 

For the most part, these people just need to be listened to... or maybe, they want to listen to you! Small retail is where conversations and relationships often start. Support your local businesses! To hell with the webernet!

Scott

Movie Review, Speed Racer

Many of you probably heard of the Wachowski's latest "flop," Speed Racer, based on the 60's animated Japanese TV show. The stench of the film was so bad  last spring that many of the core audience who WHOULD have enjoyed it were turned away by critics comparing it to things such as "fuchsia vomit," "cotton candy dreams," or "the equivalent of having hot, melted Skittles poured into your eyes." Even graver than this, the "critics" claimed that the film was all show and no heart... but after my own viewing of the movie, I think that is just movie critics' penchant for dystopian, dark, sinful, depressing stories talking.

This is definitely one of those movies you should watch when you are having a bad day! Personally, I don't see how you cannot be smiling by the end. Perhaps one of Speed Racer's strongest suits is its focus on family. Speed, Pops and to some degree, even Rex seem to be willing to sacrifice everything in order to preserve and safe-guard their family. Not only that, but by the end the bad guys are all dead or in prison and the good guys win. Yeah, that is WAY to commercial and a horrible plot! You need to hate this movie! *rolls eyes* 

But the two things that really do stick out are the films focus on special effects and pressing on. Which screams louder, I couldn't say, but scream they do. The effects truly are headache inducing, and certainly not for the faint of heart. More to the point, if any of my grandparents watched this movie, they would probably throw up from motion sickness and color overdose. But if you are in the 10 to 30 movie buff range, this movie is for you!  The whole production really is breathtaking.

What really impressed me, however, is the Racer's tough as nails, take on all comers attitude. That impressed me... who knew that the Wachowski's had such a soft spot in their hearts for families? I am dually impressed.

There are some things that did NOT impress me however. True to Wachowski form, the film is rather violent for a PG outing. Explosions are common, car parts fly, piranas attack, and ninjas kick???? Where did the ninjas come from? Perhaps even more disappointing the the amount of foul language. Normally, I would not care... except that this movie is aimed at 6 to 14 year olds. Two s words is a little much. Speed's younger brother even flicks off one of the bad guys... not something you'll want your kids emulating.

Those are my only real complaints about the film. Overall, I think it was very good; ESPECIALLY for the W brothers' first attempt at a PG film. But in the end I think that Adam Holz from Focus on the Family sums it up best: 

"You can take the Wachowskis out of the Matrix, but you can't take the Matrix out of the Wachowskis."

4 out of 5

Working, working, working

I apologize for the rather long silence, but I am now back at school and hence back to work. I have been writing when I get the chance, and once this story is complete and edited (Lord willing) I will serialize it here on the blog. In the coming months I hope to watch and review the upcoming films: Australia, Coraline and Watchmen. I will try to keep you posted. Until then, please bear with me.

Many thanks,

J Scott

The wind

I miss the way the wind feels

how it helps me breathe

how it helps me concentrate

and how it makes me leave

From one home to another

I drift from place to place

But with an aim and purpose

Which cannot bring disgrace

I learn to wait and hope and pray

and practice self-control

As I see a world so wonderful

And see beauties since untold

I welcome in the blessings

As I try to shut them out

I so want to enjoy them

Without instilling doubt

So I trust in God's wisdom

For my own will bring me pain

He will lead me to summer

And I'll see sun again

Zodiac- film review

I knew that it was going to be a cautionary tale, but I was wrong about what kind. I knew it would show sin and evil and destroyed lives in a very unflattering way, but I had no idea what way that would be. If you want more details on the history behind the film and case, you can look at wikipedia. It's a lot more reliable than most say it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graysmith

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_(book)

I won't go into too much detail, but I'll just say this: More than the victims of the Zodiac's horrible crimes, it was those who researched the crimes that had their lives destroyed. They lost their wives, their children grew up without them, they were fired from their jobs, one turned to alcohol and drugs. What kind of life is that? Why do you need to know something that badly? Yes, the truth is important; but where is the line? Personally, I think Graysmith and Avery went too far. They basically ruined their lives trying to find this guy, only to have him die of a heart attack before they could arrest him. Talk about anticlimactic!

I take comfort in knowing that God will right everything upon the final day. I look forward to that day... and until then, I will rest in knowing that He is sovereign and I need hold onto nothing else.

Scott

Why Should I Give a Hoot About Mother Nature?

No, I'm not a tree hugger, I don't worship the god formerly known as terra and I am not a democrat. But that doesn't really change a ruttin' thing in my mind. (Yes, I am a browncoat now.) One of the really sad things about this amazing country called America is that the government (whoever they may be) is slowly, but surely, taking the place of the church. They are the ones now providing for the poor, they are the ones that the people pray to, they are the ones the people run to. Not the church, not God. And the latest thing that the church known as the American government has called god is earth, nature, whatever you wish to call it. Just like they stole looking out for the sick and needy (perhaps it was more like we gave it to them on a silver plater), we now give up our right to nurture the world that God has blessed us with and told us to cultivate.

We have become so wrapped up in our "Republicanness" that we refuse to support anything that even stinks of Democrat. There are some who would say this is wise, especially with earth worship and "environmentalism," because it is idolatry. And rightly so... at least in the hands of a Democrat. But we ought to have the same fear of Dems are we are of the GOP. They are just as dangerous, they are just as biased, and for the most part, they are just as un-Christian. We should take "environmentalism" back from its captures and call it by its proper name: taking dominion over what God has given us.

Why are we, as Christians, so hard up on the late, great planet anyway? One word: premillennialism. We all want to get raptured the heck out of here, so screw the evolutionists, screw the kids, and screw the world! We're going to a better place! This is what is so wrong with a dispensational, premillennial worldview. It may be Biblically correct (despite what many of my friends and family may believe, I am willing to grant that you may be right), but.... BUT it gives you a horrible, HORRIBLE outlook on life right now. Jesus came to redeem the world from sin. Why would he come to earth if He just wanted to get out of it? EVERYTHING He created was good! (Notice that God said woman was VERY good!) Sin and our sinful human wills corrupted that good world. Now it must be fixed; all of it, not just humans. Premillennialism makes us shallow, narrow and hallow creatures; which is something God cannot abide!

Look around you, earth is breathing, it is watching, it is living. It is not a god, but it lives, for it was created by the only one and true God, and He will not let it fall into ruin. Should we be the ones that God needs to redeem the world from? I think not. Although we are indeed a much higher form of creation than earth is, God is still in the process of redeeming everything. We ought to be helping Him, not hindering.

Sincerely,

Scott

The short and sweet review

I  might expound on this later, but here goes:

(CD) "Chuck" by Sum 41 = 2 1/2 out of 5 

OK punk effort, but most songs sound like the others... after listening for half an hour the only songs that really stand out in a good way are the acoustic songs and ballads.

(Film) Bedtime Stories = 3 out of 5

Sandler successfully turns down the raunch, but little else. His character really isn't sympathetic. Personally, I think that Big Daddy is much better. The only real difference is that Bedtime Stories is ok for kids.

(Video Game) Flat Out 2 = 4 1/2 out of 5

One of the BEST physics engines I have yet seen in a racing game. It combines the best elements of Burnout and Need for Speed into a fun, exciting and furious game. It even comes in console, PC and Mac versions! The only thing that prevents Flat Out from becoming family friendly fun is the somewhat disturbing "ragdoll driver" feature, where the driver of any given car can be thrown through the window and actually crunch and flop on the ground after a car crash.

Scott

Forgetfulness

I am experiencing that horrible feeling one has when they realize that they were just thinking about something that needs doing, yet cannot quite figure out what that thing is... or perhaps was. I know that I want cherry licorice, I know that I need to take my sister up on her offer to eat her enormous candy cane, and I also know that I am suppose to take her to the store tomorrow. I know that my father just finished reading 100 Cupboards, and I know that I am also writing a fantasy story and that I want a raggant like Henry. I know that I want to watch the first and only season of Firefly, and I know that I should probably go to bed. I know that I have been listening to a lot of Alkaline Trio and that Doom 3 still freaks me out. I also know that tomorrow is the 10th day of Christmas and the 3rd day of 2009.

Hmmm.... I thought this only happened to old people...

Scott