A Day in Arab

And here is a pictoral essay of my lunchbreak in Arab.

The holy mecca of "Between the Bookends," an awesome bookstore that deals in primarily used books.

In case you weren't sure what they sold. This sign is what initially caught my attention.

And this big black lab was actually blocking the door the first time I came in. I had to step over him to get inside!

This is the owner, Cliff, and another lab, he always has the two labs in the store with him. Cliff also does photo restoration in his store. A really interesting guy. He is also a big atheist, but I get to show him some Jesus love occasionally!

This is "Mr. Darwin" (the dogs name, no joke) guarding the door. He won't let you out if you haven't paid!

And after I stock up on books, I've got to read them (or work on a story!), so I head over to Rooster's coffee, I think the sign was rather clever.

And old coffee grinder for decoration.

Here is a shot of the sitting area. They did a good job of keep the country feel. It is like a cross between Starbucks and Cracker Barrell.

And here is the teapot! Isn't it awesome! And it is only a little more expensive than a large cup of tea. Weehee! A pot of tea and book! What more could I ask for....well....other than some company to share it with....but someday.

Pictures Coming!

Welcome to the Crib! More pictures coming soon!

Vocation, Slavery, and Words

"...it [faith] alone that serves God, while our works serve people..."
-Martin Luther

Vocation is something that 'm trying to understand as it affects how I can serve my awesome and loving God in everyday life. The two commandments that Christ gives are "Love God" and "Love your neighbor." I don't think this is an accident. You can't do the one without doing the other.

When I think about all of the people suffering across the world (and particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East) under the bondage of slavery. It makes me burn inside. It makes me weep. To know people are suffering so much and I feel that I can do so little.

Yet, I realize that I can do more. That I don't need to settle for "good enough." That I don't need to waste my life. While others my age can spend their time acquiring possessions that rust and fade, I pray that God can allow me to do something to really help serve others. Particularly the enslaved. Which is why I'm so encouraged my William Wilberforce, but that is another story.

Yet, God (with the help of my mom, pastor, pastor's wife, and some friends) have convicted me on how I can serve God--Words. Every night I come home and stare at the Moleskin notebook full of stories (finished and unfinished), poems, and articles (all unfinished). The notebook stares back at me in taunting and I feel slightly ashamed. How can I not use the one thing I'm remotely good at doing (and it is only remotely) for the glory of God? Slavery (now renamed human trafficking) is funded, in part, by our materialistic society. We didn't abolish slavery, we exported it. And we are all equally guilty. Yet, without knowledge nothing will change.

And that goes back to Vocation. It is actually a theological term that means "calling." And God "calls" us to a vocation through means--namely abilities, gifts, and opportunities. So the opportunity is there. I pray I don't waste it. I'm tired of hearing about suffering, seeing the pictures, and feeling helpless to stop it. William Wilberforce would never had succeeded if not without the help of the citizens of Britain being awaken to the atrocities via the words of the pamphleteers and writers who spread the word. Maybe God can do the same today.

Side note: I can't find my cable that connects my camera to the computer to upload the pictures, so posts about my general everyday life will have to waits, sorry family.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Beginnings

Well, here it is- a way for friends and family to keep tabs of my journeys through the lands of imagination (or a daily commute to Arab).

God bless!