Upcoming Epic Things...

I've been thinking lately about the things I believe in and all the opinions I have, and I've decided I'm going to start actually using my blog and writing about the things I think about. I guess that's exactly what most blogs are, but it's a pretty big deal to me to be able to communicate clearly what's on my heart and mind, so I'm hoping I can get most of my friends and family to read what I'm writing, and respond intelligently too. I'm planning to fully devote one post to each subject or topic or idea, and so far my little list has about 25 ideas written down. I'm going to take my time and thoroughly discuss everything as much as I can, so I hope you'll take the time to read the things I will take the time to say and forgive me if I end up repeating myself. I'm excited about this, and that I have the time and ability to undertake this :)

Fear not.

“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future.” Fulton Oursler


"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)


"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Psalm 118:6 

Meaningless Life

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the "Teacher" declares over and over again that everything is meaningless. Life, toil, wisdom, foolishness, tears, and laughter are all meaningless. I always found the entire book rather confusing, but the last two verses at least are clear enough:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)

 ¹³ Now all has been heard;

       here is the conclusion of the matter:

       Fear God and keep his commandments,

       for this is the whole duty of man.

 ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,

       including every hidden thing,

       whether it is good or evil.

I think it serves as a sort of key to the rest of the book, but I was still confused until today when I had a bit of an "ah ha!" moment, reading Ecc. 2:11:

 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done

    and what I had toiled to achieve,

    everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;

    nothing was gained under the sun.