The other day I was spouting random seeds of wisdom, that Courtney coined “golden nuggets” … enjoy! Oh, and I hope you enjoy my friend Hurly here …

• Indecision leads to missed opportunity.
• No one will think of you as a women until you acknowledge yourself as one.
• What she lacks in determination, she makes up for in non-committal.
• Your bad choices can only lead to worst results.
• If God is my constant, you are the variable.
• Customization is the first step to habitualization.

“If God is the constant in my life,
then, my love, you are the variable.

Without you, it is possible I’d have visited less valleys,
but assuredly, with you, I have seen that many more peaks.

Our love is an intricate mess,
one I wouldn’t trade for any other promises.

All I hear at times
are the streaming sounds
of monsters all around,
as they surround.

Napkin 1

• a murder of crows
• a herd of sheep
• a hive of villany
• a pod of whales
• a flock of geese
• a pride of lions
• a guild of nerds

Napkin 2

• a caravan of camels
• a drive of dragons
• a drove of hum-vees
• a sisterhood of traveling pants
• a brotherhood of monks
• a march of dimes
• a head of hairs
• a stack of cups
• a house of cards
• a bag of tricks
• a round of bullets
• a chamber of secrets
• a fist of fury
• a tray of ice
• a bunch of bananas
• a load of crap
• a pinch of salt
• a pile of leaves
• a crew of sailors
• a fleet of ships

Napkin 3

• a tribe of indians
• a battalion of soldiers
• a gathering of magic
• a church of believers
• a bouquet of flowers
• a forest of trees
• a box of chocolates
• a string of pearls
• a book of spells
• a barrel of monkeys
• a range of mountains
• a chain of fools
• a hall of presidents
• a walk of shame
• a row of chairs
• a flight of Conchords
• a carol of bells
• a Schrute of mistakes

Napkin 4

• a pair of shoes
• a parade of cars
• a circus of clowns
• a Squad of 5-0
• a rack of lamb
• a set of clubs
• a cloud of smoke
• a ring of fire
• a collection of stamps
• a village of idiots
• a World of Warcraft
• a den of thieves
• a series of Unfortunate Events
• a lawn of grass
• a class of students
• a stream of conscience

"What do you call a bunch of losers?" - Oscar
"Us!" - Courtney

For more fun with collective nouns you should probably check out some of these articles. Enjoy!

Seeking release,
he stands upon a self-made precepice.
Digging his heels
into a soft-set sand that never fits.

Here is a boy,
not striving and nor is his aim for “man”;
there is not a sway
and rare a concern in way of your plan

His goal not ready,
nor can it be found or called to be steady.
Disappointed by many
and frankly has lost all care and love for them or any.

His remorse is as it be;
swift and fleeting and say fair to call heady.
The anger that stirs
is quick to rear and quicker still to be found petty.

I’ve had the words of a song I heard at Status last week stuck in my head for awhile, and after shaking around in my head a bit, this wallpaper is what they turned into. I hope you enjoy, and for those interested, here are my notes from the speaker that night.

The song is called Hosanna. Here is one of the lines: "break my heart from what breaks yours."

Luke 12
"How ironic is it that the crowds where trampling each other in order to hear Jesus' message of love?"
"Is the inside of you lining up with the outside that people actually see?"

Questions to ask yourself before buying things you probably don't need:
Can I afford this?
Will this make me happy?
Should I buy this?

In the parable of the rich man, Jesus does not condemn the man for being rich ... Jesus calls this man a fool when his attitude becomes focused on self-serving. "Your life is not your own!" Our lives are on loan from Him. We have made money such a private issue ... This rich man wasn't talking to anyone about this ... he hadn't really discussed this plan of laziness he wanted to persue with anyone.

2 Corintihans 8: 13-15 - Rich towards God ... Do I fit the description?
Our possible responses to God about money:
1. Let me do what I want.
2. Legalistic ... 10% ... No more, no less
3. Ask the Holy Spirit ... What can I change?

Invite the Holy Spirit to inventory what you own ... Is my heart attached to this?
Are you greedy in some way that is closing your hand to giving?

I don’t trust myself to sleep.
Haunted by memories threaded in so deep.
I see a face; a face I have never know,
but one so lovely and dear, I continually yearn to own.

She is a beauty, in vice and appeal,
speaking words my dreams folly to reveal.
The attraction by which she lures, I do not understand.
Abounding wonderfulness that would stifle any man.

I may not remember her or you or this place in time.
Though the walls are familiar, as is the porch, the swing and the chime.
This block, this walk and this street, hold a vagueness of real,
One barely certain to me, held fairly by means of love congeal-ed.

My eyes are blanketed by dark’s enveloping sheet.
Rest? I am only rewarded by weaknesses engrossing heat.
Tears am I blinking, to drown the near obsession.
Fear? Un-wantingly I run, for dread of painful confession.

Mine is a torment, unknown and relentless.
As night draws near, I begin again to feel the strong presence.
The lurking, the enticing and the remorseless inviting,
To share in lovelies and memories that are but trifling.

More often than not, I fear, man as fallen under this spell.
Been drowned, not screaming; Gagged, not cheering; straight into hell.
I trust not the power of my will, nor the weakness of my mind,
Clear is this vixen; near is this whisper of love to be refined.
… Harsh is the levity found upon waking to steadier mind.

Eric’s anxiousness to see the sketch I drew during today’s sermon inspired me to work up this piece. I went ahead and uploaded the original photo I took, in case you want to play the “Boy’s Life” game of spotting what is different. ;) Enjoy.

He powers up and starts his day;
a few others, in tow, follow his way.
He thinks: “The day will end as the rest”
“Empty, lonely … defeated, at best.”

Stark is his joy and trembling is his hand,
to stumble upon a treasure, so unplanned.
“Consume, relish and to yourself entreat;
rare is the day when love is secured,
while a heart still able to beat!”

Squiggly worms,
given to and shaping in an
over-abundance of glee;
though warted, hairy and toothed is
how they tend to be.

Their wisdom is strong,
and though I want it much,
the skin they share, I truely fear to touch.
“Stay your distance and keep your way!
“Just shout your words
and I’ll continue my day.”

I forgot to finish this post in time to add it to the Illustration Friday archive, but I hope you still enjoy the napkin sketch and this bit of rhyme.

They amass upon the cliffs,
seeking to find an sustaining ledge.
In pursuit of a welcoming host,
their fall upon him is swift.

Dark is their interest,
deep is their intent.
From within the bellows,
they are seeking and are yet to be content.