Stephen Anthony Ray

It has been a good week. My friend Landon White came into town after arriving back a few days ago from Salzburg, Austria, where he’s been a for a semester. We spent the day catching up and eating fried chicken. We even watched a movie. It was really nice. It’s really wonderful to have him back - his beard, too.

I listened to Beethoven’s entire 9th symphony the other day, too. Freaking amazing. You know, it’s nice to just sit down sometimes and listen to music - without it being a supplement to some other task.

I sang and played piano in my friend Ethan’s wedding today. It was a really nice ceremony. As always, however, it was depressing. I’m still waiting. *sigh* - but not giving up. I need a crystal ball or something.

SRay

We are free, indeed.  Nonetheless, with that freedom we often choose badly - and soon enough the harvest of the choice visits the sower.  What is worse is that sometimes the harvest itself appears (at first glance) good, carefree, and plenteous.  But to the experienced eye, what seems like plenteous wheat from afar are really (upon more detailed inspection) bundled up weeds when near.

Likewise, in life we often make decisions based merely on the immediate results they reap - not thinking nearly as clearly about how the decision will affect us in say, a few weeks, a few months, or a few years.  Worse still, we often get stuck in these patterns such that eventually the behavior isn’t elected…it’s automatic.  And that’s really scary - to think that one could reach a point where, on subconscious impulse - you live against God.

SRay